Notes from Relief Society Lesson 3: "Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior"
Sarah VanSteenkiste
My mind has been caught up over the last few weeks, truly pondering and evaluating my own worthiness and preparation for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
You all remember the words of our dear bishop a few Sundays ago, urging us to be prepared. This has stirred some study and interesting conversation between my husband and me about the signs of the times. I have to say that it has been a little scary for me. But my new visiting teachers came Friday and shared a brief message from the Ensign and changed my perspective a little {the message is about managing resources and getting out of debt, which is off topic here, but really does apply in the long run}. "If we live wisely and providently, we will be as safe as in the palm of His hand."
That little line from President Kimball brought peace to my mind.
I have had the privilege of helping out in primary the past few weeks. The children have learned a new song and the title is actually the theme for this year, "I know that My Savior Loves Me." It bears sweet testimony of Jesus Christ: "I did not touch Him or sit on His knee, yet Jesus is real to me." I hear my 4 year old daughter belt out those words at least ten times a day, sometimes in the line at the grocery store, and despite the odd looks from other shoppers, I love it and tears come to my eyes each time. They know he lives.
I was also impressed by the introduction in the new primary outline, written for Primary leaders. It says,
This year you have the opportunity to help the children feel and understand the great love that our Savior, Jesus Christ, has for them. Through the witness of the Holy Ghost, the children will learn that because of the central role of Jesus Christ in our Heavenly Father's plan, they can have faith in Him. The children will also learn that their faith will grow stronger as they keep the commandments, serve, share the gospel, follow the example of the Savior, and prepare for His Second Coming.
I have also read and re-read the introduction to our new manual, and it has been made clear to me that Heavenly Father intends for us to learn and establish an understanding of fundamental principles of the gospel. Back to the basics, maybe a reminder, but maybe just simplifying what really matters and what truly will help us prepare to meet our Savior again. Whatever the reason, whether you are in primary, young women's or relief society, I think the Lord is sending us a message.
I ask you to keep that message, preparing ourselves for His coming, as we study this lesson: "Jesus Christ, our Chosen Leader and Savior."
First of all, I want to touch on just a few things that really stood out for me in this first part. It says here that "we understood." During hard days or times when we might be frustrated by the difficulties of this life, isn't it comforting to know that at one time we understood completely what would be required of us here? And we came anyways. Not only did we come, we rejoiced. This plan of Salvation made us so happy that "we shouted for joy." {I am not typically a bring treats to relief society kind of girl, but it's not every day I get to teach on Valentine's day. They are heart shaped and named "Bliss" which is another word for Joy, so maybe it applies???}
Throughout scripture, Jesus is known by many, many titles. In a talk entitled "Jesus the Christ, Our Master and more," Elder Russell M. Nelson focuses on ten distinguishing attributes/titles of Jesus Christ including: Creator, Jehovah, Advocate with the Father, Immanuel, Son of God, Anointed One, Savior and Redeemer, Judge, Exemplar, and Millenial Messiah, with the caveat that "He (Christ) has numerous names, titles, and responsibilities, all of eternal significance." So I find it interesting that the title used here is "Our Chosen Leader." Think about that while we read a bit.
"We needed a Savior"
#1 - Jesus was willing to come to the earth, give His life for us, and take upon Himself our sins. He, like our Heavenly Father, wanted us to choose whether we would obey Heavenly Father's commandments. He knew we must be free to choose in order to prove ourselves worthy of exaltation. Jesus said, "Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever."
#2 - Satan, who was called Lucifer, also came, saying, "Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor."
The title "Our Chosen Leader" has multiple meanings. {I came up with 3 significant ones, and we will discuss each as we go on.} The first being, our Heavenly Father chose him. "After hearing both sons speak...
{let's stop there for a second...do we really ever stop to think of Lucifer as a Son of God? D&C 76:25-27 **any comments? **How does that make you feel?}
After hearing both sons speak, Heavenly Father said, "I will send the first." So we see that Jesus was chosen from the beginning.
