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Lesson 5: “Born Again”," New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997)

• Jesus told Nicodemus that “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). What does it mean to be born again? (See the scripture chain in this section.)

• Read and ponder Alma 5:14–31 as if Alma were speaking to you. What do you need to do personally to be “spiritually … born of God”? (Alma 5:14).

• Jesus told the Samaritan woman that he could give her “living water” (John 4:10). What do you think “living water” means? (See 1 Nephi 11:25; D&C 63:23.) How can we obtain living water? How has this living water blessed you?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Give each family member a drinking glass. Pour water into each glass, and invite family members to drink the water. Ask family members if they think they will ever need another drink of water. Then read John 4:1–15, and discuss the questions in the third paragraph of this section. Testify that if we will come to Christ and live his gospel, we will receive “everlasting life” (John 4:14).

Scripture Chain: “Born Again”

John 3:3–5

John 3:16–17

Mosiah 5:1–7

Mosiah 27:25–26

Alma 5:14–16

Alma 22:15–18

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord - Lesson Outline

Lesson 4: “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”," New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2002)

1. Introduction

a) Last week, we discussed the birth of Christ

b) READ Joseph Smith Translation Matthew 3:24-26 – Page 802 of scriptures - 24And it came to pass that Jesus grew up with his brethren, and waxed strong, and waited upon the Lord for the time of his ministry to come.

25And he served under his father, and he spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him.

26And after many years, the hour of his ministry drew nigh.

c) Will discuss the beginning of Christ’s mortal mission today

d)

2. John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord Jesus Christ.

a) Recall the origins of John the Baptist

i) Prophesies

(1) Reading 1 - 1 Nephi 10:7–10

7And he spake also concerning a prophet who should come before the Messiah, to prepare the way of the Lord—

8Yea, even he should go forth and cry in the wilderness: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for there standeth one among you whom ye know not; and he is mightier than I, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. And much spake my father concerning this thing.

9And my father said he should baptize in Bethabara, beyond Jordan; and he also said he should baptize with water; even that he should baptize the Messiah with water.

10And after he had baptized the Messiah with water, he should behold and bear record that he had baptized the Lamb of God, who should take away the sins of the world.

(2) Similar prophesy from Isiaih 40:3

ii) Angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias in the temple to announce birth

b) An angel ordained eight-day-old John to his mission (D&C 84:27–28)

c) READ - Joseph Smith taught: "...the spirit of Elias was a going before to prepare the way for the greater, which was the case with John the Baptist.... The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God, which is the Priesthood of Elias, or the Priesthood that Aaron was ordained unto. And when God sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work, ...it was called the doctrine of Elias, even from the early ages of the world." (TPJS, p335)

d) Reading 2 – Matthew 3:1-6

1In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judæa,

2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias (Isaiah), saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judæa, and all the region round about Jordan,

6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

i) Note similarity to Elijah

(1) Elijah’s mission was to “turn” Israel’s “heart back again” to God and the covenant (see 1 Kings 18:36-37), so with John the Baptist.

(2) Elijah was “girt with a girdle of leather about his loins” (2 Kings 1:8) so the Baptist was dressed in a “raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins” (Matt. 3:4)

e) Christ’s Testimony

i) Reading 3 – Luke 7:28

28For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

ii) ASK – Why was there no greater prophet than John the Baptist?

(1) From Joseph Smith

(a) He was entrusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord

(b) He was entrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the Son of Man. Whoever had the honor of doing that? Whoever had so great a privilege and glory? Whoever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the dove, in witness of that administration?

(c) John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. . . . Christ Himself fulfilled all righteousness in becoming obedient to the law which he had given to Moses on the mount, and thereby magnified it and made it honorable, instead of destroying it.

f) Reading 4 – Brother Robert J. Matthew’s has written: [John the Baptist's] mission was to be the living embodiment of the law of Moses which was part of the “preparatory gospel” functioning under the Aaronic Priesthood. John was to do as a man what the law of Moses was to do as a statute—to prepare the way for the Lord by teaching the first principles of the gospel and performing baptisms as called for in the law of Moses. John was the finest example of the powers and purposes of the priesthood of Aaron and the law of Moses. He was the right person to be the final representative of the law of Moses in its capacity as a schoolmaster to bring men to Christ. He bridged two dispensations by being the last legal representative of the law of Moses and, at the same time, being the one preappointed to introduce and prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. (Robert J. Matthews, "“There Is Not a Greater Prophet”: The Ministry of John the Baptist", Ensign, Jan. 1991, 13)

3. Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist

a) Reading 5 – Matthew 3:11-17

[John the Baptist speaking the Pharisees and Sadducees] 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

13¶Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

i) ASK – What is the sign of the dove in verse 16?

ii) READ - President Marion G. Romney taught, “One is born again by actually receiving and experiencing the light and power inherent in the gift of the Holy Ghost.” This is exemplified in the baptism of Adam: “And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water. And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened [Old English for “made alive”] in the inner man” (Moses 6:64-65)

iii) Reading 6 - President Joseph Fielding Smith taught when one receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, “We are back in the presence of God. The question might naturally be raised: How do we come back into the presence of God if we do not see him? We do not see him now, but are we not in his presence when we have the gift of the Holy Ghost, one of the members of the Godhead, to lead and direct us in righteousness? We are back in his presence, if we keep the commandments and do not longer live in sin; then we are in spiritual life. That is an important thing in connection with baptism not generally understood.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith (3 Vols., Bruce R. McConkie [Ed.], Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-56), 2:328)

4. Temptation in the Wilderness

a) Reading 7 – Matthew 4:1-11

1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

Joseph Smith Translation Matthew 4:1-2: "Then Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness, to be with God (footnote b, Verse 1). And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, and had communed with God (footnote c, Verse 2), he was afterwards an hungered, and was left to be tempted of the devil."

3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. – Scripture - Deut. 8:3

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.

5Then the devil taketh him up (Footnote 5.A. - JST Matt. 4:5 Then Jesus was taken up into the holy city, and the Spirit setteth him on the pinnacle of the temple)into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written (Satan tries to quote scripture), He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8Again, the devil taketh him up (Footnote 8A - JST Matt. 4:8 And again, Jesus was in the Spirit, and it taketh him) into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

b) Similarities to Moses

i) Attempts to kill both Christ and Moses when they were infants

ii) Moses went out from Egypt and Christ was brought out of Egypt after two years

iii) Christ went into wilderness like Moses lead the children of Israel into the wilderness

iv) Christ fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18)

v) Christ taken to an exceedingly high mountain and was tempted by Satan, Moses taken to an exceedingly high mountain and tempted by Satan (Moses 1:1, 12)

c) Cast Not Away Your Confidence

i) READ - Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "When man is communing with his Maker, he is not subject to temptation; when angels are ministering to him and he is under the spell of their angelic influence, he is not subject to temptation; when the Holy Spirit rests mightily upon him and the visions of eternity are open to his view, he is not subject to temptation.... As the period of edification and spiritual enlightenment drew to its close, as the visions and spiritual experiences ceased...and as Jesus prepared to go back into the normal mortal way of life, with angels no longer at his side and his eyes not open to the unending visions of eternity, then the devil came to entice, to trap, to tempt." (Mortal Messiah, p410)

ii) Reading 8 - President Howard W. Hunter wrote: "Satan may have lost Jesus, but he does not believe he has lost us. He continues to tempt, taunt, and plead for our loyalty. We should take strength for this battle from the fact that Christ was victorious not as a God but as a man." (That We Might Have Joy, p35)

5. Some of John the Baptist’s disciples decide to follow Jesus

a) Reading 8: John 1:35-39

35¶Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;

36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

37And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

38Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

39He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

b) READ – John 1:40-42

40One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.

41He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

42And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

6. Conclusion

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord – Scriptures and Quotes

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord – Scriptures and Quotes

Joseph Smith Translation Matthew 3:24-26 – Page 802 of scriptures

Reading 1 - 1 Nephi 10:7–10

Joseph Smith taught: "...the spirit of Elias was a going before to prepare the way for the greater, which was the case with John the Baptist.... The spirit of Elias is to prepare the way for a greater revelation of God, which is the Priesthood of Elias, or the Priesthood that Aaron was ordained unto. And when God sends a man into the world to prepare for a greater work, ...it was called the doctrine of Elias, even from the early ages of the world." (TPJS, p335)

Reading 2 – Matthew 3:1-6

Reading 3 – Luke 7:28

Reading 4 – Brother Robert J. Matthew’s has written: [John the Baptist's] mission was to be the living embodiment of the law of Moses which was part of the “preparatory gospel” functioning under the Aaronic Priesthood. John was to do as a man what the law of Moses was to do as a statute—to prepare the way for the Lord by teaching the first principles of the gospel and performing baptisms as called for in the law of Moses. John was the finest example of the powers and purposes of the priesthood of Aaron and the law of Moses. He was the right person to be the final representative of the law of Moses in its capacity as a schoolmaster to bring men to Christ. He bridged two dispensations by being the last legal representative of the law of Moses and, at the same time, being the one preappointed to introduce and prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. (Robert J. Matthews, "“There Is Not a Greater Prophet”: The Ministry of John the Baptist", Ensign, Jan. 1991, 13)

