The Birth Of The Savior
19. In what two ways do modern bibles differ from "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.‖ (Luke 2:14)
1. What or whom is referred to by, "...though thou be little 20. Was the manger in a cave or was it just a stable or what? among the thousands of Judah?" (Micah 5:2) Micah is the only book of the prophets to give this important information. 21. What exactly are ―swaddling clothes‖? 22. Mary's son was given the name "Yeshua.‖ What does it 2. About how far is Bethlehem from Jerusalem? - from mean? (Jesus The Christ, p. 35, Bible Dictionary, p. 713) Nazareth? (Bible Dictionary, p. 621; Bible Map 11 or 16, depending on version) When Alma says that "he shall be born of Mary, at 23. Who actually named Jesus? (Bible Dictionary, p. 713) Jerusalem" (Alma 7:10) is he in error? 24. What Book of Mormon prophet predicted a new star? (Helaman 14:5) 3. Who said, "A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins"? Who said, "Knowest thou the condescension of 25. Who said, "I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, God?... "? (1 Nephi 11:15-18) but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob..."? (Numbers 24:17) How bright was the star? (handout). 4. How do the two genealogies of Jesus given in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 differ? (Jesus The Christ, p. 86, 89) Related to this, 26. Of what ethnicity were the magi (probably)? (Studies in what complaint was never raised against Jesus by the Scripture, Vol. 5: The Gospels, p. 149) How many were there? Pharisees and Sadducees? (p. 87) (Jesus The Christ, p. 99) 5. Besides their marriage, what relation were Joseph and Mary? (Jesus The Christ, p. 86, 89) Were Mary and Elizabeth cousins? (footnote for Luke 1:36). 6. During an espousal, communication between the bride elect and her promised husband was carried on through a friend. When Joseph learned of Mary's condition, what two options did he have? (Jesus The Christ, p. 84) 7. Why is Joseph called "just yet merciful?" (The Life and
Teachings of Jesus & His Apostles, [Institute manual] p. 22)
27. Were the ―wise men‖ kings? (Jesus The Christ, p. 99) What revelation did they receive? (see Matthew 2:12) 28. How old was Jesus when the magi visited him? In what kind of dwelling did they see him? (Matthew 2:1-12) 29. What exactly are frankincense and myrrh? (See Bible Dictionary p. 676 and 736.) Along with gold, what do they each symbolize for Jesus’ life? (Jesus The Christ, p. 108) 30. Who said, "Now lettest thy servant depart in peace" and where was it spoken? (Luke 2:29) This was actually part of a song. (Also see the handout.) 31. In a more recent song we find the words, "For unto us a child is born...‖ Where did Handel get the words for his famous oratorio "Messiah"? (Jesus The Christ, p. 46) 32. How long had Anna been widowed (or how old was she)? How did she occupy her time? (Luke 2:36-37 and the handout.)) 33. At what age (in days) were male babies to be circumcised? (Jesus The Christ, p. 88) Of what was this symbolic? (JST
Genesis 17:11,17)
8. According to Matthew 1-2, how many visions did Joseph behold and what were they about? (Also see the handout.) 9. What is the significance to the order of Joseph’s decision about Mary's pregnancy and his first vision? (The Life and
Teachings of Jesus & His Apostles, [Institute manual] p. 23)
10. For what purpose was the "taxation" (registration) held in Luke 2:1? (Jesus The Christ, p. 91) What government ordered the Jews to go to their ancestral homes? (p. 92) 11. Why did Mary go to Bethlehem with Joseph? (Jesus The
Christ, p. 104)
12. How was Zacharias chosen to enter the Holy of Holies? (Jesus The Christ, p. 76) What priesthood did he hold? (Jesus
The Christ, p. 75; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 319)
34. Was baptism already practiced in Jesus' day? (JST Matthew 9:18-21, p. 803). 35. What insight is added by Joseph Smith Translation Matthew 3:24-26 (end of Bible, p. 802) concerning the wisdom of Jesus in his youth? 36. What massacre almost happened in America at Jesus' birth? (3 Nephi 1:4-6, 9) Of what does this remind us in Esther 3?
