Thought: He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the
Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of
the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made
that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all
righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for
it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow
His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the
blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the
reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the
potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
http://www.bookofmormondiscovery.com./livingchrist.html
Matthew 19-23
Chapter 19:1-2 - Mawige
Admission
to Torah study. The House of Shammai believed only
worthy students should be admitted to study Torah. The House of Hillel believed
that Torah may be taught to anyone, in the expectation that they will repent
and become worthy.
White
lies. Whether one should tell an ugly bride
that she is beautiful. Shammai said it was wrong to lie, and Hillel said that
all brides are beautiful on their wedding day.
Divorce. The House of
Shammai held that a man may only divorce his wife for a serious transgression,
but the House of Hillel allowed divorce for even trivial offenses, such as burning
a meal.
Hanukkah. The House of
Shammai held that on the first night eight lights should be lit, and then they
should decrease on each successive night, ending with one on the last night;
while the House of Hillel held that one should start with one light and
increase the number on each night, ending with eight.
In general, the House of Shammai's positions
were stricter than those of the House of Hillel.
The topic of marriage was
sensitive in this location, as it was in the tetrarchy of Herod Antipas, who
had executed John the Baptist for pointing out Herod's unsavory marital
situation.
"Divorce is not a part of the
gospel plan no matter what kind of marriage is involved. But because men in
practice do not always live in harmony with gospel standards, the Lord permits
divorce for one reason or another, depending upon the spiritual stability of
the people involved. In ancient Israel men had power to divorce their wives for
relatively insignificant reasons. (Dt. 24:1-4) Under the most perfect
conditions there would be no divorce permitted except where sex sin was
involved. In this day divorces are permitted by the Church in accordance with
civil statues. Divorced persons are permitted to re-marry without the stain of
immorality. (BRM DNTC 1:. 547)
“In
my opinion, ‘just cause’ [for divorce] should be nothing less serious than a
prolonged and apparently irredeemable relationship which is destructive of a
person’s dignity as a human being. “At the same time, I have strong feelings
about what is not provocation for breaking the sacred covenants of marriage.
Surely it is not simply ‘mental distress,’ nor ‘personality differences,’ nor
‘having grown apart,’ nor having ‘fallen out of love’” (JEFaust Ensign,
May 1993, 36–37).
Vs. 13–15. “Suffer little children” See Moroni 8 and Moses 6:54.
Vs. 16–30-
The rich young man, camel through eye of needle. (hyperbole)What lack I yet?
Chapter
20:1–16. Elder Holland offered these
lessons from this parable of the laborers: “This parable—like all parables—is
not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and
goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the
Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and
compassion. It is a story about grace. It underscores the thought that surely
the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful,
especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it.
(JRH, Ensign, May 2012)
Vs. 22-23 - Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained that the phrase “drink of the cup” was “a
metaphorical expression meaning, ‘To do the things which my lot in life
requires of me.’”
Chapter 21:1–11 ( Note vs. 4-5 )The Savior’s triumphal entry into
Jerusalem, during the Passover, directly
fulfilled the prophecy recorded in Zechariah 9:9–10 and publicly declared that Jesus was the
Messiah. In ancient times, the ass was a symbol of Jewish royalty. During the
time of the monarchy in ancient Israel, following the enthronement of King
Saul, the Jews held annual reenthronement rituals that featured a king riding
into Jerusalem upon a donkey. The rider approached Jerusalem from east of the
city, through the Mount of Olives and the Kidron Valley, and then came to the
temple. These rituals looked forward to the time when the Messiah would come to
His people in this same way. Thus, at a time when Jerusalem was flooded with
Jews, Jesus entered Jerusalem in a manner that demonstrated He was the Messiah,
the King of Israel. Riding on a donkey also showed that Jesus came as a
peaceful and “lowly” Savior, not as a conqueror upon a warhorse . 2nd
coming-Rev. 19:11-16.
Vs. 9-11 Hosanna is a Hebrew word
that “means ‘please save us’ and is used in praise and supplication. … At the
Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the multitudes cried ‘Hosanna’ and
spread palm branches for Jesus to ride upon, thus demonstrating their
understanding that Jesus was the same Lord who had delivered Israel anciently
Vs. 12–16. Cleansing the temple - 21:23–46 Conflicts
with chief priests and elders- The Priests claimed authority based on their ancestry, the
scribes on their education and the elders based on their wealth. The Savior
responded to the Jewish leaders’ challenge by posing yet another question that
silenced them (see Matthew 21:25). This set the stage for a vivid
teaching moment, as the Savior proceeded to teach His challengers and the
listening multitude three successive parables dealing with the failure of
Jewish leaders to repent and believe in Him (Matthew 21:28–44; 22:1–14).
