James 1:5-6
5aIf any of you lack bwisdom, let him ask of God, that cgiveth to all men liberally, and dupbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6But let him aask in bfaith, nothing cwavering. . . .
17Verily I say unto you, he that is ordained of me and sent forth to apreach the word of truth by the Comforter, in the Spirit of truth, doth he bpreach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
19And again, he that receiveth the word of truth, doth he receive it by the Spirit of truth or some other way?
21Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?
22Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.
D&C 88:118
118And as all have not afaith, seek ye diligently and bteach one another words of cwisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best dbooks words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.
Purpose
To help class members develop greater faith in Jesus Christ through a study of the lives of Elisabeth, Zacharias, John the Baptist, Mary, and Joseph.Preparation
- 1. Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
- a. Luke 1:5–25, 57–80. The angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias and says that, in answer to prayer, Zacharias’s wife, Elisabeth, will give birth to a son. This son, to be named John, will prepare the people for the Lord. Zacharias questions Gabriel’s words and is struck dumb. Elisabeth conceives in her old age, and John is born. Zacharias shows renewed faith as he prophesies of John’s mission.
- b. Luke 1:26–56; Matthew 1:18–25. The angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will be the mother of the Son of God. Mary and her cousin Elisabeth rejoice in the news of the Savior’s coming. Joseph learns that Mary will give birth to the Savior.
- a. Luke 1:5–25, 57–80. The angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias and says that, in answer to prayer, Zacharias’s wife, Elisabeth, will give birth to a son. This son, to be named John, will prepare the people for the Lord. Zacharias questions Gabriel’s words and is struck dumb. Elisabeth conceives in her old age, and John is born. Zacharias shows renewed faith as he prophesies of John’s mission.
- 2. If the following pictures are available, use them during the lesson: John Preaching in the Wilderness (62132; Gospel Art Picture Kit 207) and The Annunciation: The Angel Gabriel Appears to Mary (Gospel Art Picture Kit 241).
- 3. Suggestion for teaching: When a person teaches by the power of the Holy Ghost, “the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men” (2 Nephi 33:1). Feeling the influence of the Spirit strengthens class members’ testimonies, their love for the Lord and for each other, and their commitment to righteous living. Prayerfully consider what you can do to invite the Spirit during each lesson. (See pages v–vi in this manual and Teaching, No Greater Call [36123], pages 45–46.)
Suggested Lesson Development
Attention Activity
As appropriate, use the following activity or one of your own to begin the lesson.Ask class members the following questions:
After a few class members have answered the questions, explain that we are often drawn to righteous people because they follow the Savior and testify of him. As we become better acquainted with these people, we also become better acquainted with Jesus Christ. This lesson discusses several people whose righteous examples can help us draw closer to him.- • If you could meet anyone in the New Testament besides Jesus, whom would you want to meet? Why would you want to meet that person?
Scripture Discussion and Application
As you teach the following scripture passages, discuss how they apply to daily life. Encourage class members to share experiences that relate to the scriptural principles. Because it would be difficult to ask every question or cover every point in the lesson, prayerfully select those that will best meet class members’ needs.1. John the Baptist is born to Elisabeth and Zacharias.
Discuss Luke 1:5–25, 57–80. Invite class members to read selected verses aloud.- • How are Elisabeth and Zacharias described in the scriptures? (See Luke 1:6–9.)
7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was abarren, and they both were now well bstricken in years.
8And it came to pass, that while he executed the apriest’s office before God in the order of his bcourse,
9According to the custom of the apriest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
 |
- • What blessing had Zacharias and Elisabeth prayed for? (See Luke 1:7, 13.)
13But the angel said unto him, aFear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a bson, and thou shalt call his name John.
- How was this prayer finally answered? (See Luke 1:11–13, 24–25.
13But the angel said unto him, aFear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a bson, and thou shalt call his name John.
24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my areproach among men.
 |
| John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness (Luke 3: 1-18), from PRECEPTIVE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIBLE. http://www.life.com/image/50701237 |
 | ||
| Engraving by John Browne of St. John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness. | http://www.life.com/image/50702907 |
 | ||
| http://www.posters.snngr.com/posters/posters.php?item=1519062 Saint John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness by: Pieter Brueghel the Younger See more paintings and other media depicting John the Baptist at http://ookaboo.com/o/pictures/topic/2378709/John_the_Baptist |
- Point out that Zacharias and Elisabeth had probably prayed for many years that they would be blessed with a child. However, Heavenly Father did not grant them this blessing until the time was right to accomplish his purposes.) How can we remain faithful and avoid discouragement when our sincere prayers are not immediately answered in the way we desire?
