S Michael Wilcox - The Jesus We Need to Know - 2010

Answering 'What's it Like Being a Latter-day Saint?'

• Savior's Invitation: Jesus invites all who labor and are heavy laden to come to Him for rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)

  • $Come\ unto\ me,\ all\ ye\ that\ labour\ and\ are\ heavy\ laden,\ and\ I\ will\ give\ you\ rest.$

  • $Take\ my\ yoke\ upon\ you,\ and\ learn\ of\ me;\ for\ I\ am\ meek\ and\ lowly\ in\ heart:\ and\ ye\ shall\ find\ rest\ unto\ your\ souls.$

  • $For\ my\ yoke\ is\ easy,\ and\ my\ burden\ is\ light.$

• Ideal Answer: Being a Latter-day Saint should be restful, easy, and light, aligning with the Savior's invitation.

• Understanding the Savior: Knowing the Savior's character, personality, and example makes His invitation more understandable.

• C.S. Lewis Quote (Prince Caspian): As we grow, we see Aslan (Christ) as bigger.

  • The more we learn and ponder about the Savior, the greater He becomes to us.

Jesus as Accepting

• Accepting Nature: Jesus was accepting, drawing in even sinners like publicans and harlots.

  • People sensed His accepting nature.

• The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48):

  • A woman with a 12-year issue of blood sought healing by touching Jesus's garment.

  • Mark 5:25-26: $"A\ certain\ woman,\ which\ had\ an\ issue\ of\ blood\ twelve\ years,\ And\ had\ suffered\ many\ things\ of\ many\ physicians,\ and\ had\ spent\ all\ that\ she\ had,\ and\ was\ nothing\ bettered,\ but\ rather\ grew\ worse,"$

  • Mark 5:27-29: $"When\ she\ had\ heard\ of\ Jesus,\ came\ in\ the\ press\ behind,\ and\ touched\ his\ garment.\ For\ she\ said,\ If\ I\ may\ touch\ but\ his\ clothes,\ I\ shall\ be\ whole.\ And\ straightway\ the\ fountain\ of\ her\ blood\ was\ dried\ up;\ and\ she\ felt\ in\ her\ body\ that\ she\ was\ healed\ of\ that\ plague."$

  • Luke 8:46: $"And\ Jesus\ said,\ Somebody\ hath\ touched\ me:\ for\ I\ perceive\ that\ virtue\ is\ gone\ out\ of\ me."$

  • She hid because, under the Law of Moses, her condition made her unclean.

  • Leviticus 15 discusses the rules for those with issues of blood, stating that whoever touches her or what she sits on becomes unclean.

  • Leviticus 15:19: $"And\ if\ a\ woman\ have\ an\ issue,\ and\ her\ issue\ in\ her\ flesh\ be\ blood,\ she\ shall\ be\ put\ apart\ seven\ days:\ and\ whosoever\ toucheth\ her\ shall\ be\ unclean\ until\ the\ even."$

  • Leviticus 15:21-23: $"And\ every\ thing\ that\ she\ lieth\ upon\ in\ her\ separation\ shall\ be\ unclean:\ every\ thing\ also\ that\ she\ sitteth\ upon\ shall\ be\ unclean.\ …\ And\ whosoever\ toucheth\ any\ thing\ that\ was\ under\ her\ shall\ be\ unclean\ until\ the\ even…"$

  • Luke 8:47: $"And\ when\ the\ woman\ saw\ that\ she\ was\ not\ hid,\ she\ came\ trembling,\ and\ falling\ down\ before\ him,\ she\ declared\ unto\ him\ before\ all\ the\ people\ for\ what\ cause\ she\ had\ touched\ him,\ and\ how\ she\ was\ healed\ immediately."$

  • Luke 8:48: $"And\ he\ said\ unto\ her,\ Daughter,\ be\ of\ good\ comfort:\ thy\ faith\ hath\ made\ thee\ whole;\ go\ in\ peace."$

  • Despite her fear, Jesus accepted her, highlighting the importance of faith over ritual purity.

  • The phrases "fearing and trembling" resonate, reflecting moments when we feel we've done something wrong.

• Example - Reading the New Testament instead of the Book of Mormon: A woman feared she was disobeying the prophet by prioritizing the New Testament.

  • The Savior would have been accepting of her sincere desire to study the scriptures.

• Stake Mission President Release: Asking to be released felt wrong, but the Savior would have understood the desire to serve in another capacity.

  • It's good both to serve as a Stake Mission President and to try and learn two languages so you can begin the church education system in The Caribbean.

• We often have fearing and trembling moments too much.

• We have assurance that he is accepting of us.

Jesus Felt Sorrows and Griefs

• Deep Empathy: Jesus deeply felt others' sorrows and griefs.

• Lazarus's Death (John 11):

  • Mary and Martha said, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."

