D&C Lesson 2: "Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World"

7/30/2019 D&C Lesson 2: "Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World"

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After Jesus Christwas crucified, His Apostles pre-sided over the Church. But soon persecution, divisions, and apostasy increased. Within a few dec-ades, there was a falling away from the Church,as the Apostles had prophesied (Acts 20:2830;2Thessalonians 2:13;2 Timothy 4:34). This fal-ling away is known as the Great Apostasy.What were some of the consequences of theGreat Apostasy? (See D&C 1:1516;JosephSmithHistory 1:89, 19, 21;Mormon 1:1314.)Why was Joseph confused about which churchhe should join? (See Joseph SmithHistory 1:510.) How was Josephs situation like that of peo-ple today who are searching to know the truth?What are some of the truths we can learn fromthe First Vision?

SCRIPTURE CHAIN: The Apostasy and the Resto-ration

Amos 8:11-12 Acts 3:20-21 D&C 1:14-17 D&C 128:20-21

To download past handouts, go to: highlandvalleysundayschoolnotes2012.blogspot.com

senger of the Covenant Messiah Messias

(Greek: anointed) Mighty God Minister ofSalvation Most High Omegus Only Begot-

ten Our Passover Paraclete Physician Potentate Potter Power of God Prince ofPeace Prophet Propitiator Purifier

Quetzalcoatl Rabbi Reconcilor Redeemer Refiner Restorer Resurrection Resur-

rection and the Life Righteous Man RisenLord Rock of Heaven Root of David Ruler

The Sacrifice Salvation Savior SecondAdam Second Comforter Servant Shiloh

Sign of Jonas Sign of the Cross Son Son Ahman Son of David Son of God Sonof Man Son of Righteousness Son of the

Highest Spirit of Truth Stem of Jesse Stone of Israel Teacher Come from God

Testator True Vine Truth UnchangeableOne Way Well Beloved Wisdom of God

Wonderful Truth and Life Word of God Word of Life Worthy Yahweh ..

Adonai (Hebrew: my Lord) Advocate Almighty God Alpha and Omega Amen Ancien

of Days Anointed One Austere Man Author of Salvation Beginning and End Beloved

Son Bishop Brazen Serpent Bread of Life Bridegroom Bride of the Lamb Bright andMorning Star Captain of Salvation Captain of the Lords Host Carpenters Son, Chief Cor-nerstone Chosen One Counselor Creator Crucified One Deliverer Desire of All Na-tions Door of the Sheep Elder Brother Elias Eternal Judge Everlasting Father Exem

plar Expiator Faithful and True Father Finisher of Faith First and Last, Firstborn Firstfruits Forerunner Galilean God God of Battles God of Gods God of Jeshurun

God of Spirits God of the Whole Earth God of Truth Good Shepherd Governor Great Am Healer Heir of All Things High Priest Holy Holy One Husband I Am Imman

uel Incarnate God Intercessor Jah (shortened form of Yahweh) Jehovah Jesus Judge of All the Earth Just One Keeper of the Gate Key of David King of Glory King o

Heaven King of Kings King of Zion Lamb of God Law Lawgiver Light of Life Lightof the World Lion of the Tribe of Judah Living Bread Living Stone Living Water Logos(Greek: Word) Lord Lord God Lord of Glory Lord of Hosts Lord of Lords Lord ofSabaoth Lord of the Harvest Lord of the Sabbath Lord of the Vineyard Lord Omnipoten

Lord Our Righteousness Maker Man of Counsel Man of Holiness Manna Master

Mediator Meek and Lowly One Messenger of the Covenant Messenger of Salvation Mes
http://mormon.org/jesus-christhttp://mormon.org/jesus-christhttps://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/20.28-30?lang=eng#27https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/20.28-30?lang=eng#27https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/20.28-30?lang=eng#27https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/20.28-30?lang=eng#27https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-thes/2.1-3?lang=eng#0https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-thes/2.1-3?lang=eng#0https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-thes/2.1-3?lang=eng#0https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-thes/2.1-3?lang=eng#0https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-thes/2.1-3?lang=eng#0https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-tim/4.3-4?lang=eng#2https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-tim/4.3-4?lang=eng#2https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-tim/4.3-4?lang=eng#2https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-tim/4.3-4?lang=eng#2https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1.15-16?lang=eng#14https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1.15-16?lang=eng#14https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1.15-16?lang=eng#14https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1.15-16?lang=eng#14https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.8-9,19,21?lang=eng#7https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.8-9,19,21?lang=eng#7https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.8-9,19,21?lang=eng#7https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.8-9,19,21?lang=eng#7https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.8-9,19,21?lang=eng#7https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.8-9,19,21?lang=eng#7https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.8-9,19,21?lang=eng#7https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/morm/1.13-14?lang=eng#12https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/morm/1.13-14?lang=eng#12https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/morm/1.13-14?lang=eng#12https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/morm/1.13-14?lang=eng#12https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.5-10?lang=eng#4https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.5-10?lang=eng#4https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.5-10?lang=eng#4https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.5-10?lang=eng#4https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.5-10?lang=eng#4https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.5-10?lang=eng#4https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.5-10?lang=eng#4https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.5-10?lang=eng#4https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/morm/1.13-14?lang=eng#12https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.8-9,19,21?lang=eng#7https://www.lds.org/scriptures/pgp/js-h/1.8-9,19,21?lang=eng#7https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/1.15-16?lang=eng#14https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-tim/4.3-4?lang=eng#2https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-thes/2.1-3?lang=eng#0https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/2-thes/2.1-3?lang=eng#0https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/acts/20.28-30?lang=eng#27http://mormon.org/jesus-christ


