Lesson 26: “To This End Was I Born” – Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 - Elder James E. Talmage wrote: "The further tragedy of the night, and the cruel inflictions that awaited Him on the morrow, to culminate in the frightful tortures of the cross, could not exceed the bitter anguish through which He had successfully passed." (Jesus The Christ, p614)

Reading 2 – Matthew 26:31-35

Reading 3 – John 18:1-9

Reading 4 – Elder James E. Talmage wrote: "During the period of the Lord's last and most loving communion with the Eleven, Judas had been busy in his treacherous conspiracy with the priestly authorities. It is probable that the determination to make the arrest that night was reached when Judas reported that Jesus was within the city walls and might easily be apprehended. The Jewish rulers assembled a body of temple guardsmen or police, and obtained a band of Roman soldiers under command of a tribune; this band or cohort was probably a detachment from the garrison of Antonia commissioned for the work of the night on requisition of the chief priests. This company of men and officers representing a combination of ecclesiastical and military authority, set forth in the night with Judas at their head, intent on the arrest of Jesus. They were equipped with lanterns, torches, and weapons. It is probable that they were first conducted to the house in which Judas had left his fellow apostles and the Lord, when the traitor had been dismissed; and that finding the little company had gone out, Judas led the multitude to Gethsemane, for he knew the place, and knew also that 'Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples'." (Jesus The Christ, pp614-615)

Matthew 26:53-54

Reading 5: John 10:17-18

Matthew 26:56

Reading 6: Matthew 26:61-64

Matthew 26:67

Reading 7 – Matthew 26:69-75

Reading 8 - President Gordon B. Hinckley said: “My heart goes out to Peter. So many of us are so much like him. We pledge our loyalty; we affirm our determination to be of good courage; we declare, sometimes even publicly, that come what may we will do the right thing, that we will stand for the right cause, that we will be true to ourselves and to others.

“Then the pressures begin to build. Sometimes these are social pressures. Sometimes they are personal appetites. Sometimes they are false ambitions. There is a weakening of the will. There is a softening of discipline. There is capitulation. And then there is remorse, followed by self-accusation and bitter tears of regret. …

“… If there be those throughout the Church who by word or act have denied the faith, I pray that you may draw comfort and resolution from the example of Peter, who, though he had walked daily with Jesus, in an hour of extremity momentarily denied the Lord and also the testimony which he carried in his own heart. But he rose above this and became a mighty defender and a powerful advocate. So, too, there is a way for any person to turn about and add his or her strength and faith to the strength and faith of others in building the kingdom of God” (“And Peter Went Out and Wept Bitterly,” Ensign, Mar. 1995, 2–4, 6).

Luke 23:8-11

Isaiah 53:7

Reading 9 – Luke 23:13-16

Luke 23:18-25

1 Nephi 13:42

2 Nephi 10:3-6

Reading 10 - John 19:17-19

Matthew 27-45-46

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: "Because he must ultimately tread this winepress of redemption unaided, can he endure the darkest moment of them all, the shock of the greatest pain? This comes not with thorns and with nails, but with the terror of feeling utterly alone:...'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' (Mark 15:34). Can he bear all of our sins and our fear and loneliness too? He did and he does and he will." (Ensign, Nov. 1989, p26)

Reading 12 – Luke 23:44-46

Doctrine and Covenants 101:23

Doctrine and Covenants 110:1-2