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Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3

Jesus Christ, the Life and Light of the World

"Lesson 16: Jesus Christ, the Life and Light of the World," Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3, 60

OBJECTIVE

Each young man will come to understand that Jesus is literally the life and light of the world.

PREPARATION

SUGGESTED LESSON DEVELOPMENT

The Relationship between Life and Light

Discussion

Help the young men bring out that all forms of life would die without light. Without light, plants would die; without plants, animals would die; without plants or animals, people would die. Without light, the earth would freeze.

Adviser presentation

Explain that just as there is a relationship between light and life in the natural world, there is also a relationship between light and life in spiritual matters. The Lord compares resurrected bodies and degrees of spiritual power and glory with different degrees of light.

Have the young men read Doctrine and Covenants 76:70-71, 81, 96-98, and 1 Corinthians 15:40-42. As you discuss these verses, put the following chart on the chalkboard:

Type of Resurrected Life

 

Type of Light

 

Celestial

 

Sun

 

Terrestrial

 

Moon

 

Telestial

 

Stars

 

Explain that those who are resurrected with a celestial body receive a glory or life that is compared with the light of the sun, which is a fulness of light. Those who are resurrected with a terrestrial body are compared with the moon, whose light is only a reflection of the sun. They receive of God's glory "but not of its fulness." Those who are resurrected with a telestial body are compared with the stars, whose light appears dim compared to the sun and moon.

Jesus Is the Life and Light of the World

Scriptures and discussion

If the young men suggest that the sun is the source of physical light, ask where the sun gets its light.

Have the young men read and mark Doctrine and Covenants 88:7-13.

Have the young men read and mark Doctrine and Covenants 11:28.

Group activity

Divide the young men into two groups, and give each group one of the following lists of scriptures. Allow about ten minutes for them to look up the scriptures and be ready to explain what each passage teaches about Jesus being the light and life of the world.

Ask each group to summarize what they have learned from these scriptures. Place each of the following numbered items on the chalkboard as the ideas are summarized, using the questions as necessary to guide the discussion:

Help the young men understand that Jesus is not only the Father of the Resurrection but also the Father, or giver, of eternal life. Jesus suffered for the sins of all people, making forgiveness and eternal life available to all who will repent (see D&C 19:16-19).

We Receive Life and Light As We Come unto Christ

Scriptures and discussion

Have the young men read Doctrine and Covenants 93:11-20.

Have the young men read John 14:6.

Help the young men understand that we must come unto the Father by coming unto Jesus Christ. Jesus taught, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). We must come to Christ just as he came to his Father. Then we will be glorified in Christ as he is glorified in the Father.

Explain that we can lose the light and truth we have. Have the young men read and mark Doctrine and Covenants 93:39.

On the other hand, we gain greater light and knowledge by receiving the truths of the gospel of Christ and continuing in our worship of God. Have the young men read and mark Doctrine and Covenants 84:44-47.

Conclusion

Testimony

Testify that it is in Christ that we have life, truth, and light. We owe our lives and opportunity for eternal life to Jesus Christ; and we should put our trust and faith in him, not in ourselves or others. That is why we obey his commandments and pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Christ. That is why we humble ourselves and pray to the Father to help us become Christlike. Christ is the only way by which we can eventually get back to Heavenly Father.

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