- • What did Gabriel prophesy about John’s mission? (See Luke 1:14–17.
- 14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither awine nor strong drink; and he shall be bfilled with the cHoly Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.17And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of aElias, to turn the hearts of the bfathers to the children, and the cdisobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people dprepared for the Lord.
- Display the picture of John preaching in the wilderness, and summarize Gabriel’s prophecies on the chalkboard. Discuss what the prophecies mean, how John fulfilled them, and how we can follow John’s example in those things.)
Note: John the Baptist was “the outstanding bearer of the Aaronic Priesthood in all history” (Bible Dictionary, “John the Baptist,” 714). You may want to discushow the preceding aspects of John’s mission can be applied to class members who hold the Aaronic Priesthood.
- • What happened to Zacharias when he doubted the words of the angel? (See Luke 1:18–20.)
19And the aangel answering said unto him, I am bGabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
20And, behold, thou shalt be adumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou bbelievest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
How did Zacharias’s actions after John’s birth show his renewed faith? (See Luke 1:59–63. He and Elisabeth named their son John, thus obeying God’s command rather than following local traditions.)
59And it came to pass, that on the aeighth day they came to bcircumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
- • As Zacharias prophesied about the mission of his son, he also spoke of redemption, salvation, remission of sins, tender mercy, and light (Luke 1:68–79).
74That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without afear,
76And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to aprepare his ways;
79To give alight to them that sit in bdarkness and in the shadow of cdeath, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
- To whom did he refer when he spoke of these things? (Jesus Christ.) Invite a class member to read John 1:6–9. Testify that like John the Baptist, we should focus our service on helping others come to Christ.
7The same came for a awitness, to bear bwitness of the Light, that all men through him might cbelieve.
- • After John was born, he grew and “waxed strong in spirit” (Luke 1:80; note that in this verse the word wax means to grow or develop). Why do you think John needed to wax strong in spirit to be able to fulfill his mission? What can we do to wax strong in spirit?
2. Mary and Joseph learn that Mary will be the mother of the Son of God.
 | ||
| http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/images/hb/hb_56.70.jpg |
 | |||
| http://www.aaronartprints.org/images/Paintings/3722.jpg |
 | ||
| http://www.angel-art-house.com/upload/artists/m/masters,_unknown_flemish/masteruf8.jpg |
 | |
| http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jwwaterhouse.com/paintings/images/waterhouse_the_annunciation.jpg&imgrefurl. . . |
 | |
| https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cDQbt5pz44Y2RVlvGAnMVPHTku6VqcA3ILIyUVSPaKMJAIGDgcr938y18A5ETdABmzw-j23-KiduszFZF50CVJab6ShYS36B8Z19bqWIgy8Q3MXiUCIftF3SD2UvwBxgI76Nwlv9Bo4/s400/ave+maria+annunciationTheAnnunciation.jpg |
 |
| http://www.illusionsgallery.com/Annuncation-Prynne.html |
- • What did Mary learn from the angel Gabriel? (See Luke 1:26–33.) Why did the Savior need to be the son of a mortal mother and an immortal Father?
27To a avirgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among awomen.
29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name aJesus.
32He shall be great, and shall be called the aSon of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the bthrone of his father cDavid:
Speaking of Jesus Christ, Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught:
“God was his Father, from which Immortal Personage … he inherited the power of immortality, which is the power to live forever; or, having chosen to die, it is the power to rise again in immortality, thereafter to live forever without again seeing corruption. …
“… Mary was his mother, from which mortal woman … he inherited the power of mortality, which is the power to die. …
“It was because of this … intermixture of the divine and the mortal in one person, that our Lord was able to work out the infinite and eternal atonement. Because God was his Father and Mary was his mother, he had power to live or to die, as he chose, and having laid down his life, he had power to take it again, and then, in a way incomprehensible to us, to pass on the effects of that resurrection to all men so that all shall rise from the tomb” (The Promised Messiah [1978], 470–71).
