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In celebration of the new millennium and the 2000th birthday of Jesus Christ, the LDS First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles have issued a joint statement affirming their unique view of the man considered a savior by the world's more than 2.
"He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, he was the creator of the earth," reads the statement, "The Living Christ -- The Testimony of the Apostles."
"His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow his example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead."
The 15 men in the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve Apostles, all considered "prophets, seers and revelators" by the nearly 11 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, affixed their signatures to the document sent to all LDS bishops and will be mailed to news media outlets and placed on the Internet Jan. 1.
It also will be distributed to every church member, much like the Proclamation on the Family, a statement that lays out the church's belief in the sanctity of marriage and family.
"We solemnly testify that his life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world," the apostles' statement said. "He also ministered among his "other sheep" in ancient America."
Mormons believe that after his death in Jerusalem, Christ visited some Israelites who had immigrated to the New World some centuries before. It is the central story of the faith's scripture, The Book of Mormon.
The statement also mentions the LDS belief that God and Jesus appeared to church founder Joseph Smith. It says that the church and its priesthood are built upon "Jesus Christ himself" and that Christ will return to the earth to "rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords."
"We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles -- that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God," the statement concluded. "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."
Several bishops and at least two apostles read the statements to Mormon congregations last Sunday.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks told his Salt Lake City ward that the apostles considered various ways to mark the millennium milestone and concluded the statement would be the best. It is part of a decades-long effort to respond to the allegation among some religious groups that Mormons are not Christians.
"To me, it is an important message," said Jennifer Schiel, a member of Oaks' ward. "Elder Oaks stressed that we believe in a living Christ, not just the one who died on the Christ."
Schiel believes many people misunderstand her church.
"Most people refer to us as 'Mormons' because of The Book of Mormon. They are not sure where Christ fits into that," Schiel said.
For too long, what most people have known about the Mormon Church are its prohibitions against alcohol, tobacco, coffee and tea, its temples, or its opposition to gay marriage, she said. "Now maybe we can be defined by our belief in Jesus Christ."