REG TEST 1 Review

Who was Jesus?
“that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.”
The Living Christ
What did He do in pre-mortal life/before this world was created?
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3)
Nevertheless, by viewing the stretching cosmos, we can humbly contemplate the vastness of divine handiwork. Long before He was born at Bethlehem and became known as Jesus of Nazareth, our Savior was Jehovah. Way back then, under the direction of the Father, Christ was the Lord of the universe, who created worlds without number—of which ours is only one (see Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:2).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
What is Jesus’ relationship to us?
Having purchased us (see 1 Cor. 7:23) with His atoning blood (see Acts 20:28) in the great and marvelous Atonement, Jesus thereby became our Lawgiver (see Isa. 33:22). It is by obedience to His laws and His commandments that we may return one day to His presence and that of our Heavenly Father.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
The fulfillment of the ancient Abrahamic covenant is feasible only because of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is He who has made it possible for us to dwell with God, with Him, and with our families eternally.
Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
He showed the way to truth, the way to peace, the way to happiness. I testify that when He walked the earth, thousands looked into His eyes—yearning for answers, yearning for release from suffering and grief, yearning that the burdens they carried would be lightened. Everyone who looked into His eyes with faith found healing, peace, and happiness.
Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
What was the Jewish concept of Messiah?
“the Jews were looking for a redeemer quite different from the Christ. It was a temporal salvation that they desired. It was an earthly kingdom for which they longed. It was not faith, repentance, and baptism for which they sought, but national vindication, the destruction of gentile oppressors, and the establishment of a kingdom of peace and justice.” (Joseph McConkie, “Messianic Expectations among the Jews,” A Symposium on the New Testament, Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1980, p. 128.)
“The Jews had apostatized before Jesus came among them to that degree, that there were sects and parties among them, just as we find in the Christian world since; and these Jewish sects were destitute of the spirit of prophecy which their ancient fathers had. … It was because of this that the Jews were broken off, and the Gentiles were grafted in, and were made partakers of the riches, blessings and glories formerly enjoyed by the ancient Jews.” (Journal of Discourses, 16:345.) Orson Pratt
That is, what kind of Messiah did the Jews of Jesus’ day expect?
After ages of bondage, the Jews had fixed themselves upon the hope of deliverance. Anticipation was great, and expectations were legion, for “the Jews taught that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.” (JST, Luke 19:11.) And yet, the results were quite different from what they expected.
Robert L. Millet, "Looking beyond the Mark: Why Many Did Not Accept the Messiah", Ensign, July 1987, 60
What were some specific prophecies about the who the moral Messiah would be and what His purpose was?
The Hebrew title messiah and its Greek equivalent christ mean the anointed one and could be used for a number of callings. The title mashiah (anointed one) applied to anyone—a priest, a king, or a prophet—who was anointed with oil to minister in God’s behalf. (See Ex. 29:29; 1 Sam. 10:1; 1 Kgs. 19:16.) Jesus was all of these—prophet, priest, and king.
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
It was there that Jesus became “the anointed Son of God, from before the foundation of the world.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 265.) For this reason, John identified Jesus as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8.)
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
Although the major earthly role of the Son of God was to conquer physical and spiritual death, many prophecies focus on the Anointed One primarily in his kingly role. One early prophecy stated, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” (Gen. 49:10.)
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
When David, of the tribe of Judah, came to the throne, the Lord promised him that his posterity would continue as heirs to the throne forever. (1 Chr. 17:11–14.) Thus, the Messiah would occupy David’s throne.
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
By choosing to ride into Jerusalem upon the colt of an ass, Jesus—his very name meaning that he would save his people—announced that he was the prophesied King, having salvation. Therefore, the believing, ecstatic Jews greeted him with “Hosanna!”—a word that means please save!—and shouted, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.” (Mark 11:7–10; Luke 19:35–38.)
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
