Life Lessons from the Childhood of Jesus and John the Baptist

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Reflecting on the early lives of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist offers insights into wisdom, growth, and divine favor. Explore the experiences of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus' siblings, as well as the unique journey of John the Baptist. Learn about repentance and torment as depicted in religious texts.

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JESUS CHRIST FULFILLED ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS J ES US CHR I S T A N D THE EVER LA S TI N G G OS PEL

THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS What was it like for Mary and Joseph or Jesus siblings? Luke 2:40 Luke 2:41-47 Luke 2:52 Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS Luke 2:52 Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

MATTHEW 3 JST And he served under his father, and he spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him. And after many years, the hour of his ministry drew nigh.

JOHN THE BAPTIST List five facts about John Age? Title? Ordination? Dad s death? Matthew 3:1-6

Racked means tortured. Anciently a rack was a framework on which the victim was laid with each ankle and wrist tied to a spindle which could then be turned to cause unbearable pain. (Boyd K Packer, The Touch of the Master s Hand, Ensign, May 2001, 23).

A harrow is a frame with spikes through it. When pulled across the ground, it rips and tears into the soil. The scriptures frequently speak of souls and minds being harrowed up with guilt. (Boyd K Packer, The Touch of the Master s Hand, Ensign, May 2001, 23).

Torment means to twist, a means of torture so painful that even the innocent would confess (Boyd K Packer, The Touch of the Master s Hand, Ensign, May 2001, 23). CROSS REFERENCE: Alma 36:12-13

REPENTANCE REPENTANCE SHUBE (Hebrew): To turn from MATANEOEO (Greek): Change of mind POENITORE (Latin): To punish, strip, cut, mutilate, disfigure, starve or torture Why is confession necessary? In what ways does confession prepare people for Christ?

WHY IS CONFESSION NECESSARY? A man came to me for a temple recommend and said, Forty-two years ago, before my wife and I were married, we committed fornication once, the week prior to our going to the temple. We did not lie to the bishop, who was my wife s father; he simply talked with us and signed our recommends. We then went to the stake president, and he did not interview us. He signed our recommends, and we went to the temple unworthily. General Conference Elder Vaughn J Featherstone, November 1980 up to the Lord. We decided we would pay more than our share of tithing and fast offering; we would accept every assignment to the welfare farm and do all else we were asked to do. While we were on our honeymoon, we decided to make it have lived as near Christlike lives as we know how. I believe we have been forgiven, but I know that confession is necessary. It has been forty-two years since the transgression, and we

WHY IS CONFESSION NECESSARY? I listened to his confession. I wept with him, and when he finished the confession, I told him on behalf of the Church that he was forgiven. He need not discuss it, think about it, or be concerned about it anymore. I told him never to mention it to me again, for I would not remember it and had no desire to. To this day, I cannot remember who it was, although I do remember the case. Elder Vaughn J Featherstone, November 1980 General Conference

WHY IS CONFESSION NECESSARY? I said, Where is your wife? He said, She is in the car. I asked, Is she coming in? He replied, No, she can t even think about it except it almost destroys her. I said, You tell your wife that I would like to visit with her. Tell her I will make it as easy as possible for her. He said, I ll tell her, but I don t think she will come in. Elder Vaughn J Featherstone, November 1980 General Conference I answered, You tell her that if I have to sit here all night, I will not go home until she comes in; forty-two years is long enough. He said, Well, I ll tell her, but I don t think she ll come in.

WHY IS CONFESSION NECESSARY? He left and was gone fifteen minutes, thirty minutes, and forty-five minutes; then I heard a timid knock at the door. Her eyes were wet from crying. I took her by both hands and led her across the room. I sat across the corner of the desk, and then I said, Your husband confessed to a transgression that happened over forty-two years ago of which you were a part. You tell me, and I will take it off your heart. General Conference Elder Vaughn J Featherstone, November 1980 about fifteen minutes later, she confessed. I wept; she wept. I said, How do you feel? It was like pulling wild horses to get a confession. Finally, President, I feel clean for the first time in forty-two years. She looked up at me and, with tears in her eyes, said,

Is there really a book that angels write that has a list of everything we ve done? "In a real though figurative sense, the book of life is the record of the acts of men as such record is written in their own bodies. It is the record engraven on the very bones, sinews, and flesh of the mortal body. That is, every thought, word and deed has an effect on the human body; all these leave their marks, marks which can be read by Him who is Eternal as easily as the words in a book can be read. (Bruce R McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 97.)

JOHN THE BAPTIST Where was Jesus baptized and what is significant about that location?

Two clarifications: 1. Does baptism sanctify us from sin? 2. Was there a dove?

Was there a dove? The Spirit of God descended like a dove: Matt. 3:16; After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Ghost came down in the form of a dove: 1 Ne. 11:27; I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon him in the form of a dove: D&C 93:15 The Sign of the Dove was a prearranged sign by which John the Baptist would recognize the Messiah (John 1:32 34). The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world as a witness for the Holy Ghost; therefore, the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove.

(Marys story) Do you remember the feeling you had when you were baptized that sweet, clean feeling of a pure soul, having been forgiven, washed clean through the merits of the Savior? If we partake of the sacrament worthily, we can feel that way regularly, for we renew that covenant, which includes his forgiveness. (The Beauty and Importance of the Sacrament, John H. Groberg, April 1989) When we renew our baptismal covenants in this way, the Lord renews the cleansing effect of our baptism. (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament, Ensign (CR), November 1998, p.37)

When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God. I pray that each of us as members of His kingdom will understand that our baptism and confirmation is the gateway into His kingdom. When we enter, we covenant to be of His kingdom forever! ( The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and of the Kingdom, Ensign, Nov. 2000, 7 8,9).