13. Zacharias was made dumb, or unable to speak. Was he also struck deaf? (see Luke 1:62; Jesus The Christ, p. 88) 14. Who said, "Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist"? (Luke 7:28) Why is this true? (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 275-
76) 37. How long did Nephi pray? (3 Nephi 1:12) The Lord's birth saved the faithful Nephites from death - what does this 15. Herod ordered what category of people put to death in foreshadow? (2 Nephi 9:12) Bethlehem? (Matthew 2:16) About how many would this have been? Why don’t ancient histories mention the Bethlehem 38. What five signs did Samuel foretell of the Lord's coming? massacre? (See Studies in Scripture, Vol. 5: The Gospels, p. 150– (Helaman 14:2-7) What meaning did Samuel give of his birth? 151.) (Helaman 14:8)
16. What prophecy did Herod’s order to slay children fulfill?
(Jeremiah 31:15; Jesus The Christ, p. 100)
17. According to Joseph Smith and the apocrypha, how did John and his mother escape Herod's wrath? How did Zacharias die? (Teachings Of The Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 261;
handout)
39. What important truth is symbolized by night without darkness, the new star, the lights and signs and wonders in heaven? (Studies in Scripture, Alma 30 to Moroni, p. 119) Which of these signs will also precede his 2nd coming? (Zechariah
14:6-7)
18. What order did Herod give at his own death? (Jesus The
Christ, p. 107; Studies In Scripture, Vol. 5: The Gospels, p. 152)
40. What incredible insight do modern bibles give us about the story of Mary and Joseph looking for Jesus when he was twelve? (Luke 2:41-49) Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13
Answer Helps
#4: Two Genealogies
The two genealogies of Jesus (Matthew 1 and Luke 3) – ―Matthew’s demonstrates the Abrahamic descent of Jesus as heir of David; Luke emphasizes that Jesus was the son of God through Adam. Accordingly, Matthew’s genealogy descends from Abraham, while Luke’s ascends from Jesus and Joseph to Adam and God.‖ (Charting The New Testament, FARMS, chart 8.6). As shown by the genealogies, a complaint that could never be raised against Jesus by the Pharisees and Sadducees is that he was not the rightful heir to the throne. (James E. Talmage,
Jesus The Christ, p. 87)
justified by the law he chose the more merciful one. (The
Life and Teachings of Jesus & His Apostles, institute manual, p. 22)
#8: Joseph’s Visions
According to Matthew 1-2, Joseph had at least four visions – to marry Mary, to take Mary and the baby into Egypt, to return to Israel, to turn or detour into the parts of Galilee. Mary's high station was known before she was born, and Joseph no doubt was foreordained to the honored station that he held, for the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was.‖ (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 365.) Surely Joseph was a noble soul in premortality to be blessed with the signal honor of coming to earth and acting as the legal guardian of the Son of the Eternal Father in the flesh.‖ (The Life
and Teachings of Jesus & His Apostles, Institute Manual, p. 22)
#5: Family Relationship of Joseph and Mary
A personal genealogy of Joseph was essentially that of Mary also, for they were cousins. Joseph is named as son of Jacob by Matthew, and as son of Heli by Luke; but Jacob and Heli were brothers, and it appears that one of the two was the father of Joseph and the other the father of Mary and therefore father-in-law to Joseph. (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p. 86.
See also footnote #5 on p. 89.)
#9: Order of Decision & Vision
It may be that the Lord designed such an experience to test Joseph, and if that be the case, Joseph proved faithful. After Joseph had made his decision, then the angel visited him and directed that he should proceed and take Mary as his wife.
(The Life and Teachings of Jesus & His Apostles, [Institute manual] p. 23)
#6: Joseph’s Two Options
Betrothal, or espousal, in that time was in some respects as binding as the marriage vow, and could only be set aside by a ceremonial separation akin to divorce; yet an espousal was but an engagement to marry, not a marriage. When Joseph greeted his promised bride after her three months' absence, he was greatly distressed over the indications of her prospective maternity. Now the Jewish law provided for the annulment of a betrothal in either of two ways—by public trial and judgment, or by private agreement attested by a written document signed in the presence of witnesses. Joseph was a just man, a strict observer of the law, yet no harsh extremist; moreover he loved Mary and would save her all unnecessary humiliation, whatever might be his own sorrow and suffering. For Mary's sake he dreaded the thought of publicity; and therefore determined to have the espousal annulled with such privacy as the law allowed. He was troubled and thought much of his duty in the matter, when, "behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.‖ (James E. Talmage, Jesus
The Christ, p. 84)
#10: Taxation & Government
At that time a decree went out from Rome ordering a taxing of the people in all kingdoms and provinces tributary to the empire; the call was of general scope, it provided "that all the world should be taxed.‖ The taxing herein referred to may properly be understood as an enrolment, or a registration, whereby a census of Roman subjects would be secured, upon which as a basis the taxation of the different peoples would be determined. This particular census was the second of three such general registrations recorded by historians as occurring at intervals of about twenty years. Had the census been taken by the usual Roman method, each person would have been enrolled at the town of his residence; but the Jewish custom, for which the Roman law had respect, necessitated registration at the cities or towns claimed by the respective families as their ancestral homes. As to whether the requirement was strictly mandatory that every family should thus register at the city of its ancestors, we need not be specially concerned; certain it is that Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, the city of David, to be inscribed under the imperial decree. (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p. 91-92)
#11: Why Mary Went to Bethlehem
Regarding the presence of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, far from their Galilean home, and the imperial decree by compliance with which they were led there, the following notes are worthy of consideration. Farrar (Life of Christ, p. 24, note), says: "It appears to be uncertain whether the journey of Mary with her husband was obligatory or voluntary … Women were liable to a capitation tax, if this enrolment also involved taxation. But, apart from any legal necessity, it may easily be imagined that at such a moment Mary would desire not to be left alone. The cruel suspicion of which she had been the subject, and which had almost led to the breaking off of her betrothal (Matt. 1:19) would make her cling all the more to the protection of her husband.‖ (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p.
