CLASS MEMBER STUDY GUIDE
Lesson 2: “Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World”
Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide, (1999), 3–4
Reading assignment: Study the
scripture passages listed in the following questions and in the
scripture chain for this lesson.
The Bible, the books of Moses and Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price, and the Book of Mormon are ancient testaments, or witnesses, of Jesus Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants is a testament of Jesus Christ given in this dispensation.
- •Read D&C 19:16–19. What does this passage teach about the Savior’s suffering for us? Why was Jesus willing to experience such great suffering for us? (See D&C 18:10–11; 19:19, 24; 34:3.)
D&C 19:16-19
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
D&C 18:10-11
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
D&C 19:19,24
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
24 I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will.
D&C 34:3
3 Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son;
- •Read D&C 88:14–18; 93:33; Alma 11:42–44. What can you learn about the Resurrection from these passages?
D&C 88:14-18
14 Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead.
15 And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.
16 And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul.
17 And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.
18 Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;
D&C 93:33
33 For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy;
Alma 11:42-43
42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.
43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
- •Read D&C 18:11–12; 19:16–17, 20; 58:42; 76:62–70. What do these passages teach about the blessings we can receive through the Savior’s Atonement?
D&C 18:11-12
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
D&C 19:16-17, 20
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
20 Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.
D&C 58:42
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
D&C 76:62-70
62 These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.
63 These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people.
64 These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection.
65 These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just.
66 These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all.
67 These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn.
68 These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all.
69 These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.
70 These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.
- •How can you show the Savior your gratitude for His Atonement?
Scripture Chain: Roles and Attributes of the Savior
20 Behold, thou art Oliver, and I have spoken unto thee because of thy desires; therefore treasure up these words in thy heart. Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.
21 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I am the same that came unto mine own, and mine own received me not. I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.
32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you.
33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
1 I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end, the Redeemer of the world.
2 I, having accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me—having done this that I might subdue all things unto myself—
3 Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world, and the last great day of judgment, which I shall pass upon the inhabitants thereof, judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done.
1 Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, the Great I Am, whose arm of mercy hath atoned for your sins;
2 Who will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer.
1 Thus saith the Lord your God, even Jesus Christ, the Great I Am, Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the same which looked upon the wide expanse of eternity, and all the seraphic hosts of heaven, before the world was made;
2 The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes;
3 I am the same which spake, and the world was made, and all things came by me.
3 Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—
4 Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
5 Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.
44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.
5 I was in the world and received of my Father, and the works of him were plainly manifest.
6 And John saw and bore record of the fulness of my glory, and the fulness of John's record is hereafter to be revealed.
7 And he bore record, saying: I saw his glory, that he was in the beginning, before the world was;
8 Therefore, in the beginning the Word was, for he was the Word, even the messenger of salvation—
9 The light and the Redeemer of the world; the Spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men.
10 The worlds were made by him; men were made by him; all things were made by him, and through him, and of him.
11 And I, John, bear record that I beheld his glory, as the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, even the Spirit of truth, which came and dwelt in the flesh, and dwelt among us.
12 And I, John, saw that he received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;
13 And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness;
14 And thus he was called the Son of God, because he received not of the fulness at the first.
15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove, and sat upon him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my beloved Son.
16 And I, John, bear record that he received a fulness of the glory of the Father;
17 And he received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with him, for he dwelt in him.
18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.
19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.
42 O Lord, thou shalt come down to make thy name known to thine adversaries, and all nations shall tremble at thy presence—
43 When thou doest terrible things, things they look not for;
44 Yea, when thou comest down, and the mountains flow down at thy presence, thou shalt meet him who rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, who remembereth thee in thy ways.
45 For since the beginning of the world have not men heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee.
46 And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments; yea, from the regions which are not known, clothed in his glorious apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?
47 And he shall say: I am he who spake in righteousness, mighty to save.
48 And the Lord shall be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine-vat.
49 And so great shall be the glory of his presence that the sun shall hide his face in shame, and the moon shall withhold its light, and the stars shall be hurled from their places.
50 And his voice shall be heard: I have trodden the wine-press alone, and have brought judgment upon all people; and none were with me;
51 And I have trampled them in my fury, and I did tread upon them in mine anger, and their blood have I sprinkled upon my garments, and stained all my raiment; for this was the day of vengeance which was in my heart.