Reading 5 – Matthew 3:11-17

President Marion G. Romney taught, “One is born again by actually receiving and experiencing the light and power inherent in the gift of the Holy Ghost.” This is exemplified in the baptism of Adam: “And it came to pass, when the Lord had spoken with Adam, our father, that Adam cried unto the Lord, and he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord, and was carried down into the water, and was laid under the water, and was brought forth out of the water. And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit, and became quickened [Old English for “made alive”] in the inner man” (Moses 6:64-65)

Reading 6 - President Joseph Fielding Smith taught when one receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, “We are back in the presence of God. The question might naturally be raised: How do we come back into the presence of God if we do not see him? We do not see him now, but are we not in his presence when we have the gift of the Holy Ghost, one of the members of the Godhead, to lead and direct us in righteousness? We are back in his presence, if we keep the commandments and do not longer live in sin; then we are in spiritual life. That is an important thing in connection with baptism not generally understood.” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation: Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith (3 Vols., Bruce R. McConkie [Ed.], Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1954-56), 2:328)

Reading 7 – Matthew 4:1-11

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "When man is communing with his Maker, he is not subject to temptation; when angels are ministering to him and he is under the spell of their angelic influence, he is not subject to temptation; when the Holy Spirit rests mightily upon him and the visions of eternity are open to his view, he is not subject to temptation.... As the period of edification and spiritual enlightenment drew to its close, as the visions and spiritual experiences ceased...and as Jesus prepared to go back into the normal mortal way of life, with angels no longer at his side and his eyes not open to the unending visions of eternity, then the devil came to entice, to trap, to tempt." (Mortal Messiah, p410)

Reading 8 - President Howard W. Hunter wrote: "Satan may have lost Jesus, but he does not believe he has lost us. He continues to tempt, taunt, and plead for our loyalty. We should take strength for this battle from the fact that Christ was victorious not as a God but as a man." (That We Might Have Joy, p35)

Reading 9: John 1:35-39

John 1:40-42

Temptations

Now, nearly every temptation that comes to you and me comes in one of those forms [in which Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness]. Classify them, and you will find that under one of those three nearly every given temptation that makes you and me spotted, ever so little may be, comes to us as (1) a temptation of the appetite; (2) a yielding to the pride and fashion and vanity of those alienated from the things of God; or (3) a gratifying of the passion, or a desire for the riches of the world, or power among men.

President David O. McKay
"Unspotted from the World", Ensign, August 2009, 24–29

“If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down” from the pinnacle of this temple

Satan knew this holy structure was the center of religious life for Israel’s people. It was the edifice to which the promised Messiah must come. Many were even at that moment coming and going from their worship, many who through their traditions and disbelief would never accept Jesus as their Redeemer. The temptation to Jesus could be paraphrased this way: “Why not cast yourself down in a dramatic way and then when the angels bear you up, as the scriptures say they must, legions will follow you and believe? They need you. You need them—to save their souls. These are covenant people. How better to help them see than to cast yourself off this holy temple unharmed and unafraid. The Messiah has indeed come.”

The temptation here is even more subtle than the first. It is a temptation of the spirit, of a private hunger more real than the need for bread. Would God save him? Would he? Is Jesus to have divine companionship in this awesome ministry he now begins? He knows that among the children of men only suffering, denunciation, betrayal, and rejection lie ahead. But what about heaven? How alone does a Messiah have to be? Perhaps before venturing forth he ought to get final reassurance. And shouldn’t Satan be silenced with his insidious “If—If—If”? Why not get spiritual confirmation, obtain a loyal congregation, and answer this Imp who heckles—all with one appeal to God’s power? Right now. The easy way. Off the temple spire.

But Jesus refuses the temptation of the spirit. Denial and restraint are also part of divine preparation. He will gain followers and he will receive reassurance. But not this way. Neither the converts nor the comfort he will so richly deserve has been earned yet. His ministry has hardly begun. The rewards will come by and by. But even the Son of God must wait. The Redeemer who would never bestow cheap grace on others was not likely to ask for any himself.

And so I ask you to be patient in things of the Spirit. Perhaps your life has been different from mine, but I doubt it. I have had to struggle to know my standing before God. As a teenager I found it hard to pray and harder to fast. My mission was not easy. I struggled as a student only to find that I had to struggle afterwards, too. In this present assignment I have wept and ached for guidance. It seems no worthy accomplishment has ever come easily for me, but I’m living long enough to be grateful for that.

