John began his Gospel by describing the work that Christ performed before He was born: “In the beginning … the Word [Jesus Christ] was with God.” What do you learn from verses 1–5 about the Savior and His work?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
You can find helpful clarifications in Joseph Smith Translation, John 1:1–5 (in the Bible appendix).
In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son, and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God.
The same was in the beginning with God.
All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made which was made.
In him was the gospel, and the gospel was the life, and the life was the light of men;
And the light shineth in the world, and the world perceiveth it not.
What does Joseph Smith Translation clarify?
Word is not a name of Christ.
As you begin your study of the Savior’s life, why is it important to know about His premortal work?
That man may know that the children of God including Jehovah, the promortal name of Jesus Christ, lived before the earth was created, serving each other.
