- The short document "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles" was published by Latter-day Saint apostles 25 years ago.
- It is a spiritual and theological treatise of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- President Russell M. Nelson, one of the four remaining signatories, commemorated the anniversary with a tribute on social media.
On Jan. 1, 2000, a group considered to be living apostles of Jesus Christ published their joint testimony to the world about the “matchless life” and divinity of Christ.
The 710-word document — “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” — also became a theological treatise of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles — that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son,” the document said.
The 15 signers were members of the church’s three-person First Presidency and then Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who outlined the many similarities between Latter-day Saint beliefs about Jesus Christ and some of the differences.
On the 25th anniversary of the document’s release Wednesday, one of the four remaining signatories posted a brief tribute about the document.
“Over the last quarter century this testimony has been read, studied and even memorized by countless disciples of Jesus Christ,” wrote President Russell M. Nelson, the 100-year-old Latter-day Saint leader.
“My study of this testimony increases my desire, every day, to be more like him,” he continued. “As I celebrate my 101st New Year’s Day, I continue to love the opportunity it provides for fresh starts, new perspectives and new and renewed resolutions.”
What does ‘The Living Christ’ say?
The 15 apostles testified in what President Nelson called “the landmark document” that Jesus Christ is the Creator, that he lived a sinless life teaching peace and goodwill and that “he gave his life to atone for the sins of all mankind” and provided all with the gift of resurrection.
“His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth,” the document said, adding, “None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.”
Because he was resurrected, Latter-day Saints consider him the living Christ.
“We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles — that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God,” the declaration said. “He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”
The full text of “The Living Christ” can be found here.
What other leaders said about ‘The Living Christ’
President Gordon B. Hinckley was the church president at the time of the document’s release. Four months later in the church’s next international general conference, he described his own testimony with a series of sections led by brief statements:
“Jesus is my friend. ... He is my exemplar. ... He is my teacher. ... He is my healer. ... He is my leader. ... He is my Savior and my Redeemer. ... He is my God and my King.”
Before his death, another of the signers, Elder Robert D. Hales, said that “The world is moving away from the Lord faster and farther than ever before.”
Other Latter-day Saints have cited that as a reason for the document.
“While a generation or two ago it could be taken as a given among most of the American population that Jesus’s mortal life was real and unparalleled, that may no longer be the case,” wrote former BYU President Kevin Worthen, a former Area Seventy of the church. “For that reason, it is especially important that we have special witnesses who attest with divinely appointed power that he did actually live and that his life was as perfect as he claimed.”
What President Nelson said about ‘The Living Christ’
President Nelson posted his anniversary message about the declaration on social media. Here’s is the full text of what he said:
“Exactly 25 years ago, on January 1, 2000, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles published ‘The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles’ ... I am one of four living apostles who signed my name to this landmark document, along with Presidents Dallin H. Oaks, Henry B. Eyring and Jeffrey R. Holland.
“Over the last quarter century this testimony has been read, studied and even memorized by countless disciples of Jesus Christ. My study of this testimony increases my desire, every day, to be more like him.
As I celebrate my 101st New Year’s Day, I continue to love the opportunity it provides for fresh starts, new perspectives and new and renewed resolutions.
“May I extend an invitation to you as you consider what your resolutions will be this year? I invite you to come to the temple as often as your circumstances allow.
“In the house of the Lord, we focus on Jesus Christ. We learn of him and his gospel. We make covenants which bind us to him and to our Heavenly Father. Through these temple experiences and others, we are strengthened to achieve our New Year’s resolutions.
“My dear friends, may this new year be filled with the light, love, joy and power of our Savior and Redeemer, who is the Living Christ.”
— President Russell M. Nelson on Jan. 1, 2025