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The Messiah Series #2
The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, Book 2
The Mortal Messiah Book 2 From Bethlehem to Calvary (Mortal Messiah)
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
14 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Bruce R. McConkie
123 books64 followersBruce Redd McConkie was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
McConkie served in the First Council of the Seventy of the LDS Church from 1946 until his calling to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1972, where he served until his death in 1985.
During his service as a general authority, he published several doctrinal books and articles and wrote the chapter headings of the LDS standard works.
McConkie received a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Utah. He spent his childhood between Monticello, Utah; Salt Lake City; and Ann Arbor, Michigan. He married Amelia Smith (1916 - 2005), daughter of Joseph Fielding Smith.
McConkie served in the First Council of the Seventy of the LDS Church from 1946 until his calling to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1972, where he served until his death in 1985.
During his service as a general authority, he published several doctrinal books and articles and wrote the chapter headings of the LDS standard works.
McConkie received a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Utah. He spent his childhood between Monticello, Utah; Salt Lake City; and Ann Arbor, Michigan. He married Amelia Smith (1916 - 2005), daughter of Joseph Fielding Smith.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 21, 2024
Another excellent book in this series. Full of insights and wisdom
December 8, 2018
These books by Elder McConkie are wonderful ways to study the Savior’s life and teachings. I think this was my favorite so far. I love studying Jesus’ teachings and parables that He taught while He was here on the earth. There is much we can learn from Him about how to love and interact and uplift others. And truly He is the only way back to our Heavenly Father. Here are some quotes I liked:
"The key that opens the door to an understanding of all of Jesus' teachings...he invited men to believe and repent (p. 8)."
"The gospel is the plan of salvation, the plan ordained and established by the Father to enable his spirit children to advance and progress and become like Him.... The gospel is the glad tidings of great joy that salvation is in Christ; that a gracious God has provided a Savior for his children; and fallen man can be ransomed from temporal and spiritual death (p. 8)."
"Jesus did not come among men simply to teach ethical principles, to give parables, to present a higher and better way of life to downtrodden humanity. That he did all this, and more, none doubt. But Jesus came among men to atone for the sins of the world, to make salvation available through the shedding of his blood (p. 9)."
"Distance meant nothing where the exercise of healing power was involved. Jesus spoke, and the event transpired (p. 12)."
"'Rejoice, O Israel, for unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given. He is the Messiah, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace (p. 15).'"
"'I am come to heal and to save (p. 22).'"
"'I am sent by the Father--not only to proclaim how deliverance from sin may be found, but to preach the recovering of spiritual sight to those who are blind spiritually (p. 22).'"
"It was Andrew who then said to Peter: 'We have found the Messias.' It was Philip who then said: 'We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write (p. 31).'"
"'Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men (p. 34).'"
"Jesus did not remain long in the desert solitude. Simon and the disciples followed after him. 'All men seek for thee,' Peter said, as the multitudes came pleading and importuning that he remain with them (p. 39)."
"Miracles stand out as one of the chief identifying characteristics of the mortal ministry of the Messiah (p. 41)."
"Jesus is compassionate. With no thought of the Levitical uncleanness that results from touching a leper, he reaches forth his hand, touches the suffering suppliant...and...says...'be thou clean.' Immediately, instantaneously, as it were, the leper is cleansed, his leprosy departs, and the miracle is wrought. Nothing is too hard for the Lord (p. 46)."
"Never was a man's name on as man Palestinian tongues as is this Man's. His doctrine, his deeds, his doings--all that he says and every good thing that he does--are discussed in every home, at every festive meal, in every synagogue (p. 47)."
"All men sin and fall short of the glory of God; all need repentance; all need forgiveness; and all can become free from sin by obedience to laws and ordinances that comprise the cleansing process (p. 50)."
"He will continue to reveal doctrine, to expound eternal truths, and to call officers to govern the affairs of his earthly kingdom (p. 55)."
"The social outcasts of society are celebrating--sinners being among them--and the Son of God and his newly called disciples sit in their midst, eat the food, and partake of the hospitality. Beholding such a scene, the scribes and Pharisees murmur.... 'They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick (p. 57).'"
"Mortals can never attain the unity with Deity that it is their privilege to gain without fasting and prayer (p. 59)."
"Jesus came to restore, not just to reform. His mission was to fulfill the old order and commence the new; he came to tramp out the dying embers of Mosaic performances and ignite the living flames of the gospel fire in the hearts of men (p. 62)."
