Doctrines of Christ learned from JST John 1:1-19

The following pictures are my notes during my study of Joseph Smith's translation of John 1:1-19:

Joseph Smith's Translation of the Bible (John 1:1–5)

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.

Why John the beloved's writings are so unique

John writes uniquely, composing Gospel of John, several epistles, and the book of Revelation, because he has been blessed to a ministering angel as a flaming fire on the earth until the second coming of Christ upon request recorded in D&C 7:1-6. 

His great love for the Savior began before Jesus Christ's public ministry, for he was a disciple of John the Baptist.

"And the Lord said unto me: John, my beloved, what desirest thou? For if you shall ask what you will, it shall be granted unto you. 

And I said unto him: Lord, give unto me power over death, that I may live and bring souls unto thee. 

And the Lord said unto me: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, because thou desirest this thou shalt tarry until I come in my glory, and shalt prophesy before nations, kindreds, tongues and people.

And for this cause the Lord said unto Peter: If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? For he desired of me that he might bring souls unto me, but thou desiredst that thou mightest speedily come unto me in my kingdom. 

I say unto thee, Peter, this was a good desire; but my beloved has desired that he might do more, or a greater work yet among men than what he has before done. 

Yea, he has undertaken a greater work; therefore I will make him as flaming fire and a ministering angel; he shall minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation who dwell on the earth." (D&C 7:1-6)

How Christ is my light

How might you help your family visualize what they read about light in these verses? You could let family members take turns shining a light in a dark room and sharing how the Savior is the Light of their lives. Then, as you read John 1:4–10, family members might have additional insight into John’s testimony of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.

Before reading John 1:4–10

Jesus Christ is my light because I would not have power to improve my life without him. There would be no morals and nothing to place faith in.

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not." (John 1:4–10)

After reading John 1:4–10

Jesus Christ created the Earth, establishing life thereon, yet life does not know him. He has a purpose and plan for them.

Wisdom from a Youth Family History Teacher

A youth spoke in Sacrament, reflecting on his calling last year as a Family History Teacher. He said that family history is like a treasure hunt.

In his residence there is a scary picture of an mysterious old lady. No one in the family knew who she was. They found after some research that she is the youth's great, great, great, great, grandmother, and another treasure that they discovered is that she is the sister of John Taylor. John Taylor was the third prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (3 Nephi 25:6)

Another note is that learning family history protects you from bad influences.

Let us turn our hearts to our fathers. Heavenly Father's plan for the salvation of the human family requires every child of God to be discovered. 

Testimonies of God's Personal Relationship with Individuals

God does provide. Heavenly Father cares about the little things in our lives.   
A sister had a pair of earrings that couples with her wedding ring. She lost them twice. The pair of earrings are a very dear momento. She could only found them by God's guidance and prayer. One experience is almost unbelievable. She was out with her children at a park, and she found them under a rock; not damaged.
A valiant in a testimony of Christ can be a quiet assurance.
A sister murmured the higher expectations of "Come, follow me." She sees that her change of heart is an evidence of the Holy Ghost's influence. She is excited about the new "Come, follow me" program for a home centered church. 
You know what you need to do. Don't resist it.

The Coming Forth of 'The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ' By the Gift and Power of God

The Book of Mormon only could have be translated by the gift and power of God   
One night as a youth, Joseph Smith prayed on behalf of his welfare, and Moroni, an angel & prophet of the Book of Mormon appeared to him, telling about the ancient record engraved an golden plates, which was abridged by his father Mormon. 

Seer stone will reveal images to the faithful/chosen. Joseph Smith found one personally in a well before given one by an angel. It was described as a tool to learn how to receive revelation. He translated the Book of Mormon by seer stones and the Urim and Thummim.   

"To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful." (D&C 46:13-14)    

Joseph Smith's Translation   
about 8 pages a day   
He did not:   

• edit it.   
• cross reference.   
• ask where he left off
• know the contents of the literature, asking his wife "Were there walls around Jerusalem?"   
• know some of the words, spelling them letter by letter.   

He could barely write, not being educated much. 
What would you say if someone questioned you and Joseph's means of translation?   
I would say that God does not work the way man does. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, a true record.    
   
   

three v. eight witnesses   

angel | in person   

shown book and inscriptions, & artifacts | hefted it   

spiritual | physical   

   
Knowledge v. hearken   
People may not live according to their knowledge.   
   
The three witness are David Whitmer, Martin Harris, and Oliver Cowdery; all excommunicated  & left the church. Martin & Oliver returned to the Church. When David Whitmer heard rumors that he denied his witness, he published a document affirming his witness.   
   
   
The Book of Mormon answers all the questions of a student.   
   
The Book of Mormon is the keystone of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It clarifies the atonement of Christ, the plan of Salvation, and the gospel.

The Fruit of Fearing man v. God

Jessica and I reviewed the suggestion of "fearing not" from 'Come, follow me.' I realized that fearing man and God have opposite affect. The fear of man begets odd actions, but true fear of God inspires righteousness and meekness.

The Humble Circumstances of Christ's Birth

As you read Luke 2:1–7, what do you notice about the humble circumstances of His birth? Try to identify a detail or insight in this story that you hadn’t noticed before. 

She gave birth alone with no mention of family otherthan her husband, having no nurse, doctor, or midwife.

What do you learn about the Savior from the circumstances of His birth? 

Joseph & Mary were self reliant.

How do these insights affect your feelings toward Him?

Their attitude is admirable.

Sacrament - 13 January 2019

Article Faith 9   

9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Prophet Russel M. Nelson is revealing new and great things today, a call to change hearts. It is not about the details.   

Ministering; no more home teaching   

   

Personal Scripture Study   

He could not write his talk because his love for the word is too great.   

God speaks to man through the scriptures   

scripture from Mosiah in the Book of Mormon - "What have ye to boast?" Words for hot-headed teenger   

D&C 111:5 - "Concern not yourselves about your debts, for I will give you power to pay them." Words for a man troubled with his finances.   

Be consistent.   

God truly inspired the transcription of the scriptures,   

   

Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost - January 12, 2019

Our "Come, follow me" study pondered the visitations of the angel Gabriel to Mary & Joseph. I thought that one verse in the quotation of his conversation with Mary was particularly comforting for her & for the long term. 

 "Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy 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 Son of God." (Luke 1:34 & 35)

The angel's words of 'the power of the Highest, holy thing, of God' should have consoled her, for she was pregnant before her marriage. She may have felt guilty. Her marriage was not elaborate, for Joseph "minded to put her away privily." (Matthew 1:19) Gabriel's words were definitely inspired by the Holy Ghost. "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ." (2 Nephi 32:3)