From Judaism to Jesus Christ — Part Four
Who Is Jesus Christ
by Nancy Goldberg Hilton

What would you do if you experienced a miracle from God? Would you shout it to the world—“Look at me, I experienced a miracle from God!”—or would you keep it sacred and ponder the experience? I kept quiet for many years and asked myself: why did I experience this miracle? Who is Jesus Christ?

I purchased a Bible containing the Old and New Testaments and began to read and learn about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. I was astonished to discover that Peter, James, John, and many of the writers of this sacred book were Jewish, as was Jesus Christ. These Jewish writers brought forth a message of salvation for everyone. Why wouldn’t Christians revere and thank the Jewish people instead of hating them?

I assumed I could learn about Jesus by going to church. Over the next four years I visited many different churches, trying to understand terms like resurrection, atonement, Savior, grace, sacrifice, and overcoming death. Why was a Savior necessary? What did it mean to overcome sin? I met so many wonderful people on this journey who truly loved Jesus Christ, but I could not understand why each church had a different doctrine. What was the truth?

With each visit I hoped I would feel the same Spirit I had felt at Rainbow Bridge—that I would know which church to join and which doctrine to embrace. But I did not feel that Spirit.

On a trip to Houston, Texas, I shared a short story I had written with a business contact. He was surprised to learn I believed in Jesus Christ and asked if I would accept a special book to read. I accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon. He explained that he was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, briefly described the nature of the book, and marked a few passages for me.

As I read the Book of Mormon on my flight home from Houston, a sense of peace and love filled my heart again. The book fascinated me. I read with great interest an excerpt from the title page, which declared the work was written “to Jew and Gentile” and had come forth “by the gift and power of God” so that “they may know the covenants of the Lord” and be convinced “that Jesus is the Christ.”

As I read those words I felt the same Spirit I had felt at Rainbow Bridge. I knew I should investigate this church further.