Luke 2; Matthew 3

Far far Away on Judea’s Plains

How well do you know the Christmas story?

1. Shepherds saw the star and followed it to Bethlehem. (Luke 2:9-16)

2. The number of wise men who came to see Jesus was three. (Matthew 2:1)

3. The wise men followed the star from the east to Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:1-2, 9-10)

4. The wise men came to see Jesus on the night of His birth. (Matthew 2:11)

5. As soon as the shepherds had seen the babe they kept it secret so Herod wouldn’t learn about it. (Luke 2:17)

6. Joseph was the foster-father or guardian of Jesus. (Matthew 1:25)

7. Jesus had brothers and sisters. (Matthew 13:55-56, Mark 6:3)

8. King Herod had all babies in Bethlehem and the surrounding area who were two years old and younger killed. (Matthew 2:16)

9. After Jesus was 40 days old the Holy Family returned directly from Bethlehem to Nazareth to live. (Luke 2:39)

10. When He was a boy, Christ would have been called Jesus by his mother. (Luke 1:31)

Christ’s Boyhood

Christ’s Boyhood

What do we know about Christ’s boyhood?

Christ’s Boyhood

What do we know about Christ’s boyhood?

• Matthew 3:24-26 (JST)• Luke 2:40-52• Hebrews 4:15• D&C 93:12-14

What do we know about his mortality as a youth?

Though Jesus was the literal Son of God, as a young child he needed to be taught and cared for much like other children. This would be necessary because "over his mind had fallen the

veil of forgetfulnessveil of forgetfulness

common to all who are born to earth, by which the remembrance of primeval existence is shut off" (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 111).

Jesus’ Development was Accelerated (Matthew 3:24-26-

JST)…for His development was unretarded by the dragging weight of sin; He loved and obeyed the truth and therefore was free. (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1983], 106.)

Jesus as a boy

“When still a boy, He had all the intelligence necessary to enable Him to rule and govern the kingdom of the Jews, and could reason with the wisest and most profound doctors of law and divinity, and make their theories and practice to appear like folly compared with the wisdom he possessed; but He was a boy only, and lacked physical strength even to defend His own person; and was subject to cold, to hunger and to death” (TPJS, p. 392).

Grace to Grace (D&C 93:12-14)The Child grew, and with growth there came to Him expansion of mind, development of faculties, and progression in power and understanding. His advancement was from one grace to another, not from gracelessness to grace; from good to greater good, not from evil to good, from favor with God to greater favor, not from estrangement because of sin to reconciliation through repentance and propitiation. (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ: A Study of the Messiah and His Mission According to Holy Scriptures Both Ancient and Modern [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1983], 105.)

He was so highly endowed with talents and abilities, so spiritually sensitive, so in tune with the Infinite, that his learning and wisdom soon excelled that of all his fellows. His knowledge came to him quickly and easily because he was building—as is the case with all men—upon the foundations laid in preexistence. He brought with him from that eternal world the talents and capacities, the inclinations to conform and obey, and the ability to recognize truth that he had there acquired. …Jesus, when yet a child had spiritual talents that no other man in a hundred lifetimes could obtain” (Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, p. 369).

Pre-Mortal Foundations

“Neither could he be taught…”(Matthew 3:24-26—JST;

Luke 2:46-7—JST)

He was “subject” to his Mother and Father (Luke 2:51)

Christ’s Baptism

Tell the story

Christ’s Baptism

Matthew 3:13-16 contains three lessons regarding baptism

• By authority (3:13; Article of Faith 5, Hebrews 5:4)

• Due Process—by immersion (3:16; Romans 6:3-6)

• Nobody is above the law (3:15; 2 Nephi 31:5-12)