104, footnote #1)
#7: Joseph, Just Yet Merciful
―During the espousal period, the bride-elect lived with her family or friends, and all communication between herself and her promised husband was carried on through a friend.‖ (Daniel
H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the Doctrine and Covenants, v. 2, p. 27.) [How would you like to be the friend who had to deliver
the news!]. ―When Joseph greeted his promised bride after her three months' absence, he was greatly distressed over the indications of her prospective maternity. Now the Jewish law provided for the annulment of a betrothal in either of two ways—by public trial and judgment, or by private agreement attested by a written document signed in the presence of witnesses.‖ (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p. 79) Joseph is called "just yet merciful" because of the two options
#12: Zacharias as Priest
About fifteen months prior to the Savior’s birth, Zacharias, a priest of the Aaronic order, was officiating in the functions of his office in the temple at Jerusalem… During his week of service each priest was required to maintain scrupulously a state of ceremonial cleanliness of person; he had to abstain from wine, and from food except that specifically prescribed; he had to bathe frequently; he lived within the temple precincts and thus was cut off from family association; he was not allowed to come near the dead, nor to mourn in the formal manner if death should rob him of even his nearest and dearest of kin. We learn that the daily selection of the priest who should enter the Holy Place, and there burn incense on the golden altar, was determined by lot; and furthermore we gather, from non-scriptural history, that because of the great number of priests the honor of so officiating seldom fell twice to the same person. On this day the lot had fallen to Zacharias. It was a very solemn occasion in the life of the humble Judean priest—this one day in his life on which the special and particularly sacred service was required of him. Within the Holy Place he was separated by the veil of the temple only from the Oracle or Holy of Holies—the inner sanctuary into which none but the high priest might enter, and he only on the Day of Atonement, after long ceremonial preparation. The place and the time were conducive to the highest and most reverential feelings. As Zacharias ministered within the Holy Place, the people without bowed themselves in prayer, watching for the clouds of incense smoke to appear above the great partition which formed the barrier between the place of general assembly and the Holy Place, and awaiting the reappearance of the priest and his pronouncement of the benediction. (James E. Talmage,
Jesus The Christ, p. 75-76)
for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence. Thirdly. John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. The Jews had to obey his instructions or be damned, by their own law; and Christ Himself fulfilled all righteousness in becoming obedient to the law which he had given to Moses on the mount, and thereby magnified it and made it honorable, instead of destroying it. The son of Zacharias wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory from the Jews, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven, and these three reasons constitute him the greatest prophet born of a woman. (Teachings of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, p. 275-276)
#15: Herod The Terrible
Perhaps nowhere do we gain greater insight into the depraved disposition of Herod the Great (of whom it was wisely observed by the Emperor Augustus that it was safer to be Herod's pig than his son!) than in the brief episode described by Matthew in which he, in demonic and paranoid frenzy, ordered the death of innocent children. After inquiring of the magi as to the time of the rising of the new star and subsequently finding that the visitors from the East had left the area (that he had been "mocked of the wise men"), this spineless creature ordered the death of all boys (not children, but boys—the plural of pais in Greek) in Bethlehem two years of age or younger. Considering that Bethlehem was a small town with a population of approximately one thousand to two thousand, as well as that there was a high infant mortality rate, with an annual birthrate of about thirty, then the number of boys killed probably did not exceed twenty. "But," wrote Edersheim, "the deed was none the less atrocious; and these infants may justly be regarded as the 'protomartyrs,' the first witnesses of Christ.‖ Continuing, Edersheim remarked: "The slaughter was entirely in accordance with the character and former measure of Herod. Nor do we wonder, that it remained unrecorded by Josephus, since on other occasions also he has omitted events which to us seem important. The murder of a few infants in an insignificant village might appear scarcely worth notice in a reign stained by so much bloodshed.‖ (Robert
L. Millet’s chapter in Studies in Scripture, Vol. 5: The Gospels, p. 150–151, footnoted to The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah.)