Like Moses, that prophet would make a new covenant and give new laws. Jeremiah wrote of that new covenant with the house of Israel, saying that it would be “not according to the covenant [God] made with their fathers in the day that [he] took them … out of the land of Egypt,” but instead would be a law written “in their hearts.” (Jer. 31:31–33.)… By word and deed Jesus himself sent clear messages to the Jews that a new lawgiver was replacing Moses. In the Sermon on the Mount, he said:
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; …
“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.” (Matt. 5:21–22.)
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
Two passages in Isaiah speak of a divine child being born. The first promises that “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” which means with us is God. (Isa. 7:14.)
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
Even before the birth of Jesus, the angel Gabriel, referring to the prophecy in Isaiah 9, [Isa. 9] emphasized to Mary that her child would be called the Son of God. (See Luke 1:26–35.) Matthew also wrote that the birth of Jesus fulfilled the Immanuel prophecy in Isaiah. (See Matt. 1:22–23.)
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
In Isaiah 61:12, [Isa. 61:12] the prophet foretold that the Messiah would be anointed to help the powerless of body, mind, or spirit triumph over their enemies. So rich is this prophecy in promise that one can see why Jesus used it to announce his Messiahship at the Nazareth synagogue. Herein he describes his anointing:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
“To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18–19; italics added.)
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
Many of the events in the Old Testament also pointed to the ultimate sacrifice. When the Israelites were dying of serpent bites, Moses lifted up a brass serpent in the camp of Israel to save them. Those who looked with faith at the figure lived. (See Num. 21:6–9.) Thus, Jesus taught Nicodemus, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Keith Meservy, "“This Day Is This Scripture Fulfilled”", Ensign, Apr. 1987, 7
How could knowing something of the land of Jesus and its history help you to understand Jesus’ mission?
And it has the promise of a peaceful future as a dwelling place for the Lord and His Saints during His great millennial reign.
D. Kelly Ogden, "Jerusalem", Liahona, Apr. 2003, 8
Solomon built his temple on Mount Moriah, which was the place where David had earlier purchased the threshing floor of a Jebusite man and had there been instructed by the Lord to build an altar.
Jerusalem, as with many other great cities of the world, did not remain static during the long period of its ancient occupation. From the time that it was captured by David and made the capital of his new kingdom about 993 B.C., to the time that it lay a tragic and barren ruin following the Babylonian destruction of 587 B.C., to the time of its resettlement and rebuilding in the days of Zerubbabel and of Ezra and Nehemiah, Jerusalem underwent many changes in area and in population
The area that comprised ancient Palestine is a land of striking geographical and climatic contrasts—a land highly dependent on one special resource: water. Between Jerusalem on the west and Amman, Jordan, on the east flows the Jordan River from the Sea of Galilee on the north to the Dead Sea.
John M. Lundquist, "Life in Ancient Biblical Lands", Ensign, Dec. 1981, 31–47
Nephi and his brother Jacob quoted Isaiah extensively, and they both declared that we should liken Isaiah’s teachings to ourselves (see 1 Nephi 19:23; 2 Nephi 6:5). Although Isaiah lived long ago and often spoke about people, places, and things that are unfamiliar to us, his teachings are relevant to our lives today.
"Chapter 10: 2 Nephi 11–16," Book of Mormon Teacher Manual, (2009)
In what ways do you see the Lord’s hand preparing the place and the people for His mortal ministry?
John’s activities were made known to Lehi and Nephi by vision centuries before his birth, and they spoke of it and said that he would prepare the way before and even baptize the Messiah. Jesus eulogized John, calling him “a burning and a shining light,” and said that among those born of woman, there was not a greater prophet.
Robert J. Matthews, "John the Baptist: A Burning and a Shining Light", Ensign, Sept. 1972, 73
What is mean by the condescension(s) of God?
President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) taught, “It means to descend or come down from an exalted position to a place of inferior station.” 1
Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles elaborates, “‘The condescension of God,’ of which the scriptures speak, means that the Immortal Father—the glorified, exalted, enthroned ruler of the universe—came down from his station of dominion and power to become the Father of a Son who would be born of Mary, ‘after the manner of the flesh.’”
It had to be a sacrifice of a God, even God the Creator, God the Redeemer. He had to condescend from godhood to mortality, and in mortality to sacrificial lamb. His gift of redemption, through His condescension, necessitated His suffering, exquisite pain, and humiliation.
Richard C. Edgley, "“The Condescension of God”", Ensign, Dec. 2001, 16