Vs. 17–22. Cursing the fig tree - The symbol was perfect-a tree
professing fruits and have none standing in the very shadows of the temple
where a corrupt priesthood professed righteousness and devotion to Israel's God
as they plotted the death of his Son. (Gospel Symbolism, p. 10-11)
Vs. 33-46 - The householder represents
God Himself, the husbandmen represent the leaders of Israel, and the servants
represent the prophets sent to teach the people of Israel. The son=Jesus. Note
the JST.
Vs. 2- According to
rabbinical tradition, only the seed of Abraham would be invited to this feast,
while the gentiles would remain hungry.
Vs. 3 - An
initiation from the King is like a command!
Vs. 11–14. Parable
of the wedding garment. "He had accepted the invitation. Joined with the
true worshippers (the church), but had not put on the robes or righteousness
(worked out his salvation after baptism). (BRM-DNTC 1:598)
Vs. 23–33 Sadducees’ question about
marriage after death. What do the Sadducees say about
the resurrection? They brought up
Levirate marriage. Vs. 30-All questions of marriage will be settled before the
resurrection.
Vs. 34–40 The two great commandments . See "Jesus the
Christ" p. 564. 248+ and 365- = 613-the number of letters in the Decalogue.
The most important commandments were the wearing of the fringes and the
phylacteries.
Chapter 23 - Scribes, Pharisees,
hypocrites; 8 Woes by Jesus Vs. 13, 14, 15, 16, 23, 25, 27, 29.
Elder Lynn G. Robbins taught that hypocrisy involves
inconsistency between what one does and the
weightier matter of what one is:“ To do without to be is
hypocrisy, or feigning to be what one is not—a pretender. … “The Savior
chastised the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy: Or in other words,
they failed to be what they should have been. “While He recognized the importance of do, the Savior identified be
as a ‘weightier matter.’ The greater importance of being
is illustrated in the following examples: “• Entering the waters of baptism is something we do. The be that must precede it is faith in Jesus Christ and a
mighty change of heart. “• Partaking of the sacrament is something we do. Being worthy to
partake of the sacrament is a weightier and much more important matter. “•
Ordination to the priesthood is an act, or do. The
weightier matter, however, is power in the priesthood, which is based ‘upon the
principles of righteousness’ (D&C 121:36), or be” (“What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?” Ensign,
May, 2011)
Vs. 37-39Lament for Jerusalem
Chapter 24
After Jesus Christ prophesied
the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem, His disciples asked
Him two questions (see Matthew 24:3;
Joseph
Smith—Matthew 1:4). In Matthew’s account it is sometimes difficult
to determine which question Jesus answered in which verses. However, the
changes found in the Joseph Smith
Translation of Matthew 24, known as Joseph Smith—Matthew
in the Pearl of Great Price, clearly separate the answers to the two questions.
The Savior’s answer to the disciples’ first question about the destruction of
Jerusalem is found in Joseph
Smith—Matthew 1:5–21, and His answer to their question about the
Second Coming and the end of the world is found in Joseph
Smith—Matthew 1:22–55.
Vs. 4 - the
end of the world refers to the end of wickedness (worldliness).
Vs. 11- “As
we become more spiritually mature and increasingly steadfast and immovable, we
focus upon and strive to understand the fundamental and foundational doctrines
of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Disciples who are steadfast and
immovable do not become fanatics or extremists, are not overzealous, and are
not preoccupied with misguided gospel hobbies” (DABednar “Steadfast
and Immovable, Always Abounding in Good Works,” New Era, Jan. 08).
Vs. 12- “ (Dan. 11:31; 12:11), (Matt. 24:15; JS—M 1:12) - 70 AD- “Speaking of the last days, of the days following the
Restoration of the gospel and its declaration ‘for a witness unto all nations,’
our Lord said: ‘And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by
Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled’ (JS—M 1:31–32). That is, Jerusalem again will be under siege. “In a general
sense, abomination of desolation also describes the latter-day judgments to be
poured out upon the wicked wherever they may be. (BD-Abomination of Desolation)
"Stand in the holy
place" = follow the prophets
Vs. 22 - The
very elect will be among those deceived. Elder Ballard SM p. 74
Vs. 23 -
"The future is as bright as your faith" (TSM CR-2009)
Vs. 27 -
Carcass=body of the Church. Eagles=Israel- fly to Church to find nourishment.