The Levitical Priesthood is forever hereditary—fixed on the head of Aaron and his sons forever, and was in active operation down to Zacharias the father of John. (Teachings of the
Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 319)
#13: Zacharias Also Struck Deaf?
The sign for which Zacharias asked was thus given by the angel: "Behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.‖ (Luke 1:20.) From the account of the circumcision and naming of the boy, John, it is held by some that the afflicted father was also deaf, as the company "made signs" to him as to how he would have his son named (v. 62). (James E. Talmage,
Jesus The Christ, p. 88)
#16: Prophecy of Slaying of Children
When it was apparent to the king that the wise men had ignored his instructions, he was exceedingly angry; and, estimating the earliest time at which the birth could have occurred according to the magis' statement of the star's appearing, he ruthlessly ordered the slaughter of "all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under.‖ In this massacre of the innocents, the evangelist found a fulfillment of Jeremiah's fateful voicing of the word of the Lord, spoken six centuries earlier and expressed in the forceful past tense as though then already accomplished: "In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted,
#14: Not a greater prophet
First. He was entrusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Whoever had such a trust committed to him before or since? No man. Secondly. He was entrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the Son of Man. Whoever had the honor of doing that? Whoever had so great a privilege and glory? Whoever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the dove, in witness of that administration? The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness
because they are not.‖ (Jeremiah 31:15 paraphrased in Matthew 2:18)
(James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p. 100)
#17: From The Apocrypha
When Herod's edict went forth to destroy the young children, John was about six months older than Jesus, and came under this hellish edict, and Zacharias caused his mother to take him into the mountains, where he was raised on locusts and wild honey. When his father refused to disclose his hiding place, and being the officiating high priest at the Temple that year, he was slain by Herod's order, between the porch and the altar, as Jesus said. Years later John's head was taken to Herod, the son of this infant murderer, in a charger—notwithstanding there was never a greater prophet born of a woman than him!
(Teachings Of The Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 261)
Holman Christian Standard
Glory to God in the highest heaven
and peace on earth to people He favors!
1 Nephi 1:1 - having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days. FA'VORED - Countenanced; supported; aided; supplied with advantages; eased; spared. (Websters 1828 Dictionary) Matthew 10:34 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
The Protevangelion Of James, 16:9-17 - But Herod made search after John and sent servants to Zacharias, when he was ministering at the altar, and said to him, Where have you hidden your son? He replied to them, I am a minister of God and a servant at the altar; how should I know where my son is? So the servants went back, and told Herod the whole; at which he was incensed and said, Is not this son of his likely to be king in Israel? He sent therefore again his servants to Zacharias, saying, Tell us the truth, where is your son, for you know that your life is in my hand. So the servants went and told him all this: But Zacharias replied to them, I am a martyr for God, and if he shed my blood, the Lord will receive my soul. Besides know that you shed innocent blood. However Zacharias was murdered in the entrance of the temple and altar, and about the partition; But the children of Israel knew not when he was killed.
(http://ministries.tliquest.net/theology/apocryphas/nt/protevan.htm)
#20: The Manger
This varies by Bible scholar. We give preference to more modern research. The most recent report we can find is from a researcher who lived in the Middle East for twenty years: The Westerner reads Luke 2:7, ―She laid him in a manger,‖ and assumes that Jesus was born in a stable because, of course, mangers are in stables. This judgment is a culturally conditioned decision whether the Westerner knows it or not (we put animals in stables). However, the Middle Eastern Palestinian farmer reads the same text and assumes that Jesus was born in a private home. In the Middle East the villager’s home is one room with a lower level at one end where the family donkey and cow are brought at night. The family lives on the upper level. This raised terrace has mangers built into the floor at the end nearest the animals. So the Middle Eastern peasant reads the same text and decides that Jesus was born in a private home. I have seen homes here in the Middle East with mangers in the floor that were built in the eleventh century. This is my earliest evidence. (Kenneth E. Bailey, Through
Peasant Eyes, p. xv - xvi)
#18: At Herod’s Death