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, “The condescension of the Father of our spirits, in providing a sacrifice for His creatures, a plan of redemption, … ought to inspire everyone who is called to be a minister of these glad tidings, to so improve his talent that he may gain other talents, that when the Master sits down to take an account of the conduct of His servants, it may be said, Well done, good and faithful servant.”
What do we know about Jesus’ youth and adolescence?
“Even Jesus, the Son of God,” said the Prophet Joseph Smith, “had to … restrain His feelings many times for the safety of Himself and His followers, and had to conceal the righteous purposes of His heart in relation to many things pertaining to His Father’s kingdom. 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” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 392).
It was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith that both during the years Jesus grew and waited for his ministry, and throughout his ministry, Jesus “suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them” (D&C 20:22). And in fact, the text in Hebrews 5:8 [Heb. 5:8] that is sometimes applied to Jesus—“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered”—does not refer to Jesus at all, but is “alluding to Melchizedek,” said Joseph Smith (Heb. 5:7, note a).
Jay M. Todd, "Our New Light on Jesus’ Mortal Life and Teachings", Ensign, Jan. 1995, 33
Why was Jesus Baptized
But Jesus knew that God had commanded all people to be baptized. Jesus told John to baptize Him, and John did so. Jesus set an example for us by being baptized to obey God’s commandment. Matt. 3:16; 2 Ne. 31:7–8
"Jesus Is Baptized", Liahona, Nov. 2000, 12
Why was Jesus Tempted?
Help the children understand that the JST makes it clear that Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be with God” and not to be tempted by the devil.
"Lesson 7: Jesus Christ Was Tempted by Satan," Primary 7: New Testament, (1997)
he himself hath suffered being tempted, Heb. 2:18
was in all points tempted like as we are, Heb. 4:15
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, Heb. 5:8
he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, Mosiah 3:7
suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not, Mosiah 15:5
suffering pains … and temptations of every kind, Alma 7:11
He suffered temptations but gave no heed, D&C 20:22
How is one born again?
“I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.
“And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;
“And thus they become new creatures” (Mosiah 27:24–26).
The Spirit of the Lord wrought such a mighty change in the people that they had “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2). Because of their faith in Christ, they said, “We are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments … all the remainder of our days” (Mosiah 5:5; emphasis added). The king responded, “Because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name” (Mosiah 5:7; see also D&C 76:24).
"Born Again," , (April 6, 2008)
Being born again, unlike our physical birth, is more a process than an event. And engaging in that process is the central purpose of mortality.
"Born Again," , (April 6, 2008)
What does spiritual rebirth involve?
Please note that the conversion described in these verses is mighty, not minor—a spiritual rebirth and fundamental change of what we feel and desire, what we think and do, and what we are. Indeed, the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very nature made possible through our reliance upon “the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8). As we choose to follow the Master, we choose to be changed—to be spiritually reborn.
"Ye Must Be Born Again," , (March 31, 2007)
How do you reconcile the “nothingness of man” (Moses 1:10; Hela. 12:7; Mosiah 4:11_ and “the worth of souls is great” (D&C 18:10)?
We may defy our nothingness and attempt to become something without God. We may try in many vain ways to prove our worth by seeking wealth, power, or praise of men.
Yet, when we can finally admit that we are nothing without God, the Savior invites us to lay on the altar the great burden of trying to do everything on our own or of assuming more responsibility than we have. Our meekness and dependence on the Lord, our hunger to know what is right, draw the Lord and his solutions to us. It is the poor in spirit, the mournful, and the meek “who come unto me” who will receive the kingdom of heaven. (3 Ne. 12:3; italics added.) Those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” will be “filled with the Holy Ghost.” (3 Ne. 12:6.)
Catherine Thomas, "“Blessed Are Ye …”", Ensign, June 1987, 6
When we see the effect one person can have on the lives of so many, it perhaps is no wonder that the Lord reminded us, “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10).
I pray we all might consider what we can do individually to assist those who will be the future great-grandparents, whether a little child, a teenager, or an adult, so that each will leave a righteous legacy of those who know and love the Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
"The Worth of Souls," , (April 2, 2005)