Vs. 30-
Iniquity brings on the love of men waxing cold.
Vs. 37- And
who treasureth up my word shall not be deceived. - Take the word so that it
becomes part of who we are & we will then have the Spirit. Read JSM, Daac
29, 38, 45, 101 & 133 rather than commentaries. (HBLee)
Vs. 40-43 -
No one knoweth. (Noah was apparently the only one building a boat.)
Vs. 44-45- I
Thess. 4:16-17; D&C 27:18; 88:96; 109:75; 64:24; 1-1:24-25.
Vs. 55-
D&C 38:30-If ye are prepared ye shall not fear. - My recent test and fear
Chapter 25 - Vs. 1-25- 3 virgins. Vs.
14-30- the talents. Vs. 31-46-The Sheep and the Goats
Isaiah 40-42
Isaiah 40–66 is prophetic. Although reference is
made to Isaiah’s immediate future, the burden of his prophecy is for the latter
days. Most Bible scholars feel that these chapters are historical and that they
were written by others after Judah was exiled to Babylon. Yet Book of Mormon prophets quote parts or all of Isaiah 48–53, indicating these chapters must have
been included on the Brass Plates before the Babylonian exile. Christ told the
Nephites that Isaiah “spake as touching all things concerning my people which
are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also
to the Gentiles” (3 Nephi 23:2). Isaiah’s prophecies concerning
Israel’s destiny are more reliable than the limited perspective of historians.
(OTSM-16-13)
Isaiah 40 - Christ comes in Glory
Vs. 1-2 -
After the prophecy of doom in Ch. 39 comes words of comfort to be fulfilled at
Christ's 2nd Coming, after Jerusalem has suffered for her sins.
Vs. 3 - As
with so many Old Testament prophecies, this passage has more than one meaning.
The Savior clearly identified the “voice in the wilderness” as John the
Baptist. Only with the 2ndComing of the Lord will Jerusalem find forgiveness
and peace. Therefore, the reference to the voice in the wilderness (John the
Baptist) making a straight way in the desert applies to his ministry as a
forerunner for both the former and the latter days. Luke quoted Isaiah 40:3–5(see Luke 3:4–6)—not only verse 3 but also
verses 4 and 5, which are clearly millennial in application. When Joseph
Smith revised Luke’s passage, he added five verses that also apply
to the Second Coming and clearly identify the Savior as Him for whom the
forerunner would prepare the way.
Since the
five verses the Prophet Joseph added were put in the middle of Luke’s quotation
of Isaiah, it can be assumed they were part of Isaiah’s original text. They are
therefore cited here (they were inserted between verses 3 and 4 of
Luke).“For behold, and lo, he shall come, as it is written in the book of the
prophets, to take away the sins of the world, and to bring salvation unto the
heathen nations, to gather together those who are lost, who are of the
sheepfold of Israel; “Yea, even the dispersed and afflicted; and also to
prepare the way, and make possible the preaching of the gospel unto the
Gentiles; “And to be a light unto all who sit in darkness, unto the uttermost
parts of the earth; to bring to pass the resurrection
from the dead, and to ascend up on high, to dwell on the right hand of the
Father, “Until the fulness of time, and the law and the testimony shall be
sealed, and the keys of the kingdom shall be delivered up again unto the
Father; “To administer justice unto all; to come down in judgment upon all, and
to convince all the ungodly of their ungodly deeds, which they have committed;
and all this in the day that he shall come.” (JST, Luke 3:5–9.) Clearly John the
Baptist fulfilled this prophecy twice. But there was to be yet another
fulfillment of the prophecy.
Another
forerunner who prepared for Christ’s coming was the Joseph Smith. Joseph
Fielding Smith observed that “Malachi [as does Isaiah] speaks of the Lord
sending his messenger to prepare the way before him, and while that does have
reference to the coming of John the Baptist, it is one of those prophecies in
the scriptures that has a double fulfillment. It has reference also to the coming
of Joseph Smith, because that messenger
which was to come and prepare the way before him, was to come in this day. I am
going to take just a moment for that because it is important, and I will show
you when this messenger was to deliver his message. …
“The Lord declared, through one
of his prophets, that before his second coming a messenger should be sent to
prepare the way and make it straight. You may apply this to John if you will,
and it is true. John, the messenger who came to prepare the way before the Lord
in the former dispensation, also came in this dispensation as a messenger to
Joseph Smith; so it applies, if you wish to apply it so, to John who came as a
messenger to prepare the way before the Lord.