It is ordained that we come to know our worth as a child of god without something as dramatic as a leap from the pinnacle of the temple. All but a prophetic few must go about God’s work in very quiet, very unspectacular ways. And as you labor to know him, and to know that he knows you; as you invest your time—and inconvenience—in quiet, unassuming service, you will indeed find that “his angels [have] charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up.” (Matt. 4:6.) It may not come quickly. It probably won’t come quickly, but there is purpose in the time it takes. Cherish your spiritual burdens because God will converse with you through them and will use you to do his work if you carry them well.

Jeffrey R. Holland, then-President of BYU
"The Inconvenient Messiah", Ensign, Feb. 1984, 68

Repentance

The Greek word of which this is the translation denotes a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world. Since we are born into conditions of mortality, repentance comes to mean a turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined. Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation, for all accountable persons are stained by sin, and must be cleansed in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God (D&C 18:9–22; 20:29; 133:16). The preaching of repentance by John the Baptist formed the preparation for the ministry of our Lord. See Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:4, 15; 2:17; Luke 3:3, 8; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 8:22;Rom. 13:11–14; James 5:1–6; Rev. 2:5, 16; 3:3, 19; cf. Isa. 1:16–20; Jonah 3:5–10; Jer. 3–5; 26; Ezek. 18:19–31;33:7–20; Hosea 6; 12; 14; Joel 1:8; 2; Zeph. 2; Zech. 1; Mal. 1–4.

Bible Dictionary

“There Is Not a Greater Prophet”: The Ministry of John the Baptist

[John the Baptist's] mission was to be the living embodiment of the law of Moses which was part of the “preparatory gospel” functioning under the Aaronic Priesthood. (See D&C 84:26–27.) John was to do as a man what the law of Moses was to do as a statute—to prepare the way for the Lord by teaching the first principles of the gospel and performing baptisms as called for in the law of Moses. John was the finest example of the powers and purposes of the priesthood of Aaron and the law of Moses. He was the right person to be the final representative of the law of Moses in its capacity as a schoolmaster to bring men to Christ. He bridged two dispensations by being the last legal representative of the law of Moses and, at the same time, being the one preappointed to introduce and prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.

Robert J. Matthews
"“There Is Not a Greater Prophet”: The Ministry of John the Baptist", Ensign, Jan. 1991, 13

Lesson 4: “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

"Lesson 4: “Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord”," New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997)

• •

  What message did John preach to prepare the people for the coming of the Savior? (See Matthew 3:1–2.) What does it mean to repent? (See 2 Corinthians 7:9–10; Luke 19:8; Mosiah 7:33; D&C 1:31–32; 58:42–43.)

• •

  As you read about the Savior’s encounter with Satan in the wilderness, what do you learn about withstanding temptation? (SeeMatthew 4:1–11. See also the footnotes to Matthew 4:1–2, 5–6, 8–9, and 11, which contain the Joseph Smith Translation of these verses.)

• •

  After receiving a witness that Jesus was the Messiah, how did Philip answer Nathanael’s doubts? (See John 1:43–46.) What can you do to invite others to “come and see” the Savior?

Suggestions for Family Discussion

Prepare a lesson to help family members who are preparing for baptism or to discuss ways to help converts who will soon be baptized. Discuss why Jesus needed baptism (Matthew 3:13–15; 2 Nephi 31:6–9) and why we need baptism (2 Nephi 31:5, 10–12; D&C 20:71–73; 49:13–14). Invite family members who have been baptized to tell about when they were baptized and express their feelings about the blessings they have received because they were baptized.

Scripture Chain: Repentance

Luke 15:3–10

2 Corinthians 7:9–10

Alma 34:31–34

1 John 1:8–9

Matthew 3:1–2

D&C 58:42–43

"Lesson 3: “Unto You Is Born … a Saviour”," New Testament

Purpose - To rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ and follow the example he set in his youth, “[increasing] in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

What was the response of each of the following people to the birth of the Savior?

Wise Men
Inn Keeper
Simeon
Anna
Angel in Fields
Shepherd
Herod the King
Mary


1. …traveled a great distance to find him, gave him gifts, and worshiped him. (A wise man from the east; Matthew 2:1–2, 9–11.)

Why did the “wise men from the east” seek Jesus? (See Matthew 2:1–2.)

What did they do when they found him? (See Matthew 2:11.
(Note that when they finally reached Jesus, he was a “young child,” not a newborn baby.)

What gifts can we offer to the Lord?



2. …made no room for him. (A person at an inn; Luke 2:7.)

Luke 2:1–7.