    • John 11:32: $"Then\ when\ Mary\ was\ come\ where\ Jesus\ was,\ and\ saw\ him,\ she\ fell\ down\ at\ his\ feet,\ saying\ unto\ him,\ Lord,\ if\ thou\ hadst\ been\ here,\ my\ brother\ had\ not\ died."$

  • John 11:33: $"When\ Jesus\ therefore\ saw\ her\ weeping,\ and\ the\ Jews\ also\ weeping\ which\ came\ with\ her,\ he\ groaned\ in\ the\ spirit,\ and\ was\ troubled,"$

  • John 11:35: $"Jesus\ wept."$

  • John 11:38: $"Jesus\ therefore\ again\ groaning\ in\ himself\ cometh\ to\ the\ grave.\ It\ was\ a\ cave,\ and\ a\ stone\ lay\ upon\ it."$

  • Even knowing He would raise Lazarus, Jesus wept and groaned at their sorrow.

• Alma Chapter 7: Jesus experienced pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, infirmities, and death.

  • Alma 7:11-12: $"And\ he\ shall\ go\ forth,\ suffering\ pains\ and\ afflictions\ and\ temptations\ of\ every\ kind;\ and\ this\ that\ the\ word\ might\ be\ fulfilled\ which\ saith\ he\ will\ take\ upon\ him\ the\ pains\ and\ the\ sicknesses\ of\ his\ people.\ And\ he\ will\ take\ upon\ him\ their\ infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh"," that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."$

• Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18):

  • He comforted Mary Magdalene, who was weeping at the empty tomb.

    • John 20:11-15: $"But\ Mary\ stood\ without\ at\ the\ sepulchre\ weeping:\ and,\ as\ she\ wept,\ she\ stooped\ down,\ and\ looked\ into\ the\ sepulchre,\ And\ seeth\ two\ angels\ in\ white\ sitting,\ the\ one\ at\ the\ head,\ and\ the\ other\ at\ the\ feet,\ where\ the\ body\ of\ Jesus\ had\ lain.\ And\ they\ say\ unto\ her,\ Woman,\ why\ weepest\ thou?\ She\ saith\ unto\ them,\ Because\ they\ have\ taken\ away\ my\ Lord,\ and\ I\ know\ not\ where\ they\ have\ laid\ him.\ And\ when\ she\ had\ thus\ said,\ she\ turned\ herself\ back,\ and\ saw\ Jesus\ standing,\ and\ knew\ not\ that\ it\ was\ Jesus.\ Jesus\ saith\ unto\ her,\ Woman,\ why\ weepest\ thou?\ whom\ seekest\ thou?\ She,\ supposing\ him\ to\ be\ the\ gardener,\ saith\ unto\ him,\ Sir,\ if\ thou\ have\ borne\ him\ hence,\ tell\ me\ where\ thou\ hast\ laid\ him,\ and\ I\ will\ take\ him\ away."$

  • John 20:16: $"Jesus\ saith\ unto\ her,\ Mary.\ She\ turned\ herself,\ and\ saith\ unto\ him,\ Rabboni;\ which\ is\ to\ say,\ Master."$

  • He delayed his ascension to comfort her.

  • John 20:17: $"Jesus\ saith\ unto\ her,\ Touch\ me\ not;\ for\ I\ am\ not\ yet\ ascended\ to\ my\ Father:\ but\ go\ to\ my\ brethren,\ and\ say\ unto\ them,\ I\ ascend\ unto\ my\ Father,\ and\ your\ Father;\ and\ to\ my\ God,\ and\ your\ God."$

  • Joseph Smith Translation changes "Touch me not" to "Hold me not" to match the Greek reading.
    John 20:17: $"Jesus\ saith\ unto\ her,\ Hold\ me\ not;\ for\ I\ am\ not\ yet\ ascended\ to\ my\ Father:\ but\ go\ to\ my\ brethren,\ and\ say\ unto\ them,\ I\ ascend\ unto\ my\ Father,\ and\ your\ Father;\ and\ to\ my\ God,\ and\ your\ God."$

  • Jesus felt our pains more than just knew and understood them.

Filling Insufficiencies

• Pattern of Multiplication: The Lord multiplies what we have to make it sufficient.

  • He puts these stores in the Old Testament, the Book of Mormon, the New Testament, and the Doctrines and Covenants.

• Dramatic Stories: These stories have meaning for us. What he did for them, he will do for us.

• Feeding of the 5,000 and 4,000 (Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 15:32-39):

  1. Lack: Not enough bread.

  2. Seek Help: Go to the Savior.

  3. Bring What You Have: Give what you have to give.

  4. Multiplication: God multiplies it.

  5. Beyond: There is always more than enough.

• Widow's Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7):

  • A widow with debt sought Elisha's help to avoid her sons being taken as bondmen.

