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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-06 22:54:20 -0800 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..63531c1 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54292 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54292) diff --git a/old/54292-h.zip b/old/54292-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index ec501fa..0000000 --- a/old/54292-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54292-h/54292-h.htm b/old/54292-h/54292-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 6c58c76..0000000 --- a/old/54292-h/54292-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,9345 +0,0 @@ - -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/strict.dtd"> -<html> -<head> - -<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> - -<title> -The Project Gutenberg E-text of What Jesus Taught, by Osborne Widtsoe -</title> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg"> -<style TYPE="text/css"> -body { color: Black; background: White; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%; - font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: justify } - -h1 { text-align: center } - -h2 { text-align: center; padding-top: 15%; } - -h3 { text-align: center; padding-top: 4%; } - -h4 { text-align: center } - -p.chapterHeading { margin-right: 20%; margin-left: 20%; text-align: center} - -p.caption { text-align:center; font-style: italic; margin-right: 20%; margin-left: 20%; padding-bottom: 4%} - -img {display: block; margin-left: auto; - margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 5%; margin-right: auto; } - -.pagenum { position: absolute; left: 1%; font-size: 75%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0; - font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-variant: normal; } - -.centered {text-align: center} - -.right {text-align: right} - -sup { font-size: 60%} - -.sidenote { right: 0%; font-size: 80%; text-align: right; text-indent: 0%; width: 17%; - float: right; clear: right; padding-right: 0%; padding-left: 1%; padding-top: 1%; - padding-bottom: 1%; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; font-variant: normal; } -</style> - -</head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of What Jesus Taught, by Osborne J. P. Widtsoe - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: What Jesus Taught - -Author: Osborne J. P. Widtsoe - -Release Date: March 6, 2017 [EBook #54292] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHAT JESUS TAUGHT *** - - - - -Produced by the Mormon Texts Project (http://mormontextsproject.org/) - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<p><img alt="Light of the World" id="lightoftheworld" src="images/lightoftheworld.jpg"> -</p><p class="caption">LIGHT OF THE WORLD, Hunt -</p> - - -<h2><a name="WHATJESUS"></a>WHAT JESUS -TAUGHT -</h2> - -<p class="centered"><br><br>Written for The Deseret Sunday School Union -</p> -<p class="centered">by -</p> -<p class="centered">OSBORNE J. P. WIDTSOE -</p> -<p class="centered">Author of -</p> -<p class="centered">"The Restoration of the Gospel," Etc. -</p> - -<p class="centered"><br><br>Published by -</p> -<p class="centered">THE DESERET SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION -</p> -<p class="centered">SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p4"></a>{4}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="FOREWORD"></a>FOREWORD -</h2> -<p>No other teacher in the history of the world has wielded so profound an -influence upon humanity as has Jesus the Christ. Practically the whole -world has been Christianized. His doctrines have entered not only into -households but also into governments and nations. But the Christianity -that prevails generally, is the doctrine of Jesus highly merged with -the opinions of men. Indeed, the world's Christianity is often more -largely man-made than Christ-made. A perfect knowledge of Jesus cannot -be gained, however, until men learn more about what He Himself taught, -and less about what scholars have said about His doctrine. -</p> -<p>This little book is an attempt modestly to present in popular form the -teachings of Jesus. It is intended for boys and girls of high-school -age. It is to be understood, then, that there is here no exhaustive -treatise of the teachings of Jesus; nor is there conducted a study and -investigation of profound scholarship. Such a work from the Mormon -point of view must be deferred, if desirable at all. But it is hoped -that what Jesus taught—in part at least—is here presented simply -and plainly and truly, so that anyone who reads may understand. It is -further hoped that the writing of these lessons has been "moved by -the Holy Ghost," so that those who read them may learn to love the -teachings of Jesus, and to know and to love God, and His Son, Jesus, -whom He sent to redeem the world. "Worship God: for the testimony of -Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." O. J. P. W. -</p> -<p>Salt Lake City, December 12, 1917. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p5"></a>{5}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="THEILLUSTRATIONS"></a>The Illustrations -</h2> -<p><a href="#lightoftheworld">Light of the World.</a> -</p> -<p><a href="#christandthedoctors">1. Christ and the Doctors. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#nazarethpalestine">2. Nazareth, Palestine. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#simeonblessingthelord">3. Simeon Blessing the Lord. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#jesusandthewomanofsamaria">4. Jesus and the Woman of Samaria. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#jesusandnicodemus">5. Jesus and Nicodemus. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#christhealingtheblindman">6. Christ Healing the Blind Man. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#thesower">7. The Sower. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#thetemptationofchrist">8. The Temptation of Christ. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#marketsceneatbethlehem">9. Market Scene at Bethlehem. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#theforgivingfather">10. The Forgiving Father. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#theconsolingchrist">11. The Consoling Christ. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#jesuspraying">12. Jesus Praying. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#theriverjordanpalestine">13. The River Jordan, Palestine. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#lordhelpme">14. "Lord, Help Me." -</a></p> -<p><a href="#raisingthedead">15. Raising the Dead. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#thegardenofgethsemane">16. The Garden of Gethsemane. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#baptismofjesus">17. Baptism of Jesus. -</a></p> -<p>18. None. -</p> -<p><a href="#jesusandthefishermen">19. Jesus and the Fishermen. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#christschargetopeter">20. Christ's Charge to Peter. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#christteachingfromaboat">21. Christ Teaching from a Boat. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#considerthelilies">22. "Consider the Lilies." -</a></p> -<p><a href="#christandtherichyoungruler">23. Christ and the Rich Young Ruler. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#lazarusattherichmanshouse">24. Lazarus at the Rich Man's House. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#thesermononthemount">25. The Sermon on the Mount. -</a></p> -<p>26. None. -</p> -<p><a href="#jesusblessinglittlechildren">27. Jesus Blessing Little Children. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#jerusalemfromthemountofolives">28. Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#thegoodsamaritan">29. The Good Samaritan. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#christinthehomeofmaryandmartha">30. Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#jesuswashingpetersfeet">31. Jesus Washing Peter's Feet. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#thewiseandthefoolishvirgins">32. The Wise and the Foolish Virgins. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#christdrivingoutthemoneychangers">33. Christ Driving Out the Money-Changers. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#jesushealingthesick">34. Jesus Healing the Sick. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#christbeforepilate">35. Christ before Pilate. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#touchmenot">36. Touch Me Not. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#thegoodshepherd">37. The Good Shepherd. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#comeuntomeallyethatlabor">38. Come Unto Me All Ye That Labor. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#theascension">39. The Ascension. -</a></p> -<p><a href="#angelmoroni">40. Angel Moroni.</a> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p6"></a>{6}</span> -</p> - - -<h2>Table of Contents -</h2> -<p class="centered"><a href="#I">I -</a></p> -<p class="centered">His Father's Business -</p> -<p>Testimony of Napoleon—Universal worship of Jesus—Purpose of this -book—Duties of Jesus at age of twelve—Jesus in the temple—His -Father's business—What is eternal life?—Special mission of Jesus. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#II">II -</a></p> -<p class="centered">What It Means to Know God -</p> -<p>Abraham's determination to serve God—God Himself—God of Abraham and -of Isaac and of Jacob—First Commandment—What does it mean to know -Jesus Christ?—Necessary to understand God's plan—Divine mission of -Jesus—What we would do if we had learned to know God and Jesus—The -condition of eternal life. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#III">III -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The God of Israel -</p> -<p>A very important question—The truth is simple and easy—Jesus's -explanation of God—The testimony of Paul—God is our Father—A real -joy to know the true God. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#IV">IV -</a></p> -<p class="centered">What Jesus Said of Himself -</p> -<p>Jesus's testimony to the woman of Samaria—The testimony of the people -of Sychar—Jesus taught always that He is the Christ—The answer -to John—The confessions at the trials of Jesus—And on the way to -Emmaus—How shall we find out Christ? -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#V">V -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Special Witness of Jesus -</p> -<p>The end of the period of preparation—The testimony at the -baptism—John's testimony—Who the Comforter is—The mission of the -Holy Ghost—The Holy Ghost in Jesus and the apostles—The Holy Ghost -amongst the Nephites—How to confer the Holy Ghost—Nature of the Holy -Ghost—Importance of the Holy Ghost. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#VI">VI -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Before There Was An Earth -</p> -<p>A remarkable vision—The pre-existence of Jesus—The spirits of all men -eternal—The man born blind—Conclusion. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#VII">VII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Presence of Evil -</p> -<p>A review—The problem of evil—The parable of the sower—The -meaning—The devil the power of evil—A council of the spirits—Jesus -volunteers—Lucifer volunteers—Lucifer rebels—The declaration of -Jesus. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p7"></a>{7}</span> -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#VIII">VIII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Why Evil is in the World -</p> -<p>The devil's desperate hope—The temptation of Jesus—The -application—Guard against suggestions of the devil—Why there is -evil—The trial of man—A state of probation—The free agency of man. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#IX">IX -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Crown of Creation -</p> -<p>A wonder-rousing sacrifice—Why should God be mindful of man?—The -parable of the lost sheep—Man's soul without price—Man the offspring -of God—The questions answered—Reverence for God—Reverence for -personal honor—Reverence for personal purity. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#X">X -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Forgiving Father -</p> -<p>The parable of the prodigal—The forgiving father—Condemnation of the -self-righteous—The publican and the Pharisee. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XI">XI -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Sincerity in Worship -</p> -<p>Finding and losing one's life—The necessity of harmony—Three forms of -temptation—Instruction in praying and alms-giving—The real value of -worship—Humility and sincerity. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XII">XII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">How to Pray -</p> -<p>The Lord's prayer—Jesus had found God—The prayers of the Jews—The -prayer of Jesus—The Lord's prayer analyzed—Teach us to pray. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XIII">XIII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Persistence in Prayer -</p> -<p>The Lord will answer—Pray often and persistently—The importunate -friend—The unrighteous judge—An urgent desire necessary—Implicit -trust necessary—Seek first the Kingdom of God—Labor and confidence -hand in hand—The sin of worry—God knows best—Thy will be done. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XIV">XIV -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Power of Faith -</p> -<p>Confidence vs. faith—The incident of the fig tree—Forgiveness -accompanies prayer—Reason for concrete examples—The -interpretation—Jesus's own interpretation—Examples of the power of -faith—The dispensation of the fulness of times, the wonderful example. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p8"></a>{8}</span> -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XV">XV -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Handmaid of Faith -</p> -<p>The case of Mr. Baldwin—Words added to faith—The principle of -works—A parable—The works of Jesus—The works of man—Conclusion. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XVI">XVI -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Meaning of Repentance -</p> -<p>The irreverence and ruthlessness of Pilate—The necessity of -repentance—The barren fig tree—Repentance a fundamental -doctrine—Jesus's exclamation against the wicked—Repentance a -universal principle—Things of which to repent—The service principle -of the Gospel. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XVII">XVII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Baptism by Immersion -</p> -<p>The first principles and ordinances—Baptism essential to -salvation—Humility and obedience the psychology of baptism—The law -of obedience in daily life—The example set by Jesus—The purpose of -baptism—The door of the sheep-fold. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XVIII">XVIII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Gift of the Holy Ghost -</p> -<p>What Jesus told Nicodemus—The laying on of hands—The teaching and -practice of Paul—The practice of the apostles—The teaching and -practice of the apostles derived from Jesus—What is the gift of the -Holy Ghost?—The conditions and the source of intelligence. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XIX">XIX -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Foundation Stone -</p> -<p>A few questions—Parables by the sea—The meaning of the parables—The -Church and the Kingdom—The testimony of Peter—The testimony of -Jesus—Its significance. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XX">XX -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Test of Authority -</p> -<p>The figure of the architect—The application—One mark not -sufficient—The submission of Jesus—The submission of the -apostles—The second mark—Two orders of priesthood. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXI">XXI -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Third Mark -</p> -<p>The horror of darkness—The speech of the Indian Chief—The figure -of the architect again—The plan of eternal life—The necessity of -plans—The application—The principles of the Gospel—Men judged by the -Gospel—The three marks. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p9"></a>{9}</span> -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXII">XXII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Single Minded Loyalty -</p> -<p>A supreme privilege—The true worth of membership—Conditions of -membership—Single minded loyalty—No man can serve two masters—A -simple application—A parable in point—The light of the body—A -summary—A paraphrase. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXIII">XXIII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Riches and the Kingdom of God -</p> -<p>A liberal man—An unnatural doubt—The case of the rich young -ruler—The difficulty of the sacrifice—The conclusion of Jesus—The -amazement of the disciples—The power of God—A promise of worldly -blessings—The object of the world's desire—The parable of the unjust -steward. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXIV">XXIV -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Succeeding With What One Has -</p> -<p>The rich man and Lazarus—Wanted, a chance—The parable of the -talents—A general law—The water boy—Intellectual endeavor—Spiritual -growth—The lesson applied. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXV">XXV -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Think Right -</p> -<p>The great commandment—The beatitudes—A high ideal of life—The great -beatitude—The pure in heart—Things that defile—Vulgarity in thought, -word and deed—Plain teaching. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXVI">XXVI -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Ugliness of Anger -</p> -<p>The story of Cain—The occupation of Abel—The brothers' -sacrifices—The anger of Cain—The murder of Abel—The lesson at -home—The power of the mind—The teachings of Jesus—Jesus an -example—The strength of self-control. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXVII">XXVII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">With What Measure Ye Mete -</p> -<p>The two school girls—The theft—The suspicion—The discovery—The -tables turned—An every day occurrence—The mote and the beam—What -Jesus said. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXVIII">XXVIII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Golden Rule -</p> -<p>Positive instruction—The doctrine of reconciliation—The attitude of -a citizen of the Kingdom—The doctrine of forgiveness—The parable of -the unforgiving servant—The meaning—The right attitude towards our -enemies—The golden rule. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p10"></a>{10}</span> -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXIX">XXIX -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Good Samaritan -</p> -<p>The law of love—The reward of brotherly love—Questions of the -tempting lawyer—The parable of the good Samaritan—A discussion—The -real neighbor—The fulness of the answer—The lesson clinched—The -command renewed. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXX">XXX -</a></p> -<p class="centered">No One Can Live to Himself -</p> -<p>The fable of the body and its members—The time of Aesop—The growth -of society—A football squad—The teachings of Jesus—The family—The -family sacred—The state—The state divinely instituted—The -Church—Duties of membership—The teachings of our own Church. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXXI">XXXI -</a></p> -<p class="centered">He That Exalteth Himself -</p> -<p>The old law and the new—The teaching of Jesus psychological—A -concrete example—The motive all important—Jesus's doctrine of -rewards—A parable in point—A sound psychological principle—A further -illustration—Peter and the question of recompense—The reward worth -while—Conclusion. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXXII">XXXII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Extra Service -</p> -<p>The parable of the laborers—The value of service in the -world's work—The value of service in the Church—The test of -profitableness—The application to the day's work—The application to -the Church service—An exclamation against mere formal—performance of -duty. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXXIII">XXXIII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">A Prophet in His Own Country -</p> -<p>A perfect man and an exemplary leader—A work full of wonder—A healer -and worker of miracles—The conditions in Palestine—A mission of -love—The centurion's servant—Stilling the tempest—The raising of -Lazarus—In His own country. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXXIV">XXXIV -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Meaning of Miracles -</p> -<p>The explanation of the scribes—The universal presence of law—The -miracle of the telephone—Other miracles of science—The power of the -Priesthood—The purpose of miracles—The privilege of the sick. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p11"></a>{11}</span> -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXXV">XXXV -</a></p> -<p class="centered">An Atoning Sacrifice -</p> -<p>An incredible thought—Jesus's foreknowledge of His death—The -necessity of Jesus's death—The significance of the death of -Jesus—Worldly views of how Jesus's death can save—The real -significance of the death of Jesus—The Nephite explanation—Why Jesus -submitted to His enemies—The new testimony of Jesus. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXXVI">XXXVI -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Place Called Paradise -</p> -<p>A well established fact—The five appearances of the risen Christ—Five -more appearances of the Christ and the ascension—The value of the -testimony—Where had Jesus been?—Today in Paradise—The Gospel to the -dead—A plain explanation—Every knee and every tongue. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXXVII">XXXVII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Other Sheep -</p> -<p>The first commission to the twelve—The leaven of the Gospel—The -Kingdom of the Gentiles—The case of Cornelius—The preaching of -Barnabas and Paul—"Other sheep"—A puzzling question—Forty days—In -the land of the Nephites—The appearance of Jesus to the Nephites. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXXVIII">XXXVIII -</a></p> -<p class="centered">Our Advocate With The Father -</p> -<p>The householder and the husbandmen—God the great householder, Jesus -the Son—The exaltation of Jesus—Our advocate with the Father—Many -mansions in the Father's house—Lord of Lords and King of Kings—Jesus -to come again—The nearness of Jesus. -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XXXIX">XXXIX -</a></p> -<p class="centered">The Living Christ -</p> -<p>Jesus the living Christ—The testimony of Napoleon—The conviction of -an English philosopher—Declarations of Emerson and Webster—Additional -testimony—Reasons for strong testimonies in the Church—Evidences of -testimony in the Church—"The testimony last of all." -</p> -<p class="centered"><a href="#XL">XL -</a></p> -<p class="centered">A Religion Worth While -</p> -<p>The feeding of the five thousand—The meat that endures to everlasting -life—What Jesus taught—The acts of the apostles—The great -apostasy—The restoration of the Gospel—A religion that satisfies—A -comprehensive religion—A Church of authority—The bread of life. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p12"></a>{12}</span> -<p><img id="christandthedoctors" src="images/christandthedoctors.jpg" alt="CHRIST AND THE DOCTORS, Hofmann"></p><p class="caption">CHRIST AND THE DOCTORS, Hofmann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p13"></a>{13}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="WHATJESUSTAUGHT"></a>What Jesus Taught -</h2> - - -<h2><a name="I"></a>I -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The testimony of Napoleon.</span> -</p> -<p>When the great military hero and world conqueror, Napoleon Bonaparte, -lived in exile on the island of St. Helena, he declared that Jesus was -so supremely great that it is impossible to make comparisons between -Him and any other being in the world. "I know men," said Napoleon, "and -I tell you that Jesus is not a man. Everything in Him amazes me. His -spirit outreaches mine, and His will confounds me." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The universal worship of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>It is wonderful that a man like Napoleon, whose natural arms were fire -and the sword, should be so deeply impressed by the life and teachings -of the lowly Nazarene. But Napoleon is not alone in his admiration -and love. Throughout the nineteen centuries that have passed since -the Master lived upon the earth, men of every clime have learned to -know Him and to worship Him. Today there are but few peoples known -to mankind that do not acknowledge Jesus the Christ. The wonderful -story of His life has thrilled both the young and the old the world -over since first it was told. The wisdom, the justice, and the loving -kindness of all His teachings, have inspired the nations to make them -better. No other man in all the history of the world has exerted so -profound an influence on the lives of his fellowmen, and on the laws -that govern them. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p14"></a>{14}</span> <span class="sidenote">The purpose of this book.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, you have read in other books the story of the life of Jesus. You -know when and where He was born; how God the Father protected His Son; -how he grew to manhood, waxing strong in spirit; how He taught, and -wrought miracles amongst His own people; how they rejected Him and -crucified Him; and how He rose from death and returned to His Father -in heaven. It is a strangely beautiful story. But we do not want to -retell it here. It must be our purpose, in this little book, to tell -as interestingly as may be what Jesus taught. Certainly, it must be -interesting to know something of the teachings of the Man who has made -so profound an impression upon the history of the world. We want to -know what the life-work of Jesus means to us and to our fellowmen. And -to begin, we must try to find out what Jesus Himself thought about His -mission on the earth. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The new duties of Jesus at the age of twelve.</span> -</p> -<p>When Jesus reached the age of twelve years, He entered—according to -Jewish custom—upon a new and important period in His life. You may be -used to thinking of Jesus as a very wonderful boy, altogether different -from other boys. That is not quite true. Jesus was a perfectly natural -and normal boy. He liked to run and jump and play the games that other -boys played. He had to go to school as other Jewish boys did—first -at His mother's knee, then at the village synagogue. Jesus was unlike -other boys in that He began early to understand something of the nature -of His mission upon the earth. This made Him like serious things, and -often to think about the teachings of <span class="pagenum"><a name="p15"></a>{15}</span> God; for it was the aim of -all Jewish education to learn about God and His commands, and how to -keep them. Now, when Jesus became twelve years of age, there came to -Him many new duties. The Jewish law required that He should assume all -the religious responsibilities that devolved naturally upon a faithful -Jew. Amongst other things, Jesus must hereafter go to the temple three -times a year, to fulfill the demands of the law. Accordingly, when -Joseph and Mary set out for Jerusalem, to observe the Feast of the -Passover, soon after their eldest son's twelfth birthday, they took Him -with them. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus in the temple.</span> -</p> -<p>It is needless here to follow in detail the journey of the pilgrims -over the great highway, across the Plain of Jezreel to Bethshean, -down the western side of the Jordan Valley to Jericho, and then -four thousand feet upward over the barren, robber-infested hills of -the wilderness of Judea to Jerusalem. Jesus seems to have been much -impressed by the road, for He referred to it later in the parable of -the Good Samaritan. -</p> -<p>When the celebration of the feast of the Passover was accomplished, -Joseph and Mary set out to return to Nazareth. They had complete -confidence in Jesus, so they did not look for Him till they reached -Bethany. Jesus was not there to be found. Anxious at heart the parents -returned to Jerusalem; and there, after three days, they found Him -discoursing in the temple with Shammai and the learned teachers of the -temple. The boy's zeal for knowledge had caused Him to remain at the -temple even after the feast was over. "And all that <span class="pagenum"><a name="p16"></a>{16}</span> heard Him were -astonished at His understanding and answers." -</p> -<p>When Mary saw her son in the midst of the learned men of Israel, she -cried to Him, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy -father and I have sought thee sorrowing." -</p> -<p>"And He said unto them. How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I -must be about my Father's business?" -</p> -<p>"And they understood not the saying which He spake unto them." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">His Father's Business.</span> -</p> -<p>It was, indeed, a strange saying to understand. Not Joseph and Mary -alone, but countless thousands of people have failed to understand -it. Do you think you know what the boy Jesus meant? Of course, to -understand, one must know what the Father's business is. Then we can -understand what Jesus thought about His mission on the earth. "For," -Jesus said many years later when He had grown to manhood, "I came down -from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me." -</p> -<p>What, then, is the will of God? What is His Father's business? Once, -many hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God gave to a man named -Moses a marvelous revelation. Moses saw how the earth had been formed, -and how living things were put upon it. He saw how man was shaped in -the image of God and placed upon the earth to have dominion over it. -Then God said to Moses, "Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring -to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p17"></a>{17}</span> This, then, is the Father's business; this is His will. It is -exactly what Jesus told Joseph Smith, the great American Prophet, in -our own dispensation: "And if you keep my commandments and endure to -the end, you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of -all the gifts of God." And it is also exactly what Jesus taught while -He dwelt among men. Said He, "And this is the will of Him that sent -me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have -everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">What is eternal life?</span> -</p> -<p>But perhaps it is not quite clear yet what the Father's will is. -Perhaps you are asking yourself, What is eternal life? Of course, -eternal, or everlasting life, is a condition of being—or of living—in -which there is no death. When we gain the gift of eternal life, we -shall go on living for ever and ever. Jesus gave once an excellent -definition of the conditions of eternal life. He had spent considerable -time exhorting His disciples, and instructing them in things that were -yet to come. Then He raised his eyes to heaven and prayed; and in the -course of that prayer, He said, "This is life eternal, that they might -know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The special mission of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>Now we may begin to understand fully what Jesus thought about His -mission on the earth. God did not put men on the earth to destroy them. -He put them here to save them, if they would be saved. It is the glory -of God to save men, to bring to pass their salvation and everlasting -exaltation. This is the Father's business. But to gain the gift of -eternal life men must learn to know <span class="pagenum"><a name="p18"></a>{18}</span> God. Here then we discover -the nature of Jesus's mission. As child and boy and man, Jesus devoted -His life to learning to know God and to the teaching of His brethren -also to know Him. Through the love and sacrifice of Jesus, we may gain -eternal life. In the temple, the boy of twelve was about His Father's -business, learning and explaining. As a man, He fulfilled the will of -His Father, making it possible for men to know God. In His death. He -accomplished the general salvation of mankind, making it possible for -them to gain eternal life. -</p> -<p>It is small wonder that Napoleon revered the Man who thus unselfishly -devoted His life to the good of His fellowmen, and finally laid it down -for their salvation. We shall be glad to study the teachings of this -Man. But first, we must understand what it means to know God and Jesus -Christ whom He hath sent. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Luke 2:42-52. Moses 1:39. -</p> -<p>John 6:38-40. Doc. and Cov. 14:7. -</p> -<p>John 17:1-3. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What, in your opinion, is the value of Napoleon's testimony of Jesus? -</p> -<p>2. What does Napoleon admit in his testimony? -</p> -<p>3. What peoples in the world today do not acknowledge Jesus the Christ? -</p> -<p>4. Name some points in which the world has been affected by the -teachings of Jesus. -</p> -<p>5. Outline briefly the story of the life of Jesus. -</p> -<p>6. Why should it be more important to know the teachings of Jesus than -merely to know the story of His life? -</p> -<p>7. What new responsibilities came to Jesus when He reached the age of -twelve years? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p19"></a>{19}</span> 8. Why did Jesus remain at the temple in Jerusalem when the feast -of the Passover was accomplished? -</p> -<p>9. What was the answer that puzzled His mother? -</p> -<p>10. Why were men placed upon the earth? -</p> -<p>11. What are the conditions of eternal life? -</p> -<p>12. In what sense has Jesus always been about His Father's business? -</p> -<p>13. What should be our attitude toward the Father's business? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p20"></a>{20}</span> <p><img id="nazarethpalestine" src="images/nazarethpalestine.jpg" alt="NAZARETH, PALESTINE"><p class="caption"> -NAZARETH, PALESTINE -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p21"></a>{21}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="II"></a>II -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW GOD -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Abraham's determination to serve God.</span> -</p> -<p>What does it mean to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent? -About two thousand years before Jesus was born, there lived in a land -called Ur of the Chaldees, a young man whose name was Abram. Abram -seems to have been a very intelligent and serious-minded person. Like -many another good man in ancient and modern times, he strove to find -out the true and living God. But it was very difficult to do so in -Abram's time, for most of Abram's people had forsaken the worship of -Jehovah, and had turned to the worship of idols and graven images. This -grieved Abram very much. He determined that he would serve the true -God; and that if necessary, he would move away from his father's house -to a strange place, in order that he might worship as his conscience -demanded. The priests who served the strange gods worshipped by Abram's -kindred, heard of Abram's righteousness, and his refusal to worship the -images of wood and stone and metal they had set up. They determined, -therefore, to seize Abram and to sacrifice him on the altar of Elkanah. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">God Himself.</span> -</p> -<p>But Abram had found a true friend. It was the true and living God -Himself. He delivered Abram from the hands of the false priests, and -the Lord God said to Abram, "I am the Lord thy God; I dwell in heaven, -the earth is my footstool; I stretch my hand over the sea, and it obeys -my voice; I cause the wind and the fire to be my chariot; I say <span class="pagenum"><a name="p22"></a>{22}</span> -to the mountains, Depart hence, and behold, they are taken away by a -whirlwind, in an instant, suddenly." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.</span> -</p> -<p>This was the true and living God, the God Almighty, creator of the -heavens and the earth and all that lives therein. In the midst of the -worship of idols and graven images and strange gods of many lands, -Abram had learned to know God—that is, he had learned to recognize -the true God, the living God of power. He was not confused. He did not -mistake an image of stone for the true God. -</p> -<p>Afterwards Abram's name was changed to Abraham. He became the father -of Isaac, and the grandfather of Jacob. These three men all served the -true God. From them sprang the Children of Israel, all of whom learned -also to worship the true God of heaven and earth. That is why He is -often spoken of as the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The first commandment.</span> -</p> -<p>In the days of Moses, God gave a commandment in these words, "Thou -shalt have no other gods before me." That commandment was still in -force at the time of Jesus, and is still in force today. Of course, -there are not many idols or graven images held up to worship today; -but there are still many different kinds of God worshipped even in the -Christian world. To some, God is merely a spirit; to others, He is -merely an influence, or a power; to others still, there is no real God, -but the name is used merely to designate the forces of nature—and so -on. Naturally, we cannot gain eternal life through any such conceptions -as these. Like Abraham we must learn to recognize the true and living -God. We must not be deceived by false <span class="pagenum"><a name="p23"></a>{23}</span> doctrine. This is life -eternal, to know—to recognize and to worship—the true God, the living -God—of heaven and earth. -</p> -<p>We know now the meaning of the first part of Jesus's statement. We know -what it means to know God. But what does it mean to know Jesus Christ, -whom God sent? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">What does it mean to know Jesus Christ?</span> -</p> -<p>Two young men were sitting at luncheon one day in the dining-room of -a students' club house. One of them was registered in the School of -Divinity of one of the oldest and largest universities in America, and -was studying to become a minister. The other was preparing to become a -teacher. -</p> -<p>"Do you believe that Jesus was really the Son of God, and the Savior of -the world?" asked the young teacher. -</p> -<p>"I believe," replied the preacher—the would-be representative of -Jesus—deliberately, "that Jesus was a great leader, a great teacher, a -great philosopher—in every way a great man. But I do not believe that -he was really the Son of God, nor really the Redeemer in the usually -accepted sense." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">It is necessary to understand God's plan.</span> -</p> -<p>Had this young minister, who was preparing to preach the Gospel of -Jesus Christ, learned to know Him? Surely not. It is not enough merely -to recognize the true and living God, and to distinguish Him from the -many false gods of the world. One must learn also to understand God's -plan for the salvation of mankind, The first man, Adam, was just like -us. He did not <span class="pagenum"><a name="p24"></a>{24}</span> understand the plan of salvation until it was -taught to him. One day, when he was offering sacrifice outside of the -Garden of Eden, an angel appeared to him. The angel told Adam many -things about the Fall, and sin, and death. These things we shall learn -more about later. The important thing to learn now is this: Because of -the fall of Adam and Eve, it became necessary to send Someone to the -earth to lay down His life for the salvation of men. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The divine mission of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>God selected our Elder Brother Jesus, to perform this noble mission. -He came to the earth—the Only Begotten of the Father—and taught -men, took their sins upon Himself, and finally allowed His life to be -taken to redeem mankind from the effects of the fall in the Garden of -Eden. Was Jesus, then, merely a great leader, a great teacher, a great -philosopher? He was all that, to be sure. But He was also more than -that. He was—He is—the Only Begotten Son of the Father, the Savior of -the world. To know Jesus Christ whom God hath sent, is to accept the -divine mission of Jesus, to believe that He is really the Christ. This -is life eternal, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He -hath sent. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A third step.</span> -</p> -<p>Now we understand, in part, what it means to know God and Jesus Christ. -But a third step is necessary before one can claim complete knowledge. -If a man should claim to know the principles of the telephone, then -should try to talk to someone at a distance without connecting the -wires with the transmitting instrument, should you believe that he -really knew what he claimed to know? Would you not <span class="pagenum"><a name="p25"></a>{25}</span> rather think, -"If this man understood and recognized the principles of the telephone, -he would do what they require?" -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">What we would do if we had learned to know God and Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>It is just so in knowing God and Jesus Christ, His Son. If we have -really found the true God, and sincerely believe in the mission of -Jesus Christ, we will surely do the things that They command us to do. -Indeed, we cannot claim a complete knowledge without doing God's will. -Once, when John the Beloved was writing to some members of the Church, -he said to them, "Hereby we do know that we know Him (Jesus Christ), if -we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not -His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso -keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby -know we that we are in Him." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The condition of eternal life.</span> -</p> -<p>Now we may claim to have learned the conditions of eternal life. To -know the true God is to recognize the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and -of Jacob—the God of Israel, and not to confuse Him with any one of the -many false gods worshipped in the world. To know Jesus Christ is to -recognize Him, and to accept Him and believe in Him as the Savior of -the world. To know God and Jesus Christ, is to keep the commandments -They have given to man. It was the whole aim of Jewish education to -learn to know God and His commands, and how to keep them. It should -be the aim of all education. Only by knowing the true God and Jesus -Christ, can we hope to enter the kingdom of God. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p26"></a>{26}</span> "To us, there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, -and we in Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and -we by Him." -</p> -<p>It shall be our pleasure from now on to learn what Jesus Himself -taught, that we may learn the better to know Him and the Father, and -thus gain eternal life. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Abraham Chs. 1,2. Moses 5:1-11. -</p> -<p>Exodus 20:3. 1 John 2:3-5. -</p> -<p>1 Cor. 8:6. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What was the real problem that confronted Abram in his search for -God? -</p> -<p>2. Why is the true God called the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of -Jacob? -</p> -<p>3. What is the first of the ten commandments? -</p> -<p>4. How does it apply in this age? -</p> -<p>5. What does it mean to know God? -</p> -<p>6. What do men of the world often think of Jesus? -</p> -<p>7. Why was Jesus necessary in the plan of salvation? -</p> -<p>8. What does it mean to know Jesus Christ? -</p> -<p>9. What does it mean in full to know God and Jesus Christ whom He sent? -</p> -<p>10. What should be an aim of all true education? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p27"></a>{27}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p28"></a>{28}</span> <p><img id="simeonblessingthelord" src="images/simeonblessingthelord.jpg" alt="SIMEON BLESSING THE LORD."><p class="caption"> -SIMEON BLESSING THE LORD. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p29"></a>{29}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="III"></a>III -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE GOD OF ISRAEL. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A very important question.</span> -</p> -<p>What kind of being is God, the Father, of whom are all things? If you -should be sent into the missionary field to preach the Gospel, you -would find this one of the most difficult questions you would have to -answer. For God is somewhat of a mysterious being in the opinions of -most men. Very few men have ever claimed to have seen God, or to have -held converse with Him. And for that which seems mysterious, men like -to find hard, complicated answers. The simple truth does not satisfy -them. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The truth is simple and easy.</span> -</p> -<p>Yet, the simple answer is nearly always the right one. A missionary -to the South Sea Islands found himself one day trying to explain to -the natives the nature of hail. There is neither hail nor snow nor -sleet on the islands. There are really but two seasons—the dry and -the wet. When it is wet it rains. The missionary tried by many various -roundabout ways to make the natives understand that hail is frozen -raindrops. The natives knew nothing about frost. They had no previous -knowledge with which to associate his explanation. And, as you know, we -cannot understand anything new unless we can tie it up with something -that we already know. -</p> -<p>The missionary became desperate. Finally, he thrust his hand into a -bowl of rice standing on the floor, lifted a handful, and allowed it to -fall again in a shower to the ground. "Hail," he said, "is like that." -Instantly <span class="pagenum"><a name="p30"></a>{30}</span> the natives got the picture. They saw the raindrops -turned white and hard, and pelting the earth in their fall. The simple -explanation went home. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus's explanation of God.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, Jesus's explanation of what kind of being God is, is even more -simple and clear than is this illustration of what hail is like. But -men have strayed into the worshipping of many different kinds of God, -because they have refused to accept the simple truth. -</p> -<p>Near the close of His mortal life on the earth, Jesus delivered a very -excellent farewell discourse to His disciples. It is full of words of -cheer and comfort. Amongst other things Jesus said: -</p> -<p>"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, -but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and -from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. -</p> -<p>"Philip saith unto Him, Lord shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. -</p> -<p>"Jesus saith unto him. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast -thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; -and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The meaning of Jesus's answer.</span> -</p> -<p>Is not this answer very simple and very clear? Is there any good reason -for mistaking this answer? You hear it said very often of a young man -that he is the very image of his father. If you should some day say to -a young man, "I should like very much to see your father," what should -you think the father looked like, if the young man were to answer, "He -that has seen me has seen my father"? <span class="pagenum"><a name="p31"></a>{31}</span> Could you possibly in reason -help thinking that the father and the son were alike? -</p> -<p>We know what manner of man Jesus was. Jesus possessed a body of flesh -and bones; or, as John the Beloved, said, "The Word was made flesh -and dwelt among us." Besides, Jesus was so much like other men that -His own people could not see anything different in Him. When Jesus -went into His own country and taught in the synagogue, the people were -astonished. "Whence hath this man this wisdom," they asked, "and these -mighty words? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called -Mary? and his brethren, James and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?" To His -own people Jesus was but an ordinary man. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The testimony of Paul.</span> -</p> -<p>But the disciples of Jesus learned to understand what Jesus meant by -His teaching about God. Said Paul, "God, who at sundry times and in -divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, -hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath -appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who -being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, -and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by -Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on -high." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The truth about God.</span> -</p> -<p>It is not necessary, then, to go a round-about way to find out the -nature of God. The simple explanation is the true one. The God of -Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob—the supreme God of this world—is a -person. He possesses a body of flesh and bones. His Son is so much like -Him that <span class="pagenum"><a name="p32"></a>{32}</span> He could say in truth, "He that hath seen me hath seen -the Father." Jesus was the express image of God's person. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">God is our Father.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus's favorite name for God was Father. This beautiful word means -many things to us in the teaching of Jesus. First, Jesus was really the -Son of God, and could rightfully speak of Him as "My Father." But Jesus -taught us more than that. Not only is Jesus the Son of God—the Only -Begotten in the flesh—but we are all the children of God. He is the -Father of our spirits, so that we may also rightfully pray to Him as -"Our Father who art in heaven." Then, if God is really our Father, He -must have the same kind of feelings for us that fathers always have for -their children. Indeed, since He is God, His feelings must be deeper -and truer than those of any earthly father. Jesus put it thus: -</p> -<p>"What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him -a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, -being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much -more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that -ask him?" -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A real joy to know the true God.</span> -</p> -<p>It is a matter of comfort and joy to know the true God—to worship a -God whom we can understand, whom we may recognize. It is no wonder that -people everywhere become confused when they try to pray to a God who is -something yet nothing, who is everywhere yet nowhere, who sits on the -top of a topless throne, and so forth. It is no wonder that people are -looking for the true God. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p33"></a>{33}</span> "We know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and -eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, -the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them—that -He created man, male and female, after His own image and in His own -likeness, created He them, and gave unto them commandments that they -should love and serve Him, the only living and true God, and that He -should be the only being whom they should worship." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>John 14:6-9. Heb. 1:1-3. -</p> -<p>John 12:45. John 1:14. -</p> -<p>Matt. 13:35. Doc. and Cov. 130:22. -</p> -<p>Col. 1:15. Matt. 7:9-12. -</p> -<p>Phil. 2:6. Doc. and Cov. 20:17-19. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. How do we learn to know things? -</p> -<p>2. Why have men strayed from the true conception of God? -</p> -<p>3. What kind of being is God? -</p> -<p>4. What did Jesus say God is like? -</p> -<p>5. What did His disciples understand Jesus to mean? -</p> -<p>6. In what sense is God the Father? -</p> -<p>7. How is He like other fathers? -</p> -<p>8. Why could you not worship any other God than a personal God? -</p> -<p>9. What did Jesus teach Joseph Smith concerning God? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p34"></a>{34}</span> <p><img id="jesusandthewomanofsamaria" src="images/jesusandthewomanofsamaria.jpg" alt="JESUS AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA, Hofmann"><p class="caption"> -JESUS AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA, Hofmann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p35"></a>{35}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="IV"></a>IV -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">WHAT JESUS SAID OF HIMSELF -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus's testimony to the woman of Samaria.</span> -</p> -<p>One day, early in His ministry among the Jews, Jesus "left Judea, and -departed again into Galilee. And He must needs go through Samaria. Then -cometh He to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the -parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well -was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on -the well; and it was about the sixth hour. -</p> -<p>"There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her. -Give me to drink. . . . Then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, How -is it that thou being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of -Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. -</p> -<p>"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and -who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked -of Him, and He would have given thee living water. The woman saith -unto Him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: -from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than -our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, -and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, -Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever -drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but -the water that I <span class="pagenum"><a name="p36"></a>{36}</span> shall give him shall be in him a well of water -springing up into everlasting life. . . . -</p> -<p>"The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our -fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is -the place where men ought to worship. -</p> -<p>"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye -shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the -Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for -salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the -true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for -the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that -worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. -</p> -<p>"The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called -Christ: when He is come. He will tell us all things. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The testimony of the people of Sychar.</span> -</p> -<p>"Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He." When she heard -this remarkable declaration, the woman ran back to the city of Sychar -and told the people what Jesus had said to her, asking them, "Can this -be the Christ?" The people of Sychar went out themselves to see Jesus, -and invited Him to stay with them. Jesus stayed there for two days, and -many believed in Him because of His teachings. And when He left them -to continue His journey to Galilee, the people said to the woman who -had first met Jesus, "Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we -have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the -Savior of the World." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p37"></a>{37}</span> <span class="sidenote">Jesus taught always that He is the Christ.</span> -</p> -<p>This experience of Jesus with the people of Sychar is full of interest -and rich in meaning. We might spend much time in discussing it. But it -is not necessary now to consider more than the fact that from the very -beginning of His ministry, Jesus taught that He was really the Christ, -the Savior of the world. He was not always so successful in getting the -people to recognize Him—in getting them to know God and Jesus Christ -whom He had sent—as He was here at Sychar. When at one time He bore -the same testimony in the Temple, the priests and the people took up -stones and would have stoned Him to death, had He not miraculously -walked out of their midst. But always Jesus taught of Himself that He -is the Christ. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The answer to John.</span> -</p> -<p>When the messengers of John the Baptist came to Him and asked, "Art -thou He that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered -promptly, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and -see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are -cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have -the gospel preached to them." These things were all signs of the coming -of the Christ, and the answer was the same as if Jesus had said, "Yes, -I am He that should come; ye need not look for another." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The confessions at the trials of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>It was thus plainly and fearlessly that Jesus, at the end of His -earthly life too, taught that He was the Redeemer of the world. When -Jesus was haled before the high priest. <span class="pagenum"><a name="p38"></a>{38}</span> the high priest demanded, -"Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus answered boldly, -"I am: and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of -power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." And to Pilate's question, -"Art thou the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "Thou sayest." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">And on the way to Emmaus.</span> -</p> -<p>These answers and explanations are so clear to us now that it seems -hardly possible the disciples of Jesus did not also understand them. -Yet it was so; the disciples looked apparently for a powerful, earthly -king. When Jesus was crucified, they were overwhelmed. For a while -they did not know what to make of it. But Jesus Himself made all -things clear. One day, after the crucifixion, two of the disciples -were journeying toward Emmaus, talking about the strange things that -had happened. Suddenly, the resurrected Savior joined them. Because -these disciples had failed to understand the meaning of His mission on -the earth, Jesus said to them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe -all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered -these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and -all the prophets. He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the -things concerning Himself." Thus did Jesus after His resurrection bear -testimony to His teaching that He is verily the Christ, the Son of God. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">How shall we find out Christ?</span> -</p> -<p>The knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, is, as we have already learned, -necessary to gain eternal life, the greatest of all gifts. But how -shall we come into possession of that knowledge? Shortly before His -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p39"></a>{39}</span> death, Jesus taught His disciples thus: "I will pray the Father, -and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you -forever." And a little later, "When the Comforter is come, whom I will -send you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth -from the Father, He shall testify of me." So, then, we may gain the -knowledge, the testimony, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the -world, through the inspiration of the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. -And to be influenced by the Spirit of Truth, we must ourselves worship -in spirit and in truth. Sooner or later the testimony must be obtained, -for it is decreed that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess -that Jesus is the Christ. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>John 4:1-42. Matt. 27:11. -</p> -<p>John 10:24, 25. Luke 24:25-27. -</p> -<p>Matt. 11:3-6. John 14:16. -</p> -<p>Mark 14:61, 62. John 15:26. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What is the meaning of the Christ? -</p> -<p>2. What is the significance of Christ's ministry at Sychar? -</p> -<p>3. On what other occasions did Jesus publicly declare Himself the -Christ? -</p> -<p>4. Of what particular value is His testimony to the disciples on the -road to Emmaus? -</p> -<p>5. How is a testimony of the Christ to be obtained? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p40"></a>{40}</span> <p><img id="jesusandnicodemus" src="images/jesusandnicodemus.jpg" alt="JESUS AND NICODEMUS Artist Unknown"><p class="caption"> -JESUS AND NICODEMUS, Artist Unknown -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p41"></a>{41}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="V"></a>V -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE SPECIAL WITNESS OF JESUS -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The end of the period of preparation.</span> -</p> -<p>It was the day of the baptism. Jesus had completed the years of -preparation for His ministry of service. We know very little of what -He did during the eighteen years from the time of His first visit to -the temple to the time of His baptism. The historian Luke tells us that -Jesus went down to Nazareth with His parents and was subject to them. -"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and -man." The day of the baptism was momentous, however; for it was the day -on which the special witness of Jesus made special recognition of Him -as the Christ. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The testimony at the baptism.</span> -</p> -<p>John the Baptizer was performing the ordinance of baptism in the river -Jordan for all those who requested it. Thither, then Jesus went; for -He, too, wished to be baptized. But when Jesus approached, John felt -that in Him was One greater than he; just such a One as he had himself -predicted, whose shoestrings he was unworthy to untie. When, therefore, -Jesus asked for baptism, John replied, "I have need to be baptized of -Thee, and comest Thou to me?" -</p> -<p>"And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now; for thus it -becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered Him. -</p> -<p>"And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straight-way out of the -water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he (John) saw -the Spirit of God <span class="pagenum"><a name="p42"></a>{42}</span> descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him. -And, lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my Son, in whom I am well -pleased." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">John's testimony.</span> -</p> -<p>A little later, John bore testimony to those assembled about him, thus: -"I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and It abode upon -Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the -same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and -remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. -And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Who the Comforter is.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, this Spirit that John saw descending like a dove and lighting upon -Jesus was the same Spirit that Jesus later promised—as we learned in -the preceding chapter—and that was to testify of Him. Concerning this -Spirit Jesus said also just before His crucifixion, "I tell you the -truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, -the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him -unto you." -</p> -<p>Who, then, is this Spirit, this Comforter? Jesus tells plainly: "The -Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my -name. He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your -remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." The Holy Ghost, then, -is a special witness to Jesus; and the Holy Ghost is a member of the -Godhead in heaven. When Jesus commissioned the apostles after His -resurrection to preach the Gospel, He said to them, "Go ye therefore, -and teach all nations, baptizing <span class="pagenum"><a name="p43"></a>{43}</span> them in the name of the Father, -and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." It is further clear that, as a -member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost is a member separate and distinct -from God and the Son; for at the baptism of the Son, all three were -individually and separately present. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The mission of the Holy Ghost.</span> -</p> -<p>The duties of the Holy Ghost are many. When Nicodemus came by night -to be instructed by Jesus, Jesus assured him that, "except a man be -born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of -God;" for, said He, "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This -means, of course, that when one receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, -one enters upon a new spiritual life. And in bringing about such a new -spiritual life, the Holy Ghost convinces the sinner of his evil deeds, -and leads him to the truth, testifying as we have already learned of -the Christ. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The Holy Ghost in Jesus and the apostles.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus, himself, was "full of the Holy Ghost." After the ascension. His -promise of a Comforter was literally fulfilled to the Apostles. On the -day of Pentecost, they "were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began -to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The Holy Ghost amongst the Nephites.</span> -</p> -<p>On the American continent, too, as you must remember, Jesus chose -twelve apostles. The Holy Ghost rested mightily upon them, and the -way in which Jesus conferred the Holy Ghost on them is interesting. -The third Nephi records the incident in these words: "It came to pass -that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p44"></a>{44}</span> He touched with -His hand the disciples whom He had chosen, one by one, even until He -had touched them all, and spake unto them as He touched them." Moroni -describes the incident more fully: "The words of Christ, which He spake -unto His disciples, the twelve whom He had chosen, as He laid His hands -upon them. And He called them by name, saying, ye shall call on the -Father, in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this, ye -shall have power that on him whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall -give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine -apostles." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">How to confer the Holy Ghost.</span> -</p> -<p>As Jesus Himself did, then, amongst the Nephites, and as He instructed -the Nephite apostles to do, so also did the Jewish apostles. They -conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. It -is the proper way. When the Church was re-established by the great -American, Joseph Smith, the ordinance of the laying on of hands was -restored with it. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Nature of the Holy Ghost.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, you may be wondering, what kind of being is the Holy Ghost, -that it may be conferred by the laying on of hands? Many people have -wondered about the same thing. Indeed, even learned men have wondered -so much that they have become utterly confused. Yet, here again, the -truth is very simple. Jesus said to Joseph Smith, "The Father has a -body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the -Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of -Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p45"></a>{45}</span> <span class="sidenote">Importance of the Holy Ghost.</span> -</p> -<p>You can readily see that the Holy Ghost is a very important personage. -First, He is a member of the Godhead. Then, through His influence we -are led from darkness into light, and are thus enabled to recognize -the truth. Then He testifies of Jesus Christ, and of God who sent -Him. Indeed, so important is the testimony of the Holy Ghost that -Jesus Christ Himself asserted that all sins may be forgiven except -the sin against the Holy Ghost. And to Joseph Smith, Jesus said that -the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost consisted in the denying of the -testimony that Jesus is the Christ, after having once received that -testimony, and thus approving of His death. The denial of such a -testimony would be the denial of the Holy Ghost also; for "no man can -know that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 3:13-16. John 3:34. -</p> -<p>John 1:32-35. Acts 2:1-4. -</p> -<p>John 16:7, 8, 13. 3 Nephi 18:36, 37. -</p> -<p>John 14:26. Moroni 2:1,2. -</p> -<p>Matt. 28:19. Doc. and Cov. 33:15. -</p> -<p>John 6:53. Doc. and Cov. 130:22. -</p> -<p>Luke 4:1-20. Doc. and Cov. 132:27. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. How old was Jesus when He went to John to be baptized? -</p> -<p>2. Why was Jesus baptized? -</p> -<p>3. How did John recognize Jesus as the Son of God? -</p> -<p>4. Who is the Comforter? -</p> -<p>5. What is His relation to God and to Jesus? -</p> -<p>6. What is the mission of the Holy Ghost? -</p> -<p>7. How is the Holy Ghost conferred? -</p> -<p>8. What kind of being is the Holy Ghost? -</p> -<p>9. Why is the Holy Ghost of special importance? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p46"></a>{46}</span> <p><img id="christhealingtheblindman" src="images/christhealingtheblindman.jpg" alt="CHRIST HEALING THE BLIND MAN, Bida"><p class="caption"> -CHRIST HEALING THE BLIND MAN, Bida -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p47"></a>{47}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="VI"></a>VI -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">BEFORE THERE WAS AN EARTH -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A remarkable vision.</span> -</p> -<p>The brother of Jared had cut from Mount Shelem sixteen small stones, -clear and transparent as glass. The barges in which his people were to -cross the ocean were prepared; but he had been unable to devise a means -of lighting them. So, with childlike faith and complete confidence he -called upon the Father. -</p> -<p>"I know, O Lord," said the brother of Jared, "that Thou hast all power, -and can do whatsoever Thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch -these stones, O Lord, with Thy finger, and prepare them that they may -shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the -vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light when we shall -cross the sea . . . . -</p> -<p>"And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these -words, behold, the Lord stretched forth His hand and touched the -stones, one by one with His finger; and the veil was taken from off -the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; -and it was like the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and -the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with -fear." -</p> -<p>You may easily imagine that such a vision would amaze any man. And the -brother of Jared, though he was a very good and righteous man, and a -prophet of God, seems not to have suspected before this time that God -and Jesus Christ had bodies of flesh as material <span class="pagenum"><a name="p48"></a>{48}</span> and tangible as -man's. What the brother of Jared thought God to be, we do not know. But -when the Lord saw that he had fallen to the ground in amazement, He -said, "Arise, why hast thou fallen?" -</p> -<p>"And he saith unto the Lord, I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared -lest He should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and -blood." -</p> -<p>But much as the brother of Jared was astonished at this marvelous -revelation, there remained for him yet greater wonders. The Lord -commended him for his great faith, which had made it possible for him -to see the finger of the Lord. Then the Lord asked, "Sawest thou more -than this? And he answered Nay; Lord, show Thyself unto me." -</p> -<p>"Behold, the Lord showed Himself unto him, and said....Behold, I am He -who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. -Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all -mankind have light, and that eternally, even they who shall believe -on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters. And never -have I shown myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man -believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine -own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning, after mine -own image. -</p> -<p>"Behold, this body which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit, and -man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear -unto thee to be in the spirit, will I appear unto my people in the -flesh." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p49"></a>{49}</span> <span class="sidenote">The pre-existence of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>This marvelous vision, the brother of Jared beheld many hundreds of -years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Do you think you understand -the great truths that Jesus here revealed to the Jaredite prophet? -First, it must be evident to everyone that Jesus had existence—that -He lived and worked—before He was born in the flesh upon the earth. -But what kind of existence was this pre-existence? It was an existence -in the spirit state. And the spirit body of Jesus is in form and shape -just like the mortal body; so that, when Jesus helped to form man. He -formed him after the image of His own body. This is the second great -truth we learn from the remarkable vision. And a third is, that Jesus -was appointed "from the foundation of the world" to redeem mankind. In -the pre-existence He labored for us; there He was chosen to redeem us. -His mission upon the earth, and the sacrifice of His noble life, were -but the completion of a plan formulated long before He was born. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The spirits of all men eternal.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, you may say, "Of course, we know that Jesus lived before He was -born in the flesh, and that He had a spirit of the same form and shape -as His mortal body, and that He was chosen in that pre-existent life to -redeem the world from sin. But it may not be so with man." -</p> -<p>That is one of the wonderful things about life. We are here passing -through only one small stage of it. Jesus taught that the spirits of -all men are eternal just like His own. For Jesus truly recognized and -understood His own pre-existence. Said He, once, as He prayed, "And -now, O Father, glorify Thou me with <span class="pagenum"><a name="p50"></a>{50}</span> Thine own self with the glory -which I had with Thee before the world was." And at another time He -asked, "What and if Ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He -was before? I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: -again, I leave the world, and go to the Father." Thus, with complete -assurance He spoke of the time that had been before; and with the same -assurance He accepted the teaching that man, too, existed before he was -born in the flesh. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The man born blind.</span> -</p> -<p>One day, in the temple, Jesus had taught this very doctrine to the -Jews. In answer to one of their questions. He had replied, "Verily, -verily, I say unto you. Before Abraham was I am." The answer provoked -the Jews, and they took up stones to stone Him. "But Jesus hid Himself, -and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so -passed by." -</p> -<p>Then follows a remarkable little story, touching the doctrine He had -just presented in the temple, and here discussed in this chapter. "As -Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His -disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man or his -parents, that he was born blind?" -</p> -<p>Now, we must remember that in those days people believed affliction to -be always a punishment for some sin or other. We can easily understand -that the parents of the man might have sinned; and through their sin, -they might have brought blindness upon their son. But since he was born -blind, how could the affliction have come as the result of his own sin? -In only one way. If the man had had an existence before he was <span class="pagenum"><a name="p51"></a>{51}</span> -born in the flesh, he might there have sinned. The Lord might then have -punished him for his sin by causing him to be born blind. -</p> -<p>Evidently, the disciples understood that there is a pre-existent state. -But were they right? If they were not, surely Jesus would correct them. -Listen. Jesus answered, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: -but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." Jesus, then, -did not rebuke them. He, too, accepted the doctrine. At least, the -affliction of blindness was not because of sin committed in the spirit -world. And the works of God were truly made manifest in the miracle -which Jesus then performed. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Conclusion.</span> -</p> -<p>From the teachings of Jesus, in the spirit and in the flesh, it is -clear, then, that the spirits of all men existed in the spirit world -long before they were born into bodies of flesh in this world; that the -body of the spirit is like the mortal body in form; and that Jesus was -chosen before the earth was organized to redeem mankind from sin. -</p> -<p>"We have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them -reverence: Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of -Spirits, and live?" -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Ether 3:4-16. John 17:28. -</p> -<p>John 17:5. John 9:1-7. -</p> -<p>John 6:62. Heb. 12:9. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p52"></a>{52}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. Relate the story of the vision of the brother of Jared? -</p> -<p>2. What was it that enabled the brother of Jared to behold so -remarkable a vision? -</p> -<p>3. What three important points are taught in the vision? -</p> -<p>4. How did Jesus show in His teachings in the flesh that He believed in -a pre-existence? -</p> -<p>5. What lesson do you derive from the story of the healing of the man -born blind? -</p> -<p>6. What is the teaching of Jesus brought out in this lesson? -</p> -<p>7. How should this knowledge of a spirit existence affect our lives on -the earth? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p53"></a>{53}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p54"></a>{54}</span> -<p><img id="thesower" src="images/thesower.jpg" alt="THE SOWER, Millet"><p class="caption">THE SOWER, Millet -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p55"></a>{55}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="VII"></a>VII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE PRESENCE OF EVIL -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A review.</span> -</p> -<p>Let us stop now for a moment and think before we proceed to the special -subject of this chapter. It is clear, from what we have learned, that -Jesus had a very specific mission to perform on the earth. He did not -come merely to display miraculous power. He came to save mankind—to -teach them to know God and His commands, and to show them, further, -how to keep the commands. And the wonderful thing about the mission -of Jesus is that He was willing to suffer as no other man has ever -suffered and finally to lay down His life in order to bring about the -purpose of God. -</p> -<p>And the great purpose of God in this world is to bring to pass the -immortality and eternal life of man. For just as Jesus did not come -merely to show how He could perform wonders, so God did not organize -the earth and put living things upon it only to display His power. -He had a far greater and higher purpose. That the purpose may be -accomplished, man must learn to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath -sent. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The problem of evil.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, it may seem to you that, if God were so desirous of saving mankind -that He was willing to give His only Begotten Son to accomplish the -desire, He could have made it very easy for men to keep His commands. -Indeed, He might have made His will the only possible thing to do. But -it is not so. It is not ever really difficult to keep the commands of -God if one sets his mind to keep them; but there are always so many -other things <span class="pagenum"><a name="p56"></a>{56}</span> possible to do that one is tempted to neglect the -word of God. Evil is always in the way. We wonder why there should be -evil in the way, and how evil came to be. Men have wondered about the -same thing for many ages. It would be so much easier to be good if -there were no wrong. In this lesson, therefore, we want to learn how -evil came into the world; in the next one, we shall learn why it is -here. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The parable of the sower.</span> -</p> -<p>One day, when a great multitude of people had assembled about Him, -Jesus related the parable of the sower. Said He, "A sower went out to -sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was -trodden down and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon -a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it -lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up -with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, -and bare fruit an hundredfold.... -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The meaning.</span> -</p> -<p>"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the -wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the -word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They -on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with -joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of -temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, -when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches -and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that -on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good <span class="pagenum"><a name="p57"></a>{57}</span> heart, -having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The devil the power of evil.</span> -</p> -<p>It is the devil, then, who, in this world, is the power of evil. -Directly or indirectly he gets between man and the path of duty. -Although a man may know the way of righteousness, the devil tempts him -to neglect it, or even to depart from it and to walk in the way of -evil. But who is the devil? Whence did he get such power? How came he -to be the devil? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A council of the spirits.</span> -</p> -<p>In the pre-existent state, of which we learned in the preceding lesson, -all the spirits of men lived together in a world of spirits. It was -there that they first heard of the plan of salvation—the Gospel. The -plan was explained at a great meeting, or council, of the spirits. God -Himself presented the plan to them, and showed them how, in order to -carry out the plan, there would be needed a Savior—someone to perform -the very mission that Jesus has actually performed for us. Then, when -he had fully presented the Gospel plan, God asked, "Whom shall I send?" -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus Volunteers.</span> -</p> -<p>There was present at the council a spirit of supreme intelligence and -humility. He was Immanuel, the Son of God. This spirit stepped forward -and volunteered unselfishly, "Father, here am I, send me. Thy will be -done, and the glory be Thine forever." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Lucifer volunteers.</span> -</p> -<p>But there was present at the assembly a proud and haughty spirit -named Lucifer, the Light-bringer, a Son of the Morning. Lucifer also -volunteered, saying, "Behold—here am I, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p58"></a>{58}</span> send me, I will be Thy -son and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and -surely I will do it; wherefore give me Thine honor." -</p> -<p>One can easily imagine that not only God, but the whole multitude of -spirits also, must have been astounded at the selfishness and the -arrogance of Lucifer. He was willing to try to save mankind—to force -their salvation, in fact—but as reward he would thrust God from His -throne, and claim for himself the honor and glory of God. It was as if -he had said in his heart, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my -throne above the stars of God." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Lucifer rebels.</span> -</p> -<p>It is no wonder, then, that God said simply, "I will send the first." -Naturally, Lucifer became angry, and rebelled against God, carrying -with him one-third of the spirits of heaven. But in the war which -followed, Lucifer and his host were defeated, and were cast out of -heaven. "And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of lies, -to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even -as many as would not hearken unto (God's) voice." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The declaration of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>That is how evil came into the world; and that is why Jesus said once -to the Jews who rejected Him, "If God were your Father, ye would -love me: for I proceeded forth and am come from God: neither came I -of myself, but He sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even -because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, -and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the -beginning, and abode <span class="pagenum"><a name="p59"></a>{59}</span> not in the truth, because there is no truth -in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a -liar, and the father of it." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Luke 8:4-15. Isa. 14:12, 13. -</p> -<p>Moses 4:1-4. Doc. and Cov. 29:36-38. -</p> -<p>Abraham 3:27, 28. Doc. and Cov. 76:25-27. -</p> -<p>John 8:42-44. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. Why is one tempted to neglect the word of God? -</p> -<p>2. What is the lesson of the parable of the sower? -</p> -<p>3. Who is the sower of evil in the world? -</p> -<p>4. How did Satan come to be the devil? -</p> -<p>5. What is the devil's mission on the earth? -</p> -<p>6. How did Jesus characterize the devil? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p60"></a>{60}</span> <p><img id="thetemptationofchrist" src="images/temptationofchrist.jpg" alt="TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, Scheffer"><p class="caption">TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, Scheffer -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p61"></a>{61}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="VIII"></a>VIII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">WHY EVIL IS IN THE WORLD -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The devil's desperate hope.</span> -</p> -<p>No better illustration of the mission of the devil on the earth can be -found than the story of the temptation of Jesus. You remember, that, -when Jesus was grown to manhood He went to the river Jordan and was -baptized by John. "Then," we are told, "was Jesus led up of the Spirit -into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted -forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungered." -</p> -<p>This was a very important and a critical moment in the history of the -world. Jesus was about to begin the splendid ministry which was to -culminate in His death on the cross for the redemption of the world. If -He should succeed in His mission, the power of evil would be broken, -and it would become possible for man to return to the presence of God. -Of course, Satan was much disturbed at such a thought. He had gained -such power on the earth that he had come to be called the prince of -this world. It angered him to think that he might lose that power. -In desperation, he determined to try his strength with Jesus. If he -could but bring about the downfall of the Son of God, God's plan would -certainly be thwarted, and Satan might hope utterly to possess the -earth. It was a wicked ambition; but it was in fulfillment of his -mission among men. So Satan set about to tempt even the Only Begotten -of the Father. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The temptation of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>"And when the tempter came to Him (Jesus), he said, If thou be the -Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He (Jesus) -answered and <span class="pagenum"><a name="p62"></a>{62}</span> said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread -alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. -Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a -pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, -cast Thyself down: for it is written. He shall give His angels charge -concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at -any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is -written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil -taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the -kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, All -these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. -Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written. -Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. -Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered -unto Him." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The application.</span> -</p> -<p>This impressive story of the strength and ultimate victory of innocence -and purity is full of significance. In the performing of his mission of -evil, Satan never stops with one kind of temptation alone. He attacks -man at every point where weakness may lie. First he appealed to the -appetites of the flesh. But though Jesus had fasted forty days and -forty nights, and was hungry, yet He resisted the evil suggestion of -the tempter. Then Satan appealed to the love of glory and the praise of -men. But Jesus was content to wait, knowing that the glory and praise -which would come to Him, from <span class="pagenum"><a name="p63"></a>{63}</span> honest and worthy endeavor, would -be greater and far more lasting than that which might come from mere -display. Finally, Satan appealed to the love of riches and power. But -Jesus had the will and the strength to command him to depart; for the -riches and the power gained through evil are necessarily but fleeting, -whereas the blessings derived through the service of God endure -forever. Thus did Jesus overcome the great temptation, and show all men -how to resist evil. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Guard against suggestions of the devil.</span> -</p> -<p>You may readily understand, that because of His own experience, Jesus -appreciated fully the tempting power of the devil. In the parable -of the sower, you remember, Jesus urges men to guard against the -suggestions of the devil. It is because of the hearkening to those -suggestions that so much of the seed fails to bear fruit. And not only -do those suggestions withhold men from good deeds, but they inspire -evil thoughts and draw men into sin. There are in history many examples -of this truth; but there is none more shocking than the example of -Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Christ to His enemies. "When He -(Jesus) had dipped the sop," we read in the Gospel of St. John, "He -gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop (the -devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, -to betray Him) Satan entered into him." Judas had not the strength to -resist the suggestions of the devil, and thus brought condemnation upon -himself. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Why there is evil.</span> -</p> -<p>But you are still wondering why there is evil in the world. Why should -even Jesus, the Christ, be subjected to temptation by the devil? Let us -consider the source of our love and adoration of Jesus. If God had made -it no trial <span class="pagenum"><a name="p64"></a>{64}</span> or task at all, but altogether pleasant, to redeem -mankind, should we experience the affection and the worship that we now -feel for Jesus? If He had not suffered; if He had experienced no pain; -if He had passed through no agony of body nor anguish of heart, could -we feel indebted to Him as we do now? If He had suffered no temptation, -if it had never been a struggle for Him to do the right—as it was in -Gethsemane—could we admire His strength, and profit by His teaching? -In short, could the atoning death of Jesus be called a sacrifice, if -there had been no suffering, no overcoming of temptation and evil? It -was through overcoming that Jesus proved Himself worthy to be the Son -of God. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The trial of man.</span> -</p> -<p>In just the same way, evil is put before man to tempt him, that he too -may show his worthiness or unworthiness. We admire the boy who has the -The trial of courage and the will-power to say No to the suggestion -of evil. We recognize in him strength of character. We see in him a -pillar of strength for the future. We are likely to despise the boy -who always yields to temptation, who allows his character to be broken -down by evil, and who finally becomes a slave to Satan. Such a boy is a -weakling; he will be of little or of no service to the world. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A state of probation.</span> -</p> -<p>With these facts in mind, it is easy to understand the words of Jesus -in the Spirit world. At the great council of the spirits—about which -we have already learned—Jesus said to those around Him, "We will go -down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, -and we will make an earth whereon these (spirits) may <span class="pagenum"><a name="p65"></a>{65}</span> dwell; -and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things -whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them." And in our own -dispensation, Jesus said to the Prophet, Joseph Smith, "It must needs -be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not -be agents unto themselves, for if they never should have bitter, they -could not know the sweet." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The free agency of man.</span> -</p> -<p>Here of course lies the secret of the matter. God has endowed us with -free agency. He does not try to force us to be good, but we may do good -or evil as we ourselves please. And as we gain strength to overcome -evil, we grow in character and in power, and become more nearly worthy -to return to the presence of God. It was partly because he wanted -to destroy the God-given free agency of man, that Lucifer was cast -out of heaven. Only the person who sturdily and persistently resists -temptation retains his free agency. He who yields to temptation becomes -soon a servant to the devil, and loses the free agency with which God -endowed him. -</p> -<p>Through overcoming temptation and evil Jesus triumphed over the devil -and redeemed the world. Through overcoming temptation and evil, man, -too, may triumph over the devil, and have glory added upon his head for -ever and ever. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all -things are given unto them which are expedient unto man. And they are -free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of -all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity -and power of the devil." -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p66"></a>{66}</span> THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 4:1-11. Abraham 3:24,25. -</p> -<p>Matt. 13:19. Doc. and Cov. 29:39. -</p> -<p>John 13:2-26, 27. 2 Nephi 2:27. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. Why should the devil be concerned after the baptism of Jesus? -</p> -<p>2. Discuss the temptation of Jesus. -</p> -<p>3. To what do the suggestions of the devil lead? -</p> -<p>4. How did Jesus prove Himself worthy to be the Son of God? -</p> -<p>5. How may man prove himself worthy to be a son of God? -</p> -<p>6. Why was man placed upon the earth? -</p> -<p>7. What is the meaning of free agency? -</p> -<p>8. Why is evil upon the earth? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p67"></a>{67}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p68"></a>{68}</span> <p><img id="marketsceneatbethlehem" src="images/marketsceneatbethlehem.jpg" alt="MARKET SCENE AT BETHLEHEM."><p class="caption">MARKET SCENE AT BETHLEHEM. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p69"></a>{69}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="IX"></a>IX -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE CROWN OF CREATION -</p> -<p>Have you ever felt the wonder of the poet as he sings, -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,<br> - Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me;<br> - I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,<br> - That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died."<br> -</p></blockquote> -<p><span class="sidenote">A wonder-rousing sacrifice.</span> -</p> -<p>It is truly the most wonderfully unselfish sacrifice, and the sincerest -demonstration of love, you will find anywhere recorded. As He -approached the day of the awful sacrifice, Jesus Himself declared to -His followers, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I -have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down -his life for his friends." And as God the Son manifested thus His great -love, so also did God the Father. "For God so loved the world, that He -gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not -perish, but have everlasting life." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Why should God be mindful of man?</span> -</p> -<p>Now, it is only natural that one should ask, as did the great psalmist, -"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that -Thou visitest him? Why should there be devised in the heavens a -gracious and liberal plan of salvation? Why, because of man, should the -hosts of heaven be plunged into the horrors of civil war? What is man, -that the noblest of the spirits of heaven should lay down His life for -man's redemption? It is an answer to these questions that we want now -to find in the teachings of Jesus. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The parable of the lost sheep.</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p70"></a>{70}</span> One day when the publicans and the sinners drew near to Jesus -to hear Him, "the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man -receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And He spake this parable unto -them, saying, "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one -of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go -after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, -he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he -calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice -with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that -likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more -than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Man's soul without price.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus could hardly have told a better story to show what great value -God places upon man. It is in perfect accord with many other sayings of -His, some of which you should know, Said He, at one time, "What shall -it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own -soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul." At another -time He said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of -them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very -hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of -more value than many sparrows." In the teaching of Jesus, then, the -soul of man—his true life—is beyond any earthly price. Indeed, its -value is far beyond the worth of the whole material world. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p71"></a>{71}</span> And Jesus did not place this high value on the soul of any -particular man. To Him the souls of all men are priceless. He is no -respecter of persons. The Father "maketh His sun to shine on the evil -and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." There -is none so humble that he is beyond the reach of the love of God, nor -none so worldly great that he does not need it. Said Jesus, "Whosoever -shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better -for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast -into the sea." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Man, the offspring of God.</span> -</p> -<p>It is because Jesus knew and recognized the divine possibilities -of every man, great or small, that He thus valued him so highly. -Jesus taught always that God is the Father in heaven—and that not -figuratively. We are indeed the offspring of God; and being the -offspring of God, there resides in all of us the possibility to become -gods. Indeed, in the dispensation of the fulness of times, in which we -live, it has been revealed that God is Himself an exalted man; that He -has Himself passed through such a probationary state as that in which -man now lives; and that it is possible for man to become like God. -Jesus, likewise, taught this truth to those who heard Him. When the -Jews were about to stone Him because He declared Himself the Son of -God, Jesus said, "Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are Gods?" -When exhorting the people to live righteous lives, He urged, "Be ye -therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." -And the disciples caught the meaning of <span class="pagenum"><a name="p72"></a>{72}</span> the doctrine; for, wrote -John, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The questions answered.</span> -</p> -<p>Since, then, the soul of man is of such divine origin, and therefore -of such surpassing value, we need seek no further for the answer to -our questions. The heavenly Father feels the loss of a child even -more keenly than does an earthly father. Man is a son of God, and may -himself become a god; therefore, God is mindful of him. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Reverence for God.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, since he is the offspring of the Almighty Father, man owes certain -duties both to God and to himself. In the first place, as a faithful -and devoted son, he should hold the Father in reverence. "Ye have heard -that it hath been said by them of old time," said Jesus, "Thou shalt -not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths. -But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is -God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by -Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King." The Father of us all -is to be held in awe. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God -in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name -in vain." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Reverence for personal honor.</span> -</p> -<p>In like manner, the value and dignity of man require that he should -hold his own personal honor in reverence. His word should be as good as -his bond. It should not be necessary to bind a bargain with an oath. -Such practice leads easily to profanity. Jesus said also, "Neither -shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not <span class="pagenum"><a name="p73"></a>{73}</span> make one hair -white or black. But let your communications be Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for -whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Reverence for personal purity.</span> -</p> -<p>Again, the divine possibilities in him, demand that every man should -be willing to make any worldly sacrifice rather than defile his soul -with evil. As Jesus put it, The light-of-the body is the eye: if -therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. -But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. -If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that -darkness!" "If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for -thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two -eyes to be cast into hell fire." -</p> -<p>Thus we learn, that, in the teachings of Jesus, man is the crown -of creation. He is the noblest work of God. He has in him the -possibilities of Godhood. He is indeed the son of God. That is why -there has been manifested such unstinted love for him. And that is why -man should cultivate sincere reverence for God, and reverence for his -own personal honor, and reverence for his own personal purity. -</p> -<p>"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God -dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God -destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." -</p> -<p>(See Shakespeare's Apostrophe to Man in "Hamlet.") -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p74"></a>{74}</span> THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>John 3:16. Mark 9:42. -</p> -<p>John 15:12-13. Matt. 10:29, 31. -</p> -<p>Ps. 8:4. Matt. 5:33-37, 45, 48. -</p> -<p>Luke 15:2-7. Matt. 6:22, 23. -</p> -<p>Mark 8:36, 37. Luke 9:47. -</p> -<p>1 Cor. 3:16, 17. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What does the parable of the lost sheep illustrate? -</p> -<p>2. What value did Jesus place on a man's soul? -</p> -<p>3. What difference did a man's station in life make to the love of -Jesus? -</p> -<p>4. Why did Jesus place so high a value on the soul of man? -</p> -<p>5. What duty does man owe God? -</p> -<p>6. What duties does man owe himself? -</p> -<p>7. How is the body of man the temple of God? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p75"></a>{75}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p76"></a>{76}</span> <p><img id="theforgivingfather" src="images/theforgivingfather.jpg" alt="THE FORGIVING FATHER, Molitor"><p class="caption"> -THE FORGIVING FATHER, Molitor -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p77"></a>{77}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="X"></a>X -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE FORGIVING FATHER -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The parable of the prodigal.</span> -</p> -<p>"A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his -father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And -he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger -son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, -and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had -spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be -in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; -and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have -filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man -gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said. How many hired -servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish -with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, -Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more -worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. -</p> -<p>"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way -off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his -neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned -against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called -thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best -robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his -feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat. -and be merry: for this my son was dead <span class="pagenum"><a name="p78"></a>{78}</span> and is alive again; he was -lost and is found. And they began to be merry. -</p> -<p>"Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh -to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the -servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy -brother is come: and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he -hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go -in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. -</p> -<p>"And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve -thee, neither transgress I at any time thy commandment and yet thou -never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but -as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with -harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. -</p> -<p>"And he said unto him. Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have -is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this -thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The forgiving Father.</span> -</p> -<p>Of this beautiful parable, the great Dickens said very truly, "It is -the most touching passage in all literature." Most people think of -it and speak of it as the story of the prodigal son. It is really, -however, the story of the forgiving Father. Jesus wanted the Jews -to learn to know God as the Father of all men—great and small—and -therefore interested in the welfare of all of them. Jesus knew only -too well that sin held possession of the lives of the people of His -day. He <span class="pagenum"><a name="p79"></a>{79}</span> saw plenty of evidence of it. Men were living corrupt -lives. Corruption had defiled their minds as well as their bodies. -They crowded about the Master to be healed of both mental and physical -diseases, that, in many cases, had come upon them because of their -sins. Jesus knew, too, that no hope was held out to the sinner in the -perverted doctrines of the rabbis. These doctrines made it impossible -for the sinner ever to return to the presence of God. But Jesus -wanted men to think of God not as a stern, severe, and relentless -being, but as a loving and forgiving Father to all men. So, when the -younger son of the parable had recognized his sins, had sorrowfully -repented of them, and had returned and had confessed them freely, the -father forgave them freely, and received him again joyfully into the -household. Of course, the prodigal son, though forgiven, would never -be able wholly to efface from his soul the marks of his offenses, any -more than you would be able to remove from a post the hole made by a -nail you had driven in. You may be sorry and pull out the nail, but the -hole remains; and even though you fill the hole with putty, and cover -all with paint, yet in the post remains the mark made by that nail. -However, that the Father will fully forgive the penitent sinner without -upbraiding is indeed a consolation worth knowing. It was without doubt -the desire of Jesus to illustrate God's intense love even for the -sinner and His eagerness to reclaim him. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Condemnation of the self-righteous.</span> -</p> -<p>Now there were present, when Jesus related the parable of the forgiving -father and other parables teaching the same comforting lesson, a number -of the scribes <span class="pagenum"><a name="p80"></a>{80}</span> and Pharisees. These self-righteous men derided -Him, and found fault with Him because He treated sinners as if they too -were men with souls. To these self-righteous ones, Jesus spoke after -this wise: You scribes and Pharisees, you justify yourselves before -men. You think yourselves so righteous that you need no repentance. But -God knows your hearts; and often that which is highly esteemed among -men is abomination before the Lord. The great brotherhood of man are -all children of God; when one who has sinned repents and returns to -Father's home, there is more joy over his return, than over ninety and -nine like you who think they need no repentance. To illustrate your -case, I may tell you this parable: -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The publican and the Pharisee.</span> -</p> -<p>"Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the -other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, -I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, -adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give -tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, -would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his -breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man -went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one -that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself -shall be exalted." -</p> -<p>Fortunately, then, God the Father is ready, nay, eager, to forgive the -sins of the wrongdoer who repents. Likewise, He is ready, eager, to -answer the prayer that is spoken in sincere humility. But there is no -justification for him who thinks he has no need <span class="pagenum"><a name="p81"></a>{81}</span> of repentance, or -who self-righteously exalts himself above his fellowmen. Said Jesus -to our own great Prophet, "I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the -least degree of allowance, nevertheless, he that repents and does the -commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Luke 15:11 ff. Doc. and Cov. 1:31. -</p> -<p>Luke 18:9-14. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. Retell the story of the Forgiving Father. -</p> -<p>2. Justify Dickens's statement that this is the most touching passage -in literature. -</p> -<p>3. What was Jesus's purpose in telling the story? -</p> -<p>4. What views did the Jews generally hold concerning sinners? -</p> -<p>5. What did Jesus say about the self-righteous? -</p> -<p>6. What lesson do you get from the prayer of the publican? -</p> -<p>7. What is God's attitude toward sin? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p82"></a>{82}</span> <p><img id="theconsolingchrist" src="images/theconsolingchrist.jpg" alt="THE CONSOLING CHRIST, Plockhorst"><p class="caption"> -THE CONSOLING CHRIST, Plockhorst -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p83"></a>{83}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XI"></a>XI. -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">SINCERITY IN WORSHIP -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Finding and losing one's life.</span> -</p> -<p>One day Jesus called to Him the twelve disciples whom He had chosen to -be His special witnesses and instructed them in the business of their -mission. Amongst other things, Jesus said to them, "He that findeth his -life, shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall -find it." -</p> -<p>Perhaps you may be surprised to know that this little saying has caused -many people to wonder. Or, perhaps, you may wonder yourself what Jesus -meant. Why should a man who has found his life lose it? Indeed, how can -a man both find and lose his life at the same time? And how can a man -who has lost his life find it? What does it mean to lose one's life, -and to find one's life? Undoubtedly, the answer to these questions must -be of great importance to men. -</p> -<p>In seeking for that answer, we must recall the fundamental purpose of -the mission of Jesus, and of His loving sacrifice for the salvation of -the rest of Father's children. Jesus strove to teach men to know God, -and, through His cruel death, to bring men back into the presence of -God. All of Jesus's teaching, therefore, was based upon the fact that -the chief thing in a man's life is to recognize his divine right as a -son of God, and to come into close, real, and constant touch with the -Father in heaven. But how shall a man come into such close touch with -the Almighty Being who rules the universe? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The necessity of harmony.</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p84"></a>{84}</span> Our lives upon the earth are full of illustrations of how -necessary it is for us to put ourselves into perfect harmony with our -environments when we wish to attain certain ends. If we wish to mingle -with so-called society, we must conform to the artificial standards -of society in dress, and manners, and speech, and many other things; -otherwise, we become outcasts from society and are despised. Or again, -if we set up an apparatus for wireless telegraphy, we must, whether -we like it or not, make all connections close and in proper way, and -we must use the right kind of materials in both the transmitting and -the receiving instruments; otherwise, we can neither send nor receive -messages. If in the society of men, and in the application of the -principles of science, it is so urgently necessary to observe the rules -of society and the laws of science, it is very easy to understand -that, if we would come into close and constant touch with God, we must -observe also the laws of such divine communion. Anything at all that -might come between one and real communion with God would be disastrous. -Indeed, in the teaching of Jesus, it would constitute the greatest -sorrow, the greatest tragedy in human existence. Since it is life -eternal to know God, not to know Him, not to find Him, is loss eternal. -Although a man may prosper, then, in this life—although he may find -his life, as it were, in this world—yet shall he lose it eternally, -if he has not found God. If we stop now, and think this out clearly, -we may understand very easily what Jesus meant when He said to His -disciples, "He <span class="pagenum"><a name="p85"></a>{85}</span> that findeth his life, shall lose it; and he that -loseth his life for my sake, shall find it." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Three forms of temptation.</span> -</p> -<p>We may now ask ourselves, What is likely to come between us and close -touch with God, to prevent us from finding God, and thus to prevent us -from gaining life eternal? You will recall what we have already learned -about the temptation of Jesus. The devil tempted Jesus first through -the physical, the bodily, appetites; then through the desire, the love -of wordly praise; and lastly, through the love of worldly power and -riches. It was these very forms of temptation that Jesus feared might -come between man and God. Especially did He fear that the love of the -praise of men might tempt people and bring about their destruction. So, -as He taught one time those who followed Him, He explained to them the -right attitude in worship. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Instruction in praying and alms-giving.</span> -</p> -<p>"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men," said Jesus, "to be -seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in -heaven. Therefore, when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet -before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, -that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their -reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy -right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father -which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly. -</p> -<p>"And when thou prayest," said Jesus further, "thou shalt not be as the -hypocrites are: for they love to <span class="pagenum"><a name="p86"></a>{86}</span> pray standing in the synagogues -and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily -I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, -enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy -Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall -reward thee openly." -</p> -<p>"Moreover," continued Jesus, touching the third conventional form -of worship, "when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad -countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto -men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, -when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou -appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: -and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The real value of worship.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, it is not necessary to think that these sayings of Jesus are to -be taken literally. It is not absolutely necessary that, in order to -pray in secret, one should retire to his chamber and shut the door, -then pray; nor is it absolutely necessary that, in fasting, one should -anoint one's head and wash one's face. Jesus used these figures merely -to portray a condition opposite to that assumed by the hypocrites. But -Jesus wanted to teach that the value of worship depends upon the motive -that inspires it. If one gives alms to be seen of men and to be praised -therefore, one's reward lies there in the praise one receives. God will -bestow no other favor. Likewise, those who pray and fast to be praised -of men, get their reward in the worldly praise they receive. They -have not found God. They <span class="pagenum"><a name="p87"></a>{87}</span> are not in real, vital touch with Him. -Worldly ambitions have come between them and Him. In gaining the life -of this world they have lost life eternal. They have yielded to the -temptation of mere ostentation and display. And this spirit has entered -unfortunately, into the service of many churches. "Obviously," says a -noted student of the Bible, "many of the elaborate forms and ceremonies -which have developed in connection with the worship of the Christian -Church are contrary to His (Jesus's) spirit and teachings. Only in so -far as they lead the individual into closer personal touch with God are -they justifiable or of real value." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Humility and sincerity.</span> -</p> -<p>What then is the right attitude in worship? God Himself has declared, -you remember, that those who worship Him must do so in spirit and in -truth. The motive of worship is of more importance than the form. -The value of worship lies in humility, in laying aside all worldly -ambitions, in approaching close to God for the sole purpose of -communing with Him. It is better to lose one's worldly life in the -service of God, than to gain that worldly life and fail to find God; -for he who thus loses the worldly life, shall find life eternal. -</p> -<p>"I give unto you these sayings," said Jesus once to Joseph the Prophet, -"that ye 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; for if you keep my commandments you shall -receive of His fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; -therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace." -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p88"></a>{88}</span> THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 10:39. Matt. 6:5, 6. -</p> -<p>Matt. 6:1-4. Matt. 6:16-18. -</p> -<p>Doc. and Cov. 93:19, 20. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What did Jesus mean by the saying "He that findeth his life shall -lose it?" -</p> -<p>2. What is the chief thing in a man's life? -</p> -<p>3. Show how it is necessary to put ourselves in harmony with our -environments. -</p> -<p>4. What is likely to come between us and close communion with God? -</p> -<p>5. What is right attitude in worship? -</p> -<p>6. Wherein lies the value of worship? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p89"></a>{89}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p90"></a>{90}</span> <p><img id="jesuspraying" src="images/jesuspraying.jpg" alt="JESUS PRAYING, Liska"><p class="caption"> -JESUS PRAYING, Liska -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p91"></a>{91}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XII"></a>XII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">HOW TO PRAY -</p> -<p>"And it came to pass, that, as (Jesus) was praying in a certain place, -when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord teach us to -pray, as John also taught his disciples. -</p> -<p>"And He said unto them, When ye pray, say, -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The Lord's prayer.</span> -</p> -<p>"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom -come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day -our daily bread. And forgive us our sins: for we also forgive everyone -that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us -from evil." -</p> -<p>This is the wonderfully simple prayer uttered by the Lord Himself—a -prayer that has guided the faith of Christians since first it was -spoken. You may have learned it as the disciple Matthew has recorded -it. Matthew's version is just a little different from Luke's, which is -here given. But Luke's version makes two or three points just a little -clearer, perhaps, than does Matthew's; so, we shall use it for our text -in this lesson. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus had found God.</span> -</p> -<p>According to St. Luke, Jesus gave this prayer to His disciples in -response to the request, "Lord, teach us to pray." You have observed, -of course, that Jesus prayed often. He lived in close communion with -the Father in heaven. He Himself had found God; and He knew that God -will answer the prayer of the righteous. He knew, too, that only -through the prayer of faith can a man come close to God, and obtain in -full the blessings that <span class="pagenum"><a name="p92"></a>{92}</span> belong to him as a son of God. Therefore, -Jesus prayed often, and as no other man has prayed. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The prayers of the Jews.</span> -</p> -<p>But if you will study carefully the prayers of Jesus, and compare them -with other prayers preserved in the records of the Jews, you will find -His prayers quite different from those other prayers. The prayers used -anciently—and still used—in the Jewish service are very beautiful, -noble in their faith and devotion. But they were distinctly the prayers -of a special people, inspired by the thought that this special people -was also a chosen, a select people. The type prayer which Jesus gave, -on the other hand, while individual is yet universal in its appeal, and -in its application; it is concrete and practical, yet it is profoundly -spiritual. Of course, it was not intended by Jesus that all men should -repeat this prayer only and no other. He gave it merely as a type, -a model. Certainly, then, if we wish to know how to frame our own -prayers, it will be well to analyze this one. -</p> -<p>First, then, you will observe that this prayer possesses the -characteristics that distinguish most of Jesus's prayers. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The prayer of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>It is brief. -</p> -<p>It is direct. -</p> -<p>It is sincere. -</p> -<p>It is unselfish. -</p> -<p>It expresses a simple, unshakable confidence in the goodness of God. -</p> -<p>Jesus addresses God as Father. So should man address God. Man should -learn to think of God as the Father of our spirits, and go to Him with -the same simple trust and confidence manifested by a little child <span class="pagenum"><a name="p93"></a>{93}</span> -when it runs with outstretched arms to its earthly father. Jesus felt -and manifested that perfect unity between father and son. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The Lord's prayer analyzed.</span> -</p> -<p>"Hallowed be Thy name." In this phrase, Jesus taught that we should -recognize the sanctity of the name of Jehovah, and at the same time -that we should show our reverence and devotion. This is a personal, -individual and profound emotion on the part of him who prays sincerely. -</p> -<p>Then Jesus prayed, "Thy kingdom come." Perhaps you do not fully realize -what this petition means when you repeat it in your prayers. What is -the use of praying for the kingdom of God to come to earth if we do -not help in its establishment? When we utter this petition, then, we -virtually promise that we ourselves will do all in our power to help. -Only then can God's will be done, "as in heaven, so in earth." And the -doing of the will of God is, throughout the teachings of Jesus, the -essential element in the establishment of God's reign. -</p> -<p>These petitions, you will notice, are of universal interest. Now, Jesus -asks for that which will meet and satisfy personal needs. "Give us day -by day our daily bread." But even here, the petition is an expression -of implicit confidence in God's power to provide, and in His unlimited -love, rather than merely a request for some specific gift. Its meaning -has been interpreted in these words: "Provide for us each day that -which Thou, in Thy Fatherly care and wisdom, seeth is needful for us." -</p> -<p>The fourth petition is also full of meaning. "Forgive us our sins; for -we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us." Jesus emphasized -time and again in His ministry the necessity of forgiving others, if -we would ourselves be <span class="pagenum"><a name="p94"></a>{94}</span> forgiven. Only in a spirit of humility and -sincere worship can we approach the throne of God. -</p> -<p>The last petition has been often misunderstood. "Lead us not into -temptation, but deliver us from evil." Certainly the words as they -are here recorded do not clearly represent the meaning of Jesus. Yet, -perhaps, even in the days of the apostles some people had failed to -understand. For James wrote once, "Let no man, who is being tempted, -say, 'my temptation is from God,' for God is not to be tempted Himself -by evil and He tempts no man, but each man is tempted with evil when -he is drawn away by his own lusts and enticed." The petition in the -Lord's prayer is, therefore, a petition for strength to overcome. Its -meaning is, "Deliver us from temptations which we can not withstand." -Or, as our own Prophet has phrased it, "Leave us not in temptation, but -deliver us from evil." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Teach us to pray.</span> -</p> -<p>These general points in the type prayer given by Jesus, it is well to -remember. God is not to be reached by many words. It is the broken -spirit and the contrite heart that call down the love of the Father. -Neither will the hollow, selfish prayer please the Father of us all. -But as we pray, finding our own words in which to express the desires -of our hearts, let us remember the characteristics of the prayer that -Jesus gave. -</p> -<p>It is brief. -</p> -<p>It is direct. -</p> -<p>It is sincere. -</p> -<p>It is unselfish. -</p> -<p>It expresses a simple, unshakable confidence in the providence of God. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p95"></a>{95}</span> Moreover, Jesus prayed often. So should we all. Only then may we -hope to live in the presence of God. -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "O Thou by whom we come to God,<br> - The Life, the Truth, the Way!<br> - The path of prayer Thyself hath trod;<br> - Lord, teach us how to pray."<br> -</p></blockquote> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Luke 11:1-4. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. Repeat the Lord's prayer. -</p> -<p>2. What prompted Jesus to utter this prayer? -</p> -<p>3. What is the difference between the Lord's prayer, and the prayers of -the Jews in general? -</p> -<p>4. What are the characteristics of Jesus's prayers? -</p> -<p>5. Analyze the Lord's prayer. -</p> -<p>6. What do we learn to guide us in our own prayers? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p96"></a>{96}</span> <p><img id="theriverjordanpalestine" src="images/riverjordanpalestine.jpg" alt="RIVER JORDAN, PALESTINE"><p class="caption"> -RIVER JORDAN, PALESTINE -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p97"></a>{97}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XIII"></a>XIII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The Lord will answer.</span> -</p> -<p>Everyone who has prayed devoutly and sincerely has undoubtedly -experienced at times the keenest kind of disappointment because he -has not received an immediate answer to his prayer, Perhaps you have -yourself prayed sometimes for something that you wanted badly. It was -an insistent, an urgent desire. You felt that you could hardly wait -even to utter the prayer. Yet, your prayer has remained apparently -unanswered. At such times you may have found comfort in this beautiful -Sunday School hymn: -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "Unanswered yet? Tho' when you first presented<br> - This one petition at the Father's throne,<br> - It seemed you could not wait the time of asking,<br> - So urgent was your heart to make it known.<br> - Tho' years have passed since then, do not despair;<br> - The Lord will answer you, sometime, somewhere."<br> -</p></blockquote> -<p>This is a beautiful hope, a sublime faith; and every one of us should -cultivate such hope, such faith. Moreover, everyone of us should -practice such persistency in prayer as is described by the poet in this -hymn. -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "The prayer your lips have pleaded<br> - In agony of tears these many years?"<br> -</p></blockquote> -<p>For very often, without question, our prayers fail to move the Father, -because they are not urged upon Him, nor are they upheld by that -hopeful trust which knows no wavering. Jesus emphasized two points in -this connection that we should grapple to our hearts. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Pray often and persistently.</span> -</p> -<p>As we have already learned, Jesus condemned long. <span class="pagenum"><a name="p98"></a>{98}</span> repetitious -prayers. He despised also the hypocrite, and the hollow prayer of -the hypocrite. But Jesus did not mean by such condemnation that we -should not appear often before the persistently. Father, and press the -case for which we are pleading. On the contrary, as you will readily -see from the following parables, Jesus emphasized the importance of -persistency in prayer. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The importunate friend.</span> -</p> -<p>"And (Jesus) said unto them. Which of you shall have a friend, and -shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three -loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have -nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, -Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me -in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will -not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his -importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The unrighteous judge.</span> -</p> -<p>"And (again) He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought -always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, -which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in -that city: and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. -And he would not for awhile: but afterward he said within himself. -Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth -me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And -the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God -avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p99"></a>{99}</span> long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">An urgent desire necessary.</span> -</p> -<p>These parables speak sufficiently for themselves. The lesson that -Jesus wanted to impart is clear. It is important that we persist in -the prayer that we want urgently to be fulfilled. However, it was not -Jesus's purpose to teach His disciples merely to repeat constantly an -urgent prayer. Merely repeating a prayer is really of no more worth -than uttering a long prayer full of repetitions. Jesus taught that -Father gives His best and choicest gifts only to those who desire them -intensely. We keep on praying for those things that we truly want, -because the desire for them is urgent, intense and insistent; and we -keep on keeping on. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Implicit trust necessary.</span> -</p> -<p>But there is a second element that must necessarily enter into the -right attitude in prayer to God. Not only should our prayers express -our intense desires, and be spoken frequently, but they should be -accompanied by a simple, childlike trust and confidence in God. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Seek first the kingdom of God.</span> -</p> -<p>"Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall -drink," taught Jesus; "Nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. -Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the -fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather -into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much -better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto -his stature. -</p> -<p>"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, -how they grow; they toil not, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p100"></a>{100}</span> neither do they spin: and yet I say -unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one -of these. Wherefore, If God so clothe the grass of the field, which -today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more -clothe you, O ye of little faith? . . . . -</p> -<p>"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these -things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the -morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. -Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Labor and confidence hand in hand.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, Jesus did not mean by this splendid teaching that we should not -plan for the future; nor that we should not be industrious and spin -and weave and harvest. His illustrations impress the thought that we -should not allow ourselves to fret over the petty worries and anxieties -of life. God knows our needs before we utter them. We should rely -implicitly then upon His providence, knowing that if we serve Him and -do our best, He will care for us as well as for the birds of the air -and the lilies of the field. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The sin of worry.</span> -</p> -<p>Undue anxiety may be called almost a sin. It preys upon the peace of -mind and happiness of untold thousands of men and women. The most -learned and efficient men in the world have devoted much of their time -to the study of worry; but no one of them has found a cure for it. Many -books have, however, been written advising this or that course of life -to overcome the evil, and all these books possess value. But it is to -be noted that the cause of worry in any man is <span class="pagenum"><a name="p101"></a>{101}</span> usually something -over which man has no control. Neither worry, nor any other thing that -man may do, can change the nature of things. We are forced therefore to -admit that the only cure for worry known to man is that presented by -Jesus. His cure consists of a childlike faith and trust in the goodness -of God—a trust so simple and strong that anxious care can find no -place in the mind. It consists of such a confidence in the providence -of God as Abraham displayed when he was commanded to offer his dearly -beloved son Isaac on the altar of sacrifice. Abraham wavered not; he -worried not; and God provided the sacrifice that was meet. Of course, -it requires courage, patience, and persistent effort to cultivate so -supreme a degree of faith. Yet, one who has it not can hardly say with -truth that he has learned fully to know God. Indeed, such sublime faith -alone marks the truly converted and nobly devoted soul; whereas the -lack of such faith reveals a lack of fulness of trust in God—almost a -disloyalty to God. One cannot in this world attain to real peace and -happiness without implicit faith in God. Without it, one can not keep -on keeping on in fervent prayer to God. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">God knows best.</span> -</p> -<p>Finally, it must be remembered that another phase of this childlike -trust may affect the answer to our prayers. If they remain unanswered, -it may be because it is best for us so. No other man has ever suffered -as did Jesus in Gethsemane. No other man has ever prayed as Jesus did -there. Yet, recall the spirit of that prayer. "O my Father, if it be -possible, let this cup pass from <span class="pagenum"><a name="p102"></a>{102}</span> me: nevertheless not as I will -but as Thou wilt." This is the true spirit of faith-inspired prayer. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Thy will be done.</span> -</p> -<p>Such petitions Jesus would have us utter. He would have us pray -constantly for those things that we desire intensely. He would have us -repose implicit childlike trust in the Heavenly Father. He would have -each one of us feel always, "Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be -done." And in this spirit He would have us always keep on keeping on. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Luke 11:5-8. Matt. 6:25-30. -</p> -<p>Luke 18:1-8. Matt. 6:33-34. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What should be the feeling of one whose prayer is not immediately -answered? -</p> -<p>2. What is the lesson conveyed in the Sunday School hymn "Unanswered -Yet?" -</p> -<p>3. Why are our prayers often unanswered? -</p> -<p>4. What is the difference between long repetitious prayers and frequent -prayers? -</p> -<p>5. What is the meaning of the parable of the importunate friend? -</p> -<p>6. What is the lesson of the parable of the unrighteous judge? -</p> -<p>7. Why is childlike trust and confidence in God necessary in prayer? -</p> -<p>8. What did Jesus mean by teaching "Take no thought for your life?" -</p> -<p>9. How can anxiety or worry be called almost a sin? -</p> -<p>10. What lesson do we derive from the attitude of Jesus in the -wonderful prayer in Gethsemane? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p103"></a>{103}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p104"></a>{104}</span> -<p><img id="lordhelpme" src="images/lordhelpme.jpg" alt="LORD HELP ME. Plockhorst"><p class="caption">"LORD HELP ME." Plockhorst -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p105"></a>{105}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XIV"></a>XIV -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE POWER OF FAITH -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Confidence vs. Faith</span> -</p> -<p>It is, of course, evident to you now that the two essentials of -acceptable prayer are implicit reliance on the wisdom and the goodness -of God, and the spirit of forgiveness. The first is the only attitude -that can be rightly assumed toward God; and the second is the attitude -that we should all assume toward our fellowmen. There is certainly no -use in praying to God if we do not trust Him; and as certainly, God -will not forgive us and answer our prayers, if we are unwilling to -forgive our fellowmen and help them. But this attitude of unwavering -trust in God is really more than merely an essential of prayer. It is a -principle of power in both the spiritual and the temporal life of man. -In this lesson we shall consider the power of faith—the invincible -power of childlike confidence. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The incident of the fig tree.</span> -</p> -<p>It is recorded that Jesus cursed one morning a certain fig tree that it -should no more bear fruit. The next morning, as Jesus and the disciples -passed by from Bethany to Jerusalem, they saw that the fig tree was -dried up from the roots. "And Peter, calling to remembrance, saith unto -(Jesus), Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered -away! -</p> -<p>"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily -I say unto you. That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou -removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his -heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to -pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p106"></a>{106}</span> <span class="sidenote">Forgiveness accompanies prayer.</span> -</p> -<p>"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, -believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye -stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father -also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do -not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your -trespasses." -</p> -<p>Like the other sayings of Jesus, this one, too, is full of meaning and -interest. But as with the other sayings, too, the meaning of this one -is easy to find. If we try to remember what we have learned in the -preceding lessons, we shall be able easily to understand this one. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Reason for concrete examples.</span> -</p> -<p>Many people have stumbled because of this forceful saying of Jesus. How -can a man by the exercise alone of faith remove mountains? But such -people have failed to understand Jesus's method of teaching. Whenever -He could, Jesus emphasized His doctrine with concrete example. Because -Jesus did not teach abstractly, even little children may understand -Him. And the people whom He taught during His earthly life, were almost -like little children. He had to make everything very clear to them. So, -now, He wanted to impress them with the unlimited power of faith. He -used, therefore, the vigorous and startling figure of moving a mountain -into the sea: or as St. Luke has worded it, "If ye had faith as a grain -of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree (mulberry tree), -Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it -should obey you." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p107"></a>{107}</span> <span class="sidenote">The interpretation.</span> -</p> -<p>You will remember, however, that nowhere did Jesus ever teach His -disciples to pray for material things, except to supply their daily -needs. Neither did He ever teach them to ask for things impossible or -impracticable for God to give. It is to be understood, then, that Jesus -did not intend to encourage men to try to move mountains by the mere -exercise of faith. He intended a larger, a spiritual meaning. Faith -is so powerful a principle, that, through the exercise of it, one may -remove obstacles to sublime spiritual blessings, as difficult to be -moved as a mountain. By such a striking figure did Jesus impress upon -His disciples that nothing is impossible to faith. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus's own interpretation.</span> -</p> -<p>That this was what Jesus wanted to impart, is apparent from His own -application of the concrete illustration. "What things soever ye -desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have -them." Or, as the statement is worded in a modern translation, "Believe -that you shall receive all things for which you pray and ask and you -shall have them." And this invincible power of faith in prayer is -supported by the words of Jesus to the Prophet, Joseph Smith. "All -victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, -faithfulness, and prayers of faith." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Examples of the power of faith.</span> -</p> -<p>In the story of the ministry of Jesus, there are many examples of the -necessity of cultivating unlimited faith. Do you remember what happened -when Jesus walked to the boat one evening on the sea of Galilee? Most -of the disciples became afraid when they saw Him, and cried <span class="pagenum"><a name="p108"></a>{108}</span> out, -"It is a spirit." But when they became assured that it was really -Jesus, Peter said, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the -water." -</p> -<p>"And (Jesus) said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, -he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind -boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, -Lord save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and -caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst -thou doubt?" -</p> -<p>At another time, we are told, "there came to (Jesus) a certain man, -kneeling down to Him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is -lunatick and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft -into the water. And I brought him to Thy disciples and they could not -cure him. -</p> -<p>"Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how -long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither -to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the -child was cured from that very hour. -</p> -<p>"Then came the disciples to Jesus apart and said. Why could not we cast -him out? And Jesus said unto them. Because of your unbelief: for verily -I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall -say unto this mountain. Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall -remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." -</p> -<p>Such examples as these might be cited indefinitely. These are enough, -however, to show how profoundly Jesus impressed upon the minds of His -disciples the necessity of cultivating the gift of unfaltering <span class="pagenum"><a name="p109"></a>{109}</span> -faith—faith, the one great principle of power, without which, as the -learned Paul later said, it is impossible to please God. -</p> -<p>[Sidenote: The dispensation of the fulness of times, the wonderful -example.] -</p> -<p>But perhaps the greatest wonder that has ever been accomplished, in all -the history of the world, through the invincible power of unhesitating -faith, is that which we ourselves experience every day of our lives. -Continuing the doctrine he had learned from Jesus, "James, a servant of -God and of the Lord Jesus Christ," wrote thus to the scattered twelve -tribes: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth -to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. -But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." When he was perturbed in -spirit, not knowing whither to go to find God, Joseph Smith heard these -words, and pondered them. He had implicit faith in God. He did not -waver. He prayed earnestly. In response to his simple, faith-provoked -prayer, God revealed Himself to Joseph Smith, and through him, -established the Church of Christ anew. -</p> -<p>Are not the things that have been accomplished through faith, -wonderful? Must it not be a joy, a comfort, to possess the gift of -unlimited faith? Like the apostles of old, we feel to pray, "Lord, -increase our faith." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Luke 17:5, 6. Doc. and Cov. 103:36. -</p> -<p>Mark 11:21-26. Matt. 14:24-31. -</p> -<p>Matt. 21:21, 22. Matt. 17:14-21. -</p> -<p>James 1:5, 6. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p110"></a>{110}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What principle did Jesus teach in the incident of the fig tree? -</p> -<p>2. What is faith? -</p> -<p>3. Why must forgiveness accompany prayer? -</p> -<p>4. Why did Jesus use concrete examples in His teaching? -</p> -<p>5. What did Jesus mean by saying that mountains might be removed by -faith? -</p> -<p>6. What did the Prophet Joseph Smith teach concerning the power of -faith? -</p> -<p>7. Recite some examples of the power of faith. -</p> -<p>8. Show how the establishing of the dispensation of the fulness of -times is one of the most wonderful examples of the power of faith. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p111"></a>{111}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p112"></a>{112}</span> <p><img id="raisingthedead" src="images/raisingthedead.jpg" alt=" RAISING THE DEAD, Hofmann"><p class="caption"> RAISING THE DEAD, Hofmann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p113"></a>{113}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XV"></a>XV -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE HANDMAID OF FAITH -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The case of Mr. Baldwin.</span> -</p> -<p>Nearly a hundred years ago was built in America the first locomotive -engine of American design. Everybody knows nowadays what a locomotive -is. Nearly every boy and girl in the world has seen one; many boys, -particularly, can tell you how the locomotive engine operates; and more -than one boy can even operate the locomotive himself. But it was not so -one hundred years ago. The locomotive was a rare machine. And all the -locomotives that people saw then in America had been made in England. -But in 1831, the officers of the Germantown and Norristown Railway -commissioned a young mechanical engineer, named Matthias Baldwin, to -build for them a locomotive engine. The Germantown and Norristown -Railway operated a horse-power line six miles long. -</p> -<p>The Cambden and Amboy Railroad Company had only recently imported a -locomotive from England. When Mr. Baldwin received his commission, -he went immediately to Cambden, where were the parts of the English -engine not yet assembled. There he "carefully observed the various -parts of the machine, made a few measurements and at last crept under -the ponderous boiler. Here he remained in absorbed study for nearly -half an hour. As he emerged from his retreat, his face was glowing with -enthusiasm, and he exclaimed 'I can do it.'" -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p114"></a>{114}</span> <span class="sidenote">Words added to faith.</span> -</p> -<p>So far so good. Mr. Baldwin was inspired by a sublime faith in his -power to build a locomotive engine. But had he stopped there, he would -never have become the builder of the first American locomotive. Mr. -Baldwin set determinedly and industriously to work to accomplish the -task he had faith he could do. He met countless difficulties; his -trials and disappointments were many, and often discouraging. But -he kept bravely, manfully on. He did much of the work with his own -hands, and personally trained the workmen who assisted him. At length, -after six months of unremitting industry and painstaking labor, "Old -Ironsides," the first American locomotive was completed. Matthias -Baldwin had vindicated his enthusiastic exclamation born of faith, "I -can do it." -</p> -<p>Now it was the observance of the principle that enabled Matthias -Baldwin to make good, which Jesus urged upon the multitudes assembled -to hear Him teach during His ministry on the earth. "Not everyone that -saith unto me, Lord, Lord," declared Jesus, "shall enter into the -kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in -heaven." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The principle of works.</span> -</p> -<p>This teaching is so simple that anyone may understand it. And it is -true everywhere in life, in every kind of calling. Would you not -think Mr. Baldwin foolish, if after exclaiming "I can do it" he had -remained inactive and had not tried to build "Old Ironsides?" Can you -imagine that a carpenter might ever enjoy the fame of master-builder -if he never practiced the trade he had learned? Do you think it -would be possible for a sinking ship <span class="pagenum"><a name="p115"></a>{115}</span> to send out the signal of -distress, if the operator on the ship did not put into practice the -laws governing wireless telegraphy? In other words, knowing how to -build a locomotive will never construct one; knowing how to build a -house will never erect even the smallest structure; knowing how to -operate the telegraphic instrument will never send a message. It is -only by actually putting into operation the principles underlying these -activities, and working in obedience to them, that one can accomplish -the desired end. And if this is true of material, earthly things, how -much more ought it to be true of spiritual, heavenly things. Without -faith it is impossible to please God. But faith is of no avail without -works. Works constitute the handmaid of faith, and one is not without -the other in the Lord. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so -faith without works is dead also." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A parable.</span> -</p> -<p>"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them," -taught Jesus, "I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house -upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds -blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded -upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and -doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his -house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and -the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was -the fall of it." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The works of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus manifested great power during His earthly ministry. He healed -the sick; He made the lame to walk and the blind to see; He rebuked -evil and cast out <span class="pagenum"><a name="p116"></a>{116}</span> devils; He raised the dead to life again; and -He spoke with authority as no other man has ever spoken, either before -or since His time. Without question every boy and girl would like to -be able to do the things that Jesus did. Every boy and girl in the -Church of Jesus Christ believes in Jesus—knows indeed, that He is the -Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. Why, then, should not everyone -long to emulate Him. But notice what Jesus declared: "Verily, verily, -I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall -he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go -unto my Father. If ye love me keep my commandments. He that hath my -commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that -loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will -manifest myself to him." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The works of man.</span> -</p> -<p>It is not impossible, then, for man to possess the power to do the -works that Jesus did. Indeed, man may do even greater works than those -Jesus performed. But to gain the power so to do, one must not only -believe in Jesus, one must also keep His commandments. In short, one -must add works to faith. Mere belief will save no man, just as mere -confidence in one's own ability will never build a locomotive. But when -our works make practical our faith, and prove it really true and worth -while, then we may claim a realization—a fulfillment—of all that is -promised through our diligence. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p117"></a>{117}</span> <span class="sidenote">Conclusion.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, it is no more difficult to prepare a mansion in the kingdom of -our Father, than it is to build a locomotive. Should not every boy and -girl, after having learned Christ's teaching, exclaim as Baldwin did, -"I can do it?" Then go to undauntedly and do it. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 7:21. James 2:26. -</p> -<p>Matt. 7:24-27. John 14:12, 15, 21. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What element of character did Baldwin display in the building of the -first American locomotive? -</p> -<p>2. What principle of life and action made it possible for him to -accomplish his work? -</p> -<p>3. What did he have to add to this principle in order to make good? -</p> -<p>4. Why will not everyone who crieth "Lord, Lord," be admitted into the -kingdom of heaven? -</p> -<p>5. Explain the Lord's parable of the wise and the foolish man. -</p> -<p>6. Under what conditions may we be enabled to do works as great as -those Jesus did? -</p> -<p>7. What is the duty of every member of the Church? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p118"></a>{118}</span> - -<p><img id="thegardenofgethsemane" src="images/thegardenofgethsemane.jpg" alt="THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE"><p class="caption">THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p119"></a>{119}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XVI"></a>XVI -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE MEANING OF REPENTANCE -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The irreverence and ruthlessness of Pilate.</span> -</p> -<p>Some time before the close of the ministry of Jesus, there occurred -at Jerusalem two unfortunate incidents, both of which served to give -Jesus an opportunity to preach one of the fundamental doctrines of the -Gospel. Pilate, the Roman governor had undertaken to construct some -great conduits to supply Jerusalem with a better and a larger supply of -sweet water. The venture was apparently both difficult and costly; and -he derived no support from the people, whom he hated, and who hated him -and all pagan rule in return. -</p> -<p>One day a serious accident happened. Connected with Pilate's -undertaking, apparently, was a large tower on the top of Ophel, -opposite Siloam. This tower fell, without warning, and buried in the -ruins eighteen men who had been working on it. Of course, the people -held the accident to be the judgment of God upon the men who had helped -in the sacrilegious labor. Then Pilate fell short of funds. To defray -the expenses of the enterprise, the irreverent Pilate resorted to the -temple, and ruthlessly appropriated a part of the treasures of the -temple. These treasures amounted to vast sums derived from the temple -dues voluntarily paid by Jews all over the world. Naturally, the people -became enraged, and rose in rebellious demonstration against the -governor. Incited by their priests and rabbis, the mob stormed Pilate's -residence, and demanded that the work on the water system be abandoned. -They railed against him, the Roman <span class="pagenum"><a name="p120"></a>{120}</span> governor, and hinted at -sedition. Pilate became in his turn indignant. He sent a large number -of soldiers, dressed in plain clothes and armed only with heavy clubs, -who surrounded the mob, and beat them so remorselessly that great -numbers of them were killed. The soldiers pressed the mob to the very -temple, then entered the holy precincts of the temple itself, and there -slew many of the poor pilgrims who were killing their own sacrifices. -Their blood was mingled with the blood of the beasts they were -preparing for sacrifice, and thus, according to the law, the House of -God was polluted. The news of this outrage spread throughout Palestine. -The country was filled with indignation. In Galilee, the feeling was -particularly strong, for the men who had been slain were Galileans. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The necessity of repentance.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus was journeying at this time in the province of Perea, expounding -His teachings to great multitudes that followed Him. When news of the -disasters in Jerusalem reached them, these multitudes were stirred by -the wildest kind of excitement. They were particularly indignant at the -murders in the temple. As for the eighteen men buried under the tower, -and the Galileans slain in the tumult, the people accepted their death, -in characteristic Jewish fashion, as the judgment of God for sins -committed. But the pollution of the temple could not be overlooked. So -there grew up a strong feeling for a national uprising to avenge the -unprecedented evil. -</p> -<p>But Jesus did not approve of their sentiment; neither did He believe -that those who had suffered in these two calamities were especially -sinful. He seized the <span class="pagenum"><a name="p121"></a>{121}</span> opportunity, therefore to preach to the -multitude the necessity of repentance on the part of everyone, and -to correct the notion that a calamity of any kind is necessarily the -judgment of God. "There were present at that season," writes the -historian Luke, "some that told Him of the Galileans, whose blood -Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said -unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the -Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon -whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were -sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The barren fig tree.</span> -</p> -<p>"He spake also this parable: a certain man had a fig tree planted in -his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. -Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three -years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it -down: why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto Him, -Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, . . . . -and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that Thou shalt cut -it down." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Repentance a fundamental doctrine.</span> -</p> -<p>As always, Jesus presented very clearly the doctrine He wished the -people to learn to understand. For nearly three years. He had Himself -ministered to His people. Yet, He could find no fruits of repentance. -In the long-suffering of God, the people would be spared yet a little -while. But their end was inevitable. Unless they should <span class="pagenum"><a name="p122"></a>{122}</span> repent, -they should all perish, even as did the Galileans, and the eighteen men -buried under the tower at Siloam. And this doctrine of repentance was -fundamental in the ministry of Jesus. First, John had come, crying in -the wilderness of Judea, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at -hand." Then Jesus Himself had gone to Galilee, after John had been put -into prison, and had preached, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom -of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." And when He -sent out the twelve apostles two and two. He instructed them to preach -everywhere that men should repent. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus's exclamation against the wicked.</span> -</p> -<p>That the people did not observe the word of Jesus is, however, very -evident from the way in which He upbraided them, and pointed out to -them that the lot of the wrongdoers who repented would in the end be -better than that of the selfrighteous who repented not. "But whereunto -shall I liken this generation?" exclaimed Jesus one day. "It is like -unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, -and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have -mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither -eating nor drinking, and they say, he hath a devil. The Son of Man -came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a -winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. . . . Then began He to -upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because -they repented not. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! -for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre -and Sidon, they would have <span class="pagenum"><a name="p123"></a>{123}</span> repented long ago in sackcloth and -ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and -Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which -art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the -mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it -would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall -be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than -for thee." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Repentance a universal principle.</span> -</p> -<p>It is evident, then, that in the teaching of Jesus, repentance from -evil is absolutely necessary if one would enjoy the blessings of the -Lord. This is so self-evident a truth that it should not be necessary -to state it. In all the affairs of life—in business, in politics, in -the industries, in science, in art, in war, in what not—repentance -is a fundamental principle of true success. In our daily work we are -accustomed to calling our wrongdoings mistakes; but we have to correct -those mistakes before we can achieve the end for which we are working. -Sometimes the mistakes we make are of such a nature that we cannot -correct them. Then we have to begin over again, and have to try to -avoid those serious mistakes; but the memory of those mistakes remains -with us forever, and the waste, or loss, or suffering, caused by them -can never be made right. In the great world war now raging, many costly -mistakes have been made. Officers and men have often been forced to -repent; and many men, because they have violated their orders, have -lost their lives. For them, repentance in this life has been made -impossible. So it will be also with those who persist in evil. The -day <span class="pagenum"><a name="p124"></a>{124}</span> will come when they will be taken away suddenly. Then the -opportunity to repent in this life will be lost. Jesus would have us -repent here and now, and devote ourselves to works of righteousness -that we may gain eternal life. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Things of which to repent.</span> -</p> -<p>But of what would Jesus have us repent? The learned apostle, Paul, who, -it seems, understood perfectly the spirit of Christ's teachings, which -to wrote certain instructions to the Ephesians which reveal exactly -what kind of men Jesus would have us be. Malice, dishonesty, immorality -in thought or word or deed—these things unfit a man for an inheritance -in the kingdom of God. Paul expresses the doctrine, in part as follows: -</p> -<p>"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk -not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the -understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through -the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: -Who being past feeling, have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, -to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned -Christ; if so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by -Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former -conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful -lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on -the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true -holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his -neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not; -let not the sun go down upon your wrath: <span class="pagenum"><a name="p125"></a>{125}</span> Neither give place to -the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, -working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to -give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of -your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may -minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, -whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, -and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from -you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, -forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The service principle of the Gospel.</span> -</p> -<p>This is the true spirit of the Gospel of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Those -who would hold membership in His Church, and receive the blessing of -His love and redeeming sacrifice, must have faith in Him, then they -must add to their faith works. And the first bit of work to be done is -to repent of all evil—repent "after a godly manner," as Paul says, -which will lead to salvation. Thus repentance becomes the second -fundamental principle of the Gospel. And "by this," said Jesus to the -great American prophet, "ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins. -Behold, he will confess them and forsake them." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Luke 13:1-9. Mark 6:7, 8. -</p> -<p>Matt. 5:1-2. Matt. 11:16-24. -</p> -<p>Mark 1:14, 15. Eph. 4:17-32. -</p> -<p>Doc. and Cov. 58:43. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p126"></a>{126}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. How did the Jews explain suffering of any kind, and calamity? -</p> -<p>2. What did Jesus say about the death of the men under the tower, and -of the Galileans? -</p> -<p>3. Interpret the parable of the barren fig tree. -</p> -<p>4. What did both John and Jesus say to the people? -</p> -<p>5. What do we learn from Jesus's exclamation against the cities where -His greatest works had been done? -</p> -<p>6. How is repentance a fundamental principle in our daily work? -</p> -<p>7. Of what does Jesus want people to repent? -</p> -<p>8. How is repentance the second principle of the Gospel? -</p> -<p>9. Of what does true repentance consist? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p127"></a>{127}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p128"></a>{128}</span> -<p><img id="baptismofjesus" src="images/baptismofjesus.jpg" alt="BAPTISM OF JESUS, Weberg"><p class="caption">BAPTISM OF JESUS, Weberg -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p129"></a>{129}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XVII"></a>XVII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">BAPTISM BY IMMERSION -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The first principles and ordinances.</span> -</p> -<p>When the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked to make a statement of the -principal doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, -he prepared what we know now as the Articles of Faith. The Articles of -Faith are very plain, and touch the fundamental tenets of the Church. -The third article of faith states that "we believe that through the -atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws -and ordinances of the Gospel;" and the fourth article declares that, -"we believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel -are: first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, -baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, the laying on -of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost." Those who profess faith in -Jesus must forsake the way of evil, and learn to take delight in the -law of the Lord. This, we have learned, constitutes the requirement of -the first two principles of the Gospel. -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the<br> - ungodly,<br> - Nor standeth in the way of sinners,<br> - Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.<br> - But his delight is in the law of the Lord;<br> - And in His law doth he meditate day and night.<br> -</p> -<p class="poetry"> And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,<br> - That bringeth forth his fruit in his season;<br> - His leaf also shall not wither;<br> - And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.<br> - The ungodly are not so;<br> - But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.<br> -</p> -<p class="poetry"> Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,<br> - Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.<br> - For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous;<br> - But the way of the ungodly shall perish.<br> -</p></blockquote> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p130"></a>{130}</span> <span class="sidenote">Baptism essential to salvation.</span> -</p> -<p>It is not enough, however, that the man who professes faith in Jesus, -shall merely forsake the way of the ungodly. Jesus fulfilled in His -coming the law of carnal commandments—a law which Paul asserts was -but a sort of schoolmaster to train the people and prepare them for -the coming of Jesus—and established through His ministry "the more -perfect law" of the Gospel, the power of God unto salvation. And that -law requires that those who believe in Jesus, and repent of their evil -doings, shall further take upon them His name in the ordinance of -baptism. One night, there came to Jesus a Pharisee named Nicodemus, -a ruler of the Jews. "Rabbi," said Nicodemus, recognizing in Jesus a -power greater than his own, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from -God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be -with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto -thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." -Nicodemus was puzzled; for he thought, of course, only of a physical -rebirth, and could not understand how such a remarkable thing could -happen. So he asked, "How can a man be born when he is old?" Then Jesus -answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee. Except a man be born of -water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." This -Jesus said, of course, of the ordinance of baptism and of the Holy -Ghost. Not only, then, must one believe and repent, but one must also -be baptized in water in fulfillment of the requirement of the law. -Without such a renewal of the spiritual life, a man may not even see -the kingdom of God. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p131"></a>{131}</span> <span class="sidenote">Humility and obedience the psychology of baptism.</span> -</p> -<p>There are some people who pretend not to see any value in the ordinance -of baptism. How can baptism make one any better, they ask, or have any -effect on one's subsequent life? These people do not understand the -true nature of the ordinance. There was once a Syrian captain named -Naaman who became afflicted with the loathsome and infectious disease -of leprosy. At the suggestion of an Israelitish captive, Naaman sought -out the Prophet Elisha in the land of Israel, that the affliction might -be rebuked. Elisha did not even come forth to see Naaman, but sent a -messenger to him with this word: "Go and wash in Jordan seven times, -and thy flesh shall come again to thee and thou shalt be clean." Then -Naaman became angry, because he did not understand the principle of -obedience. Why should he wash in Jordan? Were not the waters of the -rivers of Damascus better than the water of Jordan? But his servants -prevailed upon him, saying, "If the prophet had bid thee do some great -thing, wouldst thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he -saith to thee, Wash, and be clean." Here was sound reasoning, Naaman -listened; he went down to the Jordan and dipped himself seven times; -he came forth with his flesh as clean as that of a little child, and -was healed. What was it that healed Naaman? Was it the water of Jordan, -with curative powers greater than those of the rivers of Damascus? -Certainly not. Naaman bowed his haughty and powerful will to that of -God. He humbled himself; he was humiliated. He learned the lesson of -obedience, which is better than sacrifice. And the Lord God has chosen -the ordinance of baptism as the means whereby men may show their -humility, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p132"></a>{132}</span> their complete acceptance of the mission of Jesus, -their sincere repentance, and whereby further they may become initiated -into the Church of Jesus Christ. Here the Lord makes use of a wonderful -psychology, and baptism literally washes away sin. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The law of obedience in daily life.</span> -</p> -<p>Moreover, obedience and humility of the kind required by the ordinance -of baptism is demanded also in the daily walk of life. A young man in -a chemical obedience in laboratory attempted one day, by a process -of electro-plating, to put a new covering of yellow gold over his -watch case. He prepared very carefully the solution of gold-leaf in -aqua regia; he built up an excellent voltaic battery; he made all -the connections close and secure; and he cleaned carefully the old -watchcase that the new gold might be deposited upon it evenly and -smoothly. Then in the evening, when everything was in readiness, he -suspended the case properly in the gold solution, closed the circuit, -and went home, hoping to find his watch case in the morning with a -beautiful new coating of yellow gold ready to polish. But when he -entered the laboratory the next morning, and went to examine his -electro-plating, he found to his horror that his watch case was as -black as coal. What had happened? Everything was as he had left it the -evening before. So far as he could tell there was no reason why his -experiment should not have been successful. Then he resorted to his -books again. After patient searching, in the volumes on his desk, he -arose a wiser and a more careful man. He had overlooked one requirement -of the law. In the process of electro-plating, he remembered now, the -gold is deposited in its usual yellow form only when the gold solution -is warm. When the electric current is <span class="pagenum"><a name="p133"></a>{133}</span> passed through a cold -solution, the gold is deposited in an unusual black form. The young -chemist had learned that obedience is better than sacrifice. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The example set by Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>As always, Jesus Himself practiced the doctrine that He presented to -His people. Jesus was baptized. Moreover, in His own baptism, Jesus -taught both the necessity and the proper mode of baptism. John was -baptizing in the river Jordan. Apparently, he selected places where -the water was deep; for, later in the ministry of Jesus we read, that, -John was baptizing in Aenon, near to Salim, "because there was much -water there." When He was ready to begin His ministry, Jesus went to -John to be baptized. But John forbade Him, saying, "I have need to -be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? And Jesus answering said -unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill -all righteousness. Then he suffered Him. And Jesus, when He was -baptized, went up straightway out of the water." From this record, it -is clear that Jesus recognized the ordinance of baptism as essential -to salvation, and therefore set the example Himself. Then Jesus was -baptized correctly; He went down into the water; He was immersed; -He came up out of the water. For it is now an accepted fact that -John baptized by immersion. In Stanley's <em>Eastern Church</em> occurs the -following passage, which Dr. Geikie considers of such authority that -he quotes it in his excellent <em>Life and Words of Christ</em>: "The mode of -John's baptism has been and still is much discussed, but the practice -of the Eastern Church, and the very meaning of the word, leave no -sufficient grounds for questioning that the original form of baptism -was complete immersion in the deep baptismal <span class="pagenum"><a name="p134"></a>{134}</span> water." This form of -baptism it was certainly that the apostles themselves practiced, else -there could be no meaning to the favorite figure of Paul, "Know ye not, -that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized -into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: -that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the -Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. For if we have been -planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the -likeness of His resurrection." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The purpose of baptism.</span> -</p> -<p>Do you ask what is the purpose of baptism? As has been already -suggested baptism serves to wash away sin, and to initiate the -repentant believer into the Church of Christ. John's baptism was for -"the remission of sins." Peter, the chief apostle, called to the people -on the day of Pentecost, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in -the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." And it follows -that since baptism is for remission of sins, those who have not reached -the age of sinning have no need of baptism. There has grown up in -the world a vicious habit of baptizing infants and little children. -Such a practice is wrong. Jesus Himself said of little children, "Of -such is the kingdom of heaven." Infants and little children have not -learned to know the difference between good and evil. They cannot sin. -Baptism should not be administered to them till they reach the age of -discretion. "Little children need no repentance," wrote the Nephite -prophet, "neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the -fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p135"></a>{135}</span> <span class="sidenote">The door of the sheepfold.</span> -</p> -<p>This then did Jesus teach: Baptism is essential; it is correctly -performed by complete immersion in water; it is for the remission of -sins; it should be administered only to those who have reached the -age of accountability; only by obedience to the law can one enter the -kingdom of God. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth -not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, -the same is a thief and a robber. . . . I am the door: by Me if any -man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find -pasture." Only through Jesus, you see, can one enter the sheepfold, and -become a member of it. And the way to enter by Jesus was thus stated in -His final commission to the eleven apostles, just before He ascended to -heaven. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the -name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." "He that -believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not -shall be dammed." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Psalm 1. Acts 2:38. -</p> -<p>John 3:1-5. Moroni 8:8-14. -</p> -<p>2 Kings 5:1-14. John 10:1-18. -</p> -<p>Matt. 3:13-16. Matt. 28:19-20. -</p> -<p>Rom. 6:3-5. Mark 16:15, 16. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p136"></a>{136}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What are the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel? -</p> -<p>2. Show that baptism is required by the teaching of Jesus. -</p> -<p>3. By what process does baptism wash away sin? -</p> -<p>4. How does the law of obedience operate in the daily affairs of life? -</p> -<p>5. How did Jesus show in His own acts that baptism is essential to -salvation? -</p> -<p>6. What is the proper mode of baptism? -</p> -<p>7. What is the purpose of baptism? -</p> -<p>8. To whom should baptism be administered? -</p> -<p>9. Summarize the teachings of Jesus concerning baptism. -</p> -<p>10. What is the teaching of our own Church concerning baptism? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p137"></a>{137}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XVIII"></a>XVIII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">What Jesus told Nicodemus.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born of water and of the -spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." We have just learned -what it means to be born of water. When a man has gained the gift of -faith and believes sincerely in the saving mission of Jesus Christ; -when he has added to his faith works, and has learned to walk in the -way of the righteous—then he must be baptized by immersion in order -to fulfill all righteousness. As we have learned, such a man is then -born of water: for, by obeying the law, he has laid aside his sins, -and comes forth out of the water spiritually a new man, reborn. There -are some people in the world who hold that when a man has done all -this, he has fulfilled all the requirements, and may therefore hope to -gain admittance into the kingdom of God without observing any further -ceremony. But Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the -spirit." Evidently, then, to enter the kingdom of God, one must be born -not only of water, but also of the spirit. And to be born of the spirit -means to be born of the Holy Ghost. But, by what means may one be born -of the spirit? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The laying on of hands.</span> -</p> -<p>This question is a very important one, since a man may not hope to -enter the kingdom of God if he has not been born—or quickened—by -the spirit. In the preceding lesson, it was stated that the Prophet, -Joseph Smith, once stated the principal doctrines of the Church of -Jesus <span class="pagenum"><a name="p138"></a>{138}</span> Christ of Latter-day Saints in a sort of creed, known as -the Articles of Faith; and that the fourth article, in enumerating the -first principles and ordinances of the Gospel, names the ordinance of -the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost as the fourth -essential step in becoming a member of the Church of Christ. According -to this statement, then, one may be born, or quickened, of the -spirit—after having been baptized—through the ordinance of the laying -on of hands. But was this the teaching of the primitive church and of -the Lord Jesus Himself? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The teaching and practice of Paul.</span> -</p> -<p>Anxious that the saints to whom he ministered should grow in the -knowledge of God, and should not stand still merely rehearsing the -first and practice principles of the Gospel, the Apostle Paul wrote -to the Hebrews as follows: "Therefore leaving the principles of the -doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again -the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward -God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands." It is -very interesting to note that Paul lists here as one of the first -four principles the ordinance of the laying on of hands. But what use -did Paul make of the ordinance? It happened once that Paul, in his -missionary travels, came, to the city of Ephesus, and found there -certain disciples who had been baptized, apparently, by the followers -of John the Baptist. Paul asked of these disciples, "Have ye received -the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him. We have -not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said -unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p139"></a>{139}</span> Unto -John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism -of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on -Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they -heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when -Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and -they spake with tongues and prophesied." This use, then, did Paul make -of the ordinance of the laying on of hands: Upon those who had been -baptized unto Jesus, Paul laid his hands, and he confirmed them, and -the Holy Ghost then came upon them, endowing them with spiritual gifts. -Moreover, this practice was not limited to the missionary labors of -Paul alone; all the apostles likewise confirmed those who had been -baptized and conferred thus the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The practice of the apostles.</span> -</p> -<p>Furthermore, it was understood that only such men as possessed the -necessary delegated authority from God might presume to confer the -gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. It is recorded in -the history of the doings of the apostles that Philip, a deacon, went -down to Samaria and preached the Gospel to the Samaritans. Many of the -Samaritans believed, and were baptized by Philip, among them a certain -man named Simon, "which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and -bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great -one." But Philip, apparently did not hold the necessary authority to -confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, and he was too wise and righteous a -man to attempt to do what he had no right to do. So, "when the apostles -which were at Jerusalem heard <span class="pagenum"><a name="p140"></a>{140}</span> that Samaria had received the word -of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come -down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: . . . -. then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy -Ghost." Naturally, Simon the sorcerer was very much interested in this -wonderful ceremony. Such power he had never seen manifested before. He -longed himself to possess such authority. Therefore, he offered money -to the apostles, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I -lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him. Thy -money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God -may be purchased with money." The lesson here is perfect. The authority -to lay on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost may not be merely -assumed—not even by a man of such enduring faith as Philip's—neither -may it be purchased with wordly goods. -</p> -<p>[Sidenote: The teaching and practice of the apostles derived from -Jesus.] -</p> -<p>Of course, the apostles did nothing but what they had seen their Master -do, or had been instructed by Him to do. In this they were wholly -like Him; for He also declared, "The Son can do nothing of Himself, -but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, -these also doeth the Son likewise." There can be no question, then, -that Jesus taught that the gift of the Holy Ghost should be conferred -by the laying on of hands by men holding the proper authority. Jesus -Himself practiced laying on of hands to confer blessings, to heal the -sick, to ordain, to authorize, and for other purposes. And He taught -very distinctly that God would not recognize any usurped authority. -"Ye <span class="pagenum"><a name="p141"></a>{141}</span> have not chosen me," said Jesus to the apostles, "but I have -chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, -and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the -Father in my name, He may give you." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">What is the gift of the Holy Ghost?</span> -</p> -<p>But what is the gift of the Holy Ghost which is conferred upon the -repentant and baptized believer by the laying on of hands? To His -apostles Jesus made this promise, "I will pray the Father, and He -shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; -even the spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it -seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth -with you, and shall be in you." Again, Jesus said to them, further -explaining His promise, "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom -the Father will send in my name. He shall teach you all things, and -bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." -And still continuing His instructions to these beloved disciples, -Jesus said again, "Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He -will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but -whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you -things to come." Now, we have already learned what the Holy Ghost is. -The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, and is a personage -of spirit. But it appears that the special gift derived, through -obedience, from the Holy Ghost is the gift of mental and spiritual -insight—the gift of intelligence. The Comforter, said Jesus, is the -Spirit of truth; it shall teach all things, and bring to remembrance -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p142"></a>{142}</span> whatsoever has been heard; it shall guide into all truth, and -speak only such things as it shall itself hear; it shall show things -yet to come. To receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, is then to receive -the gift of light, and truth, and intelligence. Of this gift of the -Holy Ghost, the great Joseph Smith has said many important things. -Among others we find recorded this: "The first Comforter or Holy Ghost -has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is . . . powerful in -expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the -intellect with present knowledge." In another place, is recorded the -following: "We believe that the holy men of old spoke as they were -moved by the Holy Ghost, and that holy men in these days speak by the -same principle; we believe in its being a comforter and a witness -bearer, that it brings things past to our remembrance, leads us into -all truth, and shows us of things to come; we believe that 'no man can -know that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost.'" -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The conditions and the source of intelligence.</span> -</p> -<p>In studying about faith, and repentance, and baptism, we learned that -the same principles operate in the daily affairs of life, and underlie -all material success. So it is also with the source of principle of -the gift of the Holy Ghost. The young chemist who tried to cover his -watchcase with gold, learned to understand the spirit of truth, and -gained greater intelligence, when he obeyed fully the requirements -going before. And as he learned further the principle of obedience, he -grew steadily in scientific intelligence. So it is then with us. We are -required to exercise faith in God, and in His Son, Jesus Christ; we are -required to repent <span class="pagenum"><a name="p143"></a>{143}</span> of our sins, and to learn to live righteously: -we are required to be baptized by complete immersion in water for -the remission of sins; and then we are required to submit ourselves -to the ordinance of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy -Ghost. When we have done all this we have fulfilled the requirements -of the law. Then our minds will be opened, and our understandings -quickened; for then the Holy Ghost can act upon us to give us light and -intelligence. This is being born of the Spirit; and therefore should -everyone obey the commandment of the Lord, "Repent and be baptized, -every one of you, for a remission of yours sins; yea, be baptized even -by water, and then Cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>John 3:5. John 14:16, 17, 26. -</p> -<p>Heb. 6:1, 2. John 16:13,14. -</p> -<p>Acts 19:1-7. Hist. of the Church, vol. 3, page 380. -</p> -<p>Acts 8:5-24. Hist. of the Church, vol. 5, page 26. -</p> -<p>John 15:16. Doc. and Cov. 33:11. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What twofold requirement is contained in the teaching of Jesus to -Nicodemus? -</p> -<p>2. How may one be born of the Spirit? -</p> -<p>3. What was the teaching and practice of Paul concerning the laying on -of hands? -</p> -<p>4. What was the practice of the apostles in the matter of laying on -hands? -</p> -<p>5. Whence did the apostles derive their knowledge of the ordinance of -laying on hands? -</p> -<p>6. What is the gift of the Holy Ghost? -</p> -<p>7. What parallel may be found in the work of the world? -</p> -<p>8. What is the source of intelligence? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p144"></a>{144}</span> -<p><img id="jesusandthefishermen" src="images/jesusandthefishermen.jpg" alt="JESUS AND THE FISHERMEN, Zimmermann"><p class="caption">JESUS AND THE FISHERMEN, Zimmermann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p145"></a>{145}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XIX"></a>XIX -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE FOUNDATION STONE -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A Resume.</span> -</p> -<p>It is only natural that you should want to pause now, and review some -of the teachings that have been considered in these pages. Jesus -came to the earth to attend to His Father's business. That business -consisted of learning, Himself, to know God the Father, of teaching -all other men to know Him, and of bringing about the salvation of the -children of God. To accomplish His wonderful mission, Jesus taught -clearly what men should know about the Father and about Himself and -about the Holy Ghost; what men should know about the pre-existent life, -and why they are now upon the earth; and how they should worship God, -cultivate childlike faith in Him, and do the things that success in -worship requires. All these teachings, as we have seen, and all the -requirements, too, are in perfect harmony with natural law. To succeed -in any kind of endeavor one must follow just such steps as are outlined -by Jesus for attaining success in the struggle for exaltation. And, -certainly, we cannot rightfully hope to drift into the success of -eternal life, any more than we can hope to drift into the presidency of -the United States of America. Successful achievement is the crown of -persistent effort. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A few questions.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, as it is natural that you should want to pause at this point and -review these teachings, so it is natural that you should ask yourselves -such questions as these: Did Jesus intend that His disciples should -associate themselves in an organized community? Did He have in mind -the <span class="pagenum"><a name="p146"></a>{146}</span> organizing of a Church? Did He organize a Church? How did He -expect those who accepted His teachings to retain their devotion, and -to grow in their knowledge of God and His requirements of the faithful? -If He did establish a Church, how shall we recognize it? In this lesson -we shall discover what Jesus taught in answer to these questions. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Parables by the sea.</span> -</p> -<p>One day Jesus went "out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And -great multitudes were gathered unto Him, so that He went into a ship, -and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore." -</p> -<p>Teaching the multitude in parables, Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven -is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men -slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his -way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then -appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and -said unto him. Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from -whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. -The servants said unto him. Wilt thou then that we go and gather them -up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up -also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and -in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together -first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the -wheat into my barn." -</p> -<p>"Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His -disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the -tares of the field. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p147"></a>{147}</span> "He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is -the Son of Man: the field is the world; the good seed are the children -of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the -enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the -world; and the reapers are the angels. -</p> -<p>"As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall -it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth His -angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that -offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace -of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the -righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who -hath ears to hear, let him hear." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The meaning of the parables.</span> -</p> -<p>Thus clearly did Jesus Himself see the condition of the world, and -thus plainly did He teach it to His disciples. Now, for the purpose -of this study, certain points appear. First, it is very evident that -Jesus had in mind a distinct community life for those who followed -Him. The kingdom of heaven, sometimes called the kingdom of God, is -the organization in which dwells the righteous. Of course, all kinds -of people gain access at times into the kingdom. In another parable, -Jesus likens the kingdom to a net cast into the sea, which gathered -of every kind of fish. When the net was drawn ashore, the fishermen -placed the good fish in vessels, but the bad they cast away. Again, -you see, the intent is that the followers of Jesus, or the righteous, -are the children of the kingdom, and that the unrighteous have no -place therein. The righteous in <span class="pagenum"><a name="p148"></a>{148}</span> their community—the believing -community—shall shine forth as the sun. They constitute the kingdom of -their Father. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The church and the kingdom.</span> -</p> -<p>You may object that this kingdom does not mean the organized Church, -but the glorious kingdom embracing the whole world, over which Jesus is -to reign as King. Perhaps you are right; but it makes no difference to -the argument. For, in the first place, that kingdom must be organized. -We are sure, then, that Jesus had in mind the assembling and organizing -of His people. But, in the second place, that larger kingdom can never -be accomplished without a smaller one from which it may grow. While -the faithful number but a handful, they, too, must be organized and -provision must be made for common worship, fellowship, and service. -This smaller institution—included in the larger—is the Church. The -wheat and the tares are even now growing side by side in the Church of -Christ—in the kingdom of God—and will continue to do so until the day -of the great harvest. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The testimony of Peter.</span> -</p> -<p>But there is recorded stronger evidence even than this that the -disciples of Jesus are to be organized in a Church community. When -Jesus asked testimony of His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the -Son of Man am?" the disciples answered, you remember, "Some say that -Thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others Jeremias, or one of -the prophets." Then, when Jesus put the question to them, "Whom say ye -that I am?" Simon Peter declared, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the -living God." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p149"></a>{149}</span> <span class="sidenote">The testimony of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>This declaration is wonderful in its simplicity and unfaltering faith. -But the answer of Jesus to it is even of greater significance: "Blessed -art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto -thee, but My Father which is in heaven . . . . and upon this rock I -will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against -it." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Its significance.</span> -</p> -<p>Here, then, is found the final answer to our questions. Jesus appointed -and ordained twelve apostles, He called other seventy, because it -was significance. His purpose to organize His Church. The disciples -appointed and ordained elders, and priests, and teachers, and deacons, -and other officers, because they, too, were building up the Church -of Christ. Moreover, these words of Jesus point the test of the true -Church. Not every Church assembly that cries, Lo, here is Christ, is -necessarily the authorized Church. That only can be the true Church -which is founded on the rock of revelation. An organized Church there -must be—without the worship of the disciples would dwindle away. But -the foundation stone of that Church must be revelation; for where there -is no revelation the people perish. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 13:24-30. Matt. 13:47-49. -</p> -<p>Matt. 13:36-43. Prov. 29:18. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p150"></a>{150}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. Review the foregoing lessons. -</p> -<p>2. What questions are aroused by what Jesus has taught to his people? -</p> -<p>3. Explain the parable of the tares. -</p> -<p>4. How does it answer the question, Did Jesus intend to organize His -disciples? -</p> -<p>5. What is the difference between the kingdom of God and the Church of -Christ? -</p> -<p>6. What is the principal evidence that Jesus intended to organize a -Church? -</p> -<p>7. What is the first test of the Church of Jesus Christ? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p151"></a>{151}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p152"></a>{152}</span> -<p><img id="christschargetopeter" src="images/christschargetopeter.jpg" alt="CHRIST'S CHARGE TO PETER, Raphael"><p class="caption"> CHRIST'S CHARGE TO PETER, Raphael -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p153"></a>{153}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XX"></a>XX -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE TEST OF AUTHORITY -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The figure of the architect.</span> -</p> -<p>We have just learned that Jesus built His church upon the principle -of revelation. It is the foundation stone. And it is only reasonable -and natural that it should be so. You know very well that when an -architect is directing the construction of a large building like a -state capitol, employing hundreds of men, he has to be constantly on -the watch to keep things going right. If he goes away, or neglects his -duty, some foreman or other misinterprets the plans, or misunderstands -the specifications; or some unscrupulous contractor or other tries to -enlarge his own profits by using inferior materials and thus corrupts -the structure. How necessary it is then that the architect shall watch -over his building, by day and by night, until it is finished according -to specifications. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The application.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, if men can so easily misinterpret, or misunderstand, the concrete -instructions of their fellowmen, or if some men are so evil that -they will try to corrupt the materials of an earthly structure, it -requires no argument to prove that men may easily misunderstand or -misinterpret—quite innocently, too—the word of God, if left to -themselves. And there may even be men so wicked that they would -maliciously corrupt the word for their own evil ends. It is even more -necessary, therefore, that The Architect of eternal life—the Savior -of mankind—shall be in constant communion with His workmen, than it -is that the architect <span class="pagenum"><a name="p154"></a>{154}</span> of an earthly structure shall personally -superintend, its erection. No man can be absolutely sure of the -meaning of the teachings of Jesus without the spirit of inspiration, -or revelation from Him. That is why the people drift away and perish -when there is no vision. That is why Jesus founded His church upon the -rock of revelation. That is why we may rest assured that the Church of -Christ will always teach the necessity of continual revelation—the -necessity of keeping constantly in touch with the Divine Architect. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">One mark not sufficient.</span> -</p> -<p>But it would be strange, indeed, if there were but one mark by which we -might recognize the Church of Christ. An apostate Church might claim to -believe in revelation, and might even teach the necessity of it. Yet, -it would of course never receive revelation; for God would not speak to -such a Church. Still, because it teaches the necessity of revelation -people might be deceived, and be led to become members of an apostate -Church. For what other mark should we look, then, when trying to -determine which is the Church of Christ? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The submission of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus has made the matter very plain in His life and teachings. One -of the remarkable things about Jesus was His utter humility, and His -complete submission subjection to authority. Although He was greater -than the civil law, yet He submitted always to the requirements of that -law. Nay, more, In His own labors. He recognized always the authority -of a Superior Power under whose direction He worked. When we think -of Jesus as a member of the Godhead, endowed with omnipotence, does -it not seem strange to hear Him say, "I am not come of <span class="pagenum"><a name="p155"></a>{155}</span> myself, -but He that sent me is true;" "my doctrine is not mine, but His that -sent me;" "the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the -Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son -likewise?" Yet, these sayings express the reverence of Jesus for -authority. It must be plain to everyone who reads the life of Jesus -that He recognized the fact that He held no authority of Himself, that -He was not self-appointed; but that His influence, His power, His very -Messiahship were conferred upon Him by the Father. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The submission of the apostles.</span> -</p> -<p>This same recognition of the necessity of authority, Jesus impressed -upon His disciples. "Ye have not chosen me," he declared one day to -them, "but I have chosen you, and ordained you." And we learn that -Jesus did call and ordain apostles and seventies; and that it was the -custom in the early Christian Church to ordain by laying on hands -other officers, such as, high priests, elders, priests, teachers, and -deacons, and bishops. Indeed, it must be clear to everyone, that only -by such special call and ordination could the apostles rightfully go -into the world to do the works that Jesus did. When the disciples of -John the Baptist wondered that Jesus should surpass their master, -do you recall what John answered them? Said he, "A man can receive -(or take unto himself) nothing except it be given him from heaven." -That is the point. No man can assume to act as a servant of God, in -official position, unless He is called of God. Hence, Jesus said to His -apostles, when He had finished His own lifework, "As my Father hath -sent me, even so send I you." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p156"></a>{156}</span> <span class="sidenote">The second mark.</span> -</p> -<p>From these teachings of Jesus, we learn, then, the second mark of the -Church of Christ. Not only will that Church believe in the necessity of -continual revelation and actually receive it, but it will recognize the -necessity of specially delegated divine authority to officiate in the -name of God, and will provide in its Church organization for all the -officers belonging to the priesthood of God. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Two orders of priesthood.</span> -</p> -<p>The Scriptures are full of evidences that there are two divisions of -divine priesthood—the Order of Aaron, and the Order of Melchizedek. -Jesus Himself, was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. -Without these orders of Priesthood, man can not legally officiate in -the things of God, any more than superintendents, formen and workmen -can rightfully proceed to erect a state capitol without official -authorization from the commission in charge. -</p> -<p>Do you know any Church that holds these two orders of priesthood in its -organization? Does this Church recognize the fact that a man must be -called and appointed of God to act in His name? Are the authority and -power of the priesthood manifest in its operations? Does this Church -also believe in and receive continual revelation from God? If so, it -is possibly the Church of Christ. A third mark remains. That we shall -consider in the next lesson. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>John 7:28, 29. John 15:16. -</p> -<p>John 9:4. John 3:27. -</p> -<p>John 5:19. John 20:21. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p157"></a>{157}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What would probably happen if the architect in charge of the -construction of a large building should go away for a long time? -</p> -<p>2. What would happen if God should cease to speak to His people? -</p> -<p>3. What was the attitude of Jesus toward authority? -</p> -<p>4. Whence did He derive His authority? -</p> -<p>5. What did He impress upon His disciples concerning authority? -</p> -<p>6. What did John the Baptist say about authority? -</p> -<p>7. How many orders of divine priesthood are there? -</p> -<p>8. What then, is the second mark of the true Church? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p158"></a>{158}</span> -<p><img id="christteachingfromaboat" src="images/jesusteachingfromaboat.jpg" alt="JESUS TEACHING FROM A BOAT, Hofmann"><p class="caption"> JESUS TEACHING FROM A BOAT, Hofmann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p159"></a>{159}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXI"></a>XXI -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE THIRD MARK -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The horror of darkness.</span> -</p> -<p>Have you ever stopped to think how terrible it would be if we had no -Guide to show us the way of eternal life? Do you think you can imagine -the bitter disappointment of those who have sought a guide and have -failed to find it? We may now pass over lightly some of the more -serious questions of life; we may even at times reject the teachings -of our instructors as unnecessary. But there is a fixed fact which all -the world has come to recognize—one that sooner or later confronts -every individual. It is that the greatest thing in life after all is -the knowledge of God and the satisfaction of having found the way of -eternal life. The disappointment that follows the failure to find that -way is expressed in words of beauty and childlike simplicity by an -Indian. In 1832 a chief of the Flatheads, with some of his associates -sought the wigwams of the white man in quest of the Way of life. This -is what the chief of the Flatheads said when he turned to go back to -his people: -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The speech of an Indian chief.</span> -</p> -<p>"I came to you over a trail of many moons, from the setting sun. You -were the friends of my fathers, who have all gone the long way, I came -with an Indian an eye partly open for my people, who sit in darkness. -I go back with both eyes closed. How can I go back blind to my blind -people? I made my way to you, with strong arms, through my enemies, -and strange lands, that I might carry back much to them. I go back -with both arms broken and <span class="pagenum"><a name="p160"></a>{160}</span> empty. Two fathers came with us. They -were the braves of many winters and wars. We leave them asleep here -by your great water and wigwams. They were tired with many moons (of -journeying) and their moccasins were worn out (on the trail). -</p> -<p>"My people sent me to get the 'White Man's Book of Heaven.' You took -me to where you allow your women to dance as we do not ours, and the -book was not there. You took me to where they worship the Great Spirit -with candles, and the book was not there. You showed me images of the -great spirits and pictures of the good land beyond, but the book was -not among them to show us the way. I am going back the long, sad trail -to my people, in the dark land. You make my feet heavy with gifts and -my moccasins will grow old in carrying them, yet the book is not among -them. When I tell my poor, blind people after one more snow, in the big -council, that I did not bring the book, no word will be spoken by our -old men, or by our young braves. One by one they will rise up and go -out in silence. My people will die in darkness, and they will go a long -path to other hunting grounds. No white man will go with them, and no -White Man's Book to make the way plain. I have no more words." -</p> -<p>It will be difficult to find in modern literature words more pathetic -than these. Yet, how vividly and impressively they describe the -condition that exists in the Christian world. The Indian came out of -a land of darkness to seek Light, and finds only a world of darkness. -He seeks a guide, a book that shall point the way to heaven; he finds -grossness, and a worship of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="p161"></a>{161}</span> flesh-pots of Egypt. He must -of necessity enter alone upon the long journey to the happy hunting -grounds. It will be his great adventure. