August 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:Messiah

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The scriptures teach that we can dwell in the presence of God “through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8). Messiah is “an Aramaic and Hebrew word meaning ‘the anointed.’ … In the New Testament Jesus is called the Christ, which is the Greek equivalent of Messiah. It means the anointed Prophet, Priest, King, and Deliverer.”1

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified: “I know [Jesus Christ] is the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah who will one day come again in final glory, to reign on earth as Lord of lords and King of kings. I know that there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man [or woman] can be saved.”2

“[Jesus Christ] is the Savior and Redeemer of the world,” said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency. “He is the promised Messiah. He lived a perfect life and atoned for our sins. He will ever be at our side. He will fight our battles. He is our hope; He is our salvation; He is the way.”3

Additional Scriptures

John 1:38–41; 4:25–26, 40–42; 2 Nephi 6:13; 25:16–17

From the Scriptures

Female disciples of Christ have been witnesses of His role as the Messiah. Mary Magdalene was a disciple of Jesus Christ. She was the first to see “the stone taken away from the sepulchre” on the morning of Christ’s Resurrection. She “stood without at the sepulchre weeping” after discovering that His body was no longer in the tomb.

Then “she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

“Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” Mary recognized that He was not the gardener but Jesus Christ, the Messiah. (See John 20:1–17.)

Consider This

Why is it important to understand the Savior’s role as the Messiah?

Notes

1. Guide to the Scriptures, “Messiah,” scriptures.lds.org.
2. Jeffrey R Holland, “The Only True God and Jesus Christ Whom He Hath Sent,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 42.
3. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Way of the Disciple,” Ensign, May 2009, 78.

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July 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: Advocate

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Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father. The word advocate has Latin roots meaning “one who pleads for another.”1 The Savior pleads for us, using understanding, justice, and mercy. Knowing this can fill us with love and gratitude for His Atonement.

“Listen to [Jesus Christ] who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—

“Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

“Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life” (D&C 45:3–5).

Of Christ as our Advocate, Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “It is of great significance to me, that I may at any moment and in any circumstance approach through prayer the throne of grace, that my Heavenly Father will hear my petition, that my Advocate, him who did no sin, whose blood was shed, will plead my cause.”2

 

Additional Scriptures

Mosiah 15:8–9; Moroni 7:28; Doctrine and Covenants 29:5; 110:4

 

From the Scriptures

Throughout the history of the Lord’s Church, female disciples of Jesus Christ have followed His example. Esther was faithful and courageous. Her cousin Mordecai sent her a copy of the king’s decree that the Jews should be destroyed, and he charged her “to make request before [the king] for her people.” He added: “And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:8, 14.)

Despite the danger, Esther agreed: “So will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

Esther then spoke humbly to the king and “fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears … to reverse the letters … to destroy the Jews.” She added, “How can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?” (see Esther 8:3, 5–6). The king’s heart was softened, and he granted her petition.3
Consider This

How can the advocacy of Jesus Christ inspire us to extend mercy and forgiveness to others?

 

Notes

 1. See Russell M. Nelson, 'Jesus Christ—Our Master and More; (Brigham Young University fireside, Feb. 2, 1992), 4; speeches.byu.edu.

 2. D Todd Christofferson, 'I Know in Whom I Have Trusted,' Ensign, May 1993, 83.

 3. See also Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society (2011), 180.

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? Google 'Visiting Teaching Message July 2014'