"The children of Jehovah...assemble to worship the Lord and renew their covenants. But worship of the Father, in spirit and in truth, is almost a thing of the past among them. Those who use the sacred Sabbath to gain spiritual refreshment are few in number (p. 65)."
"Without much ado, Jesus says: 'Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.' 'It was spoken in an accent that none could disobey (p. 67).'"
"'My Father worketh hitherto, and I work (p. 70).'"
"All these testimonies--borne by Jesus, by John, by the Father, by those upon who the Holy Spirit rested, and by the miracles that Jesus wrought--all were current and up to date; they were the living witnesses, borne by living persons, in the living present. To them Jesus now added all the testimonies and all the witnesses found in holy writ (p. 78)."
"A desire to know the truth precedes a testimony. Men must seek the honors--revelations, visions, companionship of the Holy Spirit, and the like--which it is the Father's good pleasure to confer; otherwise such things are not obtained (p. 79)."
"Jesus is now going to call the Twelve: twelve men who will be his witnesses; who will bear, with him, the burdens of the kingdom; who will accept martyrdom and defy the rulers of the world; and who, save Judas the traitor and John the Beloved, shall seal their testimonies with their own blood (p. 99)."
"Truly, where there are apostles and prophets, called of God and endowed with power from on high, there is the true church and kingdom; and where these are not, there the Lord's work is not established among men (p. 100)."
"'God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty (p. 101)."
"It is the Lord’s work and not man’s, and the Lord knows whom he wants to serve in all places in his kingdom. No man, of himself, can build up the kingdom; it is only when the earthly servants get the spirit of revelation, and do thereby the things the Lord wants done, that the work prospers to the full (p. 103).”
“In his capacity as a special witness, Matthew took it upon himself to write of the generation, birth, ministry, passion, resurrection, and exaltation of the Lord Jesus. His spiritual talents and literary craftsmanship enabled him to record—more particularly for Jewish readers, who believed the prophets and pondered their Messianic utterances—many of the words and deeds of the one he knew to be the Son of God (p. 109).”
“In due course Jesus will give, first to Peter, James and John, and then all of the Twelve, the keys of the kingdom of heaven; these keys will enable them to preside over the earthly kingdom and direct all its affairs, to say nothing of that divine and eternal power which transcends the bounds of earth and endures beyond this mortal vale—the power to bind and seal on earth an in heaven (p. 112).”
“The Sermon on the Mount…was preached to instruct and counsel the newly ordained apostles; to open the door of spiritual progress for all newly called members of the Church and kingdom of God on earth; and to stand as a beacon inviting men of good will to every doctrinal persuasion to come to the Fount of Wisdom and learn those things which will assure them of peace in this world and eternal glory in the world to come (P. 116).”
“‘Yea, blessed are they who shall believe on your words, and come down into the depth of humility, and be baptized in my name; for they shall be visited with a fire and the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins (p. 120).’”
“This world’s goods were of little moment to him, and he had neither gold nor silver nor houses nor lands nor kingdoms (p. 122).”
“‘And blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.’ Filled with the Holy Ghost! As starving men crave a crust of bread, as choking men thirst for water, so do the righteous yearn for the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a Revelator; he is the Sanctifier; he reveals truth, and he cleanses human souls (p. 122).”
“The pure in heart—all the pure in heart—shall see God (p. 123)!”
“The saints, as the salt of the earth, are set forth to season their fellowmen, to keep society free from corruption, to help their fellow beings become wholesome, pure, and acceptable before the Lord…. The Lord Himself is the Salt of the Earth. The seasoning, sanctifying, edifying, preserving, uplifting influence of his gospel keeps all the obedient from corruption and decay and sorrow (p. 128).”
“Jesus leaving the sweet bliss and serene blessedness of the Beatitudes, turns their thoughts to the harsh realities of the law of Moses…. ‘I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill (p. 133).’”
“Hallowed be thy name. ‘We approach thee in awe—reverentially—in the spirit of worship and thanksgiving, and we praise they holy name. Thou art glorious beyond anything we can envision; all that is good we ascribe unto thee, and we desire to consecrate our life and being unto thee, for thou hast made us, and we are thine (p. 149).’”
“Now Jesus turns to the Twelve. He has something to say specifically to them about their ministerial labors. They are to forsake worldly pursuits—their fishing boats, the customs house, their fields and vineyards, all temporal enterprises—and use all of their time, talents, and means for the building up of the earthly kingdom and the establishment of the cause of Christianity (p. 155).”