Why did some Jews have a problem with Jesus’ actions on the Sabbath?
After healing a man on the Sabbath (see John 5:16–47). When Jesus returned to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, the healing of a man on the Sabbath day drew tremendous attention. Jesus defended the timing of this action by fearlessly teaching, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17; emphasis added). His explanation not only openly confronted the strict laws and practices of the Jewish Sabbath but also declared with unmistakable clarity that He was the Son of God…The Jewish scriptures taught that the Sabbath came from God and was an everlasting sign between Jehovah and Israel (see Gen. 2:3; Ex. 16:23–29; Ex. 20:11; Ex. 31:16–17; Ezek. 20:12, 21). By boldly testifying that it was He who had originated the Sabbath, He was now asserting the right to decide how His disciples could keep that day which belonged to Him, even the Sabbath.
Jonathan H. Stephenson, "“I Am He”", Ensign, Apr. 1999, 7

How did Jesus know who to select for His Apostles?
The word Apostle is derived from a Greek word meaning “one sent forth” (see Bible Dictionary, “Apostle,” 612)
An Apostle is one of a select group of men who is ordained as a special witness of Jesus Christ to all the world. He testifies that Jesus is the Son of God and that he was resurrected. He makes sure the gospel is preached everywhere in the world. (See Mark 16:15 and D&C 107:23.)
"Lesson 9: Jesus Christ Calls His Apostles," Primary 7: New Testament, (1997)
The word Apostle was not applied to the early patriarchs and prophets of God who led His people through their ages; rather, it was restricted for those called as special witnesses of the name of Jesus Christ, His Atonement, and His Resurrection.
Edward J. Brandt, "“And He Gave Some, Apostles”", Liahona, Sept. 2001, 32

What is Jesus doing in Matthew 5?
Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount—Its teachings replace and transcend some aspects of the law of Moses—All are commanded to be perfect like their Father in Heaven.
The first word of the sermon signals the Savior’s main message: Blessed. In the Greek text, the word is makarios, a word that refers to a state of divine happiness. With this word, the Savior draws us into his sermon and shows us how to find divine happiness in this life and take it with us into the next.
Catherine Thomas, "“Blessed Are Ye …”", Ensign, June 1987, 6
In brief, the Sermon on the Mount might be outlined as follows:
Matthew 5:1–12. The Lord addresses his followers, gives the Beatitudes, broadly identifies what is expected of his disciples, and assures them of blessings if they will comply. [Matt. 5:1–12]
Matthew 5:13–16. The Lord speaks of his disciples as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, which implies a signal responsibility. [Matt. 5:13–16]
Matthew 5:17–20. The Lord says he came not to destroy the law of Moses but to fulfill it. This is the pivotal statement of the entire sermon. [Matt. 5:17–20]
Matthew 5:21 to 6:34. The Lord illustrates that his gospel requires more of mankind than did the law of Moses. [Matt. 5:21–Matt. 6:34]
Matthew 7:1–23. The Lord gives a series of six broad, fundamental principles of counsel and warning. [Matt. 7:1–23]
The Lord’s statement that he came to fulfill the law, to make the final and infinite sacrifice himself to atone for the sins of mankind, is the basis for the rest of his sermon: thereafter he illustrates with numerous examples that his gospel requires more exemplary conduct from man than did the law of Moses.
David H. Yarn Jr., "The Sermon on the Mount", Ensign, Dec. 1972, 53

What is Jesus doing with the first three doctrines or principles in Matthew 6?
Alms: Notoriety of generosity
Prayer: Hypocrisy or reverence
Fasting: Hypocrisy or simplicity

To whom was Matt. 6:25-34 directed?
One section of it, however, was directed to the twelve disciples and did not apply ... Matthew 6:25—34.) There is no suggestion in the text of Matthew that this ... of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, ...
Journal of Book of Mormon Studies: Volume - 4, Issue - 1, Pages: 153-65
Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, 1995
Those in full-time service to the Lord

Why did Jesus tell them such things?
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that you can change your circumstances by changing your attitudes of mind.”
William James, the great Harvard psychologist

“I have now finished distributing all of my property to my children. However, there is one more thing that I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. If I could give them that, though I had not given them a single shilling, they would be rich. And if they did not have that, though I had given them the whole world, they would be poor.”
Patrick Henry

