Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel Lesson 27

Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel Lesson 27: Jesus Christ Is the Light, Life & Hope of the World Flagstaff, AZ LDS Institute of Religion Instructor: Christina G. Hibbert www. Grow. With. Scriptures. org

Entrance to Enlightenment

Jesus Christ is The Light of the World • Read John 1: 1 -5 What phrases does John use to describe the Savior? • Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. • Read John 1: 6 -9, silently • What do these verses teach about Jesus Christ’s role as the Light of the World? • How do the footnotes for v. 9 help you understand how Jesus can be the Light of the World to all individuals?

The Light of Christ • D&C 88: 6 -13 • How is Jesus Christ the source of light and life? • How does the Light of Christ influence all of Heavenly Father’s creations? • What do the truths recorded in these verses suggest the Light of Christ has power to do for an individual? • Why is it helpful to understand that the light that governs the universe is “the same light that quickeneth your understandings? ”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf “God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things [see D&C 88: 11– 13]. It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn. “This is ‘the Spirit of Jesus Christ, ’ which gives ‘light to every man that cometh into the world’ [D&C 84: 45– 46]” (“The Hope of God’s Light, ” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 75).

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf “Nevertheless, spiritual light rarely comes to those who merely sit in darkness waiting for someone to flip a switch. It takes an act of faith to open our eyes to the Light of Christ. Spiritual light cannot be discerned by carnal eyes. Jesus Christ Himself taught, “I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. ” 3 For “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. So how do we open our eyes to the hope of God’s light? ”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf • “First, start where you are. “The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of His light will begin to awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul. 5 The darkness may not dissipate all at once, but as surely as night always gives way to dawn, the light will come. ” • “Second, turn your heart toward the Lord. “Lift up your soul in prayer and explain to your Heavenly Father what you are feeling. Acknowledge your shortcomings. Pour out your heart and express your gratitude. Let Him know of the trials you are facing. Plead with Him in Christ’s name for strength and support. Ask that your ears may be opened, that you may hear His voice. Ask that your eyes may be opened, that you may see His light. ” • “Third, walk in the light. ”

“Jesus Christ is The Light & Life of the World” • The Light of the World gives… • Life. • How does the Savior’s role as the Light of the World relate to His role as the Life of the World? • In what ways is light associated with life? • What would be the result if the Savior’s light and power ceased to sustain all things? • Jesus is the literally the Light of the World! • 3 Nephi 8: 20 -23; Helaman 14: 3 -5; 3 Nephi 1: 15, 21

Jesus Christ is the Hope of the World • What does the term “hope” mean? • “the confident expectation of and longing for the promised blessings of righteousness” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Hope”; scriptures. lds. org). The Savior is sometimes called “the hope of the world” because the promised blessings of righteousness come to us through Him (“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, ” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2000, 3). • “Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God’s laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. 18 It is believing and expecting that our prayers will be answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. ” Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Hope is… “Hope is one leg of a three-legged stool, together with faith and charity. These three stabilize our lives regardless of the rough or uneven surfaces we might encounter at the time. The scriptures are clear and certain about the importance of hope. The Apostle Paul taught that the scriptures were written to the end that we “might have hope. Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness. 2 Its absence—when this desire of our heart is delayed —can make “the heart sick. ” 3 “Hope is a gift of the Spirit. 4 It is a hope that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of His Resurrection, we shall be raised unto life eternal and this because of our faith in the Savior. 5 This kind of hope is both a principle of promise as well as a commandment, 6 and, as with all commandments, we have the responsibility to make it an active part of our lives and overcome the temptation to lose hope. ” Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Infinite Power of Hope, Ensign Nov. 2008

Jesus Christ is the Hope of the World • What is true hope centered in? • Ether 12: 4, 32 • Moroni 7: 3, 40 -41 • What will hope do for us in this life? • Psalm 146: 5 • Romans 5: 3 -5; 15: 13 • Hope is having confidence that, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and obedience to the commandments, we will receive God’s promised blessings, including eternal life.

Faith, Hope & Charity “The brighter our hope, the greater our faith. The stronger our hope, the purer our charity. ” “The things we hope for lead us to faith, while things we hope in lead us to charity. The three qualities—faith, hope, and charity 35 —working together, grounded on the truth and light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, lead us to abound in good works. 36” Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Infinite Power of Hope, Ensign Nov. 2008

When we have hope… “When we have hope, we trust God’s promises. We have a quiet assurance that if we do ‘the works of righteousness, ’ we ‘shall receive [our] reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come’ (D&C 59: 23). Mormon taught that such hope comes only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. ” [see Moroni 7: 41]” (True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference [2004], 85).

Search, Ponder & Pray… • Practice the “Light Meditation” every morning for one week. Write your experiences in your journal each day, and see what it can do for you. • What does it mean to you, personally, that Jesus Christ is “the Light, the Life, and the Hope of the World? ” Write your feelings and thoughts in your journal and share them in FHE. • Ponder: What might you do to live with greater hope in this life? Write about this in your journal, setting one goal to move your forward with greater hope. • Continue memorizing the “The Living Christ. ”

Come Unto Christ and bring others with you!

Next Week • Last Class for the Year! • Lesson 28: A Personal Witness of Jesus Christ • Readings: • Matthew 5: 14– 16; 2 Nephi 25: 26; Mosiah 18: 8– 11; 3 Nephi 18: 24. • D. Todd Christofferson, “Becoming a Witness of Christ, ” Ensign, Mar. 2008, 58– 63.