Jesus had glory with Heavenly Father “before the world was” (John 17:5). He created the heavens and the earth (Mosiah 3:8). As Jehovah, he revealed commandments and gospel truths to the prophets of the Old Testament (3 Nephi 15:2–5). Why did Jesus come to earth? (See 3 Nephi 27:13–16.)


What were the circumstances of Jesus’ birth? (See Luke 2:7.)

How did these circumstances foreshadow his mortal ministry and his atoning sacrifice?

In what ways do people today refuse to make room for the Savior in their lives?

What can we do to make room for him in our lives?



3. …Having received a witness from the Holy Ghost, took the child up in my arms and knew that I could die in peace. (Simeon; Luke 2:25–32.)

4. …After seeing him in the temple, expressed gratitude and spread the news of his birth. (Anna; Luke 2:36–38.)


How had Simeon and Anna been prepared to see the child Jesus? (See Luke 2:25–26, 37.)

How did they respond when they saw him? (See Luke 2:27–35, 38.)

What can we learn about the Savior from their prophecies?

5. …said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (An angel; Luke 2:13–14.)

What did the angels say as they announced Jesus’ birth? (See Luke 2:13–14.)

How has Jesus glorified the Father?

How has he brought peace and goodwill to all people and to you personally?

How can we show our gratitude to God for the gift of his Son?

6. …went quickly to see him. (A shepherd; Luke 2:15–16.)

Luke 2:8–39.


What did the shepherds do after they saw the newborn Savior? (See Luke 2:17–18.)

What can we do to follow their example?

Think of someone with whom they can share their testimony of the Savior.



7. …was troubled and tried to kill him. (Herod; Matthew 2:3–4, 16).

Why did Herod want to find Jesus? (See Matthew 2:3–6, 13. He was troubled, and he wanted to kill Jesus.)

Why did Jesus Christ’s birth trouble the king? (See Matthew 2:2, 6. According to prophecy, Jesus would rule Israel.)

How was Jesus protected from Herod? (See Matthew 2:13–15.)

How did Joseph know when to return from Egypt? (See Matthew 2:19–23.)

Why do you think Joseph was able to receive this guidance from God?

What can today’s fathers and mothers do to be able to receive revelation concerning their families?

How has God helped you as you have sought his guidance for your family?

8. …pondered the event in my heart. (Mary; Luke 2:19.)

“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19)

What did Mary do after Jesus’ birth and the visit of the shepherds? (See Luke 2:19.)

What does this reveal about Mary?

Why is it important to take time to cherish and ponder sacred experiences?

As you discuss Mary’s reverent response to Jesus’ birth, invite a mother to tell about her feelings after one of her children was born.


How do you respond to the account of the Savior’s birth?

How do you respond to his life, death, atonement, and resurrection?
Scripture Discussion and Application


Please think of ways to follow the example the Savior set in his youth.


Guided by the Father, Jesus prepares in his youth for his ministry.

Luke 2:40–52

Every year Joseph and Mary and other faithful Jews celebrated the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. As was customary, Jesus accompanied them when he reached the age of 12 (Luke 2:41–42).

After celebrating the Passover in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph had begun their journey back to Nazareth when they realized that 12-year-old Jesus was not with them (Luke 2:43–45). Where did they finally find him? (See Luke 2:46.)

If your parents or other loved ones did not know where you were, could they be confident that you were doing things that would please your Heavenly Father?

The Joseph Smith Translation of Luke 2:46 says that the men in the temple “were hearing [Jesus], and asking him questions.” What does this reveal about Jesus’ youth and training?

When Mary and Joseph found Jesus, Mary said to him, “Thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing” (Luke 2:48). To whom did she refer when she said “thy father”? (Joseph.)

How did Jesus respond to Mary’s concern? (See Luke 2:49.)

To whom did Jesus refer when he said “my Father’s business”? (Heavenly Father.)

What does this tell us about young Jesus’ understanding of his foreordained mission?

As a youth, how did Jesus treat Mary and Joseph? (See Luke 2:51. Even though he was the Son of God, he was subject to his mother and to Joseph.)

What can we learn from this example?

As a youth, Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). In other words, he developed intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially.

What are some specific things we can do to grow intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially?

What can we learn from Doctrine and Covenants 93:11–17 about the Savior’s development as a youth? (In his preparation to be our Redeemer, Jesus did not receive all the necessary intelligence, power, wisdom, and glory at once. He received these things “grace for grace,” a little at a time.) How does this truth apply to us? (See D&C 93:18–20.)


Conclusion
Rejoice in the birth of the Savior and follow the example he set in his youth.