  • 2 Kings 4:1: $"Now\ there\ cried\ a\ certain\ woman\ of\ the\ wives\ of\ the\ sons\ of\ the\ prophets\ unto\ Elisha,\ saying,\ Thy\ servant\ my\ husband\ is\ dead;\ and\ thou\ knowest\ that\ thy\ servant\ did\ fear\ the\ Lord:\ and\ the\ creditor\ is\ come\ to\ take\ unto\ him\ my\ two\ sons\ to\ be\ bondmen."$

  • Elisha asked what she had; she only had a pot of oil.

  • She borrowed empty vessels, poured out the oil, and filled them all.

  • Elisha told her to sell the oil, pay her debt, and live on the rest.

  • 2 Kings 4:2-7: $"And\ Elisha\ said\ unto\ her,\ What\ shall\ I\ do\ for\ thee?\ tell\ me,\ what\ hast\ thou\ in\ the\ house?\ And\ she\ said,\ Thine\ handmaid\ hath\ not\ any\ thing\ in\ the\ house,\ save\ a\ pot\ of\ oil.\ Then\ he\ said,\ Go,\ borrow\ thee\ vessels\ abroad\ of\ all\ thy\ neighbours,\ even\ empty\ vessels;\ borrow\ not\ a\ few.\ And\ when\ thou\ art\ come\ in,\ thou\ shalt\ shut\ the\ door\ upon\ thee\ and\ upon\ thy\ sons,\ and\ shalt\ pour\ out\ into\ all\ those\ vessels,\ and\ thou\ shalt\ set\ aside\ that\ which\ is\ full.\ So\ she\ went\ from\ him,\ and\ shut\ the\ door\ upon\ her\ and\ upon\ her\ sons,\ who\ brought\ the\ vessels\ to\ her;\ and\ she\ poured\ out.\ And\ it\ came\ to\ pass,\ when\ the\ vessels\ were\ full,\ that\ she\ said\ unto\ her\ son,\ Bring\ me\ yet\ a\ vessel.\ And\ he\ said\ unto\ her,\ There\ is\ not\ a\ vessel\ more.\ And\ the\ oil\ stayed.\ Then\ she\ came\ and\ told\ the\ man\ of\ God.\ And\ he\ said,\ Go,\ sell\ the\ oil,\ and\ pay\ thy\ debt,\ and\ live\ thou\ and\ thy\ children\ of\ the\ rest."$

  • The lord will fill our insufficiency, and it is important to bring him what we have so he can multiply it.

Sensitivity to the Lonely and Marginalized

• People in the Sycamore Tree: Jesus was sensitive to the lonely, marginalized, and those who didn't fit in.

• Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10):

  • Zacchaeus, a rich publican, climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus because he was short.

    • Luke 19:2-4: $"And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.\ And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.\ And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way."$

  • Jesus called him down and stayed at his house, showing love for the marginalized.

    • Luke 19:5: $"And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house."$

• There are a lot of things that make people little of stature in our eyes.

• College Friend Example: Taking a girl who wasn't in the "press of beautiful girls" to the dance.

• Zacchaeuses need to be invited out of the tree and into the press.

Non-Confrontational Nature

• Not Combative: Jesus was not confrontational, combative, defensive, or persecuting.

• Samaritans (Luke 9:51-56):

  • James and John wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village that didn't receive Jesus.

  • Jesus rebuked them, saying that He came to save lives, not destroy them.

    • Luke 9:54-56: $"And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?\ But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.\ For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.\ And they went to another village."$

  • They went to another village, avoiding confrontation.
    Too often religions disguise a lack of charity for our fellow men under a cloak of zeal towards God.

• Joseph Smith Quote: The true spirit of Christ involves friends, kindness, properness, and affection.

• Saul's Conversion (Acts 9:1-20):

  • Saul, breathing threats and slaughter, was converted by Jesus's loving voice.

  • Acts 9:1: $"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,"$

  • Acts 9:4-5: $"And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?\ And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:"$

  • This experience transformed Saul into Paul, who would write about charity.

• Softening Faces: Speaking about the positive aspects of other cultures can soften people's defensiveness.

• Bring down prejudices and angers with tenderness.

Avoiding Offense

• Coin in the Fish's Mouth (Matthew 17:24-27):

  • Jesus paid the temple tribute to avoid offense, even though He was exempt.

  • Matthew 17:27: $"Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."$

  • The power of this story lies in "notwithstanding" -- avoid offenses if we can.

• Sometimes I don't give somebody the lane, because I have the right of way, or I didn't make the mess, therefore I'm not cleaning it up.

• He was not concerning about rights, and he avoided giving offense when he could.

Non-Judgmental Nature

• Not Judgmental: Jesus did not wish to judge, took no pleasure in others' sins, and rejoiced not in iniquity.

