1. LESSON 2: MY SOUL DOTH MAGNIFY THE LORD 2. SLIDESHARE.NET KELLYOLSEN777 3. 6 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN STUDYING THE NEW TESTAMENT 4. 1. Matthew and John were not eyewitnesses to all the events they wrote about. For example, it is not likely that Matthew was present at the birth of the Savior (Matthew 1-2) nor the events of the Saviors ministry before his own call to be an apostle (Matthew 9:9). 5. 2. Mark and Luke were not eyewitnesses to the mortal ministry of the Savior. Luke tells us that when he compiled his Gospel, he received his information even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word (Luke 1:2). An early Christian canon list called the Muratorian Canon (c. 2nd century A.D.) says concerning Luke: Neither did he himself see the Lord in the flesh. After the mortal ministry of Christ, Luke became a missionary companion of Paul (see Colossians 4:14 and 2 Timothy 4:11), and eventually wrote the Gospel of Luke. Mark is traditionally understood to be the same John Mark who became a missionary companion of Paul and Barnabas (see Acts 12:25). An early Christian writer by the name of Papias (c. 2nd century A.D.) explains that after his missionary experiences with Paul and Barnabas, Mark eventually became a companion of the chief apostle Peter in Rome. Papias further says that Mark wrote down all that Peter recalled of the mortal ministry of the Savior, because Mark himself was not an eyewitness of these events. 6. 3. Luke relied upon previously written material and oral information from eye-witnesses. Most scholars conclude that Luke used a copy of the Gospel of Mark, and possibly other written Gospels that have not survived to today. 7. 4. The Joseph Smith Translation teaches that Matthew also relied upon previously written sources. The Joseph Smith Translation says: Now as it is written, the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise (JST Matthew 1:18, italics are the JST addition). This seems to indicate that there already existed a written account of the birth of the Savior even before the Gospel of Matthew was composed. 8. 5. Modern revelation teaches that John also relied upon previously written sources. It is evident that the first part of the Gospel of John came from a previously written source. Both John 1 and D&C 93 describe Christ as the Word and state that John bore record of the Savior (John 1:15 and D&C 93:6). But D&C 93 quotes directly from a first-hand account (I John in D&C 93:11- 12,15-16) and concludes: If you are faithful you shall receive the fullness of the record of John (D&C 93:18). What is the record of John referred to here? This seems to be a reference to a written record of John the Baptist. D&C 93:15 declares: 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. One might assume that this John is the apostle of the Lord after whom the Gospel of John is named. But John 1:32 declares, in virtually the same language as D&C 93:15, John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. This is John the Baptist who baptized the Savior (compare John 1:26). Thus the first part of the Gospel of John (the Apostle) comes from a previously written source, the record of John (D&C 93:18)the Baptist. 9. 6. The process by which the Gospels were written was also used to compile the Book of Mormon. Some people assume that the information in the Gospels was simply given by God through revelation to each Gospel writer. This is certainly possible. But the idea that Gospel writers were not eyewitnesses to all the events they narrated and that they used previously written sources, should not surprise anyone, especially when compared to what we know concerning the compilation of the Book of Mormon. The chief compiler of our Keystone scripture, the prophet Mormon, was not an eyewitness for most of the events that he narrates. Mormon says on many occasions that he is relying upon previously written material, including the Small Plates of Nephi and the Large Plates of Nephi (see, for example, Word of Mormon 1:6-9). Nephi also used past recordsthose of his fatherwhen composing the beginning of his own account (1 Nephi 1:17). The use of previously written sources does not exclude inspiration and revelation. Rather, it enhances our understanding that God works through inspired individuals to bring forth his scriptures as they carefully choose which material to include. Both Mormon and Nephi testify that they were inspired in the process of compiling and composing these holy records (see, for example, 1 Nephi 6:3-6 and Words of Mormon 1:3-8). The Book of Mormon, therefore, serves as a pattern for us to better understand and appreciate the process by which other scripture, including the New Testament Gospels came to be. As the Gospel of John testifies: Many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:30- 31). 10. IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT BESIDES JESUS, WHOM WOULD YOU WANT TO MEET AND WHY? 11. We are often drawn to righteous people because they follow the Savior and testify of him. As we become better acquainted with these people, we also become better acquainted with Jesus Christ. This lesson discusses several people whose righteous examples can help us draw closer to him. 12. PURPOSE To help us develop greater faith in Jesus Christ through a study of the lives of Elisabeth, Zacharias, John the Baptist, Mary, and Joseph. 13. HOW ARE ELISABETH AND ZACHARIAS DESCRIBED IN THE SCRIPTURES? (LUKE 1:6-7) 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 14. WHAT DID GABRIEL PROPHESY ABOUT JOHNS MISSION? (SEE LUKE 1:1417)John would turn [many people] to the Lord their God (Luke 1:16). He would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children (Luke 1:17). He would turn the disobedient to the wisdom of the just (Luke 1:17). He would make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17). 15. What happened to Zacharias when he doubted the words of the angel? (See Luke 1:1820.) 16. 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. If this happens, just ask to shake hands! 17. LUKE 1:59-6359 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is Why is it significant that named him John? 18. How did Zachariass actions after Johns birth show his renewed faith? He and Elisabeth named their son John, thus obeying Gods command rather than following local traditions. What happened next? 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 19. JOHN THE BAPTIST 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel. Why do you think John needed to wax strong in spirit to be able to fulfill his mission? What can we do to wax strong in spirit? 20. WHAT IS THE ANNUNCIATION? The Angel Gabriel Appears to Mary 21. What did Mary learn from the angel Gabriel? (See Luke 1:2633.) Why did the Savior need to be the son of a mortal mother and an immortal Father? 22. ELDER BRUCE R. MCCONKIE God was his Father, from which Immortal Personage he inherited the power of immortality, which is the power to live forever; or, having chosen to die, it is the power to rise again in immortality, thereafter to live forever without again seeing corruption. Mary was his mother, from which mortal woman he inherited the power of mortality, which is the power to die. It was because of this intermixture of the divine and the mortal in one person, that our Lord was able to work out the infinite and eternal atonement. Because God was his Father and Mary was his mother, he had power to live or to die, as he chose, and having laid down his life, he had power to take it again, and then, in a way incomprehensible to us, to pass on the effects of that resurrection to all men so that all shall rise from the tomb (The Promised Messiah [1978], 47071). 23. MARY, THE MOTHER OF JESUS 24. MARY AND ELISABETH REJOICE TOGETHER 25. Why did Elisabeth and her unborn son rejoice when Mary came to visit? (See Luke 1:3944) One of the Holy Ghosts principal roles is to testify of Jesus Christ. 26. What can we learn about Mary from her conversations with the angel and with Elisabeth? Mary had found favor with God (Luke 1:28, 30). To what other sources do some people look for favor? How might looking for favor from these other sources make it difficult to find favor with God? Mary was humble and submissive to the will of the Lord (Luke 1:38, 47, 48). Why is it important for us to submit to the Lords will? How can we become more humble and submissive? 27. JOSEPH How was Josephs love for Mary tested? (Matthew 1:18.) How did Joseph react when he learned that Mary was with child? (Matthew 1:19.) According to the law, Joseph could have accused Mary of violating the marriage covenant and brought her to a public trial. Such a trial could have resulted in a death sentence. Rather than do this, he decided to release her privately from the marriage contract. 28. JOSEPHHow did Heavenly Father help Joseph accept Marys condition and prepare for his own responsibilities? (See Matthew 1:2023.) 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 29. JOSEPH What did Joseph do in response to this dream? 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. What does this response reveal about his character?