Joyce’s Insights of New Testament Institute Manual: Section 1 The Great Jehovah Comes to Earth
1. “And by the word of my power have I created them which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth.” (Moses 1:32). Words from a mouth are powerful; they can criticize, ostracize, deflate, annoy or anger. On the other hand, it can uplift, encourage, or inspire individuals, groups, and even nations. From the verse above, we learn that Christ used His words to create worlds without number, the entire universe and galaxies and everything in it; He used it to forgive, heal, strengthen, and saved us. There were no derogatory words from His mouth, only chastisements if needed; no wallowing in self-pity, only humble submissiveness to the will of the Lord even during the greatest trial of His life. He is the only perfect person ever to walk the earth; hence, worthy to be our Exemplar. May we choose to use our words wisely: to help and uplift our loved ones and all those around us. May we use it abundantly to show gratitude to God for the countless blessings we received. May we use it to pray and bless others especially when offended. May we use our mouth to share the gospel freely like our Savior who gave His life for it. Most important of all, may we have the courage to say, “Lord, I would follow thee.”
2. What does it mean when the Lord says, “…but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them. “And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words” (Moses 1:2–3, 32–33, 35, 37–38)?
Search the Scriptures…looking for something…for gospel gem. The Lord has said, search, and ye shall find. I hope we can trust in His words and take the time to look for insights that the gospel brings.
3. Light travels 186,000 miles per sec.
1 light year = distance light travels in 1 year
In Reuben Clark’s time, Astronomers can see 100 million galaxies. Then in 1975, we know of 16 billion galaxies. What about now? Our galaxy is about 100,000 light year in diameter, so can you imagine countless numbers of galaxies created? That’s why the Lord said that our world is created because there is space there.
4. We were told that Jesus created “worlds without number” (Moses 1:33), yet the Savior created them with excellent workmanship and is mindful of them…even the fall of a sparrow. Can you fathom the great love our Savior and Heavenly Father has for each one of us despite the great immensity of the universe?
5. Jesus fed five thousand people with two loaves and five fishes “and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full” (Matt 14:20). Notice that the Savior did not waste anything but collected the leftovers. Hence, when we do our very best, the Lord will magnify and bless us abundantly—we’ll gain more than we first started—that’s the miracle of Christ. Our lives will forever change for the better when we come unto Him.
6. According to J. Reuben Clark the cursing of the barren fig tree is a simple principle “that he who does not do the things which his Creator fitted him to do stands in danger of a reprimand. You cannot be barren with the intelligence, the talents, which God has given you.” (manual p.11). The Saints are meant to be a light on a hill to be an example to others and be of service to others, sharing the restored gospel; hence, the trust and privilege to be under the covenant or have the restored gospel in this last dispensation. I hope we can all come out of our own selfish grime and trials to shine forth and fulfill our mission as Nephi, Brother of Jared, Isaiah, and many others did in spite of our seemingly impossible circumstances and remain true and faithful.
7. Christ who knew all things and created all things, willingly submit to false accusations, fatigue, temptations, persecutions, having His innocence violated many times over, yet willingly submit to them. Why? The answer is because He really knew His purpose, His mission, the reason for coming to this earth—to be the Exemplar, the perfect sacrificial lamb to redeem us and bring us all back to God; thus, he did not yield because He knew that He is our Only hope; there is no one else who can help us.
8. Note how the world received Jesus, the creator who created “worlds without end,” the Savior of mankind. Yet, we let him be born in a manger for “there was no room in the inn” (Luke 2:7). We have no time for him in our busy lives. Then we let our loving Savior suffer for us alone in Gethsemane (like the Apostles succumb to human frailties and fell asleep) by our refusal to make any effort to repent, to try to overcome our sins and temptations, and let him bleed greater drops of blood for our personal sins. Then we nail Him on the cross between two thieves—a Godhead—we crucified our God by denying Him like Peter becoming a hypocrite. The world did not know the Savior; some knew yet chose to persecute or allow others to do so by our indifferent attitude—we did not keep the commandments; hence, our bad examples caused others to follow suit). What about me? Can I stand for Christ “at all times and in all things and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) even when I am alone? 1 John 2:3-5 states, “And thereby, we do know that we know him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” We cannot be a hypocrite, we cannot profess to be a Christian yet Christ is far from our thoughts and hearts. We need to know our Savior—to come and follow Him, keep His commandments and truly know Him as our personal Savior.