What is your favorite teaching in Matt. 7, and why?
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount—He commands, Judge not; ask of God; beware of false prophets—He promises salvation to those who do the will of the Father.
It is not possible to judge another fairly unless you know his desires, his faith, and his goals. Because of a different environment, unequal opportunity, and many other things, people are not in the same position. One may start at the top and the other at the bottom, and they may meet as they are going in opposite directions. Someone has said that it is not where you are but the direction in which you are going that counts; not how close you are to failure or success but which way you are headed. How can we, with all our weaknesses and frailties, dare to arrogate to ourselves the position of a judge? At best, man can judge only what he sees; he cannot judge the heart or the intention, or begin to judge the potential of his neighbor.
N. Eldon Tanner, "“Judge Not, That Ye Be Not Judged”", Ensign, July 1972, 34
What is a miracle?
“a beneficial event brought about through divine power that mortals do not understand and of themselves cannot duplicate.” In Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 5 vols. (1992), 2:908.
"Miracles are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes. Whom God calls, God qualifies."
Thomas S. Monson, "Our Sacred Priesthood Trust," Ensign, May 2006, 57
Why did Jesus perform miracles?’
“was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).
The story does not end there. All of these events were only a prelude to what the Savior taught afterward. He performed this miracle in a dramatic way so the people clearly understood that He has great power, and they were thus better prepared to accept His teaching—which was so much more important than eating the loaves and the fishes.
A short time after performing this miracle, Jesus taught the people not to focus on physical bread but to seek for much more important bread: “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you” (John 6:27).
The people were confused about what He said. Their minds were still on the loaves they had eaten. They could not understand the meaning of the term “bread of life.”
Won Yong Ko, "Lessons from the New Testament: Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life", Liahona, Mar. 2007, 41–43
Do miracles contradict the law?
“There was nothing informal or unorganized about our Lord’s planning or performance. The assembled hosts were seated in a systematic way by companies and in ranks. His beneficence was not promiscuous largess scattered to a mob. Rather he was providing necessary and otherwise unavailable food to an inquiring congregation of hearers. Then too, there was to be no question left in anyone’s mind as to what actually took place. The apostles were to distribute the loaves and fishes in an orderly way, treating all with fairness and impartiality.” Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85)
Why did Jesus teach using parabels?
The leading quotations on the subject are found in three of the Gospels, two of them giving the impression that Jesus taught in parables in order to obscure: “that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.” (Luke 8:10; see also Mark 4:12.) But Matthew, who possibly kept an original record of Jesus’ teachings, gives fuller information. The Lord stressed that he was quoting Isaiah 6:9–10 and emphasized that he had to use parables because the people themselves were in spiritual darkness. [Isa. 6:9–10] (See Matt. 13:13–15.) Jesus, therefore, did not use the parable to obscure the truth, but often as a subtle invitation to think about it.
Parable has as its main element the Greek verb ballo, meaning to throw or place, modified by the prepositional prefix para, meaning basically alongside or near. So a parable is literally a parallel situation, a story deliberately close to the main point but not identical with it. Jesus’ stories came from daily life: from farming, fishing, home life, and nature. But the points made transcend farming, fishing, home life, and nature. We hear that a great many parables speak about business. True, but the real subject is the higher business of gaining eternal life, and it is extremely important to see the carryover from earthly to heavenly activities. The principles of salvation taught through parables are often adaptations of the principles of success in normal life. Jesus, then, teaches us through our own experiences.
Richard Lloyd Anderson, "How to Read a Parable", Ensign, Sept. 1974, 58
“I have [a] key by which I understand the scripture. I inquire, what was the question which drew out the answers?” (Joseph Smith’s Journal, kept by Willard Richards, Jan. 29, 1843, cit. History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, 1964, vol. 5, p. 261.)
Why did he use so much figurative or symbolic language and imagery?
He asked his enemies which of the sons was more responsive to God, and they selected the disobedient son who repented. But Jesus’ example symbolized their own sins hidden under the name of religion. They had really judged themselves.
The parable is a teaching method recognizing the fact that one sees his own weaknesses better by viewing others who display the same weaknesses. Could this be applied in the home, where family members might participate in evaluating “outside” situations rather than being discouraged by withering personal criticism? Even the Lord was sparing in confrontation, generally reserving it until he had offered many other opportunities to understand.
Jesus’ parables were designed for more than just reading. If every member is a missionary, every parent is a teacher—in fact, every person convinced of the gospel’s truth is someone’s teacher. And there is no superior training than sitting at the feet of the Master.
Richard Lloyd Anderson, "How to Read a Parable", Ensign, Sept. 1974, 58
Council in Heaven: Before we were born, we lived with God, the Father of our spirits. All persons on earth are literally brothers and sisters in God's family.

Foreordination: In the premortal spirit world, God appointed certain spirits to fulfill specific missions during their mortal lives. This is called foreordination. Foreordination does not guarantee that individuals will receive certain callings or responsibilities. Such opportunities come in this life as a result of the righteous exercise of agency, just as foreordination came as a result of righteousness in the premortal existence.
Need for a Redeemer: In the Garden of Eden, God commanded, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Moses 3:16–17). Because Adam and Eve transgressed this command and partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they were cast out from the presence of the Lord (see D&C 29:40–41). In other words, they experienced spiritual death. They also became mortal—subject to physical death. This spiritual and physical death is called the Fall.
Redemption:
Angel which redeemed me from all evil, Gen. 48:16