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The figure of the architect again.</span> -</p> -<p>And so it should be with all of us, were it not for the fact that to -us God has revealed the "Book of Heaven." In the preceding lesson we -used the figure of the architect superintending the erection of a large -building. Let us continue that figure briefly. Naturally, the architect -cannot be in every part of the building at the same time. While he is -directing workmen in the basement, men laying up the wall of the second -story must get along without him. But how shall they know, in the -architect's absence, that they are doing the work right? -</p> -<p>The answer is not hard to find. The foremen and the workmen have -access to plans and specifications. The plans are minute, and the -specifications in detail. The workmen may then see for themselves how -the building is to be erected. If only they read right, and interpret -correctly, they may go ahead indefinitely. It is because they are prone -to misinterpret, and sometimes tempted to defraud the owners, that the -architect has to make his regular rounds and watch carefully. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The plan of eternal life.</span> -</p> -<p>It is just so with those who are building life eternal. The Indian -chief was right. He was looking for the plans and specifications of -eternal life, furnished by the Great Architect. The Indian chief did -not find them. He did not enquire at the right wigwam. The plans and -specifications of eternal life constitute the Gospel of the Lord Jesus -Christ. The presence and the practice of that Gospel—in fulness and in -simplicity—in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="p162"></a>{162}</span> Church of Christ, form the third mark of its -divine authority. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The necessity of plans.</span> -</p> -<p>Why are plans and specifications necessary? Ordinary plans and -specifications accomplish three very important things. First, they -direct what is to be done and how it is to be done. Secondly, they -furnish a basis of judgment whereby to determine whether or not the -work of the contractors fulfills the terms of agreement. Thirdly, they -furnish a standard of judgment whereby to determine whether or not the -materials used, the proportions mixed, the measurements taken, and -all else, are of the quality and fulness required by the builder, and -agreed to by the contractor. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The application.</span> -</p> -<p>So also, the teachings of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ are -necessary to man for very important reasons. It is through the Gospel, -that we learn of God and His work—to bring to pass the immortality and -eternal life of man. It is through the Gospel that we learn of Christ's -wonderful atoning sacrifice. It is through the Gospel that we learn to -know what is man's duty to God, and man's duty to man. The Gospel, too, -then directs men what to do and how to do it. It furnishes a basis of -judgment whereby to determine whether a man's actions are good or bad. -It furnishes a standard of judgment whereby to determine the true and -exact quality of the structure of eternal life which he has built up. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The principles of the Gospel.</span> -</p> -<p>It is not the purpose of this lesson to review all the principles of -the Gospel. Faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, by one holding -authority from God, the <span class="pagenum"><a name="p163"></a>{163}</span> conferring of the Holy Ghost by the -laying on of hands of men holding authority, are fundamental principles -and initiatory rites. All the teachings contained in this little book, -and many more besides, belong to the Gospel of Jesus. The true Church -of Christ must hold strictly to all that Jesus taught. "After that John -was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the -kingdom of God." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Men judged by the Gospel.</span> -</p> -<p>Of the Gospel—the plan of eternal life—the Great Architect was -jealous. "He that rejecteth me," asserted Jesus, "and receiveth not -my words, hath One that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the -same shall judge him in the last day," And the end can not come till -all have heard the plans and specifications of eternal life. Said Jesus -again, "This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world -for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The three marks.</span> -</p> -<p>Like the chieftain of the Flatheads, others, too, may come over a trail -of many moons, from the setting sun. They may come from a land of -darkness, in search of Light. They may need the Book of Heaven to make -the way of eternal life plain. Surely, the scroll may be found in only -one place—The Church of Jesus Christ. It is founded upon the rock of -revelation; it is ribbed by the quorums of the priesthood of Aaron and -of Melchizedek; and it is clothed in the teachings of Jesus—the Gospel -of the Son of God. -</p> -<p>These are the three never-failing marks of the Church of Christ. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p164"></a>{164}</span> THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Mark 1:14, 15. John 12:48-50. -</p> -<p>Matt. 24:14. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What is the significance of the speech of the Flathead chief? -</p> -<p>2. Why does an architect prepare plans and specifications for a -proposed building? -</p> -<p>3. How is the Gospel like such plans and specifications? -</p> -<p>4. What is the Gospel? -</p> -<p>5. How did Jesus show His great concern for the Gospel? -</p> -<p>6. What are the three never-failing marks of the Church of Christ? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p165"></a>{165}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p166"></a>{166}</span> <p><img id="considerthelilies" src="images/considerthelilies.jpg" alt="CONSIDER THE LILIES, Lejenno"><p class="caption">CONSIDER THE LILIES, Lejenno -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p167"></a>{167}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXII"></a>XXII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">SINGLE MINDED LOYALTY -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A supreme privilege.</span> -</p> -<p>It is indeed a privilege beyond measure to belong to a Church founded -upon divine revelation, presided over by the Lord Jesus Himself and -conducted by a divinely appointed priesthood, and regulated by the -Gospel of Jesus Christ—the divine plan of salvation. Not many people -appreciate fully what a priceless blessing is within their reach. -They clamor and struggle, sometimes, for membership in some secret -brotherhood or other, which will avail them nothing when they shall -pass into that other world; and they neglect—nay, ignore—membership -in the open brotherhood of Jesus the Christ, which might be made to -profit them much upon the earth, and which would give them hereafter -free access into the larger kingdom of God. Is not the vision of man -imperfect? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The true worth of membership.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus, however, recognized the true worth of membership in the kingdom -of heaven. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a -field," He declared; "the which when a man hath found, he hideth, -and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth -that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, -seeking goodly pearls: who when he had found one pearl of great price, -went and sold all that he had, and bought it." -</p> -<p>These are pretty parables, but what do they mean? Why, simply, that -a man who has found the Church of Christ should be willing, if -necessary—indeed, he <span class="pagenum"><a name="p168"></a>{168}</span> will be willing, if necessary—to give up -every material possession in order to attain membership therein. It is -a blessing, of course, to possess sufficient of this world's goods; but -it is far better to have secure one's place in the kingdom of God. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Conditions of membership.</span> -</p> -<p>This lesson Jesus taught always. To gain entrance into the kingdom, one -must forsake all personal, unworthy ambitions. "The time is fulfilled," -Jesus cried on His preaching tours, "and the kingdom of God is at hand: -repent ye, and believe the gospel." And when the disciples of Jesus -would stop the parents from bringing their children to the Master, -Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid -them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, -Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he -shall not enter therein." This all teaches that to secure the coveted -membership, we must not only renounce all the evils of our past, but we -must put ourselves in the attitude of little children, eager to receive -the divine word of God, and to help in its establishment upon the earth. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Single-minded loyalty.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, it needs no long explanation to show that those who have succeeded -in placing themselves in the attitude of little children, are also -in an attitude of single-minded loyalty to God. Jesus insisted that -men must be loyal to God, and that, too, with singleness of purpose -and singleness of thought. You have learned in your daily lives which -associates you can trust and which you cannot trust. You know very -well that if a boy's thoughts are always good, he is not very likely -to become guilty <span class="pagenum"><a name="p169"></a>{169}</span> of any seriously wrong act. You know that if a -girl's motives are good, she is not likely to become guilty of evil. -Jesus knew these truths, too. He was anxious, therefore, that the minds -of men should become filled with thoughts of God—that the dominating -motive in their minds should be to serve God. For He knew very well -that a man dominated by the motive of Godly service would be arrayed -against sin; whereas, one not so dominated might easily be overcome by -the wily suggestions of the tempter. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">No man can serve two masters.</span> -</p> -<p>"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust -doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up -for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth -corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where -your treasure is there will your heart be also." -</p> -<p>When we learn that, in the Jewish belief, the heart was the seat of -thought and intelligence, then this saying of the Teacher becomes -plain indeed. It is impossible for anyone to have two chief centers of -interest. If a man devote his thought and intelligence to the laying up -of wealth, he will of course neglect his duty to God. For, said Jesus, -"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and -love the other, or he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye -cannot serve God and Mammon." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A simple application.</span> -</p> -<p>Everyone knows how true this saying is. Let us apply it to some of -our own likes. All boys and most girls like baseball. Every boy and -every girl should like <span class="pagenum"><a name="p170"></a>{170}</span> to keep the Sabbath holy. Now, if a boy -begins to yield to the temptation to play baseball on Sunday, it is not -long, ordinarily, before his surrender is complete, and the playing -of baseball on Sunday becomes for him a regular practice. What has -then happened to his attendance at the Sunday School and the sacrament -service? The boy is scarcely if ever seen there. Do you ask why? This -boy started by trying to serve both God and Mammon. But the things of -God are displeasing to Mammon; and the things of Mammon are displeasing -to God. Oil and water, you know, will not mix. As the boy grew in his -love for baseball on the Sabbath, he grew also in his hatred for the -duties he owed to his God. As he held tenaciously to his baseball on -the Sabbath, he despised the service of the great King. Truly, one -cannot have two chief centers of interest. "Ye cannot serve God and -Mammon." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A parable in point.</span> -</p> -<p>And the folly of the worship of Mammon is so clear, that it is -surprising that men will ever fall into error. Jesus illustrated this -truth with an excellent parable. "The ground of a certain rich man -brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself saying, What -shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he -said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; -and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to -my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine -ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him. Thou fool, this -night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p171"></a>{171}</span> be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure -for himself, and is not rich toward God." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The light of the body.</span> -</p> -<p>Again, Jesus said when speaking of laying up treasure in heaven, -and serving God and Mammon, "The light of the body is the eye: if -therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. -But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. -If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that -darkness!" In the Old Testament, the evil eye stands for avarice and -greed, the good eye for generosity. Is there anyone, then, who does not -see that if a man fosters thoughts of selfishness and greed, he blinds -himself, to all the better and higher things, and gropes in darkness. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A summary.</span> -</p> -<p>In this way, then, Jesus taught that men should serve God with -single-minded loyalty. In His sayings and parables, He presents four -reasons: (1) The life of man is in the hands of God. He gave it and -He will take it away. No one is sure how long he may be privileged to -enjoy worldly pleasures. But the life of the spirit is everlasting. -Its joys shall never end. (2) Worldly goods and pleasures are -perishable and fleeting. We may lose them when we think we have them -most securely. The things of the spirit are eternal. They can not be -taken from us, so long as we worship in spirit and in truth. (3) It is -impossible for man to hold two equally important and equally cherished -objects of interest. One of the two will inevitably be neglected. (4) -If a man's motives are selfish and worldly, his soul becomes darkened -to truth, and to spiritual things. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p172"></a>{172}</span> <span class="sidenote">A paraphrase.</span> -</p> -<p>For these excellent and sufficient reasons, man should cultivate an -attitude of single-minded loyalty to God. Instead of toiling and -sweating for things of passing value only, man should strive for the -things of permanent joy and satisfaction. Jesus's message, as has been -aptly said, may be paraphrased thus: -</p> -<p>"Look up. Get a goal before you that is worth while. Let the one -passion of your life be loyalty to God. Then your joys will be -wholesome and permanent, and you shall walk in the light, not in -darkness." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 13:44-46. Matt. 6:13-21. -</p> -<p>Mark 1:13, 14. Matt. 6:24. -</p> -<p>Mark 10:13-16. Luke 12:13-15. -</p> -<p>Matt. 6:22-23. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. How does man show himself short-sighted when considering the things -of God? -</p> -<p>2. What is the significance of the parable of the treasure and the -pearl of great price? -</p> -<p>3. What do we learn from Jesus's attitude toward little children? -</p> -<p>4. Name and discuss the first two reasons given by Jesus why we should -cultivate single-minded loyalty to God. -</p> -<p>5. Name and discuss the second two reasons why we should cultivate -single-minded loyalty to God. -</p> -<p>6. Name as many instances as you can in which we might practice -single-minded loyalty in our own lives. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p173"></a>{173}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p174"></a>{174}</span> -<p><img id="christandtherichyoungruler" src="images/christandtherichyoungruler.jpg" alt="CHRIST AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER, Hofmann"><p class="caption">CHRIST AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER, Hofmann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p175"></a>{175}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXIII"></a>XXIII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">RICHES AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A liberal man.</span> -</p> -<p>When Matthias Baldwin, who built the first American locomotive, had -made good and had accumulated a fortune, he was wont to distribute -liberal gifts freely among those who had been less prosperous than he. -So generous, indeed, was he that when he had not the cash by him he -would give personal notes instead. "Nobody hesitates to sign promises -to pay in the future in order to get capital for business," he would -say. "Are we to trust the Lord to take care of our affairs, and not His -own?" Sometimes, it is said, this practice would get Mr. Baldwin into -small difficulties; but on the other hand it often helped him when he -needed business notes for himself. Said one bank president to another, -once, "You refuse to help him because he does not know what to do with -his money. We will stand by him because he is determined to do good -with his money. His collaterals are God's promises." And that bank -president was right. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">An unnatural doubt.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, the teachings of the previous lesson may have aroused some -questions in your minds as to whether or not there will be found a -place in the kingdom of heaven for the rich man—for him who has -devoted much time apparently to the service of mammon. Perhaps you -have heard from some one that "it is easier for a camel to go through -the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of -God;" and you have therefore concluded that heaven is for only the -poor. There are some people who hold <span class="pagenum"><a name="p176"></a>{176}</span> so narrow a notion. In this -lesson, however, we shall learn how riches should be used; and that -poverty is no larger guarantee of salvation than are riches. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The case of the rich young ruler.</span> -</p> -<p>One day, not long after Jesus had blessed the little children brought -to Him, there came to Him a rich young ruler, who said, "Good Master, -what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" -</p> -<p>"And He said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good -but One, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the -commandments. -</p> -<p>"He saith unto Him, Which? -</p> -<p>"Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery, -Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honour thy -father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. -</p> -<p>"The young man saith unto Him, All these things have I kept from my -youth up: what lack I yet? -</p> -<p>"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou -hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and -come and follow me. -</p> -<p>"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for -he had great possessions." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The difficulty of sacrifice.</span> -</p> -<p>This simple little story reveals to us the truth. The rich young ruler -was essentially a good young man. From his youth up he had striven -to observe the law of Moses. He had committed no gross offense; he -was guilty of no heinous sin; as he understood the law, he loved his -neighbor as himself. But the more perfect law of the Gospel, which -Jesus taught, called for sacrifice. The things the young man had done -had been easy. He had <span class="pagenum"><a name="p177"></a>{177}</span> refrained from evil, because he loved not -evil. But when he was bidden to part with his wealth, and to give it to -others more needy than he, the center of his affection was touched. For -he loved his riches. It was not the riches, then, that stood between -him and eternal life. It was the love of those riches. The thing he -loved he could with difficulty give up. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The conclusion of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>Therefore did Jesus say to His disciples, "Verily I say unto you. -That a rich man shall hardly (with difficulty) enter into the kingdom -of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go -through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the -kingdom of God." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The amazement of the disciples.</span> -</p> -<p>Naturally, such a statement puzzled the disciples just as it has -puzzled men from that time to this. So the disciples asked, "Who then -can be saved?" But Jesus answered only, "With men this is impossible; -but with God all things are possible." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The power of God.</span> -</p> -<p>While this answer may seem evasive, yet one can readily see in it the -possibility implied. Of course, with God all things are possible. -He can touch the heart of man so that it shall not be centered on -wealth—so that the chief affection of man shall not be, Midas-like, -the love of gold. Riches in themselves are of no value; but riches as -a means of service may be righteously desired. And the Lord Jesus has -Himself promised the blessings of the earth to those who honestly seek -Him. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A promise of worldly blessings.</span> -</p> -<p>"Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink," urged Jesus, -"Neither be ye of doubtful mind. <span class="pagenum"><a name="p178"></a>{178}</span> For all these things do the -nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have -need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all -these things shall be added unto you." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The object of the world's desire.</span> -</p> -<p>Riches, then, should be righteously acquired; and the acquiring of them -should be made secondary to the learning to know God and Jesus Christ -whom He hath sent. It is natural that every boy and girl should plan -for the future, and that the plans should include the accumulation, if -possible, of some of this world's goods. But Jesus would not have those -who know him to be like the nations of the world. They seek after the -riches of the world merely for the sake of the riches themselves. They -love money—and Paul said, you know, that, "the love of money is the -root of all evil." The disciples of Jesus will never serve mammon; they -will make mammon serve them, and use riches for good. Money itself will -not be the object of their love, but the service that money can be made -to render. Jesus taught this lesson in a parable often misunderstood. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The parable of the unjust steward.</span> -</p> -<p>"There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was -accused unto him that he had wasted his goods, and he called him, and -said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of -thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward -said within himself. What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from -me the stewardship. I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved -what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may <span class="pagenum"><a name="p179"></a>{179}</span> -receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's -debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my -lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him. -Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to -another. And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of -wheat. And he said unto him. Take thy bill, and write four score. And -the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: -for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the -children of light. And I say unto you. Make to yourselves friends of -the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you -into everlasting habitations." -</p> -<p>Now, Jesus did not approve of the actions of the steward. They were -decidedly dishonest, and Jesus calls him an unjust steward. But from -the conduct of this steward, Jesus draws a profitable lesson. The -steward was a man of the world. The children of the world are wise in -their generation. When, therefore, the steward was in trouble, he made -the mammon of unrighteousness his servant, and secured for himself a -comfortable living when he should be put out of the stewardship. A -somewhat similar use should the children of light make of such wealth -as they are appointed stewards over. They should look after the poor, -care for the needy, shed comfort and cheer, and make for themselves -friends by means of their wealth. First must come obedience to the -commandments of God, and a diligent seeking after Him. Then worldly -goods must be made to serve in helping to prepare a habitation in the -eternal home. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p180"></a>{180}</span> Paul, again, who seemed always clearly to comprehend the -teachings of the Master, put it thus: "Charge them that are rich in -this world, that they be not high minded nor trust in uncertain riches, -but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that -they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, -willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good -foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal -life." -</p> -<p>In the teaching of Jesus, then, riches are not a bar to eternal life. -The terms of salvation are the same to the rich and the poor alike. It -is not poverty that saves a man, but humility of spirit and obedience. -So it is not riches that condemn a man; but love of riches, and -disobedience. Many there are who, like the rich young ruler, turn and -go their way because they have great possessions. Many others there -are who, like Matthias Baldwin, exclaim, "I feel more thankful for the -disposition to give largely than for the ability to give largely; for I -know that immense wealth can be acquired a great deal easier than the -heart to use it well. My money without a new heart would have been a -curse to me." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 19:16-22. Luke 12:29-31. -</p> -<p>Luke 18:22. 1 Tim. 6:10, 17-19. -</p> -<p>Luke 16:1-10. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p181"></a>{181}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What disposition did Matthias Baldwin develop with the accumulation -of riches? -</p> -<p>2. Why do some people think that heaven is not for the rich man? -</p> -<p>3. Why could not the rich young ruler follow Jesus? -</p> -<p>4. What did Jesus mean by the statement concerning the rich man and the -camel? -</p> -<p>5. What use should be made of riches? -</p> -<p>6. What is the root of all evil? -</p> -<p>7. What lesson did Jesus teach in the parable of the Unjust Steward? -</p> -<p>8. Why have the poor no greater assurance of salvation than have the -rich? -</p> -<p>9. Which is the great gift, wealth or the disposition to give? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p182"></a>{182}</span> <p><img id="lazarusattherichmanshouse" src="images/lazarusattherichmanshouse.jpg" alt="LAZARUS AT THE RICH MAN'S HOUSE, Dore"><p class="caption">LAZARUS AT THE RICH MAN'S HOUSE, Dore -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p183"></a>{183}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXIV"></a>XXIV -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">SUCCEEDING WITH WHAT ONE HAS -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The rich man and Lazarus.</span> -</p> -<p>In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Lazarus lies sick and -hungry at the door of the Rich Man who only the crumbs that fall from -the rich man's table. The Rich Man failed to recognize his opportunity; -and when these two passed beyond, Lazarus was taken into the bosom -of Abraham, while the Rich Man was consigned to the torments of -everlasting punishment. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Wanted: a chance.</span> -</p> -<p>The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus must cause each one of us to -reflect, that, undoubtedly, he has himself many opportunities lying -unnoticed at his door. Indeed, while nearly every boy is prone to say -when he sees a successful man, "If only I had his chance," the fact -remains that he probably had as good a chance as the successful man but -failed to make the most of it. Jesus understood well the weakness in -men that makes for failure, both temporal and spiritual, and as was his -wont illustrated his point by means of a significant parable. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The parable of the talents.</span> -</p> -<p>"The kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who -called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto -one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every -man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. -Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the -same, and made them other five <span class="pagenum"><a name="p184"></a>{184}</span> talents. And likewise he that had -received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one -went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. -</p> -<p>"After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth -with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought -other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five -talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His -lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou -has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many -things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received -two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: -behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto -him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over -a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into -the joy of thy lord. -</p> -<p>"Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew -thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and -gathering where thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and -hid my talent in the earth: lo, here thou hast that is thine. His -lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, -thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have -not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the -exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with -usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which -hath ten talents. For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he -shall have abundance: but from <span class="pagenum"><a name="p185"></a>{185}</span> him that hath not shall be taken -away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into -outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A general law.</span> -</p> -<p>In this parable, Jesus has stated a far-reaching law of truth. It -applies to every boy and to every girl, to every man and to every -woman. And it operates in every field of endeavor—in the temporal -world, in the mental world, in the spiritual world. Perhaps everyone -knows someone else who is waiting for an opportunity. Perhaps, you -yourselves, like the snail in Hans Christian Andersen's tale of "The -Snail and the Rose Bush," think that you have a great deal in you, -and say to yourselves as did the snail, "Wait till my time comes, I -shall do a great deal more than to yield roses, or to bear nuts, or -to give milk as cows do." But in thinking so and saying so you forget -the eternal truth taught by Jesus in the parable of the talents. The -big opportunity can come only if every day, like the rose bush, you -make the most of that day's chance, and contribute the roses and the -fragrance of your life to the world. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The water boy.</span> -</p> -<p>Let us consider a concrete case. Not so very long ago, there was -employed in one of the great American steel works, a young boy to carry -water. You all know what that means. And it must be admitted that -there is but small opportunity in the humble calling of water-carrier. -His master had entrusted the boy with a single talent. But as the -master went the rounds of inspection, he observed that the water boy -was always on the job. No matter how early the master came, the boy -was there <span class="pagenum"><a name="p186"></a>{186}</span> before him; no matter how late the master stayed, the -boy stayed later than he. He worked, he observed, he studied; he was -making his talent grow. By and by, a vacancy occurred higher up. The -master did not hesitate. He called to him the water boy, and gave to -him the work of greater responsibility. That was but the beginning. -Today the water boy is one of the most highly honored and trusted men -in the great steel industry of America. No place, you see, is so humble -but that it has its own opportunity for service. And that opportunity -improved, there lie always greater chances ahead. That opportunity -neglected, failure only can follow. One can become ruler of many things -only if one has proved oneself faithful in few. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Intellectual endeavor.</span> -</p> -<p>Examples might be multiplied to prove the truth of the law taught by -Jesus. When boys and girls go to school, it is those who make the most -of that opportunity that grow in intelligence and power. They progress -steadily until they become leaders of men. Knowledge is added to -knowledge, until they master the field in which they are working. On -the other hand, those who neglect the opportunity afforded by school -attendance, become relatively more and more ignorant. The world forges -ahead in knowledge and wisdom. Their industrious associates go forward -by strides. But they, themselves, lag ever farther and farther behind. -Verily, to him who hath is given, until he possesses in abundance; -whereas from him who hath not, is taken even that he had. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Spiritual growth.</span> -</p> -<p>But it was not to temporal and mental things only that Jesus meant to -apply the law illustrated in the <span class="pagenum"><a name="p187"></a>{187}</span> parable of the talents. Perhaps -His chief purpose was to apply it to the spiritual life. There, as in -the physical life, one must serve, and do one's utmost, in whatever -calling God may have placed one. According to one's courage and -faithfulness will one's reward be. And that reward, you must note, -does not consist of a commission in money. It consists of a larger -responsibility, a larger opportunity to serve, a place of greater honor -in the kingdom of God. Such a reward—whether in the physical or in the -spiritual life—is after all the only reward worth while. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The lesson applied.</span> -</p> -<p>Let us grapple to our souls, then, the lesson of this parable. The -lasting reward of effort of any kind is not the material gain derived -therefrom, but the effect upon one's character—ability developed to -do bigger and nobler things; the confidence inspired to carry larger -trusts. So, two of the servants of the lord developed in efficiency -and ability to do. The other feared. He feared failure—he dared not -attempt—he dreaded to venture. His ability, such as it was, became -paralyzed. As a result he inspired no confidence—nay, he lost the -confidence his lord had reposed in him. Moreover, through his failure -to make use of his little opportunity, the slothful servant lost -confidence in himself, and thereby squandered his native power to -achieve, however small it may have been. -</p> -<p>God requires of all of us that we shall serve Him diligently. And -service of Godly kind means that we give ourselves wholly to the Lord, -all that we have and all that we are. Time, and means, and life, -are His, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p188"></a>{188}</span> and every word, every thought, every act, should be -prompted by loyalty to God and His kingdom. Then are we profitable -servants; and then are we multiplying the talents God has entrusted to -our care. "Thou shalt not idle away thy time," said Jesus in our own -dispensation, "neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be -known." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 25:14-30. Doc. and Cov. 60:13. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What is meant by a "chance?" -</p> -<p>2. How much smaller opportunity had the servant with one talent than -the servant with five? -</p> -<p>3. What does the story of the water-boy illustrate? -</p> -<p>4. How does the parable of the talents apply to the school life of boys -and girls? -</p> -<p>5. How does the parable apply to one's spiritual life? -</p> -<p>6. What is man's duty to God? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p189"></a>{189}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p190"></a>{190}</span> -<p><img id="thesermononthemount" src="images/thesermononthemount.jpg" alt="THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, Hofmann"><p class="caption"> -THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, Hofmann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p191"></a>{191}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXV"></a>XXV -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THINK RIGHT -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The great commandment.</span> -</p> -<p>Once when a lawyer asked Him temptingly which is the great commandment -in the law, Jesus answered unhesitatingly, "Thou shalt love the Lord -thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy -mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is -like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two -commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Divinely inspired, -Jesus returned a very wise answer. The tempter was unable to catch Him. -And now we all understand that answer is in very truth the sum of the -law and the prophets. For if a man truly loves God, and also loves his -neighbor as himself, there is no offense he will—or can—commit. All -sin consists of evil done to oneself, or to one's neighbor, or to one's -God. True love such as Jesus defined makes sin impossible. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The beatitudes.</span> -</p> -<p>At another time, when a great multitude followed Him from almost every -part of the Holy Land, Jesus went up into a mountain and preached to -the disciples that assembled near Him. It was at this time that He -uttered the wonderful sayings commonly known as the Beatitudes. In -these rich and beautiful sayings, Jesus describes the moral character -that He requires in those who are to constitute His kingdom. In other -words, everyone who would belong in full faith and fellowship to the -kingdom of God must possess the qualities here named. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p192"></a>{192}</span> "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of -heaven. -</p> -<p>"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. -</p> -<p>"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. -</p> -<p>"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for -they shall be filled. -</p> -<p>"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. -</p> -<p>"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. -</p> -<p>"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of -God. -</p> -<p>"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for -theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -</p> -<p>"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and -shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice -and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so -persecuted they the prophets which were before you." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A high ideal of life.</span> -</p> -<p>Here, indeed, is an ideal toward which to train one's life. To be -poor in spirit, to mourn over imperfection, to be meek, to hunger and -thirst after righteousness, to be merciful, to be pure in heart, to -make peace amongst the quarrelsome, to be strong in persecution for -righteousness' sake, to rejoice when men do us evil wrongfully, for -Jesus's sake—these are goals worth while. Every man should keep the -beatitudes in mind, and should try so to order his life that he may not -fail to obtain <span class="pagenum"><a name="p193"></a>{193}</span> any one of the promises associated with a good, -moral life. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The great beatitude.</span> -</p> -<p>Yet, as one reads the beatitudes, one wonders what the great Master -would answer if someone should ask Him—as did the lawyer about the -commandments—which is the great beatitude. As you read them over, -do you feel that any one is greater than the rest? Do you feel that -the attaining of a certain one of them would comprehend the rest? Of -course, we may not assume to say what Jesus would answer. But let -us think the beatitudes over ourselves and try to pick out one very -important one; one that expresses a moral quality the attainment of -which will at least help in the attainment of all the rest; one that -expresses a moral quality more often trampled under foot than any -other; one that expresses a moral quality the neglect of which leads -always to iniquity. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The pure in heart.</span> -</p> -<p>Have you found it? The sixth saying reads thus: "Blessed are the pure -in heart: for they shall see God." Here is a condition with a promise -indeed! To see God! To associate with Him! And what must one be to see -God? One must be pure in heart. When we remember that in the Jewish -belief the heart was the seat of thought and intelligence, then we -understand this saying better. To be pure in heart is to be pure in -thought, to be pure in mind. To be pure in heart is to entertain no -evil thought, to hold no impure desire. To be pure in heart is to weed -out of the mind every evil or sinful suggestion, and to plant instead -thoughts of righteousness. The wise man of old appreciated the full -value <span class="pagenum"><a name="p194"></a>{194}</span> of purity of heart. Said he, As a man "thinketh in his -heart so is he." And to the Prophet Joseph Smith Jesus said, "Let -virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax -strong in the presence of God, and the doctrine of the Priesthood shall -distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven." May we not hope, then, -since God is a God of purity, that we have found here the great, the -comprehensive beatitude? If one is truly pure in heart, one can not but -possess the other moral virtues also. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Things that defile.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus was very forceful in His teaching of the necessity of purity of -heart. At one time, He called the people to Him and taught them thus: -"Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand. There is nothing -from without a man, that entering into him, can defile him: But the -things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If -any man have ears to hear, let him hear. -</p> -<p>"And when He was entered into the house from the people. His disciples -asked Him concerning the parable. And He saith unto them. Are ye so -without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing -from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it -entereth not into his heart, . . . . And He said, That which cometh out -of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of -men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, -covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye (greed), -blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all <span class="pagenum"><a name="p195"></a>{195}</span> these evil things come from -within, and defile the man." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Vulgarity in thought, word and deed.</span> -</p> -<p>It is very apparent, then, that vulgar stories of the kind that -boys often tell each other on street corners, are begotten of an -impure mind. The telling of vulgar, or "smutty" jokes, the reading -of lascivious literature, the taking delight in obscene pictures and -suggestive plays, the practising of secret abuses—all these are born -of an evil mind. Surely, it must be plain to every boy and girl that -those who indulge such thoughts and practices of evil are not pure in -heart. They shall not see God. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The good tree and the corrupt.</span> -</p> -<p>Teaching again on the same subject, Jesus said at another time, "A good -tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree -bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit: for -of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they -grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth -forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of -his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of -the heart his mouth speaketh." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Plain teaching.</span> -</p> -<p>Has ever any man taught more plainly? The kingdom of God is to be made -up of men and women rich in moral virtues. And the chief of those -virtues is purity of heart. The vulgar, the profane, the lascivious, -and all those who foster evil thoughts will find no place near God. -Only the pure in heart shall see Him. Remember, then, the great -commandment. Remember the great <span class="pagenum"><a name="p196"></a>{196}</span> beatitude. Remember that as a man -thinketh in heart so is he. Therefore, think right. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 22:34-40. Doc. and Cov. 121:45. -</p> -<p>Matt. 5:1-13. Mark 7:14-24. -</p> -<p>Prov. 23:7. Luke 6:43-45. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What is the great commandment in the law? -</p> -<p>2. Show that the answer of Jesus does really cover the law and the -prophets. -</p> -<p>3. What are the beatitudes? -</p> -<p>4. What kind of people do they describe? -</p> -<p>5. Which is the great beatitude? -</p> -<p>6. Show how this beatitude may possibly cover all the rest. -</p> -<p>7. What did Jesus teach of things that defile? -</p> -<p>8. How may a tree be known? -</p> -<p>9. Apply these teachings to your own lives. -</p> -<p>10. Explain the saying, As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p197"></a>{197}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXVI"></a>XXVI -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE UGLINESS OF ANGER -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The story of Cain.</span> -</p> -<p>There is no more pitifully tragic story in all the world than that -of Cain, the fratricide. Cain was the first son of Adam and Eve of -whom the Scriptures make specific mention. Cain was a tiller of the -soil. The riches of the earth were his, and the fulness thereof. With -joyful heart, he might have plowed and tilled and garnered, and, at -the last, ended a well-spent life in ease and comfort; with praise and -thanksgiving, he might have worshipped God, acknowledging gifts already -bestowed, and receiving daily more as he pursued his honest toil; with -contented mind, he might have mingled with his brothers and sisters, -and given unstintingly of his prosperous help in the establishing -of man's dominion on earth. But Cain was of a jealous and envious -disposition. His mind was darkened with thoughts of avarice and greed -and hatred of others who prospered in the new world. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The occupation of Abel.</span> -</p> -<p>Cain had a brother named Abel. He was the second son of Adam and Eve -mentioned by name in the Scriptures. Abel was a shepherd, a tender of -flocks. Abel prospered, too, in his occupation. True, Abel was not -so independent of his fellows as was his brother Cain, the tiller of -the soil. Abel's calling produced him only meat to eat and wool to -wear. He grew no fruits, nor grains, nor vegetables, nor other foods -in variety produced by the soil. But Abel was happy and contented. He -was unselfish. He loved his brothers and sisters, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p198"></a>{198}</span> and rejoiced -in their successes. He loved God. And as he tended his flocks, Abel -worshipped God who had placed his father and mother, and their -children, upon the earth to subdue it. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The brothers' sacrifices.</span> -</p> -<p>One day Cain and Abel carried sacrifices to offer to the Lord. Cain -brought grudgingly of the fruits of the field. Abel brought of the -firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof without thought of -withholding anything from the Lord. When the sacrifices were presented, -"the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain -and to his offering He had not respect." Now, this difference was not -because Abel's offering was better or more desirable than Cain's. -The Lord pays not respect to worldly things. The widow's mite is as -acceptable to Him as the rich man's millions, if offered in the spirit -of truth. For it is the spirit in which a sacrifice is made that -counts with the Lord. And Cain did not come in the spirit of love, and -thanksgiving, and worship. He gave grudgingly. Perhaps, even, he did -not give of the best of his crops. Therefore the Lord did not accept -his offering. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The anger of Cain.</span> -</p> -<p>Then, when he saw that his own offering was rejected, while Abel's -was accepted, Cain became filled with anger, and his countenance -fell. The Lord in His mercy spoke to Cain, and declared to him one -of the great fundamental truths of life. "Why art thou wroth?" asked -the Lord, "and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well thou -shalt be accepted. And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, -and Satan desireth to have thee; and except thou shalt hearken unto my -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p199"></a>{199}</span> commandments, I will deliver thee up, and it shall be unto thee -according to his desire." But the anger and the envy of Cain were not -appeased. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The murder of Abel.</span> -</p> -<p>Not long thereafter, Cain and Abel were together in the field. Cain -had brooded over the incident of the offerings. His anger had waxed -hot, till it was ready to burst into furious flame. Satan had gained -possession of his mind, had filled him with envy, and had inspired him -to hate his brother. So, as he talked with his brother in the field, -Cain suddenly arose in ungovernable rage and struck his brother down -and killed him. It was a day of horror in man's history. It was a day -of blackness and blood. Cain was a brother-murderer—a fratricide. And -it had come about because he had yielded to anger and envy and hate. -Satan had gained possession utterly of his soul. Therefore, Cain was -cursed by the Lord and cast out from His presence. In the story of Cain -is illustrated wonderfully the truth of the saying of the Wise Man of -Israel: "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to -stand before envy?" -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The lesson at home.</span> -</p> -<p>The story of Cain is a story of long ago. But we all know many -instances of the ugliness of anger in our own day. In every prison -house in the world are confined men who have committed crime in fits of -anger. "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in -transgression," said the Man of Wisdom. When a man is angry, he loses -control of the good that is in him. He returns to the state of the -beast. He speaks words of which afterward he is ashamed. He does things -for which afterward he sorrows. Anger is an <span class="pagenum"><a name="p200"></a>{200}</span> infernal poison, -administered by the father of lies himself, which courses through the -blood, makes the heart pound, and creates delirium in the mind. There -are many ugly sights in the world; but there is perhaps none uglier, -more repulsive, than a man furiously angry. Therefore is it said, "Make -no friendship with an angry man and with a furious man thou shalt not -go: lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The power of the mind.</span> -</p> -<p>Everyone knows how unpleasant is the company of a quarrelsome boy, or -of a quarrelsome girl. The best of sport and the choicest of company -can be spoiled by one angry countenance. The truth taught in the -preceding lesson may here be emphasized. "As a man thinketh in his -heart so is he." According to your habits of thought, you are agreeable -or disagreeable. According to your habits of thought, you find quarrel -in a straw, or peace and serenity in turmoil. According to your habits -of thought you may become a strife-breeder or a peacemaker. "A wrathful -man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth anger." -And since it rests with yourself, is it not deplorable that you should -follow in the footsteps of Cain? -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "The human will, that force unseen,<br> - The offspring of a deathless Soul,<br> - Can hew a way to any goal,<br> - Though walls of granite intervene."<br> -</p></blockquote> -<p>As a boy wills to be pleasant and cheerful, or to be disagreeable and -quarrelsome, so then will he be. We know now that we may all be masters -of ourselves, and hewers of our own fates. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p201"></a>{201}</span> All these things Jesus taught plainly. Said He, "Ye have heard -it said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall -kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That -whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of -the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in -danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in -danger of hell fire. -</p> -<p>"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and then rememberest -that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave then thy gift before -the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then -come and offer thy gift. -</p> -<p>"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with -him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the -judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily -I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast -paid the uttermost farthing." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus an example.</span> -</p> -<p>There is in history no finer example of serene calm and self-control -than that manifested in the earth life of the Savior of the world. -When James and John, "the Sons of Thunder," asked permission to call -down fire from heaven upon the Samaritan village that had refused to -entertain Jesus, the Lord rebuked them, saying, "Ye know not what -manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of Man is not come to destroy -men's lives, but to save them." And when during the days of trial and -suffering, men insulted Him and did Him physical injury, Jesus went -like a lamb to the slaughter. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p202"></a>{202}</span> <span class="sidenote">The strength of self-control.</span> -</p> -<p>All examples and precepts, then, admonish us to acquire self-control, -to be slow to anger, to banish hatred, and to eschew envy. "For the -wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God;" and "he that is -slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit -than he that taketh a city." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Moses 5:16-41. Matt. 5:21-26. -</p> -<p>Prov. 27:4. Luke 9:51-56. -</p> -<p>Prov. 29:22. James 1:20. -</p> -<p>Prov. 22:24. Prov. 16:32. -</p> -<p>Prov. 15:18. -</p> -<p>"Angry Words, Oh Let Them Never," S. S. Song Book. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What caused the downfall of Cain? -</p> -<p>2. What effect does anger have upon the mind? -</p> -<p>3. Why does not anger work for righteousness? -</p> -<p>4. What do you think of a quarrelsome boy with a grouch? -</p> -<p>5. What did Jesus teach about anger? -</p> -<p>6. How does self-control make for strength? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p203"></a>{203}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p204"></a>{204}</span> -<p><img id="jesusblessinglittlechildren" src="images/jesusblessinglittlechildren.jpg" alt="JESUS BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN, Plockhorst"><p class="caption">JESUS BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN, Plockhorst -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p205"></a>{205}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXVII"></a>XXVII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">WITH WHAT MEASURE YE METE -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The two school girls.</span> -</p> -<p>Two little girls came home from school one day carrying on a very -lively discussion. Their animation, and their complete absorption in -the subject were very inspiring to see. One could not help but thrill -at the manifestation of buoyant, interested, and healthful youth. But -when they came into the house, and their mother overheard the nature -of their conversation, she was woefully disappointed. These girls were -not discussing the problems raised by their lessons; neither were they -rejoicing at the prospect of the coming girls' hike to the canyon. In -fact, the subject of their animated discussion was neither uplifting -nor invigorating. On the contrary, it was disgusting—so thought -their mother; and she was sorry to hear her girls indulge in such -conversation. For the girls were gossiping; nay—they were slandering. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The theft.</span> -</p> -<p>It appears that someone had lost some money that day at school. The -loser declared, however, that she had not merely lost the money. It -had been stolen! The principal had called the pupils together, and -had stated the case plainly to them. He had said that if anyone had -actually stolen the money, it would be much better for the thief to -confess than to be discovered, or even successfully to conceal the -dishonest act. Such a thing would leave a scar upon one's character for -life. But no one confessed. The lost coin was not found. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p206"></a>{206}</span> <span class="sidenote">The suspicion.</span> -</p> -<p>Our two little friends, however, had observed that Mary Jones, who sat -not far away, acted very suspiciously when the principal came into the -room. She turned quite pale, and looked afraid. When the principal -appealed to the offender to make a clean breast of his guilt, Mary -had hung her head. Was it not proof positive that Mary had stolen the -money; or that, at least, she knew where it was? At recess, and after -school was out, the girls had talked it over. They had confided their -suspicions to a few intimate friends; these in turn had confided in -other intimate friends; soon the whole school was in possession of what -was assumed to be a fact, that Mary Jones had stolen the money, but -that she would not confess. The two little girls who first suspected -Mary had grown firmly to believe their suspicions, and assured their -mother that they knew that Mary was the thief. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The discovery.</span> -</p> -<p>The developments of the next few days, however, proved to these little -girls how much truth there really is in the little bit of doggerel -verse their mother had taught them. -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "There is so much that is bad in the best of us,<br> - And so much that is good in the worst of us,<br> - That it doesn't behoove any of us<br> - To talk about the rest of us."<br> -</p></blockquote> -<p>Poor Mary Jones suffered keenly for three days. Both the boys and the -girls shunned her as if she were a leper. The girls huddled together -and whispered when she passed. Once a rude, unfeeling boy called after -her, "Why don't you 'fess up, Mary?" But Mary had really nothing to -"'fess up," and on the third day <span class="pagenum"><a name="p207"></a>{207}</span> the truth came to light. Out in -the hallway, the janitor noticed something shining in a little crack -between the boards of the floor. It was in the afternoon, and the -light coming through the transom of the west door fell just then upon -the spot. The janitor stooped to see what the shining object was. It -was money! He pried it out with his pocket knife. It was of the same -denomination as that which had been reported stolen. Immediately, the -janitor returned it to the teacher with a full explanation. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The tables turned.</span> -</p> -<p>It is strange how things turn and turn about. When the money was -returned to the girl who had lost it, with the janitor's story, she -remembered that she had been skipping there in the hallway, and that -she had thought she had heard something strike the floor; but since -she had seen nothing she had forgotten it. The girls who had suspected -Mary and had shunned her, now flocked about her and assured her that -they had never believed her guilty. The two who had started the slander -stood shame-facedly apart. The school turned on them, and for many days -they were avoided, and were shut out of the school games, as Mary had -been. They were mischief-makers, said the pupils. It was only after -Mary herself had pleaded for them, that a complete reconciliation was -effected, and the school society moved harmoniously forward as before. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">An everyday occurrence.</span> -</p> -<p>You think that this is a story? Yes, it is a story; but it is a true -story. And the sorrowful thing about it is that just such unkind and -unfounded judgments as that formed by the little school girls are -passed every day upon <span class="pagenum"><a name="p208"></a>{208}</span> innocent men and women. You yourselves pass -judgment, without any evidence on which to base that judgment. You -condemn your playmates for this or for that. You find fault with what -your parents do, not knowing the many problems they have to solve. You -criticize the bishop of your ward, or the president of your stake, or -even the president of the Church, without knowledge of a single item -of the vast amount of information which he has and which compelled him -to do as he did. It may be that some of your associates have faults. -Those faults stand out glaringly enlarged to you. You are offended by -them. You are prompted to criticize, or to try to correct the defects. -But you forget that you may have faults as glaringly apparent to your -associates as theirs are to you. You do not stop to think that the -little girls who suspected Mary Jones were also guilty of a grievous -offense in judging and condemning without cause. You forget what -the Lord Jesus taught, "Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy -brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? -Or how wilt thou say to thy brother. Let me pluck out the mote out of -thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye. Thou hypocrite, -first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see -clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The mote and the beam.</span> -</p> -<p>Is it not simple and common sense? How can a man see clearly to -correct the faults of others, when his vision is distorted by his own -faults? Have you ever set a stick into a pool of clear water? Have -you noticed how the stick has been distorted in size and shape? The -light <span class="pagenum"><a name="p209"></a>{209}</span> waves passing from water to air, or from air to water, are -refracted, bent, so that you do not get a correct image of the object -immersed. Just so is it when we, who are immersed in our own faults -and weaknesses, attempt to pluck the mote from a brother's eye. Our -vision is defective; the image is distorted; we are ourselves in worse -condition than our brother. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">What Jesus said.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus set Himself strongly against such unkind judgment as that passed -by the two little school girls, and as that we are tempted every day to -Jesus pass upon our neighbors. "Judge not," He taught, "that ye be not -judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with -what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." -</p> -<p>Here is sound philosophy, of which few men stop to think. It is easy -to pass judgment on others. It is easy to think that one is the center -of the universe and that all things else revolve about that center. It -is easy to think that one's own opinion is always right, and that the -opinions of others are wrong. But one should not forget that others -also hold opinions. It is almost certain that one will be judged as -one judges; and that one will have measured to one as one measures to -others. -</p> -<p>Now, what Jesus points out is that the spirit of fault-finding and -criticism is to be condemned. One cannot correct the faults of others -until one has corrected one's own faults. One cannot even get a good -hold on one's self, and find the right estimate of one's self, until -one learns to see only good in others, and to <span class="pagenum"><a name="p210"></a>{210}</span> struggle with one's -self to overcome faults. Moreover, fault-finding and criticism, like -anger, hate, and envy, destroy one's peace of mind. One who judges and -condemns cannot possibly maintain mental and spiritual health. Harsh -judgment is far more hurtful to the man who exercises it than to the -man whom he judges. -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "Judge not!—thou canst not tell how soon the look of<br> - bitter scorn<br> - May rest on thee, though pure thy heart as dewdrops<br> - in the morn.<br> - Thou dost not know what freak of fate may place<br> - upon thy brow<br> - A cloud of shame to kill the joy that rests upon it now.<br> - Judge not!<br> -</p></blockquote> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 7:1-5. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What was wrong in the action of the two little school girls? -</p> -<p>2. Why is it wrong to find fault, and to criticize? -</p> -<p>3. What did Jesus say about the mote and the beam? -</p> -<p>4. Explain Jesus's saying, "Judge not that ye be not judged." -</p> -<p>5. Show that it is the spirit of fault finding that is sinful, rather -than the act. -</p> -<p>6. Who is most injured: the man who criticizes or the man who is -criticized? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p211"></a>{211}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p212"></a>{212}</span><p><img id="jerusalemfromthemountofolives" src="images/jerusalemfromthemountofolives.jpg" alt="JERUSALEM FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, From a Photograph"><p class="caption"> - JERUSALEM FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, From a Photograph -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p213"></a>{213}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXVIII"></a>XXVIII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE GOLDEN RULE -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Positive instruction.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus was not content to teach merely "Judge not, that ye be not -judged." In a way, that is only negative teaching. It exhorts men to -withhold judgment, but does not exhort to positive action. But the -nature of the teaching of Jesus is generally constructive. His "don'ts" -are always directed against prevailing evil, and are almost immediately -followed up with constructive directions as to what to do. So now He -continues, "first cast out the beam out of thine own eye"; and further, -from place to place. He instructs men how they shall deal with their -fellowmen. One's duty is not fully done when one merely withholds -judgment; there remains yet to be done some positive act of good—a -kind word, a charitable deed, an effort at reconciliation with one of -ill-will if such a one there be. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The doctrine of reconciliation.</span> -</p> -<p>In the matter of friendly association, good-will, and forgiveness, -Jesus spoke very definitely. "If thy brother shall trespass against -thee," said He, "go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: -if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not -hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of -two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall -neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to -hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p214"></a>{214}</span> <span class="sidenote">The attitude of a citizen of the kingdom.</span> -</p> -<p>Long suffering, slow to anger, not vengeful, and without condemnation, -should the citizen of the kingdom be. How many of us follow the course -here outlined, when an associate "trespasses" against us? How many -of us go to him first and talk it over? If the matter is not settled -then, how many of us try again, and take two or three friends along to -help arbitrate the difficulty? And if still a reconciliation is not -effected, how many of us appeal in a spirit of love to the church—the -court of last appeal in matters spiritual? Unfortunately, most of us -are prone to cast off the brother who has done us wrong without looking -into the causes that prompted him to act as he did. If we take steps -to settle the difficulty, it is too often not through the mediation -of friends or the spiritual influence of the Church, but through the -cold procedure of the civil court. And worst of all, we yield not -infrequently to the temptation to talk. We gossip; we slander; we start -scandal; we wrong much more than we have been wronged. Jesus would not -have it so. Agree with thine adversary quickly. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The doctrine of forgiveness.</span> -</p> -<p>Sometimes it happens that a brother offends more than once. How many -times shall he then be forgiven? This question troubled Peter. He of -came therefore to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin -against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" -</p> -<p>"Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee. Until seven times: but -until seventy times seven." Of course, Jesus did not mean that one -should forgive an offender exactly seventy-seven times, no more, no -less. He <span class="pagenum"><a name="p215"></a>{215}</span> meant that there is no limit to the number of times that -we should exercise the gift of forgiveness; but that we should forgive -freely and cheerfully as often as the offender repents. Then, in order -that there might be no question as to the meaning of His teaching, -Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The parable of the unforgiving servant.</span> -</p> -<p>"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which -would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, -one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents (or about -$10,000,000). But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded -him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and -payment be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, -saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the -lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and -forgave him the debt. -</p> -<p>"But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, -who owed him an hundred pence (or about $20): and he laid hands on him, -and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest. And his -fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have -patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went -and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. -</p> -<p>"So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, -and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, -after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I -forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldst not -thou also have had compassion on thy <span class="pagenum"><a name="p216"></a>{216}</span> fellowservant, even as I -had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the -tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. -</p> -<p>"So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your -hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The Meaning.</span> -</p> -<p>About the meaning of this dramatic story there can be no question. -Our indebtedness to God the heavenly Father is incalculable; our -dependence upon Him is infinite. God recognizes our helplessness, and -our inability to pay, and He forgives us our shortcomings, even as -we pray, "Forgive us our debts." The indebtedness of our fellowmen -to us is slight in comparison; their dependence upon us is nil. Yet, -we are likely to render harsh judgment against them, and to withhold -forgiveness from our hearts, even though we utter in prayer the words, -"as we forgive our debtors." But if we deal harshly with our fellowmen -who owe us so little, can we expect God, whom we owe so much, to deal -gently with us? If we want the Great Creditor to forgive us our large -indebtedness, should not we—small creditors that we are—forgive -without the asking, and from our hearts, the little debts of our -fellowmen? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The right attitude toward our enemies.</span> -</p> -<p>Such was the teaching of Jesus concerning our association with -our friends and fellowservants. But Jesus's teaching of love and -reconciliation did not stop there. It is our duty—since we all want -God to bless and favor us—to love even our enemies, and those whom -we are by nature prompted to hate. For, said Jesus, "Ye have heard -that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy <span class="pagenum"><a name="p217"></a>{217}</span> neighbour, and hate -thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that -curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which -despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of -your Father which is in heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the -evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. -For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even -the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do -ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore -perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The Golden Rule.</span> -</p> -<p>So, then, it appears that the practicing of the Golden Rule makes a -large stride toward perfection. We should do good to all, forgive all, -love all. Then can we come in strength before the Lord and plead for -patience and forgiveness. -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "He prayeth best, who loveth best<br> - All things both great and small;<br> - For the dear God who loveth us,<br> - He made and loveth all."<br> -</p></blockquote> -<p>Jesus put it thus: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men -should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the -prophets." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 18:15-17. Matt. 5:43-48. -</p> -<p>Matt. 18:21-35. Matt. 7:12. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p218"></a>{218}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. Why could not Jesus be content to teach merely "don't"? -</p> -<p>2. Of what does the doctrine of reconciliation consist? -</p> -<p>3. What is the proper attitude of a citizen of the kingdom toward his -fellow-citizens? -</p> -<p>4. How often should one forgive an offender? -</p> -<p>5. How does the parable of the unforgiving servant show why we should -forgive our fellowmen? -</p> -<p>6. What should be the attitude of a citizen of the kingdom toward his -enemies? -</p> -<p>7. What is the meaning of tolerance? -</p> -<p>8. Show how the Golden Rule may be made to enrich your own lives and -make them happier. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p219"></a>{219}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p220"></a>{220}</span> <p><img id="thegoodsamaritan" src="images/thegoodsamaritan.jpg" alt="THE GOOD SAMARITAN, Van Diepenbeek"><p class="caption"> -THE GOOD SAMARITAN, Van Diepenbeek -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p221"></a>{221}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXIX"></a>XXIX -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE GOOD SAMARITAN -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The law of love.</span> -</p> -<p>There is, perhaps, no principle of conduct that Jesus emphasized -more in His teachings than the law of brotherly love. As we have -already learned, the first great commandment requires that we love -God; and the second requires that we love our neighbor as ourselves. -It is not enough, then, that we withhold judgment and condemnation; -nor that we do unto others—even unto our enemies—as we would have -others do unto us. We must forget self; bury self, as it were; and -cultivate for others a real affection—such an affection as God has -for us, for God is love. The reward of such a God-like love of our -fellowmen is beautifully expressed in a poem—oft but never too often -quoted—written by the English poet Leigh Hunt. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The reward of brotherly love.</span> -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase)<br> - Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,<br> - And saw, within the moonlight in his room,<br> - Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,<br> - An angel writing in a book of gold:—<br> - Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,<br> - And to the presence in the room he said,<br> - 'What writest thou?'—the vision rais'd its head,<br> - And with a look made of all sweet accord,<br> - Answered, The names of those who love the<br> - Lord.'<br> - 'And is mine one?' said Abou. 'Nay, not so,'<br> - Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,<br> - But cheery still; and said, 'I pray thee then.<br> - Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.'<br> -</p> -<p class="poetry"> The angel wrote and vanish'd. The next night<br> - It came again with a great wakening light,<br> - And show'd the names whom love of God had<br> - bless'd<br> - And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest."<br> -</p></blockquote> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p222"></a>{222}</span> <span class="sidenote">Questions of the tempting lawyer.</span> -</p> -<p>There came a lawyer to Jesus one day and asked Him what to do to -inherit eternal life. Jesus, knowing that the lawyer came only to make -trial of Him, answered, "What is written in the law? how readest thou?" -The lawyer—who knew well the law—was forced then to reply, "Thou -shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, -and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as -thyself." -</p> -<p>"Thou hast answered right," said Jesus: "this do and thou shalt live." -</p> -<p>But the lawyer was not satisfied; and desiring further to justify -himself, he asked, "And who is my neighbour?" -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The parable of the good Samaritan.</span> -</p> -<p>"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to -Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of all his raiment, -and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance -there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him he -passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the -place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But -a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he -saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his -wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and -brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he -departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said -unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I -come again, I will repay thee. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p223"></a>{223}</span> "Which now of these three thinkest thou," asked Jesus, "was -neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" -</p> -<p>The lawyer answered, "He that shewed mercy on him." -</p> -<p>"Then said Jesus unto him. Go, and do thou likewise." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A discussion.</span> -</p> -<p>The priest, who was the specially appointed servant of God among his -people, and the Levite, who was closely associated with the priest -in his ecclesiastical duties, ought to have had compassion upon the -unfortunate traveller. It is to be assumed that he was a Jew. He was -therefore of the chosen people. He might lay claim to the services of -the priest and the Levite who officiated in the temple of his God. -Moreover, these men above all others should have known the passage -quoted by the lawyer in answer to Jesus's question, "What is written in -the law?"—a passage repeated by every Jew in each morning and evening -prayer. But these men had seen only the letter of the law; they had -never felt the spirit of it. At the most, the love of neighbor meant -only the Jewish interpretation of the passage, "Thou shalt not avenge, -nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt -love thy neighbour as thyself." Of the broad interpretation placed by -Jesus on the meaning of the word "neighbor," these men of the temple -service knew nothing. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The real neighbor.</span> -</p> -<p>The Samaritan however who was an outcast in the eyes of the Jew, for -whom God Himself could hold no love; an apostate and a degenerate -from the rich blood of Israel as unclean in <span class="pagenum"><a name="p224"></a>{224}</span> the opinion of the -orthodox Jew as the loathsome leper—the Samaritan felt the thrill of -the spirit of the great commandment "Thou shalt love thy neighour as -thyself." He manifested that divine love—and that to one from whom -he was an alien—which Jesus enjoined when He said, "Be ye therefore -perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The fulness of the answer.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus could not have answered the lawyer more completely; neither could -He have silenced more quickly the man who came to make trial of Him. -The story of tender love and sympathy was of such compelling nature -that the lawyer himself was forced to admit that the good Samaritan was -the real neighbor. And that conclusion forced upon the lawyer the plain -answer to his question, "Who is my neighbor" Why, he is my neighbor -whom it is within my power to help, no matter what may be his creed, or -his nationality, or his color. There was no room here for the splitting -of hairs. The lawyer was used to the refined arguments of the learned -rabbis as to the meaning of the word neighbor. Here it was plainly set -forth in a simple little story. There was no more to say. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The lesson clinched.</span> -</p> -<p>But as He concluded his story, and received the lawyer's answer, Jesus -drove home the lesson. "Go," said He, "and do thou likewise." It was as -if He had reverted to the opening question, "Master, what shall I do -to inherit eternal life?" If you would inherit eternal life love your -neighbor as yourself; consider him your neighbor whom you can help; -hold no class distinction; despise no man for his creed or his color; -but hold yourself always in <span class="pagenum"><a name="p225"></a>{225}</span> readiness to do good, to serve, and -to help those who need your help. Remember the Good Samaritan. Do not -pass by on the other side, but show your love in deeds of love. Then -shall you inherit eternal life. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The command renewed.</span> -</p> -<p>The Savior's law of love is a principle of divine beauty. And so -important is it in the Gospel plan of salvation, that it has been -specially renewed in our own dispensation. Said Jesus to Joseph Smith, -"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy -might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt -serve Him. -</p> -<p>"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." -</p> -<p>"Every man (shall seek) the interest of his neighbor and (do) all -things with an eye single to the glory of God." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Luke 10:25-37. Doc. and Cov. 59:5, 6. -</p> -<p>Lev. 19:18. Doc. and Cov. 82:19. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What more must men do besides withholding judgment and observing the -golden rule? -</p> -<p>2. Explain the lesson of Abou Ben Adhem. -</p> -<p>3. What did the lawyer seek of Jesus? -</p> -<p>4. What conclusion was forced, upon the lawyer by the story of the Good -Samaritan? -</p> -<p>5. How was this story a complete answer? -</p> -<p>6. Why did it silence further questioning? -</p> -<p>7. What does Jesus's admonition, "Go, and do thou likewise," imply? -</p> -<p>8. How do these commandments affect us in the dispensation of the -fulness of times? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p226"></a>{226}</span> - -<p><img id="christinthehomeofmaryandmartha" src="images/christinthehomeofmaryandmartha.jpg" alt="CHRIST IN THE HOME OF MARY AND MARTHA, Hofmann"><p class="caption"> CHRIST IN THE HOME OF MARY AND MARTHA, Hofmann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p227"></a>{227}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXX"></a>XXX. -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">NO ONE CAN LIVE TO HIMSELF. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The fable of the body and its members.</span> -</p> -<p>In the ancient book of wisdom ascribed to Aesop, there may be found the -following fable with its moral: "The Members of the Body once rebelled -against him. They said he led an idle, lazy life at their expense. The -Hands declared that they would not again lift a crust even to keep him -from starving, the Mouth that it would not take a bit more food, the -Legs that they would carry him about no longer, and so on with the -others. -</p> -<p>"The Body quietly allowed them to follow their own courses, well -knowing that they would all soon come to their senses, as indeed they -did, when, for want of the blood and nourishment supplied from the -stomach, they found themselves fast becoming mere skin and bone. -</p> -<p>"No one can live to himself." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The time of Aesop.</span> -</p> -<p>Aesop lived in the long ago. Tradition declares that he was born five -hundred and fifty years before the time of Jesus. But already in that -remote age men had learned to appreciate the value of organizing -themselves into communities and churches and governments. Already, men -had discovered that to live to oneself was to fight alone a losing -fight against all the forces of the world. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The growth of society.</span> -</p> -<p>From the time that Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden, -and their children began to settle two and two in the land to till it -and to cultivate it, man has understood the advantages of friendly -association. First it was the family. The family has always been, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p228"></a>{228}</span> -and is still the actual basis of society. The members of the family -clung together, and each one worked for the interest of the whole. -Then, when the families increased they became associated in clans and -tribes. Then, with the increase of population, came the organization of -communities, religious association, governments. For protection, for -worship, for education, for commerce and trade, for civilization, men -have banded themselves together, and have worked for larger units, of -which the individuals were but members. Only by such banding together -can a community become socially efficient. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A football squad.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, we may easily understand what this means if we apply the principle -to the organization of a football squad. There are eleven men, you -know, in the "team." One of them is the captain. When the squad is -in action, playing hard against an opposing team, no single man can -hope alone to win the game. The strength of the squad depends upon its -team work. While each individual must put forth the best that is in -him, whether in bucking the line or in playing the open field, that -best must be so directed as to add to the sum total of the strength -and efficiency of the united eleven. No member of that team may live -or play to himself. And the orders of the captain must be obeyed. -Some player in the line may think the orders poor—wholly wrong in -fact—yet he must obey those orders. If he does not, he will go down -to ruin himself, and he may possibly drag his team with him to shame -and disaster. For, as is clearly evident, when he neglects to follow -the command of the captain, he stands alone; the other ten obey -orders. <span class="pagenum"><a name="p229"></a>{229}</span> Alone he can accomplish nothing. Nor is that the worst; -by disobeying orders, he may spoil the premeditated play and lose the -game. The football man is required to learn, therefore, that he is only -a member of a body; that he must act with the body; that if he attempts -to act in opposition to the body calamity is sure to follow; that -success can come only through concerted effort. The football squad is -an organization of society for efficiency. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The teachings of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>As it is with the football squad so it is with society in the large. -Men and women are organized into communities and associations of -various kinds for greater efficiency, and are subject to the laws -governing organized society. Now, since Jesus was not primarily a -social reformer, nor a social teacher, we should not be surprised if He -had little to say about man's duties to organized society. Yet since He -touches in His teachings nearly all phases of temporal and spiritual -life, we might expect that somewhere He has something to say about the -larger aspects of society. And we do really find it so. The three chief -social institutions in the world are the family, the state, and the -church. About man's duties to each one of these Jesus has something -significant to say. Let us consider briefly the most important sayings -of Jesus concerning these three fundamental institutions. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The family.</span> -</p> -<p>In the teaching of Jesus, marriage is presented as a divinely appointed -sacrament, and the family as a sacred institution One day the Pharisees -came to Jesus to test Him, and asked, "Is it lawful for man to put -away his wife? And <span class="pagenum"><a name="p230"></a>{230}</span> He answered and said unto them, What did -Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of -divorcement, and to put her away. -</p> -<p>"And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart -he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God -made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father -and mother and cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh; -so then they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath -joined together let no man put asunder." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The family sacred.</span> -</p> -<p>Thus emphatically did Jesus teach that the marriage relation was -ordained of God. And in doing so He declared also that the family is -a sacred institution and its claims should never be put aside. The -crying shame of the world today is the common practice of divorce. Boys -and girls who become acquainted with the teachings of Jesus, should -grow up with a horror of the divorce court. They should learn to look -upon marriage as one of the highest privileges accorded to them by -the heavenly Father. And boys and girls in the Church of Jesus Christ -of Latter-day Saints should rejoice in the thought, that, when the -proper time comes, they may go into the House of the Lord and have -there performed the divine sacrament of marriage for time and for all -eternity. For the Lord has said in this generation, "Whoso forbiddeth -to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto -man." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The state.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus was equally emphatic in His teachings of man's duty to the -state—to organized civil government. Certain of the Pharisees <span class="pagenum"><a name="p231"></a>{231}</span> -and of the Herodians were sent one day to try to catch Jesus in his -words. "And when they were come they say unto Him, Master, we know -that Thou art true, and carest for no man: for Thou regardest not the -person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to -give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? -But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them. Why tempt ye me? bring -me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And He saith unto -them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto Him, -Caesar's. And Jesus answering said unto them. Render to Caesar the -things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And -they marvelled at Him." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The state divinely instituted.</span> -</p> -<p>They had good cause, indeed, to marvel at Him; for, not only had He -quieted them with a sufficient answer, but He had also declared a -fundamental principle of the state. A government cannot exist without -revenue to maintain its organization and to enforce the laws enacted -for the protection and the welfare of its citizens. Caesar was doing -much for Palestine. It was not only right, therefore, but just that -the Jews should pay taxes to Rome. And so it is in our own day. "We -believe," asserted Joseph Smith, "that governments were instituted of -God for the benefit of man." It becomes therefore the duty of every -honest citizen to do his utmost to uphold the righteous laws of the -government, and to help in the maintaining of peace and order. And -it is not only right, but just, that we should pay the taxes imposed -by the government. We all enjoy the benefits derived from civil -organization—protection, liberty, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p232"></a>{232}</span> illumination, trade, good -roads, and all. The man who tries, then, to evade the taxes and the -responsibilities of the government is dishonest. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The Church.</span> -</p> -<p>But in declaring that it is right to render to Caesar the things that -are Caesar's, Jesus also taught that man owes likewise certain duties -to his The Church, religious organization. Render, said He, "to God the -things that are God's." In line with this thought we are instructed by -another experience of the Lord's. When Jesus and His disciples came -one day in their journeyings to Capernaum, "they that received tribute -money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your Master pay tribute (the -temple tax)? He saith Yes, And when He was come into the house Jesus -prevented (anticipated) him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon, of whom -do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children -or of strangers? Peter saith unto Him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto -him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend -them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that -first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a -piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee." -</p> -<p>These gatherers of tribute money, were, it appears, those who collected -the taxes for the support and maintenance of the temple at Jerusalem. -Jesus was Himself the son of God. He was the Master of the temple. He -might have been free from the tax. But Jesus recognized the fact that -the principle was right; therefore, He paid the tax. And in doing so, -He taught the lesson <span class="pagenum"><a name="p233"></a>{233}</span> that it is right and just for every citizen -in the kingdom of God to pay the taxes imposed for the maintenance of -the kingdom. As with the state, so with the kingdom of God, he who -tries to evade the temple tax is dishonest. "Behold," declared Jesus -to the great modern Prophet, "now it is called today (until the coming -of the Son of man), and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for -the tithing of my people, for he that is tithed shall not burn at His -coming." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The teachings of our own Church.</span> -</p> -<p>The children of the Latter-day Saints have much for which to be -thankful. Here we are reared in the sanctity of the home, in love and -in the fear of God. Our family relations are established to continue -throughout the eternities. Here we are taught to yield honor and -obedience to established government, and to deserve the benefits -provided by it. Here we are taught to revere the priesthood of God, -to pay ungrudgingly our tithes and our offerings, and to do our best -from day to day in the upbuilding of righteousness. And this we do that -we may live and profit and prosper together; for no one can live to -himself alone. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Mark 12:13-17. Doc. and Cov. 49:15. -</p> -<p>Matt. 17:24-27. Doc. and Cov. 134:1. -</p> -<p>Doc. and Cov. 64:23. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p234"></a>{234}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What is the meaning of Aesop's fable? -</p> -<p>2. Explain by means of the football squad how man can not live to -himself. -</p> -<p>3. What did Jesus teach concerning man's duty to the family? -</p> -<p>4. What are a man's obligations to the state in which he lives? -</p> -<p>5. What does a man owe to the church to which he belongs? -</p> -<p>6. Why should the children of the Latter-day Saints be grateful above -all other children? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p235"></a>{235}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p236"></a>{236}</span><p><img id="jesuswashingpetersfeet" src="images/jesuswashingpetersfeet.jpg" alt="JESUS WASHING PETER'S FEET, Brown"><p class="caption"> - JESUS WASHING PETER'S FEET, Brown -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p237"></a>{237}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXXI"></a>XXXI -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">HE THAT EXALTETH HIMSELF -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The old law and the new.</span> -</p> -<p>Everyone who has compared the teachings of the law of Moses with -those of Jesus must have been impressed with the essential difference -between those teaching's. The old law always emphasized the actual, or -material, elements of life, and provided punishment for deeds actually -committed. Thus the law of Moses exhorted, Thou shalt not kill, thou -shalt not steal, thou shalt not do this or that. And if one violated -this material law, he became liable to the penalty—but only if he -actually committed a deed in violation of law. Jesus, on the other -hand, went back of the act to the state of mind that prompted the act. -In other words, the essential thing in the philosophy of Jesus was not -the act itself, but the motive back of it. Instead of "Thou shalt not -kill," Jesus said, "Whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in -danger of the judgment." Jesus did not say. Thou shalt not commit acts -of immorality, but, He that entertains an impure thought is already -guilty of the immoral act. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The teaching of Jesus psychological.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus was not a psychologist in the modern sense, yet this teaching of -Jesus is psychologically true. Our acts are but the fruits of thoughts -that have found lodgment, care, and nourishment in our minds. Our -minds, indeed, are but gardens. Seed-thoughts are blown into them by -this wind and by that. Involuntarily as well as voluntarily suggestions -come into the mind. Now, if the seed-thoughts that are waited into the -mind-garden are good, and are carefully tended and nurtured, the garden -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p238"></a>{238}</span> will bear good fruit—the acts performed will be charitable and -clean. But if the seed-thoughts that find lodgment in the mind are -noxious, and if these noxious seeds—these destructive weeds of the -mind—be tended and nurtured, then the acts resulting therefrom will -necessarily be evil. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A concrete example.</span> -</p> -<p>Let us turn from this abstract discussion to the concrete example. Do -you know why a good boy, who has been taught all his life to keep his -body clean from the loathsome poison of tobacco, sometimes takes to -smoking cigarettes in spite of his teaching? The reason is perfectly -clear. The boy has been tempted. A noxious seed-thought has found -lodgment in the boy's mind. Now, had the boy been really strong, had -he gone to like a good gardener, hoe in hand, and cleaned out the -weeds, the noxious plants could never have bloomed nor borne fruit. But -because the boy entertained the evil thought, gave it nourishment and -tended it, it grew and spread until the good seed and fruitage of his -conscience were crowded out of the mind. One thought, then, remained -in power; and on that thought the boy acted. He became a smoker of -cigarettes. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The motive all important.</span> -</p> -<p>Such examples as this might be multiplied without limit. If you will -examine your own acts, you will find that every act of yours is the -result of a preconceived thought, entertained and fed. Is it not clear, -then, that the teaching of Jesus is far better than the teaching of -the Old Law? It is more important to train the mind and to guard the -motives, than merely to guard one's acts. If one's <span class="pagenum"><a name="p239"></a>{239}</span> motives are -pure, wholesome, and sound, one's acts cannot but be so also. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus's doctrine of rewards.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, just as Jesus differed in His teaching of the ultimate basis of -the moral life from the teaching of the Old Law, so He differed from -the Old Law in His teachings about rewards. Amongst the Jews of the -time of Jesus, the fear of punishment or the hope of immediate good -fortune constituted the primary motive of a good life. In other words, -rewards—more or less material and immediate—were in the Old Law the -inspiration to action. Jesus would do away with such an attitude toward -charitable living. He would have people do good for the good's sake; -He would have people live right for the sake of right living, He would -have people work righteousness for the sake of righteousness. And He -emphasized and drove home the thought that if any one worked merely -to increase his own honor and to exalt himself in the eyes of men, he -should fail, and should be humiliated in the attempt. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A parable in point.</span> -</p> -<p>"It came to pass," says the New Testament narrative, "as (Jesus) went -into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the -sabbath day, that they watched Him. . . . "And He put forth a parable -to those which were bidden, when He marked how they chose out the chief -rooms; saying unto them. When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, -sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou -be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee. -Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. -But when thou <span class="pagenum"><a name="p240"></a>{240}</span> art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; -that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up -higher: then thou shalt have worship in the presence of them that sit -at meat with thee. -</p> -<p>"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth -himself shall be exalted." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A sound psychological principle.</span> -</p> -<p>Here again Jesus announces a sound, psychological principle. Men who -crowd and push themselves forward always arouse the ill will and -antagonism of their fellowmen; whereas those who are humble and meek -stir the admiration of their fellowmen and are advanced by them. All -our acts should be inspired, not by the desire for honor or for worldly -reward, but by the desire to work righteousness. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A further illustration.</span> -</p> -<p>This principle Jesus illustrated further by a direct address to the -Pharisee who had invited Him. "When thou makest a dinner or a supper; -call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy -rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be -made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the -lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense -thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Peter and the question of recompense.</span> -</p> -<p>The question of recompense has disturbed many people; unfortunately, -it is still uppermost in the minds of some. It was undoubtedly the -question of recompense that troubled Peter when he said to Jesus, "Lo, -we have left all, and have followed Thee." We may imagine that the rest -of his thought ran somewhat like this: What shall be <span class="pagenum"><a name="p241"></a>{241}</span> our reward? -Jesus very promptly answered, "Verily I say unto you, There is no man -that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, -for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in -this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." -</p> -<p>"But many that are first shall be last; and the last first." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The reward worth while.</span> -</p> -<p>Jesus did not discourage entirely, then, the idea of rewards. But He -emphasized the necessity of the pure and upright motive, and service -for the sake of service. Then, those who serve shall receive a -reward—not material, perhaps, but spiritual—which shall fill their -lives here, and assure life everlasting hereafter. What does it matter, -after all, if one lose one's worldly possessions but gain contentment -of soul and an assurance of eternal exaltation? There are men who are -possessed of untold material wealth who would give all to gain the -simple testimony of Jesus possessed by the simplest and humblest member -in the Church of Christ. Indeed, true contentment—which is the chief -reward of a well-spent life—can come only as the result of service -unselfishly rendered. Neither wealth nor poverty can bring about the -worth-while, spiritual reward of an act prompted by a worthy motive. -And without question, many that are first, in this world, shall be last -in the day of judgment. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Conclusion.</span> -</p> -<p>This we have, then, to let sink deep into our hearts: Jesus would have -us guard the motives of our acts; He would have us understand that our -acts are but the outward fruits of our inner <span class="pagenum"><a name="p242"></a>{242}</span> thoughts; with our -motives pure, He would have us perform good deeds without thought of -reward; He would have us do good where no recompense can be had; He -would have us remain meek and humble in thought, in word, and in deed, -innocent of any selfish act. Then will He recompense us with a reward, -indeed: satisfaction, contentment, spiritual light, the goods of this -world as we shall need them, and life everlasting, the greatest gift of -God. -</p><blockquote> -<p class="poetry"> "Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled,<br> - And he who humbles himself shall be exalted."