The terrible acts of bloodshed which Herod perpetrated in his own family were accompanied by others among his subjects equally terrible, from the number who fell victims to them. According to the well-known story, he ordered the nobles, whom he had called to him in his last moments, to be executed immediately after his decease, so at least his death might be attended by universal mourning. It was at the time of his fatal illness that he must have caused the slaughter of the infants at Bethlehem. (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p. 107) Fearing that his passing would not be accompanied by what he felt to be the appropriate level of remorse among his subjects, Herod ordered the mass death in the Hippodrome of "all the principal men of the entire Jewish nation," thus assuring himself of the "honour of a memorable mourning at his funeral.‖ (Studies In Scripture, Vol. 5: The Gospels, p. 152. Footnoted to:
Flavius Josephus, "Antiquities of the Jews," XVII. 6.5, in Josephus: Complete Works, p. 365)
#21: Swaddling Clothes
Definition: Narrow strips of cloth wrapped around an infant to restrict movement. (Merriam Webster, online dictionary)
#22: “Yeshua”
Jesus is the individual name of the Savior, and as thus spelled is of Greek derivation; its Hebrew equivalent was Yehoshua or Yeshua, or, as we render it in English, Joshua. In the original the name was well understood as meaning "Help of Jehovah," or "Savior.‖ Though as common an appellation as John or Henry or Charles today, the name was nevertheless divinely prescribed, as already stated. Thus, unto Joseph, the espoused husband of the Virgin, the angel said, "And thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.‖ (Matthew 1:21) (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p. 35)
#19: The Annunciation – Luke 2:14
KingJames Version New International Bible New English Bible Amplified Bible Glory to God in the highest Glory to God in the highest Glory to God in highest heaven Glory to God in the highest [heaven] and on earth peace, good will toward men. and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. and on earth his peace for men on whom his favour rests. and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]
#25: The Star of Bethlehem
An example of an interesting ―star‖ that came out of nowhere in recent times is reported on the website ―Astronomy Picture of the Day‖ What's happened to Comet Holmes? A normally docile comet discovered over 100 years ago, Comet 17P/Holmes suddenly became nearly one million times brighter last
week, possibly over just a few hours. In astronomical terms, the comet brightened from magnitude 17, only visible through a good telescope, to magnitude 3, becoming visible with the unaided eye. Comet Holmes had already passed its closest to the Sun in 2007 May outside the orbit of Mars and was heading back out near Jupiter's orbit when the outburst occurred. The comet's sudden brightening is likely due to some sort of sunlight-reflecting outgassing event, possibly related to ice melting over a gas-filled cavern, or possibly even a partial breakup of the comet's nucleus. (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap071029.html, Oct. 29,
2007)
wise men to the infant Savior. (Adapted from the LDS Bible
Dictionary, p. 682)
Frankincense - This fragrant resin or sap oozes from the boswellia tree. It was an ingredient in the holy incense used in sacrifices in the ancient temple in Jerusalem. It was highly valued as a perfume. (Adapted from the LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 676) Myrrh - Another fragrant sap, this was used in the Bible for the preparation of the holy ointment, in the purification of women, as a perfume, and for embalming. It comes from various thorny shrubs of the dry districts of Arabia and eastern Africa. (Adapted from the LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 736) ―Some have supposed a half-hidden symbolism therein—gold a tribute to His royal estate, frankincense an offering in recognition of His priesthood, and myrrh for His burial. The sacred record offers no basis for such conjecture. (James E.
Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p. 108)
So, the star of Bethlehem could have been a comet that flared up. Another cause could be a super nova, which is a star that explodes and is much brighter for a short time. The explanation of an alignment of planets seems a little lame because ancient people were very familiar with the skies and the visible planets. They would probably not have called an alignment a ―new‖ star. Nor would it have happened suddenly. We do not know how bright it was, and it could have been not very bright at all. The point is that it was a new star, which would have been astonishing enough for these ancient people who knew very well the patterns of stars in the night sky.
#30: Simeon
"On this occasion Mary entered the Court of the Women; dropped the price of her sacrifice into one of the thirteen trumpet-shaped chests; heard the sound of the organ, announcing that incense was about to be kindled on the Golden Altar; made her way, as one for whom a special sacrifice was being offered, to a place near the Sanctuary; and there, while the ordinance was performed, offered up the unspoken prayers of praise and thanksgiving of a grateful heart. Thus she became Levitically clean.‖ While in the courts of the temple, on temple square as it were, the young Nazarean family encountered one Simeon, a man who was "just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.‖ (Luke 2:25-26) As Mary and Joseph underwent their solemn duties within the temple precincts, Simeon (whose name appropriately means one "that hears,") took the child into his arms and said: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people.‖ (Luke 2:28-31) Simeon then broke forth into psalmic prophecy, speaking of the Savior's mission to Jew and Gentile and of his ministry as the Light of the world.
(Studies in Scripture, Vol. 5: The Gospels, v. 5, p. 148.)