“‘Go ye into the world, and care not for the world… go forth from house to house, teaching the people; and I will go before you. And your heavenly Father will provide for you, whatsoever things ye need for food…for raiment…Take no thought for your life (p. 156).’”
“The gospel standard is high and soul developing (p. 158).”
“‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness (p. 158).’”
“The gospel must be preached everywhere; the whole earth must hear the message; the voice of truth must echo and re-echo in every ear; every heart must be penetrated; there are none to escape (p. 163).”
“‘The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (p. 169).’”
“Blessed are all they who call Jesus, Lord, Lord; who have in their hearts the prophetic insight that men call the testimony of Jesus; and who are valiant in testimony all their days—for they shall wear the victor’s crown (p. 173).”
“Never man spake as we have just heard the Lord Jesus speak. ‘The people were astonished at his doctrine (p. 177).’”
“Here is a woman who once was a sinner but now is clean. Jesus is not going to forgive her sins—he has already done so; it happened when she believed and was baptized in his name; it happened when she repented with full purpose of heart and pledged her life and every breath she thereafter drew to the Cause of Righteousness. We are dealing with a convert who has come to pour out, in the spirit of thanksgiving and rejoicing, the gratitude of her soul to him who has freed her, freed her in times past, from the chains of bondage and hell (p. 200).”
“His teaching was ‘the glad tidings of the kingdom of God (p. 204).’”
“Apostles, disciples, and loyal followers were almost always with him as he taught and traveled. His work was not done in a corner, and always, by precept and by example, he was training others to do and be as he did and was (p. 204).”
“All men cannot be born into this world as the sons of God, after the manner of the flesh, but all, through righteousness, can be adopted into the family of the Eternal God and become joint-heirs with Christ of the fulness of the glory and power of the Father (p. 227).”
“Every gospel teacher—from the Chief Elder, who is Christ, to the least and lowest of his servants—must determine, in all teaching situations, what portion of eternal truth he will offer to his hearers at the moment. The gospel and its eternal truths are always the same: what was true two thousand years ago is true today…. But not all people in all ages and under all circumstances are prepared to receive the fulness of the gospel truths. The Lord gives his word to men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, confirming their hope, building each new revelation upon the foundations of the past, giving his children only that portion of his word which they are able to bear (p. 235).”
“‘Declare glad tidings… declare repentance and faith on the Savior (p. 236).’”
“Jesus came to preach the gospel and bear the sins of all those who would believe his words and live his laws. He came to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, to bring good tidings to the meek, to open the prison doors of darkness and unbelief, and to let the light of heaven dwell in the hearts of men on earth (p. 244).”
“Parables are a call to investigate the truth; to learn more; to inquire into the spiritual realities (p. 245).”
“The measure of attention you give to the truths already revealed will dictate how much new truth shall be meted to you. If you continue to receive light and truth, and abide in them, eventually you shall be perfected in the truth and know all things (p. 246).”
“The growth of the seed depends upon the nature of the soil (p. 249).”
“‘Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.’ Let us then attune our ears to the wondrous words now spoken by Him at whose feet we rejoice to sit and whose teachings we so desire to savor (p. 255).”
“‘Bring souls unto me, and you shall have rest with them in the kingdom of my Father (p. 274).’”
“Miracles are the fruit of faith. Signs follow those who believer. If there is faith, there will be miracles (p. 286).”
“Too ashamed even to mention the nature of her affliction, yet knowing Jesus had power to heal, she pressed near him… Too timid, too shy to claim audience before him or to ask him to center his divine attention on such a lowly one as she esteemed herself to be, yet she sought just to be near him, just to feel his presence… That there was no healing power in the hem of Jesus’ garment…goes without saying…But on the other hand, anything that enables a person to draw near unto the Lord and center his affection and trust in him may properly be used to increase faith and to gain the blessings that come in no other way (p. 294).”
“This question—‘Who touched me?’—was asked not to gain information, but to encourage the timid suppliant to identify herself and to bear testimony of the healing power that had come into her life (p. 296).”
“Many such are within arm’s length of the Lord and need only to reach out and take hold of his church to find his healing power (p. 297).”