- • What can we learn about Mary from her conversations with the angel and with Elisabeth? (See Luke 1:26–38, 45–49;
34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I aknow not a man?
35And the angel answered and said unto her, The aHoly Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the bSon of God.
36And, behold, thy acousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her bold age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
48For he hath regarded the low estate of his ahandmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me bblessed.
- see also Alma 7:10.
 |
| http://inthehandsofthepotter.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/747px-henry_ossawa_tanner_-_the_annunciation.jpg |
- Summarize class members’ answers on the chalkboard. If you are teaching youth, you may want to suggest that they look to Mary as an example of a righteous young woman.)
- a. Mary had found favor with God (Luke 1:28, 30). What does it mean to find favor with God? To what other sources do some people look for favor? How might looking for favor from these other sources make it difficult to find favor with God?
- b. Mary was worthy to have the Lord with her (Luke 1:28). What can we do to be worthy of this blessing?
- c. Mary was humble and submissive to the will of the Lord (Luke 1:38, 48). Why is it important for us to submit to the Lord’s will? How can we become more humble and submissive?
- d. Mary rejoiced in her Savior (Luke 1:47). How can we rejoice in the Savior?
- a. Mary had found favor with God (Luke 1:28, 30). What does it mean to find favor with God? To what other sources do some people look for favor? How might looking for favor from these other sources make it difficult to find favor with God?
- • Why did Elisabeth and her unborn son rejoice when Mary came to visit? (See Luke 1:39–44; see also Luke 1:15. Point out that one of the Holy Ghost’s principal roles is to testify of Jesus Christ.) As appropriate, tell about how the Holy Ghost has helped you gain a testimony of Jesus Christ, and invite others to do the same.
- • How was Joseph’s love for Mary tested? (See Matthew 1:18.) How did Joseph react when he learned that Mary was with child? (See Matthew 1:19. Point out that according to the law, Joseph could have accused Mary of violating the marriage covenant and brought her to a public trial. Such a trial could have resulted in a death sentence. Rather than do this, he decided to release her privately from the marriage contract.)
- • How did Heavenly Father help Joseph accept Mary’s condition and prepare for his own responsibilities? (See Matthew 1:20–23.) What did Joseph do in response to this dream? (See Matthew 1:24–25.) What does this response reveal about his character?
 |
| http://www.mountangelabbey.org/monastery/images/Annunciation-Joseph.2-700px.jpg |
 |
| http://www.neamericandiocese.org/multimedia/images/gallery-items/original/annunciation-to-joseph-129.jpg |
Conclusion
Invite a class member to read Luke 1:46. Explain that in this verse, the word magnify refers to Mary’s efforts to praise the Lord and help others see his greatness.- • How do the examples of Elisabeth, Zacharias, John the Baptist, Mary, and Joseph help you see the Savior’s greatness and increase your faith in him? How can we help others increase their faith in Jesus Christ?
Additional Teaching Idea
The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use this idea as part of the lesson.“That thou mightest know the certainty of those things” (Luke 1:4)
- • Luke addressed his testimony to a person named Theophilus (Luke 1:3). What was Luke’s purpose in writing his testimony? (See Luke 1:3–4. To help Theophilus know the certainty of things that had already been taught.) How have you been strengthened as you have heard others testify of familiar doctrines and well-known scripture accounts?
As an example of how these stories are being misunderstood, misinterpreted, even discounted, KUER's Radio West hosted John Dominic Crossan, the author of a new book titled The First Christmas. He claims that though he believes that Jesus Christ existed, the scriptural stories we associate with the birth of Christ are parables, not events that happened. You could listen to the interview at http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuer/news.newsmain/article/184/0/1739949/RadioWest.%28M-F..11AM..and..7PM%29/122410.The.First.Christmas
See also
http://institute.lds.org/manuals/new-testament-institute-student-manual/nt-in-01-1-2.asp
Joseph Fielding McConkie -- suggests that this may not have been the first time that she had been instructed by an angel. (See Messiah: Behold the Lamb of God -- Television Documentary Series)
no evidence of any angel appearing to Elizabeth -- she knew through the Spirit -- as pointed out beautifully by Camille Fronk Olson? (See Messiah: Behold the Lamb of God -- Television Documentary Series)
Other subjects:
http://mormanity.blogspot.com/2008/05/marcus-h-martins-on-race-in-church.html