“But I go farther and maintain
that Joseph Smith was the messenger whom the Lord sent to prepare the way
before him. He came, and under direction of holy messengers laid the foundation
for the kingdom of God and of this marvelous work and a wonder that the world
might be prepared for the coming of the Lord.” (Doctrines
of Salvation, 1:193–95.)
Vs. 4 - Lots of earthquakes and
geographical changes: D&C 49:23; 88:87; 109:74; 133:17–25, 44; Isaiah 54:10; Ezekiel 38:20; Revelation
16:15–20. May also
refer to spiritual changes; the proud made humble and the humble exalted.
Vs. 5 - Christ's 2nd Coming!
Vs. 6-8 - The Lord reminds us
that we are as grass - temps, but his word goes on forever.
Vs. 9- Tells us to get out and
spread the word (good tidings) and get up the temple (high mountain) and do it
without fear.
Vs. 10- When the Savior comes he
will bring his reward and (his punishments?) Strong arm=power
Vs. 11- Hymn # 109
Vs. 12-25
asks 10 rhetorical questions as he compares God to man. Another in vs. 27
Vs. 12, 21,
22 and 26 remind us that God is the Creator and He never gets tired.
Vs. 31 -
Note the blessing for "waiting upon the Lord."
Isaiah 41-
Vs. 1- The
Lord commands silence and He prepares to listen and judge the people of the
earth.
Vs. 2-3- The
righteous man from the east appears to be Cyrus as a type of the Savior. God
will help and protect Cyrus as he conquers from the East.
Vs. 4 - God
reminds us of His involvement in the history of His world from the beginning.
Vs. 5- As
the nations of the world feared the coming of Cyrus, so will they fear the
coming of the Savior.
Vs. 6-7 The
fearful nations attempt to comfort each other, they build idols and use their
best efforts to secure them.
Vs. 8-9 - We
are God's servants, descendents of His friend Abraham and His chosen people. He
has called us from the chief men of the earth.
Vs. 10 - We
are to fear not, God will strengthen ,help & uphold us. Hymn # 85 "How Firm a Foundation."
Vs. 11-
Those who are against us will be ashamed, confounded & will perish.
Vs. 12-
Those who war against us will be "as nothing & as a thing of naught."
Vs. 13-
While holding our right hand, God will say, "Fear not, I will help
thee." also vs. 10.
Vs. 14- Note footnote a. A redeemer had a legal responsibility
in ancient Israel: he was responsible to take a helpless relative's obligations
on his own shoulders (Lev. 25:25; Num. 5:8), to avenge a murder (Num. 35:12;
Dt. 19:6), to care for a dead relative's widow (Ruth 3-4), or to purchase one's
release from debtor's prison." (Parry p. 354)
Vs. 15-16-
God will mold us into powerful, unique instruments, enabling us to perform our
work.
Vs. 17-18-
He hears us when we are in trouble.
Vs. 19-20-
The 7 trees represent a complete grouping of people allowing the Lord to
accomplish His work with us. He knows how to help us!
Vs. 21-29-
The Lord challenges the false gods and idols of the world to do anything so
show that they have power. Their works are nothing. (vs. 29)
Isaiah 42-
Vs. 1-4-
Jesus is the servant. He has a work to do and will not quit until it is
finished. ( Matt. 12:15-21)
Vs. 3 - Note
the footnote a.
Vs. 5-16 -
Lists things the Savior does for mankind.
Vs. 10- The
New Song - See Rev. 14:1-3; D&C 84:98-102 & 133:56-57
Vs. 9-16-
The Savior's work in the Latter-days.
Vs. 19-23 JST - “For I will send my servant unto you who
are blind; yea, a messenger to open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears
of the deaf; “And they shall be made perfect notwithstanding their blindness,
if they will hearken unto the messenger, the Lord’s servant. “Thou art a
people, seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears to hear,
but thou hearest not. “The Lord is not well pleased with such a people, but for
his righteousness’ sake he will magnify the law and make it honorable. “Thou
art a people robbed and spoiled; thine enemies, all of them, have snared thee
in holes, and they have hid thee in prison houses; they have taken thee for a
prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.” The JST
make it clear that "the servant" is not blind, but scattered Israel who have adopted the ways of
the world.