“Jesus, accompanied by his disciples, is touring and preaching again in ‘all the cities and villages’ of Galilee. He teaches in their synagogues and preaches on their streets. His message: the gospel—the gospel of his Father; the eternal plan of salvation ordained in the heavens above before the foundations of the world; the gospel that he has made his own and that now bears his name. He is telling men what they must do to be saved in his Father’s kingdom. His message: ‘Come unto me and be perfected in me; accept me as the Son of God and live my law; repent; be baptized in my name for the remission of your sins; receive the promise of the companionship of the Holy Spirit; and press forward all your days in doing good and working righteousness (p. 304).”
“Jesus ‘called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority’—power and authority to preach the everlasting gospel; to proclaim the saving truths; to perform the ordinances of salvation—all so that men might be saved in his Father’s kingdom…he ‘gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases (p. 309).’”
“‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven (p. 321).’”
“The gospel both saves and damns; it brings peace to the penitent and sorrow to sinners (p. 322).”
“How great the importance to rivet these eternal truths in the hearts of men (p. 324)!”
“He acted out of love and compassion for his fellowmen (p. 349).”
“Even strong men cannot resist indefinitely the battering waves and the rolling power of a storm at sea (p. 359).”
“‘Come.’ And come Peter did. He too walked on the water. Jesus and Peter were both supported by the liquid highway beneath them, a highway that surged and rolled as the wind-driven waves responded to the tempestuous forces that disturbed their calm (p. 360).”
“There was a tradition, taught by the Rabbis and firmly entrenched in the public mind, that when Messiah came, he would feed them with bread from heaven (p. 367).”
“‘Think not that Moses, through any merit of his own, gave manna to Israel; it was I, Jehovah, who so blessed my people. But now the Father himself, who is Lord above all, gives you the Eternal Bread (p. 374).’”
“Salvation is in Christ; in one way or another the message goes forth. He is the bread that men must eat. They must feast upon his word. Those who do so shall be filled with the Holy Ghost (p. 374).”
“His teachings are not alone for a handful of Galileans, not alone for the few million Jews who knew the meaning of the imagery used, but for all men of all nations no matter when or where they live (p. 378).”
“‘He comes to seek that which is lost and to save all those who will believe his words and live his law (p. 381).’”
“The words of light and truth which chart the course and mark the way—these come from Christ. These words, and these only, lead to eternal life in his Father’s kingdom (p. 387).”
“Truth stands on its own (p. 393).”
“The whole purpose of revealed religion is to enable men to create for themselves eternal family units patterned after the family of God the Eternal Father (p. 406).”
"The key that opens the door to an understanding of all of Jesus' teachings...he invited men to believe and repent (p. 8)."
"The gospel is the plan of salvation, the plan ordained and established by the Father to enable his spirit children to advance and progress and become like Him.... The gospel is the glad tidings of great joy that salvation is in Christ; that a gracious God has provided a Savior for his children; and fallen man can be ransomed from temporal and spiritual death (p. 8)."
"Jesus did not come among men simply to teach ethical principles, to give parables, to present a higher and better way of life to downtrodden humanity. That he did all this, and more, none doubt. But Jesus came among men to atone for the sins of the world, to make salvation available through the shedding of his blood (p. 9)."
"Distance meant nothing where the exercise of healing power was involved. Jesus spoke, and the event transpired (p. 12)."
"'Rejoice, O Israel, for unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given. He is the Messiah, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace (p. 15).'"
"'I am come to heal and to save (p. 22).'"
"'I am sent by the Father--not only to proclaim how deliverance from sin may be found, but to preach the recovering of spiritual sight to those who are blind spiritually (p. 22).'"
"It was Andrew who then said to Peter: 'We have found the Messias.' It was Philip who then said: 'We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write (p. 31).'"
"'Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men (p. 34).'"
"Jesus did not remain long in the desert solitude. Simon and the disciples followed after him. 'All men seek for thee,' Peter said, as the multitudes came pleading and importuning that he remain with them (p. 39)."
"Miracles stand out as one of the chief identifying characteristics of the mortal ministry of the Messiah (p. 41)."
"Jesus is compassionate. With no thought of the Levitical uncleanness that results from touching a leper, he reaches forth his hand, touches the suffering suppliant...and...says...'be thou clean.' Immediately, instantaneously, as it were, the leper is cleansed, his leprosy departs, and the miracle is wrought. Nothing is too hard for the Lord (p. 46)."
"Never was a man's name on as man Palestinian tongues as is this Man's. His doctrine, his deeds, his doings--all that he says and every good thing that he does--are discussed in every home, at every festive meal, in every synagogue (p. 47)."
