The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ and His Apostles

528 Pages·2005·6.22 MB·English

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COURSE MANUAL (Religion 211–212)
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[Note: This PDF version of the Book of Mormon Student Manual was specially prepared for the
Internet and the CES Teacher Resource CD. Pagination does not match the printed manual.]

Second Edition, Revised

Prepared by the Church Educational System

Published by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah

© 1978, 1979 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
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[Note: Page numbers given here are those in the printed manual,
not this special PDF version.]
INTRODUCTION TO RELIGION 211 14 The Transfiguration of Christ ........................101
15 “I Am the Light of the World” ......................107
Introduction ..............................................................1
16 The Two Great Commandments ....................113
1 “I Am the Way” .................................................5
17 Where Much is Given, Much is Required .....117
18 “Rejoice with Me; for I Have Found
SECTION 1
the . . . Lost” ..................................................123
The Great Jehovah Comes to Earth 19 “What Lack I Yet?” .......................................129
2 The Promised Messiah .....................................15
SECTION 5
3 The Son of the Eternal Father ..........................21
4 “Behold the Lamb of God” ..............................27 The Week of the Atoning Sacrifice and the Resur-
rection
SECTION 2
20 The Triumphal Entry .....................................139
The First Year of Jesus’ Public Ministry 21 “Woe unto You . . . Hypocrites!” ..................145
5 “Ye Must Be Born Again” ...............................37 22 “What Shall Be the Sign of
6 “This Is He of Whom It Is Written” .................43 Thy Coming?” ...............................................151
23 “As I Have Loved You” ................................159
SECTION 3 24 “My Peace I Give unto You” .........................165
25 “Not My Will, but Thine, Be Done”. .............171
The Second Year of Jesus’ Public Ministry
26 “I Find No Fault in This Man” ......................179
7 The Calling of the Twelve ...............................51
8 “Be Ye Therefore Perfect” ...............................57 SECTION 6
9 “Whosoever Shall Do the Will of
The Glorified Palestinian Ministry
the Father” ........................................................65
10 “He Spake Many Things unto Them 27 “He Is Risen!” ................................................191
in Parables” ......................................................71 28 “I Know That He Lives” ................................199
11 “He That Receiveth Whomsoever I Send
MAP SECTION ..........................................207–223
Receiveth Me” .................................................79
212 Contents ........................................................225
SECTION 4
The Third Year of Jesus’ Public Ministry
12 “I Am the Bread of Life” .................................89
13 That Which Defiles a Man ...............................95