• Woman Taken in Adultery (John 8:1-11):

  • Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground, avoiding involvement in the judgment.

  • He challenged those without sin to cast the first stone.

  • He offered her forgiveness and invited her to sin no more.

    • John 8:10-11: $"When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?\ She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."$

• He did not want to judge those who'd brought her.

• Dwell into the weakness and problems of others.

• His condemnation often brings alienation and deepens movement into sin.

Seeking the Father's Glory

• Not Seeking Attention: Jesus did not draw unnecessary attention to Himself; He sought the Father's glory.

• He didn't play "Watch me, Daddy."

• The man at the Pool of Bethesda didn't even know who he was because Jesus conveyed himself away.

• William Tyndale Example: Publishing the New Testament anonymously, focusing on doing good for its own sake.

• Nephite Children Example (3 Nephi 26:14):

  • Jesus taught the children of the Nephites the deepest truths.

  • They then taught their parents, showing humility and service.

• Who got the teachers of Jesus to the Nephites?

• Not even himself. He led little children to teach those greatest of all truths.

Turning Outward in Times of Trouble

• Last Supper and Gethsemane: Jesus, troubled in spirit, comforted others and prayed for them despite His own impending suffering.

  • John 13:21: $"When\ Jesus\ had\ thus\ said,\ he\ was\ troubled\ in\ spirit,\ and\ testified,\ and\ said,\ Verily,\ verily,\ I\ say\ unto\ you,\ that\ one\ of\ you\ shall\ betray\ me."$

  • He comforts those who were at the Last Supper.

  • John 14:1: $"Let\ not\ your\ heart\ be\ troubled:\ ye\ believe\ in\ God,\ believe\ also\ in\ me."$

  • John 14:2-3: $"In\ my\ Father's\ house\ are\ many\ mansions:\ if\ it\ were\ not\ so,\ I\ would\ have\ told\ you.\ I\ go\ to\ prepare\ a\ place\ for\ you.\ And\ if\ I\ go\ and\ prepare\ a\ place\ for\ you,\ I\ will\ come\ again,\ and\ receive\ you\ unto\ myself;\ that\ where\ I\ am,\ there\ ye\ may\ be\ also."$

  • John 14:27: $"Peace\ I\ leave\ with\ you,\ my\ peace\ I\ give\ unto\ you:\ not\ as\ the\ world\ giveth,\ give\ I\ unto\ you.\ Let\ not\ your\ heart\ be\ troubled,\ neither\ let\ it\ be\ afraid."$

  • John 16:33: $"These\ things\ I\ have\ spoken\ unto\ you,\ that\ in\ me\ ye\ might\ have\ peace.\ In\ the\ world\ ye\ shall\ have\ tribulation:\ but\ be\ of\ good\ cheer;\ I\ have\ overcome\ the\ world."$

  • He prays for others.

  • John 17:9: $"I\ pray\ for\ them:\ I\ pray\ not\ for\ the\ world,\ but\ for\ them\ which\ thou\ hast\ given\ me;\ for\ they\ are\ thine."$

  • John 17:15: $"I\ pray\ not\ that\ thou\ shouldest\ take\ them\ out\ of\ the\ world,\ but\ that\ thou\ shouldest\ keep\ them\ from\ the\ evil."$

  • John 17:24: $"Father,\ I\ will\ that\ they\ also,\ whom\ thou\ hast\ given\ me,\ be\ with\ me\ where\ I\ am;\ that\ they\ may\ behold\ my\ glory,\ which\ thou\ hast\ given\ me:\ for\ thou\ lovedst\ me\ before\ the\ foundation\ of\ the\ world."$

• Statements from the Cross: Concern for His mother, the thief, and His persecutors.

  • It's one thing to forgive when the sin is all over and the pain is gone, it is another to forgive at the very moment it's being done to you.

• In our own times of grief, we would look to those are also troubled and solace them.

Humility and Service

• Washing the Disciples' Feet (John 13:1-17):

  • Jesus washed the disciples' feet, demonstrating that no task is too menial for the greatest.

  • John 13:14-17: $"If\ I\ then,\ your\ Lord\ and\ Master,\ have\ washed\ your\ feet;\ ye\ also\ ought\ to\ wash\ one\ another's\ feet.\ For\ I\ have\ given\ you\ an\ example,\ that\ ye\ should\ do\ as\ I\ have\ done\ to\ you.\ Verily,\ verily,\ I\ say\ unto\ you,\ The\ servant\ is\ not\ greater\ than\ his\ lord;\ neither\ he\ that\ is\ sent\ greater\ than\ he\ that\ sent\ him.\ If\ ye\ know\ these\ things,\ happy\ are\ ye\ if\ ye\ do\ them."$