52 And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever.
GOSPEL DOCTRINE TEACHER'S MANUAL
Lesson 2: “Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World”
Doctrine and Covenants and Church History: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (1999), 6–10
Purpose
To help class members feel the powerful witness of the Savior that comes through the Doctrine and Covenants and to help them strengthen their testimonies of the Savior’s Atonement.
“[The
Atonement of Jesus Christ] is the very root of Christian doctrine. You
may know much about the gospel as it branches out from there, but if you
only know the branches and those branches do not touch that root, if
they have been cut free from that truth, there will be no life nor
substance nor redemption in them” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1977, 80;
or Ensign, May 1977, 56).
That the Atonement of Jesus Christ brings us life and gives meaning to all other gospel doctrines. We should remember the Atonement as we study other principles throughout the rest of this course.
1. The Doctrine and Covenants testifies of Jesus Christ.
One purpose of all scripture is to testify of Jesus Christ and to
persuade people to come to Him and partake of salvation. The Bible, the books of Moses and Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price, and the Book of Mormon
are ancient testaments, or witnesses, of Jesus Christ. The Doctrine and
Covenants is a testament of Jesus Christ given in this dispensation.
This book of scripture bears witness that Jesus is the Christ, that He
lives, and that He continues to speak to prophets and guide His people
today.
D&C Explanatory Introduction Paragraph 8 last sentence.
Finally, the testimony that is given of Jesus Christ—his divinity, his majesty, his perfection, his love, and his redeeming power—makes this book of great value to the human family and of more worth than the riches of the whole earth.
The Doctrine and Covenants contains powerful testimonies of
the Savior and His work. Most of these are from the Savior Himself.
D&C 50:41–44
D&C 76:22–24.
D&C 50:41–44
41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;
42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.
43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.
44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.
D&C 76:22–24.
22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
This lesson discusses teachings in the Doctrine and Covenants about the Savior.
2. Jesus Christ “suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.”
The
Doctrine and Covenants contains many revelations that can increase our
understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. These revelations give
us a sense of the depth of the Savior’s suffering and the magnitude of
the love that He and Heavenly Father have for us.
The Savior describes His atoning sacrifice
D&C 19:16-19
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;This is the only scripture passage in which the Savior describes His own suffering during His atoning sacrifice. What does this passage teach about the Savior’s suffering for us and why was Jesus willing to experience such great suffering for us? (See D&C 18:10–11; 19:19, 24; 34:3.)
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
D&C 18:10-11
10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;D&C 19:19,24
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
24 I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will.
D&C 34:2-3
3 Who so loved the world that he gave his own life, that as many as would believe might become the sons of God. Wherefore you are my son;
Through the Atonement, we will all be resurrected
D&C 88:14–18
14 Now, verily I say unto you, that through the redemption which is made for you is brought to pass the resurrection from the dead.
15 And the spirit and the body are the soul of man.
16 And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul.
17 And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it.
18 Therefore, it must needs be sanctified from all unrighteousness, that it may be prepared for the celestial glory;
93:33
33 For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy;
Alma 11:42–44.
42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.
43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.
Below are some things we can learn about the Resurrection from these passages?
- a.
Resurrection is the redemption of the soul. The spirit and the body are reunited, inseparably connected in a perfect form (D&C 88:14–16; 93:33; Alma 11:42–43).
-
b.
Resurrection prepares us for the celestial glory (D&C 88:18).
-
c.
Resurrection is necessary for us to receive a fulness of joy (D&C 93:33).
-
d.
All people will be resurrected (Alma 11:44).
- a.
Resurrection is the redemption of the soul. The spirit and the body are reunited, inseparably connected in a perfect form (D&C 88:14–16; 93:33; Alma 11:42–43).
Through the Atonement, we can be forgiven of our sins and inherit celestial glory
D&C 18:11–12
11 For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
12 And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
19:16–17, 20
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;58:42
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
20 Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit.
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.76:62–70
D&C 58:42
62 These shall dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever.What do these passages teach about the blessings we can receive through the Savior’s Atonement?
63 These are they whom he shall bring with him, when he shall come in the clouds of heaven to reign on the earth over his people.