"All men sin and fall short of the glory of God; all need repentance; all need forgiveness; and all can become free from sin by obedience to laws and ordinances that comprise the cleansing process (p. 50)."
"He will continue to reveal doctrine, to expound eternal truths, and to call officers to govern the affairs of his earthly kingdom (p. 55)."
"The social outcasts of society are celebrating--sinners being among them--and the Son of God and his newly called disciples sit in their midst, eat the food, and partake of the hospitality. Beholding such a scene, the scribes and Pharisees murmur.... 'They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick (p. 57).'"
"Mortals can never attain the unity with Deity that it is their privilege to gain without fasting and prayer (p. 59)."
"Jesus came to restore, not just to reform. His mission was to fulfill the old order and commence the new; he came to tramp out the dying embers of Mosaic performances and ignite the living flames of the gospel fire in the hearts of men (p. 62)."
"The children of Jehovah...assemble to worship the Lord and renew their covenants. But worship of the Father, in spirit and in truth, is almost a thing of the past among them. Those who use the sacred Sabbath to gain spiritual refreshment are few in number (p. 65)."
"Without much ado, Jesus says: 'Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.' 'It was spoken in an accent that none could disobey (p. 67).'"
"'My Father worketh hitherto, and I work (p. 70).'"
"All these testimonies--borne by Jesus, by John, by the Father, by those upon who the Holy Spirit rested, and by the miracles that Jesus wrought--all were current and up to date; they were the living witnesses, borne by living persons, in the living present. To them Jesus now added all the testimonies and all the witnesses found in holy writ (p. 78)."
"A desire to know the truth precedes a testimony. Men must seek the honors--revelations, visions, companionship of the Holy Spirit, and the like--which it is the Father's good pleasure to confer; otherwise such things are not obtained (p. 79)."
"Jesus is now going to call the Twelve: twelve men who will be his witnesses; who will bear, with him, the burdens of the kingdom; who will accept martyrdom and defy the rulers of the world; and who, save Judas the traitor and John the Beloved, shall seal their testimonies with their own blood (p. 99)."
"Truly, where there are apostles and prophets, called of God and endowed with power from on high, there is the true church and kingdom; and where these are not, there the Lord's work is not established among men (p. 100)."
"'God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty (p. 101)."
"It is the Lord’s work and not man’s, and the Lord knows whom he wants to serve in all places in his kingdom. No man, of himself, can build up the kingdom; it is only when the earthly servants get the spirit of revelation, and do thereby the things the Lord wants done, that the work prospers to the full (p. 103).”
“In his capacity as a special witness, Matthew took it upon himself to write of the generation, birth, ministry, passion, resurrection, and exaltation of the Lord Jesus. His spiritual talents and literary craftsmanship enabled him to record—more particularly for Jewish readers, who believed the prophets and pondered their Messianic utterances—many of the words and deeds of the one he knew to be the Son of God (p. 109).”
“In due course Jesus will give, first to Peter, James and John, and then all of the Twelve, the keys of the kingdom of heaven; these keys will enable them to preside over the earthly kingdom and direct all its affairs, to say nothing of that divine and eternal power which transcends the bounds of earth and endures beyond this mortal vale—the power to bind and seal on earth an in heaven (p. 112).”
“The Sermon on the Mount…was preached to instruct and counsel the newly ordained apostles; to open the door of spiritual progress for all newly called members of the Church and kingdom of God on earth; and to stand as a beacon inviting men of good will to every doctrinal persuasion to come to the Fount of Wisdom and learn those things which will assure them of peace in this world and eternal glory in the world to come (P. 116).”
“‘Yea, blessed are they who shall believe on your words, and come down into the depth of humility, and be baptized in my name; for they shall be visited with a fire and the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins (p. 120).’”
“This world’s goods were of little moment to him, and he had neither gold nor silver nor houses nor lands nor kingdoms (p. 122).”
“‘And blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.’ Filled with the Holy Ghost! As starving men crave a crust of bread, as choking men thirst for water, so do the righteous yearn for the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a Revelator; he is the Sanctifier; he reveals truth, and he cleanses human souls (p. 122).”
“The pure in heart—all the pure in heart—shall see God (p. 123)!”
“The saints, as the salt of the earth, are set forth to season their fellowmen, to keep society free from corruption, to help their fellow beings become wholesome, pure, and acceptable before the Lord…. The Lord Himself is the Salt of the Earth. The seasoning, sanctifying, edifying, preserving, uplifting influence of his gospel keeps all the obedient from corruption and decay and sorrow (p. 128).”
