Nilsson, “Who is Jesus Christ?” (reviewed by Trudy Thompson)

Review
======

Title: Who Is Jesus Christ?
Author: Kathy Nilsson
Publisher: Author House
Genre: Non-Fiction
Year Published: 2015
Number of Pages: 173
Binding: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-5049–6651-1
Price: $13.99

Reviewed by Trudy Thompson for the Association For Mormon Letters

First time author Kathy Nilsson, has written a refreshing new book that answers the age old questions many people ask: Who is Jesus Christ? What is our relationship to Him? What is His role in our lives, now and in the future? She uses the King James Version of the Bible, The Book of Mormon,The Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants for reference. The subtitle of the book is *It is Amazing the Information One Can Find In the Scriptures.*

Using the scriptures as the basis for her book, she goes on to write in clear, understandable, modern language,the fundamental beliefs of her LDS faith. She clearly states in the forward: “Scriptural Knowledge of my Heavenly Father and of my Savior, Jesus Christ, is the most precious possession I have. It gives me great pleasure to share it with you.”

The book is divided into three sections: The Premortal Christ, The Mortal Christ and The Resurrected Christ. Within each section are various chapters covering all aspects of the Savior’s life during those times. However, this book is so much more than that. It actually encompasses the whole gospel plan. From premortal life, through the Second Coming and eternal life-Ms. Nillson eloquently describes the plan of salvation. She deftly weaves in explanations and stories of the concepts and teachings contained therein.

Some of my favorite commentaries of the author include the following: After quoting D&C 93:36, “The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth,” Ms Nillson states, “From this scripture, we must conclude that according to God, the Father’s definition of intelligence is not intellect. It is light and truth or righteousness. God has the highest intellect of all. He considers the amount of light and truth we have in our souls as our intelligence. This is something for us to ponder.”

After clarifying the role of the Premortal Christ as creator of the earth and all things thereon, the author comments that all creations obeyed the voice of their creator. Therefore, all things have a spirit and the elements could not obey without a spirit.

Interpreting the principle and concept of truth, she narrates the familiar story of a village of men who wanted to get more knowledge. Even though they were all blind, they got together and decided to visit an elephant and find out what it looked like. Each of the men touched a different part of the elephant and thereby described it in very different terms. Each man felt he knew the truth about the animal, but each was describing a partial truth, which in itself, was wrong. She then demonstrates that a little knowledge isn’t always truth, and that having a little knowledge and a closed mind is a faulty way to find truth.

In explaining the significance of free agency, she illustrates that we are not compelled in our decision to obey or not obey God’s
commandments, that our decision will either bring us blessings or not – it is up to us. She postulates the idea that we are not the only ones who pay for our wrong choices, that the people we love are hurt also.

She comments that although we will be judged by the authority of Christ, in essence we will also judge ourselves – by every decision that we make. We can either choose right or wrong, good or evil. We can choose to follow Christ or succumb to the enticements of the Devil. By our own actions we judge ourselves.

There are many truths within this small but powerful volume. As the author quotes scriptures, and then tells in her own words their meaning, the reader can easily sense and feel her love of the Savior, the scriptures, and the whole gospel plan. This is not a dry, matter of fact manual, but a book of personal testimony and love. It will make an excellent resource for members who would like something to hand to non-members that carefully and simply describes our beliefs in a way that makes it all easy to understand and grasp. It would also be a superb asset to members of the church to have in their homes as an enlightening and refreshing book to refer to often when they find themselves pondering the question, how does Jesus Christ’s life affect mine, and what is my relationship to Him?