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WHAT SHOULD BE THE GOAL OR PURPOSE this student manual was organized. It should assist you
IN TAKING THESE COURSES OF STUDY? by providing the following:
These courses are designed to give you the 1. Background material to help you understand the
opportunity to come to know the Savior in an intimate, Greek, Roman, and Jewish world in which Jesus
personal, and powerful way. Your goal upon taught and from which the early church emerged.
completing these two courses should be to be able to
2. Background information about key New
proclaim, as did Peter, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of
Testament personalities as well as contemporary
the living God.” (Matthew 16:16.) Jesus’ disciples
Roman and Jewish rulers.
knew the way in which such a fervent testimony could
be attained. It was John the Beloved who testified 3. Background information for each book of the New
from the depth of his soul, “And we know that the Son Testament.
of God is come, and hath given us an understanding,
4. Interpretive commentary on the more important
that we may know him that is true. . . .” (1 John 5:20.)
passages as well as on some difficult passages.
You too can come to know him that is true.
5. A map section which helps to identify key places
How May I Most Effectively Accomplish This and which charts the journeys of Jesus and the
Goal? apostle Paul.
It was the Savior who said, “I am the bread of life: he 6. A time line which shows either approximate or
that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that specific dates of the events being studied.
believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35.) Each
lesson is designed to bring you closer to the Savior, How the Manual Is Organized
that you might partake of the bread of life and be filled
The fifty-six lessons in the manual are divided in such
spiritually. Each lesson has a designated reading
a manner as to correlate with the probable
assignment from the New Testament. This will
chronological order of the New Testament as given in
constitute the core of your study and should be read
the “reading blocks.” Each of the lessons has been
carefully with each lesson. If you do this, you will
grouped into a section. There are twelve sections in
have read the entire New Testament by the time you
this manual, each covering a specific period in the life
finish these courses. (Note: For students in regular
of the Savior and the apostles. The section overview
institute or Church college classes, the New Testament
will provide specific information that will help you in
study is divided into two semester or three quarter
your study of the lessons that follow. Sections 1
classes. But for those students in individual study
through 6 cover the life and teachings of Jesus
areas, the study of the New Testament constitutes one
(Religion 211), and sections 7 through 12 cover the
year’s study.)
ministry of the apostles (Religion 212.)
Combined with sincere prayer, scripture study can
The manual is not designed to be a substitute for your
become the source of personal revelation and an
reading of the New Testament; rather, it is only a
avenue to increased spiritual power in your daily life.
guide to help you organize and get the most from your
study of the scriptural passages. The following outline
Why a Student Manual?
of the format used in each lesson indicates this
Some portions of the Gospels and the writings and purpose:
letters of the early apostles are not easily understood
1. A theme, drawn from each particular reading
by the student of today. What Peter said of some of
block.
Paul’s writings—that there are “some things hard to be
understood” (2 Peter 3:16)—may also be applied to 2. A short introductory section which sets the stage
other writings in the New Testament. Corrupted texts, for the scriptures you will read.
archaic language, and our lack of understanding of the
3. The reading block assignment, which includes a
doctrinal, historical, or geographical setting are a few
map and a time line.
reasons for some difficulty in reading and
comprehending the New Testament. For these reasons,
1
4. An interpretive commentary section. This contains “. . . none of these [other] translations surpasses the
commentary (primarily from Church leaders) that King James version of the English Bible in beauty of
will help you with particularly difficult passages. language and spiritual connotation, and probably in
faithful adherence to the text available to translators.
5. A “Points to Ponder” section calls your attention
It is this version which is used by the Church of Jesus
to some of the major doctrinal themes of that part
Christ of Latter-Day Saints in all of its official work
of the New Testament and gives you the
both at home and abroad. The literature of the Church
opportunity to thoughtfully consider how they can
refers invariably to the King James’ translation. Other
be applied in your life today.
translations are used by the Church only to help
Also, you will find items in the map section (found in explain obscure passages in the authorized
the middle of the manual and also in the appendix version.” (Widtsoe, Evidences and Reconciliations,
section at the end of the manual) that will aid you in p. 120.)
your studies.
“This King James or Authorized Version, ‘as far as it
How to Use Your Student Manual is translated correctly,’ has been the version accepted
by this Church since it was organized.” (J. Reuben
The basic text for the course is the New Testament.
Clark, Jr., in CR, Apr. 1954, p. 38.)
This student manual is not designed to replace your
reading of the scriptures, nor can it be a substitute for “The Official Bible of our Church is the King James
the inspired guidance of the Holy Ghost as you seek version.” (Editorial, Church News, 14 Nov. 1970,
that guidance in humble prayer. Here are some p. 16.)
suggestions on how the student manual may be most
This does not mean that the King James Version is a
profitably used:
perfect translation. Elder James E. Talmage gave a
1. In each chapter you are given a reading reason for this when he wrote the following:
assignment. The number of chapters you are asked
“There will be, there can be, no absolutely reliable
to read for each class period may vary according
translation . . . unless it be effected through the gift of
to your instructor’s wishes and whether you are
translation, as one of the endowments of the Holy
studying on the semester, quarter, or individual
Ghost. The translator must have the spirit of the
study systems. Whatever system you are in, you
prophet if he would render in another tongue the
should be able to complete the reading of the New
prophet’s words; and human wisdom alone leads not
Testament in the chronological order in which the
to that possession.” (Talmage, The Articles of Faith,
gospel message and the letters unfold, if you
p. 237.)
conscientiously fulfill your reading assignments.
Such an effort—to translate the Bible scriptures by the
2. Study the background information pertaining to
power of the Holy Ghost—was begun by the Prophet
key personalities and the book being considered
Joseph Smith under the direction of, and at the
before reading the New Testament text, and you
command of the Lord. (See D&C 45:60, 61; 93:53.)
will find you can better understand the scriptures
The following is instructive information concerning
as you read them.
the status of the Inspired Version in the Church today:
3. Read the commentary on those passages that are
“The Inspired Version [as it is called by its
difficult to understand.