“Jesus leaving the sweet bliss and serene blessedness of the Beatitudes, turns their thoughts to the harsh realities of the law of Moses…. ‘I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill (p. 133).’”
“Hallowed be thy name. ‘We approach thee in awe—reverentially—in the spirit of worship and thanksgiving, and we praise they holy name. Thou art glorious beyond anything we can envision; all that is good we ascribe unto thee, and we desire to consecrate our life and being unto thee, for thou hast made us, and we are thine (p. 149).’”
“Now Jesus turns to the Twelve. He has something to say specifically to them about their ministerial labors. They are to forsake worldly pursuits—their fishing boats, the customs house, their fields and vineyards, all temporal enterprises—and use all of their time, talents, and means for the building up of the earthly kingdom and the establishment of the cause of Christianity (p. 155).”
“‘Go ye into the world, and care not for the world… go forth from house to house, teaching the people; and I will go before you. And your heavenly Father will provide for you, whatsoever things ye need for food…for raiment…Take no thought for your life (p. 156).’”
“The gospel standard is high and soul developing (p. 158).”
“‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness (p. 158).’”
“The gospel must be preached everywhere; the whole earth must hear the message; the voice of truth must echo and re-echo in every ear; every heart must be penetrated; there are none to escape (p. 163).”
“‘The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (p. 169).’”
“Blessed are all they who call Jesus, Lord, Lord; who have in their hearts the prophetic insight that men call the testimony of Jesus; and who are valiant in testimony all their days—for they shall wear the victor’s crown (p. 173).”
“Never man spake as we have just heard the Lord Jesus speak. ‘The people were astonished at his doctrine (p. 177).’”
“Here is a woman who once was a sinner but now is clean. Jesus is not going to forgive her sins—he has already done so; it happened when she believed and was baptized in his name; it happened when she repented with full purpose of heart and pledged her life and every breath she thereafter drew to the Cause of Righteousness. We are dealing with a convert who has come to pour out, in the spirit of thanksgiving and rejoicing, the gratitude of her soul to him who has freed her, freed her in times past, from the chains of bondage and hell (p. 200).”
“His teaching was ‘the glad tidings of the kingdom of God (p. 204).’”
“Apostles, disciples, and loyal followers were almost always with him as he taught and traveled. His work was not done in a corner, and always, by precept and by example, he was training others to do and be as he did and was (p. 204).”
“All men cannot be born into this world as the sons of God, after the manner of the flesh, but all, through righteousness, can be adopted into the family of the Eternal God and become joint-heirs with Christ of the fulness of the glory and power of the Father (p. 227).”
“Every gospel teacher—from the Chief Elder, who is Christ, to the least and lowest of his servants—must determine, in all teaching situations, what portion of eternal truth he will offer to his hearers at the moment. The gospel and its eternal truths are always the same: what was true two thousand years ago is true today…. But not all people in all ages and under all circumstances are prepared to receive the fulness of the gospel truths. The Lord gives his word to men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, confirming their hope, building each new revelation upon the foundations of the past, giving his children only that portion of his word which they are able to bear (p. 235).”
“‘Declare glad tidings… declare repentance and faith on the Savior (p. 236).’”
“Jesus came to preach the gospel and bear the sins of all those who would believe his words and live his laws. He came to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, to bring good tidings to the meek, to open the prison doors of darkness and unbelief, and to let the light of heaven dwell in the hearts of men on earth (p. 244).”
“Parables are a call to investigate the truth; to learn more; to inquire into the spiritual realities (p. 245).”
“The measure of attention you give to the truths already revealed will dictate how much new truth shall be meted to you. If you continue to receive light and truth, and abide in them, eventually you shall be perfected in the truth and know all things (p. 246).”
“The growth of the seed depends upon the nature of the soil (p. 249).”
“‘Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.’ Let us then attune our ears to the wondrous words now spoken by Him at whose feet we rejoice to sit and whose teachings we so desire to savor (p. 255).”
“‘Bring souls unto me, and you shall have rest with them in the kingdom of my Father (p. 274).’”
“Miracles are the fruit of faith. Signs follow those who believer. If there is faith, there will be miracles (p. 286).”