"Because our Heavenly Father chose Jesus Christ"
**Let's talk about this war. Was it a LITERAL WAR? Like war we know today? War where the outcome wasn't certain?
For me, I can't really comprehend it all. I just don't see how anyone, let alone 1/3 of the host of heaven, could stand in the presence of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and say "If you won’t set up a plan where I get to be exalted for certain, I will just rebel"
This is how the bible dictionary describes the war in heaven:
#3 - War in Heaven {Bible Dictionary} This term arises out of Revelations and refers to the conflict that took place in the pre-mortal existence among the spirit children of God. The war was primarily over how and in what manner the plan of salvation would be administered to the forthcoming human family upon the earth. The issues involved such things as agency, how to gain salvation, and who should be the Redeemer. The war broke out because one-third of the spirits refused to accept the Savior. Such a refusal was a rebellion against the Father's plan of redemption. It was evident that if given agency, some persons would fall short of complete salvation; Lucifer and his followers wanted salvation to come automatically to all who passed through mortality, without regard to individual preference, agency, or voluntary dedication. The spirits who thus rebelled and persisted were thrust out of heaven and cast down to the earth without mortal bodies, "and thus came the devil and his angels."
**What was at stake in this war? {quite literally our entire purpose...agency}
This lesson quotes the teachings of President David O. McKay saying that "Under {Satan's} proposal, our purpose in coming to earth would have been frustrated." I went back and read more of his teachings,including the following:
#4 - There is a significant reference in the book of Revelation to 'a war in heaven.' It is not only significant, but seemingly contradictory, for we think of heaven as a celestial abode of bliss, an impossible condition for war and contention to exist. The passage is significant because it implies a freedom of choice and of action in the spirit world. In the Pearl of Great Price we are given this account: "Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; And he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice." {Moses 4:3-4} --David O. McKay
But we know that the Savior and his followers overcame Satan.
#5 - Revelation 12:11
Because we are here on earth and have mortal bodies, we know that we chose to follow Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Here is the second meaning...we see that we also, CHOSE Jesus to be "Our Chosen Leader."
Satan and his followers are also on this earth, but as spirits. "THEY HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN WHO WE ARE, and they are around us daily, tempting us." Doesn't that just make you crazy? It does me...I can't help but think about how angry they must be to have lost the war. And so they battle on.
**In what ways does the War in Heaven continue today?
#6 - War in Heaven {Bible dictionary continued} The warfare is continued in mortality in the conflict between right and wrong; between the gospel and false principles, etc. The same contestants and the same issues are doing battle, and the same salvation is at stake. Although, one-third of the spirits became devils, the remaining two-thirds were not all equally valiant, there being every degree of devotion to Christ and the Father among them. The most diligent were chosen to be rulers in the kingdom. The nature of the conflict, however, is such that there could be no neutrals, then or now.
Mike and I are attending the "Strengthening Marriage" course offered by the Stake. In one talk given by Elder Bednar, he discusses Lucifer's relentless attacks on the family.
"Satan desires that all men and women might be miserable like unto himself."
It does give me peace knowing that we can be prepared to meet Satan and his followers because we are aware of their intent.
Now here's the third and possibly most important meaning: we chose him then, do we continue to choose him now???
#7 - Moses 7:26-33
26 And he beheld Satan; and he had a great chain in his hand, and it veiled the whole face of the earth with darkness; and he looked up and laughed, and his angels rejoiced.
27 And Enoch beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and Son; and the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion.
28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?
29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?
30 And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever;
31 And thou hast taken Zion to thine own bosom, from all thy creations, from all eternity to all eternity; and naught but peace, justice, and truth is the habitation of thy throne; and mercy shall go before thy face and have no end; how is it thou canst weep?
32 The Lord said unto Enoch: Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;
33 And unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood;
That's a pretty powerful image...and it combines all of the concepts at hand: agency; the continuation of the war with Satan who with chain in hand is laughing at the terrible misery he is wreaking upon humanity; and the question, even if we chose him then, who are we choosing now? (verse 33 -- It seems the same need to choose has followed us into this second estate.)
I have been studying a wonderful talk given at a devotional at BYU in 2005. It is entitled "And Always Remember Him" by Gordon B. Lindsay and I highly recommend it to all of you. Maybe most especially to you Laurels...
He asks a series of questions, requesting the BYU students to answer in their minds. I am going to try to get through the questions and ask you to do the same, answer the questions in your minds.
"By following His teachings..." (refer to Brother Lindsay's questions)
...Of this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.