Reconciled unto Christ, Part 7

There is more to the Lord than a casual investigation will inform you. The closing words of John’s Gospel states: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 11:13) His ministry was far greater than John’s record could convey.

The Testimony of St. John is to a similar effect: “In addition to this account, many other things were done by Jesus, which, if they were all written, that library would fill the entire cosmos. Amen.” (TSJ 12:22)

Revelation to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon included the testimony of the Father about His Son: “For we saw him, even on the right hand of God, and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father, that by him, and through him, and of him the worlds are made and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.” (T&C 69:5) His work before this world was infinite, and included many worlds. This testimony from God the Father expands greatly our understanding of Christ, and how far His creative power extends.

Christ’s power and influence sustains all of the creation. He is the power of the distant sun, moon, and stars: “This is the light of Christ, as also he is in the sun and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made; as also he is in the moon and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; as also the light of the stars and the power thereof by which they were made; and the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand. And the light which now shines, which gives you light, is through him who enlightens your eyes, which is the same light that quickens your understandings, which light proceeds forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space: the light which is in all things, which gives life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sits upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.” (T&C 86:1)

The way to know more about Christ, and to be more fully reconciled unto Him, is to give heed and diligence to what He asks of us: “It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless, they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart — only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word. And he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God, until they know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the Devil and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.” (Alma 9:3)

Moses gave heed to the Lord. He met with Him face-to-face. The Lord showed Moses the creation of this world, which allowed him to write the account we have in Genesis. In the revelation, the Lord explained to Moses, “Wherefore, look, and I will show you the workmanship of my hands — but not all, for my works are without end, and also my words, for they never cease. Wherefore, no man can behold all my works except he behold all my glory, and no man can behold all my glory and afterward remain in the flesh on the earth.” (RE Gen. 1:1)

Moses’ reconciliation with the Lord affirmed that God’s “works are without end” and continue to roll on. Likewise the Lord’s “words [are without end], for they never cease.” He speaks still. To you and to me. He has never stopped. He will never stop speaking.

As part of ordaining His creation, our Lord, “has given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons, and their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets. And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years. All these are one year with God, but not with man. The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun gives his light by day, and the moon gives her light by night, and the stars also give their light as they roll upon their wings, in their glory, in the midst of the power of God.
“Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms that you may understand? Behold all these are kingdoms, and any man who has seen any or the least of these has seen God moving in his majesty and power.” (T&C 86:7-8)

This is one description of Christ: “He comprehends all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him, and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things, and all things are by him, and of him, even God, for ever and ever.” (T&C 86:6) There is nothing that exists that does not have Christ’s imprint upon or within it.

He invites us to be reconciled unto Him. That is not a small thing, but a lifelong pursuit of knowledge, truth, revelation, enlightenment, expanding understanding, ascending to His presence, and growing into a perfect comprehension of Him and His work: “That which is of God is light, and he that receives light and continues in God receives more light, and that light grows brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (T&C 36:4)