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“Behold,
I Am Jesus Christ,
the Savior of the World”
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Lesson
02
Summary |
Scripture
Summary: |
Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–11; Revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, given at Fayette, New York, June 1829. HC 1: 60—64.
When the Aaronic Priesthood was conferred, the bestowal of the Melchizedek Priesthood was promised. See heading to Section 13. In response to supplication for knowledge on the matter, the Lord
gave this revelation. 9–16, The worth of souls is great; |
Doctrine and Covenants 19:19; Revelation given through Joseph Smith, at Manchester, New York, March 1830. HC 1: 72—74. In his
history the Prophet introduced it as "a commandment of God and not of man, to Martin Harris, given by him who is Eternal." 13–20, Christ suffered for all, that they might not suffer if
they would repent;
Doctrine and Covenants 24; Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery, at Harmony, Pennsylvania, July 1830. HC 1: 101—103. Though less than four months had elapsed since the
Church was organized, persecution had become intense, and the leaders had to seek safety in partial seclusion. The following three revelations were given at this time to strengthen, encourage, and
instruct them. 1—9, Joseph Smith is called to translate, preach, and expound scriptures; 10—12, Oliver Cowdery is called to preach the gospel; 13—19, Law is revealed relative to miracles,
cursings, casting off the dust of one’s feet, and going without purse or scrip.
Doctrine and Covenants 34:3; Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Orson Pratt, at Fayette, New York, November 4, 1830. HC 1: 127—128. Brother Pratt was nineteen years old at the
time. He had been converted and baptized when he first heard the preaching of the restored gospel by his older brother, Parley P. Pratt, six weeks before. This revelation was received in the Peter
Whitmer, Sen., home. 1—4, The faithful become the sons of God through the atonement; 5—9, Preaching of the gospel prepares the way for the Second Coming; 10—12, Prophecy comes by the power
of the Holy Ghost.
Doctrine and Covenants 88:14-18; Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet at Kirtland, Ohio, December 27, 1832. HC 1: 302—312. It was designated by the Prophet as the "olive leaf .
. . from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord’s message of peace to us." It appears from the historical records that portions of this revelation were received on December 27 and 28, 1832, and
January 3, 1833. 14–16, The resurrection comes through the redemption.
Doctrine and Covenants 93:33; Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, May 6, 1833. HC 1: 343—346. The elements are eternal, and man may receive a fulness of joy in
the resurrection.
Alma 11:42–44; All men shall rise in immortality. |
Supplemental
Holy Land
and Jewish
insights:
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The Messiah: Looking at the sacred event that redeemed us from the sins of life, bruises of experience, captivity of conscience, blindness of bigotry, hurt of
hearts broken, poverty of stinginess and the imprisonment of self pity, we are drawn to the Mount of Olives. Two thousand years ago, He sank below all things, experiencing deeper depths than we would
ever reach so that we would never have to. Bleeding from every pore of His body, He was stained for us.
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How beautiful upon the Mount of Olives are the feet of Him who brings good tidings. Good tidings are the "good news," the gospel of joy. Isaiah wrote
the words of the Savior’s testimony seven hundred years before the Savior would speak them. "The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good
tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound . . ." (Isaiah 61:1)
(Luke 4:18)
Dressed in White for Day of Atonement: Although the principle of "one atoning for our sins" in Judaism
has diminished over the years, one day every year is set aside as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.
". . . a day of fasting and prayer for all . . . the last of the Ten Days of Penitence which begin with Rosh Ha-Shanah . . . worshipers are wrapped in tallitot
and some even robed in white gowns (kitels)." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)
Yom Kippur Infers a Resurrection: The Book of Mormon prophet, Alma, teaches that there is no resurrection until
after the coming of the Messiah. Judaism, nowadays, has virtually no belief in resurrection or life, as such, after death. To the Jews, the Messiah has not come; consequently, it is
understandable that they do not have an active belief in the resurrection. There are, however, benedictions and other statements with words that seem to connect to a former belief in
Resurrection.
". . . Barukh mehayyeh ha-metim (‘Blessed be . . . He Who revives the dead’) is therefore also known as Tehiyyat ha-Metim (‘Resurrection
of the Dead’) . . . ". . . the righteous of all generations will be reunited at the time of the resurrection of the dead during the messianic period." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
Process of Resurrection Also Depends on Preparation: That includes repentance. The Lord’s first message to the
Disciples in the "Americas" was the same as to the Disciples in the Land of Israel, and repeated in Latter-days is that of repentance. The word "repentance" in Hebrew (teshuvah)
literally means "to turn" or "return."
". . . A person who repents his sins is known as a ba'al teshuvah . . . a unique aspect of the Jewish faith is that although God rules the world
with absolute justice, He is also merciful and forgives sins against Him. The doctrine of repentance is based on this belief." (Encyclopedia
Judaica Jr.)
Responsibility of Being Chosen: The Lord descended below all things and then rose above all things. This is
reflected in each of the prophet’s lives. Those who know him best and are destined to testify of Him the most are often subjected to the worst. I believe that the difficulties, calamities,
and sufferings of the Jews will ultimately bring them closer to the Lord who covenanted to remember and save His people. Sufferings bring us closer to Him and those having the highest
responsibilities of serving Him often suffer greatly. They "sink to new heights."
"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit . . . all these things shall give thee experience . . . The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art
thou greater than he?" (Doctrine & Covenants 122:7-8)
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