Jesus asked His disciples: “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16: 13-16).

As a Latter-day Saint I believe in the Jesus whose birth, ministry, crucifixion and resurrection are stirringly told in the gospels of the New Testament. I believe in the Jesus who, appearing suddenly as a physical and literally resurrected Being in the midst of his apostles, calmed them with the reassurance: “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:39).

I believe in the Jesus whose voluntary suffering and death in Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary atoned for the sins of all who have ever lived, and whose free gift is resurrection and immortality for all humanity – Buddhist and Jew, Hindu and Muslim, atheist as well as Christian. I believe in the Jesus who offers even greater blessings to those who embrace Him as their Savior, accept His teachings and strive with all their might to live by His example of service, compassion and love.

And I believe in the Jesus depicted eloquently and unequivocally in an Easter sermon some years ago in a worldwide broadcast by President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

“Towering above all mankind stands Jesus the Christ, the King of glory, the unblemished Messiah....He is our King, our Lord, our Master, the living Christ, who stands on the right hand of His Father. He lives! He lives, resplendent and wonderful, the living Son of the living God.”