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#1: Elder Tad R. Callister ofthe Seventy: Because of theAtonement, every event, everyencounter, every disaster, how-ever despairing it may seem to

the outward eye, may be met withspiritual success. A temporal tragedyneed never result in a spiritual de-feat.(The Infinite Atonement, 244)

#2: Though he might have become aChristian, he did not yet allow it to in-terfere with his making a living He

was hardly the poster boy for the trulypenitent.(Barbara Mikkelson, Snopes.com)

#3:Newton did eventually grow inthis conversion, so that by the end ofhis days he actually was the godly maone would expect to have pennedAmazing Grace. But it was a slow

process effected over the passage ofdecades, not something that happenewith a clap of thunder and a flash oflightning. In Newtons case, theamazing grace he wrote of might wehave referred to Gods unending pa-tience with him. Still, Newtons storygives us all hopeeven the greatest

sinners can ultimately and meaning-fully repent.(Ibid.)

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)

That sav'd a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears reliev'd;

How precious did that grace appear,

The hour I first believ'd!

Thro' many dangers, toils and snares,

I have already come;

'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis'd good to me,

His word my hope secures;

He will my shield and portion be,

As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fai

And mortal life shall cease;

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who call'd me here below,

Will be forever mine.

AMAZING GRACEBy John Newton


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Making Sense of the Doctrine & CovenantsA Guided Tour Through Modern Revelations (pp. 345-49)

Steven C. HarperDoctrine & Covenants 93

ORIGINHistorical records say nothing about why Doctrine and Covenants 93 was given, but the Lord tells us

why in verse 19 of the text itself: I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know howto worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due timreceive of his fullness.

CONTENTDoctrine and Covenants 93 adds intelligence to the impressive catalog of synonyms in section 88 that

nclude light, life, law, power , and glorymost memorably in verse 35: The glory of God is intelligence,or, in other words, light and truth.

The Lords use of the word fulness tells us that section 93 is a revelation about exaltation. Fulnessis

used occasionally in the Book of Mormon and early revelations to describe the gospel, but in section 76,the first of the revelations to describe progress beyond simple salvation from sin and death, the word

bursts onto the page nine times. In section 93 we hear it fifteen times, sometimes enriched as in fulnesof truth (v. 26) or fulness of joy (v. 34). Section 93 is an introductory text on how to come into theLords presence and become like him.

From the beginning the revelation describes what we must do to see his face and know him. Critics of

the Church argue that such revelations as section 93 emphasize works, what we must do to earnexalta-tion. They feel that such theology minimizes or negates the atonement of Jesus Christ. But there is not amore Christ-centered revelation than section 93. It says nothing about earning Gods fulness. Rather, Ch

himself describes what we must do to become like him, to grow in light as he did until we have been givGods fulness. The reception of grace is conditional. We must forsake sins, come to Christ, and call uponand obey him in order to see and know him face to face (v. 1).

Section 93 draws on otherwise lost writings of John. The revelation clearly echoes the New TestamentGospel of John (vv. 7-11), but it also recounts the testimony of John the Baptist (v. 15). Authorities have

expressed different opinions about which John is the writer. It is clear that the revelation restores tantaling lost texts and promises that even more will be forthcoming (vv. 6, 18). By drawing on these lostsources, section 93 restores richness about the nature of God, Christ, and man that is lost from tradition

Christianity. Indeed, it explains how and who to worship (v. 19).We worship the Father, the organizer of eternal elements and intelligent beings whom he designs to in

herit his attributes and with them his fulness of joy (v. 33). We worship a God who did not create us

from nothing but rather from eternally existing element and intelligence (see vv. 33-35). We worship a Gwhose work is to frame worlds and inhabit them with his children to provide them a sphere in which theycan act independently, truly free to do their Fathers will or their own. And that is how we worship: by

choosing of our own free will to receive the light he offers us, to keep his commandments and thereforereceive more truth, more light, more intelligence, until we know all he knows and have become all he is.We worship our Heavenly Father by becoming like him. To emulate him is the higher worship we can offhim. Christ is the example: He received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace (v.12). He obeyed his Father and grew by degrees of glory until he received a fulness (v. 13). Christ de-clares that we have similar potential for growth and godliness (v. 20).