#26: The Visit of the Magi
Certain "wise men from the east" were led by a new star to Jerusalem. (Matt. 2:1) Christian tradition is replete with suggestions as to their native countries, their names, and their numbers. Were the eastern visitors from Babylon, Persia, or Arabia? Were they two in number, or perhaps three, as millions have supposed? We simply do not know … It is generally supposed that the wise men were Gentiles from foreign soil who had come to behold the babe in Bethlehem. This supposition seems at variance with the fact that these are men guided in personal religious quests for the Anointed One of Israel: "Where is the child that is born, the Messiah of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him.‖ (JST Matt. 3:2) Elder McConkie concluded: "As to the men themselves, one thing is clear. They had prophetic insight. It was with them as it had been with saintly Simeon. … The probability is they were themselves Jews who lived, as millions of Jews then did, in one of the nations to the East.‖
(Studies in Scripture, Vol. 5: The Gospels, p. 149, footnoted to The Mortal Messiah 1:358)
#31: Handel’s “Messiah”
Isaiah, whose prophetic office was honored by the personal testimony of Christ and the apostles, manifested in numerous passages the burden of his conviction relating to the great event of the Savior's advent and ministry on earth. With the forcefulness of direct revelation he told of the Virgin's divine maternity, whereof Immanuel should be born, and his prediction was reiterated by the angel of the Lord, over seven centuries later. Looking down through the ages the prophet saw the accomplishment of the divine purposes as if already achieved, and sang in triumph: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.‖ (Isaiah 9:6) (James E. Talmage, Jesus The
Christ, p. 46)
#27: Wise Men Kings?
Much has been written, beyond all possible warrant of scriptural authority, concerning the visit of the magi, or wise men, who thus sought and found the infant Christ. As a matter of fact, we are left without information as to their country, nation, or tribal relationship; we are not even told how many they were, though unauthenticated tradition has designated them as "the three wise men," and has even given them names; whereas they are left unnamed in the scriptures, the only true record of them extant, and may have numbered but two or many. (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p. 99)
#29: Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh
Gold - This precious metal was used in the tabernacle of Moses, in the temple at Jerusalem and in King Solomon’s house. Many instances are given in the Old Testament of its use for decoration. It was part of the offering made by the
#32: Anna
Also in attendance at this early testimony meeting was a woman named Anna, a prophetess of the tribe of Asher. "She was of great age, and had lived with a husband only seven years, whom she married in her youth, and she lived a widow about fourscore and four years, who departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers, night and day.‖ Aged Anna, now over a century in age, was undimmed in her spiritual capacities, undaunted in her hunger and thirst for the things of the Spirit. Like Simeon, she rejoiced in the God of her salvation and bore witness of the newly come Christ "to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.‖
(JST Luke 2:36-38) (Studies in Scripture, v. 5, p. 148.)
#39: The Light Of The World
Samuel foretold four signs of the Saviour’s birth: great lights in heaven, two days without a night between, and many signs and wonders in heaven. (Helaman 14:2-7) Samuel tied all of this together by saying, ―whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life. (Helaman 14:8) How appropriate that the signs accompanying the birth of the ―Light of the World‖ should be wonders appearing in the light of heaven. (Studies in Scripture, Vol 8: Alma 30 to Moroni, p. 119).
#40: To Find God Go to the Temple - Luke 2:49
King James Version And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? New International Bible Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house? Amplified Bible And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father's house and [occupied] about My Father's business?
Even though Luke records that Anna came ―in that instant‖ when Simeon was prophesying (Luke 2:38), almost as if her arrival were coincidental, the context points to another, richer reality. Luke’s description, placing Anna next to Simeon in a tight sequence, plainly implies that she too came at the behest of the Spirit. In other words of Leon Morris, ―Anna came up at the critical moment.‖ But there is more. As Joel Green observes, ―Herod’s temple was a massive structure; how could it be that [Anna] arrived in the right place at just the right moment apart from divine direction?‖ Thus her ―thanks … unto the Lord‖ was more than a simple expression of gratitude. She had come to the right place at the right time because of divine promptings. Her thanksgiving, therefore, grew out of the miracle of seeing this child of promise though eyes illumined by heaven. Further, she carried away a testimony about this child and ―spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).‖ (S. Kent Brown, from his chapter in
Revelation, Reason and Faith – Essays in Honor of Truman Madsen, p. 620)
While some scholars believe that Anna may have lived within the temple area, it is possible to understand [Luke 2:37, that she ―served God with fastings and prayers‖] ―night and day‖ as a reference to the ceremonies that priests performed twice a day, in the morning and in the later afternoon. (S. Kent Brown,
from his chapter in Revelation, Reason and Faith – Essays in Honor of Truman Madsen, p. 632, footnote #15)
Luke 2:36-37, New International Version - There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. Amplified Bible - And as a widow even for eighty-four years …
#33: Age for Circumcision
Circumcision, while not exclusively a Hebrew or an Israelitish practice, was made a definite requirement through the revelations of God to Abraham, as the sign of the covenant between Jehovah and the patriarch. (Gen. 17:9-14.) This covenant was made to include the establishment of Abraham's posterity as a great nation, and provided that through his descendants should all nations of the earth be blessed (Gen. 22:18)—a promise which has been proved to mean that through that lineage should the Messiah be born. Circumcision was a binding condition; and its practice therefore became a national characteristic. Every male was to be circumcised eight days after birth (Gen. 17:12; Lev. 12:3). This requirement as to age came to be so rigidly enforced, that even if the eighth day fell on a Sabbath the rite had to be performed on that day (John 7:23). (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, p. 88)
Answers in Brief
1. 2. 3. 4. Bethlehem 5 miles south from Jerusalem. 70 miles from Nazareth. No error. Same vicinity, but better known. Nephi. The Angel. One is the private genealogy of the family – father to son. The other is the legal descent – the royal line and they are both for Joseph, but Mary’s genealogy would have been very much the same since they were first cousins. That he was not actually entitled to be king. Joseph and Mary were probably first cousins. Mary and Elizabeth were not necessarily first counsins but they were relatives. Public trial and judgement, or private agreement in writing with witnesses. He chose to obey the law, so he was just, but he chose the kindest of the options, so he was merciful. Four: Proceed to marry Mary, take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, return to Israel, turn aside into the parts of Galilee. It was possibly a test from the Lord, and he passed it beautifully.