64 These are they who shall have part in the first resurrection.
65 These are they who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just.
66 These are they who are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly place, the holiest of all.
67 These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn.
68 These are they whose names are written in heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all.
69 These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.
70 These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all, whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.
- Some of the answers are listed below. Do you have any to add?
-
a.
We can repent of our sins and come unto Him (D&C 18:11–12).
-
b.
If we repent, Christ has taken upon Himself the suffering for our sins (D&C 19:16–17, 20).
-
c.
If we repent, the Lord forgives us and remembers our sins no more (D&C 58:42).
-
d.
We can come forth in the first resurrection, be made perfect through Christ, and inherit celestial glory (D&C 76:62–70).
-
a.
We can repent of our sins and come unto Him (D&C 18:11–12).
Through the Atonement, the Savior gained perfect empathy for us in all our sorrows, pains, and afflictions
Explain
that during His life and culminating in the Atonement, the Savior
suffered in a way that gave Him a perfect understanding of all our pains
and afflictions.
Have class members turn to D&C 122. This section is a revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith
while he was a prisoner in the jail at Liberty, Missouri. Point out
that in the first seven verses the Lord speaks of the Prophet Joseph’s
trials. Then in verse 8 the Lord speaks of Himself.
D&C 122:1-9
D&C 122:1-9
1 The ends of the earth shall inquire after thy name, and fools shall have thee in derision, and hell shall rage against thee;
2 While the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand.
3 And thy people shall never be turned against thee by the testimony of traitors.
4 And although their influence shall cast thee into trouble, and into bars and walls, thou shalt be had in honor; and but for a small moment and thy voice shall be more terrible in the midst of thine enemies than the fierce lion, because of thy righteousness; and thy God shall stand by thee forever and ever.
5 If thou art called to pass through tribulation; if thou art in perils among false brethren; if thou art in perils among robbers; if thou art in perils by land or by sea;
6 If thou art accused with all manner of false accusations; if thine enemies fall upon thee; if they tear thee from the society of thy father and mother and brethren and sisters; and if with a drawn sword thine enemies tear thee from the bosom of thy wife, and of thine offspring, and thine elder son, although but six years of age, shall cling to thy garments, and shall say, My father, my father, why can't you stay with us? O, my father, what are the men going to do with you? and if then he shall be thrust from thee by the sword, and thou be dragged to prison, and thine enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb;
7 And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.
- In what way has the Savior “descended below” all things? The word succor means to help. Because the Savior has experienced all our sorrows, pains, and afflictions, He understands how we feel. He knows how to help us. How can this knowledge help us when we experience trials?
- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve said: “When … difficult times come to us, we can remember that Jesus had to descend below all things before He could ascend above them, and that He suffered pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind that He might be filled with mercy and know how to succor His people in their infirmities (see D&C 88:6; Alma 7:11–12)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 91; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 69).
- When have you felt the power of the Atonement in your life? What can we do to feel this power more completely?
- How can we show the Savior our gratitude for His Atonement? How should our understanding of the Atonement affect us in our daily lives?
3. The Doctrine and Covenants helps us understand the Savior’s roles and attributes.
Explain
that to be able to exercise faith in God, we must have “a correct idea
of his character, perfections, and attributes” (in Joseph Smith, comp., Lectures on Faith [1985], 38). The Doctrine and Covenants helps us gain this understanding.
- •What attributes of the Savior do you see in the passages we have read today? (Write class members’ answers on the chalkboard. Answers could include charity, obedience, humility, and submissiveness.)
Select
some of the following scripture passages to read with class members.
Discuss what each passage teaches about the Savior’s roles and
attributes. Summarize the information on the chalkboard.
-
a.
D&C 6:20–21.
(If we are faithful and diligent, the Savior will encircle us in the
arms of His love. He is the light that shines in darkness.)
-
b.
D&C 6:32–37. (He offers us protection and comfort and is ready to bless us when we remember Him and obey His commandments.)
-
c.
D&C 19:1–3.
(Having done the will of the Father, He has subdued all things and
retained all power. He will destroy Satan and his works. He will judge
all people according to their deeds.)
-
d.
D&C 29:1–2.
(His arm of mercy has atoned for our sins. If we hearken to His voice
and humble ourselves, He will gather us as a hen gathers her chickens.)