<br> -</p></blockquote> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Luke 14:1, 7-14. Luke 18:28-30. -</p> -<p>Mark 10:31. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What is the difference between the Old Law and the New in the -teaching about acts and motives? -</p> -<p>2. Show that the teaching of Jesus is psychologically correct. -</p> -<p>3. Illustrate the process of the action growing from the thought by -some instance other than that of the cigarette smoker. -</p> -<p>4. What was the attitude of Jesus toward the doctrine of material -rewards? -</p> -<p>5. How does the question of motive affect this doctrine? -</p> -<p>6. Discuss the parable of the Wedding Feast. -</p> -<p>7. Why is it well to do good where there can be no hope of recompense? -</p> -<p>8. Explain the answer of Jesus to Peter. -</p> -<p>9. What is the nature of the reward worth while? -</p> -<p>10. How shall we gain the reward worth while? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p243"></a>{243}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p244"></a>{244}</span> - -<p><img id="thewiseandthefoolishvirgins" src="images/thewiseandthefoolishvirgins.jpg" alt="THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH VIRGINS, Wainwright"><p class="caption">THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH VIRGINS, Wainwright -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p245"></a>{245}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXXII"></a>XXXII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">EXTRA SERVICE -</p> -<p>Teaching further the nature of service, and what kind of service is -pleasing to God, Jesus told His disciples the parable of the laborers -in the vineyard. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The parable of the laborers.</span> -</p> -<p>"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which -went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And -when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them -into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others -standing idle in the market place, and said unto them: Go ye also into -the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went -their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did -likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others -standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand you here all the day -idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto -them. Go ye also into the vineyard: and whatsoever is right, that shall -ye receive. -</p> -<p>"So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his -steward. Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from -the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the -eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first -came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they -likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, -they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying. These last have -wrought but one hour, and thou hast <span class="pagenum"><a name="p246"></a>{246}</span> made them equal unto us, -which have borne the burden and heat of the day. -</p> -<p>"But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: -didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go -thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not -lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, -because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for -many be called but few chosen." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The value of service in the world's work.</span> -</p> -<p>In the world's work, there are many today who become offended for -the same reason that the laborers, who had borne the burden and the -heat of the day, became offended. But that is because they do not -understand the principle of service and wages. In every industrial or -commercial institution rewards in the way of salary or promotion are -made dependent, not upon the length of service, but upon the quality of -service and the spirit put into the service. In a certain mercantile -institution, for example—an institution with which you are perhaps -all acquainted—there was employed not many years ago a young man of -unusual ambition and energy. There were then in the department in which -he was placed, men who had been in the employ of the institution for -fifteen or twenty years. This young man gave value received in return -for the compensation he was given. He put quality into his service; he -put spirit into his service; he threw himself into his work body and -soul. Before long, he was made head of the department. Those who had -served for many years were offended, and murmured against the manager. -But the reward came, as rewards worth while must <span class="pagenum"><a name="p247"></a>{247}</span> always come, for -quality and spirit of service. The young man has continued to give to -the institution the best that it was in him to give; he has continued, -too, to advance; today he stands next to the superintendent, with the -outlook that ere long, when the superintendent retires, he may become -himself the superintendent. In the meantime, men of long years of -service are still in the same positions that they held when this young -man entered the employ of the institution. Promotion and reward are -based on merit. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The value of service in the Church.</span> -</p> -<p>If we turn now to the spiritual life, we shall find that the same -principle obtains. Length of membership, or service, in the Church -does not assure exaltation. Indeed, there are many men in the Church -who have belonged to it from childhood to a ripe old age, who may -nevertheless receive a very meager compensation. Theirs has been a -life of membership only. They have rendered little or no service; and -such service as they have rendered has been of inferior quality and -questionable spirit. In reward, they will receive whatsoever is right. -On the other hand, men who have had the privilege of belonging to the -Church in this life for only a short time may receive as large a reward -as the others, or even a larger reward than theirs. For again, these -members of few years, have in those few years rendered service of a -quality far superior to that of those of long years of membership. In -the spiritual life or in the temporal life it is true that one may hope -to get in return only as much as one gives. It is a law of physics -that action and reaction are equal and opposite. An adaptation of that -law may be applied here. <span class="pagenum"><a name="p248"></a>{248}</span> When we enter into service, temporal or -spiritual, our lord will give us whatsoever is right. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The test of profitableness.</span> -</p> -<p>A question like this may now arise in your minds: How shall we know -whether or not our service is sufficient and adequate? Another parable -of the Lord's will help us find the answer to the question. "Which of -you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by -and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And -will not rather say unto him. Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird -thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward -thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the -things that were commanded him? I trow (believe) not. So likewise ye, -when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, -We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to -do." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The application to the day's work.</span> -</p> -<p>In any position in life, there are certain duties which we are required -to do. The cash-boy in the department store, the elevator boy, the -clerk behind the counter, the stenographer in the manager's office, -the bookkeeper, the what not, has each one a specified kind of work -to do. But if each one does only that which he is required to do, no -more, he is in a sense an unprofitable servant. He can lay claim to -no special consideration, no special reward. But if one of them does -more than merely what is required of him; if he comes early and stays -late; if he plans and toils to make the business more attractive, more -efficient; if he promotes business, then is he indeed a profitable -servant. When we enter into <span class="pagenum"><a name="p249"></a>{249}</span> the employ of others, it is our duty -to do faithfully all that is required of us; it is our privilege to -give extra service, to make ourselves thoroughly useful and wholly -efficient, to merit special consideration. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The application to Church service.</span> -</p> -<p>So is it also in the Church of Jesus Christ. There are many things -we are required as members to do. It is our duty—and a duty full of -pleasure it should be—to attend the regular services of the Church, to -partake of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to magnify one's calling -in the priesthood, to give offerings cheerfully to help the poor, to -pay tithing, and so forth. But if we do these things only, the duties -required by virtue of membership, we do only the things commanded us to -do. We may count ourselves unprofitable servants. To become profitable -servants, we should look after the thousand and one other opportunities -that lie about us. It is our privilege to perform extra service. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">An Exclamation against mere formal performance of duty.</span> -</p> -<p>One day when Jesus was apparently wrought up by the hypocrisy of the -scribes and the Pharisees, He exclaimed against them thus: "Woe unto -you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and -anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, -judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to -leave the other undone." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A privilege to give extra service.</span> -</p> -<p>It is right that we should pay our tithes and offerings, and attend -to the duties of our membership. These ought we to do. But in doing -them we ought not to leave undone other things that may possibly be -of even greater weight in <span class="pagenum"><a name="p250"></a>{250}</span> the estimation of God. Reward cannot -come merely because of length of service, but must come because of the -quality and the spirit of the service. And to become truly profitable -servants, we must seize every opportunity for extra service. -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 20:1-16. Luke 17:7-11. -</p> -<p>Matt. 23:23. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. On what terms were the laborers of the parable employed in the -vineyard? -</p> -<p>2. How can you justify the paying of the same wage to the laborers who -were employed at the eleventh hour as to those who worked all day? -</p> -<p>3. What is the application of the lesson of this parable to man's daily -work? -</p> -<p>4. What is its application to Church service? -</p> -<p>5. How shall we know when our service is sufficient and adequate? -</p> -<p>6. Why did Jesus condemn the scribes and the Pharisees? -</p> -<p>7. Show that extra service is a privilege. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p251"></a>{251}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p252"></a>{252}</span> -<p><img id="christdrivingoutthemoneychangers" src="images/christdrivingoutthemoneychangers.jpg" alt="CHRIST DRIVING OUT THE MONEY CHANGERS, Hofmann"><p class="caption">CHRIST DRIVING OUT THE MONEY CHANGERS, Hofmann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p253"></a>{253}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXXIII"></a>XXXIII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">A PROPHET IN HIS OWN COUNTRY -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A perfect man and an exemplary leader.</span> -</p> -<p>In all the history of the world there has never been another man like -Jesus, nor another mission like that which He performed. We have -heard so much of the meekness and humility of Jesus, of His suffering -all things and resenting nothing, of His going like a lamb to the -slaughter, that many people have formed a picture of Jesus that is -wholly unworthy of Him. Some of you, even, may possibly think of -Jesus as a weak sort of man who takes all kinds of abuse. But such a -conception of Jesus considers only one of the virtues in the man, and -does not consider the whole man. Jesus was just such a man as every boy -and girl delights to see. In body He was strong, robust, physically -perfect, with a wholesomeness of body quite unequalled by any other -man. No trial or hardship deterred Him from pushing forward to the -goal on which He had fixed His mind. No danger daunted Him. For His -spirit was as wholesome and as perfect as was His body. When He was -aroused by righteous indignation. His fearlessness knew no bounds. -Picture Him, for example, alone and unafraid, with a scourge in His -hand, driving the money changers and the petty merchants out of His -Father's house! In body and in spirit, Jesus was perfect—of the purest -athletic type. But Jesus was also a perfect leader. Hence, He had -Himself in perfect control. While He suffered pain as <span class="pagenum"><a name="p254"></a>{254}</span> do other -men; while He experienced the thrill of affection and love as do other -men; while He could become angry, and possessed the passions that other -men do—yet He had so subdued the mortal in Him to the divine, that the -baser nature never once gained power over the Son of God. In this He -set us an example of how we should live. It was because of His perfect -self-control that He appeared always as the meek and lowly Nazarene. It -is not difficult to understand that such a man aroused the wonder and -admiration of the people to whom He ministered. Such a man we ourselves -delight to worship. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A work full of wonder.</span> -</p> -<p>The daily work of Jesus aroused as much wonder as did the physical and -spiritual characteristics. His enemies even were constrained to admit -that no other man ever spoke with such power and authority as did -Jesus. And certainly, no other man has ever displayed such divine power -as did Jesus. Throughout Judea, Samaria and Galilee, Jesus demonstrated -His marvelous power and authority in healing the sick, in restoring the -halt and the maimed, in quieting the storm, and even in raising the -dead. It was, indeed, a marvelous work and a wonder. It reads almost -like a fairy tale. And yet these things Jesus, the Son of God, actually -did. In this lesson, we shall consider briefly some of the statements -of the strange miracles Jesus performed. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A healer and worker of miracles.</span> -</p> -<p>While laboring in Galilee, Jesus performed an untold number of -miracles. Mark tells us how the fame of Jesus as a miracle worker had -spread abroad, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p255"></a>{255}</span> and how the afflicted flocked to Him. One day, -when the offended Pharisees and Herodians were taking counsel against -Him, Jesus withdrew Himself with His disciples to the sea: and a -great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea, and from -Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about -Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great -things He did, came unto Him. And He spake to His disciples, that a -small ship should wait on Him because of the multitude, lest they -should throng Him. For He had healed many; insomuch that they pressed -upon Him for to touch Him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, -when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, Thou art -the Son of God. And He straitly charged them that they should not make -Him known." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The conditions in Palestine.</span> -</p> -<p>With a little exercise of the imagination, you can easily visualize the -remarkable scene described thus vividly by St. Mark. But in order to -understand how such a condition could be possible it becomes necessary -to know something about Galilee in the time of Jesus. Historians agree -in telling us that ever since the days of Alexander the Great, all the -vice and the wickedness of both the East and the West had literally -poured into Palestine. The land of the chosen people had become -corrupt, as had the chosen people themselves. Their bodies had become -afflicted and their minds diseased through habits of wrong living and -wrong thinking. Beggars were as common as the turns in the roadway; and -nearly every beggar was distorted by some <span class="pagenum"><a name="p256"></a>{256}</span> terrible and loathsome -disease. The insane, and those possessed of evil spirits, were almost -without number. Their condition, too, was pitiable. In all the land -that was blessed by God to become the home of His own people, there was -no one to help the unfortunates. Instead of a land flowing with milk -and honey, it had become a land poisoned with vice and corruption. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A mission of love.</span> -</p> -<p>It was into such a land, and amongst such a people, that the physically -and spiritually perfect Jesus came to minister. Devoted to a mission -of love. Jesus turned the strength of His own perfection and the power -of His divine authority to the healing of the sick and afflicted, to -the assuaging of the sufferings of the poor, and to the saving of -the ignorant. It was a manifestation of divine power and compassion, -without thought of reward or honor, for He always charged those to whom -He ministered, "See that thou tell no man." -</p> -<p>We have neither time nor space to consider the miracles of Jesus in -detail. Let us read only three. The first exhibits the power of Jesus -over physical illness; the second, His power over nature and the -elements; the third. His power over death itself. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The centurion's servant.</span> -</p> -<p>"When Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a -centurion, beseeching Him, and saying. Lord, my servant lieth at home -sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I -will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not -worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof: but speak the word only, -and my servant shall be <span class="pagenum"><a name="p257"></a>{257}</span> healed. For I am a man under authority, -having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; -and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and -he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to them that -followed. Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, -not in Israel.... And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as -thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed -in the selfsame hour." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Stilling the tempest.</span> -</p> -<p>"When the even was come. He saith unto them. Let us pass over unto the -other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him -even as He was in the ship: and there were also with Him other little -ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into -the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the -ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, -carest Thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, -and said unto the sea. Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there -was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is -it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to -another. What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea -obey Him?" -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The raising of Lazarus.</span> -</p> -<p>"Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead; and I am glad -for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; -nevertheless let us go unto him. . . . Then when Jesus came, He found -that he had lain in the grave four days already. . . . Then when Mary -was <span class="pagenum"><a name="p258"></a>{258}</span> come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at his feet, -saying unto Him, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not -died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping -which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and -said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see. -Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him! And some of -them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have -caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again -groaning in Himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay -upon it. Jesus said. Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him -that was dead, saith unto Him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he -hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her. Said I not unto thee, -that, if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? -Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. -And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said. Father, I thank Thee that Thou -hast heard me. And I knew that Thou hearest me always: but because of -the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou -hast sent me. And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, -Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and -foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. -Jesus saith unto them. Loose him, and let him go." -</p> -<p>More marvelous power than that recorded in these three instances cannot -be imagined. Our admiration is wrought up to the highest point; and in -imagination <span class="pagenum"><a name="p259"></a>{259}</span> we see the strong, pure, healthy and wholesome Man, -giving freely of His strength and life-force to those who come to Him, -ministering to them, and saving them from their own evil lives and -evil habits of thought. We wonder that there could be anyone who would -reject such a Leader. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">In His own country.</span> -</p> -<p>And yet, when He left the seashore and returned to Nazareth and His -own country, Jesus was rejected by His own. "When the sabbath day was -come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were -astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what -wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are -wrought by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the -brother of James and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not His -sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him. -</p> -<p>"But Jesus said unto them, A Prophet is not without honour, but in his -own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And He could -there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick -folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Mark 3:7-12 Matt. 8:5-10, 13. -</p> -<p>Mark 4:33-41. John 11:1-44. -</p> -<p>Mark 6:1-6. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p260"></a>{260}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What kind of man was Jesus physically? -</p> -<p>2. What kind of man was Jesus spiritually? -</p> -<p>3. What quality made Jesus a great leader? -</p> -<p>4. What was the condition of Galilee—and all Palestine—at the time of -Jesus? -</p> -<p>5. How did Jesus manifest His divine power? -</p> -<p>6. Describe some miracles wrought by Jesus. -</p> -<p>7. Why is it surprising that all Palestine did not believe in Him, and -accept Him? -</p> -<p>8. What principle did Jesus teach concerning a prophet in his own -country? -</p> -<p>9. Why could Jesus do no mighty work in His own country? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p261"></a>{261}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p262"></a>{262}</span> - -<p><img id="jesushealingthesick" src="images/jesushealingthesick.jpg" alt="JESUS HEALING THE SICK, Schoenherr"><p class="caption">JESUS HEALING THE SICK, Schoenherr -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p263"></a>{263}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXXIV"></a>XXXIV -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE MEANING OF MIRACLES -</p> -<p>After reading of the wonderful miracles that Jesus performed in -Galilee, one begins to wonder what a miracle really is. One begins to -wonder by what power a miracle is performed. The miracles of Jesus are -in the main so unusual, so extraordinary, so apparently in violation of -all known laws of nature, that one begins almost to wonder how Jesus -could upset the laws of nature. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The explanation of the scribes.</span> -</p> -<p>Apparently, Jesus's marvelous miracle-working power puzzled the people -of His own generation. They knew little of the laws of nature, of -course. They had been taught to believe in the possibility of miracles. -But they were loath to grant any degree of divine power to Jesus. -Hence, on one occasion, "the scribes which came down from Jerusalem -said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out -devils." Of course, such a suggestion was absurd. Jesus Himself said -to His disciples, "How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be -divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be -divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up -against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end." To -this argument, there is, of course, no answer. It proves conclusively, -that Jesus did not perform miracles through the power of Beelzebub. -What a miracle is, by what power it is performed and why miracles are -permitted, are questions that we shall consider in this lesson. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p264"></a>{264}</span> <span class="sidenote">The universal presence of law.</span> -</p> -<p>Let us consider first, then, what a miracle really is. As a matter of -fact, a miracle is never an act accomplished in violation of law. You -must understand that the universe is ruled by law. Everything that -happens, happens through the operation of law. If we live wisely—eat -right and think right—then it follows by the law of nature that we -shall have strong, wholesome bodies like the Christ's, and clear, -active minds like His. But if we violate the rules of right living, -then come certain laws of retribution, and we are made to pay the -penalty of our wrongdoing And so it is throughout the universe The -heavenly bodies are directed and governed by law; God's creatures -everywhere are subject to law; the earth on which we dwell, with the -strange and marvelous and mighty phenomena which we here daily observe, -is a product of law. Would it not be inconsistent, then, to think that -Jesus—who is Himself the God of law—should work in violation of law? -His own words in refutation of the statement of the scribes that He was -in league with Beelzebub, is a sufficient answer to such a supposition. -"If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." We -must conclude, therefore, that a miracle, no matter how unnatural it -may seem, is accomplished through the operation of some law of the -universe. Yet, how can this be true, when some miracles that are well -authenticated seem to be so utterly in violation of the laws of nature -known to us? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The miracle of the telephone.</span> -</p> -<p>There was a time—and that not so very long ago—when it was thought -impossible that a man should ever be able to speak clearly and -distinctly to a friend a <span class="pagenum"><a name="p265"></a>{265}</span> hundred miles away, and hear in return, -as clearly and as distinctly, the voice of his friend. Certain men, -however, who were prying into the secrets of nature discovered -some things about sound. They learned that sound travels through -some medium, like the air, by means of waves—waves of alternate -condensation and rarefaction of the air, for example. Then these men -studied the human ear, and they learned that as these sound waves -struck the ear, the drum of the ear was made to vibrate back and forth -as a condensed part of the air or a rarefied part of the air struck -it. The men became interested; further study revealed the fact that -almost any disk, like the drum of the ear, could be made to vibrate to -sound waves. It was found that these sound waves could be transmitted -through string, or wire. It was discovered that a small current of -electricity flowing through a wire aided in the conducting of the -sound wave. Little by little science progressed, until by and by -there appeared a telephone. It was crude, and it reproduced the human -voice with a terrible roar. But the men of science worked at it; they -perfected first one part of it, then another, as they learned better -to understand the laws governing the reproduction of sound. Finally -came the perfect telephone. Today it is possible to telephone—not a -hundred miles merely—but from New York to San Francisco, clear across -a continent, a distance of several thousand miles. Such an achievement, -if it had been shown suddenly, would have been considered a miracle. -It would have been in violation of all the known laws of nature. But -now we know that this <span class="pagenum"><a name="p266"></a>{266}</span> miracle has been accomplished through -the harnessing of natural laws not known to our forefathers. The -achievement is the result of neither violation of law, nor co-operation -with Beelzebub. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Other miracles of science.</span> -</p> -<p>The story of the achievements of science is full of wonders like that -of the telephone. Any one of them, if it had been revealed suddenly, -would have seemed as unusual, as extraordinary, certainly in violation -of natural law, as the turning of water into wine, or as any of the -miracles of healing performed by Jesus. Think of the achievement of -the telegraph which covers with a network of wires every land area in -the world; think of the huge cable slung undersea tying together the -nations; think of the Marconigraph making it possible to send messages -the world over without the medium of wires; think of the X-ray and the -wonderful photography made possible by it; think of the innumerable -achievements of modern medicine, relieving pain, effecting cures -of ills that were once thought incurable, correcting deformities, -restoring sight and hearing, almost giving new life to the dead. These -and countless other wonders of modern life should teach us what a -miracle is. Man performs every day wonders that may almost be called -miracles only—since he possesses very limited power—it takes him a -long time to get his results. Jesus, acting with divine power, called -into play the laws of life, and accomplished in a moment what it would -take the man of science an indefinite period to do. In other words, -just as the wonderful achievements of science have been made possible -through the discovering and the harnessing of the laws of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="p267"></a>{267}</span> -universe, so a miracle such as Jesus performed is made possible through -the rapid assembly and harnessing of the natural laws that govern the -case in hand. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The power of the Priesthood.</span> -</p> -<p>But by what power did Jesus marshal the laws of nature, and direct them -to His own desires? By the power of the priesthood of God. No man can -hope to perform miracles who does not possess the authority of that -priesthood. Jesus Himself was the Son of God, and held the authority -of His own priesthood. And any man upon whom Jesus has conferred that -priesthood may go forth likewise, and heal the sick and do other mighty -works in His name. Men holding the priesthood of the Son of God need -only to go out in the strength of their manhood, in the cleanness and -purity of their lives, and in the fearlessness of their convictions. -In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and -in the power of their priesthood, they, too, may command the higher, -yet unknown laws of the universe, and effect cures and restorations -as marvelous as those recorded in the ministry of Jesus and the first -apostles. "I came unto my own," said Jesus to the Prophet of the -dispensation of the Fulness of Times, "and my own received me not; but -unto as many as received me, gave I power to do many miracles, and to -become the sons of God, and even unto them that believed on my name -gave I power to obtain eternal life." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The purpose of miracles.</span> -</p> -<p>For what purpose are miracles wrought? In all generations there have -been people who have sought signs, by which they might be converted. -But miracles are not given for the <span class="pagenum"><a name="p268"></a>{268}</span> purpose of converting the -unbelieving. The scribes and the Pharisees came to Jesus, saying, -"Master, we would have a sign from Thee. But He answered and said -unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign." -What then is the purpose of miracles? Miracles come as the result of -faith; they do not come to create faith. In His own country, Jesus even -could perform no mighty work because the people had not faith in Him. -Miracles are a kind of reward of faith, and serve to strengthen faith -already born. "It shall come to pass," said Jesus in modern times, -"that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto -death, shall be healed; he who hath faith to see shall see; he who hath -faith to hear shall hear; the lame who hath faith to leap shall leap." -All these good things come by faith to increase our faith. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The privilege of the sick.</span> -</p> -<p>So, in the providence of God, it is given to the authority of the -priesthood, through faith, to do mighty works—to command forces of -nature not yet understood by man, and thereby to perform miracles, for -the increasing of faith and the perfecting of the saints. Said James -the apostle, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of -the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the -name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the -Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be -forgiven him." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p269"></a>{269}</span> -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Mark 3:22-26. Matt. 12:38, 39. -</p> -<p>Doc. and Cov. 45:8. Doc. and Cov. 42:48-52. -</p> -<p>James 5:14, 15. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What questions are aroused by the reading of the miracles performed -by Jesus? -</p> -<p>2. How did the scribes explain Jesus's miracle-working power? -</p> -<p>3. What was the answer of Jesus? -</p> -<p>4. How can it be shown that the universe is ruled by law? -</p> -<p>5. Explain the miracle of the telephone? -</p> -<p>6. What other miraculous achievements have been made by science? -</p> -<p>7. How does a miracle differ from one of these achievements of science? -</p> -<p>8. Show that it is no more difficult to believe in one of the miracles -than in one of the achievements of science. -</p> -<p>9. By what power are miracles performed? -</p> -<p>10. What is the purpose of miracles? -</p> -<p>11. What privilege does everyone of us enjoy when he is sick? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p270"></a>{270}</span> - -<p><img id="christbeforepilate" src="images/christbeforepilate.jpg" alt="CHRIST BEFORE PILATE, Hofmann"><p class="caption">CHRIST BEFORE PILATE, Hofmann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p271"></a>{271}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXXV"></a>XXXV -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">AN ATONING SACRIFICE -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">An incredible thought.</span> -</p> -<p>As He went about His Father's business teaching the means of eternal -life, Jesus presented many principles that it was difficult for His -followers to understand, but you may readily imagine that He presented -no other thought so hard for them to comprehend as the thought that -He must lay down His own life. To His disciples, Jesus was the Mighty -King come to establish His reign on earth. They thought that He would -establish an earthly kingdom; that He would overthrow the dominion of -Rome in Palestine; that He would restore the independence of the Jewish -nation. It did not occur to them that His was more largely a spiritual -kingdom, than a material kingdom. The thought that He should lose His -life seemed impossible to them; indeed, it was abhorrent to them. Many -of them did not learn to understand Jesus's sayings about His death -until after He was actually laid away in the tomb. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus's foreknowledge of His death.</span> -</p> -<p>But the knowledge of His approaching and inevitable death, seems -to have been always present with Jesus Himself. Very early in His -ministry, Jesus foreshadowed the coming end. "The days will come," He -declared to those assembling about Him, "when the bridegroom shall be -taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." Somewhat -later. He spoke of His death as a "baptism," and asserted that it -would become a kind of test to determine, who was for him and who was -against Him." "I am come to send fire on the earth," declared He; "and -what <span class="pagenum"><a name="p272"></a>{272}</span> will I if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be -baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose -ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you Nay; but rather -division; for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, -three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided -against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against -the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law -against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her -mother-in-law." The division in the family would be caused, of course, -because some members would accept Jesus, whereas others would reject -Him; some would find in His sinless death reason for worship, whereas -others would find in His sufferings sufficient reason for rejection. -</p> -<p>After Peter's confession, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living -God," at Caesarea Phillipi, Jesus began more definitely to proclaim a -violent death. Immediately, "He began to teach them, that the Son of -man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the -chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise -again. And He spake that saying openly," we read. "And Peter took Him -and began to rebuke Him." Or, as Matthew expresses it, Peter rebuked -Him, saying, "Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee." -It is evident then that even though Peter was inspired to know that -Jesus was the Christ, he had not yet received an understanding of -the fact that Jesus must suffer death at the hands of His enemies in -order to fulfill His great mission to the earth. And if Peter did not -understand this truth, you may easily believe, that the thought of it -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p273"></a>{273}</span> was intolerable to the rest of the disciples. They could not -conceive of their divine leader's failing to establish the kingdom of -God as an earthly dominion. Then further to impress upon His disciples -the fact that His death was required by the law of sacrifice, He told -them that they must themselves not expect to profit in a worldly or -political way through their association with Him; but rather must they -expect to suffer persecution and to sacrifice themselves. For sacrifice -and service are demanded in the kingdom of God. "Whosoever will come -after me," said Jesus to the awe-stricken disciples, "let him deny -himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save -his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake -and the gospel's, the same shall save it." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The significance of the death of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>It is not necessary here to quote further in detail the sayings of -Jesus which indicate that He foreknew the violent death which He was -destined to suffer. He assured James and John, when they sought places -of honor and power in His Kingdom, that they were not able to drink -the cup that He had to drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with -which He was to be baptized. And at the last supper, when He instituted -the ordinance we call now the sacrament. He said of the broken bread, -"Take, eat; this is my body;" and of the cup, "Drink ye all of it; for -this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the -remission of sins." From these statements, it is apparent that certain -facts were clearly understood by Jesus, and that He endeavored as -clearly to teach them to His disciples. These points are four, and you -should try to remember them. First, Jesus foreknew and <span class="pagenum"><a name="p274"></a>{274}</span> proclaimed -that the hatred of His enemies—the scribes and the Pharisees and the -rulers in general—would finally bring about His death. Then, He knew -equally well, and asserted with the same assurance, that His death -was divinely appointed. Again, He assured His disciples that if they -would gain places of honor in His kingdom, they too must be prepared -to practice self-denial, to humble themselves and render service, and -even, if necessary, to lay down their own lives for the Gospel's sake. -Finally, Jesus announced that, through His death, mankind would be -redeemed from sin, and that His death was therefore not a defeat but a -glorious victory. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Worldly views of how Jesus's death can save.</span> -</p> -<p>These teachings are certainly inspiring and hopeful. The last one is -particularly consoling. But, of course, it is only natural to ask, -From what does the death of Christ actually deliver us? How can His -death deliver us from sin? These questions have been asked by men ever -since the crucifixion. It is almost amusing what strange notions people -have held—and do still hold—in answer to these questions. Thus, some -people believe that the death of Jesus represented the price paid to -Satan to prevail upon him to release man from his power. Others believe -that when Jesus gave His life for many, it was to protect them, or -deliver them, from the fear of death. Still others hold that through -His death Jesus broke the bonds that held His disciples to the belief -and understanding that God's kingdom, was an earthly and temporal -kingdom, and that the salvation which Jesus taught was earthly. Of -course, no one of these theories—nor any one of several others not -here mentioned—satisfies the conditions of the sacrifice made by -Jesus. It does not really reveal from what <span class="pagenum"><a name="p275"></a>{275}</span> His death rescues us, -nor how it is possible for His death to rescue us at all. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The real significance of the death of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>It is strange that there should be so much confusion about the nature -and purpose of Jesus's atoning sacrifice. It is well known that through -the sin of Adam, death came into the world. That death was not only -physical but spiritual; for man was driven out from the presence of -God. Adam broke a divine law. Necessarily, punishment, came to him. -Now, in accordance with the law of justice, Adam and his children could -be redeemed from death, and restored to the presence of God, only by -satisfying in some way the broken law. How could that be done? We have -learned, you remember, that there was a council in heaven before the -earth was formed. There the whole plan of salvation was revealed. Jesus -was appointed to become the Christ. His mission was to teach men to -know God, that they might be prepared to return to Him, and through -His own death to satisfy the demands of justice and thus to break the -bands of physical death. This may, perhaps, be a little difficult to -understand, but it is certainly what Jesus taught; for the learned Paul -wrote, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all -men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become -the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by -man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, -even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own -order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at -His coming." This, too, is the testimony of John the Baptizer, who -exclaimed when he saw Jesus approaching from the distance, "Behold -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p276"></a>{276}</span> the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world;" and -also of John the Beloved, who wrote in his Book of Revelation, "All -that dwell upon the earth shall worship Him, whose names are not -written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of -the world." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The Nephite explanation.</span> -</p> -<p>To the Nephites, the nature and purpose of the atoning sacrifice was -made particularly plain. We read thus: "Now, behold, if Adam had not -transgressed, he would not have fallen; but he would have remained -in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created, must have -remained in the same state which they were after they were created; and -they must have remained forever and had no end. And they would have -had no children; wherefore, they would have remained in a state of -innocence; having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for -they knew no sin. But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom -of Him who knoweth all things. Adam fell that men might be; and men are -that they might have joy. -</p> -<p>"And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that He may redeem the -children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from -the fall, they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act -for themselves, and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment -of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments -which God hath given." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Why Jesus submitted to His enemies.</span> -</p> -<p>It was, then, in fulfillment of the divine plan that Jesus allowed -Himself to be taken prisoner in the garden of Gethsemane; that He -endured trial before His enemies; and that He suffered untold agony on -the cross. With His death, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p277"></a>{277}</span> the world itself became canvulsed. The -heavens became shrouded in darkness; and the earth was torn, and shaken -and distressed. But at that awful moment, the bands of death were -broken; the original sin was expiated; and the way was opened whereby -man might return to his Maker. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The new testimony of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>"Behold," said Jesus to our own Prophet, "I, God, have suffered these -things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent, -but if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I, 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—Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and -finished my preparations unto the children of men." -</p> -<p>Truly, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his -life for his friends." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Mark 2:20. 1 Cor. 15:19-23. -</p> -<p>Luke 12:49-53. John 1:29. -</p> -<p>Mark 8:31-35. Rev. 13:8. -</p> -<p>Mark 10:38-41. 2 Nephi 2:22-26. -</p> -<p>Matt. 16:28. Doc. and Cov. 19:16-19. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p278"></a>{278}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. Why could not the disciples think that Jesus would be killed? -</p> -<p>2. Show how Jesus foreknew His death. -</p> -<p>3. How was Jesus's death necessary to satisfy the law of sacrifice? -</p> -<p>4. What was the real significance of the death of Jesus? -</p> -<p>5. From what does the death of Jesus save the world? -</p> -<p>6. How does the death of Jesus save? -</p> -<p>7. Discuss the explanation given in 2nd Nephi. -</p> -<p>8. Explain the attitude of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and after. -</p> -<p>9. How did Jesus describe His sufferings to the Prophet Joseph Smith? -</p> -<p>10. What do we owe to Jesus? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p279"></a>{279}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p280"></a>{280}</span> -<p><img id="touchmenot" src="images/touchmenot.jpg" alt="TOUCH ME NOT, Plockhorst"><p class="caption">TOUCH ME NOT, Plockhorst -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p281"></a>{281}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXXVI"></a>XXXVI -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE PLACE CALLED PARADISE -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A well-established fact.</span> -</p> -<p>Of all the many well-attested incidents in the life of Jesus, there -is none more firmly established than the fact that Jesus rose from -death to a newness of life. His resurrection was an actual uprising -of the physical body which He had laid down, and a renewal of all the -life forces. Jesus had plainly foretold that He would rise from the -tomb on the third day after His death; but such a performance was so -foreign to the experience of His disciples, that they failed to grasp -the full significance of His sayings. You can appreciate yourselves how -difficult it would be for you, even with your present knowledge, to get -the full meaning of such a saying as this: "Destroy this temple, and in -three days I will raise it up." But it is never safe to question a fact -merely because we have not experienced it ourselves. We walk by faith, -and by faith is accomplished all the world's work. Our faith in the -resurrection of Jesus is doubly assured by our faith in the testimonies -of those who knew Him and saw Him. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The first five appearances of the risen Christ.</span> -</p> -<p>Ten separate and distinct appearances of the risen Redeemer are -recorded in the New Testament. First, on the morning of the -resurrection, He appeared to Mary Magdalene, who had come early in the -morning with Mary, the mother of Jesus, Salome and Joanna to anoint -the body of Jesus with spices. When Mary recognized Him, she said to -Him in Hebrew, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p282"></a>{282}</span> "Rabboni." Jesus answered, "Touch me not, for I -am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto -them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your -God." Soon thereafter, Jesus appeared to the other three women and -called to them, "All hail. And they came and took hold of His feet, -and worshipped Him." Then, in the afternoon of the resurrection day, -Jesus appeared to Cleopas and another of the disciples as they were -journeying to Emmaus, and interpreted to them the scriptures concerning -Himself. The fourth appearance of the risen Christ was to Peter; but -when or where we do not know. At the fifth appearance, Jesus appeared -suddenly to ten of His disciples, and said, "Peace be unto you. But -they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that they had seen a -spirit. And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts -arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; -handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see -me have. And when He had thus spoken. He shewed them His hands and -His feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, He -said unto them. Have ye here any meat? And they gave Him a piece of a -broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And He took it, and did eat before -them." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Five more appearances of the Christ and the ascension.</span> -</p> -<p>When Jesus appeared thus suddenly and partook of the broiled fish, -Thomas was not present. Eight days later, when the disciples were -again behind closed doors, Jesus stood again suddenly amongst them -and said, "Peace be unto you." This time Thomas was present. Jesus -said to him, "Reach hither thy finger, and <span class="pagenum"><a name="p283"></a>{283}</span> behold my hands; -and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not -faithless, but believing." When next Jesus appeared, there were only -seven of the apostles present. They were at the sea of Tiberias, and -had gone fishing. Jesus appeared before them, and directed them where -to cast their nets. Then the apostles recognized Him. It was at this -appearance that Jesus charged Peter as the leader of His apostles to -feed His sheep. At the next appearance, Jesus showed Himself to the -eleven apostles and probably more than five hundred brethren, who -had assembled on a mount in Galilee appointed by Jesus. Here Jesus -commissioned His apostles to preach the Gospel to all the nations, -baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy -Ghost. The ninth appearance was to James, the Lord's brother. Of this -we know only the recorded fact. At the last appearance, Jesus came to -the eleven apostles somewhere in Jerusalem. After He had instructed -them at some length, He led them out of Jerusalem toward Bethany. Then, -"He lifted up His hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He -blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The value of the testimonies.</span> -</p> -<p>These testimonies, you see, are of such a nature that they cannot be -doubted. Altogether more than five hundred persons saw Jesus after His -resurrection. And His appearance in many instances was accompanied by -such evidence that there can be no doubt that the resurrected body -of Jesus was an actual body of flesh and bones, as material and as -tangible as was the body before death. <span class="pagenum"><a name="p284"></a>{284}</span> And with this material -body Jesus ascended into heaven before the adoring eyes of His devoted -followers. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Where had Jesus been?</span> -</p> -<p>But there remains a statement made by Jesus during the first recorded -appearance after His resurrection, which needs to be explained. When -Mary Magdalene would have touched Him, you recall, Jesus prevented her, -saying, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father." Now, -the common belief of the world is, that, at death, the spirit of the -righteous departed ascends immediately to heaven, into the kingdom of -God. Jesus had been nearly three days dead; still, at His resurrection. -He had not yet been in the presence of His Father. Where had He been? -What had He been doing? Do the scriptures give us any information in -answer to these questions? -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Today in Paradise.</span> -</p> -<p>Evidently, Jesus had been in a place called Paradise. When Jesus was -put to death, two thieves were crucified with Him. "And one of the -malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, it is recorded, "saying, -If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering -rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the -same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward -of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto -Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus -said unto him, Verily I say unto thee. Today shalt thou be with me in -paradise." Can there be any doubt that Jesus went at His death to the -place called Paradise and abode there? But where is Paradise, or what -kind of place is Paradise? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p285"></a>{285}</span> <span class="sidenote">The Gospel to the dead.</span> -</p> -<p>Where Paradise is we may not be able to determine; but what kind of -place it is, it should not be difficult to discover. Teaching at -Jerusalem one day, Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The -hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the -Son of God: and they that hear shall live." But how could the dead hear -the voice of the Son of God, unless He should minister also in the -place of the dead? This undoubtedly is what Jesus meant; this, too, -must be what He meant when He said to the malefactor, "Today shalt thou -be with me in Paradise." And this is what the apostles learned to know -to be the meaning of these sayings of Jesus. Peter, writing to the -scattered churches, declared the truth in these words: "For Christ also -hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might -bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the -Spirit: by which also He went and preached to the spirits in prison; -which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God -waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, -that is, eight souls, were saved by water." And again, in the same -epistle, Peter said, "For, for this reason was the Gospel preached -also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men -in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." This makes it -clear to us, then, that Jesus's promise to the malefactor, meant that -Jesus would meet him that day in the abode of spirits. For thither -did Jesus go that the dead also might hear His voice. His mission to -the living was accomplished; He had yet to minister to the dead. Only -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p286"></a>{286}</span> when that ministry was finished could He return to His Father and -report His labor accomplished. We may not know where Paradise is; but -we know that the place called Paradise is the abode of the spirits of -those who have lived in the flesh and have not yet been resurrected. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A plain explanation.</span> -</p> -<p>As usual, modern revelation makes plain to us things that are somewhat -obscure in the Jewish Scriptures. The great Nephite prophet and -philosopher, Alma, writing under the direction of an angel and the -inspiration of Jesus Christ, explains very clearly the state of the -spirit during the time between death and the resurrection. Says he, -"Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death, and the -time of the resurrection. And now I would inquire what becometh of the -souls of men from this time of death, to the time appointed for the -resurrection? Now concerning the state of the soul between death and -the resurrection. Behold, it has been made known unto me, by an angel, -that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this -mortal body; yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, -are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come -to pass that the spirits of those who are righteous, are received into -a state of happiness, which is called 'Paradise'; a state of rest; a -state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from -all care, and sorrow, etc. And then shall it come to pass, that the -spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil; for behold, they have no part -nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil -works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did <span class="pagenum"><a name="p287"></a>{287}</span> -enter into them, and take possession of their house; and these shall be -cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and -gnashing of teeth; and this because of their own iniquity; being led -captive by the will of the devil. Now this is the state of the souls of -the wicked; yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful, looking -for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they -remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the -time of their resurrection." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Every knee and every tongue.</span> -</p> -<p>Not only in His life, but in the spirit ministry and in His -resurrection, Jesus taught truths of vital importance to man in his -search after God and eternal life. Resurrection is an actual uprising -of a tangible physical body. In the resurrection we shall be as Jesus -was. And the privileges of the divine plan of salvation are extended to -the dead as well as to the living. That is why we perform the saving -ordinances for the dead in the House of the Lord. "At the name of Jesus -every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and -things under earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ -is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 28:1-20. 1 Cor. 15:5-7. -</p> -<p>Mark 16:1-20. John 5:25. -</p> -<p>Luke 23:56-24:53. 1 Peter 3:18-20. -</p> -<p>John 20:1-21:25. 1 Peter 4:6. -</p> -<p>Philip 2:9-11. Alma 40:6-14. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p288"></a>{288}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What was the nature of Christ's resurrection? -</p> -<p>2. What evidence can you adduce to prove that Jesus was actually -resurrected? -</p> -<p>3. How can you prove that the resurrected body of Jesus was a tangible -body of flesh and bones? -</p> -<p>4. Where was the Spirit of Jesus while His body lay in the tomb? -</p> -<p>5. What kind of place is paradise? -</p> -<p>6. What Gospel privileges are extended to the dead? -</p> -<p>7. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to us? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p289"></a>{289}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p290"></a>{290}</span> -<p><img id="thegoodshepherd" src="images/thegoodshepherd.jpg" alt="THE GOOD SHEPHERD, Plockhorst"><p class="caption">THE GOOD SHEPHERD, Plockhorst -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p291"></a>{291}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXXVII"></a>XXXVII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">OTHER SHEEP -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The first commission to the twelve.</span> -</p> -<p>When Jesus called the twelve apostles and sent them out to preach -His word, He gave them these instructions, "Go not in the way of the -Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go -rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go preach, -saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Evidently, then, the -apostles were not to trouble to deliver the glad message of the Gospel -to any who were not purely of the house of Israel. They were to "heal -the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils;" but -none of these good works were they to do amongst the Gentiles, nor in -the land of the Samaritans. It seemed almost that Jesus did not want -those not of Israel to enjoy the privileges and blessings of His great -redemption. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The leaven of the Gospel.</span> -</p> -<p>But such an intention was only apparent; it was not real. All men, of -whatever race or color, are the children of God; and the great atoning -sacrifice was made for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews. Said Jesus -once in a parable, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which -a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was -leavened." The whole world is to be leavened with the Gospel of Jesus -Christ; indeed, the Savior's last charge to His apostles was that they -should go into all the world, and preach the word of God. Only when the -Gospel has been heard by every nation, tongue, and people, will the end -come. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p292"></a>{292}</span> <span class="sidenote">The kingdom to the Gentiles.</span> -</p> -<p>The apostles were slow, however, to understand this truth, though -Jesus taught it to them plainly. It was right, of course, that they -should minister first to the children of Israel. Israel constituted -the chosen people. From them, and through them, had come to the world -the knowledge of the one great God—the God of Abraham, of Isaac, -and of Jacob. From them, too, had come now the Messiah, by whom was -to be wrought the salvation of the world. What the apostles did not -appreciate, however, was that the Jews would prove themselves unworthy -of their Savior. Yet, Jesus taught this, too; and in teaching this -truth, He declared further that the Gospel would be given to others. -To the woman of Samaria, Jesus declared, "Woman, believe me, the hour -cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, -worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we -worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now -is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and -in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." No longer, -after the ministry of Jesus, should Jerusalem be the center of divine -worship. The world over, men should learn to worship God in spirit and -in truth. Not only so; but Jesus asserted also that because of the -unbelief of the Jews, the privileges of His Church should be taken away -from them and given to others. "Did ye never read in the scriptures," -Jesus asked of the Jews, "The stone which the builders rejected, the -same has become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, -and it is marvelous in our eyes? <span class="pagenum"><a name="p293"></a>{293}</span> Therefore say I unto you, The -kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing -forth the fruits thereof." And, indeed, such a transfer of privilege -and responsibility was almost necessary to fulfill the ancient -prophecy, "Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom -my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon Him, and He shall -shew judgment to the Gentiles. . . . And in His name shall the Gentiles -trust." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The case of Cornelius.</span> -</p> -<p>When the apostles were left to themselves, however, they continued -still to minister only to the Jews. It required a special revelation -from heaven, to arouse them to the fact that the Gospel was for -the Gentiles also. There lived in Caesarea a Roman centurion named -Cornelius. Cornelius was a devout and God-fearing man, though a -Gentile, and prayed much that he might learn what to do to gain eternal -life. One day an angel appeared to him, and instructed him to send -messengers to Joppa for one Simon, surnamed Peter, who should tell -Cornelius what to do. Cornelius sent two of his men immediately to -seek out Peter. Meanwhile, Peter, at Joppa, "went up upon the housetop -to pray about the sixth hour: and he became very hungry, and would -have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw -heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been -a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: -wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild -beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a -voice to him. Rise, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; -for I have <span class="pagenum"><a name="p294"></a>{294}</span> never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And -the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, -that call not thou common." This vision appeared to Peter three times; -and while he was pondering on the meaning of it the messengers of -Cornelius arrived. Peter hurried to Caesarea to minister to Cornelius; -and when he saw that God had blessed Cornelius, Peter understood the -meaning of the vision. "Of a truth," said he, "I perceive that God is -no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and -worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The preaching of Barnabas and Paul.</span> -</p> -<p>Thenceforth, the apostles preached to the Gentiles as well as to -the Jews. Paul and Barnabas told the truth fearlessly to the Jews -themselves. "It was necessary that the word of God should first have -been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves -unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath -the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the -Gentiles, that thou shouldst be for salvation unto the ends of the -earth. And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad, and glorified -the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life were -saved." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">"Other sheep."</span> -</p> -<p>Thus was the word of God carried to the Gentiles. But Jesus did not -Himself minister to them during his earth-life. While yet ministering -to those who followed Him in the Holy Land, however, Jesus uttered a -strange declaration. He said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my -sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth <span class="pagenum"><a name="p295"></a>{295}</span> me, even so -know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other -sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, -and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one -shepherd." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A puzzling question.</span> -</p> -<p>From the time that Jesus made this statement until the restoration of -the Gospel in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, it has never -been fully understood by men. That Jesus is the Good Shepherd is clear -enough. He has earned the undisputed right to that title by the devoted -sacrifice He made for His sheep. But what did He mean by "other sheep" -not of the fold of Palestine, who must also hear His voice, that there -might be one fold, as there was one shepherd? Where else did Jesus -personally minister besides the Holy Land and Paradise? These questions -have puzzled many; and because of failure to find any other adequate -answer, the "other sheep" have been usually interpreted to mean, the -Gentiles. But how the Gospel came to the Gentiles has been pointed out. -They could not have been the "other sheep," who were to hear the voice -of Jesus. Who, then, were the "other sheep." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Forty days.</span> -</p> -<p>You will remember that after His resurrection Jesus appeared at ten -different times to His disciples in Palestine. It seems, however, that -between the resurrection and the ascension there elapsed a period of -about forty days. What did Jesus do during those forty days? Of course, -we cannot hope to be able ever to account for all those days, nor -would it help us much perhaps to do so. <span class="pagenum"><a name="p296"></a>{296}</span> But it was during that -interesting but shrouded period of forty days that Jesus visited the -other sheep. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">In the land of the Nephites.</span> -</p> -<p>Far over the waters, in another and then unknown land, lived the -Nephites. They had been taught to look forward to the coming of the -Lord. When He was born a babe in Bethlehem, the star of promise shone -brilliantly in the land of the Nephites. For three days there was -light, and no darkness at all. Again, after thirty-three years, the -land of the Nephites became shrouded in darkness when the Lord was -crucified. The earth was shaken and torn asunder. Cities were sunk into -the sea, and places that had been sea were made dry land. Mountains -were levelled and valleys were upheaved. And countless numbers of the -wicked were destroyed. When the terrible convulsions and the darkness -had passed, there was a multitude of the people of Nephi assembled near -the temple in the land Bountiful. Suddenly, a voice spoke to them out -of heaven. It was the voice of God declaring, "Behold my beloved Son, -in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name: hear ye -Him." The people cast their eyes upward; and lo! they saw a man clothed -in a white robe descending out of heaven. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The appearance of Jesus to the Nephites.</span> -</p> -<p>It was Jesus. He came and stood in the midst of His people, the -Nephites; and He showed them the prints in His hands and in His feet, -and the wound in His side. Then He proceeded to teach them as He had -taught His disciples in Palestine, and to choose twelve apostles, and -to organize His church, so that the people might enjoy the privileges -of the priesthood and of a <span class="pagenum"><a name="p297"></a>{297}</span> holy worship. Jesus appeared to -these people more than once; and on one occasion, He said, "Ye are my -disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of -the house of Joseph. And behold, this is the land of your inheritance; -and the Father hath given it unto you. And not at any time hath the -Father given me commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at -Jerusalem; Neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment, -that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house -of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land. This much did -the Father command me, that I should tell unto them. That other sheep -I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they -shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And -now because of stiffneckedness and unbelief, they understood not my -word: therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning -this thing unto them. But, verily, I say unto you, that the Father -hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from -among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their -iniquity, that they know not of you. And verily, I say unto you again, -that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is -because of their iniquity, that they know not of them. And verily, I -say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said, other sheep I have which -are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my -voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." -</p> -<p>In the unselfish ministry of Jesus Christ there is no one forgotten. -All the children of Israel are ministered <span class="pagenum"><a name="p298"></a>{298}</span> to; the dead hear the -voice of Jesus; and the Gentiles have the Gospel preached to them. -The Jewish Scriptures are united with the Nephite Scriptures in the -personal ministry of Jesus to His "other sheep." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A promise to us.</span> -</p> -<p>"I am in your midst," said Jesus to the Prophet Joseph Smith, "and I am -the good Shepherd, and the Stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this -rock shall never fall, and the day cometh that you shall hear my voice -and see me, and know that I am, watch, therefore, that ye may be ready." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 10:5-7. Acts 10:1-48. -</p> -<p>Matt. 13:23. Acts 13:44-49. -</p> -<p>John 4:21-23. John 10:14-16. -</p> -<p>Matt. 21:41-44. 3 Nephi 15:12-21. -</p> -<p>Matt. 12:14-21. Doc. and Cov. 50:44-46. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What was the nature of the first commission to the twelve apostles? -</p> -<p>2. What is the meaning of the parable of the leaven? -</p> -<p>3. What did Jesus teach concerning the kingdom of God and the Gentiles? -</p> -<p>4. What do we learn from the case of Cornelius? -</p> -<p>5. What did Jesus say about "other sheep"? -</p> -<p>6. What did the Nephites know about the coming of Jesus? -</p> -<p>8. What promise has Jesus made to us? -</p> -<p>7. What did Jesus tell the Nephites? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p299"></a>{299}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p300"></a>{300}</span> <p><img id="comeuntomeallyethatlabor" src="images/comeuntomeallyethatlabor.jpg" alt="COME UNTO ME ALL YE THAT LABOR, Bloch"><p class="caption"> -COME UNTO ME ALL YE THAT LABOR, Bloch -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p301"></a>{301}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXXVIII"></a>XXXVIII -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">OUR ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The house-holder and the husbandmen.</span> -</p> -<p>A parable Jesus related to the chief priests and elders of the -Jews while He was yet with them in the flesh: "There was a certain -householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, -and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to -husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit -drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might -receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and -beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other -servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But, -last of all, he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my -son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, -This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his -inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and -slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he -do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him. He will miserably destroy -those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, -which shall render him the fruits in their seasons." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">God the great householder, Jesus the Son.</span> -</p> -<p>Just so is it with the kingdom of God; for just as the wicked -husbandmen did with the servants and with the son of householder, so -did the stiff-necked children of Israel with the prophets, and with -the Son of God. <span class="pagenum"><a name="p302"></a>{302}</span> Therefore was the kingdom taken from them, as we -have already learned, and given to the Gentiles. And therefore will -the Great Householder miserably destroy the wicked who persecute His -servants, kill His prophets, and reject His Only Begotten Son. But -the righteous will He bless, and all those who serve Him; and even -though we should fall into error, yet need we not despair. For if we -repent, God will forgive our sins, so only we do not as did the wicked -husbandmen of the vineyard. "My little children," wrote the Beloved -John in a letter to the saints, "these things write I unto you, that ye -sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus -Christ the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins: and not -for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The exaltation of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>It is, indeed, a joyful thought that, even though Jesus was slain by -the husbandmen. He was not and Mark assures us that when He ascended -into heaven, Jesus assumed the place of honor at the right hand of the -Father. "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them. He was received -up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God." There Stephen was -privileged to see Him in vision some time later. Stephen is described -as a man full of faith and power, who did great wonders and miracles -among the people. Stephen preached fearlessly to the Jews the fact -that Christ had risen. The Jews became enraged, and stoned him; but -before his death, Stephen, "being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up -steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p303"></a>{303}</span> and Jesus -standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens -opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God." To Jesus -had come the deserved glory for which He had wrought. In His exaltation -was fulfilled literally the sayings He had taught to His disciples, -"Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth -himself shall be exalted." "Whosoever would be great among you, let him -be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be -your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, -but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Our advocate with the Father.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, it is perfectly plain that the great mission of Jesus was not -entirely finished during His sojourn upon the earth. That for which He -came was accomplished, it is true. But just as we needed a Savior—one -who would unselfishly lay down His own sinless life for the sins of -others—so we need even now, when that sacrifice has been made, a -mediator, an advocate, to intercede for us with the Father. For we are -all sinful at the best; weaknesses of various kinds beset us, and if we -were to be rewarded strictly according to our merits, many of us would -get but little in the way of blessing. Jesus continues then to be our -Redeemer, pleading our cause before the Father. "Wherefore He is able -also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He -ever liveth to make intercession for them." So did Paul, the Apostle to -the Gentiles, express to the Hebrews his faith in the mediating power -of Jesus; and to the Romans he wrote, "Who is He that condemneth? It is -Christ that died, yea rather, that is <span class="pagenum"><a name="p304"></a>{304}</span> risen again, who is even -at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Jesus -continues, then, His great redeeming labor, bringing salvation and -exaltation to those who accept Him and diligently seek Him. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Many mansions in the Father's house.</span> -</p> -<p>And He prepares a place also for His own, that they may be -appropriately received when they shall go to their eternal reward. One -day when Jesus was talking to the apostles about His coming sacrifice, -and the apostles were sorrowful because they thought that He intended -to go away, He said to them, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye -believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many -mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you; I go to prepare a -place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come -again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be -also." Even as He promised His disciples that He would prepare a place -for them, so is there a place prepared for each one of us. For in many -respects the future life will be ordered like the present. In this -life we are generally able to achieve such advancement as we work for. -If we honestly and conscientiously make the most of the opportunities -that lie about us; if we strive to make the most of what we have, never -hiding the God-given talent in the earth—we are bound to progress and -to succeed. But there are in the world many degrees of diligence, and -therefore many degrees of success. So will it be in the kingdom of God. -There, there are many mansions; and such a one will be prepared for us -as will satisfy fully the degree of diligence with <span class="pagenum"><a name="p305"></a>{305}</span> which we have -served. The risen Christ is not only our advocate with the Father, but -also our judge. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Lord of lords and Kings of kings.</span> -</p> -<p>To this judge all power is given. So declared Jesus Himself when He -appeared after His resurrection to the apostles and the five hundred -brethren who had assembled on a mountain in Galilee. "Jesus came and -spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and -in earth." Moreover, Jesus, to whom all power is given, is the sole -mediator between man and God. Said Paul to Timothy, his own son in -faith, "There is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man -Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all." And in this exalted position -as Lord of lords, and King of kings, Jesus shall reign forever. "The -kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His -Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus to come again.</span> -</p> -<p>You see, then, what a wonderful hope is prepared for those who serve -Jesus. This earth is to come to an end. It is to be purified and -sanctified; then there will appear a new earth as an abode for the -blessed. But before that time shall come Jesus, Himself, is to come -again to minister to His people upon the earth. When the apostles stood -gazing up into heaven, whither Jesus had ascended, there appeared -before them suddenly two men in white apparel. These men said, "Ye men -of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which -is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye -have seen Him go into heaven." This truth Jesus Himself declared in -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p306"></a>{306}</span> the trial before the high priest. When the perjured witnesses -testified against Him, Jesus made no reply. Then, "the high priest -asked Him, and said unto Him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the -Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting -on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." When -this wonderful occurrence shall take place, no one knows; it has never -been revealed, but is known to the Father alone. But it appears that it -is to take place at a time when the earth is troubled, and the end is -not far off. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the -sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars -shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: -and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then -shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of -man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." If we -are to be worthy of the ministry of Jesus when He shall come again, we -must learn to know Him, and to live according to His teachings; for He -has declared that He will be ashamed at His coming of those who are -ashamed of Him. "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my -words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the -Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with -the holy angels." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The nearness of Jesus.</span> -</p> -<p>Even in His coming He will be our advocate and our judge. How close -then Jesus stands to us. He came into the world to enlighten the world, -that they might learn to know God and Jesus Christ <span class="pagenum"><a name="p307"></a>{307}</span> whom God sent; -He laid down His life as a voluntary sacrifice to redeem the world from -the original sin; now He sits at the right hand of God the Father and -intercedes for those who believe in Him; and ere long He shall come -again in clouds of glory, again to minister to men, that they may have -the better chance to gain eternal life. The love and anxious sympathy -of Jesus know no bounds. -</p> -<p>"Listen to Him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading -your cause before Him, saying, Father, behold the sufferings and death -of Him who did no sin, in whom Thou wast well pleased; behold the -blood of the Son which was shed—the blood of Him whom Thou gavest -that Thyself might be glorified; wherefore, Father, spare these my -brethren that believe in my name, that they may come unto me and have -everlasting life." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Matt. 21:33-41. 1 Tim. 2:5, 6. -</p> -<p>1 John 2:1.2. Rev. 11:15. -</p> -<p>Mark 16:19. John 14:1-3. -</p> -<p>Acts 7:56. Acts 1:11. -</p> -<p>Heb. 7:25. Mark 14:62. -</p> -<p>Rev. 8:34. Matt. 24:29,30. -</p> -<p>Mark 28:18. Mark 8:38. -</p> -<p>Doc. and Cov. 45:3-5. -</p> -<h3><span class="pagenum"><a name="p308"></a>{308}</span> THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. Interpret the parable of the householder and the wicked husbandmen. -</p> -<p>2. What is the position of Jesus in heaven? -</p> -<p>3. In what sense is Jesus our advocate with the Father? -</p> -<p>4. What did Jesus mean by many mansions in His Father's house? -</p> -<p>5. What power is given to Jesus? -</p> -<p>6. How do we know that Jesus is to come again? -</p> -<p>7. What is to happen when Jesus comes again? -</p> -<p>8. In what way may we sense the nearness of Jesus? -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p309"></a>{309}</span> -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p310"></a>{310}</span> -<p><img id="theascension" src="images/theascension.jpg" alt="THE ASCENSION, Biermann"><p class="caption"> THE ASCENSION, Biermann -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p311"></a>{311}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XXXIX"></a>XXXIX -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">THE LIVING CHRIST -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Jesus the living Christ.</span> -</p> -<p>From what we have learned in the preceding lesson, it is plain that -Jesus, the son of Mary of Nazareth, is in truth the Living Christ. -Jesus was from before the beginning of this world, and will continue in -power and glory throughout the endless eternities. In the great council -in heaven, He volunteered to become the Christ and to save the children -of God without force. He fulfilled His noble but agony-filled mission -without faltering. He gave up His life with a prayer on His lips for -those who brutally persecuted Him and killed Him. He was approved of -the Father, and exalted to sit on the right hand of the throne of -power. He is worshipped by untold millions, to whom He has brought -consolation, hope, and love. And it is not only on the so-called common -people of the earth that Jesus has made so wonderful an impression that -He is worshipped as the very Son of God, but also over the greatest -intellects in the world has He wielded so powerful an influence -that they bow in admiring adoration. Poets, artists, philosophers, -scientists, and statesmen alike acknowledge Jesus, the Living Christ -and Advocate with the Father. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The testimony of Napoleon.</span> -</p> -<p>As we learned at the beginning of this book, Napoleon avowed his -admiration of Jesus, while living an exile on the island of St. Helena. -Napoleon's further testimony is interesting. "Superficial minds see a -resemblance," said <span class="pagenum"><a name="p312"></a>{312}</span> Napoleon, "between Christ and the founders -of empires and the gods of other religions. That resemblance does not -exist. There is between Christianity and other religions the distance -of infinity. Everything in Christ astonishes me. Here I see nothing -human. The nearer I approach everything is above me. Alexander, Caesar, -Charlemagne and myself founded empires. But on what did we rest the -creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ alone founded His -empire upon love, and at this hour millions of men would die for Him. -Christ proved that He was the Son of the Eternal." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The conviction of an English philosopher.</span> -</p> -<p>Other great men, too, have been as profoundly impressed by the divinity -of Jesus as was Napoleon. The great English philosopher, John Locke, -expressed his convictions in these words: "Before our Savior's time, -the doctrine of a future state, though it were not wholly hid, yet it -was not clearly known in the world? He brought life and immortality to -light. And that not only in the clear revelation of it and in instances -shown of men raised from the dead; but He has given an unquestionable -assurance and pledge of it, in His own resurrection and ascension -into heaven. How has this one truth changed the nature of things? -The philosophers, indeed show the beauty of nature, but leaving her -unendowed, very few are willing to espouse her. It has another relish -and efficiency to persuade men that if they live well here, they shall -be happy hereafter. Upon this foundation, and upon this only, morality -stands firm; and this is the gospel Jesus Christ has delivered to us." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p313"></a>{313}</span> <span class="sidenote">Declarations of Emerson and Webster.</span> -</p> -<p>Two notable Americans may be here cited also to show the influence of -the work of Jesus upon men of great intellect. Ralph Waldo Emerson, -philosopher and poet, wrote, "Jesus is the most perfect of all men that -have yet appeared. The unique impressions of Jesus upon mankind are not -so much written as ploughed into the history of this world. He saw with -open eye the mystery of the soul. Alone in all history, He estimated -the greatness of man." And Daniel Webster declared in his argument in -the Girard Will Case, "I believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God. The -miracles which He wrought establish in my mind His personal authority -and render it proper for me to believe what He asserts." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Additional testimony.</span> -</p> -<p>Testimonies of this kind might be added upon without limit. Of course, -there may be found also many men who reject the testimony of Jesus. -But the interesting fact about the influence of Jesus is that the -farther we become removed from the time of His earth-ministry, the more -strongly is His influence felt, and the closer does the world really -come to Him. In spite of the war that Satan has waged in the world -against Him, Jesus is dearer to men today than He has ever been before. -Even the great world war now raging is turning the hearts of men to -Jesus; and many more men of learning and leadership are expressing -their faith in the teachings of Jesus the Christ. It is to be hoped -that all men will soon come to the conviction of the great German -philosopher, Kant: "In the life and the divine doctrine of Christ, -example and precept conspire to call men to the regular discharge of -every moral duty for its own <span class="pagenum"><a name="p314"></a>{314}</span> sake. Christ is the founder of -the first true Church; that is, that Church which exhibits the moral -kingdom of God upon earth." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Reasons for strong testimonies in the Church.</span> -</p> -<p>Now, if the men of the world can get such testimonies and can feel so -strongly that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, surely the children of -the Latter-day Saints ought easily to learn to know this sublime truth. -Jesus came to earth, as He Himself declared, when He was twelve years -old, to attend to His Father's business. That business, we learned, -is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. And we -have learned also that it is life eternal to know God and Jesus Christ -whom He sent. Jesus devoted His life to expounding the principles -of eternal life. He showed in His own person what kind of being God -is. He explained His own relationship to God the Father. He revealed -the nature and the office of the Holy Ghost. He taught the essential -principles of the Gospel, which Paul called the power of God unto -salvation. He emphasized the necessity of divine authority in order -to act officially in the things of God. He explained by parable and -by teaching the duties that man owes to God. He made perfectly clear, -too, the duties that man owes to his fellowmen. He established by His -wonderful life and work His own divinity as the Son of God. He overcame -death, the barrier between God and man, by laying down His own life. -He proved the actuality of the resurrection and the life after death -by arising Himself from the tomb. He continues as the Living Christ, -interceding with the Father for us. All this the children of the -Latter-day Saints have had taught to them as clearly as it has been -<span class="pagenum"><a name="p315"></a>{315}</span> taught to the children of the world. In addition, the children -of the Latter-day Saints have membership in the true Church of Jesus -Christ. The Holy Priesthood is here established. The Gospel in its -fulness has been restored. The Church believes in continual revelation, -and is favored with the living word of God. These are the marks of the -Church of Christ. The inspiration of the Holy Ghost ought, therefore, -to cause the testimony of Jesus to burn brightly in the bosom of -every Latterday Saint. To us also Jesus has revealed the means of -salvation, by His teaching, by His personal example and influence, by -His death and resurrection. And to us He has delivered the keys of the -Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">Evidences of testimony in the Church.</span> -</p> -<p>The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do know -that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. They recognize -the fact that the object of Christ's life-work was to reveal God, -to teach men to know God as their Father, to persuade them to live -lives of righteousness, and to redeem them from the sin of the garden -of Eden. And as intellectual, men of the world have avowed their -conviction that Jesus is the Christ, so also have the leaders of -"Mormon" thought and life. Almost every meeting held in the Church -is a meeting of declaration of faith in Jesus. The monthly testimony -meetings, particularly, are filled with assurances of faith in Him. -The Presidency of the Church, the twelve apostles, and all the members -of the quorums of general authority, devote their lives as special -witnesses of Jesus to the testifying to His divine Sonship. And of all -the testimonies of Jesus as the true and living Christ, <span class="pagenum"><a name="p316"></a>{316}</span> the ever -present and ever active advocate with the Father, there is no other -so strong and effective as that of the Prophet, Joseph Smith, and his -associate Sidney Rigdon. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">"The testimony last of all."</span> -</p> -<p>"We, Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon, being in the Spirit on the -sixteenth of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight -hundred and thirty-two. By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened -and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand -the things of God—Even those things which were from the beginning -before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through His -Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the -beginning, of whom we bear record, and the record which we bear is the -fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and -with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision. -</p> -<p>"For while we were doing the work of translation, which the Lord had -appointed unto us, we came to the twenty-ninth verse of the fifth -chapter of John, which was given unto us as follows. Speaking of the -resurrection of the dead, concerning those who shall hear the voice -of the Son of Man, and shall come forth; They who have done good in -the resurrection of the just, and they who have done evil in the -resurrection of the unjust. Now this caused us to marvel, for it was -given unto us of the Spirit; and while we meditated upon these things, -the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, -and the glory of the Lord shone round about; and we beheld the glory -of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of <span class="pagenum"><a name="p317"></a>{317}</span> His -fullness; and saw the holy angels, and they who are sanctified before -His throne, worshipping God, and the Lamb, who worship Him for ever and -ever. 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; -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—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." -</p> -<p>To us, then, removed nearly two thousand years from the time of the -birth of Jesus, comes with a new significance the chorus of the angels. -"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which -shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of -David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord . . . . Glory to God in the -highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Doc. and Cov. 76:11-24. Luke 2:10, 11, 14. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. In what sense is Jesus the Living Christ? -</p> -<p>2. To what does Napoleon testify? -</p> -<p>3. Upon what is John Locke's conviction based? -</p> -<p>4. What did Emerson and Webster say of Jesus? -</p> -<p>5. What truth does Kant derive from the life of Jesus? -</p> -<p>6. Why should the Latter-day Saints have exceptional testimonies of -Jesus? -</p> -<p>7. How can you show that the Latter-day Saints do have exceptionally -strong testimonies of Jesus? -</p> -<p>8. What is the powerful "Testimony last of all"? -</p> -<p>9. What do the teachings of Jesus mean to us? -</p> -<p>10. Explain what it means to know God and Jesus Christ. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p318"></a>{318}</span> <p><img id="angelmoroni" src="images/angelmoroni.jpg" alt="ANGEL MORONI"><p class="caption"> - ANGEL MORONI -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p319"></a>{319}</span> -</p> - - -<h2><a name="XL"></a>XL -</h2> -<p class="chapterHeading">A RELIGION WORTH WHILE -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The feeding of the five thousand.</span> -</p> -<p>In a desert place in Galilee, Jesus performed one of the most -impressive and awe inspiring miracles recorded in His whole career. -A multitude of the five of approximately five thousand people had -gathered to hear Him teach. All the day He had instructed them, and -explained to them the law of the Gospel of salvation. Then the evening -drew near. The people were tired and hungry; but there was no adequate -supply of food available. The apostles would have had Jesus send the -multitude away. But He asked how much bread was to be found amongst -them. The apostles reported five loaves and two fishes. Jesus took the -five loaves and the two fishes, "looked up to heaven, and blessed, and -brake the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; -and the two fishes divided He among them all. And they did eat and -were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, -and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five -thousand men." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The meat that endures unto everlasting life.</span> -</p> -<p>This wonder-rousing miracle Jesus performed just before He left Galilee -forever, and while His popularity was at its height. One can easily -imagine how the people marvelled at what Jesus had done. And yet, a -miracle of feeding, more wonderful even than this, has Jesus performed -in turning the hearts of men toward Him. It is really not so very -strange that this Man, who could change water into wine, and open the -eyes of the blind, and cast out devils, and still the <span class="pagenum"><a name="p320"></a>{320}</span> tempest, -and raise the dead to life again, should be able also to multiply -five loaves and two fishes so as to feed a multitude of men. He who -is endowed with infinite power might easily be able thus to collect -the elements and to increase the quantity of available food. This was -a miracle of the physical world, calling into action some natural law -with which we are not yet acquainted. But in His ministry and death and -resurrection, Jesus has performed a spiritual miracle more wonderful -even than this. Jesus Himself considered the spiritual conversion much -more significant than the physical achievement. John records the fact -that the people sought Jesus again after this great miracle; and when -they found Him, He said to them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye -seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the -loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but -for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of -Man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed. . . . I am -the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that -believeth on me shall never thirst." It may be said now that the whole -world has heard of Jesus, and that most of it has learned to look to -Him as its Savior. New life and spiritual light has Jesus given to the -world. But while the world has learned to recognize Jesus, the teachers -of the world have perverted His doctrine so much that the people hardly -know which way to turn. They hunger still, and they thirst for the -true teachings of Jesus; they are looking still for the true Church of -Christ, with a religion worth while. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p321"></a>{321}</span> <span class="sidenote">What Jesus taught.</span> -</p> -<p>The history of the growth and spread of Christianity in the world reads -almost like fiction. Jesus Himself established His Church upon the -earth. We have learned that He called and ordained twelve apostles, and -others whom He called "seventy." He taught the fundamental principles -of the Gospel—faith, repentance, baptism, the laying on of hands for -the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the many duties that devolve upon -faithful Church membership. Jesus revealed in His own person the -personality of God the Father, and taught clearly the true relationship -existing between the Father and His children. Jesus taught plainly, -too, the duties that men owe both to the heavenly Father and to their -fellowmen. In short, Jesus revealed and taught to His apostles, and -to the peoples of the Holy Land, all the principles of the Gospel -necessary for a life of righteousness upon the earth. And when He -ascended to heaven, He left with the apostles the authority of the Holy -Priesthood, an organized church, and the Gospel, the plan of salvation. -The Church of the apostles possessed the three essential marks of the -true Church of Christ. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The acts of the apostles.</span> -</p> -<p>After the departure of Jesus, the apostles began strenuous missionary -labors. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Ghost came upon them, and -through their testimony of Christ risen, many who heard them believed -and were baptized. From that day forth, the apostles traveled and -preached and baptized and confirmed. Many miracles, too, did these -apostles perform, in literal fulfillment of the promise of Jesus -that they should be <span class="pagenum"><a name="p322"></a>{322}</span> able to do the works that He had done. And -everywhere in their missionary travels, the apostles organized branches -of the Church—or Churches as they were called. To carry on the work -of the churches the apostles ordained high priests, seventies, elders, -bishops, priests, teachers, deacons,—the regular officers of the -priesthood—and left these officers in charge of the local ministry -while they themselves continued their larger service. But it must not -be imagined that the apostles met with no opposition. On the contrary, -wherever they went, the apostles found enemies, and were maligned and -persecuted. Often they were haled before magistrates and governors, and -not infrequently they were imprisoned. But they persisted in preaching, -and in bearing their profound testimonies. Finally most of the apostles -were done to death by their enemies. Peter, it is said, was crucified -at Rome. James was beheaded. John was banished to the isle of Patmos. -Andrew was bound to a cross and thus slain. Philip was crucified. -Bartholomew was flayed alive. Thomas was pierced by a lance, Matthew -was killed with a battleax. James, the Less, was beaten to death. -Thaddeus was shot to death with arrows. Simon was crucified. Mark -was dragged to death in the streets of Alexandria. Paul was beheaded -by order of Nero. Barnabas was stoned to death by the Jews. Thus -the apostles and the chief leaders of the apostolic church were all -tortured to death—save one—and sealed their testimonies with their -life's blood. The various churches scattered here and there in the land -were left with only their local leaders. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p323"></a>{323}</span> <span class="sidenote">The great apostasy.</span> -</p> -<p>After the passing of the apostles, troubles arose among the local -churches, and it was not long before a complete apostasy had taken -place. Strangely enough, while the apostles organized all the local -churches in full, they did not perpetuate the quorum of apostles. -Dissension therefore arose among the churches themselves as to -which one was the chief and leader of all. Then, after some years -of unpopularity and persecution, the Christian church was suddenly -raised to favor by an edict of Constantine the Great. To satisfy now -the desires of the heathens, many pagan customs were taken into the -Christian service. The doctrines of the church were corrupted; the -ordinances and ceremonies were perverted; the church organization was -distorted. In a relatively short time, the accepted Christian church -of the world was no longer like the church that Jesus Himself had -instituted. It lacked all three marks of the true church. It denied -continual revelation. It had lost the authority of the priesthood. It -preached a corrupted Gospel. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The restoration of the Gospel.</span> -</p> -<p>After many years of spiritual darkness and of strife, the Lord again -revealed His will to man. A boy was chosen to become an inspired -prophet, an authorized leader, and a divinely instructed teacher. To -Joseph Smith appeared the risen Redeemer as He had appeared nearly two -thousand years before to the apostles at Jerusalem. To Joseph Smith -were revealed anew all the sublime teachings that Jesus had presented -during His own ministry upon the earth. Upon Joseph Smith was conferred -the Holy Priesthood, with all its keys <span class="pagenum"><a name="p324"></a>{324}</span> and authorities, and -through him was established anew the Church of Jesus Christ. It is -founded upon the doctrine of revelation; it is fortified and directed -by the complete organization of the priesthood of God; it is guided by -what Jesus Himself taught—by the Gospel in its fulness, omitting not a -single detail that Jesus made a part of the God-shaped plan. To us is -given the religion worth while, the bread of life. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A religion that satisfies.</span> -</p> -<p>And the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ—commonly called Mormonism—is -destined to conquer the world, for it meets and satisfies all the -needs of human kind. In the first place, Mormonism is the Gospel of -Jesus Christ. It is the perfect presentation of what Jesus taught. We -have learned in the preceding lessons many of the truths that He gave -to His followers. The world has considered these truths, too, but has -not comprehended them. This truth, however, nearly the whole world -has learned to accept: Jesus is the Christ, the bread of life. His -teachings are true. Any religion that would aspire to conquer the world -must, then, be based at least upon what Jesus taught. But Mormonism is -that very truth itself, restored with power and authority, and favored -with the living presence of "the bread of God . . . . which . . . . -giveth life unto the world." -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A comprehensive religion.</span> -</p> -<p>Then, Mormonism is comprehensive; it accepts and includes all truth, -no matter whence the knowledge of that truth may come. It renews the -teachings of Jesus concerning right living and right thinking. It <span class="pagenum"><a name="p325"></a>{325}</span> -emphasizes the necessity of acquiring a full knowledge of truth—the -necessity of reading and studying, and of gaining intellectual power. -It outlines what Jesus taught of man's duties in life—his duties -toward God: his duties toward his fellowmen; his duties to himself. It -prescribes anew man's obligations and responsibilities in the family, -in the state, and in the Church. In short, Mormonism meets every need -in physical life, in mental life, in economic life, in social life, in -spiritual life. You have heard people speak of a one-day religion—of -a religion remembered on Sunday and forgotten on the other six days -of the week. Mormonism is not such a religion, for the doctrine of -Jesus is not such a doctrine. Mormonism—or what Jesus taught—is a -practical religion that enters into the work of every day—into every -calling and profession no matter how humble or exalted that calling or -profession may be. It teaches that every day should be a Christ-like -day. It teaches that we should partake freely every day of the bread -and water of life everlasting, and take less thought of the loaves -and fishes that fill but satisfy not. Mormonism is both a system of -religion and a system of ethics; for so are the teachings of Jesus. The -whole man must be saved. Mormonism—or what Jesus taught—holds forth -such ideals and such standards of life—physical and spiritual—that -the noble, unselfish aim of Jesus may be accomplished. Only a religion -thus enwarped and enwoofed in what Jesus Himself has taught, can hope -to conquer the world. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">A Church of authority.</span> -</p> -<p>It is the duty of everyone to learn to know God, and His Son, Jesus -Christ. To teach men to know <span class="pagenum"><a name="p326"></a>{326}</span> God was in part the mission of -Jesus to this earth. But such knowledge will not come through the mere -satisfying of the bodily appetites. That religion is not worth while -which feeds only loaves and fishes. The hunger which must be satisfied -is the hunger of the spirit. That religion only is worth while which -guides and directs in temporal life, and affords complete satisfaction -and contentment in the intellectual and spiritual life. Mormonism does -this; for it is what Jesus taught. In no other church than the Church -of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may one find today the uncorrupted -teachings of Jesus and the authority of His priesthood. Mormonism is -distinctly, then, the religion worth while. -</p> -<p><span class="sidenote">The bread of life.</span> -</p> -<p>The stone which the builders rejected has become the Christ, the Savior -of the world. He is the Keystone, of our salvation. He is our Master, -our Teacher, our Friend. He has restored His Gospel to us with all its -blessings and privileges. Him will we follow, and His commandments will -we keep; for it was He Himself who said, "I am the bread of life: he -that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall -never thirst." -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p327"></a>{327}</span> -</p> -<h3>THE REFERENCES -</h3> -<p>Mark 6:30-44. John 6:22-35. -</p> -<h3>THE QUESTIONS -</h3> -<p>1. What is the bread that endures unto everlasting life? -</p> -<p>2. What did Jesus leave with the apostles? -</p> -<p>3. How did the apostles carry on the work of Jesus? -</p> -<p>4. What happened to the Church after the apostles had passed away? -</p> -<p>5. How was the Gospel of Jesus Christ restored to the earth? -</p> -<p>6. Why will Mormonism ultimately conquer the world? -</p> -<p>7. In what sense is Mormonism a comprehensive religion? -</p> -<p>8. Show that Mormonism is what Jesus taught. -</p> -<h3>Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and -keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.—Eccl. 12:13. -</h3> - - -<h2><a name="INDEX"></a>INDEX -</h2> -<h3>A</h3> -<p>Abel, occupation, <a href="#p197">197</a>; offering accepted, <a href="#p198">198</a>; slain by Cain, <a href="#p199">199</a>. -</p> -<p>Abou Ben Adhem, <a href="#p221">221</a>. -</p> -<p>Abram, Abraham, <a href="#p21">21</a>; strove to find God, <a href="#p21">21</a>; seized by idolatrous -priests, <a href="#p21">21</a>; God delivered and spoke to him, <a href="#p21">21</a>; learns to know God; -father of Isaac and grandfather of Jacob who served God; from them -sprang the Children of Israel, <a href="#p22">22</a>; wavered not, <a href="#p101">101</a>. -</p> -<p>Adam was like us, <a href="#p23">23</a>; taught by an angel, <a href="#p24">24</a>. -</p> -<p>Aesop, fable of, <a href="#p227">227</a>. -</p> -<p>Alms should be given in secret, <a href="#p85">85</a>. -</p> -<p>Anger, fruits of, <a href="#p199">199-200</a>. -</p> -<p>Apostasy, <a href="#p323">323</a>. -</p> -<p>Apostles sent to preach, <a href="#p291">291</a>; slow to understand that the Gospel was -for all mankind, <a href="#p292">292</a>; their acts, <a href="#p321">321</a>; their deaths, <a href="#p322">322</a>; -</p> -<p>Architect, figure of, illustrating Church of Christ, <a href="#p153">153-4</a>; <a href="#p161">161</a>; plans -and specifications of, <a href="#p161">161</a>; necessary, <a href="#p162">162</a>. -</p> -<p>Articles of Faith, <a href="#p129">129</a>. -</p> -<p>Ascension, <a href="#p283">283</a>. -</p> -<p>Atonement of Jesus not understood by His disciples, <a href="#p271">271</a>; necessary, -<a href="#p272">272</a>; theories regarding, <a href="#p274">274</a>; true theory, <a href="#p275">275</a>; Nephite explanation of, -<a href="#p276">276</a>. -</p> -<p>Authority, divine, test of true Church, <a href="#p153">153</a>; Jesus bowed to His -Father's; must be conferred, cannot be assumed, <a href="#p155">155</a>. -</p> -<h3>B</h3> -<p>Baldwin, Matthias, an illustration of faith, <a href="#p113">113-5</a>; a liberal man, <a href="#p175">175</a>. -</p> -<p>Baptism of Jesus, <a href="#p41">41</a>; essential; taught by Jesus to Nicodemus; a -rebirth, <a href="#p130">130</a>; necessity for it; case of Naaman; proof of obedience and -humility, <a href="#p131">131-2</a>; illustrated by chemical experiment, <a href="#p132">132</a>; Jesus taught -baptism and its proper mode; immersion, <a href="#p133">133</a>; purpose of; should follow -repentance; baptism of infants wrong, <a href="#p134">134</a>; summary of Jesus's teachings -regarding, <a href="#p135">135</a>; baptism of the Spirit, <a href="#p137">137</a>. -</p> -<p>Beatitudes; high ideal of life, <a href="#p192">192</a>; great beatitude, <a href="#p193">193</a>. <span class="pagenum"><a name="p328"></a>{328}</span> -Beelzebub, Jesus's miracles attributed to, <a href="#p263">263</a>. -</p> -<p>Book of heaven, <a href="#p163">163</a>. -</p> -<p>Bread of Life, <a href="#p326">326</a>. -</p> -<p>Brother of Jared cut sixteen small stones; asked God to touch them and -make them shine; saw the finger of the Lord; struck with fear, <a href="#p45">45</a>; the -Lord commends him for his faith; sees the Lord who was in the form of a -man; saw the body of God's spirit, <a href="#p48">48</a>. -</p> -<h3>C</h3> -<p>Cain, story of, <a href="#p197">197</a>; offering not accepted; angry, <a href="#p198">198</a>; controlled by -Satan, slew Abel, <a href="#p199">199</a>. -</p> -<p>Centurion's servant healed, <a href="#p256">256-7</a>. -</p> -<p>Church organization necessary, <a href="#p145">145-6</a>; shown by parable of wheat and -tares, <a href="#p146">146-7</a>; meaning of the parable, <a href="#p147">147</a>; Church and Kingdom of God, -<a href="#p148">148</a>; Church to be built on rock of revelation, <a href="#p148">148-9</a>; Church officers, -<a href="#p149">149</a>; Jesus architect of His Church, <a href="#p154">154</a>; one test of true Church is -principle of revelation, <a href="#p154">154</a>; another is divine authority, <a href="#p156">156</a>; two -priesthoods, <a href="#p156">156</a>; architect's plans and specifications, <a href="#p161">161</a>; a third -test is presence and practice of the Gospel, <a href="#p161">161</a>; the three marks, -<a href="#p163">163</a>; membership in the Church a supreme privilege, <a href="#p167">167</a>; conditions of -membership, <a href="#p168">168</a>; what it teaches, <a href="#p233">233</a>; established anew through the -Prophet Joseph Smith, <a href="#p323">323-4</a>; Church of authority, <a href="#p326">326</a>. -</p> -<p>Comforter promised, <a href="#p39">39</a>; is the Spirit of truth, <a href="#p39">39</a>, <a href="#p42">42</a>; is the Holy -Ghost, a member of the Godhead, <a href="#p42">42</a>; came to disciples on day of -Pentecost, <a href="#p43">43</a>. -</p> -<p>Commandment, great, <a href="#p191">191</a>. -</p> -<p>Communities must exist, <a href="#p228">228</a>; must be organized, <a href="#p228">228-9</a>. -</p> -<p>Cornelius, case of, <a href="#p293">293</a>. -</p> -<h3>D</h3> -<p>Darkness covers the earth, <a href="#p160">160</a>. -</p> -<p>Dead, gospel preached to, <a href="#p285">285</a>. -</p> -<p>Defile, things that, <a href="#p194">194</a>. -</p> -<p>Devil, power of evil; who is he? Lucifer the Lightbringer; volunteered -to be a Savior, <a href="#p57">57</a>; his plan rejected; he rebelled and became Satan, -the father of lies; a murderer from the beginning, <a href="#p58">58</a>; tempts Jesus, -<a href="#p61">61-2</a>; entered into Judas Iscariot, <a href="#p63">63</a>; necessary that the devil should -tempt men, <a href="#p65">65</a>. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p329"></a>{329}</span> Dickens, comment on parable of the prodigal son, <a href="#p78">78</a>. -</p> -<p>Disciples learned about God, <a href="#p31">31</a>; overwhelmed when Jesus was crucified, -<a href="#p38">38</a>; received Holy Ghost on day of Pentecost, <a href="#p43">43</a>; knew they were sons of -God, <a href="#p72">72</a>; why they could not cast out a devil, <a href="#p108">108</a>; regarded Jesus as -earthly King; could not understand atonement, <a href="#p271">271</a>; told by Him of his -coming death, <a href="#p271">271-2</a>. -</p> -<p>Divorce, Jesus's teachings on, <a href="#p230">230</a>. -</p> -<p>Duty to the state, <a href="#p231">231</a>; the Church, <a href="#p232">232</a>. -</p> -<h3>E</h3> -<p>Emerson on Christ, <a href="#p313">313</a>. -</p> -<p>Enemies, right attitude toward, <a href="#p216">216</a>. -</p> -<p>Eternal life, greatest gift, <a href="#p17">17</a>; what is eternal life, <a href="#p17">17</a>; defined -again, <a href="#p23">23</a>; again, <a href="#p24">24</a>; conditions of, <a href="#p25">25</a>. -</p> -<p>Eternal loss is to fail to find God, <a href="#p84">84</a>. -</p> -<p>Evil always present, <a href="#p56">56</a>; how evil came into the world, <a href="#p56">56</a>; <a href="#p58">58</a>; devil is -power of evil, <a href="#p57">57</a>; why evil is in the world, <a href="#p63">63-5</a>. -</p> -<h3>F</h3> -<p>Faith, power of; fig tree withered by faith; mountains may be removed -by faith, <a href="#p105">105-6</a>; interpretation of this saying; victory comes by faith, -<a href="#p107">107</a>; Jesus walking on the water, <a href="#p107">107-8</a>; Peter failed for lack of faith, -<a href="#p108">108</a>; impossible to please God without faith, <a href="#p109">109</a>; Matthias Baldwin, an -illustration, <a href="#p113">113-5</a>. -</p> -<p>Fall of Adam made savior necessary, <a href="#p24">24</a>. -</p> -<p>Family basis of society. <a href="#p227">227-8</a>; sacred, <a href="#p229">229</a>. -</p> -<p>Fast, how to, <a href="#p86">86</a>. -</p> -<p>Faults in others, <a href="#p208">208-9</a>. -</p> -<p>Fault-finding wrong, <a href="#p209">209-10</a>. -</p> -<p>Feast, call the poor to, <a href="#p240">240</a>. -</p> -<p>Finding and losing one's life, Jesus's strange saying, <a href="#p83">83</a>. -</p> -<p>Forgiveness should accompany prayer; unless we forgive God will not -forgive us, <a href="#p106">106</a>; law of, <a href="#p214">214-15</a>; must forgive to be forgiven, <a href="#p216">216-17</a>. -</p> -<p>Free agency of man, <a href="#p65">65</a>. -</p> -<p>Fundamental principles, <a href="#p321">321</a>. -</p> -<h3>G</h3> -<p>Girls, two, story of, <a href="#p205">205-7</a>. God, work and glory of, "to bring to pass -the immortality and eternal life of man," <a href="#p16">16</a>; what it means to know Him -and Jesus Christ, <a href="#p21">21</a>; God speaks to <span class="pagenum"><a name="p330"></a>{330}</span> Abraham, <a href="#p21">21</a>; worshiped by -Children of Israel, <a href="#p22">22</a>; first commandment forbids idolatry, <a href="#p22">22</a>; false -conceptions of God, <a href="#p22">22</a>; what it means to know God, <a href="#p23">23</a>; what kind of a -being is God? <a href="#p29">29</a>; Jesus's explanation, "he that hath seen me hath seen -the Father," <a href="#p30">30</a>; God is a person, <a href="#p31">31</a>; called "Father" by Jesus, <a href="#p31">31</a>; -mankind are His children and He loves them, <a href="#p32">32</a>; to know God gives joy -and comfort, <a href="#p32">32</a>; what Saints know of God, <a href="#p33">33</a>; God is a spirit, <a href="#p36">36</a>; His -love for the world, <a href="#p69">69</a>; notes the sparrow, <a href="#p70">70</a>; no respecter of persons, -<a href="#p71">71</a>; an exalted man, <a href="#p71">71</a>; reason for His love for man, <a href="#p73">73</a>; willing to -forgive, <a href="#p80">80</a>. -</p> -<p>Gospel, possession of, test of true Church, <a href="#p161">161</a>; through it we learn of -God, and our duty, <a href="#p162">162</a>; fundamental principles of it, <a href="#p162">162-3</a>; men judged -by it, <a href="#p163">163</a>; was for the Gentiles, <a href="#p292">292</a>. -</p> -<h3>H</h3> -<p>Hail used as illustration, <a href="#p29">29</a>. -</p> -<p>Harmony with our environment, <a href="#p84">84</a>. -</p> -<p>Holy Ghost, member of the Godhead, the Comforter and a special witness, -<a href="#p42">42</a>; duties are many, <a href="#p43">43</a>; rested on the twelve in America, <a href="#p43">43</a>; conferred -by laying on of hands, <a href="#p129">129-138-40</a>; baptism of necessary, <a href="#p137">137-9</a>; what is -the gift of the Holy Ghost? <a href="#p141">141-2</a>; conditions on which it is obtained, -<a href="#p142">142-3</a>. -</p> -<p>House divided, cannot stand, <a href="#p263">263</a>. -</p> -<p>Humility taught by Jesus, <a href="#p168">168</a>; necessary, <a href="#p239">239-40</a>. -</p> -<h3>I</h3> -<p>Indian's speech, <a href="#p159">159</a>. -</p> -<p>Impurity, causes of, <a href="#p194">194</a>. -</p> -<h3>J</h3> -<p>Jerusalem, place to worship, <a href="#p36">36</a>. -</p> -<p>Jesus, almost universally acknowledged, <a href="#p13">13</a>; no other man has exerted so -profound an influence, <a href="#p13">13</a>; twelve years old, <a href="#p14">14-5</a>; a normal boy, <a href="#p14">14</a>; -attended school, <a href="#p14">14</a>; was serious, <a href="#p14">14</a>; duties, <a href="#p15">15</a>; goes with parents -to Jerusalem, <a href="#p15">15</a>; route, <a href="#p15">15</a>; missed by parents, <a href="#p15">15</a>; found in temple -with doctors, <a href="#p15">15</a>; zeal for knowledge, <a href="#p15">15</a>; astonishes His hearers, <a href="#p16">16</a>; -reproved by His mother He says, "I must be about my Father's business", -<a href="#p16">16</a>; strange <span class="pagenum"><a name="p331"></a>{331}</span> saying not understood, <a href="#p16">16</a>; came to do His Father's -will, not His own, <a href="#p16">16</a>; His "Father's business" explained, <a href="#p17">17</a>; defines -eternal life, <a href="#p17">17</a>; nature of His mission, <a href="#p17">17</a>; a preacher's view of Him, -<a href="#p23">23</a>; had not learned to know Him, <a href="#p23">23</a>; our Elder Brother, <a href="#p24">24</a>; chosen to -be the Savior, <a href="#p24">24</a>; assumed the sins of mankind, <a href="#p24">24</a>; gave His life to -redeem them, <a href="#p24">24</a>; was more than a great leader, teacher and philosopher, -<a href="#p24">24</a>; was the Only Begotten of the Father, <a href="#p24">24</a>; to know Him, is to accept -His mission, <a href="#p24">24</a>; like the Father, <a href="#p30">30</a>; called "The Word", <a href="#p31">31</a>; like -ordinary men, <a href="#p31">31</a>; people astonished who knew His family, <a href="#p31">31</a>; image -of His Father's person, <a href="#p31">31</a>; called God "Father", <a href="#p32">32</a>; goes to Sychar -in Samaria, <a href="#p35">35</a>; talks with Samaritan woman, <a href="#p35">35</a>; able to give living -water, <a href="#p35">35</a>; declares Himself the Christ <a href="#p36">36-7</a>; answers messengers of John -the Baptist, <a href="#p37">37</a>; tells the high priest He is the Christ, <a href="#p38">38</a>; tells -Pilate He is King of the Jews, <a href="#p38">38</a>; after being crucified He appears -to disciples on the way to Emmaus, <a href="#p38">38</a>; will send the Comforter, <a href="#p39">39</a>; -subject to His parents, <a href="#p41">41</a>; increased in wisdom and stature, <a href="#p41">41</a>; -baptized by John the Baptizer, "to fulfill all righteousness", <a href="#p41">41</a>; -full of the Holy Ghost, <a href="#p43">43</a>; showed the body of His spirit to brother -of Jared, <a href="#p48">48</a>; His pre-existence, <a href="#p49">49-50</a>; chosen to be the Savior, <a href="#p58">58</a>; -fasted <a href="#p40">40</a> days, <a href="#p61">61</a>; tempted by the devil, and resists, <a href="#p61">61-2</a>; triumphed -by overcoming evil, <a href="#p65">65</a>; commands us to love one another, <a href="#p69">69</a>; combatted -sin, <a href="#p79">79</a>; pictured God as a forgiving Father, <a href="#p79">79</a>; derided by scribes and -Pharisees; rebuked them, <a href="#p80">80</a>; strange saying about finding and losing -one's life, <a href="#p83">83</a>; tells how to give alms, pray and fast, <a href="#p85">85-6</a>; gives the -Lord's prayer, <a href="#p91">91</a>; analyzed <a href="#p91">91-4</a>; door to the sheep fold, <a href="#p135">135</a>; taught -baptism and its proper mode, <a href="#p133">133</a>; taught persistency in prayer, <a href="#p99">99</a>; -and to pray for the things of the Kingdom, <a href="#p99">99-100</a>; and resignation, -<a href="#p102">102</a>; cursed the fig tree; taught that faith would remove mountains, -<a href="#p105">105</a>; His meaning, <a href="#p106">106-17</a>; we should pray believing; walked on water; -saved Peter from sinking; <span class="pagenum"><a name="p332"></a>{332}</span> cast out a devil; why the disciples -could not cast it out, <a href="#p108">108</a>; wrought miracles, <a href="#p115">115</a>; promised same power -on condition, <a href="#p116">116</a>; comments on those killed when tower fell, and those -killed in temple by Pilate, <a href="#p121">121</a>; taught repentance, <a href="#p121">121-4</a>; bowed to -His Father's authority, <a href="#p154">154-5</a>; called little children to Him, <a href="#p168">168</a>; -teachings about riches, <a href="#p175">175-8</a>; all should improve their talents, <a href="#p185">185</a>; -what defiles, <a href="#p194">194</a>; forbade anger, <a href="#p201">201</a>; judge not, <a href="#p209">209</a>; with the lawyer, -<a href="#p222">222</a>; marriage, <a href="#p229">229-30</a>; new law, <a href="#p237">237</a>; a perfect man in every way, <a href="#p253">253-4</a>; -divine power and marvelous works; unnumbered miracles, <a href="#p254">254-5</a>; environed -by wickedness and poverty, <a href="#p255">255</a>; His a mission of love; three miracles, -<a href="#p256">256-8</a>; not honored in Nazereth; His own home, <a href="#p259">259</a>; scribes attribute -His miracles to Beelzebub; He refutes them, <a href="#p263">263</a>; foretold His own -death, <a href="#p271">271-3</a>; came to cause division in families, <a href="#p272">272</a>; significance of -His death, <a href="#p273">273-5</a>; institutes sacrament, <a href="#p273">273</a>; why He submitted to His -enemies, <a href="#p276">276</a>; new testimony concerning Him, <a href="#p277">277</a>; His resurrection and -many appearances after it, <a href="#p281">281-3</a>; evidence, <a href="#p283">283</a>; had been in Paradise, -<a href="#p284">284</a>; preaching to the spirits in prison, <a href="#p285">285</a>; sends apostles to preach, -<a href="#p291">291</a>; visited Nephites, <a href="#p296">296-7</a>; exalted, seen by Stephen on right hand of -God, <a href="#p302">302-3</a>; mission not finished on earth, <a href="#p303">303</a>; our advocate in heaven -with the Father, <a href="#p303">303</a>; is King of Kings and Lord of Lords; will come -again, <a href="#p305">305</a>; is the Living Christ; worshiped by untold millions, <a href="#p311">311</a>; -influence grows stronger with lapse of time, <a href="#p313">313</a>; what He has done, <a href="#p314">314</a>. -</p> -<p>John the Baptist sends messengers to Jesus, <a href="#p37">37</a>; baptizes Jesus, <a href="#p41">41</a>; saw -Spirit of God like a dove rest on Jesus <a href="#p41">41-2</a>; bore his testimony, <a href="#p42">42</a>. -</p> -<p>Jones, Mary, story of victim of slander, <a href="#p206">206-7</a>. -</p> -<p>Joseph goes with Mary and Jesus to Jerusalem, <a href="#p15">15</a>; route <a href="#p15">15</a>; Joseph -and Mary start to return, <a href="#p15">15</a>; miss Jesus, <a href="#p15">15</a>; find Him in temple with -doctors, <a href="#p15">15</a>; Mary reproves Him, <a href="#p16">16</a>; His reply, "I must be about my -Father's business", <a href="#p16">16</a>; parents did not understand Him, <a href="#p16">16</a>. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p333"></a>{333}</span> Judas Iscariot, Satan entered into him, <a href="#p63">63</a>. -</p> -<p>Judge not, <a href="#p209">209-213</a>. -</p> -<h3>K</h3> -<p>Knowledge of Christ, how gained, <a href="#p39">39</a>. -</p> -<p>Knowing God and Jesus Christ, <a href="#p17">17</a>, <a href="#p22">22</a>, <a href="#p24">24</a>, <a href="#p25">25</a>; how to know God, <a href="#p25">25</a>; -should be aim of all education, <a href="#p25">25</a>. -</p> -<h3>L</h3> -<p>Latter-day Saints have strong testimonies, <a href="#p314">314-5</a>; they have the Holy -Priesthood and fulness of the Gospel; they know that Jesus is the -Christ and the object of His life-work, <a href="#p315">315</a>. -</p> -<p>Law and Gospel compared, <a href="#p237">237</a>. -</p> -<p>Lawyer and Jesus, <a href="#p222">222</a>. -</p> -<p>Lazarus raised, <a href="#p257">257</a>. -</p> -<p>Lilies of the field, <a href="#p99">99-100</a>. -</p> -<p>Living alone impracticable, <a href="#p227">227</a>. -</p> -<p>Living water given by Jesus, <a href="#p35">35</a>. -</p> -<p>Locke, John, on the Savior, <a href="#p312">312</a>. -</p> -<p>Lord's prayer, <a href="#p91">91</a>. -</p> -<p>Love, law of, <a href="#p221">221-2-5</a>. -</p> -<p>Loyalty taught by Jesus, <a href="#p168">168-9</a>; <a href="#p171">171</a>; four reasons why men should be -loyal to Him. <a href="#p171">171-2</a>. -</p> -<h3>M</h3> -<p>Man, what is he? <a href="#p69">69</a>; God values man, <a href="#p70">70</a>; divine possibilities of; -offspring of God, <a href="#p71">71</a>; may become a god; owes duties to God and himself, -<a href="#p72">72</a>; must make sacrifices; man the crown of creation; should reverence -God; is the temple of God, <a href="#p73">73</a>. -</p> -<p>Mammon, cannot serve God and, <a href="#p169">169</a>; what is serving Mammon, <a href="#p170">170</a>. -</p> -<p>Marconigraph, <a href="#p266">266</a>. -</p> -<p>Marriage a sacrament, <a href="#p229">229</a>; should be solemnized in a temple, <a href="#p230">230</a>. -</p> -<p>Mansions, many, or degrees of glory in heaven, <a href="#p304">304-5</a>. -</p> -<p>Miracles, many, performed by Jesus, <a href="#p254">254-5</a>; attributed to Beelzebub -by scribes, <a href="#p263">263</a>; what a miracle is, <a href="#p264">264</a>; telephone, <a href="#p265">265</a>; miracles of -science, <a href="#p266">266</a>; power of the priesthood; purpose of miracles, <a href="#p267">267</a>; they -come by faith; privilege of sick to be healed, <a href="#p268">268</a>; feeding of 5000 -people; spiritual food more wonderful, <a href="#p319">319-20</a>. -</p> -<p>Moses, revelation to, <a href="#p16">16</a>. -</p> -<h3>N</h3> -<p>Naaman healed of leprosy, <a href="#p131">131</a>. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p334"></a>{334}</span> Napoleon's Testimony of Christ, <a href="#p13">13</a>; revered Him, <a href="#p18">18</a>; further -testimony, <a href="#p311">311</a>. -</p> -<p>Neighbor, who is my? <a href="#p223">223</a>. -</p> -<p>Nicodemus comes to Jesus, what Jesus told him, <a href="#p43">43</a>; taught baptism by -Jesus, <a href="#p130">130</a>. -</p> -<h3>O</h3> -<p>Opinions of great men on Christ, <a href="#p312">312-3</a>. -</p> -<p>Opportunity should be improved, <a href="#p183">183-5-6</a>. -</p> -<h3>P</h3> -<p>Palestine, condition of, in Jesus's time, <a href="#p255">255-6</a>. -</p> -<p>Parable of the sower, <a href="#p56">56</a>; the lost sheep, <a href="#p70">70</a>; the prodigal son or the -forgiving father, <a href="#p77">77-8</a>; the Pharisee and the publican, <a href="#p80">80</a>; borrowing -three loaves; the judge and the widow, <a href="#p98">98</a>; the house built on a -rock, <a href="#p115">115</a>; barren fig tree, <a href="#p121">121</a>; wheat and tares, <a href="#p146">146-7</a>; treasure -hid in a field; pearl of great price, <a href="#p167">167</a>; earthly treasures, <a href="#p170">170</a>; -light of the body, <a href="#p171">171</a>; unjust steward, <a href="#p178">178-9</a>; rich man and Lazarus, -<a href="#p183">183</a>; the talents, <a href="#p183">183-4</a>; unforgiving servant, <a href="#p215">215</a>; good Samaritan, -<a href="#p222">222</a>; humility, <a href="#p239">239-40</a>; laborers in the vineyard, <a href="#p245">245-6</a>; leaven, <a href="#p291">291</a>; -householder and husbandmen, <a href="#p300">300</a>. -</p> -<p>Paradise, Jesus in, <a href="#p284">284</a>; what it is, <a href="#p286">286-7</a>; Paul says Jesus was image -of His Father, <a href="#p31">31</a>. -</p> -<p>Paul and Barnabas traveled and preached to the Gentiles, <a href="#p294">294</a>. -</p> -<p>Peter's vision, <a href="#p293">293</a>; taught him Gospel, was for Gentiles, <a href="#p294">294</a>. -</p> -<p>Pilate constructs conduit; tower falls killing <a href="#p18">18</a> men; seizes temple -treasures; attacked by mob, <a href="#p119">119</a>; killed many in the temple; excitement, -<a href="#p120">120</a>. -</p> -<p>Political duty, <a href="#p231">231</a>. -</p> -<p>Praise, love of, <a href="#p85">85</a>. -</p> -<p>Pray, how to, <a href="#p86">86</a>; <a href="#p94">94</a>. -</p> -<p>Prayer, should be persistent; hymns quoted, <a href="#p97">97-8</a>; urgent desire and -implicit trust necessary in, <a href="#p99">99</a>; things of God's Kingdom should be -prayed for, <a href="#p99">99-100</a>; God's will be done, <a href="#p101">101-2</a>; implicit reliance in God -and spirit of forgiveness essential in prayer, <a href="#p105">105-6</a>; prayer of faith -efficacious, <a href="#p107">107</a>; wisdom obtained by prayer, <a href="#p109">109</a>. -</p> -<p>Pre-existent state; pre-existence of Jesus and mankind, <a href="#p49">49-50</a>; proved -in man blind from birth, <a href="#p50">50-1</a>; gospel taught there; council of the -spirits; Savior called for; <span class="pagenum"><a name="pp335"></a>{335}</span> Jesus and Lucifer volunteer, <a href="#p57">57</a>; -Lucifer's plan rejected; he rebelled and became Satan, the father of -lies, <a href="#p58">58</a>. -</p> -<p>Psalm, 1, quoted, <a href="#p129">129</a>. -</p> -<p>Pure in heart, to see and associate with God, <a href="#p193">193</a>. -</p> -<h3>R</h3> -<p>Rabbis did not teach forgiveness of sin, <a href="#p79">79</a>. -</p> -<p>Reconciliation, law of, <a href="#p213">213</a>. -</p> -<p>Religion that satisfies, <a href="#p324">324</a>; comprehensive, <a href="#p325">325</a>. -</p> -<p>Repentance taught by Jesus, <a href="#p121">121-2</a>; He upbraided certain cities for not -repenting; universal principle, <a href="#p123">123</a>; things to be repented of, <a href="#p124">124-5</a>. -</p> -<p>Rewards, Jesus's doctrine of, <a href="#p239">239-41</a>; promised, <a href="#p241">241</a>; spiritual, <a href="#p241">241-2</a>. -</p> -<p>Rich man, entering Kingdom of Heaven, easier to pass through eye of -needle, <a href="#p175">175-7</a>; and Lazarus, <a href="#p183">183</a>. -</p> -<p>Riches, Jesus's teaching about, <a href="#p175">175-8</a>; should be righteously acquired, -<a href="#p178">178</a>; how used; not riches but love of them is evil, <a href="#p180">180</a>. -</p> -<p>Rich young ruler and Jesus; unwilling to give up riches, <a href="#p176">176-7</a>. -</p> -<p>Restoration of the Gospel and Priesthood to the Prophet Joseph Smith, -<a href="#p323">323</a>. -</p> -<h3>S</h3> -<p>Sabbath should be kept, <a href="#p170">170</a>. -</p> -<p>Sacrament instituted, <a href="#p273">273</a>. -</p> -<p>Sacrifice required, <a href="#p176">176</a>. -</p> -<p>Samaritan, good, <a href="#p222">222-4</a>; lesson of, <a href="#p224">224-5</a>. -</p> -<p>Second coming of Christ foretold, <a href="#p305">305</a>. -</p> -<p>Self control shown by Jesus, <a href="#p201">201</a>; strength of, <a href="#p202">202</a>. -</p> -<p>Service, what it means. <a href="#p187">187</a>; service pleasing to god, <a href="#p245">245</a>; compensation -for, <a href="#p246">246</a>; value of in the Church. <a href="#p247">247</a>; rewarded justly, <a href="#p247">247-8</a>; always -secular duties to perform, <a href="#p248">248</a>; some in the Church; formal performance -wrong; extra service a privilege, <a href="#p249">249</a>; quality and kind of service -determines reward, <a href="#p259">259</a>. -</p> -<p>Sheep, other, meaning Nephites, <a href="#p294">294-5</a>; Jesus visited them, <a href="#p296">296-7</a>. -</p> -<p>Sheepfold, Jesus is door to, <a href="#p135">135</a>. -</p> -<p>Slander, sin of, <a href="#p205">205-7</a>. -</p> -<p>Smith, Prophet Joseph, prepared Articles of Faith, <a href="#p129">129</a>; Gospel and -Priesthood restored to, <a href="#p323">323</a>. -</p> -<p>Sparrow, God notes it, <a href="#p70">70</a>. -</p> -<p>Spirit of Truth the Comforter, <a href="#p39">39</a>; like a dove rested on Jesus, <a href="#p42">42</a>. -</p> -<p>Spirits in prison, Gospel preached to, <a href="#p285">285</a>. -</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="p336"></a>{336}</span> Stolen money, story of, <a href="#p205">205-7</a>. Suspicion caused by slander, <a href="#p206">206</a>. -</p> -<p>Swearing forbidden, <a href="#p72">72</a>. -</p> -<p>Sychar, Jesus goes to, <a href="#p35">35</a>; people of believe, <a href="#p36">36</a>. -</p> -<h3>T</h3> -<p>Talents should be improved, <a href="#p184">184-5-6-8</a>. -</p> -<p>Telephone used as illustration, <a href="#p24">24-5</a>; miracle of, <a href="#p265">265</a>. -</p> -<p>Tempest stilled, <a href="#p257">257</a>. -</p> -<p>Testimony of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, <a href="#p316">316-17</a>. -</p> -<p>Theft, story of, <a href="#p205">205-7</a>. -</p> -<p>Theories of salvation through Jesus's death, <a href="#p274">274</a>; true theory, <a href="#p275">275</a>. -</p> -<p>Tithes and offerings should be paid, <a href="#p249">249</a>. -</p> -<p>Tobacco, why a boy uses it, <a href="#p238">238</a>. -</p> -<p>Treasures in heaven, not on earth, <a href="#p169">169</a>. -</p> -<p>Tree known by its fruit, <a href="#p195">195</a>. -</p> -<p>Trespasses, how dealt with, <a href="#p213">213-4</a>. -</p> -<h3>V</h3> -<p>Vulgarity condemned, <a href="#p195">195</a>. -</p> -<h3>W</h3> -<p>Water carrier, <a href="#p185">185-6</a>. -</p> -<p>Webster on Christ, <a href="#p313">313</a>. -</p> -<p>Word, Jesus called the, <a href="#p31">31</a>: made flesh, <a href="#p31">31</a>. -</p> -<p>Worry almost a sin; no cure for it, found by men, <a href="#p100">100</a>; Jesus's cure, -<a href="#p101">101</a>. -</p> -<p>Worship, right attitude in; how to worship; what and why we worship, <a href="#p87">87</a>. -</p> -<h3>X</h3> -<p>X-ray, <a href="#p266">266</a>. -</p> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's What Jesus Taught, by Osborne J. 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/dev/null @@ -1,9260 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of What Jesus Taught, by Osborne J. P. Widtsoe - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: What Jesus Taught - -Author: Osborne J. P. Widtsoe - -Release Date: March 6, 2017 [EBook #54292] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHAT JESUS TAUGHT *** - - - - -Produced by the Mormon Texts Project (http://mormontextsproject.org/) - - - - - - -PICTURE: LIGHT OF THE WORLD, Hunt - - - -WHAT JESUS - -TAUGHT - - -Written for The Deseret Sunday School Union - -by - -OSBORNE J. P. WIDTSOE - -Author of - -"The Restoration of the Gospel," Etc. - - -Published by - -THE DESERET SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION - -SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - -{4} - - - -FOREWORD - -No other teacher in the history of the world has wielded so profound an -influence upon humanity as has Jesus the Christ. Practically the whole -world has been Christianized. His doctrines have entered not only into -households but also into governments and nations. But the Christianity -that prevails generally, is the doctrine of Jesus highly merged with -the opinions of men. Indeed, the world's Christianity is often more -largely man-made than Christ-made. A perfect knowledge of Jesus cannot -be gained, however, until men learn more about what He Himself taught, -and less about what scholars have said about His doctrine. - -This little book is an attempt modestly to present in popular form the -teachings of Jesus. It is intended for boys and girls of high-school -age. It is to be understood, then, that there is here no exhaustive -treatise of the teachings of Jesus; nor is there conducted a study and -investigation of profound scholarship. Such a work from the Mormon -point of view must be deferred, if desirable at all. But it is hoped -that what Jesus taught--in part at least--is here presented simply -and plainly and truly, so that anyone who reads may understand. It is -further hoped that the writing of these lessons has been "moved by -the Holy Ghost," so that those who read them may learn to love the -teachings of Jesus, and to know and to love God, and His Son, Jesus, -whom He sent to redeem the world. "Worship God: for the testimony of -Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." O. J. P. W. - -Salt Lake City, December 12, 1917. - -{5} - - - -The Illustrations - -Light of the World. - -1. Christ and the Doctors. - -2. Nazareth, Palestine. - -3. Simeon Blessing the Lord. - -4. Jesus and the Woman of Samaria. - -5. Jesus and Nicodemus. - -6. Christ Healing the Blind Man. - -7. The Sower. - -8. The Temptation of Christ. - -9. Market Scene at Bethlehem. - -10. The Forgiving Father. - -11. The Consoling Christ. - -12. Jesus Praying. - -13. The River Jordan, Palestine. - -14. "Lord, Help Me." - -15. Raising the Dead. - -16. The Garden of Gethsemane. - -17. Baptism of Jesus. - -18. None. - -19. Jesus and the Fishermen. - -20. Christ's Charge to Peter. - -21. Christ Teaching from a Boat. - -22. "Consider the Lilies." - -23. Christ and the Rich Young Ruler. - -24. Lazarus at the Rich Man's House. - -25. The Sermon on the Mount. - -26. None. - -27. Jesus Blessing Little Children. - -28. Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. - -29. The Good Samaritan. - -30. Christ in the Home of Mary and Martha. - -31. Jesus Washing Peter's Feet. - -32. The Wise and the Foolish Virgins. - -33. Christ Driving Out the Money-Changers. - -34. Jesus Healing the Sick. - -35. Christ before Pilate. - -36. Touch Me Not. - -37. The Good Shepherd. - -38. Come Unto Me All Ye That Labor. - -39. The Ascension. - -40. Angel Moroni. - -{6} - - - -Table of Contents - -I - -His Father's Business - -Testimony of Napoleon--Universal worship of Jesus--Purpose of this -book--Duties of Jesus at age of twelve--Jesus in the temple--His -Father's business--What is eternal life?--Special mission of Jesus. - -II - -What It Means to Know God - -Abraham's determination to serve God--God Himself--God of Abraham and -of Isaac and of Jacob--First Commandment--What does it mean to know -Jesus Christ?--Necessary to understand God's plan--Divine mission of -Jesus--What we would do if we had learned to know God and Jesus--The -condition of eternal life. - -III - -The God of Israel - -A very important question--The truth is simple and easy--Jesus's -explanation of God--The testimony of Paul--God is our Father--A real -joy to know the true God. - -IV - -What Jesus Said of Himself - -Jesus's testimony to the woman of Samaria--The testimony of the people -of Sychar--Jesus taught always that He is the Christ--The answer -to John--The confessions at the trials of Jesus--And on the way to -Emmaus--How shall we find out Christ? - -V - -The Special Witness of Jesus - -The end of the period of preparation--The testimony at the -baptism--John's testimony--Who the Comforter is--The mission of the -Holy Ghost--The Holy Ghost in Jesus and the apostles--The Holy Ghost -amongst the Nephites--How to confer the Holy Ghost--Nature of the Holy -Ghost--Importance of the Holy Ghost. - -VI - -Before There Was An Earth - -A remarkable vision--The pre-existence of Jesus--The spirits of all men -eternal--The man born blind--Conclusion. - -VII - -The Presence of Evil - -A review--The problem of evil--The parable of the sower--The -meaning--The devil the power of evil--A council of the spirits--Jesus -volunteers--Lucifer volunteers--Lucifer rebels--The declaration of -Jesus. - -{7} - -VIII - -Why Evil is in the World - -The devil's desperate hope--The temptation of Jesus--The -application--Guard against suggestions of the devil--Why there is -evil--The trial of man--A state of probation--The free agency of man. - -IX - -The Crown of Creation - -A wonder-rousing sacrifice--Why should God be mindful of man?--The -parable of the lost sheep--Man's soul without price--Man the offspring -of God--The questions answered--Reverence for God--Reverence for -personal honor--Reverence for personal purity. - -X - -The Forgiving Father - -The parable of the prodigal--The forgiving father--Condemnation of the -self-righteous--The publican and the Pharisee. - -XI - -Sincerity in Worship - -Finding and losing one's life--The necessity of harmony--Three forms of -temptation--Instruction in praying and alms-giving--The real value of -worship--Humility and sincerity. - -XII - -How to Pray - -The Lord's prayer--Jesus had found God--The prayers of the Jews--The -prayer of Jesus--The Lord's prayer analyzed--Teach us to pray. - -XIII - -Persistence in Prayer - -The Lord will answer--Pray often and persistently--The importunate -friend--The unrighteous judge--An urgent desire necessary--Implicit -trust necessary--Seek first the Kingdom of God--Labor and confidence -hand in hand--The sin of worry--God knows best--Thy will be done. - -XIV - -The Power of Faith - -Confidence vs. faith--The incident of the fig tree--Forgiveness -accompanies prayer--Reason for concrete examples--The -interpretation--Jesus's own interpretation--Examples of the power of -faith--The dispensation of the fulness of times, the wonderful example. - -{8} - -XV - -The Handmaid of Faith - -The case of Mr. Baldwin--Words added to faith--The principle of -works--A parable--The works of Jesus--The works of man--Conclusion. - -XVI - -The Meaning of Repentance - -The irreverence and ruthlessness of Pilate--The necessity of -repentance--The barren fig tree--Repentance a fundamental -doctrine--Jesus's exclamation against the wicked--Repentance a -universal principle--Things of which to repent--The service principle -of the Gospel. - -XVII - -Baptism by Immersion - -The first principles and ordinances--Baptism essential to -salvation--Humility and obedience the psychology of baptism--The law -of obedience in daily life--The example set by Jesus--The purpose of -baptism--The door of the sheep-fold. - -XVIII - -The Gift of the Holy Ghost - -What Jesus told Nicodemus--The laying on of hands--The teaching and -practice of Paul--The practice of the apostles--The teaching and -practice of the apostles derived from Jesus--What is the gift of the -Holy Ghost?--The conditions and the source of intelligence. - -XIX - -The Foundation Stone - -A few questions--Parables by the sea--The meaning of the parables--The -Church and the Kingdom--The testimony of Peter--The testimony of -Jesus--Its significance. - -XX - -The Test of Authority - -The figure of the architect--The application--One mark not -sufficient--The submission of Jesus--The submission of the -apostles--The second mark--Two orders of priesthood. - -XXI - -The Third Mark - -The horror of darkness--The speech of the Indian Chief--The figure -of the architect again--The plan of eternal life--The necessity of -plans--The application--The principles of the Gospel--Men judged by the -Gospel--The three marks. - -{9} - -XXII - -Single Minded Loyalty - -A supreme privilege--The true worth of membership--Conditions of -membership--Single minded loyalty--No man can serve two masters--A -simple application--A parable in point--The light of the body--A -summary--A paraphrase. - -XXIII - -Riches and the Kingdom of God - -A liberal man--An unnatural doubt--The case of the rich young -ruler--The difficulty of the sacrifice--The conclusion of Jesus--The -amazement of the disciples--The power of God--A promise of worldly -blessings--The object of the world's desire--The parable of the unjust -steward. - -XXIV - -Succeeding With What One Has - -The rich man and Lazarus--Wanted, a chance--The parable of the -talents--A general law--The water boy--Intellectual endeavor--Spiritual -growth--The lesson applied. - -XXV - -Think Right - -The great commandment--The beatitudes--A high ideal of life--The great -beatitude--The pure in heart--Things that defile--Vulgarity in thought, -word and deed--Plain teaching. - -XXVI - -The Ugliness of Anger - -The story of Cain--The occupation of Abel--The brothers' -sacrifices--The anger of Cain--The murder of Abel--The lesson at -home--The power of the mind--The teachings of Jesus--Jesus an -example--The strength of self-control. - -XXVII - -With What Measure Ye Mete - -The two school girls--The theft--The suspicion--The discovery--The -tables turned--An every day occurrence--The mote and the beam--What -Jesus said. - -XXVIII - -The Golden Rule - -Positive instruction--The doctrine of reconciliation--The attitude of -a citizen of the Kingdom--The doctrine of forgiveness--The parable of -the unforgiving servant--The meaning--The right attitude towards our -enemies--The golden rule. - -{10} - -XXIX - -The Good Samaritan - -The law of love--The reward of brotherly love--Questions of the -tempting lawyer--The parable of the good Samaritan--A discussion--The -real neighbor--The fulness of the answer--The lesson clinched--The -command renewed. - -XXX - -No One Can Live to Himself - -The fable of the body and its members--The time of Aesop--The growth -of society--A football squad--The teachings of Jesus--The family--The -family sacred--The state--The state divinely instituted--The -Church--Duties of membership--The teachings of our own Church. - -XXXI - -He That Exalteth Himself - -The old law and the new--The teaching of Jesus psychological--A -concrete example--The motive all important--Jesus's doctrine of -rewards--A parable in point--A sound psychological principle--A further -illustration--Peter and the question of recompense--The reward worth -while--Conclusion. - -XXXII - -Extra Service - -The parable of the laborers--The value of service in the -world's work--The value of service in the Church--The test of -profitableness--The application to the day's work--The application to -the Church service--An exclamation against mere formal--performance of -duty. - -XXXIII - -A Prophet in His Own Country - -A perfect man and an exemplary leader--A work full of wonder--A healer -and worker of miracles--The conditions in Palestine--A mission of -love--The centurion's servant--Stilling the tempest--The raising of -Lazarus--In His own country. - -XXXIV - -The Meaning of Miracles - -The explanation of the scribes--The universal presence of law--The -miracle of the telephone--Other miracles of science--The power of the -Priesthood--The purpose of miracles--The privilege of the sick. - -{11} - -XXXV - -An Atoning Sacrifice - -An incredible thought--Jesus's foreknowledge of His death--The -necessity of Jesus's death--The significance of the death of -Jesus--Worldly views of how Jesus's death can save--The real -significance of the death of Jesus--The Nephite explanation--Why Jesus -submitted to His enemies--The new testimony of Jesus. - -XXXVI - -The Place Called Paradise - -A well established fact--The five appearances of the risen Christ--Five -more appearances of the Christ and the ascension--The value of the -testimony--Where had Jesus been?--Today in Paradise--The Gospel to the -dead--A plain explanation--Every knee and every tongue. - -XXXVII - -Other Sheep - -The first commission to the twelve--The leaven of the Gospel--The -Kingdom of the Gentiles--The case of Cornelius--The preaching of -Barnabas and Paul--"Other sheep"--A puzzling question--Forty days--In -the land of the Nephites--The appearance of Jesus to the Nephites. - -XXXVIII - -Our Advocate With The Father - -The householder and the husbandmen--God the great householder, Jesus -the Son--The exaltation of Jesus--Our advocate with the Father--Many -mansions in the Father's house--Lord of Lords and King of Kings--Jesus -to come again--The nearness of Jesus. - -XXXIX - -The Living Christ - -Jesus the living Christ--The testimony of Napoleon--The conviction of -an English philosopher--Declarations of Emerson and Webster--Additional -testimony--Reasons for strong testimonies in the Church--Evidences of -testimony in the Church--"The testimony last of all." - -XL - -A Religion Worth While - -The feeding of the five thousand--The meat that endures to everlasting -life--What Jesus taught--The acts of the apostles--The great -apostasy--The restoration of the Gospel--A religion that satisfies--A -comprehensive religion--A Church of authority--The bread of life. - -{12} PICTURE: CHRIST AND THE DOCTORS, Hofmann - -{13} - - - -What Jesus Taught - - - -I - -HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS - -[Sidenote: The testimony of Napoleon.] - -When the great military hero and world conqueror, Napoleon Bonaparte, -lived in exile on the island of St. Helena, he declared that Jesus was -so supremely great that it is impossible to make comparisons between -Him and any other being in the world. "I know men," said Napoleon, "and -I tell you that Jesus is not a man. Everything in Him amazes me. His -spirit outreaches mine, and His will confounds me." - -[Sidenote: The universal worship of Jesus.] - -It is wonderful that a man like Napoleon, whose natural arms were fire -and the sword, should be so deeply impressed by the life and teachings -of the lowly Nazarene. But Napoleon is not alone in his admiration -and love. Throughout the nineteen centuries that have passed since -the Master lived upon the earth, men of every clime have learned to -know Him and to worship Him. Today there are but few peoples known -to mankind that do not acknowledge Jesus the Christ. The wonderful -story of His life has thrilled both the young and the old the world -over since first it was told. The wisdom, the justice, and the loving -kindness of all His teachings, have inspired the nations to make them -better. No other man in all the history of the world has exerted so -profound an influence on the lives of his fellowmen, and on the laws -that govern them. - -{14} [Sidenote: The purpose of this book.] - -Now, you have read in other books the story of the life of Jesus. You -know when and where He was born; how God the Father protected His Son; -how he grew to manhood, waxing strong in spirit; how He taught, and -wrought miracles amongst His own people; how they rejected Him and -crucified Him; and how He rose from death and returned to His Father -in heaven. It is a strangely beautiful story. But we do not want to -retell it here. It must be our purpose, in this little book, to tell -as interestingly as may be what Jesus taught. Certainly, it must be -interesting to know something of the teachings of the Man who has made -so profound an impression upon the history of the world. We want to -know what the life-work of Jesus means to us and to our fellowmen. And -to begin, we must try to find out what Jesus Himself thought about His -mission on the earth. - -[Sidenote: The new duties of Jesus at the age of twelve.] - -When Jesus reached the age of twelve years, He entered--according to -Jewish custom--upon a new and important period in His life. You may be -used to thinking of Jesus as a very wonderful boy, altogether different -from other boys. That is not quite true. Jesus was a perfectly natural -and normal boy. He liked to run and jump and play the games that other -boys played. He had to go to school as other Jewish boys did--first -at His mother's knee, then at the village synagogue. Jesus was unlike -other boys in that He began early to understand something of the nature -of His mission upon the earth. This made Him like serious things, and -often to think about the teachings of {15} God; for it was the aim of -all Jewish education to learn about God and His commands, and how to -keep them. Now, when Jesus became twelve years of age, there came to -Him many new duties. The Jewish law required that He should assume all -the religious responsibilities that devolved naturally upon a faithful -Jew. Amongst other things, Jesus must hereafter go to the temple three -times a year, to fulfill the demands of the law. Accordingly, when -Joseph and Mary set out for Jerusalem, to observe the Feast of the -Passover, soon after their eldest son's twelfth birthday, they took Him -with them. - -[Sidenote: Jesus in the temple.] - -It is needless here to follow in detail the journey of the pilgrims -over the great highway, across the Plain of Jezreel to Bethshean, -down the western side of the Jordan Valley to Jericho, and then -four thousand feet upward over the barren, robber-infested hills of -the wilderness of Judea to Jerusalem. Jesus seems to have been much -impressed by the road, for He referred to it later in the parable of -the Good Samaritan. - -When the celebration of the feast of the Passover was accomplished, -Joseph and Mary set out to return to Nazareth. They had complete -confidence in Jesus, so they did not look for Him till they reached -Bethany. Jesus was not there to be found. Anxious at heart the parents -returned to Jerusalem; and there, after three days, they found Him -discoursing in the temple with Shammai and the learned teachers of the -temple. The boy's zeal for knowledge had caused Him to remain at the -temple even after the feast was over. "And all that {16} heard Him were -astonished at His understanding and answers." - -When Mary saw her son in the midst of the learned men of Israel, she -cried to Him, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy -father and I have sought thee sorrowing." - -"And He said unto them. How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I -must be about my Father's business?" - -"And they understood not the saying which He spake unto them." - -[Sidenote: His Father's Business.] - -It was, indeed, a strange saying to understand. Not Joseph and Mary -alone, but countless thousands of people have failed to understand -it. Do you think you know what the boy Jesus meant? Of course, to -understand, one must know what the Father's business is. Then we can -understand what Jesus thought about His mission on the earth. "For," -Jesus said many years later when He had grown to manhood, "I came down -from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me." - -What, then, is the will of God? What is His Father's business? Once, -many hundreds of years before Jesus was born, God gave to a man named -Moses a marvelous revelation. Moses saw how the earth had been formed, -and how living things were put upon it. He saw how man was shaped in -the image of God and placed upon the earth to have dominion over it. -Then God said to Moses, "Behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring -to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." - -{17} This, then, is the Father's business; this is His will. It is -exactly what Jesus told Joseph Smith, the great American Prophet, in -our own dispensation: "And if you keep my commandments and endure to -the end, you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of -all the gifts of God." And it is also exactly what Jesus taught while -He dwelt among men. Said He, "And this is the will of Him that sent -me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have -everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." - -[Sidenote: What is eternal life?] - -But perhaps it is not quite clear yet what the Father's will is. -Perhaps you are asking yourself, What is eternal life? Of course, -eternal, or everlasting life, is a condition of being--or of living--in -which there is no death. When we gain the gift of eternal life, we -shall go on living for ever and ever. Jesus gave once an excellent -definition of the conditions of eternal life. He had spent considerable -time exhorting His disciples, and instructing them in things that were -yet to come. Then He raised his eyes to heaven and prayed; and in the -course of that prayer, He said, "This is life eternal, that they might -know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." - -[Sidenote: The special mission of Jesus.] - -Now we may begin to understand fully what Jesus thought about His -mission on the earth. God did not put men on the earth to destroy them. -He put them here to save them, if they would be saved. It is the glory -of God to save men, to bring to pass their salvation and everlasting -exaltation. This is the Father's business. But to gain the gift of -eternal life men must learn to know {18} God. Here then we discover -the nature of Jesus's mission. As child and boy and man, Jesus devoted -His life to learning to know God and to the teaching of His brethren -also to know Him. Through the love and sacrifice of Jesus, we may gain -eternal life. In the temple, the boy of twelve was about His Father's -business, learning and explaining. As a man, He fulfilled the will of -His Father, making it possible for men to know God. In His death. He -accomplished the general salvation of mankind, making it possible for -them to gain eternal life. - -It is small wonder that Napoleon revered the Man who thus unselfishly -devoted His life to the good of His fellowmen, and finally laid it down -for their salvation. We shall be glad to study the teachings of this -Man. But first, we must understand what it means to know God and Jesus -Christ whom He hath sent. - -THE REFERENCES - -Luke 2:42-52. Moses 1:39. - -John 6:38-40. Doc. and Cov. 14:7. - -John 17:1-3. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What, in your opinion, is the value of Napoleon's testimony of Jesus? - -2. What does Napoleon admit in his testimony? - -3. What peoples in the world today do not acknowledge Jesus the Christ? - -4. Name some points in which the world has been affected by the -teachings of Jesus. - -5. Outline briefly the story of the life of Jesus. - -6. Why should it be more important to know the teachings of Jesus than -merely to know the story of His life? - -7. What new responsibilities came to Jesus when He reached the age of -twelve years? - -{19} 8. Why did Jesus remain at the temple in Jerusalem when the feast -of the Passover was accomplished? - -9. What was the answer that puzzled His mother? - -10. Why were men placed upon the earth? - -11. What are the conditions of eternal life? - -12. In what sense has Jesus always been about His Father's business? - -13. What should be our attitude toward the Father's business? - -{20} PICTURE: NAZARETH, PASESTINE - -{21} - - - -II - -WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW GOD - -[Sidenote: Abraham's determination to serve God.] - -What does it mean to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent? -About two thousand years before Jesus was born, there lived in a land -called Ur of the Chaldees, a young man whose name was Abram. Abram -seems to have been a very intelligent and serious-minded person. Like -many another good man in ancient and modern times, he strove to find -out the true and living God. But it was very difficult to do so in -Abram's time, for most of Abram's people had forsaken the worship of -Jehovah, and had turned to the worship of idols and graven images. This -grieved Abram very much. He determined that he would serve the true -God; and that if necessary, he would move away from his father's house -to a strange place, in order that he might worship as his conscience -demanded. The priests who served the strange gods worshipped by Abram's -kindred, heard of Abram's righteousness, and his refusal to worship the -images of wood and stone and metal they had set up. They determined, -therefore, to seize Abram and to sacrifice him on the altar of Elkanah. - -[Sidenote: God Himself.] - -But Abram had found a true friend. It was the true and living God -Himself. He delivered Abram from the hands of the false priests, and -the Lord God said to Abram, "I am the Lord thy God; I dwell in heaven, -the earth is my footstool; I stretch my hand over the sea, and it obeys -my voice; I cause the wind and the fire to be my chariot; I say {22} -to the mountains, Depart hence, and behold, they are taken away by a -whirlwind, in an instant, suddenly." - -[Sidenote: The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.] - -This was the true and living God, the God Almighty, creator of the -heavens and the earth and all that lives therein. In the midst of the -worship of idols and graven images and strange gods of many lands, -Abram had learned to know God--that is, he had learned to recognize -the true God, the living God of power. He was not confused. He did not -mistake an image of stone for the true God. - -Afterwards Abram's name was changed to Abraham. He became the father -of Isaac, and the grandfather of Jacob. These three men all served the -true God. From them sprang the Children of Israel, all of whom learned -also to worship the true God of heaven and earth. That is why He is -often spoken of as the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. - -[Sidenote: The first commandment.] - -In the days of Moses, God gave a commandment in these words, "Thou -shalt have no other gods before me." That commandment was still in -force at the time of Jesus, and is still in force today. Of course, -there are not many idols or graven images held up to worship today; -but there are still many different kinds of God worshipped even in the -Christian world. To some, God is merely a spirit; to others, He is -merely an influence, or a power; to others still, there is no real God, -but the name is used merely to designate the forces of nature--and so -on. Naturally, we cannot gain eternal life through any such conceptions -as these. Like Abraham we must learn to recognize the true and living -God. We must not be deceived by false {23} doctrine. This is life -eternal, to know--to recognize and to worship--the true God, the living -God--of heaven and earth. - -We know now the meaning of the first part of Jesus's statement. We know -what it means to know God. But what does it mean to know Jesus Christ, -whom God sent? - -[Sidenote: What does it mean to know Jesus Christ?] - -Two young men were sitting at luncheon one day in the dining-room of -a students' club house. One of them was registered in the School of -Divinity of one of the oldest and largest universities in America, and -was studying to become a minister. The other was preparing to become a -teacher. - -"Do you believe that Jesus was really the Son of God, and the Savior of -the world?" asked the young teacher. - -"I believe," replied the preacher--the would-be representative of -Jesus--deliberately, "that Jesus was a great leader, a great teacher, a -great philosopher--in every way a great man. But I do not believe that -he was really the Son of God, nor really the Redeemer in the usually -accepted sense." - -[Sidenote: It is necessary to understand God's plan.] - -Had this young minister, who was preparing to preach the Gospel of -Jesus Christ, learned to know Him? Surely not. It is not enough merely -to recognize the true and living God, and to distinguish Him from the -many false gods of the world. One must learn also to understand God's -plan for the salvation of mankind, The first man, Adam, was just like -us. He did not {24} understand the plan of salvation until it was -taught to him. One day, when he was offering sacrifice outside of the -Garden of Eden, an angel appeared to him. The angel told Adam many -things about the Fall, and sin, and death. These things we shall learn -more about later. The important thing to learn now is this: Because of -the fall of Adam and Eve, it became necessary to send Someone to the -earth to lay down His life for the salvation of men. - -[Sidenote: The divine mission of Jesus.] - -God selected our Elder Brother Jesus, to perform this noble mission. -He came to the earth--the Only Begotten of the Father--and taught -men, took their sins upon Himself, and finally allowed His life to be -taken to redeem mankind from the effects of the fall in the Garden of -Eden. Was Jesus, then, merely a great leader, a great teacher, a great -philosopher? He was all that, to be sure. But He was also more than -that. He was--He is--the Only Begotten Son of the Father, the Savior of -the world. To know Jesus Christ whom God hath sent, is to accept the -divine mission of Jesus, to believe that He is really the Christ. This -is life eternal, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He -hath sent. - -[Sidenote: A third step.] - -Now we understand, in part, what it means to know God and Jesus Christ. -But a third step is necessary before one can claim complete knowledge. -If a man should claim to know the principles of the telephone, then -should try to talk to someone at a distance without connecting the -wires with the transmitting instrument, should you believe that he -really knew what he claimed to know? Would you not {25} rather think, -"If this man understood and recognized the principles of the telephone, -he would do what they require?" - -[Sidenote: What we would do if we had learned to know God and Jesus.] - -It is just so in knowing God and Jesus Christ, His Son. If we have -really found the true God, and sincerely believe in the mission of -Jesus Christ, we will surely do the things that They command us to do. -Indeed, we cannot claim a complete knowledge without doing God's will. -Once, when John the Beloved was writing to some members of the Church, -he said to them, "Hereby we do know that we know Him (Jesus Christ), if -we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not -His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso -keepeth His word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby -know we that we are in Him." - -[Sidenote: The condition of eternal life.] - -Now we may claim to have learned the conditions of eternal life. To -know the true God is to recognize the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and -of Jacob--the God of Israel, and not to confuse Him with any one of the -many false gods worshipped in the world. To know Jesus Christ is to -recognize Him, and to accept Him and believe in Him as the Savior of -the world. To know God and Jesus Christ, is to keep the commandments -They have given to man. It was the whole aim of Jewish education to -learn to know God and His commands, and how to keep them. It should -be the aim of all education. Only by knowing the true God and Jesus -Christ, can we hope to enter the kingdom of God. - -{26} "To us, there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, -and we in Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and -we by Him." - -It shall be our pleasure from now on to learn what Jesus Himself -taught, that we may learn the better to know Him and the Father, and -thus gain eternal life. - -THE REFERENCES - -Abraham Chs. 1,2. Moses 5:1-11. - -Exodus 20:3. 1 John 2:3-5. - -1 Cor. 8:6. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What was the real problem that confronted Abram in his search for -God? - -2. Why is the true God called the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of -Jacob? - -3. What is the first of the ten commandments? - -4. How does it apply in this age? - -5. What does it mean to know God? - -6. What do men of the world often think of Jesus? - -7. Why was Jesus necessary in the plan of salvation? - -8. What does it mean to know Jesus Christ? - -9. What does it mean in full to know God and Jesus Christ whom He sent? - -10. What should be an aim of all true education? - -{27} - -{28} PICTURE: SIMEON BLESSING THE LORD. - -{29} - - - -III - -THE GOD OF ISRAEL. - -[Sidenote: A very important question.] - -What kind of being is God, the Father, of whom are all things? If you -should be sent into the missionary field to preach the Gospel, you -would find this one of the most difficult questions you would have to -answer. For God is somewhat of a mysterious being in the opinions of -most men. Very few men have ever claimed to have seen God, or to have -held converse with Him. And for that which seems mysterious, men like -to find hard, complicated answers. The simple truth does not satisfy -them. - -[Sidenote: The truth is simple and easy.] - -Yet, the simple answer is nearly always the right one. A missionary -to the South Sea Islands found himself one day trying to explain to -the natives the nature of hail. There is neither hail nor snow nor -sleet on the islands. There are really but two seasons--the dry and -the wet. When it is wet it rains. The missionary tried by many various -roundabout ways to make the natives understand that hail is frozen -raindrops. The natives knew nothing about frost. They had no previous -knowledge with which to associate his explanation. And, as you know, we -cannot understand anything new unless we can tie it up with something -that we already know. - -The missionary became desperate. Finally, he thrust his hand into a -bowl of rice standing on the floor, lifted a handful, and allowed it to -fall again in a shower to the ground. "Hail," he said, "is like that." -Instantly {30} the natives got the picture. They saw the raindrops -turned white and hard, and pelting the earth in their fall. The simple -explanation went home. - -[Sidenote: Jesus's explanation of God.] - -Now, Jesus's explanation of what kind of being God is, is even more -simple and clear than is this illustration of what hail is like. But -men have strayed into the worshipping of many different kinds of God, -because they have refused to accept the simple truth. - -Near the close of His mortal life on the earth, Jesus delivered a very -excellent farewell discourse to His disciples. It is full of words of -cheer and comfort. Amongst other things Jesus said: - -"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, -but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and -from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. - -"Philip saith unto Him, Lord shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. - -"Jesus saith unto him. Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast -thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; -and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" - -[Sidenote: The meaning of Jesus's answer.] - -Is not this answer very simple and very clear? Is there any good reason -for mistaking this answer? You hear it said very often of a young man -that he is the very image of his father. If you should some day say to -a young man, "I should like very much to see your father," what should -you think the father looked like, if the young man were to answer, "He -that has seen me has seen my father"? {31} Could you possibly in reason -help thinking that the father and the son were alike? - -We know what manner of man Jesus was. Jesus possessed a body of flesh -and bones; or, as John the Beloved, said, "The Word was made flesh -and dwelt among us." Besides, Jesus was so much like other men that -His own people could not see anything different in Him. When Jesus -went into His own country and taught in the synagogue, the people were -astonished. "Whence hath this man this wisdom," they asked, "and these -mighty words? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called -Mary? and his brethren, James and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?" To His -own people Jesus was but an ordinary man. - -[Sidenote: The testimony of Paul.] - -But the disciples of Jesus learned to understand what Jesus meant by -His teaching about God. Said Paul, "God, who at sundry times and in -divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, -hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath -appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; who -being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, -and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by -Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on -high." - -[Sidenote: The truth about God.] - -It is not necessary, then, to go a round-about way to find out the -nature of God. The simple explanation is the true one. The God of -Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob--the supreme God of this world--is a -person. He possesses a body of flesh and bones. His Son is so much like -Him that {32} He could say in truth, "He that hath seen me hath seen -the Father." Jesus was the express image of God's person. - -[Sidenote: God is our Father.] - -Jesus's favorite name for God was Father. This beautiful word means -many things to us in the teaching of Jesus. First, Jesus was really the -Son of God, and could rightfully speak of Him as "My Father." But Jesus -taught us more than that. Not only is Jesus the Son of God--the Only -Begotten in the flesh--but we are all the children of God. He is the -Father of our spirits, so that we may also rightfully pray to Him as -"Our Father who art in heaven." Then, if God is really our Father, He -must have the same kind of feelings for us that fathers always have for -their children. Indeed, since He is God, His feelings must be deeper -and truer than those of any earthly father. Jesus put it thus: - -"What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him -a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, -being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much -more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that -ask him?" - -[Sidenote: A real joy to know the true God.] - -It is a matter of comfort and joy to know the true God--to worship a -God whom we can understand, whom we may recognize. It is no wonder that -people everywhere become confused when they try to pray to a God who is -something yet nothing, who is everywhere yet nowhere, who sits on the -top of a topless throne, and so forth. It is no wonder that people are -looking for the true God. - -{33} "We know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and -eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, -the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them--that -He created man, male and female, after His own image and in His own -likeness, created He them, and gave unto them commandments that they -should love and serve Him, the only living and true God, and that He -should be the only being whom they should worship." - -THE REFERENCES - -John 14:6-9. Heb. 1:1-3. - -John 12:45. John 1:14. - -Matt. 13:35. Doc. and Cov. 130:22. - -Col. 1:15. Matt. 7:9-12. - -Phil. 2:6. Doc. and Cov. 20:17-19. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. How do we learn to know things? - -2. Why have men strayed from the true conception of God? - -3. What kind of being is God? - -4. What did Jesus say God is like? - -5. What did His disciples understand Jesus to mean? - -6. In what sense is God the Father? - -7. How is He like other fathers? - -8. Why could you not worship any other God than a personal God? - -9. What did Jesus teach Joseph Smith concerning God? - -{34} PICTURE: JESUS AND THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA, Hofmann - -{35} - - - -IV - -WHAT JESUS SAID OF HIMSELF - -[Sidenote: Jesus's testimony to the woman of Samaria.] - -One day, early in His ministry among the Jews, Jesus "left Judea, and -departed again into Galilee. And He must needs go through Samaria. Then -cometh He to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the -parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well -was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with His journey, sat thus on -the well; and it was about the sixth hour. - -"There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her. -Give me to drink. . . . Then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, How -is it that thou being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of -Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. - -"Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and -who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked -of Him, and He would have given thee living water. The woman saith -unto Him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: -from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than -our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, -and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, -Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever -drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but -the water that I {36} shall give him shall be in him a well of water -springing up into everlasting life. . . . - -"The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our -fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is -the place where men ought to worship. - -"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye -shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the -Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for -salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the -true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for -the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that -worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. - -"The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called -Christ: when He is come. He will tell us all things. - -[Sidenote: The testimony of the people of Sychar.] - -"Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He." When she heard -this remarkable declaration, the woman ran back to the city of Sychar -and told the people what Jesus had said to her, asking them, "Can this -be the Christ?" The people of Sychar went out themselves to see Jesus, -and invited Him to stay with them. Jesus stayed there for two days, and -many believed in Him because of His teachings. And when He left them -to continue His journey to Galilee, the people said to the woman who -had first met Jesus, "Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we -have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the -Savior of the World." - -{37} [Sidenote: Jesus taught always that He is the Christ.] - -This experience of Jesus with the people of Sychar is full of interest -and rich in meaning. We might spend much time in discussing it. But it -is not necessary now to consider more than the fact that from the very -beginning of His ministry, Jesus taught that He was really the Christ, -the Savior of the world. He was not always so successful in getting the -people to recognize Him--in getting them to know God and Jesus Christ -whom He had sent--as He was here at Sychar. When at one time He bore -the same testimony in the Temple, the priests and the people took up -stones and would have stoned Him to death, had He not miraculously -walked out of their midst. But always Jesus taught of Himself that He -is the Christ. - -[Sidenote: The answer to John.] - -When the messengers of John the Baptist came to Him and asked, "Art -thou He that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered -promptly, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and -see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are -cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have -the gospel preached to them." These things were all signs of the coming -of the Christ, and the answer was the same as if Jesus had said, "Yes, -I am He that should come; ye need not look for another." - -[Sidenote: The confessions at the trials of Jesus.] - -It was thus plainly and fearlessly that Jesus, at the end of His -earthly life too, taught that He was the Redeemer of the world. When -Jesus was haled before the high priest. {38} the high priest demanded, -"Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus answered boldly, -"I am: and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of -power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." And to Pilate's question, -"Art thou the King of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "Thou sayest." - -[Sidenote: And on the way to Emmaus.] - -These answers and explanations are so clear to us now that it seems -hardly possible the disciples of Jesus did not also understand them. -Yet it was so; the disciples looked apparently for a powerful, earthly -king. When Jesus was crucified, they were overwhelmed. For a while -they did not know what to make of it. But Jesus Himself made all -things clear. One day, after the crucifixion, two of the disciples -were journeying toward Emmaus, talking about the strange things that -had happened. Suddenly, the resurrected Savior joined them. Because -these disciples had failed to understand the meaning of His mission on -the earth, Jesus said to them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe -all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered -these things, and to enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and -all the prophets. He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the -things concerning Himself." Thus did Jesus after His resurrection bear -testimony to His teaching that He is verily the Christ, the Son of God. - -[Sidenote: How shall we find out Christ?] - -The knowledge that Jesus is the Christ, is, as we have already learned, -necessary to gain eternal life, the greatest of all gifts. But how -shall we come into possession of that knowledge? Shortly before His -{39} death, Jesus taught His disciples thus: "I will pray the Father, -and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you -forever." And a little later, "When the Comforter is come, whom I will -send you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth -from the Father, He shall testify of me." So, then, we may gain the -knowledge, the testimony, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the -world, through the inspiration of the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. -And to be influenced by the Spirit of Truth, we must ourselves worship -in spirit and in truth. Sooner or later the testimony must be obtained, -for it is decreed that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess -that Jesus is the Christ. - -THE REFERENCES - -John 4:1-42. Matt. 27:11. - -John 10:24, 25. Luke 24:25-27. - -Matt. 11:3-6. John 14:16. - -Mark 14:61, 62. John 15:26. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What is the meaning of the Christ? - -2. What is the significance of Christ's ministry at Sychar? - -3. On what other occasions did Jesus publicly declare Himself the -Christ? - -4. Of what particular value is His testimony to the disciples on the -road to Emmaus? - -5. How is a testimony of the Christ to be obtained? - -{40} PICTURE: JESUS AND NICODEMUS, Artist Unknown - -{41} - - - -V - -THE SPECIAL WITNESS OF JESUS - -[Sidenote: The end of the period of preparation.] - -It was the day of the baptism. Jesus had completed the years of -preparation for His ministry of service. We know very little of what -He did during the eighteen years from the time of His first visit to -the temple to the time of His baptism. The historian Luke tells us that -Jesus went down to Nazareth with His parents and was subject to them. -"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and -man." The day of the baptism was momentous, however; for it was the day -on which the special witness of Jesus made special recognition of Him -as the Christ. - -[Sidenote: The testimony at the baptism.] - -John the Baptizer was performing the ordinance of baptism in the river -Jordan for all those who requested it. Thither, then Jesus went; for -He, too, wished to be baptized. But when Jesus approached, John felt -that in Him was One greater than he; just such a One as he had himself -predicted, whose shoestrings he was unworthy to untie. When, therefore, -Jesus asked for baptism, John replied, "I have need to be baptized of -Thee, and comest Thou to me?" - -"And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now; for thus it -becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered Him. - -"And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straight-way out of the -water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and he (John) saw -the Spirit of God {42} descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him. -And, lo, a voice from heaven, saying, This is my Son, in whom I am well -pleased." - -[Sidenote: John's testimony.] - -A little later, John bore testimony to those assembled about him, thus: -"I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and It abode upon -Him. And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the -same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and -remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. -And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God." - -[Sidenote: Who the Comforter is.] - -Now, this Spirit that John saw descending like a dove and lighting upon -Jesus was the same Spirit that Jesus later promised--as we learned in -the preceding chapter--and that was to testify of Him. Concerning this -Spirit Jesus said also just before His crucifixion, "I tell you the -truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, -the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him -unto you." - -Who, then, is this Spirit, this Comforter? Jesus tells plainly: "The -Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my -name. He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your -remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." The Holy Ghost, then, -is a special witness to Jesus; and the Holy Ghost is a member of the -Godhead in heaven. When Jesus commissioned the apostles after His -resurrection to preach the Gospel, He said to them, "Go ye therefore, -and teach all nations, baptizing {43} them in the name of the Father, -and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." It is further clear that, as a -member of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost is a member separate and distinct -from God and the Son; for at the baptism of the Son, all three were -individually and separately present. - -[Sidenote: The mission of the Holy Ghost.] - -The duties of the Holy Ghost are many. When Nicodemus came by night -to be instructed by Jesus, Jesus assured him that, "except a man be -born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of -God;" for, said He, "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This -means, of course, that when one receives the gift of the Holy Ghost, -one enters upon a new spiritual life. And in bringing about such a new -spiritual life, the Holy Ghost convinces the sinner of his evil deeds, -and leads him to the truth, testifying as we have already learned of -the Christ. - -[Sidenote: The Holy Ghost in Jesus and the apostles.] - -Jesus, himself, was "full of the Holy Ghost." After the ascension. His -promise of a Comforter was literally fulfilled to the Apostles. On the -day of Pentecost, they "were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began -to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - -[Sidenote: The Holy Ghost amongst the Nephites.] - -On the American continent, too, as you must remember, Jesus chose -twelve apostles. The Holy Ghost rested mightily upon them, and the -way in which Jesus conferred the Holy Ghost on them is interesting. -The third Nephi records the incident in these words: "It came to pass -that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, {44} He touched with -His hand the disciples whom He had chosen, one by one, even until He -had touched them all, and spake unto them as He touched them." Moroni -describes the incident more fully: "The words of Christ, which He spake -unto His disciples, the twelve whom He had chosen, as He laid His hands -upon them. And He called them by name, saying, ye shall call on the -Father, in my name, in mighty prayer; and after ye have done this, ye -shall have power that on him whom ye shall lay your hands, ye shall -give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for thus do mine -apostles." - -[Sidenote: How to confer the Holy Ghost.] - -As Jesus Himself did, then, amongst the Nephites, and as He instructed -the Nephite apostles to do, so also did the Jewish apostles. They -conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. It -is the proper way. When the Church was re-established by the great -American, Joseph Smith, the ordinance of the laying on of hands was -restored with it. - -[Sidenote: Nature of the Holy Ghost.] - -Now, you may be wondering, what kind of being is the Holy Ghost, -that it may be conferred by the laying on of hands? Many people have -wondered about the same thing. Indeed, even learned men have wondered -so much that they have become utterly confused. Yet, here again, the -truth is very simple. Jesus said to Joseph Smith, "The Father has a -body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the -Holy Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of -Spirit. Were it not so, the Holy Ghost could not dwell in us." - -{45} [Sidenote: Importance of the Holy Ghost.] - -You can readily see that the Holy Ghost is a very important personage. -First, He is a member of the Godhead. Then, through His influence we -are led from darkness into light, and are thus enabled to recognize -the truth. Then He testifies of Jesus Christ, and of God who sent -Him. Indeed, so important is the testimony of the Holy Ghost that -Jesus Christ Himself asserted that all sins may be forgiven except -the sin against the Holy Ghost. And to Joseph Smith, Jesus said that -the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost consisted in the denying of the -testimony that Jesus is the Christ, after having once received that -testimony, and thus approving of His death. The denial of such a -testimony would be the denial of the Holy Ghost also; for "no man can -know that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost." - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 3:13-16. John 3:34. - -John 1:32-35. Acts 2:1-4. - -John 16:7, 8, 13. 3 Nephi 18:36, 37. - -John 14:26. Moroni 2:1,2. - -Matt. 28:19. Doc. and Cov. 33:15. - -John 6:53. Doc. and Cov. 130:22. - -Luke 4:1-20. Doc. and Cov. 132:27. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. How old was Jesus when He went to John to be baptized? - -2. Why was Jesus baptized? - -3. How did John recognize Jesus as the Son of God? - -4. Who is the Comforter? - -5. What is His relation to God and to Jesus? - -6. What is the mission of the Holy Ghost? - -7. How is the Holy Ghost conferred? - -8. What kind of being is the Holy Ghost? - -9. Why is the Holy Ghost of special importance? - -{46} PICTURE: CHRIST HEALING THE BLIND MAN, Bida - -{47} - - - -VI - -BEFORE THERE WAS AN EARTH - -[Sidenote: A remarkable vision.] - -The brother of Jared had cut from Mount Shelem sixteen small stones, -clear and transparent as glass. The barges in which his people were to -cross the ocean were prepared; but he had been unable to devise a means -of lighting them. So, with childlike faith and complete confidence he -called upon the Father. - -"I know, O Lord," said the brother of Jared, "that Thou hast all power, -and can do whatsoever Thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch -these stones, O Lord, with Thy finger, and prepare them that they may -shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the -vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light when we shall -cross the sea . . . . - -"And it came to pass that when the brother of Jared had said these -words, behold, the Lord stretched forth His hand and touched the -stones, one by one with His finger; and the veil was taken from off -the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; -and it was like the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and -the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with -fear." - -You may easily imagine that such a vision would amaze any man. And the -brother of Jared, though he was a very good and righteous man, and a -prophet of God, seems not to have suspected before this time that God -and Jesus Christ had bodies of flesh as material {48} and tangible as -man's. What the brother of Jared thought God to be, we do not know. But -when the Lord saw that he had fallen to the ground in amazement, He -said, "Arise, why hast thou fallen?" - -"And he saith unto the Lord, I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared -lest He should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and -blood." - -But much as the brother of Jared was astonished at this marvelous -revelation, there remained for him yet greater wonders. The Lord -commended him for his great faith, which had made it possible for him -to see the finger of the Lord. Then the Lord asked, "Sawest thou more -than this? And he answered Nay; Lord, show Thyself unto me." - -"Behold, the Lord showed Himself unto him, and said....Behold, I am He -who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. -Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all -mankind have light, and that eternally, even they who shall believe -on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters. And never -have I shown myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man -believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine -own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning, after mine -own image. - -"Behold, this body which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit, and -man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear -unto thee to be in the spirit, will I appear unto my people in the -flesh." - -{49} [Sidenote: The pre-existence of Jesus.] - -This marvelous vision, the brother of Jared beheld many hundreds of -years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Do you think you understand -the great truths that Jesus here revealed to the Jaredite prophet? -First, it must be evident to everyone that Jesus had existence--that -He lived and worked--before He was born in the flesh upon the earth. -But what kind of existence was this pre-existence? It was an existence -in the spirit state. And the spirit body of Jesus is in form and shape -just like the mortal body; so that, when Jesus helped to form man. He -formed him after the image of His own body. This is the second great -truth we learn from the remarkable vision. And a third is, that Jesus -was appointed "from the foundation of the world" to redeem mankind. In -the pre-existence He labored for us; there He was chosen to redeem us. -His mission upon the earth, and the sacrifice of His noble life, were -but the completion of a plan formulated long before He was born. - -[Sidenote: The spirits of all men eternal.] - -Now, you may say, "Of course, we know that Jesus lived before He was -born in the flesh, and that He had a spirit of the same form and shape -as His mortal body, and that He was chosen in that pre-existent life to -redeem the world from sin. But it may not be so with man." - -That is one of the wonderful things about life. We are here passing -through only one small stage of it. Jesus taught that the spirits of -all men are eternal just like His own. For Jesus truly recognized and -understood His own pre-existence. Said He, once, as He prayed, "And -now, O Father, glorify Thou me with {50} Thine own self with the glory -which I had with Thee before the world was." And at another time He -asked, "What and if Ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He -was before? I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: -again, I leave the world, and go to the Father." Thus, with complete -assurance He spoke of the time that had been before; and with the same -assurance He accepted the teaching that man, too, existed before he was -born in the flesh. - -[Sidenote: The man born blind.] - -One day, in the temple, Jesus had taught this very doctrine to the -Jews. In answer to one of their questions. He had replied, "Verily, -verily, I say unto you. Before Abraham was I am." The answer provoked -the Jews, and they took up stones to stone Him. "But Jesus hid Himself, -and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so -passed by." - -Then follows a remarkable little story, touching the doctrine He had -just presented in the temple, and here discussed in this chapter. "As -Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His -disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man or his -parents, that he was born blind?" - -Now, we must remember that in those days people believed affliction to -be always a punishment for some sin or other. We can easily understand -that the parents of the man might have sinned; and through their sin, -they might have brought blindness upon their son. But since he was born -blind, how could the affliction have come as the result of his own sin? -In only one way. If the man had had an existence before he was {51} -born in the flesh, he might there have sinned. The Lord might then have -punished him for his sin by causing him to be born blind. - -Evidently, the disciples understood that there is a pre-existent state. -But were they right? If they were not, surely Jesus would correct them. -Listen. Jesus answered, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: -but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." Jesus, then, -did not rebuke them. He, too, accepted the doctrine. At least, the -affliction of blindness was not because of sin committed in the spirit -world. And the works of God were truly made manifest in the miracle -which Jesus then performed. - -[Sidenote: Conclusion.] - -From the teachings of Jesus, in the spirit and in the flesh, it is -clear, then, that the spirits of all men existed in the spirit world -long before they were born into bodies of flesh in this world; that the -body of the spirit is like the mortal body in form; and that Jesus was -chosen before the earth was organized to redeem mankind from sin. - -"We have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them -reverence: Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of -Spirits, and live?" - -THE REFERENCES - -Ether 3:4-16. John 17:28. - -John 17:5. John 9:1-7. - -John 6:62. Heb. 12:9. - -{52} THE QUESTIONS - -1. Relate the story of the vision of the brother of Jared? - -2. What was it that enabled the brother of Jared to behold so -remarkable a vision? - -3. What three important points are taught in the vision? - -4. How did Jesus show in His teachings in the flesh that He believed in -a pre-existence? - -5. What lesson do you derive from the story of the healing of the man -born blind? - -6. What is the teaching of Jesus brought out in this lesson? - -7. How should this knowledge of a spirit existence affect our lives on -the earth? - -{53} - -{54} PICTURE: THE SOWER, Millet - -{55} - - - -VII - -THE PRESENCE OF EVIL - -[Sidenote: A review.] - -Let us stop now for a moment and think before we proceed to the special -subject of this chapter. It is clear, from what we have learned, that -Jesus had a very specific mission to perform on the earth. He did not -come merely to display miraculous power. He came to save mankind--to -teach them to know God and His commands, and to show them, further, -how to keep the commands. And the wonderful thing about the mission -of Jesus is that He was willing to suffer as no other man has ever -suffered and finally to lay down His life in order to bring about the -purpose of God. - -And the great purpose of God in this world is to bring to pass the -immortality and eternal life of man. For just as Jesus did not come -merely to show how He could perform wonders, so God did not organize -the earth and put living things upon it only to display His power. -He had a far greater and higher purpose. That the purpose may be -accomplished, man must learn to know God and Jesus Christ whom He hath -sent. - -[Sidenote: The problem of evil.] - -Now, it may seem to you that, if God were so desirous of saving mankind -that He was willing to give His only Begotten Son to accomplish the -desire, He could have made it very easy for men to keep His commands. -Indeed, He might have made His will the only possible thing to do. But -it is not so. It is not ever really difficult to keep the commands of -God if one sets his mind to keep them; but there are always so many -other things {56} possible to do that one is tempted to neglect the -word of God. Evil is always in the way. We wonder why there should be -evil in the way, and how evil came to be. Men have wondered about the -same thing for many ages. It would be so much easier to be good if -there were no wrong. In this lesson, therefore, we want to learn how -evil came into the world; in the next one, we shall learn why it is -here. - -[Sidenote: The parable of the sower.] - -One day, when a great multitude of people had assembled about Him, -Jesus related the parable of the sower. Said He, "A sower went out to -sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was -trodden down and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon -a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it -lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up -with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, -and bare fruit an hundredfold.... - -[Sidenote: The meaning.] - -"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the -wayside are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the -word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They -on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with -joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of -temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, -when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches -and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that -on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good {57} heart, -having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." - -[Sidenote: The devil the power of evil.] - -It is the devil, then, who, in this world, is the power of evil. -Directly or indirectly he gets between man and the path of duty. -Although a man may know the way of righteousness, the devil tempts him -to neglect it, or even to depart from it and to walk in the way of -evil. But who is the devil? Whence did he get such power? How came he -to be the devil? - -[Sidenote: A council of the spirits.] - -In the pre-existent state, of which we learned in the preceding lesson, -all the spirits of men lived together in a world of spirits. It was -there that they first heard of the plan of salvation--the Gospel. The -plan was explained at a great meeting, or council, of the spirits. God -Himself presented the plan to them, and showed them how, in order to -carry out the plan, there would be needed a Savior--someone to perform -the very mission that Jesus has actually performed for us. Then, when -he had fully presented the Gospel plan, God asked, "Whom shall I send?" - -[Sidenote: Jesus Volunteers.] - -There was present at the council a spirit of supreme intelligence and -humility. He was Immanuel, the Son of God. This spirit stepped forward -and volunteered unselfishly, "Father, here am I, send me. Thy will be -done, and the glory be Thine forever." - -[Sidenote: Lucifer volunteers.] - -But there was present at the assembly a proud and haughty spirit -named Lucifer, the Light-bringer, a Son of the Morning. Lucifer also -volunteered, saying, "Behold--here am I, {58} send me, I will be Thy -son and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and -surely I will do it; wherefore give me Thine honor." - -One can easily imagine that not only God, but the whole multitude of -spirits also, must have been astounded at the selfishness and the -arrogance of Lucifer. He was willing to try to save mankind--to force -their salvation, in fact--but as reward he would thrust God from His -throne, and claim for himself the honor and glory of God. It was as if -he had said in his heart, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my -throne above the stars of God." - -[Sidenote: Lucifer rebels.] - -It is no wonder, then, that God said simply, "I will send the first." -Naturally, Lucifer became angry, and rebelled against God, carrying -with him one-third of the spirits of heaven. But in the war which -followed, Lucifer and his host were defeated, and were cast out of -heaven. "And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of lies, -to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even -as many as would not hearken unto (God's) voice." - -[Sidenote: The declaration of Jesus.] - -That is how evil came into the world; and that is why Jesus said once -to the Jews who rejected Him, "If God were your Father, ye would -love me: for I proceeded forth and am come from God: neither came I -of myself, but He sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even -because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, -and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the -beginning, and abode {59} not in the truth, because there is no truth -in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a -liar, and the father of it." - -THE REFERENCES - -Luke 8:4-15. Isa. 14:12, 13. - -Moses 4:1-4. Doc. and Cov. 29:36-38. - -Abraham 3:27, 28. Doc. and Cov. 76:25-27. - -John 8:42-44. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. Why is one tempted to neglect the word of God? - -2. What is the lesson of the parable of the sower? - -3. Who is the sower of evil in the world? - -4. How did Satan come to be the devil? - -5. What is the devil's mission on the earth? - -6. How did Jesus characterize the devil? - -{60} PICTURE: TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, Scheffer - -{61} - - - -VIII - -WHY EVIL IS IN THE WORLD - -[Sidenote: The devil's desperate hope.] - -No better illustration of the mission of the devil on the earth can be -found than the story of the temptation of Jesus. You remember, that, -when Jesus was grown to manhood He went to the river Jordan and was -baptized by John. "Then," we are told, "was Jesus led up of the Spirit -into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted -forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungered." - -This was a very important and a critical moment in the history of the -world. Jesus was about to begin the splendid ministry which was to -culminate in His death on the cross for the redemption of the world. If -He should succeed in His mission, the power of evil would be broken, -and it would become possible for man to return to the presence of God. -Of course, Satan was much disturbed at such a thought. He had gained -such power on the earth that he had come to be called the prince of -this world. It angered him to think that he might lose that power. -In desperation, he determined to try his strength with Jesus. If he -could but bring about the downfall of the Son of God, God's plan would -certainly be thwarted, and Satan might hope utterly to possess the -earth. It was a wicked ambition; but it was in fulfillment of his -mission among men. So Satan set about to tempt even the Only Begotten -of the Father. - -[Sidenote: The temptation of Jesus.] - -"And when the tempter came to Him (Jesus), he said, If thou be the -Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But He (Jesus) -answered and {62} said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread -alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. -Then the devil taketh Him up into the holy city, and setteth Him on a -pinnacle of the temple, and saith unto Him, If Thou be the Son of God, -cast Thyself down: for it is written. He shall give His angels charge -concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at -any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is -written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil -taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the -kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, All -these things will I give Thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me. -Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written. -Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. -Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered -unto Him." - -[Sidenote: The application.] - -This impressive story of the strength and ultimate victory of innocence -and purity is full of significance. In the performing of his mission of -evil, Satan never stops with one kind of temptation alone. He attacks -man at every point where weakness may lie. First he appealed to the -appetites of the flesh. But though Jesus had fasted forty days and -forty nights, and was hungry, yet He resisted the evil suggestion of -the tempter. Then Satan appealed to the love of glory and the praise of -men. But Jesus was content to wait, knowing that the glory and praise -which would come to Him, from {63} honest and worthy endeavor, would -be greater and far more lasting than that which might come from mere -display. Finally, Satan appealed to the love of riches and power. But -Jesus had the will and the strength to command him to depart; for the -riches and the power gained through evil are necessarily but fleeting, -whereas the blessings derived through the service of God endure -forever. Thus did Jesus overcome the great temptation, and show all men -how to resist evil. - -[Sidenote: Guard against suggestions of the devil.] - -You may readily understand, that because of His own experience, Jesus -appreciated fully the tempting power of the devil. In the parable -of the sower, you remember, Jesus urges men to guard against the -suggestions of the devil. It is because of the hearkening to those -suggestions that so much of the seed fails to bear fruit. And not only -do those suggestions withhold men from good deeds, but they inspire -evil thoughts and draw men into sin. There are in history many examples -of this truth; but there is none more shocking than the example of -Judas Iscariot, who betrayed the Christ to His enemies. "When He -(Jesus) had dipped the sop," we read in the Gospel of St. John, "He -gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop (the -devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, -to betray Him) Satan entered into him." Judas had not the strength to -resist the suggestions of the devil, and thus brought condemnation upon -himself. - -[Sidenote: Why there is evil.] - -But you are still wondering why there is evil in the world. Why should -even Jesus, the Christ, be subjected to temptation by the devil? Let us -consider the source of our love and adoration of Jesus. If God had made -it no trial {64} or task at all, but altogether pleasant, to redeem -mankind, should we experience the affection and the worship that we now -feel for Jesus? If He had not suffered; if He had experienced no pain; -if He had passed through no agony of body nor anguish of heart, could -we feel indebted to Him as we do now? If He had suffered no temptation, -if it had never been a struggle for Him to do the right--as it was in -Gethsemane--could we admire His strength, and profit by His teaching? -In short, could the atoning death of Jesus be called a sacrifice, if -there had been no suffering, no overcoming of temptation and evil? It -was through overcoming that Jesus proved Himself worthy to be the Son -of God. - -[Sidenote: The trial of man.] - -In just the same way, evil is put before man to tempt him, that he too -may show his worthiness or unworthiness. We admire the boy who has the -The trial of courage and the will-power to say No to the suggestion -of evil. We recognize in him strength of character. We see in him a -pillar of strength for the future. We are likely to despise the boy -who always yields to temptation, who allows his character to be broken -down by evil, and who finally becomes a slave to Satan. Such a boy is a -weakling; he will be of little or of no service to the world. - -[Sidenote: A state of probation.] - -With these facts in mind, it is easy to understand the words of Jesus -in the Spirit world. At the great council of the spirits--about which -we have already learned--Jesus said to those around Him, "We will go -down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, -and we will make an earth whereon these (spirits) may {65} dwell; -and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things -whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them." And in our own -dispensation, Jesus said to the Prophet, Joseph Smith, "It must needs -be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not -be agents unto themselves, for if they never should have bitter, they -could not know the sweet." - -[Sidenote: The free agency of man.] - -Here of course lies the secret of the matter. God has endowed us with -free agency. He does not try to force us to be good, but we may do good -or evil as we ourselves please. And as we gain strength to overcome -evil, we grow in character and in power, and become more nearly worthy -to return to the presence of God. It was partly because he wanted -to destroy the God-given free agency of man, that Lucifer was cast -out of heaven. Only the person who sturdily and persistently resists -temptation retains his free agency. He who yields to temptation becomes -soon a servant to the devil, and loses the free agency with which God -endowed him. - -Through overcoming temptation and evil Jesus triumphed over the devil -and redeemed the world. Through overcoming temptation and evil, man, -too, may triumph over the devil, and have glory added upon his head for -ever and ever. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all -things are given unto them which are expedient unto man. And they are -free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of -all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity -and power of the devil." - -{66} THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 4:1-11. Abraham 3:24,25. - -Matt. 13:19. Doc. and Cov. 29:39. - -John 13:2-26, 27. 2 Nephi 2:27. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. Why should the devil be concerned after the baptism of Jesus? - -2. Discuss the temptation of Jesus. - -3. To what do the suggestions of the devil lead? - -4. How did Jesus prove Himself worthy to be the Son of God? - -5. How may man prove himself worthy to be a son of God? - -6. Why was man placed upon the earth? - -7. What is the meaning of free agency? - -8. Why is evil upon the earth? - -{67} - -{68} PICTURE: MARKET SCENE AT BETHLEHEM. - -{69} - - - -IX - -THE CROWN OF CREATION - -Have you ever felt the wonder of the poet as he sings, - - "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, - Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me; - I tremble to know that for me He was crucified, - That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died." - -[Sidenote: A wonder-rousing sacrifice.] - -It is truly the most wonderfully unselfish sacrifice, and the sincerest -demonstration of love, you will find anywhere recorded. As He -approached the day of the awful sacrifice, Jesus Himself declared to -His followers, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I -have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down -his life for his friends." And as God the Son manifested thus His great -love, so also did God the Father. "For God so loved the world, that He -gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not -perish, but have everlasting life." - -[Sidenote: Why should God be mindful of man?] - -Now, it is only natural that one should ask, as did the great psalmist, -"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that -Thou visitest him? Why should there be devised in the heavens a -gracious and liberal plan of salvation? Why, because of man, should the -hosts of heaven be plunged into the horrors of civil war? What is man, -that the noblest of the spirits of heaven should lay down His life for -man's redemption? It is an answer to these questions that we want now -to find in the teachings of Jesus. - -[Sidenote: The parable of the lost sheep.] - -{70} One day when the publicans and the sinners drew near to Jesus -to hear Him, "the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man -receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And He spake this parable unto -them, saying, "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one -of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go -after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, -he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he -calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice -with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that -likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more -than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." - -[Sidenote: Man's soul without price.] - -Jesus could hardly have told a better story to show what great value -God places upon man. It is in perfect accord with many other sayings of -His, some of which you should know, Said He, at one time, "What shall -it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own -soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul." At another -time He said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of -them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very -hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of -more value than many sparrows." In the teaching of Jesus, then, the -soul of man--his true life--is beyond any earthly price. Indeed, its -value is far beyond the worth of the whole material world. - -{71} And Jesus did not place this high value on the soul of any -particular man. To Him the souls of all men are priceless. He is no -respecter of persons. The Father "maketh His sun to shine on the evil -and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." There -is none so humble that he is beyond the reach of the love of God, nor -none so worldly great that he does not need it. Said Jesus, "Whosoever -shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better -for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast -into the sea." - -[Sidenote: Man, the offspring of God.] - -It is because Jesus knew and recognized the divine possibilities -of every man, great or small, that He thus valued him so highly. -Jesus taught always that God is the Father in heaven--and that not -figuratively. We are indeed the offspring of God; and being the -offspring of God, there resides in all of us the possibility to become -gods. Indeed, in the dispensation of the fulness of times, in which we -live, it has been revealed that God is Himself an exalted man; that He -has Himself passed through such a probationary state as that in which -man now lives; and that it is possible for man to become like God. -Jesus, likewise, taught this truth to those who heard Him. When the -Jews were about to stone Him because He declared Himself the Son of -God, Jesus said, "Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are Gods?" -When exhorting the people to live righteous lives, He urged, "Be ye -therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." -And the disciples caught the meaning of {72} the doctrine; for, wrote -John, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." - -[Sidenote: The questions answered.] - -Since, then, the soul of man is of such divine origin, and therefore -of such surpassing value, we need seek no further for the answer to -our questions. The heavenly Father feels the loss of a child even -more keenly than does an earthly father. Man is a son of God, and may -himself become a god; therefore, God is mindful of him. - -[Sidenote: Reverence for God.] - -Now, since he is the offspring of the Almighty Father, man owes certain -duties both to God and to himself. In the first place, as a faithful -and devoted son, he should hold the Father in reverence. "Ye have heard -that it hath been said by them of old time," said Jesus, "Thou shalt -not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths. -But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is -God's throne: nor by the earth; for it is His footstool: neither by -Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King." The Father of us all -is to be held in awe. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God -in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name -in vain." - -[Sidenote: Reverence for personal honor.] - -In like manner, the value and dignity of man require that he should -hold his own personal honor in reverence. His word should be as good as -his bond. It should not be necessary to bind a bargain with an oath. -Such practice leads easily to profanity. Jesus said also, "Neither -shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not {73} make one hair -white or black. But let your communications be Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for -whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." - -[Sidenote: Reverence for personal purity.] - -Again, the divine possibilities in him, demand that every man should -be willing to make any worldly sacrifice rather than defile his soul -with evil. As Jesus put it, The light-of-the body is the eye: if -therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. -But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. -If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that -darkness!" "If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for -thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two -eyes to be cast into hell fire." - -Thus we learn, that, in the teachings of Jesus, man is the crown -of creation. He is the noblest work of God. He has in him the -possibilities of Godhood. He is indeed the son of God. That is why -there has been manifested such unstinted love for him. And that is why -man should cultivate sincere reverence for God, and reverence for his -own personal honor, and reverence for his own personal purity. - -"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God -dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God -destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." - -(See Shakespeare's Apostrophe to Man in "Hamlet.") - -{74} THE REFERENCES - -John 3:16. Mark 9:42. - -John 15:12-13. Matt. 10:29, 31. - -Ps. 8:4. Matt. 5:33-37, 45, 48. - -Luke 15:2-7. Matt. 6:22, 23. - -Mark 8:36, 37. Luke 9:47. - -1 Cor. 3:16, 17. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What does the parable of the lost sheep illustrate? - -2. What value did Jesus place on a man's soul? - -3. What difference did a man's station in life make to the love of -Jesus? - -4. Why did Jesus place so high a value on the soul of man? - -5. What duty does man owe God? - -6. What duties does man owe himself? - -7. How is the body of man the temple of God? - -{75} - -{76} PICTURE: THE FORGIVING FATHER, Molitor - -{77} - - - -X - -THE FORGIVING FATHER - -[Sidenote: The parable of the prodigal.] - -"A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his -father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And -he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger -son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, -and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had -spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be -in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; -and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have -filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man -gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said. How many hired -servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish -with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, -Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more -worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. - -"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way -off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his -neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned -against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called -thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best -robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his -feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat. -and be merry: for this my son was dead {78} and is alive again; he was -lost and is found. And they began to be merry. - -"Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh -to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the -servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy -brother is come: and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he -hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go -in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. - -"And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve -thee, neither transgress I at any time thy commandment and yet thou -never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but -as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with -harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. - -"And he said unto him. Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have -is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this -thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." - -[Sidenote: The forgiving Father.] - -Of this beautiful parable, the great Dickens said very truly, "It is -the most touching passage in all literature." Most people think of -it and speak of it as the story of the prodigal son. It is really, -however, the story of the forgiving Father. Jesus wanted the Jews -to learn to know God as the Father of all men--great and small--and -therefore interested in the welfare of all of them. Jesus knew only -too well that sin held possession of the lives of the people of His -day. He {79} saw plenty of evidence of it. Men were living corrupt -lives. Corruption had defiled their minds as well as their bodies. -They crowded about the Master to be healed of both mental and physical -diseases, that, in many cases, had come upon them because of their -sins. Jesus knew, too, that no hope was held out to the sinner in the -perverted doctrines of the rabbis. These doctrines made it impossible -for the sinner ever to return to the presence of God. But Jesus -wanted men to think of God not as a stern, severe, and relentless -being, but as a loving and forgiving Father to all men. So, when the -younger son of the parable had recognized his sins, had sorrowfully -repented of them, and had returned and had confessed them freely, the -father forgave them freely, and received him again joyfully into the -household. Of course, the prodigal son, though forgiven, would never -be able wholly to efface from his soul the marks of his offenses, any -more than you would be able to remove from a post the hole made by a -nail you had driven in. You may be sorry and pull out the nail, but the -hole remains; and even though you fill the hole with putty, and cover -all with paint, yet in the post remains the mark made by that nail. -However, that the Father will fully forgive the penitent sinner without -upbraiding is indeed a consolation worth knowing. It was without doubt -the desire of Jesus to illustrate God's intense love even for the -sinner and His eagerness to reclaim him. - -[Sidenote: Condemnation of the self-righteous.] - -Now there were present, when Jesus related the parable of the forgiving -father and other parables teaching the same comforting lesson, a number -of the scribes {80} and Pharisees. These self-righteous men derided -Him, and found fault with Him because He treated sinners as if they too -were men with souls. To these self-righteous ones, Jesus spoke after -this wise: You scribes and Pharisees, you justify yourselves before -men. You think yourselves so righteous that you need no repentance. But -God knows your hearts; and often that which is highly esteemed among -men is abomination before the Lord. The great brotherhood of man are -all children of God; when one who has sinned repents and returns to -Father's home, there is more joy over his return, than over ninety and -nine like you who think they need no repentance. To illustrate your -case, I may tell you this parable: - -[Sidenote: The publican and the Pharisee.] - -"Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the -other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, -I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, -adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give -tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, -would not lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his -breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man -went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one -that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself -shall be exalted." - -Fortunately, then, God the Father is ready, nay, eager, to forgive the -sins of the wrongdoer who repents. Likewise, He is ready, eager, to -answer the prayer that is spoken in sincere humility. But there is no -justification for him who thinks he has no need {81} of repentance, or -who self-righteously exalts himself above his fellowmen. Said Jesus -to our own great Prophet, "I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the -least degree of allowance, nevertheless, he that repents and does the -commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven." - -THE REFERENCES - -Luke 15:11 ff. Doc. and Cov. 1:31. - -Luke 18:9-14. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. Retell the story of the Forgiving Father. - -2. Justify Dickens's statement that this is the most touching passage -in literature. - -3. What was Jesus's purpose in telling the story? - -4. What views did the Jews generally hold concerning sinners? - -5. What did Jesus say about the self-righteous? - -6. What lesson do you get from the prayer of the publican? - -7. What is God's attitude toward sin? - -{82} PICTURE: THE CONSOLING CHRIST, Plockhorst - -{83} - - - -XI. - -SINCERITY IN WORSHIP - -[Sidenote: Finding and losing one's life.] - -One day Jesus called to Him the twelve disciples whom He had chosen to -be His special witnesses and instructed them in the business of their -mission. Amongst other things, Jesus said to them, "He that findeth his -life, shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall -find it." - -Perhaps you may be surprised to know that this little saying has caused -many people to wonder. Or, perhaps, you may wonder yourself what Jesus -meant. Why should a man who has found his life lose it? Indeed, how can -a man both find and lose his life at the same time? And how can a man -who has lost his life find it? What does it mean to lose one's life, -and to find one's life? Undoubtedly, the answer to these questions must -be of great importance to men. - -In seeking for that answer, we must recall the fundamental purpose of -the mission of Jesus, and of His loving sacrifice for the salvation of -the rest of Father's children. Jesus strove to teach men to know God, -and, through His cruel death, to bring men back into the presence of -God. All of Jesus's teaching, therefore, was based upon the fact that -the chief thing in a man's life is to recognize his divine right as a -son of God, and to come into close, real, and constant touch with the -Father in heaven. But how shall a man come into such close touch with -the Almighty Being who rules the universe? - -[Sidenote: The necessity of harmony.] - -{84} Our lives upon the earth are full of illustrations of how -necessary it is for us to put ourselves into perfect harmony with our -environments when we wish to attain certain ends. If we wish to mingle -with so-called society, we must conform to the artificial standards -of society in dress, and manners, and speech, and many other things; -otherwise, we become outcasts from society and are despised. Or again, -if we set up an apparatus for wireless telegraphy, we must, whether -we like it or not, make all connections close and in proper way, and -we must use the right kind of materials in both the transmitting and -the receiving instruments; otherwise, we can neither send nor receive -messages. If in the society of men, and in the application of the -principles of science, it is so urgently necessary to observe the rules -of society and the laws of science, it is very easy to understand -that, if we would come into close and constant touch with God, we must -observe also the laws of such divine communion. Anything at all that -might come between one and real communion with God would be disastrous. -Indeed, in the teaching of Jesus, it would constitute the greatest -sorrow, the greatest tragedy in human existence. Since it is life -eternal to know God, not to know Him, not to find Him, is loss eternal. -Although a man may prosper, then, in this life--although he may find -his life, as it were, in this world--yet shall he lose it eternally, -if he has not found God. If we stop now, and think this out clearly, -we may understand very easily what Jesus meant when He said to His -disciples, "He {85} that findeth his life, shall lose it; and he that -loseth his life for my sake, shall find it." - -[Sidenote: Three forms of temptation.] - -We may now ask ourselves, What is likely to come between us and close -touch with God, to prevent us from finding God, and thus to prevent us -from gaining life eternal? You will recall what we have already learned -about the temptation of Jesus. The devil tempted Jesus first through -the physical, the bodily, appetites; then through the desire, the love -of wordly praise; and lastly, through the love of worldly power and -riches. It was these very forms of temptation that Jesus feared might -come between man and God. Especially did He fear that the love of the -praise of men might tempt people and bring about their destruction. So, -as He taught one time those who followed Him, He explained to them the -right attitude in worship. - -[Sidenote: Instruction in praying and alms-giving.] - -"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men," said Jesus, "to be -seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in -heaven. Therefore, when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet -before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, -that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their -reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy -right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father -which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly. - -"And when thou prayest," said Jesus further, "thou shalt not be as the -hypocrites are: for they love to {86} pray standing in the synagogues -and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily -I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, -enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy -Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall -reward thee openly." - -"Moreover," continued Jesus, touching the third conventional form -of worship, "when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad -countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto -men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, -when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou -appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: -and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." - -[Sidenote: The real value of worship.] - -Now, it is not necessary to think that these sayings of Jesus are to -be taken literally. It is not absolutely necessary that, in order to -pray in secret, one should retire to his chamber and shut the door, -then pray; nor is it absolutely necessary that, in fasting, one should -anoint one's head and wash one's face. Jesus used these figures merely -to portray a condition opposite to that assumed by the hypocrites. But -Jesus wanted to teach that the value of worship depends upon the motive -that inspires it. If one gives alms to be seen of men and to be praised -therefore, one's reward lies there in the praise one receives. God will -bestow no other favor. Likewise, those who pray and fast to be praised -of men, get their reward in the worldly praise they receive. They -have not found God. They {87} are not in real, vital touch with Him. -Worldly ambitions have come between them and Him. In gaining the life -of this world they have lost life eternal. They have yielded to the -temptation of mere ostentation and display. And this spirit has entered -unfortunately, into the service of many churches. "Obviously," says a -noted student of the Bible, "many of the elaborate forms and ceremonies -which have developed in connection with the worship of the Christian -Church are contrary to His (Jesus's) spirit and teachings. Only in so -far as they lead the individual into closer personal touch with God are -they justifiable or of real value." - -[Sidenote: Humility and sincerity.] - -What then is the right attitude in worship? God Himself has declared, -you remember, that those who worship Him must do so in spirit and in -truth. The motive of worship is of more importance than the form. -The value of worship lies in humility, in laying aside all worldly -ambitions, in approaching close to God for the sole purpose of -communing with Him. It is better to lose one's worldly life in the -service of God, than to gain that worldly life and fail to find God; -for he who thus loses the worldly life, shall find life eternal. - -"I give unto you these sayings," said Jesus once to Joseph the Prophet, -"that ye 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; for if you keep my commandments you shall -receive of His fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; -therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace." - -{88} THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 10:39. Matt. 6:5, 6. - -Matt. 6:1-4. Matt. 6:16-18. - -Doc. and Cov. 93:19, 20. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What did Jesus mean by the saying "He that findeth his life shall -lose it?" - -2. What is the chief thing in a man's life? - -3. Show how it is necessary to put ourselves in harmony with our -environments. - -4. What is likely to come between us and close communion with God? - -5. What is right attitude in worship? - -6. Wherein lies the value of worship? - -{89} - -{90} PICTURE: JESUS PRAYING, Liska - -{91} - - - -XII - -HOW TO PRAY - -"And it came to pass, that, as (Jesus) was praying in a certain place, -when He ceased, one of His disciples said unto Him, Lord teach us to -pray, as John also taught his disciples. - -"And He said unto them, When ye pray, say, - -[Sidenote: The Lord's prayer.] - -"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom -come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day -our daily bread. And forgive us our sins: for we also forgive everyone -that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us -from evil." - -This is the wonderfully simple prayer uttered by the Lord Himself--a -prayer that has guided the faith of Christians since first it was -spoken. You may have learned it as the disciple Matthew has recorded -it. Matthew's version is just a little different from Luke's, which is -here given. But Luke's version makes two or three points just a little -clearer, perhaps, than does Matthew's; so, we shall use it for our text -in this lesson. - -[Sidenote: Jesus had found God.] - -According to St. Luke, Jesus gave this prayer to His disciples in -response to the request, "Lord, teach us to pray." You have observed, -of course, that Jesus prayed often. He lived in close communion with -the Father in heaven. He Himself had found God; and He knew that God -will answer the prayer of the righteous. He knew, too, that only -through the prayer of faith can a man come close to God, and obtain in -full the blessings that {92} belong to him as a son of God. Therefore, -Jesus prayed often, and as no other man has prayed. - -[Sidenote: The prayers of the Jews.] - -But if you will study carefully the prayers of Jesus, and compare them -with other prayers preserved in the records of the Jews, you will find -His prayers quite different from those other prayers. The prayers used -anciently--and still used--in the Jewish service are very beautiful, -noble in their faith and devotion. But they were distinctly the prayers -of a special people, inspired by the thought that this special people -was also a chosen, a select people. The type prayer which Jesus gave, -on the other hand, while individual is yet universal in its appeal, and -in its application; it is concrete and practical, yet it is profoundly -spiritual. Of course, it was not intended by Jesus that all men should -repeat this prayer only and no other. He gave it merely as a type, -a model. Certainly, then, if we wish to know how to frame our own -prayers, it will be well to analyze this one. - -First, then, you will observe that this prayer possesses the -characteristics that distinguish most of Jesus's prayers. - -[Sidenote: The prayer of Jesus.] - -It is brief. - -It is direct. - -It is sincere. - -It is unselfish. - -It expresses a simple, unshakable confidence in the goodness of God. - -Jesus addresses God as Father. So should man address God. Man should -learn to think of God as the Father of our spirits, and go to Him with -the same simple trust and confidence manifested by a little child {93} -when it runs with outstretched arms to its earthly father. Jesus felt -and manifested that perfect unity between father and son. - -[Sidenote: The Lord's prayer analyzed.] - -"Hallowed be Thy name." In this phrase, Jesus taught that we should -recognize the sanctity of the name of Jehovah, and at the same time -that we should show our reverence and devotion. This is a personal, -individual and profound emotion on the part of him who prays sincerely. - -Then Jesus prayed, "Thy kingdom come." Perhaps you do not fully realize -what this petition means when you repeat it in your prayers. What is -the use of praying for the kingdom of God to come to earth if we do -not help in its establishment? When we utter this petition, then, we -virtually promise that we ourselves will do all in our power to help. -Only then can God's will be done, "as in heaven, so in earth." And the -doing of the will of God is, throughout the teachings of Jesus, the -essential element in the establishment of God's reign. - -These petitions, you will notice, are of universal interest. Now, Jesus -asks for that which will meet and satisfy personal needs. "Give us day -by day our daily bread." But even here, the petition is an expression -of implicit confidence in God's power to provide, and in His unlimited -love, rather than merely a request for some specific gift. Its meaning -has been interpreted in these words: "Provide for us each day that -which Thou, in Thy Fatherly care and wisdom, seeth is needful for us." - -The fourth petition is also full of meaning. "Forgive us our sins; for -we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us." Jesus emphasized -time and again in His ministry the necessity of forgiving others, if -we would ourselves be {94} forgiven. Only in a spirit of humility and -sincere worship can we approach the throne of God. - -The last petition has been often misunderstood. "Lead us not into -temptation, but deliver us from evil." Certainly the words as they -are here recorded do not clearly represent the meaning of Jesus. Yet, -perhaps, even in the days of the apostles some people had failed to -understand. For James wrote once, "Let no man, who is being tempted, -say, 'my temptation is from God,' for God is not to be tempted Himself -by evil and He tempts no man, but each man is tempted with evil when -he is drawn away by his own lusts and enticed." The petition in the -Lord's prayer is, therefore, a petition for strength to overcome. Its -meaning is, "Deliver us from temptations which we can not withstand." -Or, as our own Prophet has phrased it, "Leave us not in temptation, but -deliver us from evil." - -[Sidenote: Teach us to pray.] - -These general points in the type prayer given by Jesus, it is well to -remember. God is not to be reached by many words. It is the broken -spirit and the contrite heart that call down the love of the Father. -Neither will the hollow, selfish prayer please the Father of us all. -But as we pray, finding our own words in which to express the desires -of our hearts, let us remember the characteristics of the prayer that -Jesus gave. - -It is brief. - -It is direct. - -It is sincere. - -It is unselfish. - -It expresses a simple, unshakable confidence in the providence of God. - -{95} Moreover, Jesus prayed often. So should we all. Only then may we -hope to live in the presence of God. - - "O Thou by whom we come to God, - The Life, the Truth, the Way! - The path of prayer Thyself hath trod; - Lord, teach us how to pray." - -THE REFERENCES - -Luke 11:1-4. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. Repeat the Lord's prayer. - -2. What prompted Jesus to utter this prayer? - -3. What is the difference between the Lord's prayer, and the prayers of -the Jews in general? - -4. What are the characteristics of Jesus's prayers? - -5. Analyze the Lord's prayer. - -6. What do we learn to guide us in our own prayers? - -{96} PICTURE: RIVER JORDAN, PALESTINE - -{97} - - - -XIII - -PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER - -[Sidenote: The Lord will answer.] - -Everyone who has prayed devoutly and sincerely has undoubtedly -experienced at times the keenest kind of disappointment because he -has not received an immediate answer to his prayer, Perhaps you have -yourself prayed sometimes for something that you wanted badly. It was -an insistent, an urgent desire. You felt that you could hardly wait -even to utter the prayer. Yet, your prayer has remained apparently -unanswered. At such times you may have found comfort in this beautiful -Sunday School hymn: - - "Unanswered yet? Tho' when you first presented - This one petition at the Father's throne, - It seemed you could not wait the time of asking, - So urgent was your heart to make it known. - Tho' years have passed since then, do not despair; - The Lord will answer you, sometime, somewhere." - -This is a beautiful hope, a sublime faith; and every one of us should -cultivate such hope, such faith. Moreover, everyone of us should -practice such persistency in prayer as is described by the poet in this -hymn. - - "The prayer your lips have pleaded - In agony of tears these many years?" - -For very often, without question, our prayers fail to move the Father, -because they are not urged upon Him, nor are they upheld by that -hopeful trust which knows no wavering. Jesus emphasized two points in -this connection that we should grapple to our hearts. - -[Sidenote: Pray often and persistently.] - -As we have already learned, Jesus condemned long. {98} repetitious -prayers. He despised also the hypocrite, and the hollow prayer of -the hypocrite. But Jesus did not mean by such condemnation that we -should not appear often before the persistently. Father, and press the -case for which we are pleading. On the contrary, as you will readily -see from the following parables, Jesus emphasized the importance of -persistency in prayer. - -[Sidenote: The importunate friend.] - -"And (Jesus) said unto them. Which of you shall have a friend, and -shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three -loaves; for a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have -nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, -Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me -in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will -not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his -importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth." - -[Sidenote: The unrighteous judge.] - -"And (again) He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought -always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, -which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in -that city: and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. -And he would not for awhile: but afterward he said within himself. -Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth -me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And -the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God -avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear -{99} long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily." - -[Sidenote: An urgent desire necessary.] - -These parables speak sufficiently for themselves. The lesson that -Jesus wanted to impart is clear. It is important that we persist in -the prayer that we want urgently to be fulfilled. However, it was not -Jesus's purpose to teach His disciples merely to repeat constantly an -urgent prayer. Merely repeating a prayer is really of no more worth -than uttering a long prayer full of repetitions. Jesus taught that -Father gives His best and choicest gifts only to those who desire them -intensely. We keep on praying for those things that we truly want, -because the desire for them is urgent, intense and insistent; and we -keep on keeping on. - -[Sidenote: Implicit trust necessary.] - -But there is a second element that must necessarily enter into the -right attitude in prayer to God. Not only should our prayers express -our intense desires, and be spoken frequently, but they should be -accompanied by a simple, childlike trust and confidence in God. - -[Sidenote: Seek first the kingdom of God.] - -"Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall -drink," taught Jesus; "Nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. -Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the -fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather -into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much -better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto -his stature. - -"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, -how they grow; they toil not, {100} neither do they spin: and yet I say -unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one -of these. Wherefore, If God so clothe the grass of the field, which -today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more -clothe you, O ye of little faith? . . . . - -"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these -things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the -morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. -Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." - -[Sidenote: Labor and confidence hand in hand.] - -Now, Jesus did not mean by this splendid teaching that we should not -plan for the future; nor that we should not be industrious and spin -and weave and harvest. His illustrations impress the thought that we -should not allow ourselves to fret over the petty worries and anxieties -of life. God knows our needs before we utter them. We should rely -implicitly then upon His providence, knowing that if we serve Him and -do our best, He will care for us as well as for the birds of the air -and the lilies of the field. - -[Sidenote: The sin of worry.] - -Undue anxiety may be called almost a sin. It preys upon the peace of -mind and happiness of untold thousands of men and women. The most -learned and efficient men in the world have devoted much of their time -to the study of worry; but no one of them has found a cure for it. Many -books have, however, been written advising this or that course of life -to overcome the evil, and all these books possess value. But it is to -be noted that the cause of worry in any man is {101} usually something -over which man has no control. Neither worry, nor any other thing that -man may do, can change the nature of things. We are forced therefore to -admit that the only cure for worry known to man is that presented by -Jesus. His cure consists of a childlike faith and trust in the goodness -of God--a trust so simple and strong that anxious care can find no -place in the mind. It consists of such a confidence in the providence -of God as Abraham displayed when he was commanded to offer his dearly -beloved son Isaac on the altar of sacrifice. Abraham wavered not; he -worried not; and God provided the sacrifice that was meet. Of course, -it requires courage, patience, and persistent effort to cultivate so -supreme a degree of faith. Yet, one who has it not can hardly say with -truth that he has learned fully to know God. Indeed, such sublime faith -alone marks the truly converted and nobly devoted soul; whereas the -lack of such faith reveals a lack of fulness of trust in God--almost a -disloyalty to God. One cannot in this world attain to real peace and -happiness without implicit faith in God. Without it, one can not keep -on keeping on in fervent prayer to God. - -[Sidenote: God knows best.] - -Finally, it must be remembered that another phase of this childlike -trust may affect the answer to our prayers. If they remain unanswered, -it may be because it is best for us so. No other man has ever suffered -as did Jesus in Gethsemane. No other man has ever prayed as Jesus did -there. Yet, recall the spirit of that prayer. "O my Father, if it be -possible, let this cup pass from {102} me: nevertheless not as I will -but as Thou wilt." This is the true spirit of faith-inspired prayer. - -[Sidenote: Thy will be done.] - -Such petitions Jesus would have us utter. He would have us pray -constantly for those things that we desire intensely. He would have us -repose implicit childlike trust in the Heavenly Father. He would have -each one of us feel always, "Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be -done." And in this spirit He would have us always keep on keeping on. - -THE REFERENCES - -Luke 11:5-8. Matt. 6:25-30. - -Luke 18:1-8. Matt. 6:33-34. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What should be the feeling of one whose prayer is not immediately -answered? - -2. What is the lesson conveyed in the Sunday School hymn "Unanswered -Yet?" - -3. Why are our prayers often unanswered? - -4. What is the difference between long repetitious prayers and frequent -prayers? - -5. What is the meaning of the parable of the importunate friend? - -6. What is the lesson of the parable of the unrighteous judge? - -7. Why is childlike trust and confidence in God necessary in prayer? - -8. What did Jesus mean by teaching "Take no thought for your life?" - -9. How can anxiety or worry be called almost a sin? - -10. What lesson do we derive from the attitude of Jesus in the -wonderful prayer in Gethsemane? - -{103} - -{104} PICTURE: "LORD HELP ME." Plockhorst - -{105} - - - -XIV - -THE POWER OF FAITH - -[Sidenote: Confidence vs. Faith] - -It is, of course, evident to you now that the two essentials of -acceptable prayer are implicit reliance on the wisdom and the goodness -of God, and the spirit of forgiveness. The first is the only attitude -that can be rightly assumed toward God; and the second is the attitude -that we should all assume toward our fellowmen. There is certainly no -use in praying to God if we do not trust Him; and as certainly, God -will not forgive us and answer our prayers, if we are unwilling to -forgive our fellowmen and help them. But this attitude of unwavering -trust in God is really more than merely an essential of prayer. It is a -principle of power in both the spiritual and the temporal life of man. -In this lesson we shall consider the power of faith--the invincible -power of childlike confidence. - -[Sidenote: The incident of the fig tree.] - -It is recorded that Jesus cursed one morning a certain fig tree that it -should no more bear fruit. The next morning, as Jesus and the disciples -passed by from Bethany to Jerusalem, they saw that the fig tree was -dried up from the roots. "And Peter, calling to remembrance, saith unto -(Jesus), Master, behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered -away! - -"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily -I say unto you. That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou -removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his -heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to -pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. - -{106} [Sidenote: Forgiveness accompanies prayer.] - -"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, -believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye -stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: that your Father -also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do -not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your -trespasses." - -Like the other sayings of Jesus, this one, too, is full of meaning and -interest. But as with the other sayings, too, the meaning of this one -is easy to find. If we try to remember what we have learned in the -preceding lessons, we shall be able easily to understand this one. - -[Sidenote: Reason for concrete examples.] - -Many people have stumbled because of this forceful saying of Jesus. How -can a man by the exercise alone of faith remove mountains? But such -people have failed to understand Jesus's method of teaching. Whenever -He could, Jesus emphasized His doctrine with concrete example. Because -Jesus did not teach abstractly, even little children may understand -Him. And the people whom He taught during His earthly life, were almost -like little children. He had to make everything very clear to them. So, -now, He wanted to impress them with the unlimited power of faith. He -used, therefore, the vigorous and startling figure of moving a mountain -into the sea: or as St. Luke has worded it, "If ye had faith as a grain -of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree (mulberry tree), -Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it -should obey you." - -{107} [Sidenote: The interpretation.] - -You will remember, however, that nowhere did Jesus ever teach His -disciples to pray for material things, except to supply their daily -needs. Neither did He ever teach them to ask for things impossible or -impracticable for God to give. It is to be understood, then, that Jesus -did not intend to encourage men to try to move mountains by the mere -exercise of faith. He intended a larger, a spiritual meaning. Faith -is so powerful a principle, that, through the exercise of it, one may -remove obstacles to sublime spiritual blessings, as difficult to be -moved as a mountain. By such a striking figure did Jesus impress upon -His disciples that nothing is impossible to faith. - -[Sidenote: Jesus's own interpretation.] - -That this was what Jesus wanted to impart, is apparent from His own -application of the concrete illustration. "What things soever ye -desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have -them." Or, as the statement is worded in a modern translation, "Believe -that you shall receive all things for which you pray and ask and you -shall have them." And this invincible power of faith in prayer is -supported by the words of Jesus to the Prophet, Joseph Smith. "All -victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, -faithfulness, and prayers of faith." - -[Sidenote: Examples of the power of faith.] - -In the story of the ministry of Jesus, there are many examples of the -necessity of cultivating unlimited faith. Do you remember what happened -when Jesus walked to the boat one evening on the sea of Galilee? Most -of the disciples became afraid when they saw Him, and cried {108} out, -"It is a spirit." But when they became assured that it was really -Jesus, Peter said, "Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the -water." - -"And (Jesus) said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, -he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind -boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, -Lord save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and -caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst -thou doubt?" - -At another time, we are told, "there came to (Jesus) a certain man, -kneeling down to Him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is -lunatick and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft -into the water. And I brought him to Thy disciples and they could not -cure him. - -"Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how -long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither -to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the -child was cured from that very hour. - -"Then came the disciples to Jesus apart and said. Why could not we cast -him out? And Jesus said unto them. Because of your unbelief: for verily -I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall -say unto this mountain. Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall -remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." - -Such examples as these might be cited indefinitely. These are enough, -however, to show how profoundly Jesus impressed upon the minds of His -disciples the necessity of cultivating the gift of unfaltering {109} -faith--faith, the one great principle of power, without which, as the -learned Paul later said, it is impossible to please God. - -[Sidenote: The dispensation of the fulness of times, the wonderful -example.] - -But perhaps the greatest wonder that has ever been accomplished, in all -the history of the world, through the invincible power of unhesitating -faith, is that which we ourselves experience every day of our lives. -Continuing the doctrine he had learned from Jesus, "James, a servant of -God and of the Lord Jesus Christ," wrote thus to the scattered twelve -tribes: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth -to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. -But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." When he was perturbed in -spirit, not knowing whither to go to find God, Joseph Smith heard these -words, and pondered them. He had implicit faith in God. He did not -waver. He prayed earnestly. In response to his simple, faith-provoked -prayer, God revealed Himself to Joseph Smith, and through him, -established the Church of Christ anew. - -Are not the things that have been accomplished through faith, -wonderful? Must it not be a joy, a comfort, to possess the gift of -unlimited faith? Like the apostles of old, we feel to pray, "Lord, -increase our faith." - -THE REFERENCES - -Luke 17:5, 6. Doc. and Cov. 103:36. - -Mark 11:21-26. Matt. 14:24-31. - -Matt. 21:21, 22. Matt. 17:14-21. - -James 1:5, 6. - -{110} THE QUESTIONS - -1. What principle did Jesus teach in the incident of the fig tree? - -2. What is faith? - -3. Why must forgiveness accompany prayer? - -4. Why did Jesus use concrete examples in His teaching? - -5. What did Jesus mean by saying that mountains might be removed by -faith? - -6. What did the Prophet Joseph Smith teach concerning the power of -faith? - -7. Recite some examples of the power of faith. - -8. Show how the establishing of the dispensation of the fulness of -times is one of the most wonderful examples of the power of faith. - -{111} - -{112} PICTURE: RAISING THE DEAD, Hofmann - -{113} - - - -XV - -THE HANDMAID OF FAITH - -[Sidenote: The case of Mr. Baldwin.] - -Nearly a hundred years ago was built in America the first locomotive -engine of American design. Everybody knows nowadays what a locomotive -is. Nearly every boy and girl in the world has seen one; many boys, -particularly, can tell you how the locomotive engine operates; and more -than one boy can even operate the locomotive himself. But it was not so -one hundred years ago. The locomotive was a rare machine. And all the -locomotives that people saw then in America had been made in England. -But in 1831, the officers of the Germantown and Norristown Railway -commissioned a young mechanical engineer, named Matthias Baldwin, to -build for them a locomotive engine. The Germantown and Norristown -Railway operated a horse-power line six miles long. - -The Cambden and Amboy Railroad Company had only recently imported a -locomotive from England. When Mr. Baldwin received his commission, -he went immediately to Cambden, where were the parts of the English -engine not yet assembled. There he "carefully observed the various -parts of the machine, made a few measurements and at last crept under -the ponderous boiler. Here he remained in absorbed study for nearly -half an hour. As he emerged from his retreat, his face was glowing with -enthusiasm, and he exclaimed 'I can do it.'" - -{114} [Sidenote: Words added to faith.] - -So far so good. Mr. Baldwin was inspired by a sublime faith in his -power to build a locomotive engine. But had he stopped there, he would -never have become the builder of the first American locomotive. Mr. -Baldwin set determinedly and industriously to work to accomplish the -task he had faith he could do. He met countless difficulties; his -trials and disappointments were many, and often discouraging. But -he kept bravely, manfully on. He did much of the work with his own -hands, and personally trained the workmen who assisted him. At length, -after six months of unremitting industry and painstaking labor, "Old -Ironsides," the first American locomotive was completed. Matthias -Baldwin had vindicated his enthusiastic exclamation born of faith, "I -can do it." - -Now it was the observance of the principle that enabled Matthias -Baldwin to make good, which Jesus urged upon the multitudes assembled -to hear Him teach during His ministry on the earth. "Not everyone that -saith unto me, Lord, Lord," declared Jesus, "shall enter into the -kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in -heaven." - -[Sidenote: The principle of works.] - -This teaching is so simple that anyone may understand it. And it is -true everywhere in life, in every kind of calling. Would you not -think Mr. Baldwin foolish, if after exclaiming "I can do it" he had -remained inactive and had not tried to build "Old Ironsides?" Can you -imagine that a carpenter might ever enjoy the fame of master-builder -if he never practiced the trade he had learned? Do you think it -would be possible for a sinking ship {115} to send out the signal of -distress, if the operator on the ship did not put into practice the -laws governing wireless telegraphy? In other words, knowing how to -build a locomotive will never construct one; knowing how to build a -house will never erect even the smallest structure; knowing how to -operate the telegraphic instrument will never send a message. It is -only by actually putting into operation the principles underlying these -activities, and working in obedience to them, that one can accomplish -the desired end. And if this is true of material, earthly things, how -much more ought it to be true of spiritual, heavenly things. Without -faith it is impossible to please God. But faith is of no avail without -works. Works constitute the handmaid of faith, and one is not without -the other in the Lord. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so -faith without works is dead also." - -[Sidenote: A parable.] - -"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them," -taught Jesus, "I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house -upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds -blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded -upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and -doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his -house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and -the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was -the fall of it." - -[Sidenote: The works of Jesus.] - -Jesus manifested great power during His earthly ministry. He healed -the sick; He made the lame to walk and the blind to see; He rebuked -evil and cast out {116} devils; He raised the dead to life again; and -He spoke with authority as no other man has ever spoken, either before -or since His time. Without question every boy and girl would like to -be able to do the things that Jesus did. Every boy and girl in the -Church of Jesus Christ believes in Jesus--knows indeed, that He is the -Son of God, the Redeemer of the world. Why, then, should not everyone -long to emulate Him. But notice what Jesus declared: "Verily, verily, -I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall -he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go -unto my Father. If ye love me keep my commandments. He that hath my -commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that -loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will -manifest myself to him." - -[Sidenote: The works of man.] - -It is not impossible, then, for man to possess the power to do the -works that Jesus did. Indeed, man may do even greater works than those -Jesus performed. But to gain the power so to do, one must not only -believe in Jesus, one must also keep His commandments. In short, one -must add works to faith. Mere belief will save no man, just as mere -confidence in one's own ability will never build a locomotive. But when -our works make practical our faith, and prove it really true and worth -while, then we may claim a realization--a fulfillment--of all that is -promised through our diligence. - -{117} [Sidenote: Conclusion.] - -Now, it is no more difficult to prepare a mansion in the kingdom of -our Father, than it is to build a locomotive. Should not every boy and -girl, after having learned Christ's teaching, exclaim as Baldwin did, -"I can do it?" Then go to undauntedly and do it. - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 7:21. James 2:26. - -Matt. 7:24-27. John 14:12, 15, 21. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What element of character did Baldwin display in the building of the -first American locomotive? - -2. What principle of life and action made it possible for him to -accomplish his work? - -3. What did he have to add to this principle in order to make good? - -4. Why will not everyone who crieth "Lord, Lord," be admitted into the -kingdom of heaven? - -5. Explain the Lord's parable of the wise and the foolish man. - -6. Under what conditions may we be enabled to do works as great as -those Jesus did? - -7. What is the duty of every member of the Church? - -{118} PICTURE: THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE - -{119} - - - -XVI - -THE MEANING OF REPENTANCE - -[Sidenote: The irreverence and ruthlessness of Pilate.] - -Some time before the close of the ministry of Jesus, there occurred -at Jerusalem two unfortunate incidents, both of which served to give -Jesus an opportunity to preach one of the fundamental doctrines of the -Gospel. Pilate, the Roman governor had undertaken to construct some -great conduits to supply Jerusalem with a better and a larger supply of -sweet water. The venture was apparently both difficult and costly; and -he derived no support from the people, whom he hated, and who hated him -and all pagan rule in return. - -One day a serious accident happened. Connected with Pilate's -undertaking, apparently, was a large tower on the top of Ophel, -opposite Siloam. This tower fell, without warning, and buried in the -ruins eighteen men who had been working on it. Of course, the people -held the accident to be the judgment of God upon the men who had helped -in the sacrilegious labor. Then Pilate fell short of funds. To defray -the expenses of the enterprise, the irreverent Pilate resorted to the -temple, and ruthlessly appropriated a part of the treasures of the -temple. These treasures amounted to vast sums derived from the temple -dues voluntarily paid by Jews all over the world. Naturally, the people -became enraged, and rose in rebellious demonstration against the -governor. Incited by their priests and rabbis, the mob stormed Pilate's -residence, and demanded that the work on the water system be abandoned. -They railed against him, the Roman {120} governor, and hinted at -sedition. Pilate became in his turn indignant. He sent a large number -of soldiers, dressed in plain clothes and armed only with heavy clubs, -who surrounded the mob, and beat them so remorselessly that great -numbers of them were killed. The soldiers pressed the mob to the very -temple, then entered the holy precincts of the temple itself, and there -slew many of the poor pilgrims who were killing their own sacrifices. -Their blood was mingled with the blood of the beasts they were -preparing for sacrifice, and thus, according to the law, the House of -God was polluted. The news of this outrage spread throughout Palestine. -The country was filled with indignation. In Galilee, the feeling was -particularly strong, for the men who had been slain were Galileans. - -[Sidenote: The necessity of repentance.] - -Jesus was journeying at this time in the province of Perea, expounding -His teachings to great multitudes that followed Him. When news of the -disasters in Jerusalem reached them, these multitudes were stirred by -the wildest kind of excitement. They were particularly indignant at the -murders in the temple. As for the eighteen men buried under the tower, -and the Galileans slain in the tumult, the people accepted their death, -in characteristic Jewish fashion, as the judgment of God for sins -committed. But the pollution of the temple could not be overlooked. So -there grew up a strong feeling for a national uprising to avenge the -unprecedented evil. - -But Jesus did not approve of their sentiment; neither did He believe -that those who had suffered in these two calamities were especially -sinful. He seized the {121} opportunity, therefore to preach to the -multitude the necessity of repentance on the part of everyone, and -to correct the notion that a calamity of any kind is necessarily the -judgment of God. "There were present at that season," writes the -historian Luke, "some that told Him of the Galileans, whose blood -Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said -unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the -Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon -whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were -sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, -except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." - -[Sidenote: The barren fig tree.] - -"He spake also this parable: a certain man had a fig tree planted in -his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. -Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three -years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it -down: why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto Him, -Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, . . . . -and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that Thou shalt cut -it down." - -[Sidenote: Repentance a fundamental doctrine.] - -As always, Jesus presented very clearly the doctrine He wished the -people to learn to understand. For nearly three years. He had Himself -ministered to His people. Yet, He could find no fruits of repentance. -In the long-suffering of God, the people would be spared yet a little -while. But their end was inevitable. Unless they should {122} repent, -they should all perish, even as did the Galileans, and the eighteen men -buried under the tower at Siloam. And this doctrine of repentance was -fundamental in the ministry of Jesus. First, John had come, crying in -the wilderness of Judea, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at -hand." Then Jesus Himself had gone to Galilee, after John had been put -into prison, and had preached, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom -of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." And when He -sent out the twelve apostles two and two. He instructed them to preach -everywhere that men should repent. - -[Sidenote: Jesus's exclamation against the wicked.] - -That the people did not observe the word of Jesus is, however, very -evident from the way in which He upbraided them, and pointed out to -them that the lot of the wrongdoers who repented would in the end be -better than that of the selfrighteous who repented not. "But whereunto -shall I liken this generation?" exclaimed Jesus one day. "It is like -unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, -and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have -mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither -eating nor drinking, and they say, he hath a devil. The Son of Man -came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a -winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. . . . Then began He to -upbraid the cities wherein most of His mighty works were done, because -they repented not. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! -for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre -and Sidon, they would have {123} repented long ago in sackcloth and -ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and -Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which -art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the -mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it -would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall -be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than -for thee." - -[Sidenote: Repentance a universal principle.] - -It is evident, then, that in the teaching of Jesus, repentance from -evil is absolutely necessary if one would enjoy the blessings of the -Lord. This is so self-evident a truth that it should not be necessary -to state it. In all the affairs of life--in business, in politics, in -the industries, in science, in art, in war, in what not--repentance -is a fundamental principle of true success. In our daily work we are -accustomed to calling our wrongdoings mistakes; but we have to correct -those mistakes before we can achieve the end for which we are working. -Sometimes the mistakes we make are of such a nature that we cannot -correct them. Then we have to begin over again, and have to try to -avoid those serious mistakes; but the memory of those mistakes remains -with us forever, and the waste, or loss, or suffering, caused by them -can never be made right. In the great world war now raging, many costly -mistakes have been made. Officers and men have often been forced to -repent; and many men, because they have violated their orders, have -lost their lives. For them, repentance in this life has been made -impossible. So it will be also with those who persist in evil. The -day {124} will come when they will be taken away suddenly. Then the -opportunity to repent in this life will be lost. Jesus would have us -repent here and now, and devote ourselves to works of righteousness -that we may gain eternal life. - -[Sidenote: Things of which to repent.] - -But of what would Jesus have us repent? The learned apostle, Paul, who, -it seems, understood perfectly the spirit of Christ's teachings, which -to wrote certain instructions to the Ephesians which reveal exactly -what kind of men Jesus would have us be. Malice, dishonesty, immorality -in thought or word or deed--these things unfit a man for an inheritance -in the kingdom of God. Paul expresses the doctrine, in part as follows: - -"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk -not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the -understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through -the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: -Who being past feeling, have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, -to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned -Christ; if so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by -Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former -conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful -lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on -the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true -holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his -neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not; -let not the sun go down upon your wrath: {125} Neither give place to -the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, -working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to -give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of -your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may -minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, -whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, -and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from -you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, -forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - -[Sidenote: The service principle of the Gospel.] - -This is the true spirit of the Gospel of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Those -who would hold membership in His Church, and receive the blessing of -His love and redeeming sacrifice, must have faith in Him, then they -must add to their faith works. And the first bit of work to be done is -to repent of all evil--repent "after a godly manner," as Paul says, -which will lead to salvation. Thus repentance becomes the second -fundamental principle of the Gospel. And "by this," said Jesus to the -great American prophet, "ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins. -Behold, he will confess them and forsake them." - -THE REFERENCES - -Luke 13:1-9. Mark 6:7, 8. - -Matt. 5:1-2. Matt. 11:16-24. - -Mark 1:14, 15. Eph. 4:17-32. - -Doc. and Cov. 58:43. - -{126} THE QUESTIONS - -1. How did the Jews explain suffering of any kind, and calamity? - -2. What did Jesus say about the death of the men under the tower, and -of the Galileans? - -3. Interpret the parable of the barren fig tree. - -4. What did both John and Jesus say to the people? - -5. What do we learn from Jesus's exclamation against the cities where -His greatest works had been done? - -6. How is repentance a fundamental principle in our daily work? - -7. Of what does Jesus want people to repent? - -8. How is repentance the second principle of the Gospel? - -9. Of what does true repentance consist? - -{127} - -{128} PICTURE: BAPTISM OF JESUS, Weberg - -{129} - - - -XVII - -BAPTISM BY IMMERSION - -[Sidenote: The first principles and ordinances.] - -When the Prophet Joseph Smith was asked to make a statement of the -principal doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, -he prepared what we know now as the Articles of Faith. The Articles of -Faith are very plain, and touch the fundamental tenets of the Church. -The third article of faith states that "we believe that through the -atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws -and ordinances of the Gospel;" and the fourth article declares that, -"we believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel -are: first, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, repentance; third, -baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, the laying on -of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost." Those who profess faith in -Jesus must forsake the way of evil, and learn to take delight in the -law of the Lord. This, we have learned, constitutes the requirement of -the first two principles of the Gospel. - - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the - ungodly, - Nor standeth in the way of sinners, - Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. - But his delight is in the law of the Lord; - And in His law doth he meditate day and night. - - And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, - That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; - His leaf also shall not wither; - And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. - The ungodly are not so; - But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. - - Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, - Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. - For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous; - But the way of the ungodly shall perish. - -{130} [Sidenote: Baptism essential to salvation.] - -It is not enough, however, that the man who professes faith in Jesus, -shall merely forsake the way of the ungodly. Jesus fulfilled in His -coming the law of carnal commandments--a law which Paul asserts was -but a sort of schoolmaster to train the people and prepare them for -the coming of Jesus--and established through His ministry "the more -perfect law" of the Gospel, the power of God unto salvation. And that -law requires that those who believe in Jesus, and repent of their evil -doings, shall further take upon them His name in the ordinance of -baptism. One night, there came to Jesus a Pharisee named Nicodemus, -a ruler of the Jews. "Rabbi," said Nicodemus, recognizing in Jesus a -power greater than his own, "We know that Thou art a teacher come from -God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be -with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto -thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." -Nicodemus was puzzled; for he thought, of course, only of a physical -rebirth, and could not understand how such a remarkable thing could -happen. So he asked, "How can a man be born when he is old?" Then Jesus -answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee. Except a man be born of -water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." This -Jesus said, of course, of the ordinance of baptism and of the Holy -Ghost. Not only, then, must one believe and repent, but one must also -be baptized in water in fulfillment of the requirement of the law. -Without such a renewal of the spiritual life, a man may not even see -the kingdom of God. - -{131} [Sidenote: Humility and obedience the psychology of baptism.] - -There are some people who pretend not to see any value in the ordinance -of baptism. How can baptism make one any better, they ask, or have any -effect on one's subsequent life? These people do not understand the -true nature of the ordinance. There was once a Syrian captain named -Naaman who became afflicted with the loathsome and infectious disease -of leprosy. At the suggestion of an Israelitish captive, Naaman sought -out the Prophet Elisha in the land of Israel, that the affliction might -be rebuked. Elisha did not even come forth to see Naaman, but sent a -messenger to him with this word: "Go and wash in Jordan seven times, -and thy flesh shall come again to thee and thou shalt be clean." Then -Naaman became angry, because he did not understand the principle of -obedience. Why should he wash in Jordan? Were not the waters of the -rivers of Damascus better than the water of Jordan? But his servants -prevailed upon him, saying, "If the prophet had bid thee do some great -thing, wouldst thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he -saith to thee, Wash, and be clean." Here was sound reasoning, Naaman -listened; he went down to the Jordan and dipped himself seven times; -he came forth with his flesh as clean as that of a little child, and -was healed. What was it that healed Naaman? Was it the water of Jordan, -with curative powers greater than those of the rivers of Damascus? -Certainly not. Naaman bowed his haughty and powerful will to that of -God. He humbled himself; he was humiliated. He learned the lesson of -obedience, which is better than sacrifice. And the Lord God has chosen -the ordinance of baptism as the means whereby men may show their -humility, {132} their complete acceptance of the mission of Jesus, -their sincere repentance, and whereby further they may become initiated -into the Church of Jesus Christ. Here the Lord makes use of a wonderful -psychology, and baptism literally washes away sin. - -[Sidenote: The law of obedience in daily life.] - -Moreover, obedience and humility of the kind required by the ordinance -of baptism is demanded also in the daily walk of life. A young man in -a chemical obedience in laboratory attempted one day, by a process -of electro-plating, to put a new covering of yellow gold over his -watch case. He prepared very carefully the solution of gold-leaf in -aqua regia; he built up an excellent voltaic battery; he made all -the connections close and secure; and he cleaned carefully the old -watchcase that the new gold might be deposited upon it evenly and -smoothly. Then in the evening, when everything was in readiness, he -suspended the case properly in the gold solution, closed the circuit, -and went home, hoping to find his watch case in the morning with a -beautiful new coating of yellow gold ready to polish. But when he -entered the laboratory the next morning, and went to examine his -electro-plating, he found to his horror that his watch case was as -black as coal. What had happened? Everything was as he had left it the -evening before. So far as he could tell there was no reason why his -experiment should not have been successful. Then he resorted to his -books again. After patient searching, in the volumes on his desk, he -arose a wiser and a more careful man. He had overlooked one requirement -of the law. In the process of electro-plating, he remembered now, the -gold is deposited in its usual yellow form only when the gold solution -is warm. When the electric current is {133} passed through a cold -solution, the gold is deposited in an unusual black form. The young -chemist had learned that obedience is better than sacrifice. - -[Sidenote: The example set by Jesus.] - -As always, Jesus Himself practiced the doctrine that He presented to -His people. Jesus was baptized. Moreover, in His own baptism, Jesus -taught both the necessity and the proper mode of baptism. John was -baptizing in the river Jordan. Apparently, he selected places where -the water was deep; for, later in the ministry of Jesus we read, that, -John was baptizing in Aenon, near to Salim, "because there was much -water there." When He was ready to begin His ministry, Jesus went to -John to be baptized. But John forbade Him, saying, "I have need to -be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me? And Jesus answering said -unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill -all righteousness. Then he suffered Him. And Jesus, when He was -baptized, went up straightway out of the water." From this record, it -is clear that Jesus recognized the ordinance of baptism as essential -to salvation, and therefore set the example Himself. Then Jesus was -baptized correctly; He went down into the water; He was immersed; -He came up out of the water. For it is now an accepted fact that -John baptized by immersion. In Stanley's _Eastern Church_ occurs the -following passage, which Dr. Geikie considers of such authority that -he quotes it in his excellent _Life and Words of Christ_: "The mode of -John's baptism has been and still is much discussed, but the practice -of the Eastern Church, and the very meaning of the word, leave no -sufficient grounds for questioning that the original form of baptism -was complete immersion in the deep baptismal {134} water." This form of -baptism it was certainly that the apostles themselves practiced, else -there could be no meaning to the favorite figure of Paul, "Know ye not, -that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized -into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: -that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the -Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. For if we have been -planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the -likeness of His resurrection." - -[Sidenote: The purpose of baptism.] - -Do you ask what is the purpose of baptism? As has been already -suggested baptism serves to wash away sin, and to initiate the -repentant believer into the Church of Christ. John's baptism was for -"the remission of sins." Peter, the chief apostle, called to the people -on the day of Pentecost, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in -the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." And it follows -that since baptism is for remission of sins, those who have not reached -the age of sinning have no need of baptism. There has grown up in -the world a vicious habit of baptizing infants and little children. -Such a practice is wrong. Jesus Himself said of little children, "Of -such is the kingdom of heaven." Infants and little children have not -learned to know the difference between good and evil. They cannot sin. -Baptism should not be administered to them till they reach the age of -discretion. "Little children need no repentance," wrote the Nephite -prophet, "neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the -fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins." - -{135} [Sidenote: The door of the sheepfold.] - -This then did Jesus teach: Baptism is essential; it is correctly -performed by complete immersion in water; it is for the remission of -sins; it should be administered only to those who have reached the -age of accountability; only by obedience to the law can one enter the -kingdom of God. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth -not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, -the same is a thief and a robber. . . . I am the door: by Me if any -man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find -pasture." Only through Jesus, you see, can one enter the sheepfold, and -become a member of it. And the way to enter by Jesus was thus stated in -His final commission to the eleven apostles, just before He ascended to -heaven. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the -name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." "He that -believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not -shall be dammed." - -THE REFERENCES - -Psalm 1. Acts 2:38. - -John 3:1-5. Moroni 8:8-14. - -2 Kings 5:1-14. John 10:1-18. - -Matt. 3:13-16. Matt. 28:19-20. - -Rom. 6:3-5. Mark 16:15, 16. - -{136} THE QUESTIONS - -1. What are the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel? - -2. Show that baptism is required by the teaching of Jesus. - -3. By what process does baptism wash away sin? - -4. How does the law of obedience operate in the daily affairs of life? - -5. How did Jesus show in His own acts that baptism is essential to -salvation? - -6. What is the proper mode of baptism? - -7. What is the purpose of baptism? - -8. To whom should baptism be administered? - -9. Summarize the teachings of Jesus concerning baptism. - -10. What is the teaching of our own Church concerning baptism? - -{137} - - - -XVIII - -THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST - -[Sidenote: What Jesus told Nicodemus.] - -Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born of water and of the -spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." We have just learned -what it means to be born of water. When a man has gained the gift of -faith and believes sincerely in the saving mission of Jesus Christ; -when he has added to his faith works, and has learned to walk in the -way of the righteous--then he must be baptized by immersion in order -to fulfill all righteousness. As we have learned, such a man is then -born of water: for, by obeying the law, he has laid aside his sins, -and comes forth out of the water spiritually a new man, reborn. There -are some people in the world who hold that when a man has done all -this, he has fulfilled all the requirements, and may therefore hope to -gain admittance into the kingdom of God without observing any further -ceremony. But Jesus said, "Except a man be born of water and of the -spirit." Evidently, then, to enter the kingdom of God, one must be born -not only of water, but also of the spirit. And to be born of the spirit -means to be born of the Holy Ghost. But, by what means may one be born -of the spirit? - -[Sidenote: The laying on of hands.] - -This question is a very important one, since a man may not hope to -enter the kingdom of God if he has not been born--or quickened--by -the spirit. In the preceding lesson, it was stated that the Prophet, -Joseph Smith, once stated the principal doctrines of the Church of -Jesus {138} Christ of Latter-day Saints in a sort of creed, known as -the Articles of Faith; and that the fourth article, in enumerating the -first principles and ordinances of the Gospel, names the ordinance of -the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost as the fourth -essential step in becoming a member of the Church of Christ. According -to this statement, then, one may be born, or quickened, of the -spirit--after having been baptized--through the ordinance of the laying -on of hands. But was this the teaching of the primitive church and of -the Lord Jesus Himself? - -[Sidenote: The teaching and practice of Paul.] - -Anxious that the saints to whom he ministered should grow in the -knowledge of God, and should not stand still merely rehearsing the -first and practice principles of the Gospel, the Apostle Paul wrote -to the Hebrews as follows: "Therefore leaving the principles of the -doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again -the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward -God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands." It is -very interesting to note that Paul lists here as one of the first -four principles the ordinance of the laying on of hands. But what use -did Paul make of the ordinance? It happened once that Paul, in his -missionary travels, came, to the city of Ephesus, and found there -certain disciples who had been baptized, apparently, by the followers -of John the Baptist. Paul asked of these disciples, "Have ye received -the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him. We have -not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said -unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, {139} Unto -John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism -of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on -Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they -heard this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when -Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and -they spake with tongues and prophesied." This use, then, did Paul make -of the ordinance of the laying on of hands: Upon those who had been -baptized unto Jesus, Paul laid his hands, and he confirmed them, and -the Holy Ghost then came upon them, endowing them with spiritual gifts. -Moreover, this practice was not limited to the missionary labors of -Paul alone; all the apostles likewise confirmed those who had been -baptized and conferred thus the gift of the Holy Ghost upon them. - -[Sidenote: The practice of the apostles.] - -Furthermore, it was understood that only such men as possessed the -necessary delegated authority from God might presume to confer the -gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. It is recorded in -the history of the doings of the apostles that Philip, a deacon, went -down to Samaria and preached the Gospel to the Samaritans. Many of the -Samaritans believed, and were baptized by Philip, among them a certain -man named Simon, "which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and -bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great -one." But Philip, apparently did not hold the necessary authority to -confer the gift of the Holy Ghost, and he was too wise and righteous a -man to attempt to do what he had no right to do. So, "when the apostles -which were at Jerusalem heard {140} that Samaria had received the word -of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come -down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: . . . -. then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy -Ghost." Naturally, Simon the sorcerer was very much interested in this -wonderful ceremony. Such power he had never seen manifested before. He -longed himself to possess such authority. Therefore, he offered money -to the apostles, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I -lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him. Thy -money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God -may be purchased with money." The lesson here is perfect. The authority -to lay on hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost may not be merely -assumed--not even by a man of such enduring faith as Philip's--neither -may it be purchased with wordly goods. - -[Sidenote: The teaching and practice of the apostles derived from -Jesus.] - -Of course, the apostles did nothing but what they had seen their Master -do, or had been instructed by Him to do. In this they were wholly -like Him; for He also declared, "The Son can do nothing of Himself, -but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, -these also doeth the Son likewise." There can be no question, then, -that Jesus taught that the gift of the Holy Ghost should be conferred -by the laying on of hands by men holding the proper authority. Jesus -Himself practiced laying on of hands to confer blessings, to heal the -sick, to ordain, to authorize, and for other purposes. And He taught -very distinctly that God would not recognize any usurped authority. -"Ye {141} have not chosen me," said Jesus to the apostles, "but I have -chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, -and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the -Father in my name, He may give you." - -[Sidenote: What is the gift of the Holy Ghost?] - -But what is the gift of the Holy Ghost which is conferred upon the -repentant and baptized believer by the laying on of hands? To His -apostles Jesus made this promise, "I will pray the Father, and He -shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; -even the spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it -seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth -with you, and shall be in you." Again, Jesus said to them, further -explaining His promise, "The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom -the Father will send in my name. He shall teach you all things, and -bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." -And still continuing His instructions to these beloved disciples, -Jesus said again, "Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He -will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but -whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you -things to come." Now, we have already learned what the Holy Ghost is. -The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead, and is a personage -of spirit. But it appears that the special gift derived, through -obedience, from the Holy Ghost is the gift of mental and spiritual -insight--the gift of intelligence. The Comforter, said Jesus, is the -Spirit of truth; it shall teach all things, and bring to remembrance -{142} whatsoever has been heard; it shall guide into all truth, and -speak only such things as it shall itself hear; it shall show things -yet to come. To receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, is then to receive -the gift of light, and truth, and intelligence. Of this gift of the -Holy Ghost, the great Joseph Smith has said many important things. -Among others we find recorded this: "The first Comforter or Holy Ghost -has no other effect than pure intelligence. It is . . . powerful in -expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the -intellect with present knowledge." In another place, is recorded the -following: "We believe that the holy men of old spoke as they were -moved by the Holy Ghost, and that holy men in these days speak by the -same principle; we believe in its being a comforter and a witness -bearer, that it brings things past to our remembrance, leads us into -all truth, and shows us of things to come; we believe that 'no man can -know that Jesus is the Christ, but by the Holy Ghost.'" - -[Sidenote: The conditions and the source of intelligence.] - -In studying about faith, and repentance, and baptism, we learned that -the same principles operate in the daily affairs of life, and underlie -all material success. So it is also with the source of principle of -the gift of the Holy Ghost. The young chemist who tried to cover his -watchcase with gold, learned to understand the spirit of truth, and -gained greater intelligence, when he obeyed fully the requirements -going before. And as he learned further the principle of obedience, he -grew steadily in scientific intelligence. So it is then with us. We are -required to exercise faith in God, and in His Son, Jesus Christ; we are -required to repent {143} of our sins, and to learn to live righteously: -we are required to be baptized by complete immersion in water for -the remission of sins; and then we are required to submit ourselves -to the ordinance of the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy -Ghost. When we have done all this we have fulfilled the requirements -of the law. Then our minds will be opened, and our understandings -quickened; for then the Holy Ghost can act upon us to give us light and -intelligence. This is being born of the Spirit; and therefore should -everyone obey the commandment of the Lord, "Repent and be baptized, -every one of you, for a remission of yours sins; yea, be baptized even -by water, and then Cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost." - -THE REFERENCES - -John 3:5. John 14:16, 17, 26. - -Heb. 6:1, 2. John 16:13,14. - -Acts 19:1-7. Hist. of the Church, vol. 3, page 380. - -Acts 8:5-24. Hist. of the Church, vol. 5, page 26. - -John 15:16. Doc. and Cov. 33:11. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What twofold requirement is contained in the teaching of Jesus to -Nicodemus? - -2. How may one be born of the Spirit? - -3. What was the teaching and practice of Paul concerning the laying on -of hands? - -4. What was the practice of the apostles in the matter of laying on -hands? - -5. Whence did the apostles derive their knowledge of the ordinance of -laying on hands? - -6. What is the gift of the Holy Ghost? - -7. What parallel may be found in the work of the world? - -8. What is the source of intelligence? - -{144} PICTURE: JESUS AND THE FISHERMEN, Zimmermann - -{145} - - - -XIX - -THE FOUNDATION STONE - -[Sidenote: A Resume.] - -It is only natural that you should want to pause now, and review some -of the teachings that have been considered in these pages. Jesus -came to the earth to attend to His Father's business. That business -consisted of learning, Himself, to know God the Father, of teaching -all other men to know Him, and of bringing about the salvation of the -children of God. To accomplish His wonderful mission, Jesus taught -clearly what men should know about the Father and about Himself and -about the Holy Ghost; what men should know about the pre-existent life, -and why they are now upon the earth; and how they should worship God, -cultivate childlike faith in Him, and do the things that success in -worship requires. All these teachings, as we have seen, and all the -requirements, too, are in perfect harmony with natural law. To succeed -in any kind of endeavor one must follow just such steps as are outlined -by Jesus for attaining success in the struggle for exaltation. And, -certainly, we cannot rightfully hope to drift into the success of -eternal life, any more than we can hope to drift into the presidency of -the United States of America. Successful achievement is the crown of -persistent effort. - -[Sidenote: A few questions.] - -Now, as it is natural that you should want to pause at this point and -review these teachings, so it is natural that you should ask yourselves -such questions as these: Did Jesus intend that His disciples should -associate themselves in an organized community? Did He have in mind -the {146} organizing of a Church? Did He organize a Church? How did He -expect those who accepted His teachings to retain their devotion, and -to grow in their knowledge of God and His requirements of the faithful? -If He did establish a Church, how shall we recognize it? In this lesson -we shall discover what Jesus taught in answer to these questions. - -[Sidenote: Parables by the sea.] - -One day Jesus went "out of the house, and sat by the sea side. And -great multitudes were gathered unto Him, so that He went into a ship, -and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore." - -Teaching the multitude in parables, Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven -is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men -slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his -way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then -appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and -said unto him. Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from -whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. -The servants said unto him. Wilt thou then that we go and gather them -up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up -also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and -in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together -first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the -wheat into my barn." - -"Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and His -disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the -tares of the field. - -{147} "He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is -the Son of Man: the field is the world; the good seed are the children -of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the -enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the -world; and the reapers are the angels. - -"As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall -it be in the end of this world. The Son of Man shall send forth His -angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that -offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace -of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the -righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who -hath ears to hear, let him hear." - -[Sidenote: The meaning of the parables.] - -Thus clearly did Jesus Himself see the condition of the world, and -thus plainly did He teach it to His disciples. Now, for the purpose -of this study, certain points appear. First, it is very evident that -Jesus had in mind a distinct community life for those who followed -Him. The kingdom of heaven, sometimes called the kingdom of God, is -the organization in which dwells the righteous. Of course, all kinds -of people gain access at times into the kingdom. In another parable, -Jesus likens the kingdom to a net cast into the sea, which gathered -of every kind of fish. When the net was drawn ashore, the fishermen -placed the good fish in vessels, but the bad they cast away. Again, -you see, the intent is that the followers of Jesus, or the righteous, -are the children of the kingdom, and that the unrighteous have no -place therein. The righteous in {148} their community--the believing -community--shall shine forth as the sun. They constitute the kingdom of -their Father. - -[Sidenote: The church and the kingdom.] - -You may object that this kingdom does not mean the organized Church, -but the glorious kingdom embracing the whole world, over which Jesus is -to reign as King. Perhaps you are right; but it makes no difference to -the argument. For, in the first place, that kingdom must be organized. -We are sure, then, that Jesus had in mind the assembling and organizing -of His people. But, in the second place, that larger kingdom can never -be accomplished without a smaller one from which it may grow. While -the faithful number but a handful, they, too, must be organized and -provision must be made for common worship, fellowship, and service. -This smaller institution--included in the larger--is the Church. The -wheat and the tares are even now growing side by side in the Church of -Christ--in the kingdom of God--and will continue to do so until the day -of the great harvest. - -[Sidenote: The testimony of Peter.] - -But there is recorded stronger evidence even than this that the -disciples of Jesus are to be organized in a Church community. When -Jesus asked testimony of His disciples, "Whom do men say that I the -Son of Man am?" the disciples answered, you remember, "Some say that -Thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others Jeremias, or one of -the prophets." Then, when Jesus put the question to them, "Whom say ye -that I am?" Simon Peter declared, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the -living God." - -{149} [Sidenote: The testimony of Jesus.] - -This declaration is wonderful in its simplicity and unfaltering faith. -But the answer of Jesus to it is even of greater significance: "Blessed -art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto -thee, but My Father which is in heaven . . . . and upon this rock I -will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against -it." - -[Sidenote: Its significance.] - -Here, then, is found the final answer to our questions. Jesus appointed -and ordained twelve apostles, He called other seventy, because it -was significance. His purpose to organize His Church. The disciples -appointed and ordained elders, and priests, and teachers, and deacons, -and other officers, because they, too, were building up the Church -of Christ. Moreover, these words of Jesus point the test of the true -Church. Not every Church assembly that cries, Lo, here is Christ, is -necessarily the authorized Church. That only can be the true Church -which is founded on the rock of revelation. An organized Church there -must be--without the worship of the disciples would dwindle away. But -the foundation stone of that Church must be revelation; for where there -is no revelation the people perish. - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 13:24-30. Matt. 13:47-49. - -Matt. 13:36-43. Prov. 29:18. - -{150} THE QUESTIONS - -1. Review the foregoing lessons. - -2. What questions are aroused by what Jesus has taught to his people? - -3. Explain the parable of the tares. - -4. How does it answer the question, Did Jesus intend to organize His -disciples? - -5. What is the difference between the kingdom of God and the Church of -Christ? - -6. What is the principal evidence that Jesus intended to organize a -Church? - -7. What is the first test of the Church of Jesus Christ? - -{151} - -{152} PICTURE: CHRIST'S CHARGE TO PETER, Raphael - -{153} - - - -XX - -THE TEST OF AUTHORITY - -[Sidenote: The figure of the architect.] - -We have just learned that Jesus built His church upon the principle -of revelation. It is the foundation stone. And it is only reasonable -and natural that it should be so. You know very well that when an -architect is directing the construction of a large building like a -state capitol, employing hundreds of men, he has to be constantly on -the watch to keep things going right. If he goes away, or neglects his -duty, some foreman or other misinterprets the plans, or misunderstands -the specifications; or some unscrupulous contractor or other tries to -enlarge his own profits by using inferior materials and thus corrupts -the structure. How necessary it is then that the architect shall watch -over his building, by day and by night, until it is finished according -to specifications. - -[Sidenote: The application.] - -Now, if men can so easily misinterpret, or misunderstand, the concrete -instructions of their fellowmen, or if some men are so evil that -they will try to corrupt the materials of an earthly structure, it -requires no argument to prove that men may easily misunderstand or -misinterpret--quite innocently, too--the word of God, if left to -themselves. And there may even be men so wicked that they would -maliciously corrupt the word for their own evil ends. It is even more -necessary, therefore, that The Architect of eternal life--the Savior -of mankind--shall be in constant communion with His workmen, than it -is that the architect {154} of an earthly structure shall personally -superintend, its erection. No man can be absolutely sure of the -meaning of the teachings of Jesus without the spirit of inspiration, -or revelation from Him. That is why the people drift away and perish -when there is no vision. That is why Jesus founded His church upon the -rock of revelation. That is why we may rest assured that the Church of -Christ will always teach the necessity of continual revelation--the -necessity of keeping constantly in touch with the Divine Architect. - -[Sidenote: One mark not sufficient.] - -But it would be strange, indeed, if there were but one mark by which we -might recognize the Church of Christ. An apostate Church might claim to -believe in revelation, and might even teach the necessity of it. Yet, -it would of course never receive revelation; for God would not speak to -such a Church. Still, because it teaches the necessity of revelation -people might be deceived, and be led to become members of an apostate -Church. For what other mark should we look, then, when trying to -determine which is the Church of Christ? - -[Sidenote: The submission of Jesus.] - -Jesus has made the matter very plain in His life and teachings. One -of the remarkable things about Jesus was His utter humility, and His -complete submission subjection to authority. Although He was greater -than the civil law, yet He submitted always to the requirements of that -law. Nay, more, In His own labors. He recognized always the authority -of a Superior Power under whose direction He worked. When we think -of Jesus as a member of the Godhead, endowed with omnipotence, does -it not seem strange to hear Him say, "I am not come of {155} myself, -but He that sent me is true;" "my doctrine is not mine, but His that -sent me;" "the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the -Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son -likewise?" Yet, these sayings express the reverence of Jesus for -authority. It must be plain to everyone who reads the life of Jesus -that He recognized the fact that He held no authority of Himself, that -He was not self-appointed; but that His influence, His power, His very -Messiahship were conferred upon Him by the Father. - -[Sidenote: The submission of the apostles.] - -This same recognition of the necessity of authority, Jesus impressed -upon His disciples. "Ye have not chosen me," he declared one day to -them, "but I have chosen you, and ordained you." And we learn that -Jesus did call and ordain apostles and seventies; and that it was the -custom in the early Christian Church to ordain by laying on hands -other officers, such as, high priests, elders, priests, teachers, and -deacons, and bishops. Indeed, it must be clear to everyone, that only -by such special call and ordination could the apostles rightfully go -into the world to do the works that Jesus did. When the disciples of -John the Baptist wondered that Jesus should surpass their master, -do you recall what John answered them? Said he, "A man can receive -(or take unto himself) nothing except it be given him from heaven." -That is the point. No man can assume to act as a servant of God, in -official position, unless He is called of God. Hence, Jesus said to His -apostles, when He had finished His own lifework, "As my Father hath -sent me, even so send I you." - -{156} [Sidenote: The second mark.] - -From these teachings of Jesus, we learn, then, the second mark of the -Church of Christ. Not only will that Church believe in the necessity of -continual revelation and actually receive it, but it will recognize the -necessity of specially delegated divine authority to officiate in the -name of God, and will provide in its Church organization for all the -officers belonging to the priesthood of God. - -[Sidenote: Two orders of priesthood.] - -The Scriptures are full of evidences that there are two divisions of -divine priesthood--the Order of Aaron, and the Order of Melchizedek. -Jesus Himself, was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. -Without these orders of Priesthood, man can not legally officiate in -the things of God, any more than superintendents, formen and workmen -can rightfully proceed to erect a state capitol without official -authorization from the commission in charge. - -Do you know any Church that holds these two orders of priesthood in its -organization? Does this Church recognize the fact that a man must be -called and appointed of God to act in His name? Are the authority and -power of the priesthood manifest in its operations? Does this Church -also believe in and receive continual revelation from God? If so, it -is possibly the Church of Christ. A third mark remains. That we shall -consider in the next lesson. - -THE REFERENCES - -John 7:28, 29. John 15:16. - -John 9:4. John 3:27. - -John 5:19. John 20:21. - -{157} THE QUESTIONS - -1. What would probably happen if the architect in charge of the -construction of a large building should go away for a long time? - -2. What would happen if God should cease to speak to His people? - -3. What was the attitude of Jesus toward authority? - -4. Whence did He derive His authority? - -5. What did He impress upon His disciples concerning authority? - -6. What did John the Baptist say about authority? - -7. How many orders of divine priesthood are there? - -8. What then, is the second mark of the true Church? - -{158} PICTURE: JESUS TEACHING FROM A BOAT, Hofmann - -{159} - - - -XXI - -THE THIRD MARK - -[Sidenote: The horror of darkness.] - -Have you ever stopped to think how terrible it would be if we had no -Guide to show us the way of eternal life? Do you think you can imagine -the bitter disappointment of those who have sought a guide and have -failed to find it? We may now pass over lightly some of the more -serious questions of life; we may even at times reject the teachings -of our instructors as unnecessary. But there is a fixed fact which all -the world has come to recognize--one that sooner or later confronts -every individual. It is that the greatest thing in life after all is -the knowledge of God and the satisfaction of having found the way of -eternal life. The disappointment that follows the failure to find that -way is expressed in words of beauty and childlike simplicity by an -Indian. In 1832 a chief of the Flatheads, with some of his associates -sought the wigwams of the white man in quest of the Way of life. This -is what the chief of the Flatheads said when he turned to go back to -his people: - -[Sidenote: The speech of an Indian chief.] - -"I came to you over a trail of many moons, from the setting sun. You -were the friends of my fathers, who have all gone the long way, I came -with an Indian an eye partly open for my people, who sit in darkness. -I go back with both eyes closed. How can I go back blind to my blind -people? I made my way to you, with strong arms, through my enemies, -and strange lands, that I might carry back much to them. I go back -with both arms broken and {160} empty. Two fathers came with us. They -were the braves of many winters and wars. We leave them asleep here -by your great water and wigwams. They were tired with many moons (of -journeying) and their moccasins were worn out (on the trail). - -"My people sent me to get the 'White Man's Book of Heaven.' You took -me to where you allow your women to dance as we do not ours, and the -book was not there. You took me to where they worship the Great Spirit -with candles, and the book was not there. You showed me images of the -great spirits and pictures of the good land beyond, but the book was -not among them to show us the way. I am going back the long, sad trail -to my people, in the dark land. You make my feet heavy with gifts and -my moccasins will grow old in carrying them, yet the book is not among -them. When I tell my poor, blind people after one more snow, in the big -council, that I did not bring the book, no word will be spoken by our -old men, or by our young braves. One by one they will rise up and go -out in silence. My people will die in darkness, and they will go a long -path to other hunting grounds. No white man will go with them, and no -White Man's Book to make the way plain. I have no more words." - -It will be difficult to find in modern literature words more pathetic -than these. Yet, how vividly and impressively they describe the -condition that exists in the Christian world. The Indian came out of -a land of darkness to seek Light, and finds only a world of darkness. -He seeks a guide, a book that shall point the way to heaven; he finds -grossness, and a worship of the {161} flesh-pots of Egypt. He must -of necessity enter alone upon the long journey to the happy hunting -grounds. It will be his great adventure. - -[Sidenote: The figure of the architect again.] - -And so it should be with all of us, were it not for the fact that to -us God has revealed the "Book of Heaven." In the preceding lesson we -used the figure of the architect superintending the erection of a large -building. Let us continue that figure briefly. Naturally, the architect -cannot be in every part of the building at the same time. While he is -directing workmen in the basement, men laying up the wall of the second -story must get along without him. But how shall they know, in the -architect's absence, that they are doing the work right? - -The answer is not hard to find. The foremen and the workmen have -access to plans and specifications. The plans are minute, and the -specifications in detail. The workmen may then see for themselves how -the building is to be erected. If only they read right, and interpret -correctly, they may go ahead indefinitely. It is because they are prone -to misinterpret, and sometimes tempted to defraud the owners, that the -architect has to make his regular rounds and watch carefully. - -[Sidenote: The plan of eternal life.] - -It is just so with those who are building life eternal. The Indian -chief was right. He was looking for the plans and specifications of -eternal life, furnished by the Great Architect. The Indian chief did -not find them. He did not enquire at the right wigwam. The plans and -specifications of eternal life constitute the Gospel of the Lord Jesus -Christ. The presence and the practice of that Gospel--in fulness and in -simplicity--in the {162} Church of Christ, form the third mark of its -divine authority. - -[Sidenote: The necessity of plans.] - -Why are plans and specifications necessary? Ordinary plans and -specifications accomplish three very important things. First, they -direct what is to be done and how it is to be done. Secondly, they -furnish a basis of judgment whereby to determine whether or not the -work of the contractors fulfills the terms of agreement. Thirdly, they -furnish a standard of judgment whereby to determine whether or not the -materials used, the proportions mixed, the measurements taken, and -all else, are of the quality and fulness required by the builder, and -agreed to by the contractor. - -[Sidenote: The application.] - -So also, the teachings of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ are -necessary to man for very important reasons. It is through the Gospel, -that we learn of God and His work--to bring to pass the immortality and -eternal life of man. It is through the Gospel that we learn of Christ's -wonderful atoning sacrifice. It is through the Gospel that we learn to -know what is man's duty to God, and man's duty to man. The Gospel, too, -then directs men what to do and how to do it. It furnishes a basis of -judgment whereby to determine whether a man's actions are good or bad. -It furnishes a standard of judgment whereby to determine the true and -exact quality of the structure of eternal life which he has built up. - -[Sidenote: The principles of the Gospel.] - -It is not the purpose of this lesson to review all the principles of -the Gospel. Faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, by one holding -authority from God, the {163} conferring of the Holy Ghost by the -laying on of hands of men holding authority, are fundamental principles -and initiatory rites. All the teachings contained in this little book, -and many more besides, belong to the Gospel of Jesus. The true Church -of Christ must hold strictly to all that Jesus taught. "After that John -was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the -kingdom of God." - -[Sidenote: Men judged by the Gospel.] - -Of the Gospel--the plan of eternal life--the Great Architect was -jealous. "He that rejecteth me," asserted Jesus, "and receiveth not -my words, hath One that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the -same shall judge him in the last day," And the end can not come till -all have heard the plans and specifications of eternal life. Said Jesus -again, "This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world -for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." - -[Sidenote: The three marks.] - -Like the chieftain of the Flatheads, others, too, may come over a trail -of many moons, from the setting sun. They may come from a land of -darkness, in search of Light. They may need the Book of Heaven to make -the way of eternal life plain. Surely, the scroll may be found in only -one place--The Church of Jesus Christ. It is founded upon the rock of -revelation; it is ribbed by the quorums of the priesthood of Aaron and -of Melchizedek; and it is clothed in the teachings of Jesus--the Gospel -of the Son of God. - -These are the three never-failing marks of the Church of Christ. - -{164} THE REFERENCES - -Mark 1:14, 15. John 12:48-50. - -Matt. 24:14. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What is the significance of the speech of the Flathead chief? - -2. Why does an architect prepare plans and specifications for a -proposed building? - -3. How is the Gospel like such plans and specifications? - -4. What is the Gospel? - -5. How did Jesus show His great concern for the Gospel? - -6. What are the three never-failing marks of the Church of Christ? - -{165} - -{166} PICTURE: CONSIDER THE LILIES, Lejenno - -{167} - - - -XXII - -SINGLE MINDED LOYALTY - -[Sidenote: A supreme privilege.] - -It is indeed a privilege beyond measure to belong to a Church founded -upon divine revelation, presided over by the Lord Jesus Himself and -conducted by a divinely appointed priesthood, and regulated by the -Gospel of Jesus Christ--the divine plan of salvation. Not many people -appreciate fully what a priceless blessing is within their reach. -They clamor and struggle, sometimes, for membership in some secret -brotherhood or other, which will avail them nothing when they shall -pass into that other world; and they neglect--nay, ignore--membership -in the open brotherhood of Jesus the Christ, which might be made to -profit them much upon the earth, and which would give them hereafter -free access into the larger kingdom of God. Is not the vision of man -imperfect? - -[Sidenote: The true worth of membership.] - -Jesus, however, recognized the true worth of membership in the kingdom -of heaven. "The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a -field," He declared; "the which when a man hath found, he hideth, -and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth -that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, -seeking goodly pearls: who when he had found one pearl of great price, -went and sold all that he had, and bought it." - -These are pretty parables, but what do they mean? Why, simply, that -a man who has found the Church of Christ should be willing, if -necessary--indeed, he {168} will be willing, if necessary--to give up -every material possession in order to attain membership therein. It is -a blessing, of course, to possess sufficient of this world's goods; but -it is far better to have secure one's place in the kingdom of God. - -[Sidenote: Conditions of membership.] - -This lesson Jesus taught always. To gain entrance into the kingdom, one -must forsake all personal, unworthy ambitions. "The time is fulfilled," -Jesus cried on His preaching tours, "and the kingdom of God is at hand: -repent ye, and believe the gospel." And when the disciples of Jesus -would stop the parents from bringing their children to the Master, -Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid -them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, -Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he -shall not enter therein." This all teaches that to secure the coveted -membership, we must not only renounce all the evils of our past, but we -must put ourselves in the attitude of little children, eager to receive -the divine word of God, and to help in its establishment upon the earth. - -[Sidenote: Single-minded loyalty.] - -Now, it needs no long explanation to show that those who have succeeded -in placing themselves in the attitude of little children, are also -in an attitude of single-minded loyalty to God. Jesus insisted that -men must be loyal to God, and that, too, with singleness of purpose -and singleness of thought. You have learned in your daily lives which -associates you can trust and which you cannot trust. You know very -well that if a boy's thoughts are always good, he is not very likely -to become guilty {169} of any seriously wrong act. You know that if a -girl's motives are good, she is not likely to become guilty of evil. -Jesus knew these truths, too. He was anxious, therefore, that the minds -of men should become filled with thoughts of God--that the dominating -motive in their minds should be to serve God. For He knew very well -that a man dominated by the motive of Godly service would be arrayed -against sin; whereas, one not so dominated might easily be overcome by -the wily suggestions of the tempter. - -[Sidenote: No man can serve two masters.] - -"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust -doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up -for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth -corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where -your treasure is there will your heart be also." - -When we learn that, in the Jewish belief, the heart was the seat of -thought and intelligence, then this saying of the Teacher becomes -plain indeed. It is impossible for anyone to have two chief centers of -interest. If a man devote his thought and intelligence to the laying up -of wealth, he will of course neglect his duty to God. For, said Jesus, -"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and -love the other, or he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye -cannot serve God and Mammon." - -[Sidenote: A simple application.] - -Everyone knows how true this saying is. Let us apply it to some of -our own likes. All boys and most girls like baseball. Every boy and -every girl should like {170} to keep the Sabbath holy. Now, if a boy -begins to yield to the temptation to play baseball on Sunday, it is not -long, ordinarily, before his surrender is complete, and the playing -of baseball on Sunday becomes for him a regular practice. What has -then happened to his attendance at the Sunday School and the sacrament -service? The boy is scarcely if ever seen there. Do you ask why? This -boy started by trying to serve both God and Mammon. But the things of -God are displeasing to Mammon; and the things of Mammon are displeasing -to God. Oil and water, you know, will not mix. As the boy grew in his -love for baseball on the Sabbath, he grew also in his hatred for the -duties he owed to his God. As he held tenaciously to his baseball on -the Sabbath, he despised the service of the great King. Truly, one -cannot have two chief centers of interest. "Ye cannot serve God and -Mammon." - -[Sidenote: A parable in point.] - -And the folly of the worship of Mammon is so clear, that it is -surprising that men will ever fall into error. Jesus illustrated this -truth with an excellent parable. "The ground of a certain rich man -brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself saying, What -shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he -said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; -and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to -my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine -ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him. Thou fool, this -night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things -{171} be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure -for himself, and is not rich toward God." - -[Sidenote: The light of the body.] - -Again, Jesus said when speaking of laying up treasure in heaven, -and serving God and Mammon, "The light of the body is the eye: if -therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. -But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. -If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that -darkness!" In the Old Testament, the evil eye stands for avarice and -greed, the good eye for generosity. Is there anyone, then, who does not -see that if a man fosters thoughts of selfishness and greed, he blinds -himself, to all the better and higher things, and gropes in darkness. - -[Sidenote: A summary.] - -In this way, then, Jesus taught that men should serve God with -single-minded loyalty. In His sayings and parables, He presents four -reasons: (1) The life of man is in the hands of God. He gave it and -He will take it away. No one is sure how long he may be privileged to -enjoy worldly pleasures. But the life of the spirit is everlasting. -Its joys shall never end. (2) Worldly goods and pleasures are -perishable and fleeting. We may lose them when we think we have them -most securely. The things of the spirit are eternal. They can not be -taken from us, so long as we worship in spirit and in truth. (3) It is -impossible for man to hold two equally important and equally cherished -objects of interest. One of the two will inevitably be neglected. (4) -If a man's motives are selfish and worldly, his soul becomes darkened -to truth, and to spiritual things. - -{172} [Sidenote: A paraphrase.] - -For these excellent and sufficient reasons, man should cultivate an -attitude of single-minded loyalty to God. Instead of toiling and -sweating for things of passing value only, man should strive for the -things of permanent joy and satisfaction. Jesus's message, as has been -aptly said, may be paraphrased thus: - -"Look up. Get a goal before you that is worth while. Let the one -passion of your life be loyalty to God. Then your joys will be -wholesome and permanent, and you shall walk in the light, not in -darkness." - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 13:44-46. Matt. 6:13-21. - -Mark 1:13, 14. Matt. 6:24. - -Mark 10:13-16. Luke 12:13-15. - -Matt. 6:22-23. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. How does man show himself short-sighted when considering the things -of God? - -2. What is the significance of the parable of the treasure and the -pearl of great price? - -3. What do we learn from Jesus's attitude toward little children? - -4. Name and discuss the first two reasons given by Jesus why we should -cultivate single-minded loyalty to God. - -5. Name and discuss the second two reasons why we should cultivate -single-minded loyalty to God. - -6. Name as many instances as you can in which we might practice -single-minded loyalty in our own lives. - -{173} - -{174} PICTURE: CHRIST AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER, Hofmann - -{175} - - - -XXIII - -RICHES AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD - -[Sidenote: A liberal man.] - -When Matthias Baldwin, who built the first American locomotive, had -made good and had accumulated a fortune, he was wont to distribute -liberal gifts freely among those who had been less prosperous than he. -So generous, indeed, was he that when he had not the cash by him he -would give personal notes instead. "Nobody hesitates to sign promises -to pay in the future in order to get capital for business," he would -say. "Are we to trust the Lord to take care of our affairs, and not His -own?" Sometimes, it is said, this practice would get Mr. Baldwin into -small difficulties; but on the other hand it often helped him when he -needed business notes for himself. Said one bank president to another, -once, "You refuse to help him because he does not know what to do with -his money. We will stand by him because he is determined to do good -with his money. His collaterals are God's promises." And that bank -president was right. - -[Sidenote: An unnatural doubt.] - -Now, the teachings of the previous lesson may have aroused some -questions in your minds as to whether or not there will be found a -place in the kingdom of heaven for the rich man--for him who has -devoted much time apparently to the service of mammon. Perhaps you -have heard from some one that "it is easier for a camel to go through -the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of -God;" and you have therefore concluded that heaven is for only the -poor. There are some people who hold {176} so narrow a notion. In this -lesson, however, we shall learn how riches should be used; and that -poverty is no larger guarantee of salvation than are riches. - -[Sidenote: The case of the rich young ruler.] - -One day, not long after Jesus had blessed the little children brought -to Him, there came to Him a rich young ruler, who said, "Good Master, -what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" - -"And He said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good -but One, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the -commandments. - -"He saith unto Him, Which? - -"Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery, -Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. Honour thy -father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. - -"The young man saith unto Him, All these things have I kept from my -youth up: what lack I yet? - -"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou -hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and -come and follow me. - -"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for -he had great possessions." - -[Sidenote: The difficulty of sacrifice.] - -This simple little story reveals to us the truth. The rich young ruler -was essentially a good young man. From his youth up he had striven -to observe the law of Moses. He had committed no gross offense; he -was guilty of no heinous sin; as he understood the law, he loved his -neighbor as himself. But the more perfect law of the Gospel, which -Jesus taught, called for sacrifice. The things the young man had done -had been easy. He had {177} refrained from evil, because he loved not -evil. But when he was bidden to part with his wealth, and to give it to -others more needy than he, the center of his affection was touched. For -he loved his riches. It was not the riches, then, that stood between -him and eternal life. It was the love of those riches. The thing he -loved he could with difficulty give up. - -[Sidenote: The conclusion of Jesus.] - -Therefore did Jesus say to His disciples, "Verily I say unto you. -That a rich man shall hardly (with difficulty) enter into the kingdom -of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go -through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the -kingdom of God." - -[Sidenote: The amazement of the disciples.] - -Naturally, such a statement puzzled the disciples just as it has -puzzled men from that time to this. So the disciples asked, "Who then -can be saved?" But Jesus answered only, "With men this is impossible; -but with God all things are possible." - -[Sidenote: The power of God.] - -While this answer may seem evasive, yet one can readily see in it the -possibility implied. Of course, with God all things are possible. -He can touch the heart of man so that it shall not be centered on -wealth--so that the chief affection of man shall not be, Midas-like, -the love of gold. Riches in themselves are of no value; but riches as -a means of service may be righteously desired. And the Lord Jesus has -Himself promised the blessings of the earth to those who honestly seek -Him. - -[Sidenote: A promise of worldly blessings.] - -"Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink," urged Jesus, -"Neither be ye of doubtful mind. {178} For all these things do the -nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have -need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all -these things shall be added unto you." - -[Sidenote: The object of the world's desire.] - -Riches, then, should be righteously acquired; and the acquiring of them -should be made secondary to the learning to know God and Jesus Christ -whom He hath sent. It is natural that every boy and girl should plan -for the future, and that the plans should include the accumulation, if -possible, of some of this world's goods. But Jesus would not have those -who know him to be like the nations of the world. They seek after the -riches of the world merely for the sake of the riches themselves. They -love money--and Paul said, you know, that, "the love of money is the -root of all evil." The disciples of Jesus will never serve mammon; they -will make mammon serve them, and use riches for good. Money itself will -not be the object of their love, but the service that money can be made -to render. Jesus taught this lesson in a parable often misunderstood. - -[Sidenote: The parable of the unjust steward.] - -"There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was -accused unto him that he had wasted his goods, and he called him, and -said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of -thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward -said within himself. What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from -me the stewardship. I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved -what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may {179} -receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's -debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my -lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him. -Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to -another. And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of -wheat. And he said unto him. Take thy bill, and write four score. And -the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: -for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the -children of light. And I say unto you. Make to yourselves friends of -the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you -into everlasting habitations." - -Now, Jesus did not approve of the actions of the steward. They were -decidedly dishonest, and Jesus calls him an unjust steward. But from -the conduct of this steward, Jesus draws a profitable lesson. The -steward was a man of the world. The children of the world are wise in -their generation. When, therefore, the steward was in trouble, he made -the mammon of unrighteousness his servant, and secured for himself a -comfortable living when he should be put out of the stewardship. A -somewhat similar use should the children of light make of such wealth -as they are appointed stewards over. They should look after the poor, -care for the needy, shed comfort and cheer, and make for themselves -friends by means of their wealth. First must come obedience to the -commandments of God, and a diligent seeking after Him. Then worldly -goods must be made to serve in helping to prepare a habitation in the -eternal home. - -{180} Paul, again, who seemed always clearly to comprehend the -teachings of the Master, put it thus: "Charge them that are rich in -this world, that they be not high minded nor trust in uncertain riches, -but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that -they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, -willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good -foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal -life." - -In the teaching of Jesus, then, riches are not a bar to eternal life. -The terms of salvation are the same to the rich and the poor alike. It -is not poverty that saves a man, but humility of spirit and obedience. -So it is not riches that condemn a man; but love of riches, and -disobedience. Many there are who, like the rich young ruler, turn and -go their way because they have great possessions. Many others there -are who, like Matthias Baldwin, exclaim, "I feel more thankful for the -disposition to give largely than for the ability to give largely; for I -know that immense wealth can be acquired a great deal easier than the -heart to use it well. My money without a new heart would have been a -curse to me." - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 19:16-22. Luke 12:29-31. - -Luke 18:22. 1 Tim. 6:10, 17-19. - -Luke 16:1-10. - -{181} THE QUESTIONS - -1. What disposition did Matthias Baldwin develop with the accumulation -of riches? - -2. Why do some people think that heaven is not for the rich man? - -3. Why could not the rich young ruler follow Jesus? - -4. What did Jesus mean by the statement concerning the rich man and the -camel? - -5. What use should be made of riches? - -6. What is the root of all evil? - -7. What lesson did Jesus teach in the parable of the Unjust Steward? - -8. Why have the poor no greater assurance of salvation than have the -rich? - -9. Which is the great gift, wealth or the disposition to give? - -{182} PICTURE: LAZARUS AT THE RICH MAN'S HOUSE, Dore - -{183} - - - -XXIV - -SUCCEEDING WITH WHAT ONE HAS - -[Sidenote: The rich man and Lazarus.] - -In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Lazarus lies sick and -hungry at the door of the Rich Man who only the crumbs that fall from -the rich man's table. The Rich Man failed to recognize his opportunity; -and when these two passed beyond, Lazarus was taken into the bosom -of Abraham, while the Rich Man was consigned to the torments of -everlasting punishment. - -[Sidenote: Wanted: a chance.] - -The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus must cause each one of us to -reflect, that, undoubtedly, he has himself many opportunities lying -unnoticed at his door. Indeed, while nearly every boy is prone to say -when he sees a successful man, "If only I had his chance," the fact -remains that he probably had as good a chance as the successful man but -failed to make the most of it. Jesus understood well the weakness in -men that makes for failure, both temporal and spiritual, and as was his -wont illustrated his point by means of a significant parable. - -[Sidenote: The parable of the talents.] - -"The kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who -called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto -one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every -man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. -Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the -same, and made them other five {184} talents. And likewise he that had -received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one -went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. - -"After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth -with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought -other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five -talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His -lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou -has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many -things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received -two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: -behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto -him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over -a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into -the joy of thy lord. - -"Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew -thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and -gathering where thou hast not strawed: and I was afraid, and went and -hid my talent in the earth: lo, here thou hast that is thine. His -lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, -thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have -not strawed: thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the -exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with -usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which -hath ten talents. For unto everyone that hath shall be given, and he -shall have abundance: but from {185} him that hath not shall be taken -away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into -outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - -[Sidenote: A general law.] - -In this parable, Jesus has stated a far-reaching law of truth. It -applies to every boy and to every girl, to every man and to every -woman. And it operates in every field of endeavor--in the temporal -world, in the mental world, in the spiritual world. Perhaps everyone -knows someone else who is waiting for an opportunity. Perhaps, you -yourselves, like the snail in Hans Christian Andersen's tale of "The -Snail and the Rose Bush," think that you have a great deal in you, -and say to yourselves as did the snail, "Wait till my time comes, I -shall do a great deal more than to yield roses, or to bear nuts, or -to give milk as cows do." But in thinking so and saying so you forget -the eternal truth taught by Jesus in the parable of the talents. The -big opportunity can come only if every day, like the rose bush, you -make the most of that day's chance, and contribute the roses and the -fragrance of your life to the world. - -[Sidenote: The water boy.] - -Let us consider a concrete case. Not so very long ago, there was -employed in one of the great American steel works, a young boy to carry -water. You all know what that means. And it must be admitted that -there is but small opportunity in the humble calling of water-carrier. -His master had entrusted the boy with a single talent. But as the -master went the rounds of inspection, he observed that the water boy -was always on the job. No matter how early the master came, the boy -was there {186} before him; no matter how late the master stayed, the -boy stayed later than he. He worked, he observed, he studied; he was -making his talent grow. By and by, a vacancy occurred higher up. The -master did not hesitate. He called to him the water boy, and gave to -him the work of greater responsibility. That was but the beginning. -Today the water boy is one of the most highly honored and trusted men -in the great steel industry of America. No place, you see, is so humble -but that it has its own opportunity for service. And that opportunity -improved, there lie always greater chances ahead. That opportunity -neglected, failure only can follow. One can become ruler of many things -only if one has proved oneself faithful in few. - -[Sidenote: Intellectual endeavor.] - -Examples might be multiplied to prove the truth of the law taught by -Jesus. When boys and girls go to school, it is those who make the most -of that opportunity that grow in intelligence and power. They progress -steadily until they become leaders of men. Knowledge is added to -knowledge, until they master the field in which they are working. On -the other hand, those who neglect the opportunity afforded by school -attendance, become relatively more and more ignorant. The world forges -ahead in knowledge and wisdom. Their industrious associates go forward -by strides. But they, themselves, lag ever farther and farther behind. -Verily, to him who hath is given, until he possesses in abundance; -whereas from him who hath not, is taken even that he had. - -[Sidenote: Spiritual growth.] - -But it was not to temporal and mental things only that Jesus meant to -apply the law illustrated in the {187} parable of the talents. Perhaps -His chief purpose was to apply it to the spiritual life. There, as in -the physical life, one must serve, and do one's utmost, in whatever -calling God may have placed one. According to one's courage and -faithfulness will one's reward be. And that reward, you must note, -does not consist of a commission in money. It consists of a larger -responsibility, a larger opportunity to serve, a place of greater honor -in the kingdom of God. Such a reward--whether in the physical or in the -spiritual life--is after all the only reward worth while. - -[Sidenote: The lesson applied.] - -Let us grapple to our souls, then, the lesson of this parable. The -lasting reward of effort of any kind is not the material gain derived -therefrom, but the effect upon one's character--ability developed to -do bigger and nobler things; the confidence inspired to carry larger -trusts. So, two of the servants of the lord developed in efficiency -and ability to do. The other feared. He feared failure--he dared not -attempt--he dreaded to venture. His ability, such as it was, became -paralyzed. As a result he inspired no confidence--nay, he lost the -confidence his lord had reposed in him. Moreover, through his failure -to make use of his little opportunity, the slothful servant lost -confidence in himself, and thereby squandered his native power to -achieve, however small it may have been. - -God requires of all of us that we shall serve Him diligently. And -service of Godly kind means that we give ourselves wholly to the Lord, -all that we have and all that we are. Time, and means, and life, -are His, {188} and every word, every thought, every act, should be -prompted by loyalty to God and His kingdom. Then are we profitable -servants; and then are we multiplying the talents God has entrusted to -our care. "Thou shalt not idle away thy time," said Jesus in our own -dispensation, "neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be -known." - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 25:14-30. Doc. and Cov. 60:13. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What is meant by a "chance?" - -2. How much smaller opportunity had the servant with one talent than -the servant with five? - -3. What does the story of the water-boy illustrate? - -4. How does the parable of the talents apply to the school life of boys -and girls? - -5. How does the parable apply to one's spiritual life? - -6. What is man's duty to God? - -{189} - -{190} PICTURE: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, Hofmann - -{191} - - - -XXV - -THINK RIGHT - -[Sidenote: The great commandment.] - -Once when a lawyer asked Him temptingly which is the great commandment -in the law, Jesus answered unhesitatingly, "Thou shalt love the Lord -thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy -mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is -like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two -commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Divinely inspired, -Jesus returned a very wise answer. The tempter was unable to catch Him. -And now we all understand that answer is in very truth the sum of the -law and the prophets. For if a man truly loves God, and also loves his -neighbor as himself, there is no offense he will--or can--commit. All -sin consists of evil done to oneself, or to one's neighbor, or to one's -God. True love such as Jesus defined makes sin impossible. - -[Sidenote: The beatitudes.] - -At another time, when a great multitude followed Him from almost every -part of the Holy Land, Jesus went up into a mountain and preached to -the disciples that assembled near Him. It was at this time that He -uttered the wonderful sayings commonly known as the Beatitudes. In -these rich and beautiful sayings, Jesus describes the moral character -that He requires in those who are to constitute His kingdom. In other -words, everyone who would belong in full faith and fellowship to the -kingdom of God must possess the qualities here named. - -{192} "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of -heaven. - -"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. - -"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. - -"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for -they shall be filled. - -"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. - -"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. - -"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of -God. - -"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for -theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - -"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and -shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice -and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so -persecuted they the prophets which were before you." - -[Sidenote: A high ideal of life.] - -Here, indeed, is an ideal toward which to train one's life. To be -poor in spirit, to mourn over imperfection, to be meek, to hunger and -thirst after righteousness, to be merciful, to be pure in heart, to -make peace amongst the quarrelsome, to be strong in persecution for -righteousness' sake, to rejoice when men do us evil wrongfully, for -Jesus's sake--these are goals worth while. Every man should keep the -beatitudes in mind, and should try so to order his life that he may not -fail to obtain {193} any one of the promises associated with a good, -moral life. - -[Sidenote: The great beatitude.] - -Yet, as one reads the beatitudes, one wonders what the great Master -would answer if someone should ask Him--as did the lawyer about the -commandments--which is the great beatitude. As you read them over, -do you feel that any one is greater than the rest? Do you feel that -the attaining of a certain one of them would comprehend the rest? Of -course, we may not assume to say what Jesus would answer. But let -us think the beatitudes over ourselves and try to pick out one very -important one; one that expresses a moral quality the attainment of -which will at least help in the attainment of all the rest; one that -expresses a moral quality more often trampled under foot than any -other; one that expresses a moral quality the neglect of which leads -always to iniquity. - -[Sidenote: The pure in heart.] - -Have you found it? The sixth saying reads thus: "Blessed are the pure -in heart: for they shall see God." Here is a condition with a promise -indeed! To see God! To associate with Him! And what must one be to see -God? One must be pure in heart. When we remember that in the Jewish -belief the heart was the seat of thought and intelligence, then we -understand this saying better. To be pure in heart is to be pure in -thought, to be pure in mind. To be pure in heart is to entertain no -evil thought, to hold no impure desire. To be pure in heart is to weed -out of the mind every evil or sinful suggestion, and to plant instead -thoughts of righteousness. The wise man of old appreciated the full -value {194} of purity of heart. Said he, As a man "thinketh in his -heart so is he." And to the Prophet Joseph Smith Jesus said, "Let -virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, then shall thy confidence wax -strong in the presence of God, and the doctrine of the Priesthood shall -distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven." May we not hope, then, -since God is a God of purity, that we have found here the great, the -comprehensive beatitude? If one is truly pure in heart, one can not but -possess the other moral virtues also. - -[Sidenote: Things that defile.] - -Jesus was very forceful in His teaching of the necessity of purity of -heart. At one time, He called the people to Him and taught them thus: -"Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand. There is nothing -from without a man, that entering into him, can defile him: But the -things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. If -any man have ears to hear, let him hear. - -"And when He was entered into the house from the people. His disciples -asked Him concerning the parable. And He saith unto them. Are ye so -without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing -from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it -entereth not into his heart, . . . . And He said, That which cometh out -of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of -men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, -covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye (greed), -blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all {195} these evil things come from -within, and defile the man." - -[Sidenote: Vulgarity in thought, word and deed.] - -It is very apparent, then, that vulgar stories of the kind that -boys often tell each other on street corners, are begotten of an -impure mind. The telling of vulgar, or "smutty" jokes, the reading -of lascivious literature, the taking delight in obscene pictures and -suggestive plays, the practising of secret abuses--all these are born -of an evil mind. Surely, it must be plain to every boy and girl that -those who indulge such thoughts and practices of evil are not pure in -heart. They shall not see God. - -[Sidenote: The good tree and the corrupt.] - -Teaching again on the same subject, Jesus said at another time, "A good -tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree -bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit: for -of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they -grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth -forth that which is good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of -his heart, bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of -the heart his mouth speaketh." - -[Sidenote: Plain teaching.] - -Has ever any man taught more plainly? The kingdom of God is to be made -up of men and women rich in moral virtues. And the chief of those -virtues is purity of heart. The vulgar, the profane, the lascivious, -and all those who foster evil thoughts will find no place near God. -Only the pure in heart shall see Him. Remember, then, the great -commandment. Remember the great {196} beatitude. Remember that as a man -thinketh in heart so is he. Therefore, think right. - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 22:34-40. Doc. and Cov. 121:45. - -Matt. 5:1-13. Mark 7:14-24. - -Prov. 23:7. Luke 6:43-45. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What is the great commandment in the law? - -2. Show that the answer of Jesus does really cover the law and the -prophets. - -3. What are the beatitudes? - -4. What kind of people do they describe? - -5. Which is the great beatitude? - -6. Show how this beatitude may possibly cover all the rest. - -7. What did Jesus teach of things that defile? - -8. How may a tree be known? - -9. Apply these teachings to your own lives. - -10. Explain the saying, As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. - -{197} - - - -XXVI - -THE UGLINESS OF ANGER - -[Sidenote: The story of Cain.] - -There is no more pitifully tragic story in all the world than that -of Cain, the fratricide. Cain was the first son of Adam and Eve of -whom the Scriptures make specific mention. Cain was a tiller of the -soil. The riches of the earth were his, and the fulness thereof. With -joyful heart, he might have plowed and tilled and garnered, and, at -the last, ended a well-spent life in ease and comfort; with praise and -thanksgiving, he might have worshipped God, acknowledging gifts already -bestowed, and receiving daily more as he pursued his honest toil; with -contented mind, he might have mingled with his brothers and sisters, -and given unstintingly of his prosperous help in the establishing -of man's dominion on earth. But Cain was of a jealous and envious -disposition. His mind was darkened with thoughts of avarice and greed -and hatred of others who prospered in the new world. - -[Sidenote: The occupation of Abel.] - -Cain had a brother named Abel. He was the second son of Adam and Eve -mentioned by name in the Scriptures. Abel was a shepherd, a tender of -flocks. Abel prospered, too, in his occupation. True, Abel was not -so independent of his fellows as was his brother Cain, the tiller of -the soil. Abel's calling produced him only meat to eat and wool to -wear. He grew no fruits, nor grains, nor vegetables, nor other foods -in variety produced by the soil. But Abel was happy and contented. He -was unselfish. He loved his brothers and sisters, {198} and rejoiced -in their successes. He loved God. And as he tended his flocks, Abel -worshipped God who had placed his father and mother, and their -children, upon the earth to subdue it. - -[Sidenote: The brothers' sacrifices.] - -One day Cain and Abel carried sacrifices to offer to the Lord. Cain -brought grudgingly of the fruits of the field. Abel brought of the -firstlings of his flock and the fat thereof without thought of -withholding anything from the Lord. When the sacrifices were presented, -"the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain -and to his offering He had not respect." Now, this difference was not -because Abel's offering was better or more desirable than Cain's. -The Lord pays not respect to worldly things. The widow's mite is as -acceptable to Him as the rich man's millions, if offered in the spirit -of truth. For it is the spirit in which a sacrifice is made that -counts with the Lord. And Cain did not come in the spirit of love, and -thanksgiving, and worship. He gave grudgingly. Perhaps, even, he did -not give of the best of his crops. Therefore the Lord did not accept -his offering. - -[Sidenote: The anger of Cain.] - -Then, when he saw that his own offering was rejected, while Abel's -was accepted, Cain became filled with anger, and his countenance -fell. The Lord in His mercy spoke to Cain, and declared to him one -of the great fundamental truths of life. "Why art thou wroth?" asked -the Lord, "and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well thou -shalt be accepted. And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, -and Satan desireth to have thee; and except thou shalt hearken unto my -{199} commandments, I will deliver thee up, and it shall be unto thee -according to his desire." But the anger and the envy of Cain were not -appeased. - -[Sidenote: The murder of Abel.] - -Not long thereafter, Cain and Abel were together in the field. Cain -had brooded over the incident of the offerings. His anger had waxed -hot, till it was ready to burst into furious flame. Satan had gained -possession of his mind, had filled him with envy, and had inspired him -to hate his brother. So, as he talked with his brother in the field, -Cain suddenly arose in ungovernable rage and struck his brother down -and killed him. It was a day of horror in man's history. It was a day -of blackness and blood. Cain was a brother-murderer--a fratricide. And -it had come about because he had yielded to anger and envy and hate. -Satan had gained possession utterly of his soul. Therefore, Cain was -cursed by the Lord and cast out from His presence. In the story of Cain -is illustrated wonderfully the truth of the saying of the Wise Man of -Israel: "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to -stand before envy?" - -[Sidenote: The lesson at home.] - -The story of Cain is a story of long ago. But we all know many -instances of the ugliness of anger in our own day. In every prison -house in the world are confined men who have committed crime in fits of -anger. "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in -transgression," said the Man of Wisdom. When a man is angry, he loses -control of the good that is in him. He returns to the state of the -beast. He speaks words of which afterward he is ashamed. He does things -for which afterward he sorrows. Anger is an {200} infernal poison, -administered by the father of lies himself, which courses through the -blood, makes the heart pound, and creates delirium in the mind. There -are many ugly sights in the world; but there is perhaps none uglier, -more repulsive, than a man furiously angry. Therefore is it said, "Make -no friendship with an angry man and with a furious man thou shalt not -go: lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." - -[Sidenote: The power of the mind.] - -Everyone knows how unpleasant is the company of a quarrelsome boy, or -of a quarrelsome girl. The best of sport and the choicest of company -can be spoiled by one angry countenance. The truth taught in the -preceding lesson may here be emphasized. "As a man thinketh in his -heart so is he." According to your habits of thought, you are agreeable -or disagreeable. According to your habits of thought, you find quarrel -in a straw, or peace and serenity in turmoil. According to your habits -of thought you may become a strife-breeder or a peacemaker. "A wrathful -man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth anger." -And since it rests with yourself, is it not deplorable that you should -follow in the footsteps of Cain? - - "The human will, that force unseen, - The offspring of a deathless Soul, - Can hew a way to any goal, - Though walls of granite intervene." - -As a boy wills to be pleasant and cheerful, or to be disagreeable and -quarrelsome, so then will he be. We know now that we may all be masters -of ourselves, and hewers of our own fates. - -{201} All these things Jesus taught plainly. Said He, "Ye have heard -it said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall -kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That -whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of -the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in -danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in -danger of hell fire. - -"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and then rememberest -that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave then thy gift before -the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then -come and offer thy gift. - -"Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with -him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the -judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily -I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast -paid the uttermost farthing." - -[Sidenote: Jesus an example.] - -There is in history no finer example of serene calm and self-control -than that manifested in the earth life of the Savior of the world. -When James and John, "the Sons of Thunder," asked permission to call -down fire from heaven upon the Samaritan village that had refused to -entertain Jesus, the Lord rebuked them, saying, "Ye know not what -manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of Man is not come to destroy -men's lives, but to save them." And when during the days of trial and -suffering, men insulted Him and did Him physical injury, Jesus went -like a lamb to the slaughter. - -{202} [Sidenote: The strength of self-control.] - -All examples and precepts, then, admonish us to acquire self-control, -to be slow to anger, to banish hatred, and to eschew envy. "For the -wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God;" and "he that is -slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit -than he that taketh a city." - -THE REFERENCES - -Moses 5:16-41. Matt. 5:21-26. - -Prov. 27:4. Luke 9:51-56. - -Prov. 29:22. James 1:20. - -Prov. 22:24. Prov. 16:32. - -Prov. 15:18. - -"Angry Words, Oh Let Them Never," S. S. Song Book. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What caused the downfall of Cain? - -2. What effect does anger have upon the mind? - -3. Why does not anger work for righteousness? - -4. What do you think of a quarrelsome boy with a grouch? - -5. What did Jesus teach about anger? - -6. How does self-control make for strength? - -{203} - -{204} PICTURE: JESUS BLESSING LITTLE CHILDREN, Plockhorst - -{205} - - - -XXVII - -WITH WHAT MEASURE YE METE - -[Sidenote: The two school girls.] - -Two little girls came home from school one day carrying on a very -lively discussion. Their animation, and their complete absorption in -the subject were very inspiring to see. One could not help but thrill -at the manifestation of buoyant, interested, and healthful youth. But -when they came into the house, and their mother overheard the nature -of their conversation, she was woefully disappointed. These girls were -not discussing the problems raised by their lessons; neither were they -rejoicing at the prospect of the coming girls' hike to the canyon. In -fact, the subject of their animated discussion was neither uplifting -nor invigorating. On the contrary, it was disgusting--so thought -their mother; and she was sorry to hear her girls indulge in such -conversation. For the girls were gossiping; nay--they were slandering. - -[Sidenote: The theft.] - -It appears that someone had lost some money that day at school. The -loser declared, however, that she had not merely lost the money. It -had been stolen! The principal had called the pupils together, and -had stated the case plainly to them. He had said that if anyone had -actually stolen the money, it would be much better for the thief to -confess than to be discovered, or even successfully to conceal the -dishonest act. Such a thing would leave a scar upon one's character for -life. But no one confessed. The lost coin was not found. - -{206} [Sidenote: The suspicion.] - -Our two little friends, however, had observed that Mary Jones, who sat -not far away, acted very suspiciously when the principal came into the -room. She turned quite pale, and looked afraid. When the principal -appealed to the offender to make a clean breast of his guilt, Mary -had hung her head. Was it not proof positive that Mary had stolen the -money; or that, at least, she knew where it was? At recess, and after -school was out, the girls had talked it over. They had confided their -suspicions to a few intimate friends; these in turn had confided in -other intimate friends; soon the whole school was in possession of what -was assumed to be a fact, that Mary Jones had stolen the money, but -that she would not confess. The two little girls who first suspected -Mary had grown firmly to believe their suspicions, and assured their -mother that they knew that Mary was the thief. - -[Sidenote: The discovery.] - -The developments of the next few days, however, proved to these little -girls how much truth there really is in the little bit of doggerel -verse their mother had taught them. - - "There is so much that is bad in the best of us, - And so much that is good in the worst of us, - That it doesn't behoove any of us - To talk about the rest of us." - -Poor Mary Jones suffered keenly for three days. Both the boys and the -girls shunned her as if she were a leper. The girls huddled together -and whispered when she passed. Once a rude, unfeeling boy called after -her, "Why don't you 'fess up, Mary?" But Mary had really nothing to -"'fess up," and on the third day {207} the truth came to light. Out in -the hallway, the janitor noticed something shining in a little crack -between the boards of the floor. It was in the afternoon, and the -light coming through the transom of the west door fell just then upon -the spot. The janitor stooped to see what the shining object was. It -was money! He pried it out with his pocket knife. It was of the same -denomination as that which had been reported stolen. Immediately, the -janitor returned it to the teacher with a full explanation. - -[Sidenote: The tables turned.] - -It is strange how things turn and turn about. When the money was -returned to the girl who had lost it, with the janitor's story, she -remembered that she had been skipping there in the hallway, and that -she had thought she had heard something strike the floor; but since -she had seen nothing she had forgotten it. The girls who had suspected -Mary and had shunned her, now flocked about her and assured her that -they had never believed her guilty. The two who had started the slander -stood shame-facedly apart. The school turned on them, and for many days -they were avoided, and were shut out of the school games, as Mary had -been. They were mischief-makers, said the pupils. It was only after -Mary herself had pleaded for them, that a complete reconciliation was -effected, and the school society moved harmoniously forward as before. - -[Sidenote: An everyday occurrence.] - -You think that this is a story? Yes, it is a story; but it is a true -story. And the sorrowful thing about it is that just such unkind and -unfounded judgments as that formed by the little school girls are -passed every day upon {208} innocent men and women. You yourselves pass -judgment, without any evidence on which to base that judgment. You -condemn your playmates for this or for that. You find fault with what -your parents do, not knowing the many problems they have to solve. You -criticize the bishop of your ward, or the president of your stake, or -even the president of the Church, without knowledge of a single item -of the vast amount of information which he has and which compelled him -to do as he did. It may be that some of your associates have faults. -Those faults stand out glaringly enlarged to you. You are offended by -them. You are prompted to criticize, or to try to correct the defects. -But you forget that you may have faults as glaringly apparent to your -associates as theirs are to you. You do not stop to think that the -little girls who suspected Mary Jones were also guilty of a grievous -offense in judging and condemning without cause. You forget what -the Lord Jesus taught, "Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy -brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? -Or how wilt thou say to thy brother. Let me pluck out the mote out of -thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye. Thou hypocrite, -first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see -clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." - -[Sidenote: The mote and the beam.] - -Is it not simple and common sense? How can a man see clearly to -correct the faults of others, when his vision is distorted by his own -faults? Have you ever set a stick into a pool of clear water? Have -you noticed how the stick has been distorted in size and shape? The -light {209} waves passing from water to air, or from air to water, are -refracted, bent, so that you do not get a correct image of the object -immersed. Just so is it when we, who are immersed in our own faults -and weaknesses, attempt to pluck the mote from a brother's eye. Our -vision is defective; the image is distorted; we are ourselves in worse -condition than our brother. - -[Sidenote: What Jesus said.] - -Jesus set Himself strongly against such unkind judgment as that passed -by the two little school girls, and as that we are tempted every day to -Jesus pass upon our neighbors. "Judge not," He taught, "that ye be not -judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with -what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." - -Here is sound philosophy, of which few men stop to think. It is easy -to pass judgment on others. It is easy to think that one is the center -of the universe and that all things else revolve about that center. It -is easy to think that one's own opinion is always right, and that the -opinions of others are wrong. But one should not forget that others -also hold opinions. It is almost certain that one will be judged as -one judges; and that one will have measured to one as one measures to -others. - -Now, what Jesus points out is that the spirit of fault-finding and -criticism is to be condemned. One cannot correct the faults of others -until one has corrected one's own faults. One cannot even get a good -hold on one's self, and find the right estimate of one's self, until -one learns to see only good in others, and to {210} struggle with one's -self to overcome faults. Moreover, fault-finding and criticism, like -anger, hate, and envy, destroy one's peace of mind. One who judges and -condemns cannot possibly maintain mental and spiritual health. Harsh -judgment is far more hurtful to the man who exercises it than to the -man whom he judges. - - "Judge not!--thou canst not tell how soon the look of - bitter scorn - May rest on thee, though pure thy heart as dewdrops - in the morn. - Thou dost not know what freak of fate may place - upon thy brow - A cloud of shame to kill the joy that rests upon it now. - Judge not! - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 7:1-5. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What was wrong in the action of the two little school girls? - -2. Why is it wrong to find fault, and to criticize? - -3. What did Jesus say about the mote and the beam? - -4. Explain Jesus's saying, "Judge not that ye be not judged." - -5. Show that it is the spirit of fault finding that is sinful, rather -than the act. - -6. Who is most injured: the man who criticizes or the man who is -criticized? - -{211} - -{212} PICTURE: JERUSALEM FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, From a Photograph - -{213} - - - -XXVIII - -THE GOLDEN RULE - -[Sidenote: Positive instruction.] - -Jesus was not content to teach merely "Judge not, that ye be not -judged." In a way, that is only negative teaching. It exhorts men to -withhold judgment, but does not exhort to positive action. But the -nature of the teaching of Jesus is generally constructive. His "don'ts" -are always directed against prevailing evil, and are almost immediately -followed up with constructive directions as to what to do. So now He -continues, "first cast out the beam out of thine own eye"; and further, -from place to place. He instructs men how they shall deal with their -fellowmen. One's duty is not fully done when one merely withholds -judgment; there remains yet to be done some positive act of good--a -kind word, a charitable deed, an effort at reconciliation with one of -ill-will if such a one there be. - -[Sidenote: The doctrine of reconciliation.] - -In the matter of friendly association, good-will, and forgiveness, -Jesus spoke very definitely. "If thy brother shall trespass against -thee," said He, "go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: -if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not -hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of -two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall -neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to -hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." - -{214} [Sidenote: The attitude of a citizen of the kingdom.] - -Long suffering, slow to anger, not vengeful, and without condemnation, -should the citizen of the kingdom be. How many of us follow the course -here outlined, when an associate "trespasses" against us? How many -of us go to him first and talk it over? If the matter is not settled -then, how many of us try again, and take two or three friends along to -help arbitrate the difficulty? And if still a reconciliation is not -effected, how many of us appeal in a spirit of love to the church--the -court of last appeal in matters spiritual? Unfortunately, most of us -are prone to cast off the brother who has done us wrong without looking -into the causes that prompted him to act as he did. If we take steps -to settle the difficulty, it is too often not through the mediation -of friends or the spiritual influence of the Church, but through the -cold procedure of the civil court. And worst of all, we yield not -infrequently to the temptation to talk. We gossip; we slander; we start -scandal; we wrong much more than we have been wronged. Jesus would not -have it so. Agree with thine adversary quickly. - -[Sidenote: The doctrine of forgiveness.] - -Sometimes it happens that a brother offends more than once. How many -times shall he then be forgiven? This question troubled Peter. He of -came therefore to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin -against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" - -"Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee. Until seven times: but -until seventy times seven." Of course, Jesus did not mean that one -should forgive an offender exactly seventy-seven times, no more, no -less. He {215} meant that there is no limit to the number of times that -we should exercise the gift of forgiveness; but that we should forgive -freely and cheerfully as often as the offender repents. Then, in order -that there might be no question as to the meaning of His teaching, -Jesus told the parable of the unforgiving servant. - -[Sidenote: The parable of the unforgiving servant.] - -"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which -would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, -one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents (or about -$10,000,000). But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded -him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and -payment be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, -saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the -lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and -forgave him the debt. - -"But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, -who owed him an hundred pence (or about $20): and he laid hands on him, -and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what thou owest. And his -fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have -patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went -and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. - -"So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, -and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, -after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I -forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldst not -thou also have had compassion on thy {216} fellowservant, even as I -had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the -tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. - -"So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your -hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." - -[Sidenote: The Meaning.] - -About the meaning of this dramatic story there can be no question. -Our indebtedness to God the heavenly Father is incalculable; our -dependence upon Him is infinite. God recognizes our helplessness, and -our inability to pay, and He forgives us our shortcomings, even as -we pray, "Forgive us our debts." The indebtedness of our fellowmen -to us is slight in comparison; their dependence upon us is nil. Yet, -we are likely to render harsh judgment against them, and to withhold -forgiveness from our hearts, even though we utter in prayer the words, -"as we forgive our debtors." But if we deal harshly with our fellowmen -who owe us so little, can we expect God, whom we owe so much, to deal -gently with us? If we want the Great Creditor to forgive us our large -indebtedness, should not we--small creditors that we are--forgive -without the asking, and from our hearts, the little debts of our -fellowmen? - -[Sidenote: The right attitude toward our enemies.] - -Such was the teaching of Jesus concerning our association with -our friends and fellowservants. But Jesus's teaching of love and -reconciliation did not stop there. It is our duty--since we all want -God to bless and favor us--to love even our enemies, and those whom -we are by nature prompted to hate. For, said Jesus, "Ye have heard -that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy {217} neighbour, and hate -thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that -curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which -despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of -your Father which is in heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the -evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. -For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even -the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do -ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore -perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." - -[Sidenote: The Golden Rule.] - -So, then, it appears that the practicing of the Golden Rule makes a -large stride toward perfection. We should do good to all, forgive all, -love all. Then can we come in strength before the Lord and plead for -patience and forgiveness. - - "He prayeth best, who loveth best - All things both great and small; - For the dear God who loveth us, - He made and loveth all." - -Jesus put it thus: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men -should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the -prophets." - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 18:15-17. Matt. 5:43-48. - -Matt. 18:21-35. Matt. 7:12. - -{218} THE QUESTIONS - -1. Why could not Jesus be content to teach merely "don't"? - -2. Of what does the doctrine of reconciliation consist? - -3. What is the proper attitude of a citizen of the kingdom toward his -fellow-citizens? - -4. How often should one forgive an offender? - -5. How does the parable of the unforgiving servant show why we should -forgive our fellowmen? - -6. What should be the attitude of a citizen of the kingdom toward his -enemies? - -7. What is the meaning of tolerance? - -8. Show how the Golden Rule may be made to enrich your own lives and -make them happier. - -{219} - -{220} PICTURE: THE GOOD SAMARITAN, Van Diepenbeek - -{221} - - - -XXIX - -THE GOOD SAMARITAN - -[Sidenote: The law of love.] - -There is, perhaps, no principle of conduct that Jesus emphasized -more in His teachings than the law of brotherly love. As we have -already learned, the first great commandment requires that we love -God; and the second requires that we love our neighbor as ourselves. -It is not enough, then, that we withhold judgment and condemnation; -nor that we do unto others--even unto our enemies--as we would have -others do unto us. We must forget self; bury self, as it were; and -cultivate for others a real affection--such an affection as God has -for us, for God is love. The reward of such a God-like love of our -fellowmen is beautifully expressed in a poem--oft but never too often -quoted--written by the English poet Leigh Hunt. - -[Sidenote: The reward of brotherly love.] - - "Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase) - Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, - And saw, within the moonlight in his room, - Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, - An angel writing in a book of gold:-- - Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, - And to the presence in the room he said, - 'What writest thou?'--the vision rais'd its head, - And with a look made of all sweet accord, - Answered, The names of those who love the - Lord.' - 'And is mine one?' said Abou. 'Nay, not so,' - Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, - But cheery still; and said, 'I pray thee then. - Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.' - - The angel wrote and vanish'd. The next night - It came again with a great wakening light, - And show'd the names whom love of God had - bless'd - And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest." - -{222} [Sidenote: Questions of the tempting lawyer.] - -There came a lawyer to Jesus one day and asked Him what to do to -inherit eternal life. Jesus, knowing that the lawyer came only to make -trial of Him, answered, "What is written in the law? how readest thou?" -The lawyer--who knew well the law--was forced then to reply, "Thou -shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, -and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as -thyself." - -"Thou hast answered right," said Jesus: "this do and thou shalt live." - -But the lawyer was not satisfied; and desiring further to justify -himself, he asked, "And who is my neighbour?" - -[Sidenote: The parable of the good Samaritan.] - -"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to -Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of all his raiment, -and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance -there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him he -passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the -place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But -a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he -saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his -wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and -brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he -departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said -unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I -come again, I will repay thee. - -{223} "Which now of these three thinkest thou," asked Jesus, "was -neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?" - -The lawyer answered, "He that shewed mercy on him." - -"Then said Jesus unto him. Go, and do thou likewise." - -[Sidenote: A discussion.] - -The priest, who was the specially appointed servant of God among his -people, and the Levite, who was closely associated with the priest -in his ecclesiastical duties, ought to have had compassion upon the -unfortunate traveller. It is to be assumed that he was a Jew. He was -therefore of the chosen people. He might lay claim to the services of -the priest and the Levite who officiated in the temple of his God. -Moreover, these men above all others should have known the passage -quoted by the lawyer in answer to Jesus's question, "What is written in -the law?"--a passage repeated by every Jew in each morning and evening -prayer. But these men had seen only the letter of the law; they had -never felt the spirit of it. At the most, the love of neighbor meant -only the Jewish interpretation of the passage, "Thou shalt not avenge, -nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt -love thy neighbour as thyself." Of the broad interpretation placed by -Jesus on the meaning of the word "neighbor," these men of the temple -service knew nothing. - -[Sidenote: The real neighbor.] - -The Samaritan however who was an outcast in the eyes of the Jew, for -whom God Himself could hold no love; an apostate and a degenerate -from the rich blood of Israel as unclean in {224} the opinion of the -orthodox Jew as the loathsome leper--the Samaritan felt the thrill of -the spirit of the great commandment "Thou shalt love thy neighour as -thyself." He manifested that divine love--and that to one from whom -he was an alien--which Jesus enjoined when He said, "Be ye therefore -perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." - -[Sidenote: The fulness of the answer.] - -Jesus could not have answered the lawyer more completely; neither could -He have silenced more quickly the man who came to make trial of Him. -The story of tender love and sympathy was of such compelling nature -that the lawyer himself was forced to admit that the good Samaritan was -the real neighbor. And that conclusion forced upon the lawyer the plain -answer to his question, "Who is my neighbor" Why, he is my neighbor -whom it is within my power to help, no matter what may be his creed, or -his nationality, or his color. There was no room here for the splitting -of hairs. The lawyer was used to the refined arguments of the learned -rabbis as to the meaning of the word neighbor. Here it was plainly set -forth in a simple little story. There was no more to say. - -[Sidenote: The lesson clinched.] - -But as He concluded his story, and received the lawyer's answer, Jesus -drove home the lesson. "Go," said He, "and do thou likewise." It was as -if He had reverted to the opening question, "Master, what shall I do -to inherit eternal life?" If you would inherit eternal life love your -neighbor as yourself; consider him your neighbor whom you can help; -hold no class distinction; despise no man for his creed or his color; -but hold yourself always in {225} readiness to do good, to serve, and -to help those who need your help. Remember the Good Samaritan. Do not -pass by on the other side, but show your love in deeds of love. Then -shall you inherit eternal life. - -[Sidenote: The command renewed.] - -The Savior's law of love is a principle of divine beauty. And so -important is it in the Gospel plan of salvation, that it has been -specially renewed in our own dispensation. Said Jesus to Joseph Smith, -"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy -might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt -serve Him. - -"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." - -"Every man (shall seek) the interest of his neighbor and (do) all -things with an eye single to the glory of God." - -THE REFERENCES - -Luke 10:25-37. Doc. and Cov. 59:5, 6. - -Lev. 19:18. Doc. and Cov. 82:19. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What more must men do besides withholding judgment and observing the -golden rule? - -2. Explain the lesson of Abou Ben Adhem. - -3. What did the lawyer seek of Jesus? - -4. What conclusion was forced, upon the lawyer by the story of the Good -Samaritan? - -5. How was this story a complete answer? - -6. Why did it silence further questioning? - -7. What does Jesus's admonition, "Go, and do thou likewise," imply? - -8. How do these commandments affect us in the dispensation of the -fulness of times? - -{226} PICTURE: CHRIST IN THE HOME OF MARY AND MARTHA, Hofmann - -{227} - - - -XXX. - -NO ONE CAN LIVE TO HIMSELF. - -[Sidenote: The fable of the body and its members.] - -In the ancient book of wisdom ascribed to Aesop, there may be found the -following fable with its moral: "The Members of the Body once rebelled -against him. They said he led an idle, lazy life at their expense. The -Hands declared that they would not again lift a crust even to keep him -from starving, the Mouth that it would not take a bit more food, the -Legs that they would carry him about no longer, and so on with the -others. - -"The Body quietly allowed them to follow their own courses, well -knowing that they would all soon come to their senses, as indeed they -did, when, for want of the blood and nourishment supplied from the -stomach, they found themselves fast becoming mere skin and bone. - -"No one can live to himself." - -[Sidenote: The time of Aesop.] - -Aesop lived in the long ago. Tradition declares that he was born five -hundred and fifty years before the time of Jesus. But already in that -remote age men had learned to appreciate the value of organizing -themselves into communities and churches and governments. Already, men -had discovered that to live to oneself was to fight alone a losing -fight against all the forces of the world. - -[Sidenote: The growth of society.] - -From the time that Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden of Eden, -and their children began to settle two and two in the land to till it -and to cultivate it, man has understood the advantages of friendly -association. First it was the family. The family has always been, {228} -and is still the actual basis of society. The members of the family -clung together, and each one worked for the interest of the whole. -Then, when the families increased they became associated in clans and -tribes. Then, with the increase of population, came the organization of -communities, religious association, governments. For protection, for -worship, for education, for commerce and trade, for civilization, men -have banded themselves together, and have worked for larger units, of -which the individuals were but members. Only by such banding together -can a community become socially efficient. - -[Sidenote: A football squad.] - -Now, we may easily understand what this means if we apply the principle -to the organization of a football squad. There are eleven men, you -know, in the "team." One of them is the captain. When the squad is -in action, playing hard against an opposing team, no single man can -hope alone to win the game. The strength of the squad depends upon its -team work. While each individual must put forth the best that is in -him, whether in bucking the line or in playing the open field, that -best must be so directed as to add to the sum total of the strength -and efficiency of the united eleven. No member of that team may live -or play to himself. And the orders of the captain must be obeyed. -Some player in the line may think the orders poor--wholly wrong in -fact--yet he must obey those orders. If he does not, he will go down -to ruin himself, and he may possibly drag his team with him to shame -and disaster. For, as is clearly evident, when he neglects to follow -the command of the captain, he stands alone; the other ten obey -orders. {229} Alone he can accomplish nothing. Nor is that the worst; -by disobeying orders, he may spoil the premeditated play and lose the -game. The football man is required to learn, therefore, that he is only -a member of a body; that he must act with the body; that if he attempts -to act in opposition to the body calamity is sure to follow; that -success can come only through concerted effort. The football squad is -an organization of society for efficiency. - -[Sidenote: The teachings of Jesus.] - -As it is with the football squad so it is with society in the large. -Men and women are organized into communities and associations of -various kinds for greater efficiency, and are subject to the laws -governing organized society. Now, since Jesus was not primarily a -social reformer, nor a social teacher, we should not be surprised if He -had little to say about man's duties to organized society. Yet since He -touches in His teachings nearly all phases of temporal and spiritual -life, we might expect that somewhere He has something to say about the -larger aspects of society. And we do really find it so. The three chief -social institutions in the world are the family, the state, and the -church. About man's duties to each one of these Jesus has something -significant to say. Let us consider briefly the most important sayings -of Jesus concerning these three fundamental institutions. - -[Sidenote: The family.] - -In the teaching of Jesus, marriage is presented as a divinely appointed -sacrament, and the family as a sacred institution One day the Pharisees -came to Jesus to test Him, and asked, "Is it lawful for man to put -away his wife? And {230} He answered and said unto them, What did -Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of -divorcement, and to put her away. - -"And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart -he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God -made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father -and mother and cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh; -so then they are no more twain but one flesh. What therefore God hath -joined together let no man put asunder." - -[Sidenote: The family sacred.] - -Thus emphatically did Jesus teach that the marriage relation was -ordained of God. And in doing so He declared also that the family is -a sacred institution and its claims should never be put aside. The -crying shame of the world today is the common practice of divorce. Boys -and girls who become acquainted with the teachings of Jesus, should -grow up with a horror of the divorce court. They should learn to look -upon marriage as one of the highest privileges accorded to them by -the heavenly Father. And boys and girls in the Church of Jesus Christ -of Latter-day Saints should rejoice in the thought, that, when the -proper time comes, they may go into the House of the Lord and have -there performed the divine sacrament of marriage for time and for all -eternity. For the Lord has said in this generation, "Whoso forbiddeth -to marry is not ordained of God, for marriage is ordained of God unto -man." - -[Sidenote: The state.] - -Jesus was equally emphatic in His teachings of man's duty to the -state--to organized civil government. Certain of the Pharisees {231} -and of the Herodians were sent one day to try to catch Jesus in his -words. "And when they were come they say unto Him, Master, we know -that Thou art true, and carest for no man: for Thou regardest not the -person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to -give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? -But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them. Why tempt ye me? bring -me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And He saith unto -them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto Him, -Caesar's. And Jesus answering said unto them. Render to Caesar the -things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And -they marvelled at Him." - -[Sidenote: The state divinely instituted.] - -They had good cause, indeed, to marvel at Him; for, not only had He -quieted them with a sufficient answer, but He had also declared a -fundamental principle of the state. A government cannot exist without -revenue to maintain its organization and to enforce the laws enacted -for the protection and the welfare of its citizens. Caesar was doing -much for Palestine. It was not only right, therefore, but just that -the Jews should pay taxes to Rome. And so it is in our own day. "We -believe," asserted Joseph Smith, "that governments were instituted of -God for the benefit of man." It becomes therefore the duty of every -honest citizen to do his utmost to uphold the righteous laws of the -government, and to help in the maintaining of peace and order. And -it is not only right, but just, that we should pay the taxes imposed -by the government. We all enjoy the benefits derived from civil -organization--protection, liberty, {232} illumination, trade, good -roads, and all. The man who tries, then, to evade the taxes and the -responsibilities of the government is dishonest. - -[Sidenote: The Church.] - -But in declaring that it is right to render to Caesar the things that -are Caesar's, Jesus also taught that man owes likewise certain duties -to his The Church, religious organization. Render, said He, "to God the -things that are God's." In line with this thought we are instructed by -another experience of the Lord's. When Jesus and His disciples came -one day in their journeyings to Capernaum, "they that received tribute -money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your Master pay tribute (the -temple tax)? He saith Yes, And when He was come into the house Jesus -prevented (anticipated) him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon, of whom -do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children -or of strangers? Peter saith unto Him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto -him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend -them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that -first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a -piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee." - -These gatherers of tribute money, were, it appears, those who collected -the taxes for the support and maintenance of the temple at Jerusalem. -Jesus was Himself the son of God. He was the Master of the temple. He -might have been free from the tax. But Jesus recognized the fact that -the principle was right; therefore, He paid the tax. And in doing so, -He taught the lesson {233} that it is right and just for every citizen -in the kingdom of God to pay the taxes imposed for the maintenance of -the kingdom. As with the state, so with the kingdom of God, he who -tries to evade the temple tax is dishonest. "Behold," declared Jesus -to the great modern Prophet, "now it is called today (until the coming -of the Son of man), and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for -the tithing of my people, for he that is tithed shall not burn at His -coming." - -[Sidenote: The teachings of our own Church.] - -The children of the Latter-day Saints have much for which to be -thankful. Here we are reared in the sanctity of the home, in love and -in the fear of God. Our family relations are established to continue -throughout the eternities. Here we are taught to yield honor and -obedience to established government, and to deserve the benefits -provided by it. Here we are taught to revere the priesthood of God, -to pay ungrudgingly our tithes and our offerings, and to do our best -from day to day in the upbuilding of righteousness. And this we do that -we may live and profit and prosper together; for no one can live to -himself alone. - -THE REFERENCES - -Mark 12:13-17. Doc. and Cov. 49:15. - -Matt. 17:24-27. Doc. and Cov. 134:1. - -Doc. and Cov. 64:23. - -{234} THE QUESTIONS - -1. What is the meaning of Aesop's fable? - -2. Explain by means of the football squad how man can not live to -himself. - -3. What did Jesus teach concerning man's duty to the family? - -4. What are a man's obligations to the state in which he lives? - -5. What does a man owe to the church to which he belongs? - -6. Why should the children of the Latter-day Saints be grateful above -all other children? - -{235} - -{236} PICTURE: JESUS WASHING PETER'S FEET, Brown - -{237} - - - -XXXI - -HE THAT EXALTETH HIMSELF - -[Sidenote: The old law and the new.] - -Everyone who has compared the teachings of the law of Moses with -those of Jesus must have been impressed with the essential difference -between those teaching's. The old law always emphasized the actual, or -material, elements of life, and provided punishment for deeds actually -committed. Thus the law of Moses exhorted, Thou shalt not kill, thou -shalt not steal, thou shalt not do this or that. And if one violated -this material law, he became liable to the penalty--but only if he -actually committed a deed in violation of law. Jesus, on the other -hand, went back of the act to the state of mind that prompted the act. -In other words, the essential thing in the philosophy of Jesus was not -the act itself, but the motive back of it. Instead of "Thou shalt not -kill," Jesus said, "Whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in -danger of the judgment." Jesus did not say. Thou shalt not commit acts -of immorality, but, He that entertains an impure thought is already -guilty of the immoral act. - -[Sidenote: The teaching of Jesus psychological.] - -Jesus was not a psychologist in the modern sense, yet this teaching of -Jesus is psychologically true. Our acts are but the fruits of thoughts -that have found lodgment, care, and nourishment in our minds. Our -minds, indeed, are but gardens. Seed-thoughts are blown into them by -this wind and by that. Involuntarily as well as voluntarily suggestions -come into the mind. Now, if the seed-thoughts that are waited into the -mind-garden are good, and are carefully tended and nurtured, the garden -{238} will bear good fruit--the acts performed will be charitable and -clean. But if the seed-thoughts that find lodgment in the mind are -noxious, and if these noxious seeds--these destructive weeds of the -mind--be tended and nurtured, then the acts resulting therefrom will -necessarily be evil. - -[Sidenote: A concrete example.] - -Let us turn from this abstract discussion to the concrete example. Do -you know why a good boy, who has been taught all his life to keep his -body clean from the loathsome poison of tobacco, sometimes takes to -smoking cigarettes in spite of his teaching? The reason is perfectly -clear. The boy has been tempted. A noxious seed-thought has found -lodgment in the boy's mind. Now, had the boy been really strong, had -he gone to like a good gardener, hoe in hand, and cleaned out the -weeds, the noxious plants could never have bloomed nor borne fruit. But -because the boy entertained the evil thought, gave it nourishment and -tended it, it grew and spread until the good seed and fruitage of his -conscience were crowded out of the mind. One thought, then, remained -in power; and on that thought the boy acted. He became a smoker of -cigarettes. - -[Sidenote: The motive all important.] - -Such examples as this might be multiplied without limit. If you will -examine your own acts, you will find that every act of yours is the -result of a preconceived thought, entertained and fed. Is it not clear, -then, that the teaching of Jesus is far better than the teaching of -the Old Law? It is more important to train the mind and to guard the -motives, than merely to guard one's acts. If one's {239} motives are -pure, wholesome, and sound, one's acts cannot but be so also. - -[Sidenote: Jesus's doctrine of rewards.] - -Now, just as Jesus differed in His teaching of the ultimate basis of -the moral life from the teaching of the Old Law, so He differed from -the Old Law in His teachings about rewards. Amongst the Jews of the -time of Jesus, the fear of punishment or the hope of immediate good -fortune constituted the primary motive of a good life. In other words, -rewards--more or less material and immediate--were in the Old Law the -inspiration to action. Jesus would do away with such an attitude toward -charitable living. He would have people do good for the good's sake; -He would have people live right for the sake of right living, He would -have people work righteousness for the sake of righteousness. And He -emphasized and drove home the thought that if any one worked merely -to increase his own honor and to exalt himself in the eyes of men, he -should fail, and should be humiliated in the attempt. - -[Sidenote: A parable in point.] - -"It came to pass," says the New Testament narrative, "as (Jesus) went -into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the -sabbath day, that they watched Him. . . . "And He put forth a parable -to those which were bidden, when He marked how they chose out the chief -rooms; saying unto them. When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, -sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou -be bidden of him; and he that bade thee and him come and say to thee. -Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. -But when thou {240} art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; -that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up -higher: then thou shalt have worship in the presence of them that sit -at meat with thee. - -"For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth -himself shall be exalted." - -[Sidenote: A sound psychological principle.] - -Here again Jesus announces a sound, psychological principle. Men who -crowd and push themselves forward always arouse the ill will and -antagonism of their fellowmen; whereas those who are humble and meek -stir the admiration of their fellowmen and are advanced by them. All -our acts should be inspired, not by the desire for honor or for worldly -reward, but by the desire to work righteousness. - -[Sidenote: A further illustration.] - -This principle Jesus illustrated further by a direct address to the -Pharisee who had invited Him. "When thou makest a dinner or a supper; -call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy -rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be -made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the -lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense -thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." - -[Sidenote: Peter and the question of recompense.] - -The question of recompense has disturbed many people; unfortunately, -it is still uppermost in the minds of some. It was undoubtedly the -question of recompense that troubled Peter when he said to Jesus, "Lo, -we have left all, and have followed Thee." We may imagine that the rest -of his thought ran somewhat like this: What shall be {241} our reward? -Jesus very promptly answered, "Verily I say unto you, There is no man -that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, -for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in -this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." - -"But many that are first shall be last; and the last first." - -[Sidenote: The reward worth while.] - -Jesus did not discourage entirely, then, the idea of rewards. But He -emphasized the necessity of the pure and upright motive, and service -for the sake of service. Then, those who serve shall receive a -reward--not material, perhaps, but spiritual--which shall fill their -lives here, and assure life everlasting hereafter. What does it matter, -after all, if one lose one's worldly possessions but gain contentment -of soul and an assurance of eternal exaltation? There are men who are -possessed of untold material wealth who would give all to gain the -simple testimony of Jesus possessed by the simplest and humblest member -in the Church of Christ. Indeed, true contentment--which is the chief -reward of a well-spent life--can come only as the result of service -unselfishly rendered. Neither wealth nor poverty can bring about the -worth-while, spiritual reward of an act prompted by a worthy motive. -And without question, many that are first, in this world, shall be last -in the day of judgment. - -[Sidenote: Conclusion.] - -This we have, then, to let sink deep into our hearts: Jesus would have -us guard the motives of our acts; He would have us understand that our -acts are but the outward fruits of our inner {242} thoughts; with our -motives pure, He would have us perform good deeds without thought of -reward; He would have us do good where no recompense can be had; He -would have us remain meek and humble in thought, in word, and in deed, -innocent of any selfish act. Then will He recompense us with a reward, -indeed: satisfaction, contentment, spiritual light, the goods of this -world as we shall need them, and life everlasting, the greatest gift of -God. - - "Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, - And he who humbles himself shall be exalted." - -THE REFERENCES - -Luke 14:1, 7-14. Luke 18:28-30. - -Mark 10:31. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What is the difference between the Old Law and the New in the -teaching about acts and motives? - -2. Show that the teaching of Jesus is psychologically correct. - -3. Illustrate the process of the action growing from the thought by -some instance other than that of the cigarette smoker. - -4. What was the attitude of Jesus toward the doctrine of material -rewards? - -5. How does the question of motive affect this doctrine? - -6. Discuss the parable of the Wedding Feast. - -7. Why is it well to do good where there can be no hope of recompense? - -8. Explain the answer of Jesus to Peter. - -9. What is the nature of the reward worth while? - -10. How shall we gain the reward worth while? - -{243} - -{244} PICTURE: THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH VIRGINS, Wainwright - -{245} - - - -XXXII - -EXTRA SERVICE - -Teaching further the nature of service, and what kind of service is -pleasing to God, Jesus told His disciples the parable of the laborers -in the vineyard. - -[Sidenote: The parable of the laborers.] - -"The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which -went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And -when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them -into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others -standing idle in the market place, and said unto them: Go ye also into -the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went -their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did -likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others -standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand you here all the day -idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto -them. Go ye also into the vineyard: and whatsoever is right, that shall -ye receive. - -"So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his -steward. Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from -the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the -eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first -came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they -likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, -they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying. These last have -wrought but one hour, and thou hast {246} made them equal unto us, -which have borne the burden and heat of the day. - -"But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: -didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go -thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not -lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, -because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for -many be called but few chosen." - -[Sidenote: The value of service in the world's work.] - -In the world's work, there are many today who become offended for -the same reason that the laborers, who had borne the burden and the -heat of the day, became offended. But that is because they do not -understand the principle of service and wages. In every industrial or -commercial institution rewards in the way of salary or promotion are -made dependent, not upon the length of service, but upon the quality of -service and the spirit put into the service. In a certain mercantile -institution, for example--an institution with which you are perhaps -all acquainted--there was employed not many years ago a young man of -unusual ambition and energy. There were then in the department in which -he was placed, men who had been in the employ of the institution for -fifteen or twenty years. This young man gave value received in return -for the compensation he was given. He put quality into his service; he -put spirit into his service; he threw himself into his work body and -soul. Before long, he was made head of the department. Those who had -served for many years were offended, and murmured against the manager. -But the reward came, as rewards worth while must {247} always come, for -quality and spirit of service. The young man has continued to give to -the institution the best that it was in him to give; he has continued, -too, to advance; today he stands next to the superintendent, with the -outlook that ere long, when the superintendent retires, he may become -himself the superintendent. In the meantime, men of long years of -service are still in the same positions that they held when this young -man entered the employ of the institution. Promotion and reward are -based on merit. - -[Sidenote: The value of service in the Church.] - -If we turn now to the spiritual life, we shall find that the same -principle obtains. Length of membership, or service, in the Church -does not assure exaltation. Indeed, there are many men in the Church -who have belonged to it from childhood to a ripe old age, who may -nevertheless receive a very meager compensation. Theirs has been a -life of membership only. They have rendered little or no service; and -such service as they have rendered has been of inferior quality and -questionable spirit. In reward, they will receive whatsoever is right. -On the other hand, men who have had the privilege of belonging to the -Church in this life for only a short time may receive as large a reward -as the others, or even a larger reward than theirs. For again, these -members of few years, have in those few years rendered service of a -quality far superior to that of those of long years of membership. In -the spiritual life or in the temporal life it is true that one may hope -to get in return only as much as one gives. It is a law of physics -that action and reaction are equal and opposite. An adaptation of that -law may be applied here. {248} When we enter into service, temporal or -spiritual, our lord will give us whatsoever is right. - -[Sidenote: The test of profitableness.] - -A question like this may now arise in your minds: How shall we know -whether or not our service is sufficient and adequate? Another parable -of the Lord's will help us find the answer to the question. "Which of -you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by -and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And -will not rather say unto him. Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird -thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward -thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the -things that were commanded him? I trow (believe) not. So likewise ye, -when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, -We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to -do." - -[Sidenote: The application to the day's work.] - -In any position in life, there are certain duties which we are required -to do. The cash-boy in the department store, the elevator boy, the -clerk behind the counter, the stenographer in the manager's office, -the bookkeeper, the what not, has each one a specified kind of work -to do. But if each one does only that which he is required to do, no -more, he is in a sense an unprofitable servant. He can lay claim to -no special consideration, no special reward. But if one of them does -more than merely what is required of him; if he comes early and stays -late; if he plans and toils to make the business more attractive, more -efficient; if he promotes business, then is he indeed a profitable -servant. When we enter into {249} the employ of others, it is our duty -to do faithfully all that is required of us; it is our privilege to -give extra service, to make ourselves thoroughly useful and wholly -efficient, to merit special consideration. - -[Sidenote: The application to Church service.] - -So is it also in the Church of Jesus Christ. There are many things -we are required as members to do. It is our duty--and a duty full of -pleasure it should be--to attend the regular services of the Church, to -partake of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to magnify one's calling -in the priesthood, to give offerings cheerfully to help the poor, to -pay tithing, and so forth. But if we do these things only, the duties -required by virtue of membership, we do only the things commanded us to -do. We may count ourselves unprofitable servants. To become profitable -servants, we should look after the thousand and one other opportunities -that lie about us. It is our privilege to perform extra service. - -[Sidenote: An Exclamation against mere formal performance of duty.] - -One day when Jesus was apparently wrought up by the hypocrisy of the -scribes and the Pharisees, He exclaimed against them thus: "Woe unto -you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and -anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, -judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to -leave the other undone." - -[Sidenote: A privilege to give extra service.] - -It is right that we should pay our tithes and offerings, and attend -to the duties of our membership. These ought we to do. But in doing -them we ought not to leave undone other things that may possibly be -of even greater weight in {250} the estimation of God. Reward cannot -come merely because of length of service, but must come because of the -quality and the spirit of the service. And to become truly profitable -servants, we must seize every opportunity for extra service. - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 20:1-16. Luke 17:7-11. - -Matt. 23:23. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. On what terms were the laborers of the parable employed in the -vineyard? - -2. How can you justify the paying of the same wage to the laborers who -were employed at the eleventh hour as to those who worked all day? - -3. What is the application of the lesson of this parable to man's daily -work? - -4. What is its application to Church service? - -5. How shall we know when our service is sufficient and adequate? - -6. Why did Jesus condemn the scribes and the Pharisees? - -7. Show that extra service is a privilege. - -{251} - -{252} PICTURE: CHRIST DRIVING OUT THE MONEY CHANGERS, Hofmann - -{253} - - - -XXXIII - -A PROPHET IN HIS OWN COUNTRY - -[Sidenote: A perfect man and an exemplary leader.] - -In all the history of the world there has never been another man like -Jesus, nor another mission like that which He performed. We have -heard so much of the meekness and humility of Jesus, of His suffering -all things and resenting nothing, of His going like a lamb to the -slaughter, that many people have formed a picture of Jesus that is -wholly unworthy of Him. Some of you, even, may possibly think of -Jesus as a weak sort of man who takes all kinds of abuse. But such a -conception of Jesus considers only one of the virtues in the man, and -does not consider the whole man. Jesus was just such a man as every boy -and girl delights to see. In body He was strong, robust, physically -perfect, with a wholesomeness of body quite unequalled by any other -man. No trial or hardship deterred Him from pushing forward to the -goal on which He had fixed His mind. No danger daunted Him. For His -spirit was as wholesome and as perfect as was His body. When He was -aroused by righteous indignation. His fearlessness knew no bounds. -Picture Him, for example, alone and unafraid, with a scourge in His -hand, driving the money changers and the petty merchants out of His -Father's house! In body and in spirit, Jesus was perfect--of the purest -athletic type. But Jesus was also a perfect leader. Hence, He had -Himself in perfect control. While He suffered pain as {254} do other -men; while He experienced the thrill of affection and love as do other -men; while He could become angry, and possessed the passions that other -men do--yet He had so subdued the mortal in Him to the divine, that the -baser nature never once gained power over the Son of God. In this He -set us an example of how we should live. It was because of His perfect -self-control that He appeared always as the meek and lowly Nazarene. It -is not difficult to understand that such a man aroused the wonder and -admiration of the people to whom He ministered. Such a man we ourselves -delight to worship. - -[Sidenote: A work full of wonder.] - -The daily work of Jesus aroused as much wonder as did the physical and -spiritual characteristics. His enemies even were constrained to admit -that no other man ever spoke with such power and authority as did -Jesus. And certainly, no other man has ever displayed such divine power -as did Jesus. Throughout Judea, Samaria and Galilee, Jesus demonstrated -His marvelous power and authority in healing the sick, in restoring the -halt and the maimed, in quieting the storm, and even in raising the -dead. It was, indeed, a marvelous work and a wonder. It reads almost -like a fairy tale. And yet these things Jesus, the Son of God, actually -did. In this lesson, we shall consider briefly some of the statements -of the strange miracles Jesus performed. - -[Sidenote: A healer and worker of miracles.] - -While laboring in Galilee, Jesus performed an untold number of -miracles. Mark tells us how the fame of Jesus as a miracle worker had -spread abroad, {255} and how the afflicted flocked to Him. One day, -when the offended Pharisees and Herodians were taking counsel against -Him, Jesus withdrew Himself with His disciples to the sea: and a -great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea, and from -Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about -Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great -things He did, came unto Him. And He spake to His disciples, that a -small ship should wait on Him because of the multitude, lest they -should throng Him. For He had healed many; insomuch that they pressed -upon Him for to touch Him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, -when they saw Him, fell down before Him, and cried, saying, Thou art -the Son of God. And He straitly charged them that they should not make -Him known." - -[Sidenote: The conditions in Palestine.] - -With a little exercise of the imagination, you can easily visualize the -remarkable scene described thus vividly by St. Mark. But in order to -understand how such a condition could be possible it becomes necessary -to know something about Galilee in the time of Jesus. Historians agree -in telling us that ever since the days of Alexander the Great, all the -vice and the wickedness of both the East and the West had literally -poured into Palestine. The land of the chosen people had become -corrupt, as had the chosen people themselves. Their bodies had become -afflicted and their minds diseased through habits of wrong living and -wrong thinking. Beggars were as common as the turns in the roadway; and -nearly every beggar was distorted by some {256} terrible and loathsome -disease. The insane, and those possessed of evil spirits, were almost -without number. Their condition, too, was pitiable. In all the land -that was blessed by God to become the home of His own people, there was -no one to help the unfortunates. Instead of a land flowing with milk -and honey, it had become a land poisoned with vice and corruption. - -[Sidenote: A mission of love.] - -It was into such a land, and amongst such a people, that the physically -and spiritually perfect Jesus came to minister. Devoted to a mission -of love. Jesus turned the strength of His own perfection and the power -of His divine authority to the healing of the sick and afflicted, to -the assuaging of the sufferings of the poor, and to the saving of -the ignorant. It was a manifestation of divine power and compassion, -without thought of reward or honor, for He always charged those to whom -He ministered, "See that thou tell no man." - -We have neither time nor space to consider the miracles of Jesus in -detail. Let us read only three. The first exhibits the power of Jesus -over physical illness; the second, His power over nature and the -elements; the third. His power over death itself. - -[Sidenote: The centurion's servant.] - -"When Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto Him a -centurion, beseeching Him, and saying. Lord, my servant lieth at home -sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I -will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not -worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof: but speak the word only, -and my servant shall be {257} healed. For I am a man under authority, -having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; -and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and -he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to them that -followed. Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, -not in Israel.... And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as -thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed -in the selfsame hour." - -[Sidenote: Stilling the tempest.] - -"When the even was come. He saith unto them. Let us pass over unto the -other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him -even as He was in the ship: and there were also with Him other little -ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into -the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the -ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, -carest Thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, -and said unto the sea. Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there -was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is -it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to -another. What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea -obey Him?" - -[Sidenote: The raising of Lazarus.] - -"Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead; and I am glad -for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; -nevertheless let us go unto him. . . . Then when Jesus came, He found -that he had lain in the grave four days already. . . . Then when Mary -was {258} come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at his feet, -saying unto Him, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not -died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping -which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and -said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto Him, Lord, come and see. -Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him! And some of -them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have -caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again -groaning in Himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay -upon it. Jesus said. Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him -that was dead, saith unto Him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he -hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her. Said I not unto thee, -that, if thou wouldst believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God? -Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. -And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said. Father, I thank Thee that Thou -hast heard me. And I knew that Thou hearest me always: but because of -the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou -hast sent me. And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, -Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and -foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. -Jesus saith unto them. Loose him, and let him go." - -More marvelous power than that recorded in these three instances cannot -be imagined. Our admiration is wrought up to the highest point; and in -imagination {259} we see the strong, pure, healthy and wholesome Man, -giving freely of His strength and life-force to those who come to Him, -ministering to them, and saving them from their own evil lives and -evil habits of thought. We wonder that there could be anyone who would -reject such a Leader. - -[Sidenote: In His own country.] - -And yet, when He left the seashore and returned to Nazareth and His -own country, Jesus was rejected by His own. "When the sabbath day was -come, He began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing Him were -astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what -wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are -wrought by His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the -brother of James and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? And are not His -sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him. - -"But Jesus said unto them, A Prophet is not without honour, but in his -own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And He could -there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick -folk, and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief." - -THE REFERENCES - -Mark 3:7-12 Matt. 8:5-10, 13. - -Mark 4:33-41. John 11:1-44. - -Mark 6:1-6. - -{260} THE QUESTIONS - -1. What kind of man was Jesus physically? - -2. What kind of man was Jesus spiritually? - -3. What quality made Jesus a great leader? - -4. What was the condition of Galilee--and all Palestine--at the time of -Jesus? - -5. How did Jesus manifest His divine power? - -6. Describe some miracles wrought by Jesus. - -7. Why is it surprising that all Palestine did not believe in Him, and -accept Him? - -8. What principle did Jesus teach concerning a prophet in his own -country? - -9. Why could Jesus do no mighty work in His own country? - -{261} - -{262} PICTURE: JESUS HEALING THE SICK, Schoenherr - -{263} - - - -XXXIV - -THE MEANING OF MIRACLES - -After reading of the wonderful miracles that Jesus performed in -Galilee, one begins to wonder what a miracle really is. One begins to -wonder by what power a miracle is performed. The miracles of Jesus are -in the main so unusual, so extraordinary, so apparently in violation of -all known laws of nature, that one begins almost to wonder how Jesus -could upset the laws of nature. - -[Sidenote: The explanation of the scribes.] - -Apparently, Jesus's marvelous miracle-working power puzzled the people -of His own generation. They knew little of the laws of nature, of -course. They had been taught to believe in the possibility of miracles. -But they were loath to grant any degree of divine power to Jesus. -Hence, on one occasion, "the scribes which came down from Jerusalem -said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out -devils." Of course, such a suggestion was absurd. Jesus Himself said -to His disciples, "How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be -divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be -divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up -against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end." To -this argument, there is, of course, no answer. It proves conclusively, -that Jesus did not perform miracles through the power of Beelzebub. -What a miracle is, by what power it is performed and why miracles are -permitted, are questions that we shall consider in this lesson. - -{264} [Sidenote: The universal presence of law.] - -Let us consider first, then, what a miracle really is. As a matter of -fact, a miracle is never an act accomplished in violation of law. You -must understand that the universe is ruled by law. Everything that -happens, happens through the operation of law. If we live wisely--eat -right and think right--then it follows by the law of nature that we -shall have strong, wholesome bodies like the Christ's, and clear, -active minds like His. But if we violate the rules of right living, -then come certain laws of retribution, and we are made to pay the -penalty of our wrongdoing And so it is throughout the universe The -heavenly bodies are directed and governed by law; God's creatures -everywhere are subject to law; the earth on which we dwell, with the -strange and marvelous and mighty phenomena which we here daily observe, -is a product of law. Would it not be inconsistent, then, to think that -Jesus--who is Himself the God of law--should work in violation of law? -His own words in refutation of the statement of the scribes that He was -in league with Beelzebub, is a sufficient answer to such a supposition. -"If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." We -must conclude, therefore, that a miracle, no matter how unnatural it -may seem, is accomplished through the operation of some law of the -universe. Yet, how can this be true, when some miracles that are well -authenticated seem to be so utterly in violation of the laws of nature -known to us? - -[Sidenote: The miracle of the telephone.] - -There was a time--and that not so very long ago--when it was thought -impossible that a man should ever be able to speak clearly and -distinctly to a friend a {265} hundred miles away, and hear in return, -as clearly and as distinctly, the voice of his friend. Certain men, -however, who were prying into the secrets of nature discovered -some things about sound. They learned that sound travels through -some medium, like the air, by means of waves--waves of alternate -condensation and rarefaction of the air, for example. Then these men -studied the human ear, and they learned that as these sound waves -struck the ear, the drum of the ear was made to vibrate back and forth -as a condensed part of the air or a rarefied part of the air struck -it. The men became interested; further study revealed the fact that -almost any disk, like the drum of the ear, could be made to vibrate to -sound waves. It was found that these sound waves could be transmitted -through string, or wire. It was discovered that a small current of -electricity flowing through a wire aided in the conducting of the -sound wave. Little by little science progressed, until by and by -there appeared a telephone. It was crude, and it reproduced the human -voice with a terrible roar. But the men of science worked at it; they -perfected first one part of it, then another, as they learned better -to understand the laws governing the reproduction of sound. Finally -came the perfect telephone. Today it is possible to telephone--not a -hundred miles merely--but from New York to San Francisco, clear across -a continent, a distance of several thousand miles. Such an achievement, -if it had been shown suddenly, would have been considered a miracle. -It would have been in violation of all the known laws of nature. But -now we know that this {266} miracle has been accomplished through -the harnessing of natural laws not known to our forefathers. The -achievement is the result of neither violation of law, nor co-operation -with Beelzebub. - -[Sidenote: Other miracles of science.] - -The story of the achievements of science is full of wonders like that -of the telephone. Any one of them, if it had been revealed suddenly, -would have seemed as unusual, as extraordinary, certainly in violation -of natural law, as the turning of water into wine, or as any of the -miracles of healing performed by Jesus. Think of the achievement of -the telegraph which covers with a network of wires every land area in -the world; think of the huge cable slung undersea tying together the -nations; think of the Marconigraph making it possible to send messages -the world over without the medium of wires; think of the X-ray and the -wonderful photography made possible by it; think of the innumerable -achievements of modern medicine, relieving pain, effecting cures -of ills that were once thought incurable, correcting deformities, -restoring sight and hearing, almost giving new life to the dead. These -and countless other wonders of modern life should teach us what a -miracle is. Man performs every day wonders that may almost be called -miracles only--since he possesses very limited power--it takes him a -long time to get his results. Jesus, acting with divine power, called -into play the laws of life, and accomplished in a moment what it would -take the man of science an indefinite period to do. In other words, -just as the wonderful achievements of science have been made possible -through the discovering and the harnessing of the laws of the {267} -universe, so a miracle such as Jesus performed is made possible through -the rapid assembly and harnessing of the natural laws that govern the -case in hand. - -[Sidenote: The power of the Priesthood.] - -But by what power did Jesus marshal the laws of nature, and direct them -to His own desires? By the power of the priesthood of God. No man can -hope to perform miracles who does not possess the authority of that -priesthood. Jesus Himself was the Son of God, and held the authority -of His own priesthood. And any man upon whom Jesus has conferred that -priesthood may go forth likewise, and heal the sick and do other mighty -works in His name. Men holding the priesthood of the Son of God need -only to go out in the strength of their manhood, in the cleanness and -purity of their lives, and in the fearlessness of their convictions. -In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and -in the power of their priesthood, they, too, may command the higher, -yet unknown laws of the universe, and effect cures and restorations -as marvelous as those recorded in the ministry of Jesus and the first -apostles. "I came unto my own," said Jesus to the Prophet of the -dispensation of the Fulness of Times, "and my own received me not; but -unto as many as received me, gave I power to do many miracles, and to -become the sons of God, and even unto them that believed on my name -gave I power to obtain eternal life." - -[Sidenote: The purpose of miracles.] - -For what purpose are miracles wrought? In all generations there have -been people who have sought signs, by which they might be converted. -But miracles are not given for the {268} purpose of converting the -unbelieving. The scribes and the Pharisees came to Jesus, saying, -"Master, we would have a sign from Thee. But He answered and said -unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign." -What then is the purpose of miracles? Miracles come as the result of -faith; they do not come to create faith. In His own country, Jesus even -could perform no mighty work because the people had not faith in Him. -Miracles are a kind of reward of faith, and serve to strengthen faith -already born. "It shall come to pass," said Jesus in modern times, -"that he that hath faith in me to be healed, and is not appointed unto -death, shall be healed; he who hath faith to see shall see; he who hath -faith to hear shall hear; the lame who hath faith to leap shall leap." -All these good things come by faith to increase our faith. - -[Sidenote: The privilege of the sick.] - -So, in the providence of God, it is given to the authority of the -priesthood, through faith, to do mighty works--to command forces of -nature not yet understood by man, and thereby to perform miracles, for -the increasing of faith and the perfecting of the saints. Said James -the apostle, "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of -the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the -name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the -Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be -forgiven him." - -{269} - -THE REFERENCES - -Mark 3:22-26. Matt. 12:38, 39. - -Doc. and Cov. 45:8. Doc. and Cov. 42:48-52. - -James 5:14, 15. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What questions are aroused by the reading of the miracles performed -by Jesus? - -2. How did the scribes explain Jesus's miracle-working power? - -3. What was the answer of Jesus? - -4. How can it be shown that the universe is ruled by law? - -5. Explain the miracle of the telephone? - -6. What other miraculous achievements have been made by science? - -7. How does a miracle differ from one of these achievements of science? - -8. Show that it is no more difficult to believe in one of the miracles -than in one of the achievements of science. - -9. By what power are miracles performed? - -10. What is the purpose of miracles? - -11. What privilege does everyone of us enjoy when he is sick? - -{270} PICTURE: CHRIST BEFORE PILATE, Hofmann - -{271} - - - -XXXV - -AN ATONING SACRIFICE - -[Sidenote: An incredible thought.] - -As He went about His Father's business teaching the means of eternal -life, Jesus presented many principles that it was difficult for His -followers to understand, but you may readily imagine that He presented -no other thought so hard for them to comprehend as the thought that -He must lay down His own life. To His disciples, Jesus was the Mighty -King come to establish His reign on earth. They thought that He would -establish an earthly kingdom; that He would overthrow the dominion of -Rome in Palestine; that He would restore the independence of the Jewish -nation. It did not occur to them that His was more largely a spiritual -kingdom, than a material kingdom. The thought that He should lose His -life seemed impossible to them; indeed, it was abhorrent to them. Many -of them did not learn to understand Jesus's sayings about His death -until after He was actually laid away in the tomb. - -[Sidenote: Jesus's foreknowledge of His death.] - -But the knowledge of His approaching and inevitable death, seems -to have been always present with Jesus Himself. Very early in His -ministry, Jesus foreshadowed the coming end. "The days will come," He -declared to those assembling about Him, "when the bridegroom shall be -taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days." Somewhat -later. He spoke of His death as a "baptism," and asserted that it -would become a kind of test to determine, who was for him and who was -against Him." "I am come to send fire on the earth," declared He; "and -what {272} will I if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be -baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose -ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you Nay; but rather -division; for from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, -three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided -against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against -the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law -against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her -mother-in-law." The division in the family would be caused, of course, -because some members would accept Jesus, whereas others would reject -Him; some would find in His sinless death reason for worship, whereas -others would find in His sufferings sufficient reason for rejection. - -After Peter's confession, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living -God," at Caesarea Phillipi, Jesus began more definitely to proclaim a -violent death. Immediately, "He began to teach them, that the Son of -man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the -chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise -again. And He spake that saying openly," we read. "And Peter took Him -and began to rebuke Him." Or, as Matthew expresses it, Peter rebuked -Him, saying, "Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee." -It is evident then that even though Peter was inspired to know that -Jesus was the Christ, he had not yet received an understanding of -the fact that Jesus must suffer death at the hands of His enemies in -order to fulfill His great mission to the earth. And if Peter did not -understand this truth, you may easily believe, that the thought of it -{273} was intolerable to the rest of the disciples. They could not -conceive of their divine leader's failing to establish the kingdom of -God as an earthly dominion. Then further to impress upon His disciples -the fact that His death was required by the law of sacrifice, He told -them that they must themselves not expect to profit in a worldly or -political way through their association with Him; but rather must they -expect to suffer persecution and to sacrifice themselves. For sacrifice -and service are demanded in the kingdom of God. "Whosoever will come -after me," said Jesus to the awe-stricken disciples, "let him deny -himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save -his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake -and the gospel's, the same shall save it." - -[Sidenote: The significance of the death of Jesus.] - -It is not necessary here to quote further in detail the sayings of -Jesus which indicate that He foreknew the violent death which He was -destined to suffer. He assured James and John, when they sought places -of honor and power in His Kingdom, that they were not able to drink -the cup that He had to drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with -which He was to be baptized. And at the last supper, when He instituted -the ordinance we call now the sacrament. He said of the broken bread, -"Take, eat; this is my body;" and of the cup, "Drink ye all of it; for -this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the -remission of sins." From these statements, it is apparent that certain -facts were clearly understood by Jesus, and that He endeavored as -clearly to teach them to His disciples. These points are four, and you -should try to remember them. First, Jesus foreknew and {274} proclaimed -that the hatred of His enemies--the scribes and the Pharisees and the -rulers in general--would finally bring about His death. Then, He knew -equally well, and asserted with the same assurance, that His death -was divinely appointed. Again, He assured His disciples that if they -would gain places of honor in His kingdom, they too must be prepared -to practice self-denial, to humble themselves and render service, and -even, if necessary, to lay down their own lives for the Gospel's sake. -Finally, Jesus announced that, through His death, mankind would be -redeemed from sin, and that His death was therefore not a defeat but a -glorious victory. - -[Sidenote: Worldly views of how Jesus's death can save.] - -These teachings are certainly inspiring and hopeful. The last one is -particularly consoling. But, of course, it is only natural to ask, -From what does the death of Christ actually deliver us? How can His -death deliver us from sin? These questions have been asked by men ever -since the crucifixion. It is almost amusing what strange notions people -have held--and do still hold--in answer to these questions. Thus, some -people believe that the death of Jesus represented the price paid to -Satan to prevail upon him to release man from his power. Others believe -that when Jesus gave His life for many, it was to protect them, or -deliver them, from the fear of death. Still others hold that through -His death Jesus broke the bonds that held His disciples to the belief -and understanding that God's kingdom, was an earthly and temporal -kingdom, and that the salvation which Jesus taught was earthly. Of -course, no one of these theories--nor any one of several others not -here mentioned--satisfies the conditions of the sacrifice made by -Jesus. It does not really reveal from what {275} His death rescues us, -nor how it is possible for His death to rescue us at all. - -[Sidenote: The real significance of the death of Jesus.] - -It is strange that there should be so much confusion about the nature -and purpose of Jesus's atoning sacrifice. It is well known that through -the sin of Adam, death came into the world. That death was not only -physical but spiritual; for man was driven out from the presence of -God. Adam broke a divine law. Necessarily, punishment, came to him. -Now, in accordance with the law of justice, Adam and his children could -be redeemed from death, and restored to the presence of God, only by -satisfying in some way the broken law. How could that be done? We have -learned, you remember, that there was a council in heaven before the -earth was formed. There the whole plan of salvation was revealed. Jesus -was appointed to become the Christ. His mission was to teach men to -know God, that they might be prepared to return to Him, and through -His own death to satisfy the demands of justice and thus to break the -bands of physical death. This may, perhaps, be a little difficult to -understand, but it is certainly what Jesus taught; for the learned Paul -wrote, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all -men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become -the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by -man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, -even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own -order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at -His coming." This, too, is the testimony of John the Baptizer, who -exclaimed when he saw Jesus approaching from the distance, "Behold -{276} the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world;" and -also of John the Beloved, who wrote in his Book of Revelation, "All -that dwell upon the earth shall worship Him, whose names are not -written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of -the world." - -[Sidenote: The Nephite explanation.] - -To the Nephites, the nature and purpose of the atoning sacrifice was -made particularly plain. We read thus: "Now, behold, if Adam had not -transgressed, he would not have fallen; but he would have remained -in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created, must have -remained in the same state which they were after they were created; and -they must have remained forever and had no end. And they would have -had no children; wherefore, they would have remained in a state of -innocence; having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for -they knew no sin. But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom -of Him who knoweth all things. Adam fell that men might be; and men are -that they might have joy. - -"And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that He may redeem the -children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from -the fall, they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act -for themselves, and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment -of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments -which God hath given." - -[Sidenote: Why Jesus submitted to His enemies.] - -It was, then, in fulfillment of the divine plan that Jesus allowed -Himself to be taken prisoner in the garden of Gethsemane; that He -endured trial before His enemies; and that He suffered untold agony on -the cross. With His death, {277} the world itself became canvulsed. The -heavens became shrouded in darkness; and the earth was torn, and shaken -and distressed. But at that awful moment, the bands of death were -broken; the original sin was expiated; and the way was opened whereby -man might return to his Maker. - -[Sidenote: The new testimony of Jesus.] - -"Behold," said Jesus to our own Prophet, "I, God, have suffered these -things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent, -but if they would not repent, they must suffer even as I, 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--Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and -finished my preparations unto the children of men." - -Truly, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his -life for his friends." - -THE REFERENCES - -Mark 2:20. 1 Cor. 15:19-23. - -Luke 12:49-53. John 1:29. - -Mark 8:31-35. Rev. 13:8. - -Mark 10:38-41. 2 Nephi 2:22-26. - -Matt. 16:28. Doc. and Cov. 19:16-19. - -{278} THE QUESTIONS - -1. Why could not the disciples think that Jesus would be killed? - -2. Show how Jesus foreknew His death. - -3. How was Jesus's death necessary to satisfy the law of sacrifice? - -4. What was the real significance of the death of Jesus? - -5. From what does the death of Jesus save the world? - -6. How does the death of Jesus save? - -7. Discuss the explanation given in 2nd Nephi. - -8. Explain the attitude of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and after. - -9. How did Jesus describe His sufferings to the Prophet Joseph Smith? - -10. What do we owe to Jesus? - -{279} - -{280} PICTURE: TOUCH ME NOT, Plockhorst - -{281} - - - -XXXVI - -THE PLACE CALLED PARADISE - -[Sidenote: A well-established fact.] - -Of all the many well-attested incidents in the life of Jesus, there -is none more firmly established than the fact that Jesus rose from -death to a newness of life. His resurrection was an actual uprising -of the physical body which He had laid down, and a renewal of all the -life forces. Jesus had plainly foretold that He would rise from the -tomb on the third day after His death; but such a performance was so -foreign to the experience of His disciples, that they failed to grasp -the full significance of His sayings. You can appreciate yourselves how -difficult it would be for you, even with your present knowledge, to get -the full meaning of such a saying as this: "Destroy this temple, and in -three days I will raise it up." But it is never safe to question a fact -merely because we have not experienced it ourselves. We walk by faith, -and by faith is accomplished all the world's work. Our faith in the -resurrection of Jesus is doubly assured by our faith in the testimonies -of those who knew Him and saw Him. - -[Sidenote: The first five appearances of the risen Christ.] - -Ten separate and distinct appearances of the risen Redeemer are -recorded in the New Testament. First, on the morning of the -resurrection, He appeared to Mary Magdalene, who had come early in the -morning with Mary, the mother of Jesus, Salome and Joanna to anoint -the body of Jesus with spices. When Mary recognized Him, she said to -Him in Hebrew, {282} "Rabboni." Jesus answered, "Touch me not, for I -am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto -them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your -God." Soon thereafter, Jesus appeared to the other three women and -called to them, "All hail. And they came and took hold of His feet, -and worshipped Him." Then, in the afternoon of the resurrection day, -Jesus appeared to Cleopas and another of the disciples as they were -journeying to Emmaus, and interpreted to them the scriptures concerning -Himself. The fourth appearance of the risen Christ was to Peter; but -when or where we do not know. At the fifth appearance, Jesus appeared -suddenly to ten of His disciples, and said, "Peace be unto you. But -they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that they had seen a -spirit. And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts -arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; -handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see -me have. And when He had thus spoken. He shewed them His hands and -His feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, He -said unto them. Have ye here any meat? And they gave Him a piece of a -broiled fish, and of a honeycomb. And He took it, and did eat before -them." - -[Sidenote: Five more appearances of the Christ and the ascension.] - -When Jesus appeared thus suddenly and partook of the broiled fish, -Thomas was not present. Eight days later, when the disciples were -again behind closed doors, Jesus stood again suddenly amongst them -and said, "Peace be unto you." This time Thomas was present. Jesus -said to him, "Reach hither thy finger, and {283} behold my hands; -and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not -faithless, but believing." When next Jesus appeared, there were only -seven of the apostles present. They were at the sea of Tiberias, and -had gone fishing. Jesus appeared before them, and directed them where -to cast their nets. Then the apostles recognized Him. It was at this -appearance that Jesus charged Peter as the leader of His apostles to -feed His sheep. At the next appearance, Jesus showed Himself to the -eleven apostles and probably more than five hundred brethren, who -had assembled on a mount in Galilee appointed by Jesus. Here Jesus -commissioned His apostles to preach the Gospel to all the nations, -baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy -Ghost. The ninth appearance was to James, the Lord's brother. Of this -we know only the recorded fact. At the last appearance, Jesus came to -the eleven apostles somewhere in Jerusalem. After He had instructed -them at some length, He led them out of Jerusalem toward Bethany. Then, -"He lifted up His hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He -blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." - -[Sidenote: The value of the testimonies.] - -These testimonies, you see, are of such a nature that they cannot be -doubted. Altogether more than five hundred persons saw Jesus after His -resurrection. And His appearance in many instances was accompanied by -such evidence that there can be no doubt that the resurrected body -of Jesus was an actual body of flesh and bones, as material and as -tangible as was the body before death. {284} And with this material -body Jesus ascended into heaven before the adoring eyes of His devoted -followers. - -[Sidenote: Where had Jesus been?] - -But there remains a statement made by Jesus during the first recorded -appearance after His resurrection, which needs to be explained. When -Mary Magdalene would have touched Him, you recall, Jesus prevented her, -saying, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father." Now, -the common belief of the world is, that, at death, the spirit of the -righteous departed ascends immediately to heaven, into the kingdom of -God. Jesus had been nearly three days dead; still, at His resurrection. -He had not yet been in the presence of His Father. Where had He been? -What had He been doing? Do the scriptures give us any information in -answer to these questions? - -[Sidenote: Today in Paradise.] - -Evidently, Jesus had been in a place called Paradise. When Jesus was -put to death, two thieves were crucified with Him. "And one of the -malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, it is recorded, "saying, -If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering -rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the -same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward -of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto -Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus -said unto him, Verily I say unto thee. Today shalt thou be with me in -paradise." Can there be any doubt that Jesus went at His death to the -place called Paradise and abode there? But where is Paradise, or what -kind of place is Paradise? - -{285} [Sidenote: The Gospel to the dead.] - -Where Paradise is we may not be able to determine; but what kind of -place it is, it should not be difficult to discover. Teaching at -Jerusalem one day, Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The -hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the -Son of God: and they that hear shall live." But how could the dead hear -the voice of the Son of God, unless He should minister also in the -place of the dead? This undoubtedly is what Jesus meant; this, too, -must be what He meant when He said to the malefactor, "Today shalt thou -be with me in Paradise." And this is what the apostles learned to know -to be the meaning of these sayings of Jesus. Peter, writing to the -scattered churches, declared the truth in these words: "For Christ also -hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might -bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the -Spirit: by which also He went and preached to the spirits in prison; -which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering of God -waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, -that is, eight souls, were saved by water." And again, in the same -epistle, Peter said, "For, for this reason was the Gospel preached -also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men -in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." This makes it -clear to us, then, that Jesus's promise to the malefactor, meant that -Jesus would meet him that day in the abode of spirits. For thither -did Jesus go that the dead also might hear His voice. His mission to -the living was accomplished; He had yet to minister to the dead. Only -{286} when that ministry was finished could He return to His Father and -report His labor accomplished. We may not know where Paradise is; but -we know that the place called Paradise is the abode of the spirits of -those who have lived in the flesh and have not yet been resurrected. - -[Sidenote: A plain explanation.] - -As usual, modern revelation makes plain to us things that are somewhat -obscure in the Jewish Scriptures. The great Nephite prophet and -philosopher, Alma, writing under the direction of an angel and the -inspiration of Jesus Christ, explains very clearly the state of the -spirit during the time between death and the resurrection. Says he, -"Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death, and the -time of the resurrection. And now I would inquire what becometh of the -souls of men from this time of death, to the time appointed for the -resurrection? Now concerning the state of the soul between death and -the resurrection. Behold, it has been made known unto me, by an angel, -that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this -mortal body; yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, -are taken home to that God who gave them life. And then shall it come -to pass that the spirits of those who are righteous, are received into -a state of happiness, which is called 'Paradise'; a state of rest; a -state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from -all care, and sorrow, etc. And then shall it come to pass, that the -spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil; for behold, they have no part -nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil -works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did {287} -enter into them, and take possession of their house; and these shall be -cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and -gnashing of teeth; and this because of their own iniquity; being led -captive by the will of the devil. Now this is the state of the souls of -the wicked; yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful, looking -for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they -remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the -time of their resurrection." - -[Sidenote: Every knee and every tongue.] - -Not only in His life, but in the spirit ministry and in His -resurrection, Jesus taught truths of vital importance to man in his -search after God and eternal life. Resurrection is an actual uprising -of a tangible physical body. In the resurrection we shall be as Jesus -was. And the privileges of the divine plan of salvation are extended to -the dead as well as to the living. That is why we perform the saving -ordinances for the dead in the House of the Lord. "At the name of Jesus -every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and -things under earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ -is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 28:1-20. 1 Cor. 15:5-7. - -Mark 16:1-20. John 5:25. - -Luke 23:56-24:53. 1 Peter 3:18-20. - -John 20:1-21:25. 1 Peter 4:6. - -Philip 2:9-11. Alma 40:6-14. - -{288} THE QUESTIONS - -1. What was the nature of Christ's resurrection? - -2. What evidence can you adduce to prove that Jesus was actually -resurrected? - -3. How can you prove that the resurrected body of Jesus was a tangible -body of flesh and bones? - -4. Where was the Spirit of Jesus while His body lay in the tomb? - -5. What kind of place is paradise? - -6. What Gospel privileges are extended to the dead? - -7. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to us? - -{289} - -{290} PICTURE: THE GOOD SHEPHERD, Plockhorst - -{291} - - - -XXXVII - -OTHER SHEEP - -[Sidenote: The first commission to the twelve.] - -When Jesus called the twelve apostles and sent them out to preach -His word, He gave them these instructions, "Go not in the way of the -Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go -rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go preach, -saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Evidently, then, the -apostles were not to trouble to deliver the glad message of the Gospel -to any who were not purely of the house of Israel. They were to "heal -the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils;" but -none of these good works were they to do amongst the Gentiles, nor in -the land of the Samaritans. It seemed almost that Jesus did not want -those not of Israel to enjoy the privileges and blessings of His great -redemption. - -[Sidenote: The leaven of the Gospel.] - -But such an intention was only apparent; it was not real. All men, of -whatever race or color, are the children of God; and the great atoning -sacrifice was made for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews. Said Jesus -once in a parable, "The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which -a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was -leavened." The whole world is to be leavened with the Gospel of Jesus -Christ; indeed, the Savior's last charge to His apostles was that they -should go into all the world, and preach the word of God. Only when the -Gospel has been heard by every nation, tongue, and people, will the end -come. - -{292} [Sidenote: The kingdom to the Gentiles.] - -The apostles were slow, however, to understand this truth, though -Jesus taught it to them plainly. It was right, of course, that they -should minister first to the children of Israel. Israel constituted -the chosen people. From them, and through them, had come to the world -the knowledge of the one great God--the God of Abraham, of Isaac, -and of Jacob. From them, too, had come now the Messiah, by whom was -to be wrought the salvation of the world. What the apostles did not -appreciate, however, was that the Jews would prove themselves unworthy -of their Savior. Yet, Jesus taught this, too; and in teaching this -truth, He declared further that the Gospel would be given to others. -To the woman of Samaria, Jesus declared, "Woman, believe me, the hour -cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, -worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we -worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now -is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and -in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." No longer, -after the ministry of Jesus, should Jerusalem be the center of divine -worship. The world over, men should learn to worship God in spirit and -in truth. Not only so; but Jesus asserted also that because of the -unbelief of the Jews, the privileges of His Church should be taken away -from them and given to others. "Did ye never read in the scriptures," -Jesus asked of the Jews, "The stone which the builders rejected, the -same has become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, -and it is marvelous in our eyes? {293} Therefore say I unto you, The -kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing -forth the fruits thereof." And, indeed, such a transfer of privilege -and responsibility was almost necessary to fulfill the ancient -prophecy, "Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom -my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon Him, and He shall -shew judgment to the Gentiles. . . . And in His name shall the Gentiles -trust." - -[Sidenote: The case of Cornelius.] - -When the apostles were left to themselves, however, they continued -still to minister only to the Jews. It required a special revelation -from heaven, to arouse them to the fact that the Gospel was for -the Gentiles also. There lived in Caesarea a Roman centurion named -Cornelius. Cornelius was a devout and God-fearing man, though a -Gentile, and prayed much that he might learn what to do to gain eternal -life. One day an angel appeared to him, and instructed him to send -messengers to Joppa for one Simon, surnamed Peter, who should tell -Cornelius what to do. Cornelius sent two of his men immediately to -seek out Peter. Meanwhile, Peter, at Joppa, "went up upon the housetop -to pray about the sixth hour: and he became very hungry, and would -have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw -heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been -a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: -wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild -beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a -voice to him. Rise, Peter, kill and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; -for I have {294} never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And -the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, -that call not thou common." This vision appeared to Peter three times; -and while he was pondering on the meaning of it the messengers of -Cornelius arrived. Peter hurried to Caesarea to minister to Cornelius; -and when he saw that God had blessed Cornelius, Peter understood the -meaning of the vision. "Of a truth," said he, "I perceive that God is -no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth Him, and -worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him." - -[Sidenote: The preaching of Barnabas and Paul.] - -Thenceforth, the apostles preached to the Gentiles as well as to -the Jews. Paul and Barnabas told the truth fearlessly to the Jews -themselves. "It was necessary that the word of God should first have -been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves -unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath -the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the -Gentiles, that thou shouldst be for salvation unto the ends of the -earth. And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad, and glorified -the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life were -saved." - -[Sidenote: "Other sheep."] - -Thus was the word of God carried to the Gentiles. But Jesus did not -Himself minister to them during his earth-life. While yet ministering -to those who followed Him in the Holy Land, however, Jesus uttered a -strange declaration. He said, "I am the good shepherd, and know my -sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth {295} me, even so -know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other -sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, -and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one -shepherd." - -[Sidenote: A puzzling question.] - -From the time that Jesus made this statement until the restoration of -the Gospel in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, it has never -been fully understood by men. That Jesus is the Good Shepherd is clear -enough. He has earned the undisputed right to that title by the devoted -sacrifice He made for His sheep. But what did He mean by "other sheep" -not of the fold of Palestine, who must also hear His voice, that there -might be one fold, as there was one shepherd? Where else did Jesus -personally minister besides the Holy Land and Paradise? These questions -have puzzled many; and because of failure to find any other adequate -answer, the "other sheep" have been usually interpreted to mean, the -Gentiles. But how the Gospel came to the Gentiles has been pointed out. -They could not have been the "other sheep," who were to hear the voice -of Jesus. Who, then, were the "other sheep." - -[Sidenote: Forty days.] - -You will remember that after His resurrection Jesus appeared at ten -different times to His disciples in Palestine. It seems, however, that -between the resurrection and the ascension there elapsed a period of -about forty days. What did Jesus do during those forty days? Of course, -we cannot hope to be able ever to account for all those days, nor -would it help us much perhaps to do so. {296} But it was during that -interesting but shrouded period of forty days that Jesus visited the -other sheep. - -[Sidenote: In the land of the Nephites.] - -Far over the waters, in another and then unknown land, lived the -Nephites. They had been taught to look forward to the coming of the -Lord. When He was born a babe in Bethlehem, the star of promise shone -brilliantly in the land of the Nephites. For three days there was -light, and no darkness at all. Again, after thirty-three years, the -land of the Nephites became shrouded in darkness when the Lord was -crucified. The earth was shaken and torn asunder. Cities were sunk into -the sea, and places that had been sea were made dry land. Mountains -were levelled and valleys were upheaved. And countless numbers of the -wicked were destroyed. When the terrible convulsions and the darkness -had passed, there was a multitude of the people of Nephi assembled near -the temple in the land Bountiful. Suddenly, a voice spoke to them out -of heaven. It was the voice of God declaring, "Behold my beloved Son, -in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name: hear ye -Him." The people cast their eyes upward; and lo! they saw a man clothed -in a white robe descending out of heaven. - -[Sidenote: The appearance of Jesus to the Nephites.] - -It was Jesus. He came and stood in the midst of His people, the -Nephites; and He showed them the prints in His hands and in His feet, -and the wound in His side. Then He proceeded to teach them as He had -taught His disciples in Palestine, and to choose twelve apostles, and -to organize His church, so that the people might enjoy the privileges -of the priesthood and of a {297} holy worship. Jesus appeared to -these people more than once; and on one occasion, He said, "Ye are my -disciples; and ye are a light unto this people, who are a remnant of -the house of Joseph. And behold, this is the land of your inheritance; -and the Father hath given it unto you. And not at any time hath the -Father given me commandment that I should tell it unto your brethren at -Jerusalem; Neither at any time hath the Father given me commandment, -that I should tell unto them concerning the other tribes of the house -of Israel, whom the Father hath led away out of the land. This much did -the Father command me, that I should tell unto them. That other sheep -I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they -shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And -now because of stiffneckedness and unbelief, they understood not my -word: therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning -this thing unto them. But, verily, I say unto you, that the Father -hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from -among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their -iniquity, that they know not of you. And verily, I say unto you again, -that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is -because of their iniquity, that they know not of them. And verily, I -say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said, other sheep I have which -are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my -voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." - -In the unselfish ministry of Jesus Christ there is no one forgotten. -All the children of Israel are ministered {298} to; the dead hear the -voice of Jesus; and the Gentiles have the Gospel preached to them. -The Jewish Scriptures are united with the Nephite Scriptures in the -personal ministry of Jesus to His "other sheep." - -[Sidenote: A promise to us.] - -"I am in your midst," said Jesus to the Prophet Joseph Smith, "and I am -the good Shepherd, and the Stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this -rock shall never fall, and the day cometh that you shall hear my voice -and see me, and know that I am, watch, therefore, that ye may be ready." - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 10:5-7. Acts 10:1-48. - -Matt. 13:23. Acts 13:44-49. - -John 4:21-23. John 10:14-16. - -Matt. 21:41-44. 3 Nephi 15:12-21. - -Matt. 12:14-21. Doc. and Cov. 50:44-46. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What was the nature of the first commission to the twelve apostles? - -2. What is the meaning of the parable of the leaven? - -3. What did Jesus teach concerning the kingdom of God and the Gentiles? - -4. What do we learn from the case of Cornelius? - -5. What did Jesus say about "other sheep"? - -6. What did the Nephites know about the coming of Jesus? - -8. What promise has Jesus made to us? - -7. What did Jesus tell the Nephites? - -{299} - -{300} PICTURE: COME UNTO ME ALL YE THAT LABOR, Bloch - -{301} - - - -XXXVIII - -OUR ADVOCATE WITH THE FATHER - -[Sidenote: The house-holder and the husbandmen.] - -A parable Jesus related to the chief priests and elders of the -Jews while He was yet with them in the flesh: "There was a certain -householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, -and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to -husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit -drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might -receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and -beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other -servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But, -last of all, he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my -son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, -This is the heir: come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his -inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and -slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he -do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him. He will miserably destroy -those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, -which shall render him the fruits in their seasons." - -[Sidenote: God the great householder, Jesus the Son.] - -Just so is it with the kingdom of God; for just as the wicked -husbandmen did with the servants and with the son of householder, so -did the stiff-necked children of Israel with the prophets, and with -the Son of God. {302} Therefore was the kingdom taken from them, as we -have already learned, and given to the Gentiles. And therefore will -the Great Householder miserably destroy the wicked who persecute His -servants, kill His prophets, and reject His Only Begotten Son. But -the righteous will He bless, and all those who serve Him; and even -though we should fall into error, yet need we not despair. For if we -repent, God will forgive our sins, so only we do not as did the wicked -husbandmen of the vineyard. "My little children," wrote the Beloved -John in a letter to the saints, "these things write I unto you, that ye -sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus -Christ the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins: and not -for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." - -[Sidenote: The exaltation of Jesus.] - -It is, indeed, a joyful thought that, even though Jesus was slain by -the husbandmen. He was not and Mark assures us that when He ascended -into heaven, Jesus assumed the place of honor at the right hand of the -Father. "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them. He was received -up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God." There Stephen was -privileged to see Him in vision some time later. Stephen is described -as a man full of faith and power, who did great wonders and miracles -among the people. Stephen preached fearlessly to the Jews the fact -that Christ had risen. The Jews became enraged, and stoned him; but -before his death, Stephen, "being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up -steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, {303} and Jesus -standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens -opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God." To Jesus -had come the deserved glory for which He had wrought. In His exaltation -was fulfilled literally the sayings He had taught to His disciples, -"Whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth -himself shall be exalted." "Whosoever would be great among you, let him -be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be -your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, -but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." - -[Sidenote: Our advocate with the Father.] - -Now, it is perfectly plain that the great mission of Jesus was not -entirely finished during His sojourn upon the earth. That for which He -came was accomplished, it is true. But just as we needed a Savior--one -who would unselfishly lay down His own sinless life for the sins of -others--so we need even now, when that sacrifice has been made, a -mediator, an advocate, to intercede for us with the Father. For we are -all sinful at the best; weaknesses of various kinds beset us, and if we -were to be rewarded strictly according to our merits, many of us would -get but little in the way of blessing. Jesus continues then to be our -Redeemer, pleading our cause before the Father. "Wherefore He is able -also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He -ever liveth to make intercession for them." So did Paul, the Apostle to -the Gentiles, express to the Hebrews his faith in the mediating power -of Jesus; and to the Romans he wrote, "Who is He that condemneth? It is -Christ that died, yea rather, that is {304} risen again, who is even -at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Jesus -continues, then, His great redeeming labor, bringing salvation and -exaltation to those who accept Him and diligently seek Him. - -[Sidenote: Many mansions in the Father's house.] - -And He prepares a place also for His own, that they may be -appropriately received when they shall go to their eternal reward. One -day when Jesus was talking to the apostles about His coming sacrifice, -and the apostles were sorrowful because they thought that He intended -to go away, He said to them, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye -believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many -mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you; I go to prepare a -place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come -again, and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be -also." Even as He promised His disciples that He would prepare a place -for them, so is there a place prepared for each one of us. For in many -respects the future life will be ordered like the present. In this -life we are generally able to achieve such advancement as we work for. -If we honestly and conscientiously make the most of the opportunities -that lie about us; if we strive to make the most of what we have, never -hiding the God-given talent in the earth--we are bound to progress and -to succeed. But there are in the world many degrees of diligence, and -therefore many degrees of success. So will it be in the kingdom of God. -There, there are many mansions; and such a one will be prepared for us -as will satisfy fully the degree of diligence with {305} which we have -served. The risen Christ is not only our advocate with the Father, but -also our judge. - -[Sidenote: Lord of lords and Kings of kings.] - -To this judge all power is given. So declared Jesus Himself when He -appeared after His resurrection to the apostles and the five hundred -brethren who had assembled on a mountain in Galilee. "Jesus came and -spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and -in earth." Moreover, Jesus, to whom all power is given, is the sole -mediator between man and God. Said Paul to Timothy, his own son in -faith, "There is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man -Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all." And in this exalted position -as Lord of lords, and King of kings, Jesus shall reign forever. "The -kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His -Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever." - -[Sidenote: Jesus to come again.] - -You see, then, what a wonderful hope is prepared for those who serve -Jesus. This earth is to come to an end. It is to be purified and -sanctified; then there will appear a new earth as an abode for the -blessed. But before that time shall come Jesus, Himself, is to come -again to minister to His people upon the earth. When the apostles stood -gazing up into heaven, whither Jesus had ascended, there appeared -before them suddenly two men in white apparel. These men said, "Ye men -of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which -is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye -have seen Him go into heaven." This truth Jesus Himself declared in -{306} the trial before the high priest. When the perjured witnesses -testified against Him, Jesus made no reply. Then, "the high priest -asked Him, and said unto Him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the -Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting -on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." When -this wonderful occurrence shall take place, no one knows; it has never -been revealed, but is known to the Father alone. But it appears that it -is to take place at a time when the earth is troubled, and the end is -not far off. "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the -sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars -shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: -and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then -shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of -man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." If we -are to be worthy of the ministry of Jesus when He shall come again, we -must learn to know Him, and to live according to His teachings; for He -has declared that He will be ashamed at His coming of those who are -ashamed of Him. "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my -words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the -Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with -the holy angels." - -[Sidenote: The nearness of Jesus.] - -Even in His coming He will be our advocate and our judge. How close -then Jesus stands to us. He came into the world to enlighten the world, -that they might learn to know God and Jesus Christ {307} whom God sent; -He laid down His life as a voluntary sacrifice to redeem the world from -the original sin; now He sits at the right hand of God the Father and -intercedes for those who believe in Him; and ere long He shall come -again in clouds of glory, again to minister to men, that they may have -the better chance to gain eternal life. The love and anxious sympathy -of Jesus know no bounds. - -"Listen to Him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading -your cause before Him, saying, Father, behold the sufferings and death -of Him who did no sin, in whom Thou wast well pleased; behold the -blood of the Son which was shed--the blood of Him whom Thou gavest -that Thyself might be glorified; wherefore, Father, spare these my -brethren that believe in my name, that they may come unto me and have -everlasting life." - -THE REFERENCES - -Matt. 21:33-41. 1 Tim. 2:5, 6. - -1 John 2:1.2. Rev. 11:15. - -Mark 16:19. John 14:1-3. - -Acts 7:56. Acts 1:11. - -Heb. 7:25. Mark 14:62. - -Rev. 8:34. Matt. 24:29,30. - -Mark 28:18. Mark 8:38. - -Doc. and Cov. 45:3-5. - -{308} THE QUESTIONS - -1. Interpret the parable of the householder and the wicked husbandmen. - -2. What is the position of Jesus in heaven? - -3. In what sense is Jesus our advocate with the Father? - -4. What did Jesus mean by many mansions in His Father's house? - -5. What power is given to Jesus? - -6. How do we know that Jesus is to come again? - -7. What is to happen when Jesus comes again? - -8. In what way may we sense the nearness of Jesus? - -{309} - -{310} PICTURE: THE ASCENSION, Biermann - -{311} - - - -XXXIX - -THE LIVING CHRIST - -[Sidenote: Jesus the living Christ.] - -From what we have learned in the preceding lesson, it is plain that -Jesus, the son of Mary of Nazareth, is in truth the Living Christ. -Jesus was from before the beginning of this world, and will continue in -power and glory throughout the endless eternities. In the great council -in heaven, He volunteered to become the Christ and to save the children -of God without force. He fulfilled His noble but agony-filled mission -without faltering. He gave up His life with a prayer on His lips for -those who brutally persecuted Him and killed Him. He was approved of -the Father, and exalted to sit on the right hand of the throne of -power. He is worshipped by untold millions, to whom He has brought -consolation, hope, and love. And it is not only on the so-called common -people of the earth that Jesus has made so wonderful an impression that -He is worshipped as the very Son of God, but also over the greatest -intellects in the world has He wielded so powerful an influence -that they bow in admiring adoration. Poets, artists, philosophers, -scientists, and statesmen alike acknowledge Jesus, the Living Christ -and Advocate with the Father. - -[Sidenote: The testimony of Napoleon.] - -As we learned at the beginning of this book, Napoleon avowed his -admiration of Jesus, while living an exile on the island of St. Helena. -Napoleon's further testimony is interesting. "Superficial minds see a -resemblance," said {312} Napoleon, "between Christ and the founders -of empires and the gods of other religions. That resemblance does not -exist. There is between Christianity and other religions the distance -of infinity. Everything in Christ astonishes me. Here I see nothing -human. The nearer I approach everything is above me. Alexander, Caesar, -Charlemagne and myself founded empires. But on what did we rest the -creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ alone founded His -empire upon love, and at this hour millions of men would die for Him. -Christ proved that He was the Son of the Eternal." - -[Sidenote: The conviction of an English philosopher.] - -Other great men, too, have been as profoundly impressed by the divinity -of Jesus as was Napoleon. The great English philosopher, John Locke, -expressed his convictions in these words: "Before our Savior's time, -the doctrine of a future state, though it were not wholly hid, yet it -was not clearly known in the world? He brought life and immortality to -light. And that not only in the clear revelation of it and in instances -shown of men raised from the dead; but He has given an unquestionable -assurance and pledge of it, in His own resurrection and ascension -into heaven. How has this one truth changed the nature of things? -The philosophers, indeed show the beauty of nature, but leaving her -unendowed, very few are willing to espouse her. It has another relish -and efficiency to persuade men that if they live well here, they shall -be happy hereafter. Upon this foundation, and upon this only, morality -stands firm; and this is the gospel Jesus Christ has delivered to us." - -{313} [Sidenote: Declarations of Emerson and Webster.] - -Two notable Americans may be here cited also to show the influence of -the work of Jesus upon men of great intellect. Ralph Waldo Emerson, -philosopher and poet, wrote, "Jesus is the most perfect of all men that -have yet appeared. The unique impressions of Jesus upon mankind are not -so much written as ploughed into the history of this world. He saw with -open eye the mystery of the soul. Alone in all history, He estimated -the greatness of man." And Daniel Webster declared in his argument in -the Girard Will Case, "I believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God. The -miracles which He wrought establish in my mind His personal authority -and render it proper for me to believe what He asserts." - -[Sidenote: Additional testimony.] - -Testimonies of this kind might be added upon without limit. Of course, -there may be found also many men who reject the testimony of Jesus. -But the interesting fact about the influence of Jesus is that the -farther we become removed from the time of His earth-ministry, the more -strongly is His influence felt, and the closer does the world really -come to Him. In spite of the war that Satan has waged in the world -against Him, Jesus is dearer to men today than He has ever been before. -Even the great world war now raging is turning the hearts of men to -Jesus; and many more men of learning and leadership are expressing -their faith in the teachings of Jesus the Christ. It is to be hoped -that all men will soon come to the conviction of the great German -philosopher, Kant: "In the life and the divine doctrine of Christ, -example and precept conspire to call men to the regular discharge of -every moral duty for its own {314} sake. Christ is the founder of -the first true Church; that is, that Church which exhibits the moral -kingdom of God upon earth." - -[Sidenote: Reasons for strong testimonies in the Church.] - -Now, if the men of the world can get such testimonies and can feel so -strongly that Jesus is indeed the Son of God, surely the children of -the Latter-day Saints ought easily to learn to know this sublime truth. -Jesus came to earth, as He Himself declared, when He was twelve years -old, to attend to His Father's business. That business, we learned, -is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. And we -have learned also that it is life eternal to know God and Jesus Christ -whom He sent. Jesus devoted His life to expounding the principles -of eternal life. He showed in His own person what kind of being God -is. He explained His own relationship to God the Father. He revealed -the nature and the office of the Holy Ghost. He taught the essential -principles of the Gospel, which Paul called the power of God unto -salvation. He emphasized the necessity of divine authority in order -to act officially in the things of God. He explained by parable and -by teaching the duties that man owes to God. He made perfectly clear, -too, the duties that man owes to his fellowmen. He established by His -wonderful life and work His own divinity as the Son of God. He overcame -death, the barrier between God and man, by laying down His own life. -He proved the actuality of the resurrection and the life after death -by arising Himself from the tomb. He continues as the Living Christ, -interceding with the Father for us. All this the children of the -Latter-day Saints have had taught to them as clearly as it has been -{315} taught to the children of the world. In addition, the children -of the Latter-day Saints have membership in the true Church of Jesus -Christ. The Holy Priesthood is here established. The Gospel in its -fulness has been restored. The Church believes in continual revelation, -and is favored with the living word of God. These are the marks of the -Church of Christ. The inspiration of the Holy Ghost ought, therefore, -to cause the testimony of Jesus to burn brightly in the bosom of -every Latterday Saint. To us also Jesus has revealed the means of -salvation, by His teaching, by His personal example and influence, by -His death and resurrection. And to us He has delivered the keys of the -Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. - -[Sidenote: Evidences of testimony in the Church.] - -The members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do know -that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. They recognize -the fact that the object of Christ's life-work was to reveal God, -to teach men to know God as their Father, to persuade them to live -lives of righteousness, and to redeem them from the sin of the garden -of Eden. And as intellectual, men of the world have avowed their -conviction that Jesus is the Christ, so also have the leaders of -"Mormon" thought and life. Almost every meeting held in the Church -is a meeting of declaration of faith in Jesus. The monthly testimony -meetings, particularly, are filled with assurances of faith in Him. -The Presidency of the Church, the twelve apostles, and all the members -of the quorums of general authority, devote their lives as special -witnesses of Jesus to the testifying to His divine Sonship. And of all -the testimonies of Jesus as the true and living Christ, {316} the ever -present and ever active advocate with the Father, there is no other -so strong and effective as that of the Prophet, Joseph Smith, and his -associate Sidney Rigdon. - -[Sidenote: "The testimony last of all."] - -"We, Joseph Smith, Jr., and Sidney Rigdon, being in the Spirit on the -sixteenth of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight -hundred and thirty-two. By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened -and our understandings were enlightened, so as to see and understand -the things of God--Even those things which were from the beginning -before the world was, which were ordained of the Father, through His -Only Begotten Son, who was in the bosom of the Father, even from the -beginning, of whom we bear record, and the record which we bear is the -fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the Son, whom we saw and -with whom we conversed in the heavenly vision. - -"For while we were doing the work of translation, which the Lord had -appointed unto us, we came to the twenty-ninth verse of the fifth -chapter of John, which was given unto us as follows. Speaking of the -resurrection of the dead, concerning those who shall hear the voice -of the Son of Man, and shall come forth; They who have done good in -the resurrection of the just, and they who have done evil in the -resurrection of the unjust. Now this caused us to marvel, for it was -given unto us of the Spirit; and while we meditated upon these things, -the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened, -and the glory of the Lord shone round about; and we beheld the glory -of the Son, on the right hand of the Father, and received of {317} His -fullness; and saw the holy angels, and they who are sanctified before -His throne, worshipping God, and the Lamb, who worship Him for ever and -ever. 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; -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--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." - -To us, then, removed nearly two thousand years from the time of the -birth of Jesus, comes with a new significance the chorus of the angels. -"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which -shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of -David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord . . . . Glory to God in the -highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." - -THE REFERENCES - -Doc. and Cov. 76:11-24. Luke 2:10, 11, 14. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. In what sense is Jesus the Living Christ? - -2. To what does Napoleon testify? - -3. Upon what is John Locke's conviction based? - -4. What did Emerson and Webster say of Jesus? - -5. What truth does Kant derive from the life of Jesus? - -6. Why should the Latter-day Saints have exceptional testimonies of -Jesus? - -7. How can you show that the Latter-day Saints do have exceptionally -strong testimonies of Jesus? - -8. What is the powerful "Testimony last of all"? - -9. What do the teachings of Jesus mean to us? - -10. Explain what it means to know God and Jesus Christ. - -{318} PICTURE: ANGEL MORONI - -{319} - - - -XL - -A RELIGION WORTH WHILE - -[Sidenote: The feeding of the five thousand.] - -In a desert place in Galilee, Jesus performed one of the most -impressive and awe inspiring miracles recorded in His whole career. -A multitude of the five of approximately five thousand people had -gathered to hear Him teach. All the day He had instructed them, and -explained to them the law of the Gospel of salvation. Then the evening -drew near. The people were tired and hungry; but there was no adequate -supply of food available. The apostles would have had Jesus send the -multitude away. But He asked how much bread was to be found amongst -them. The apostles reported five loaves and two fishes. Jesus took the -five loaves and the two fishes, "looked up to heaven, and blessed, and -brake the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; -and the two fishes divided He among them all. And they did eat and -were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, -and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five -thousand men." - -[Sidenote: The meat that endures unto everlasting life.] - -This wonder-rousing miracle Jesus performed just before He left Galilee -forever, and while His popularity was at its height. One can easily -imagine how the people marvelled at what Jesus had done. And yet, a -miracle of feeding, more wonderful even than this, has Jesus performed -in turning the hearts of men toward Him. It is really not so very -strange that this Man, who could change water into wine, and open the -eyes of the blind, and cast out devils, and still the {320} tempest, -and raise the dead to life again, should be able also to multiply -five loaves and two fishes so as to feed a multitude of men. He who -is endowed with infinite power might easily be able thus to collect -the elements and to increase the quantity of available food. This was -a miracle of the physical world, calling into action some natural law -with which we are not yet acquainted. But in His ministry and death and -resurrection, Jesus has performed a spiritual miracle more wonderful -even than this. Jesus Himself considered the spiritual conversion much -more significant than the physical achievement. John records the fact -that the people sought Jesus again after this great miracle; and when -they found Him, He said to them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye -seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the -loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but -for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of -Man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed. . . . I am -the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that -believeth on me shall never thirst." It may be said now that the whole -world has heard of Jesus, and that most of it has learned to look to -Him as its Savior. New life and spiritual light has Jesus given to the -world. But while the world has learned to recognize Jesus, the teachers -of the world have perverted His doctrine so much that the people hardly -know which way to turn. They hunger still, and they thirst for the -true teachings of Jesus; they are looking still for the true Church of -Christ, with a religion worth while. - -{321} [Sidenote: What Jesus taught.] - -The history of the growth and spread of Christianity in the world reads -almost like fiction. Jesus Himself established His Church upon the -earth. We have learned that He called and ordained twelve apostles, and -others whom He called "seventy." He taught the fundamental principles -of the Gospel--faith, repentance, baptism, the laying on of hands for -the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the many duties that devolve upon -faithful Church membership. Jesus revealed in His own person the -personality of God the Father, and taught clearly the true relationship -existing between the Father and His children. Jesus taught plainly, -too, the duties that men owe both to the heavenly Father and to their -fellowmen. In short, Jesus revealed and taught to His apostles, and -to the peoples of the Holy Land, all the principles of the Gospel -necessary for a life of righteousness upon the earth. And when He -ascended to heaven, He left with the apostles the authority of the Holy -Priesthood, an organized church, and the Gospel, the plan of salvation. -The Church of the apostles possessed the three essential marks of the -true Church of Christ. - -[Sidenote: The acts of the apostles.] - -After the departure of Jesus, the apostles began strenuous missionary -labors. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Ghost came upon them, and -through their testimony of Christ risen, many who heard them believed -and were baptized. From that day forth, the apostles traveled and -preached and baptized and confirmed. Many miracles, too, did these -apostles perform, in literal fulfillment of the promise of Jesus -that they should be {322} able to do the works that He had done. And -everywhere in their missionary travels, the apostles organized branches -of the Church--or Churches as they were called. To carry on the work -of the churches the apostles ordained high priests, seventies, elders, -bishops, priests, teachers, deacons,--the regular officers of the -priesthood--and left these officers in charge of the local ministry -while they themselves continued their larger service. But it must not -be imagined that the apostles met with no opposition. On the contrary, -wherever they went, the apostles found enemies, and were maligned and -persecuted. Often they were haled before magistrates and governors, and -not infrequently they were imprisoned. But they persisted in preaching, -and in bearing their profound testimonies. Finally most of the apostles -were done to death by their enemies. Peter, it is said, was crucified -at Rome. James was beheaded. John was banished to the isle of Patmos. -Andrew was bound to a cross and thus slain. Philip was crucified. -Bartholomew was flayed alive. Thomas was pierced by a lance, Matthew -was killed with a battleax. James, the Less, was beaten to death. -Thaddeus was shot to death with arrows. Simon was crucified. Mark -was dragged to death in the streets of Alexandria. Paul was beheaded -by order of Nero. Barnabas was stoned to death by the Jews. Thus -the apostles and the chief leaders of the apostolic church were all -tortured to death--save one--and sealed their testimonies with their -life's blood. The various churches scattered here and there in the land -were left with only their local leaders. - -{323} [Sidenote: The great apostasy.] - -After the passing of the apostles, troubles arose among the local -churches, and it was not long before a complete apostasy had taken -place. Strangely enough, while the apostles organized all the local -churches in full, they did not perpetuate the quorum of apostles. -Dissension therefore arose among the churches themselves as to -which one was the chief and leader of all. Then, after some years -of unpopularity and persecution, the Christian church was suddenly -raised to favor by an edict of Constantine the Great. To satisfy now -the desires of the heathens, many pagan customs were taken into the -Christian service. The doctrines of the church were corrupted; the -ordinances and ceremonies were perverted; the church organization was -distorted. In a relatively short time, the accepted Christian church -of the world was no longer like the church that Jesus Himself had -instituted. It lacked all three marks of the true church. It denied -continual revelation. It had lost the authority of the priesthood. It -preached a corrupted Gospel. - -[Sidenote: The restoration of the Gospel.] - -After many years of spiritual darkness and of strife, the Lord again -revealed His will to man. A boy was chosen to become an inspired -prophet, an authorized leader, and a divinely instructed teacher. To -Joseph Smith appeared the risen Redeemer as He had appeared nearly two -thousand years before to the apostles at Jerusalem. To Joseph Smith -were revealed anew all the sublime teachings that Jesus had presented -during His own ministry upon the earth. Upon Joseph Smith was conferred -the Holy Priesthood, with all its keys {324} and authorities, and -through him was established anew the Church of Jesus Christ. It is -founded upon the doctrine of revelation; it is fortified and directed -by the complete organization of the priesthood of God; it is guided by -what Jesus Himself taught--by the Gospel in its fulness, omitting not a -single detail that Jesus made a part of the God-shaped plan. To us is -given the religion worth while, the bread of life. - -[Sidenote: A religion that satisfies.] - -And the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ--commonly called Mormonism--is -destined to conquer the world, for it meets and satisfies all the -needs of human kind. In the first place, Mormonism is the Gospel of -Jesus Christ. It is the perfect presentation of what Jesus taught. We -have learned in the preceding lessons many of the truths that He gave -to His followers. The world has considered these truths, too, but has -not comprehended them. This truth, however, nearly the whole world -has learned to accept: Jesus is the Christ, the bread of life. His -teachings are true. Any religion that would aspire to conquer the world -must, then, be based at least upon what Jesus taught. But Mormonism is -that very truth itself, restored with power and authority, and favored -with the living presence of "the bread of God . . . . which . . . . -giveth life unto the world." - -[Sidenote: A comprehensive religion.] - -Then, Mormonism is comprehensive; it accepts and includes all truth, -no matter whence the knowledge of that truth may come. It renews the -teachings of Jesus concerning right living and right thinking. It {325} -emphasizes the necessity of acquiring a full knowledge of truth--the -necessity of reading and studying, and of gaining intellectual power. -It outlines what Jesus taught of man's duties in life--his duties -toward God: his duties toward his fellowmen; his duties to himself. It -prescribes anew man's obligations and responsibilities in the family, -in the state, and in the Church. In short, Mormonism meets every need -in physical life, in mental life, in economic life, in social life, in -spiritual life. You have heard people speak of a one-day religion--of -a religion remembered on Sunday and forgotten on the other six days -of the week. Mormonism is not such a religion, for the doctrine of -Jesus is not such a doctrine. Mormonism--or what Jesus taught--is a -practical religion that enters into the work of every day--into every -calling and profession no matter how humble or exalted that calling or -profession may be. It teaches that every day should be a Christ-like -day. It teaches that we should partake freely every day of the bread -and water of life everlasting, and take less thought of the loaves -and fishes that fill but satisfy not. Mormonism is both a system of -religion and a system of ethics; for so are the teachings of Jesus. The -whole man must be saved. Mormonism--or what Jesus taught--holds forth -such ideals and such standards of life--physical and spiritual--that -the noble, unselfish aim of Jesus may be accomplished. Only a religion -thus enwarped and enwoofed in what Jesus Himself has taught, can hope -to conquer the world. - -[Sidenote: A Church of authority.] - -It is the duty of everyone to learn to know God, and His Son, Jesus -Christ. To teach men to know {326} God was in part the mission of -Jesus to this earth. But such knowledge will not come through the mere -satisfying of the bodily appetites. That religion is not worth while -which feeds only loaves and fishes. The hunger which must be satisfied -is the hunger of the spirit. That religion only is worth while which -guides and directs in temporal life, and affords complete satisfaction -and contentment in the intellectual and spiritual life. Mormonism does -this; for it is what Jesus taught. In no other church than the Church -of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may one find today the uncorrupted -teachings of Jesus and the authority of His priesthood. Mormonism is -distinctly, then, the religion worth while. - -[Sidenote: The bread of life.] - -The stone which the builders rejected has become the Christ, the Savior -of the world. He is the Keystone, of our salvation. He is our Master, -our Teacher, our Friend. He has restored His Gospel to us with all its -blessings and privileges. Him will we follow, and His commandments will -we keep; for it was He Himself who said, "I am the bread of life: he -that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall -never thirst." - -{327} - -THE REFERENCES - -Mark 6:30-44. John 6:22-35. - -THE QUESTIONS - -1. What is the bread that endures unto everlasting life? - -2. What did Jesus leave with the apostles? - -3. How did the apostles carry on the work of Jesus? - -4. What happened to the Church after the apostles had passed away? - -5. How was the Gospel of Jesus Christ restored to the earth? - -6. Why will Mormonism ultimately conquer the world? - -7. In what sense is Mormonism a comprehensive religion? - -8. Show that Mormonism is what Jesus taught. - -{328} Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and -keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.--Eccl. 12:13. - -{329} - - - -INDEX - -A - -Abel, occupation, 197; offering accepted, 198; slain by Cain, 199. - -Abou Ben Adhem, 221. - -Abram, Abraham, 21; strove to find God, 21; seized by idolatrous -priests, 21; God delivered and spoke to him, 21; learns to know God; -father of Isaac and grandfather of Jacob who served God; from them -sprang the Children of Israel, 22; wavered not, 101. - -Adam was like us, 23; taught by an angel, 24. - -Aesop, fable of, 227. - -Alms should be given in secret, 85. - -Anger, fruits of, 199-200. - -Apostasy, 323. - -Apostles sent to preach, 291; slow to understand that the Gospel was -for all mankind, 292; their acts, 321; their deaths, 322; - -Architect, figure of, illustrating Church of Christ, 153-4; 161; plans -and specifications of, 161; necessary, 162. - -Articles of Faith, 129. - -Ascension, 283. - -Atonement of Jesus not understood by His disciples, 271; necessary, -272; theories regarding, 274; true theory, 275; Nephite explanation of, -276. - -Authority, divine, test of true Church, 153; Jesus bowed to His -Father's; must be conferred, cannot be assumed, 155. - -B - -Baldwin, Matthias, an illustration of faith, 113-5; a liberal man, 175. - -Baptism of Jesus, 41; essential; taught by Jesus to Nicodemus; a -rebirth, 130; necessity for it; case of Naaman; proof of obedience and -humility, 131-2; illustrated by chemical experiment, 132; Jesus taught -baptism and its proper mode; immersion, 133; purpose of; should follow -repentance; baptism of infants wrong, 134; summary of Jesus's teachings -regarding, 135; baptism of the Spirit, 137. - -Beatitudes; high ideal of life, 192; great beatitude, 193. {318} -Beelzebub, Jesus's miracles attributed to, 263. - -Book of heaven, 163. - -Bread of Life, 326. - -Brother of Jared cut sixteen small stones; asked God to touch them and -make them shine; saw the finger of the Lord; struck with fear, 45; the -Lord commends him for his faith; sees the Lord who was in the form of a -man; saw the body of God's spirit, 48. - -C - -Cain, story of, 197; offering not accepted; angry, 198; controlled by -Satan, slew Abel, 199. - -Centurion's servant healed, 256-7. - -Church organization necessary, 145-6; shown by parable of wheat and -tares, 146-7; meaning of the parable, 147; Church and Kingdom of God, -148; Church to be built on rock of revelation, 148-9; Church officers, -149; Jesus architect of His Church, 154; one test of true Church is -principle of revelation, 154; another is divine authority, 156; two -priesthoods, 156; architect's plans and specifications, 161; a third -test is presence and practice of the Gospel, 161; the three marks, -163; membership in the Church a supreme privilege, 167; conditions of -membership, 168; what it teaches, 233; established anew through the -Prophet Joseph Smith, 323-4; Church of authority, 326. - -Comforter promised, 39; is the Spirit of truth, 39, 42; is the Holy -Ghost, a member of the Godhead, 42; came to disciples on day of -Pentecost, 43. - -Commandment, great, 191. - -Communities must exist, 228; must be organized, 228-9. - -Cornelius, case of, 293. - -D - -Darkness covers the earth, 160. - -Dead, gospel preached to, 285. - -Defile, things that, 194. - -Devil, power of evil; who is he? Lucifer the Lightbringer; volunteered -to be a Savior, 57; his plan rejected; he rebelled and became Satan, -the father of lies; a murderer from the beginning, 58; tempts Jesus, -61-2; entered into Judas Iscariot, 63; necessary that the devil should -tempt men, 65. - -{329} Dickens, comment on parable of the prodigal son, 78. - -Disciples learned about God, 31; overwhelmed when Jesus was crucified, -38; received Holy Ghost on day of Pentecost, 43; knew they were sons of -God, 72; why they could not cast out a devil, 108; regarded Jesus as -earthly King; could not understand atonement, 271; told by Him of his -coming death, 271-2. - -Divorce, Jesus's teachings on, 230. - -Duty to the state, 231; the Church, 232. - -E - -Emerson on Christ, 313. - -Enemies, right attitude toward, 216. - -Eternal life, greatest gift, 17; what is eternal life, 17; defined -again, 23; again, 24; conditions of, 25. - -Eternal loss is to fail to find God, 84. - -Evil always present, 56; how evil came into the world, 56; 58; devil is -power of evil, 57; why evil is in the world, 63-5. - -F - -Faith, power of; fig tree withered by faith; mountains may be removed -by faith, 105-6; interpretation of this saying; victory comes by faith, -107; Jesus walking on the water, 107-8; Peter failed for lack of faith, -108; impossible to please God without faith, 109; Matthias Baldwin, an -illustration, 113-5. - -Fall of Adam made savior necessary, 24. - -Family basis of society. 227-8; sacred, 229. - -Fast, how to, 86. - -Faults in others, 208-9. - -Fault-finding wrong, 209-10. - -Feast, call the poor to, 240. - -Finding and losing one's life, Jesus's strange saying, 83. - -Forgiveness should accompany prayer; unless we forgive God will not -forgive us, 106; law of, 214-15; must forgive to be forgiven, 216-17. - -Free agency of man, 65. - -Fundamental principles, 321. - -G - -Girls, two, story of, 205-7. God, work and glory of, "to bring to pass -the immortality and eternal life of man," 16; what it means to know Him -and Jesus Christ, 21; God speaks to {330} Abraham, 21; worshiped by -Children of Israel, 22; first commandment forbids idolatry, 22; false -conceptions of God, 22; what it means to know God, 23; what kind of a -being is God? 29; Jesus's explanation, "he that hath seen me hath seen -the Father," 30; God is a person, 31; called "Father" by Jesus, 31; -mankind are His children and He loves them, 32; to know God gives joy -and comfort, 32; what Saints know of God, 33; God is a spirit, 36; His -love for the world, 69; notes the sparrow, 70; no respecter of persons, -71; an exalted man, 71; reason for His love for man, 73; willing to -forgive, 80. - -Gospel, possession of, test of true Church, 161; through it we learn of -God, and our duty, 162; fundamental principles of it, 162-3; men judged -by it, 163; was for the Gentiles, 292. - -H - -Hail used as illustration, 29. - -Harmony with our environment, 84. - -Holy Ghost, member of the Godhead, the Comforter and a special witness, -42; duties are many, 43; rested on the twelve in America, 43; conferred -by laying on of hands, 129-138-40; baptism of necessary, 137-9; what is -the gift of the Holy Ghost? 141-2; conditions on which it is obtained, -142-3. - -House divided, cannot stand, 263. - -Humility taught by Jesus, 168; necessary, 239-40. - -I - -Indian's speech, 159. - -Impurity, causes of, 194. - -J - -Jerusalem, place to worship, 36. - -Jesus, almost universally acknowledged, 13; no other man has exerted so -profound an influence, 13; twelve years old, 14-5; a normal boy, 14; -attended school, 14; was serious, 14; duties, 15; goes with parents -to Jerusalem, 15; route, 15; missed by parents, 15; found in temple -with doctors, 15; zeal for knowledge, 15; astonishes His hearers, 16; -reproved by His mother He says, "I must be about my Father's business", -16; strange {331} saying not understood, 16; came to do His Father's -will, not His own, 16; His "Father's business" explained, 17; defines -eternal life, 17; nature of His mission, 17; a preacher's view of Him, -23; had not learned to know Him, 23; our Elder Brother, 24; chosen to -be the Savior, 24; assumed the sins of mankind, 24; gave His life to -redeem them, 24; was more than a great leader, teacher and philosopher, -24; was the Only Begotten of the Father, 24; to know Him, is to accept -His mission, 24; like the Father, 30; called "The Word", 31; like -ordinary men, 31; people astonished who knew His family, 31; image -of His Father's person, 31; called God "Father", 32; goes to Sychar -in Samaria, 35; talks with Samaritan woman, 35; able to give living -water, 35; declares Himself the Christ 36-7; answers messengers of John -the Baptist, 37; tells the high priest He is the Christ, 38; tells -Pilate He is King of the Jews, 38; after being crucified He appears -to disciples on the way to Emmaus, 38; will send the Comforter, 39; -subject to His parents, 41; increased in wisdom and stature, 41; -baptized by John the Baptizer, "to fulfill all righteousness", 41; -full of the Holy Ghost, 43; showed the body of His spirit to brother -of Jared, 48; His pre-existence, 49-50; chosen to be the Savior, 58; -fasted 40 days, 61; tempted by the devil, and resists, 61-2; triumphed -by overcoming evil, 65; commands us to love one another, 69; combatted -sin, 79; pictured God as a forgiving Father, 79; derided by scribes and -Pharisees; rebuked them, 80; strange saying about finding and losing -one's life, 83; tells how to give alms, pray and fast, 85-6; gives the -Lord's prayer, 91; analyzed 91-4; door to the sheep fold, 135; taught -baptism and its proper mode, 133; taught persistency in prayer, 99; -and to pray for the things of the Kingdom, 99-100; and resignation, -102; cursed the fig tree; taught that faith would remove mountains, -105; His meaning, 106-17; we should pray believing; walked on water; -saved Peter from sinking; {332} cast out a devil; why the disciples -could not cast it out, 108; wrought miracles, 115; promised same power -on condition, 116; comments on those killed when tower fell, and those -killed in temple by Pilate, 121; taught repentance, 121-4; bowed to -His Father's authority, 154-5; called little children to Him, 168; -teachings about riches, 175-8; all should improve their talents, 185; -what defiles, 194; forbade anger, 201; judge not, 209; with the lawyer, -222; marriage, 229-30; new law, 237; a perfect man in every way, 253-4; -divine power and marvelous works; unnumbered miracles, 254-5; environed -by wickedness and poverty, 255; His a mission of love; three miracles, -256-8; not honored in Nazereth; His own home, 259; scribes attribute -His miracles to Beelzebub; He refutes them, 263; foretold His own -death, 271-3; came to cause division in families, 272; significance of -His death, 273-5; institutes sacrament, 273; why He submitted to His -enemies, 276; new testimony concerning Him, 277; His resurrection and -many appearances after it, 281-3; evidence, 283; had been in Paradise, -284; preaching to the spirits in prison, 285; sends apostles to preach, -291; visited Nephites, 296-7; exalted, seen by Stephen on right hand of -God, 302-3; mission not finished on earth, 303; our advocate in heaven -with the Father, 303; is King of Kings and Lord of Lords; will come -again, 305; is the Living Christ; worshiped by untold millions, 311; -influence grows stronger with lapse of time, 313; what He has done, 314. - -John the Baptist sends messengers to Jesus, 37; baptizes Jesus, 41; saw -Spirit of God like a dove rest on Jesus 41-2; bore his testimony, 42. - -Jones, Mary, story of victim of slander, 206-7. - -Joseph goes with Mary and Jesus to Jerusalem, 15; route 15; Joseph -and Mary start to return, 15; miss Jesus, 15; find Him in temple with -doctors, 15; Mary reproves Him, 16; His reply, "I must be about my -Father's business", 16; parents did not understand Him, 16. - -{333} Judas Iscariot, Satan entered into him, 63. - -Judge not, 209-213. - -K - -Knowledge of Christ, how gained, 39. - -Knowing God and Jesus Christ, 17, 22, 24, 25; how to know God, 25; -should be aim of all education, 25. - -L - -Latter-day Saints have strong testimonies, 314-5; they have the Holy -Priesthood and fulness of the Gospel; they know that Jesus is the -Christ and the object of His life-work, 315. - -Law and Gospel compared, 237. - -Lawyer and Jesus, 222. - -Lazarus raised, 257. - -Lilies of the field, 99-100. - -Living alone impracticable, 227. - -Living water given by Jesus, 35. - -Locke, John, on the Savior, 312. - -Lord's prayer, 91. - -Love, law of, 221-2-5. - -Loyalty taught by Jesus, 168-9; 171; four reasons why men should be -loyal to Him. 171-2. - -M - -Man, what is he? 69; God values man, 70; divine possibilities of; -offspring of God, 71; may become a god; owes duties to God and himself, -72; must make sacrifices; man the crown of creation; should reverence -God; is the temple of God, 73. - -Mammon, cannot serve God and, 169; what is serving Mammon, 170. - -Marconigraph, 266. - -Marriage a sacrament, 229; should be solemnized in a temple, 230. - -Mansions, many, or degrees of glory in heaven, 304-5. - -Miracles, many, performed by Jesus, 254-5; attributed to Beelzebub -by scribes, 263; what a miracle is, 264; telephone, 265; miracles of -science, 266; power of the priesthood; purpose of miracles, 267; they -come by faith; privilege of sick to be healed, 268; feeding of 5000 -people; spiritual food more wonderful, 319-20. - -Moses, revelation to, 16. - -N - -Naaman healed of leprosy, 131. - -{334} Napoleon's Testimony of Christ, 13; revered Him, 18; further -testimony, 311. - -Neighbor, who is my? 223. - -Nicodemus comes to Jesus, what Jesus told him, 43; taught baptism by -Jesus, 130. - -O - -Opinions of great men on Christ, 312-3. - -Opportunity should be improved, 183-5-6. - -P - -Palestine, condition of, in Jesus's time, 255-6. - -Parable of the sower, 56; the lost sheep, 70; the prodigal son or the -forgiving father, 77-8; the Pharisee and the publican, 80; borrowing -three loaves; the judge and the widow, 98; the house built on a -rock, 115; barren fig tree, 121; wheat and tares, 146-7; treasure -hid in a field; pearl of great price, 167; earthly treasures, 170; -light of the body, 171; unjust steward, 178-9; rich man and Lazarus, -183; the talents, 183-4; unforgiving servant, 215; good Samaritan, -222; humility, 239-40; laborers in the vineyard, 245-6; leaven, 291; -householder and husbandmen, 300. - -Paradise, Jesus in, 284; what it is, 286-7; Paul says Jesus was image -of His Father, 31. - -Paul and Barnabas traveled and preached to the Gentiles, 294. - -Peter's vision, 293; taught him Gospel, was for Gentiles, 294. - -Pilate constructs conduit; tower falls killing 18 men; seizes temple -treasures; attacked by mob, 119; killed many in the temple; excitement, -120. - -Political duty, 231. - -Praise, love of, 85. - -Pray, how to, 86; 94. - -Prayer, should be persistent; hymns quoted, 97-8; urgent desire and -implicit trust necessary in, 99; things of God's Kingdom should be -prayed for, 99-100; God's will be done, 101-2; implicit reliance in God -and spirit of forgiveness essential in prayer, 105-6; prayer of faith -efficacious, 107; wisdom obtained by prayer, 109. - -Pre-existent state; pre-existence of Jesus and mankind, 49-50; proved -in man blind from birth, 50-1; gospel taught there; council of the -spirits; Savior called for; {335} Jesus and Lucifer volunteer, 57; -Lucifer's plan rejected; he rebelled and became Satan, the father of -lies, 58. - -Psalm, 1, quoted, 129. - -Pure in heart, to see and associate with God, 193. - -R - -Rabbis did not teach forgiveness of sin, 79. - -Reconciliation, law of, 213. - -Religion that satisfies, 324; comprehensive, 325. - -Repentance taught by Jesus, 121-2; He upbraided certain cities for not -repenting; universal principle, 123; things to be repented of, 124-5. - -Rewards, Jesus's doctrine of, 239-41; promised, 241; spiritual, 241-2. - -Rich man, entering Kingdom of Heaven, easier to pass through eye of -needle, 175-7; and Lazarus, 183. - -Riches, Jesus's teaching about, 175-8; should be righteously acquired, -178; how used; not riches but love of them is evil, 180. - -Rich young ruler and Jesus; unwilling to give up riches, 176-7. - -Restoration of the Gospel and Priesthood to the Prophet Joseph Smith, -323. - -S - -Sabbath should be kept, 170. - -Sacrament instituted, 273. - -Sacrifice required, 176. - -Samaritan, good, 222-4; lesson of, 224-5. - -Second coming of Christ foretold, 305. - -Self control shown by Jesus, 201; strength of, 202. - -Service, what it means. 187; service pleasing to god, 245; compensation -for, 246; value of in the Church. 247; rewarded justly, 247-8; always -secular duties to perform, 248; some in the Church; formal performance -wrong; extra service a privilege, 249; quality and kind of service -determines reward, 259. - -Sheep, other, meaning Nephites, 294-5; Jesus visited them, 296-7. - -Sheepfold, Jesus is door to, 135. - -Slander, sin of, 205-7. - -Smith, Prophet Joseph, prepared Articles of Faith, 129; Gospel and -Priesthood restored to, 323. - -Sparrow, God notes it, 70. - -Spirit of Truth the Comforter, 39; like a dove rested on Jesus, 42. - -Spirits in prison, Gospel preached to, 285. - -{336} Stolen money, story of, 205-7. Suspicion caused by slander, 206. - -Swearing forbidden, 72. - -Sychar, Jesus goes to, 35; people of believe, 36. - -T - -Talents should be improved, 184-5-6-8. - -Telephone used as illustration, 24-5; miracle of, 265. - -Tempest stilled, 257. - -Testimony of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, 316-17. - -Theft, story of, 205-7. - -Theories of salvation through Jesus's death, 274; true theory, 275. - -Tithes and offerings should be paid, 249. - -Tobacco, why a boy uses it, 238. - -Treasures in heaven, not on earth, 169. - -Tree known by its fruit, 195. - -Trespasses, how dealt with, 213-4. - -V - -Vulgarity condemned, 195. - -W - -Water carrier, 185-6. - -Webster on Christ, 313. - -Word, Jesus called the, 31: made flesh, 31. - -Worry almost a sin; no cure for it, found by men, 100; Jesus's cure, -101. - -Worship, right attitude in; how to worship; what and why we worship, 87. - -X - -X-ray, 266. - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's What Jesus Taught, by Osborne J. P. 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