Doctrine &
Covenants Lesson # 2
“Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the
World”
Introduction
Last week I mentioned
John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” I mentioned that I wanted to keep
this as the theme for this year’s study of the Doctrine and Covenants, so it is
fitting that this week’s lesson is about Jesus Christ and what the D&C
teaches us about Him and His mission. And so we are going on a swift journey
through the D&C, ignoring the history for the moment, but focusing on the
Savior.
1. The Doctrine and
Covenants testifies of Jesus Christ.
Last week in Relief
Society Sis. Olivia Gunner bore beautiful testimony of how the Savior helps us
through trials, and Sis. Merriam talked in Sacrament meeting about how He
overcame the world. D&C 50:41–44 and D&C 76:22–24 bear this out. Here is Elder Hales:
I testify that the appetite to possess worldly things can only be
overcome by turning to the Lord. The hunger of addiction can only be replaced
by our love for Him. He stands ready to help each one of us. “Fear not,” He said,
“for you are mine, and I have overcome the world.”[1]
In the October, 1994 General
Conference, Elder Don W. Ladd used the same scripture:
The most important thing we can do—young or old—is develop a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ. If we do, we will always be comfortable with
ourselves. Any questions of self-esteem and self-worth will diminish, and we
will have a quiet confidence that will see us through any trial. And the
Savior’s promise to us is “Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I
have overcome the world.”
D&C 76 is Joseph’s
firm testimony of the Savior. Here Elder Christofferson puts that in context
for us:
The Prophet Joseph Smith confirmed the Savior’s central role in our
doctrine in one definitive sentence: “The fundamental principles of our
religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus
Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended
into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only
appendages to it.” Joseph Smith’s testimony of Jesus is that He lives, “for
[he] saw him, even on the right hand of God; and [he] heard the voice bearing
record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father” (D&C
76:23; see also verse
22). I appeal to all who hear or read this message to seek through prayer
and study of the scriptures that same witness of the divine character, the
Atonement, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Accept His doctrine by
repenting, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then
throughout your life following the laws and covenants of the gospel of Jesus
Christ.[2]
The Explanatory
Introduction tell us:
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 “worth to the Church the riches of the
whole Earth.”
2. Jesus Christ
“suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.”
D&C 19:16 is the
only time the Savior talks about what he went through in Gethsemane. Before
even I was born!!! Elder Bruce R. McConkie talked about this seminal scripture:
In the Garden of Gethsemane when he took upon himself the sins of the
world, conditioned upon the repentance of men, his agony and suffering were so
great that he sweat drops of blood from every pore Mosiah
3:7 Then it was he suffered for all that they might not suffer if they
would repent, which suffering, he says, caused himself, 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 he might not drink the bitter cup that the
Father had given him D&C 19:16-19. "Nevertheless,"
he says, "glory be to the Father, and I partook." It was the spirit,
"Thy will, O God, not mine be done" Luke
22:42 Jacob 7:14. It was exactly the
stand he had taken in the counsels of eternity when the Father had presented
the plan of salvation and explained the need for a Redeemer. In answer to that
call for a Redeemer he had said: "Here am I, send me" Abr. 3:27 And also: "Father, thy will
be done and the glory be thine forever" Moses
4:2 And such, to my way of thinking, is the perfect answer, the one we
should all give in all things pertaining to life and salvation and to all of
our affairs during this mortal probation, and then on in eternity. It is the
will of the Father that you and I want to follow, not the will of anyone else;
we want to rise above our own wayward courses.[3]
That phrase: Rise above our wayward courses, gives
one great pause for thought doesn’t it.
The lesson manual
points our attention to the Atonement and what it means for us. These are the
scriptures to read that have to do with resurrection: D&C 88:14–18; 93:33; Alma 11:42–44.
These have to do with
forgiveness and celestial glory: D&C 18:11–12; 19:16–17, 20; 58:42; 76:62–70. And these show us how the Savior can help us as
we go through trials, again echoing what Sis. Gunner studied through with us in
Relief Society last week: D&C 122:8; Alma 7:11–12; D&C 62:1; 133:53.
Here is Elder Maxwell
on trials:
As we confront our own lesser trials and tribulations, we too can plead
with the Father, just as Jesus did, that we “might not … shrink”—meaning to
retreat or to recoil (D&C
19:18). Not shrinking is much more important than surviving! Moreover,
partaking of a bitter cup without becoming bitter is likewise part of the
emulation of Jesus.
Continuing, we too may experience moments of mortal aloneness. These
moments are nothing compared to what Jesus experienced. Nevertheless, since our
prayers may occasionally contain some “whys,” we too may experience God’s
initial silence (see Matt. 27:46).
Certain mortal “whys” are not really questions at all but are expressions of
resentment. Other “whys” imply that the trial might be all right later on but
not now, as if faith in the Lord excluded faith in His timing. Some “why me”
questions, asked amid stress, would be much better as “what” questions, such
as, “What is required of me now?” or, to paraphrase Moroni’s words, “If I am
sufficiently humble, which personal weakness could now become a strength?” (see
Ether
12:27). President Brigham Young spoke of what evoked the “why” from Jesus,
saying that during the axis of agony which was Gethsemane and Calvary, the
Father at some point withdrew both His presence and His Spirit from Jesus (see Journal
of Discourses 3:205–6). Thereby Jesus’ personal triumph was complete and
His empathy perfected. Having “descended below all things,” He comprehends,
perfectly and personally, the full range of human suffering! (D&C
88:6; see D&C
122:8). Truly, Jesus was exquisitely “acquainted with grief,” as no one
else (Isa. 53:3).[4]
3. The Doctrine and Covenants helps us understand the Savior’s roles and
attributes.
Here are some of His attributes that we find in the Doctrine and
Covenants
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.)
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.)
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&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.)
D&C 38:1–3. (He is the Creator of the world, and He
knows all things.)
D&C 43:34. (He is the Savior of the world.)
D&C 45:3–5. (He is our Advocate with the Father.)
D&C 50:44. (He is the Good Shepherd and the Stone of
Israel, a sure foundation upon which we can build.)
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.)
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.)
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.)
D&C 136:22. (His arm is stretched out to save His
people.)
I end with a quote
from Elder Holland:
Life has its share of some fear and some failure. Sometimes things fall
short, don’t quite measure up. Sometimes in both personal and public life, we
are seemingly left without strength to go on. Sometimes people fail us, or economies
and circumstance fail us, and life with its hardship and heartache can leave us
feeling very alone. But when such difficult moments come to us, I testify that
there is one thing which will never, ever fail us. One thing alone will stand
the test of all time, of all tribulation, all trouble, and all transgression.
One thing only never faileth—and that is the pure love of Christ.[5]
Resources for today’s lesson
- Man
Was Also in the Beginning With God: This article gives context
for D&C 93.
- Life of
Christ Online Art Exhibits: This series of exhibits features
paintings depicting different parts of Christ’s ministry.
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