Lesson 10: “Take My Yoke upon You, and Learn of Me”

• 
  What are some examples of burdens we bear in this life? How can the Lord “give [us] rest” from these burdens? (See Matthew 11:28–30.) What does it mean to take Christ’s yoke upon you? (See the scripture chain in this section.)
• •The woman who entered the house of Simon the Pharisee carried the burden of sin (Luke 7:37). What did the woman do that allowed Jesus to take away her burden? (See Luke 7:38, 44–50.) What can we do so the Savior will remove the burden of sin from our lives?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Have a family member hold an open, empty container such as a bag or box. Ask other family members to put objects into the container, one at a time. When the container becomes heavy, invite a family member to help carry it. Explain that the objects represent burdens we carry, such as adversity and sorrow. The help from the second family member represents the rest the Savior offers us as we come to him when we “labour and are heavy laden” (Matthew 11:28). Read Matthew 11:28–30 and Mosiah 24:8–15, and help family members understand that when we follow the Savior, he will ease our burdens and make them light.

Scripture Chain: “Take My Yoke upon You, … and Ye Shall Find Rest”

• Matthew 11:28–30
  
• Mosiah 24:8–15
  
• Alma 12:33–35
  
• D&C 54:10
  
• D&C 59:23
  

Lesson 7: “[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses”

• A miracle is an extraordinary event caused by divine or spiritual power (Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732–33). Why did Jesus perform miracles during his mortal ministry? (See Matthew 9:27–30; Mark 1:27; 2:10–11; 5:19 for some answers to this question.)
  
• • Why do you think faith must precede miracles? Why don’t miracles alone provide a firm foundation for faith?
  
• • Why are the miracles that Jesus performed during his mortal life important to you? Why is it important to know that he continues to perform miracles today? What are some examples of modern miracles?
  

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Invite family members to tell of miracles that have occurred in their lives or the lives of people they know.

Scripture Chain: Miracles and Faith in Jesus Christ

• 2 Nephi 27:23
  
• Mark 1:34
  
• 3 Nephi 17:5–10
  
• Ether 12:12
  
• Mormon 9:15–21
  

Related Talks

• Thomas S. Monson, “The Divine Gift of Gratitude,” Oct. 2010 general conference.
• Neil L. Andersen, “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus,” Apr. 2010 general conference.
• Dallin H. Oaks, “Healing the Sick,” Apr. 2010 general conference.

Lesson 5: “Born Again”

•  

  Purpose

  To help class members understand that to receive everlasting life, we must be “born again” and continue to follow Jesus Christ.

  
  

  
  

  • 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
  
  

  Related Talks

  • Robert D. Hales, “Agency: Essential to the Plan of Life,” Oct. 2010 general conference.
  • Body K. Packer, “Cleansing the Inner Temple,” Oct. 2010 general conference.
  
  

Lesson 3: “Unto You Is Born … a Saviour” New Testament Class Member Study Guide, (1997), 3

• 
  What were the circumstances of Jesus’ birth? (See Luke 2:7.) In what ways do people today refuse to make room for the Savior in their lives? What can you do to make room for him in your life?
• Why did Jesus come to earth? (See 3 Nephi 27:13–16.)
• What did the “wise men from the east” do when they found the child Jesus? (See Matthew 2:11.) What gifts can you offer to the Lord
• 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 you can do to grow intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Read lines from several hymns or Primary songs about Jesus’ birth, and invite family members to identify the hymns or songs. Sing one of the hymns or songs as a family, and discuss the importance of remembering Jesus’ birth throughout the year rather than just during the Christmas season.

Scripture Chain: Jesus’ Birth

• Isaiah 9:6
  
• Helaman 14:1–8
  
• 1 Nephi 11:13–21
  
• Luke 2:7–14
  

Lesson 1: “That Ye Might Believe That Jesus Is the Christ”

• •What do you learn about Jesus Christ from John 1:1–3, 14? (Note that “the Word” in John 1:1, 14 refers to the Savior. Use the Joseph Smith Translation of these verses if it is available.)
• •The Apostle John said that “in [Jesus] was life” (John 1:4). He also testified that Jesus is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). How has the Savior given you life and light?
• •What accounts or teachings in the New Testament have particularly inspired or helped you? How might studying the New Testament this year help strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ?

Suggestion for Family Discussion

Read John 1:1–3 or Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:1–3. Explain that Jesus (“the Word” in John 1:1–3) created the earth under Heavenly Father’s direction. Take a walk as a family, giving close attention to the many beauties of creation.

Scripture Chain: Jesus Christ’s Foreordained Mission

• John 1:1–5
  
• John 1:9–17
  
• Abraham 3:22–27
  
• Mosiah 3:5–10
  
• Isaiah 61:1–2
  
• Luke 4:16–21
  

Lesson 47: “Let Us Rise Up and Build”

Prayerfully study the following scriptures:

1. a. Ezra 1–6. King Cyrus frees the Jews who have been captive in Babylon and invites them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1). Zerubbabel and Jeshua lead approximately 50,000 people back to Jerusalem, and they begin to rebuild the temple (Ezra 2–3). The Samaritans offer to help work on the temple, are turned down, and attempt to stop the work; the rebuilding ceases (Ezra 4). Several years later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah exhort the Jews to finish the temple; the Samaritans continue to oppose it (Ezra 5; see also Haggai 1). King Darius renews the decree of Cyrus to rebuild the temple, and it is finished and dedicated in about 515 B.C. (Ezra 6).
   