-
e.
D&C 38:1–3. (He is the Creator of the world, and He knows all things.)
-
f.
D&C 43:34. (He is the Savior of the world.)
-
g.
D&C 45:3–5. (He is our Advocate with the Father.)
-
h.
D&C 50:44. (He is the Good Shepherd and the Stone of Israel, a sure foundation upon which we can build.)
-
i.
D&C 76:5.
(He is merciful and gracious to those who fear Him, and He delights to
honor those who serve Him in righteousness and truth to the end.)
-
j.
D&C 93:5–19.
(He is the Only Begotten of the Father. He “continued from grace to
grace” until He received a fulness of the glory and power of the
Father.)
-
k.
D&C 133:42–52.
(When He comes in power at the time of His Second Coming, those whom He
has redeemed will mention His loving-kindness and goodness.)
-
l.
D&C 136:22. (His arm is stretched out to save His people.)
- •Why is it important for you to know these roles and attributes of the Savior? How have the revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants enriched your testimony of the Savior?
Conclusion
- •Read D&C 19:23 with class members. How can the truths that we have discussed today help you receive peace?
As
prompted by the Spirit, testify of Jesus Christ. Emphasize that because
of His Atonement, we all will be resurrected. Through His Atonement, He
extends to us the invitation to repent and come unto Him, receiving
“peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23).
Encourage class members to partake of all the blessings of the
Atonement by exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, obeying the
commandments, and enduring to the end.
Suggest
that as class members study the Doctrine and Covenants this year, they
continue to look for what it teaches about Jesus Christ. He is the
central figure in the book. The powerful witnesses and truths that are
given in these revelations can enrich each person’s testimony of Him.
Additional Teaching Ideas
1. “I Stand All Amazed”
In advance, study the text of the hymn
| Lines from the hymn | Supporting passages |
|---|---|
| “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me” | D&C 34:3 |
| “For me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died” | D&C 19:16–19 |
| “I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine” | D&C 88:6; 122:8 |
| “I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt” | D&C 6:36–37 |
| “Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?” | D&C 20:77 |
In
class, read the hymn aloud, stopping to have class members read the
supporting scripture passages after the appropriate lines from the hymn.
2. Our “advocate with the Father” (D&C 45:3)
Write Advocate on the chalkboard. Explain that several times in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord says that He is our Advocate (D&C 29:5; 45:3; 62:1; 110:4).
- •What is an advocate? (Someone who pleads the cause of another.)
- •Read D&C 45:3–5 with class members. Why do we need an “advocate with the Father”? In verses 4 and 5, what evidence does the Savior present to the Father to show that we should receive everlasting life? (First He speaks of His Atonement—His sufferings, death, and blood. Then He refers to our belief in Him.)
3. Bearing witness of Jesus Christ through His titles
Explain
that the Doctrine and Covenants contains more than 60 titles for Jesus
Christ, each of which invokes special respect for Him. For example, the
Lord refers to Himself as “Redeemer,” “Savior,” and “the light and the
life of the world.”
Have
class members scan pages 174–85 in the index to the triple combination
to find other titles for Jesus Christ. List on the chalkboard the titles
they find.
- •What do Jesus’ titles teach about His attributes and His mission?
4. The Light of Christ
Explain
that the Light of Christ is sometimes referred to as our conscience,
but it is much more than that. To help class members gain a greater
understanding of the Light of Christ, have them read the second and
third paragraphs under “Light of Christ” on page 725 of the Bible
Dictionary. Then have them read D&C 88:6–13; 93:2; Moroni 7:13, 16–19.
- •What can we learn about the
Light of Christ from the Bible Dictionary and these passages? (Answers
could include those listed below.)
-
a.
The Light of Christ “[fills] the immensity of space” and “giveth life to all things” (D&C 88:12–13).
-
b.
It is an uplifting influence that is given to every person who is born into the world (D&C 93:2).
-
c.
It helps us know good from evil and invites us to do good and believe in Christ (Moroni 7:13, 16–19).
-
a.
The Light of Christ “[fills] the immensity of space” and “giveth life to all things” (D&C 88:12–13).
- •How can we allow the Light of Christ to be a greater influence in our lives?
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