Virgin birth: Thus the testimonies of appointed witnesses leave no question as to the paternity of Jesus Christ. God was the Father of His fleshly tabernacle, and Mary, a mortal woman, was His mother. He is therefore the only person born who rightfully deserves the title “the Only Begotten Son of God.”
Ezra Taft Benson, "Five Marks of the Divinity of Jesus Christ", Ensign, Dec. 2001, 8
The Godhead: The Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bones, and the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit (see D&C 130:22).
Although the members of the Godhead are distinct beings with distinct roles, they are one in purpose and doctrine. They are perfectly united in bringing to pass Heavenly Father's divine plan of salvation.
Repentance: Repentance is one of the first principles of the gospel and is essential to our temporal and eternal happiness. It is much more than just acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart that gives us a fresh view about God, about ourselves, and about the world. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.
In Biblical Hebrew, the idea of repentance is represented by two verbs: שוב shuv (to return) and נחם nicham (to feel sorrow). In the New Testament, the word translated as 'repentance' is the Greek word μετάνοια (metanoia), "after/behind one's mind", which is a compound word of the preposition 'meta' (after, with), and the verb 'noeo' (to perceive, to think, the result of perceiving or observing). In this compound word the preposition combines the two meanings of time and change, which may be denoted by 'after' and 'different'; so that the whole compound means: 'to think differently after'. Metanoia is therefore primarily an after-thought, different from the former thought; a change of mind accompanied by regret and change of conduct, "change of mind and heart", or, "change of consciousness". A description of repentance in the New Testament can be found in the parable of the prodigal son found in the Gospel of Luke (15 beginning at verse 11).
Born again:
As an adult I have reflected upon the things I observed in our kitchen during canning season. This morning I want to discuss some of the spiritual lessons we can learn from the process by which a cucumber becomes a pickle. I invite the Holy Ghost to be with us as we consider the significance of those lessons for me and for you as we come unto Christ and are spiritually reborn.
"Ye Must Be Born Again," , (March 31, 2007)
Perfection: GR complete, finished, fully developed.
Prayer
Fasting
Joseph Smith Translation: A revision or translation of the King James Version of the Bible in English, which the Prophet Joseph Smith began in June 1830. He was commanded by God to make the translation and regarded it as part of his calling as a prophet.
Canon: A recognized, authoritative collection of sacred books. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the canonical books are called the standard works and include the Old and New Testaments, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.
The nature of scriptuer: inerrancy is the doctrinal position that the Bible is accurate and totally free of error. infallibility: is the dogma in Roman Catholic theology that, by action of the Holy Spirit, the Pope is preserved from even the possibility of error[1] when he solemnly declares or promulgates to the universal Church a dogmatic teaching on faith as being contained in divine revelation, or at least being intimately connected to divine revelation. It is also taught that the Holy Spirit works in the body of the Church, as sensus fidelium, to ensure that dogmatic teachings proclaimed to be infallible will be received by all Catholics
Hebrew: is a Semitic language of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Culturally, it is considered the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages that originated among diaspora Jews exist, and the Jews were only part of the whole Hebrew/Canaanian sprachraum.
Aramaic: is a Semitic language belonging to the Afroasiatic language family (etym. language of Aram,[3] an ancient region in central Syria).
Greek: The Greek language holds an important place in the histories of Europe, the more loosely defined "Western" world, and Christianity;
Testament: A solemn, authentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his will as to disposal of his estate and effects after his death.
Centurion: in Greek sources, or, in Byzantine times, kentarch (κένταρχος) was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded 83 men despite the commonly assumed 100, but senior centurions commanded cohorts, or took senior staff roles in their legion.
Matthew 5: 16Let your alight so shine before men, that they may see your good bworks, and cglorify your Father which is in heaven.
48aBe ye therefore bperfect, even as your cFather which is in heaven is dperfect.
Matthew 6: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
33aBut bseek ye first the ckingdom of God, and his drighteousness; and all these ethings shall be fadded unto you.
John 1: 1aIn the bbeginning was the Word, and the cWord was with God, and the dWord was eGod.
2The same was in the abeginning with God.
3All things were amade by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
14And the Word was made aflesh, and bdwelt among us, (and we cbeheld his dglory, the glory as of the eonly fbegotten of the Father,) full of ggrace and truth.
John 3:5
5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be aborn of bwater and of the cSpirit, he cannot denter into the kingdom of God.
16¶For aGod so bloved the cworld, that he dgave his eonly begotten fSon, that whosoever gbelieveth in him should not perish, but have heverlasting ilife.
John 4: 24aGod is a bSpirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in ctruth.
John 5: 29And shall acome forth; they that have done good, unto the bresurrection of life; and they that have done cevil, unto the resurrection of ddamnation.
John 5:39 39¶aSearch the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which btestify of me.