Lord’s coming was not necessarily to bring ―good will toward ALL men‖, but to people favored by the Lord. The very first verse in the Book of Mormon introduces us to this idea where Nephi says, ―having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days‖. How do we get to be favored? By obedience. (To see various translations of verses in the Bible go to
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/.)
20. Probably just a normal family residence. 21. swad·dling clothes - Strips of cloth wrapped around a newborn infant to hold its legs and arms still. (The American
Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language as found at http://dictionary.reference.com/)
5.
22. From Jesus The Christ: In the original the name was well understood as meaning "Help of Jehovah," or "Savior.‖ From the Bible Dictionary: Jeshua means ―The Lord Saveth‖, ―God is help‖ or ―Savior‖. 23. Joseph 24. Samuel 25. Balaam. Probably similar to other stars (not necessarily brighter than others, just new.) 26. Jews. Unknown number. 27. Probably not, it’s never mentioned and they were in search of a King. Not to go back to Herod. They were righteous men, enough to receive the revelation in Matthew 2:12 ―that they should not return to Herod‖. They did not visit Jesus in the manger and their visit was possibly a year later. Matthew 2:11 says, ―And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child‖ (not a baby). 28. Young child, not a baby. They found him in a house, not at the manger is commonly pictured. 29. None. 30. Simeon, at the temple - Luke 2:29-32. These verses are known in Christian hymnology as the Nunc Dimittis; the name has reference to the first two words of the Latin version. (James E. Talmage, Jesus The Christ, chapter 8, footnote
16)
6. 7. 8. 9.
10. It was a census for the Romans. Jewish government (Rome would have been satisfied for them to register where they lived, but the Jewish government wanted them to be registered in their ancestral homes.) 11. Likely Mary didn’t want to be alone when she was due to give birth. (Knowing her condition, how may the people in the village have treated her without Joseph to protect her?) 12. By lot (like drawing the short straw). Aaronic. 13. Probably, as the people didn’t just ask him what his son was to be named, they ―made signs‖. 14. Jesus. John the Baptist’s greatness: 1) Prepared the way for Jesus, 2) Baptized Jesus, 3) Only legal administrator. 15. Children (translated from Greek this should be boys only, not just children) age 2 years and under in Bethlehem and the coasts thereof. … The number of boys killed probably did not exceed twenty. Because of the small number affected compared to the other things going on, this was not very noteworthy to historians. (For more information see the handout for #15) 16. Jeremiah's fateful voicing of the word of the Lord, spoken six centuries earlier and expressed in the forceful past tense as though then already accomplished. Also repeated in Matthew 2:18. 17. John and his mother escape. 18. Jesus The Christ - He ordered the nobles whom he had called to him in his last moments to be executed immediately after his decease, that so at least his death might be attended by universal mourning. 19. First half: ―Highest heaven‖ shows that there are degrees in heaven. We’re the only church that clearly teaches that. Heavenly Father resides in the celestial kingdom, which is the highest heaven. Second half: Peace is for those whom the Lord favors, not every man. In other words, the
31. Isaiah 9:6 32. Eighty-four. Spent her time in the temple. 33. 8 days after birth (very strict, even done on the Sabbath if th that was the 8 day). Age in years of accountability, baptism. 34. ―Then said the Pharisees unto him, Why will ye not receive us with our baptism, seeing we keep the whole law?‖ (See JST Matt. 9:18-21, p. 803, and the article ―I Have A
Question‖ in the Ensign, July 1991, which quotes the Jewish Encyclopedia and The Dead Sea Scrolls.)