Critics reject the premise of section 93 that Christ became God and they find especially blasphemous tdea that mortals can also aspire to grow up (D&C 109:15) to become like their Heavenly Father. But

such critics offer nothing as compelling as the description in section 93 of the nature of a Heavenly Fathe(in every sense of those words), of his firstborn Son (see vv. 4, 21), and of mankind as uncreated and


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therefore agents under a Heavenly Fathers care but not compulsion.Perhaps the most interesting aspect of section 93 is the transition at verse 40 to practical instructions

The final verses descend from the heavens into the everyday concerns of Joseph and his friends Secti93 is a masterpiece of parenting from a most concerned Father and a commandment to go and do likew(v. 40). Moreover, since the glory of God is intelligence, he adds a commandment to worship by learning

by obtaining knowledge as a means to the end of exaltation. Exalting knowledge comes by obedience toGods light and truth. He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified

truth and knoweth all things (v. 28).

OUTCOMES

It may be true that Doctrine and Covenants 93 suggests more than it precisely defines, but it also afirms good Bible teaching. The apostle Paul admonished the Philippians: Let this mind be in you, whichwas also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: bumade himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness omen: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, eventhe death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is abov

every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory o

God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but nowmuch more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:5-12). IfJoseph Smith blasphemed, then so did Paul. More likely, both revealed sublime truth about the nature ofGod and man that was lost in the intervening years

(quoted from Truman Madsen:) Section 93 was received in May 1833, when Joseph was twenty-seven years old. It defines beginningless beginnings, the interrelationships of truth, of light, of intelligencof agency, of element, of embodiment, of joy. Every sentence, every word, is freighted with meaning. In

one fell swoop it cuts many Gordian knots. For example: How can something come from nothing? AnsweThe universe was not created from nothing. The elements are eternal. How can Christ have been both asolutely human and absolutely divine at the same time? Answer: He was not both at the same time. Chri

received not of the fulness at the first, but continued...until he received a fulness. If man is totally thecreation of God, how can he be anything or do anything that he was not divinely pre-caused to do? An-

swer: Man is not totally the creation of God. Intelligence...was not created or made, neither indeed canbe...Behold, here is the agency of man. How can man be a divine creation and yet be totally depraved?Answer: Man is not totally depraved. Every spirit of man was innocent in the beginning; and God having

redeemed man from the fall, men became again, in their infant state, innocent before God. What is therelationship of being and beings, the one and the many? Answer: Being is only the collective name of bengs, of whom God is one. Truth is knowledge of things (plural), and not, as Plato would have it, of Thing

hood. Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come. How canspirit be related to gross matter? Answer: Spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness ooy. If we begin susceptible to light and truth, how is it that people err and abuse the light? Answer: Peo

ple are free; they can be persuaded only if they choose to be. They cannot be compelled. The Socratic thsis that knowledge is virtue (that if you really know the good you will seek it and do it) is mistaken. It isthrough disobedience and because of the traditions of the fathers that light is taken away from mankind.

During a presentation at the Yale Divinity School, Brother Madsen told of a conversation with someCatholic priests, learned Jesuits, who expressed their inability to conceive of God as an intimate father intent on raising mankind to share in his glory and status. Brother Madsen offered to them how hard it is f

Latter-day Saints to conceive of God as anything other than a concerned father whose work and glory is glorify and exalt all of his willing children in the ways outlined by section 93.


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D&C LESSON 2 OUTLINE

[On Board: Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can]

You may have noticed on the handout a list of a few of the names of Christ a

used in the scriptures.~As you peruse them, is there anything that strikes you about them? Whdo they tell us about Christ? (His roles and attributes)

We could make a similar kind of list for each of us here. Lets take as an exam-ple ___________.

(name of person)(~What are some of his/her titles, roles or attributes?)

Mother

WifeSisterFriend

DaughterTeacherPianist

Gardener.By these titles, we come to know _______ a little better, dont we? Of course

one big difference between our lists and the Saviors is that He has attained pefection in each, and were, of course, a work in progress!

