January 2014

Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How will understanding the life and mission of the Savior increase your faith in Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching? For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

This is part of a series of Visiting Teaching Messages featuring aspects of the mission of the Savior.

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Exemplar

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As we understand that Jesus Christ is our example in all things, we can increase our desire to follow Him. The scriptures are full of encouragement for us to follow in Christ’s footsteps. To the Nephites, Christ said, “For the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do” (3 Nephi 27:21). To Thomas, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Today our leaders remind us to set the Savior as our example. Linda K. Burton, Relief Society general president, said, “When each of us has the doctrine of the Atonement written deep in our hearts, then we will begin to become the kind of people the Lord wants us to be.”¹

President Thomas S. Monson said, “Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is our Exemplar and our strength.”²

Let us resolve to draw near to Jesus Christ, to obey His commandments, and to strive to return to our Heavenly Father.

From the Scriptures

2 Nephi 31:16; Alma 17:11; 3 Nephi 27:27; Moroni 7:48

From Our History

“He marked the path and led the way,” wrote Eliza R. Snow, second Relief Society general president, of the mortal ministry of Jesus Christ.³ He ministered to individuals—one by one. He taught that we should leave the ninety and nine to save the straying one (see Luke 15:3–7). He healed and taught individuals, even taking time for each person in a multitude of 2,500 people (see 3 Nephi 11:13–15; 17:25).

Of Latter-day Saint women, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said: “You wonderful sisters render compassionate service to others for reasons that supersede desires for personal benefits. In this you emulate the Savior … . His thoughts were always tuned to help others.”⁴

What Can I Do?

1. Why and how is Jesus Christ my exemplar?
   
2. How can ministering to the sisters I visit help me follow the Savior?
   

Notes

1. Linda K. Burton, “Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ Written in Our Hearts?” Ensign, Nov. 2012, 114.
   
2. Thomas S. Monson, “Meeting Life’s Challenges,” Ensign, Nov. 1993, 71.
3. “How Great the Wisdom and the Love,” Hymns, no. 195.
   
4. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Happiness, Your Heritage,” Ensign, Nov. 2008, 120.
   

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December 2013

Prayerfully study this material and seek to know what to share. How will understanding the life and mission of the Savior increase your faith in Him and bless those you watch over through visiting teaching? For more information, go to reliefsociety.lds.org.

The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: The Only Begotten Son

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Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is called the Only Begotten Son because He is the only person on earth to be born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father. He inherited divine powers from God, His Father. From His mother, Mary, He inherited mortality and was subject to hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and death.1

Because Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten of the Father, He was able to lay down His life and take it up again. The scriptures teach that “through the atonement of Christ,” we “obtain a resurrection” (Jacob 4:11). We also learn that all “might be raised in immortality unto eternal life” if we “would believe” (D&C 29:43).

As we come to understand more fully what it means for Jesus to be the Only Begotten Son of the Father, our faith in Christ will increase. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “Faith in Jesus Christ is the conviction and assurance of (1) His status as the Only Begotten Son of God, (2) His infinite Atonement, and (3) His literal Resurrection.”2 Modern prophets have testified: “[Jesus Christ] was … the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.”3

From the Scriptures

John 3:16; Doctrine and Covenants 20:21–24; Moses 5:6–9

From Our History

In the New Testament we read of women, named and unnamed, who exercised faith in Jesus Christ, learned and lived His teachings, and testified of His ministry, miracles, and majesty. These women became exemplary disciples and important witnesses in the work of salvation.

For example, Martha bore strong testimony of the Savior’s divinity when she said to Him, “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world” (John 11:27).

Some of the earliest witnesses of the Savior’s divinity were His mother, Mary, and her cousin Elisabeth. Soon after the angel Gabriel visited Mary, she visited Elisabeth. As soon as Elisabeth heard Mary’s greeting, she “was filled with the Holy Ghost” (Luke 1:41) and bore testimony that Mary would become mother to the Son of God.

What Can I Do?

    1. Why is it important for me to understand the roles of Jesus Christ?
    2. How do covenants increase our faith in the Savior?

Notes

    1. See Gospel Principles (2009), 52–53.
    2. D. Todd Christofferson, “Building Faith in Christ,” Ensign, Sept. 2012, 53; Liahona, Sept. 2012, 13.
    3. “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2000, 2–3.



Suggested handout (download) The file will download automatically and is 6x4 suitable for a photo print if you wish  

Some other sites to check

Sugardoodle

The Idea Door
Inkablinka

My happy tribe

Still looking for ideas? Try Google and  look for 'Visiting Teaching message handouts December 2013'