35. (Found within the scripture passage.) 36. (Found within the two scripture passages.) 37. (Found within the two scripture passages.) Teachers’ Note: 3 Nephi 1:4-6 states that non-believers were about to put the faithful to death unless the heralded sign was given. This is similar to Ester in the Old Testament, the woman who saved her people by her faithfulness (Esther 3). The prophet at that time, named
Nephi, ―cried mightily unto the Lord all that day‖ (3 Nephi 1:12). The Lord answered and gave the sign of a day and a night and a day without darkness. The Lord's very birth saved thousands from death, foreshadowing our future rescue in the resurrection. (2 Nephi 9:12). 38. (Found within the scripture passage.) The sign of there being a non-dark nighttime is also a sign of the Second Coming. (Zechariah 14:6-7) 39. Possibly the light at night is a symbol for The Light of the World (Christ). Also a day, a night and a day might symbolize the amount of time Christ spent in the spirit world. At the Second Coming there will be a day and a night and day without darkness. 40. Teachers’ Note: Find Christ in the temple – At the age of twelve Jesus’ family visited Jerusalem for the Passover. Afterward Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem ―sorrowing‖ (Luke 2:48) to find him. Modern bibles add a wholly new understanding to Jesus’ response to them in Luke 2:49. In our homes we have many symbols that represent Christmas, from a star to images of Santa. Possibly the greatest symbol of all is a picture of a temple, because from the first moments of his birth wise men sought him and to this day they still do.
(Jerusalem Bible) (From his chapter in Studies in Scripture, v. 5: The Gospels, p.146)
(#19) Matthew 10:34-35 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Handy Passages (#32) Luke 2:36-37 - And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. New International Version - There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. (#33) JST Genesis 17:11, 17 – And I will establish a covenant of circumcision with thee, and it shall be my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations; that thou mayest know for ever that children are not accountable before me until they are eight years old. … And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man-child in your generations. (#35) JST Matthew 3:24-26 - And it came to pass that Jesus grew up with his brethren, and waxed strong, and waited upon the Lord for the time of his ministry to come. 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. (#36) 3 Nephi 1:4-6, 9 - And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people. But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite. And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain... Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet. (#36) Esther 3:9-10 - And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king's treasuries. (#37) 3 Nephi 1:12 - And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him...
Presentation Notes
o Bring to class – o Extra copies of the scriptures for students who forget theirs. Likewise for the institute manual, The Life and Teachings of Jesus & His Apostles. A few copies of Teachings of the Prophet. Multiple copies of Jesus The Christ. Studies in Scripture, vol. 5 The Gospels if available.
The quiz could be done in teams. If so, do it in sections such as questions 1-9, then 10-18, etc. so that there is time to stop and review. Use the material in the ―Answers‖ section below to add extra enrichment. After the answers section below there are research quotes. Cut these out and have them available along with the reference books. If there is not enough time to handle all 40 questions, here are perhaps the highest priority: 6&7, 8&9, 11, 15, 17, 20&21, 30, 32, 33, 37. The second level are: 25, 27, 28. Third level are 10, 34.
o
o
Extra Material
(#19) Robert Millet - "And this is the way you shall find the babe," the angel continued to the attentive shepherds: "He is wrapped in swaddling clothes, and is lying in a manger." (JST, Luke 2:12.) After the preceding directions were given regarding our Lord's place of birth, the heavens resounded with anthems of praise: "Glory to God in the highest heaven! Peace upon earth among men of good will!" (Phillips Translation, Luke 2:14) Or, as translated in a slightly different manner: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favor."
(#37) 2 Nephi 9:12 - And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel. (#38) Helaman 14:2-5 - And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day. Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there
were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born. And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you. And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven. And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth. And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life. (#39) Zecharia 14:7 - And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.
Gold
This precious metal was used in the tabernacle of Moses, in the temple at Jerusalem and in King Solomon’s house. Many instances are given in the Old Testament of its use for decoration. It was part of the offering made by the wise men to the infant Savior. (Adapted from the
LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 682)
Frankincense
This fragrant resin or sap oozes from the boswellia tree. It was an ingredient in the holy incense used in sacrifices in the ancient temple in Jerusalem. It was highly valued as a perfume.
(Adapted from the LDS Bible Dictionary, p. 676)
Myrrh
Another fragrant sap, this was used in the Bible for the preparation of the holy ointment, in the purification of women, as a perfume, and for embalming. It comes from various thorny shrubs of the dry districts of Arabia and eastern Africa. (Adapted from the LDS Bible Dictionary,
p. 736)