“Too ashamed even to mention the nature of her affliction, yet knowing Jesus had power to heal, she pressed near him… Too timid, too shy to claim audience before him or to ask him to center his divine attention on such a lowly one as she esteemed herself to be, yet she sought just to be near him, just to feel his presence… That there was no healing power in the hem of Jesus’ garment…goes without saying…But on the other hand, anything that enables a person to draw near unto the Lord and center his affection and trust in him may properly be used to increase faith and to gain the blessings that come in no other way (p. 294).”
“This question—‘Who touched me?’—was asked not to gain information, but to encourage the timid suppliant to identify herself and to bear testimony of the healing power that had come into her life (p. 296).”
“Many such are within arm’s length of the Lord and need only to reach out and take hold of his church to find his healing power (p. 297).”
“Jesus, accompanied by his disciples, is touring and preaching again in ‘all the cities and villages’ of Galilee. He teaches in their synagogues and preaches on their streets. His message: the gospel—the gospel of his Father; the eternal plan of salvation ordained in the heavens above before the foundations of the world; the gospel that he has made his own and that now bears his name. He is telling men what they must do to be saved in his Father’s kingdom. His message: ‘Come unto me and be perfected in me; accept me as the Son of God and live my law; repent; be baptized in my name for the remission of your sins; receive the promise of the companionship of the Holy Spirit; and press forward all your days in doing good and working righteousness (p. 304).”
“Jesus ‘called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority’—power and authority to preach the everlasting gospel; to proclaim the saving truths; to perform the ordinances of salvation—all so that men might be saved in his Father’s kingdom…he ‘gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases (p. 309).’”
“‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven (p. 321).’”
“The gospel both saves and damns; it brings peace to the penitent and sorrow to sinners (p. 322).”
“How great the importance to rivet these eternal truths in the hearts of men (p. 324)!”
“He acted out of love and compassion for his fellowmen (p. 349).”
“Even strong men cannot resist indefinitely the battering waves and the rolling power of a storm at sea (p. 359).”
“‘Come.’ And come Peter did. He too walked on the water. Jesus and Peter were both supported by the liquid highway beneath them, a highway that surged and rolled as the wind-driven waves responded to the tempestuous forces that disturbed their calm (p. 360).”
“There was a tradition, taught by the Rabbis and firmly entrenched in the public mind, that when Messiah came, he would feed them with bread from heaven (p. 367).”
“‘Think not that Moses, through any merit of his own, gave manna to Israel; it was I, Jehovah, who so blessed my people. But now the Father himself, who is Lord above all, gives you the Eternal Bread (p. 374).’”
“Salvation is in Christ; in one way or another the message goes forth. He is the bread that men must eat. They must feast upon his word. Those who do so shall be filled with the Holy Ghost (p. 374).”
“His teachings are not alone for a handful of Galileans, not alone for the few million Jews who knew the meaning of the imagery used, but for all men of all nations no matter when or where they live (p. 378).”
“‘He comes to seek that which is lost and to save all those who will believe his words and live his law (p. 381).’”
“The words of light and truth which chart the course and mark the way—these come from Christ. These words, and these only, lead to eternal life in his Father’s kingdom (p. 387).”
“Truth stands on its own (p. 393).”
“The whole purpose of revealed religion is to enable men to create for themselves eternal family units patterned after the family of God the Eternal Father (p. 406).”
December 19, 2017
This book is good in like manner to the preceding volume. It continues tracing the ministry of Christ and integrating the various accounts in the gospels into a more or less cohesive narrative, along with commentary. It is dense reading, but great content for the most part. I really appreciate having a chronology (even if it is somewhat tentative) to give structure to the various gospel accounts. That in particular, as well as the various historical and cultural context of the day, will really change the way I look at the New Testament accounts henceforth.
December 22, 2022
I am reading this in preperation for studying the new testament this coming year. I am reading it along side Jesus the Christ. It is fascinating to hear from two differant apostles their special witness of Christ and how it coinsides and agrees.
March 6, 2019
I have learned a lot of things that I didn't really know through reading this book. Sometimes he seems to be a little wordy bout his scholarship is amazing.
January 27, 2020
Interesting but far too wordy.
July 7, 2020
Next in the series. Although they take some time to get through, I appreciate what I'm gaining from them.
August 30, 2020
What a wonderful insightful book.
September 11, 2020
Another fantastic volume in this series. I have one more to go and then I've read the entire 5-volume tome. Plenty of notes in my Evernote account.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2021
Very good!
October 18, 2021
As with the other books by Elder McConkie, this book was difficult to read. It has some very interesting insights but also much I did not understand.