2. b. Ezra 7–8. Ezra receives permission from King Artaxerxes of Persia to lead another group of Jews back to Jerusalem. Ezra and his people fast and pray, and the Lord protects them.
   
3. c. Nehemiah 1–2; 4; 6. Learning that the Jews who have returned to Jerusalem are “in great affliction and reproach,” Nehemiah receives permission from King Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls (Nehemiah 1–2). The enemies of the Jews seek to prevent them from rebuilding the walls. Nehemiah keeps the work going forward until the walls are finished (Nehemiah 4; 6).
   
4. d. Nehemiah 8. After the walls are rebuilt around Jerusalem, Ezra reads the scriptures to the people. The people weep and desire to obey the words of the law.
   

After Nebuchadnezzar died in 562 B.C., Babylonia declined rapidly in power. In 539 B.C. Babylon fell to the Medes and the Persians, who were united under the leadership of Cyrus (see Daniel 5). Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus was a benevolent ruler who treated conquered peoples kindly and respected their religions.

Shortly after taking over Babylon, Cyrus invited the Jews (Israelites) in his empire to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.

In 458 B.C. Ezra, a Jewish priest and scribe, brought another group of Jews back to Jerusalem from Babylon. Nehemiah, a Jew who held the important office of cupbearer (butler) in the court of the Babylonian king, obtained a royal commission authorizing him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah and Ezra worked together to help the Jews accomplish this task.

• •What did Nehemiah do when Sanballat asked him to stop working and meet with him? (See Nehemiah 6:1–4.) How do some people try to distract Church members from the Lord’s work today? How should we respond to such distractions?
• •How long did Ezra read the scriptures to the people? (See Nehemiah 8:3, 17–18.) How did the people respond? (See Nehemiah 8:3, 6, 9, 12.) How can we be more attentive as we read the scriptures? How can we develop the kind of excitement for the scriptures that these people had?

Additional reading: Haggai 1; “Ezra,” Bible Dictionary, page 669; “Nehemiah,” Bible Dictionary, page 738.

Lesson 32: "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth"

Read and study the following material for next week's September 7th Gospel Doctrine class

Old Testament Class Member Study Guide, (2001), 22

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Study the following scriptures:

1. a. Job 1–2. Job experiences severe trials. He remains faithful to the Lord despite losing his possessions, children, and health.
   
2. b. Job 13:13–16; 19:23–27. Job finds strength in trusting the Lord and in his testimony of the Savior.
   
3. c. Job 27:2–6. Job finds strength in his personal righteousness and integrity.
   
4. d. Job 42:10–17. After Job has faithfully endured his trials, the Lord blesses him.
   

• •What kind of man was Job? What trials did Job experience?
• •How did Job’s testimony of the Savior help him endure his trials? (See Job 19:25–27.) How can a testimony of the Savior give us strength during adversity?
• •Job’s integrity was another source of spiritual strength during his afflictions (Job 27:2–6). What is integrity? How did personal integrity strengthen Job during his trials? How can personal integrity help us during times of trial?
• •After Job had faithfully endured his trials, how did the Lord bless him? (See Job 42:10–15; James 5:11.) How does the Lord bless us as we faithfully endure trials? (See Job 23:10; 3 Nephi 15:9.)

Additional reading: Other chapters in Job; Doctrine and Covenants 121:1–10.

Lesson 30 Come to the House of the Lord

To prepare for next week's Gospel Doctrine Class:

Study the following scriptures:

1. a.2 Chronicles 29–30. Hezekiah, king of Judah, opens the doors of the temple and instructs the priests and Levites to cleanse and sanctify it for worship (29:1–19). When the temple is cleansed, Hezekiah and his people worship together and praise the Lord (29:20–36). Hezekiah invites all Israel to come to the temple in Jerusalem (30:1–9). Some laugh at the invitation, but the faithful of Israel worship the Lord in Jerusalem (30:10–27).
   
2. b. 2 Chronicles 32:1–23. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invades Judah and speaks against the Lord (32:1–19). Isaiah and Hezekiah pray for help, and an angel of the Lord destroys much of the Assyrian army (32:20–23).
   
3. c. 2 Chronicles 34. After Hezekiah’s son and grandson rule in wickedness, Hezekiah’s great-grandson Josiah becomes king of Judah. Josiah destroys the idols in the kingdom and repairs the temple (34:1–13). The book of the law is found in the temple and read to Josiah, who weeps when he learns how far the people have strayed from the law (34:14–21). Huldah the prophetess tells of the forthcoming desolation of Judah but prophesies that Josiah will not have to witness it (34:22–28). Josiah and his people covenant to serve the Lord (2 Chronicles 34:29–33).
   
   Consider and ponder the following questions:
   
   • What can we learn from Hezekiah about the proper relationship between trusting in our own efforts and trusting in the Lord? (See 2 Chronicles 32:7–8.
     *While Josiah and his people were at the temple, what did they covenant to do? (See 2 Chronicles 34:31–33.) How can we prepare to make the sacred temple covenants? Once we have made these covenants, why is it important that we return to the temple as often as possible?
     
     Additional reading: 2 Kings 18–19; 22–23; Isaiah 37:10–20, 33–38.