publishers] does not supplant the King James Version
4. Consult the map section in order to locate various as the official church version of the Bible, but the
places mentioned in the Gospel or the epistles explanations and changes made by the Prophet Joseph
which follow. Compare these biblical sites with Smith provide enlightenment and useful commentary
the present-day locations. on many biblical passages.
“Part of the explanations and changes made by the
WHICH VERSION OF THE BIBLE SHOULD
Prophet Joseph Smith were finally approved before
I USE?
his death; and some of these have been cited in
There are a large number of Bible translations now in current church instructional materials or may be cited
existence. The translation recommended for Latter-day in future church instructional materials.
Saints has been clarified many times by the Church
“Accordingly, these cited portions of the Inspired
leaders. The following are examples of such counsel:
Version may be used by church writers and teachers,
2
along with the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and 1 JOHN 2:3–5
Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price, in connection “. . . these passages of scripture, I say, form a key by
with Biblical interpretations, applying always the which the mysteries of eternal life are unlocked. . . .
divine injunction that ‘whoso is enlightened by the
“. . . We may all know the truth; we are not helpless.
Spirit shall obtain benefit therefrom.’” (D&C 91:5)
The Lord has made it possible for every man to know
“When the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, the truth by the observance of these laws, and through
and Pearl of Great Price offer information relative to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. . . .” (Smith, Doctrines
biblical interpretation, these should be given of Salvation, 1:295–96.)
preference in writing and teaching. But when these
2 TIMOTHY 2:15
sources of latter-day revelation do not provide
significant information which is available in the In this passage you will find two reasons for your
Inspired Version, then this version may be study: (1) to show yourself approved unto God (not
used.” (Editorial, Church News, 7 Dec. 1974, p. 16.) merely to fulfill a credit), and (2) to become a student
of the scriptures who can know and use the word of
References from the Inspired Version are used
truth.
throughout this manual for clarification of particularly
vague or faulty passages of the King James Version. With these scriptures in mind, your study can be
profitable to you.
How May You Most Profitably Study This Course?
1. Make the scriptures your main study in this
Read these passages of scripture and consider their course, using the manual as a supplement.
significance to your personal study:
2. Combine your study with sincere and frequent
JOHN 7:16, 17 prayer.
This passage “is a key that unlocks the door to
3. Strive to keep the commandments of God.
knowledge of our eternal existence. If men will follow
that instruction, they will know the truth, and they will May you enjoy the personal blessings that always
realize that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God and accompany prayerful study and obedience to the
the Redeemer of the world; that he arose from the Lord’s commandments.
dead and on the third day after his resurrection
appeared to his disciples.” (Smith, Doctrines of
Salvation, 1:295.)
3
4
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THEME (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) by the time you
finish the course. The passages designated are
“‘How can we know the way?’ asked Thomas, as he
arranged in chronological order (insofar as it is
sat with his fellow apostles and their Lord at the table
known), and they do not always follow the sequence
after the supper on the memorable night of the
found in the New Testament. The unfolding drama of
betrayal; and Christ’s divine answer was: ‘I am the
the mortal life of the Master will be more readily
way, the truth, and the life. . . .’ (John 14:5–6.) And so
apparent to you as you read of it in its chronological
he is! He is the source of our comfort, the inspiration
sequence.
of our life, the author of our salvation. If we want to
know our relationship to God, we go to Jesus Christ. Second, along with reading the scriptures and studying
If we would know the truth of the immortality of the in the manual, remember the importance of personal
soul, we have it exemplified in the Savior’s prayer and of living in such a way as to merit the
resurrection. inspiration of the Lord as you study.
“If we desire to learn the ideal life to lead among our Elder Ezra Taft Benson has said:
fellowmen, we can find a perfect example in the life of
“To learn of Christ necessitates the study of the
Jesus. Whatsoever our noble desires, our lofty
scriptures and the testimonies of those who know him.
aspirations, our ideals in any phase of life, we can
We come to know him through prayer and the
look to Christ and find perfection. So, in seeking a
inspiration and revelation that God has promised to
standard for moral manhood, we need only to go to
those who keep his commandments.” (CR, Oct. 1972,
the Man of Nazareth and in him find embodied all
p. 53.)
virtues that go to make the perfect man.” (David O.
McKay in CR, Apr. 1968, pp. 6–7.) (1-3) The Four Gospels
(1-1) INTRODUCTION In this course you will be studying the Gospels, or, as
they are titled in the Inspired Version (compare D&C
This course will assist you personally to draw closer to
88:141), the “Testimonies” of Matthew, Mark, Luke,
the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is
and John. Rather than reading each of them through
hoped that you will gain a greater testimony and
one at a time, you will find that the reading block
awareness of him as a living, personal Redeemer, and
assignments largely blend the four Gospels into a
that you will feel more determined than ever to serve
chronological arrangement (this is called a “gospel
him and to partake of his great infinite atonement.
harmony”), drawing on all four of the accounts.
Though a lofty goal, it is certainly within your reach.
You can have a rich and spiritual experience if you Each of these inspired writers bears his own unique
will make this study a spiritual as well as an academic witness concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ as well
endeavor. as a testimony of the Master himself, but it is for the
same ultimate purpose. For example, note the words of
(1-2) How May This Goal Be Most Effectively John: “. . . These are written, that ye might believe that
Attained? Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing
ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31.
First, remember that the four Gospels are the basic text
Italics added.) While there is much in common in all
for the course. It will therefore be vital for you to read
four gospel accounts, each writer includes material not
the scriptures in connection with the manual. Each
found in the others, and each bears his witness of the
lesson has a designated “reading block” assignment
Savior in a slightly different way. Matthew, Mark, and
taken from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These
Luke are very similar in their approach, although each
constitute the core of the course.
seems to have written to a particular group of people,
If you will read the entire reading block assigned for
and thus are called the “Synoptic” gospels. (The word
each lesson, you will have read all of the four Gospels
synoptic comes from the Greek word meaning “from
5