January 11, 2022
I listened to this and it was good but man… it was a slog! 😬
November 23, 2023
A great way to study about the Saviour in the New Testament.
August 4, 2021
Bruce McConkie is not a good writer. This is evidenced on every page of this book. 1. Numerous, glaring grammatical errors (one example, consistent semicolon errors). 2. Far too many exclamation points. Takes away from any rationale approach to his words. 3. Far too wordy. Far too many adjectives. Sentences are verbose and overburdened. 4. Constant repetitive paragraphs, phrases, sentences, and ideas. 5. Far too doctrinally narrow minded and restrictive. 6. Historically inaccurate in several places (for example, kept saying Jesus had formed a Church during his brief mortal ministry and that people who were healed had officially joined His established Church). 7. Extreme overuse of quoting whole pages from 3 NT commentaries published in the late 1800’s. I estimate that 1/3 of the entire book is verbatim quotes from pages and pages of the 3 commentaries. 8. Lack of nuance. Constantly takes far-fetched assumptions and dresses them up as hardened facts. 9. Far too harsh and overbearing on the extreme punishment for sins. 10. Misleading, inaccurate, and gross statements about the characteristics and intents of numerous NT characters.
I will say, however, that the best parts of the book, the parts I learned the most from, where the brief sections in which the author mentioned historical background facts that enriched the meaning, power, and beauty of specific events in the mortal ministry of Jesus. I especially loved the chronology and dates of events, the distances given for various travels, and the geography/history of an area. In particular, I learned a lot when the author detailed the excessive and ridiculous cleanliness requirements of Jewish leaders. These details really fleshed out why the Lord’s words were so impactful.
I will say, however, that the best parts of the book, the parts I learned the most from, where the brief sections in which the author mentioned historical background facts that enriched the meaning, power, and beauty of specific events in the mortal ministry of Jesus. I especially loved the chronology and dates of events, the distances given for various travels, and the geography/history of an area. In particular, I learned a lot when the author detailed the excessive and ridiculous cleanliness requirements of Jewish leaders. These details really fleshed out why the Lord’s words were so impactful.
July 18, 2011
So far, anything I read from Bruce R. McConkie, I love. He gives a greater insight to everything. I really liked this second book about the mortal life of Jesus Christ. It was not quite as captivating as the first book. I found some of the reading to be a little bit repetitive but, with reason. An author should assume his reader may not have read the first book. I think these are great reference books. Although, should be read through at least once before shelving the book and using as a reference book only.
October 11, 2013
I'm reading the Mortal Messiah series along with the New Testament this year and appreciate the insights and background McConkie provides. As others have noted, he's very repetitive, his style is perhaps overly grandiose, and he like others before is inclined to state speculation with certainty. As he explains, that last is just the style so many before have adopted, and they do. Doesn't mean I have to appreciate it. Without those drawbacks I would give it a five star for its powerful witness of Jesus' divinity and explanations.
April 15, 2013
This book is awfully repetitive and overly verbose, but it is still enjoyable, teaching some great principles and making connections between the New Testament and modern-day scripture that were very interesting. For example, I never would have connected the disciples' reaction to Jesus' Bread of Life sermon with the latter-day saints' reaction to plural marriage, but Elder McConkie did just that, and in a brilliant way.
On to volume 3 . . .
On to volume 3 . . .
Want to read
September 14, 2011I got the collection for Christmas and decided to start reading, but wanted to start reading to coincide with our Sunday School lessons, so that put me in the second book. My resolution is to keep reading through the whole year.
August 2, 2015
This has been an ongoing event to read the entire Messiah series. It's been interesting - although somewhat repetitive. Overall, it's been worth it to gather insights into the times and historical events of the Savior's days. It puts the scriptures into perspective.
December 23, 2014
This volume is good background for the New Testament, and it added to my understanding of the culture and times of the Savior. In the audio version, it was sometimes hard to follow what was a quotation from other scripture or another source and what was from McConkie.
October 8, 2010
Awesome book!
August 24, 2010
on our way to Salt Lake City, just Alice and myself.
February 21, 2012
Seriously amazing and deep. Learning more about the Savior is always nice. It will be interesting to see how the other two books in this Mortal Messiah series plays out.
February 18, 2016
Excellent discussion on the life of Christ and its implications in our lives. The author brought some of the stories of the New Testament to life for me.
February 6, 2012
Just as good as the first book. I'm currently reading #3.
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