The Doctrine and Covenants contains at least 66 names and titles for the Savio~Who is speaking in these revelations? (the Savior Himself)

So just as _______ helped us to know some of her roles, interests, attributesand talents, the Savior by revealing these different names is helping us to un-derstand and know Him better. He tells us why He reveals these things in:

D&C 93:19~So what happens as we come to know Christ more and more? (see v. 20

we receive grace for grace until we receive all)Lets go down to verses 26-28to see how learning Christs titles can help us tunderstand Him as well as His scriptures. Would someone mind reading while nterrupt you from time to time?26: ~Who is the Spirit of Truth from? (God)


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~And who is the Spirit of Truth? (Christ)~Can more than one being be the Spirit of Truth? (yes, God the Father is

all of these things as well)~How did Christ become the Spirit of Truth? (by receiving all truth)~From whom did he receive it? (God the Father

~What does receive mean here? (Websters 1828 dictionary: embraceso it means to accept and obey)27: ~A fullness of what? (truth)

~When Christ received a fullness of truth, what did he become? (the Spirof TruthHe became perfected in that attribute)

~Are we expected to do the same?~How do wereceive this fullness of truth? (by keeping His command-

ments)

28: ~Who personifies truth and light? (Christ)~So who is it we are receiving as we keep the commandments? (Christ)~Conversely, who are we rejecting when we dont keep the command-

ments? (Christ)~What is the end result of being more and more obedient? (glorified in

truthknoweth all things)

In other words, we can also receive a fullness of truth, through Christ. I think

I could Id add another name to that list on the handout: Generosity. Christand the Father are not stingy or protective of their turf, are they? No! Theywant to give us all that we are willing to receive.

Pondering each revealed name of Christ is a worthwhile and faith strengtheninendeavor. In fact, that would be a really great approachto study each name depth and thereby come to know our Savior better.

~One reminder: Was Christ always perfect in all of these traits and roles?

(No, see 93:13. And this is why He knows how to help usalong thepath to fullness)

~What was Christs most important role for us? (Savior)D&C 19:16-19

~When he talks about finishing His preparations, what is He referring to?What did He prepare for us? (the way back to the Fatherhe over


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came all the obstacles: sin, death, Satanall obstacles that wouldkeep us from receiving a fullness of joy with the father.)

Lets finish the sentence on the board:~Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can.What? (be resur-

rected, repent, have peace of mind, be succored in our challenges, bmotivated, be exalted, be made free, receive grace)Quotation #1

~Do you ever wonder why Heavenly Father doesnt just remove excessivewicked people from the world? (sometimes He does, when they areripe, but the scriptures are full of examples of extremely wickedpeople who eventually had a change of heart and repented: The peo

ple of Jonahs Ninevah, Alma the Elder and Younger, Paul)

There is a more current example of this which Id like to relate so that we canfeel hope for ourselves that through the Atonement we, too, can overcome thechallenges of life, no matter what mistakes we may have made.

Put picture of John Newton on Board~Does anyone recognize this man?

His name is John Newton, and he was born in the year 1725. He was British, a

slave buyer in Africa, and the captain of slave ships. He also wrote the hymnAmazing Grace. He became a Christian in the year 1748 at the age of 23, aftsurviving a violent storm at sea.

~Do you think his converting to Christianity changed him instantly fromJohn the slave trader to John the perfect Christian? Are youthe per-fect Christian yet? Or is it a lifetime of work?

Baptism is the beginning of the journey. It is not the gate to the Celestial King-dom, is it?

~What do we enter by opening the gate of baptism? (the path leading toeternal life)

Quotation #2John Newton didnt quit the salve trade until about 7 years after his conversionwhen his wife begged him to settle down. At that point he became a tides surveyor, or customs officer.


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Two years later, in 1764, he was ordained a priest in the Church of England.From slave trader to priest is already a remarkable conversion, wouldnt yousay? But around 1772, with a growing awareness of his grave past sins, and ingratitude for the Atonement, he composed the hymn Amazing Grace

In 1780 he expressed regrets about his role as slave trader and in 1785, about37 years after his initial conversion, he began the fight to abolish slavery. Hecontinued this crusade until his death in 1807, the same year in which the abotion of the slave trade in England was finally achieved. Note: this was 50 yearsbefore it was achieved in the U.S., and without a civil war.

Quotation #3

In John Newtons own words, Only Gods amazing grace could and would take

a rude, profane, slave-trading sailor and transform him into a child of God

The adjectives we would use would certainly be different, but couldnt each ofus say the same?

At the end of his life, John Newton said this: My memory is nearly gone; but remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Sav-or. (http://www.reformedreader.org/rbb/newton/neindex.html)

Amen to that! (May want to close with a solo or everyone singing AmazingGrace)


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D&C Lesson 2: "Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World"