This Is My Beloved Son This Is My Beloved Son

1. Jesus entered Jordan’s waters1. Jesus entered Jordan’s watersWhen His work had just begun.When His work had just begun.God the Father spoke from heaven:God the Father spoke from heaven:““This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”2. Nephites gazing into heaven2. Nephites gazing into heavenSaw their white-robed Savior come.Saw their white-robed Savior come.And they heard the Father witness:And they heard the Father witness:““This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”3. Joseph saw two glorious beings3. Joseph saw two glorious beingsShining brighter than the sun.Shining brighter than the sun.God again presented Jesus:God again presented Jesus:““This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”4. As I read the scriptures daily—4. As I read the scriptures daily—Words of Christ, the Holy One—Words of Christ, the Holy One—In my heart I’ll hear God tell me:In my heart I’ll hear God tell me:““This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”Words: Marvin K. Gardner, b. 1952 Music: Vanja Y. Watkins, b. 1938 © 1987 Vanja Y. Watkins and Marvin K. Gardner. Used by permission. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use.

I need a volunteer to come to I need a volunteer to come to the front of the class.the front of the class.

Would you be willing to be a Would you be willing to be a martyr?martyr?

Do any of you know what a Do any of you know what a martyr is?martyr is?

A martyr is a person who A martyr is a person who believes so strongly in believes so strongly in something that he or she gives something that he or she gives his or her life as a witness.his or her life as a witness.

This lesson is about This lesson is about a man who had a a man who had a strong testimony of strong testimony of Heavenly Father, Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost and the Holy Ghost and was martyred was martyred because of that because of that testimony.testimony.

““Lesson 39: Stephen, the Martyr,” Lesson 39: Stephen, the Martyr,” Primary Primary 7: New Testament, 7: New Testament, 135 & “Wicked Men Kill 135 & “Wicked Men Kill Stephen” Stephen” New Testament Scripture StoriesNew Testament Scripture Stories, , Chapter 57, 150-151Chapter 57, 150-151

Many Jewish Many Jewish leaders thought leaders thought that miracles that miracles would stop when would stop when Jesus died. Jesus died.

However, the Apostles also However, the Apostles also performed miracles. Many people performed miracles. Many people believed in Jesus Christ and joined believed in Jesus Christ and joined the Church.the Church.

This made many This made many Jewish leaders Jewish leaders angry. angry.

They put Peter and They put Peter and John in prison. John in prison.

King Herod Agrippa King Herod Agrippa had the Apostle had the Apostle James killed.James killed.

The Apostles called The Apostles called seven men to help seven men to help lead the Church. One lead the Church. One was a righteous man was a righteous man named Stephen. named Stephen.

He taught the gospel to many He taught the gospel to many people. Some wicked people lied people. Some wicked people lied and said that Stephen spoke and said that Stephen spoke against Jewish law. against Jewish law.

They took him They took him to be tried by the to be tried by the Jewish leaders.Jewish leaders.

Stephen told the Stephen told the leaders that they leaders that they were wicked. were wicked.

He said that they had killed Jesus He said that they had killed Jesus Christ, the Son of God.Christ, the Son of God.

Then Stephen Then Stephen looked up into looked up into heaven and saw heaven and saw Heavenly Father Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.and Jesus Christ.

When he told the leaders what When he told the leaders what he saw, they were very angry.he saw, they were very angry.

They took Stephen out of the city They took Stephen out of the city to kill him by throwing stones at to kill him by throwing stones at him. him.

They laid They laid their coats their coats at the feet at the feet of a young of a young man named man named Saul. Saul.

As Stephen was dying, he asked As Stephen was dying, he asked God to take his spirit to heaven.God to take his spirit to heaven.

He also asked He also asked God to forgive God to forgive those who were those who were killing him. killing him.

Then he died.Then he died.

Discussion Discussion TimeTime

Why did the Why did the Apostles call Apostles call seven men to help seven men to help them? them?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 6:1–4

How were these seven men How were these seven men called? called?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 6:3, 5–6

Why did the Apostles “lay Why did the Apostles “lay their hands” on the men? their hands” on the men?

Why did the Apostles “lay Why did the Apostles “lay their hands” on the men? their hands” on the men? ◦The Apostles gave them the The Apostles gave them the priesthood authority, priesthood authority, which which they had received from Jesus they had received from Jesus Christ,Christ, to perform certain to perform certain duties; duties; all who receive the all who receive the priesthood are ordained by priesthood are ordained by the laying on of hands.the laying on of hands.

What qualities did Stephen What qualities did Stephen have that helped him assist have that helped him assist the Apostles and serve the the Apostles and serve the people? people?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 6:5, 8

How did he How did he bless the lives bless the lives of the people?of the people?

Why did the Jewish Why did the Jewish leaders bring leaders bring Stephen before a Stephen before a council?council?

Let’s read Let’s read Acts 6:9–126:9–12

What did the leaders falsely What did the leaders falsely accuse Stephen of? accuse Stephen of?

Let’s read Acts 6:13–14Let’s read Acts 6:13–14Why did they think Stephen was Why did they think Stephen was

speaking blasphemy?speaking blasphemy?

What happened What happened to Stephen’s to Stephen’s face as he talked face as he talked to the members to the members of the council? of the council?

Let’s read Acts 6:15Let’s read Acts 6:15What did Stephen testify of What did Stephen testify of when he spoke to the when he spoke to the council?council?

Stephen was testifying Stephen was testifying of God’s blessings to of God’s blessings to the people of Israel. the people of Israel.

Stephen testified of the Stephen testified of the Lord’s covenant with Lord’s covenant with Abraham.Abraham.

He testified of Abraham He testified of Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac, and Sarah’s son, Isaac, who was born when they who was born when they were very old.were very old.

One of them, One of them, Joseph, was sold Joseph, was sold by his jealous by his jealous brothers as a brothers as a slave into Egypt.slave into Egypt.

Stephen testified of Isaac’s son, Stephen testified of Isaac’s son, Jacob, later renamed Israel, and Jacob, later renamed Israel, and

his twelve sons. his twelve sons.

He testified that God was with He testified that God was with Joseph in Egypt. Joseph in Egypt.

Stephen testified that Joseph was Stephen testified that Joseph was respected by the pharaoh for the respected by the pharaoh for the wisdom God had given him. This wisdom God had given him. This wisdom saved the Egyptian people wisdom saved the Egyptian people from starving.from starving.

He testified that He testified that Joseph forgave his Joseph forgave his brothers. Their brothers. Their families came to Egypt families came to Egypt and lived among the and lived among the Egyptian people. Egyptian people.

The twelve families became known The twelve families became known as the twelve tribes of Israel. The as the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribes grew and multiplied.tribes grew and multiplied.

Stephen testified of Stephen testified of the new pharaoh who the new pharaoh who ruled many years ruled many years after Joseph and the after Joseph and the old pharaoh had died. old pharaoh had died.

The new pharaoh did not know The new pharaoh did not know Joseph and did not like how large Joseph and did not like how large the twelve tribes were becoming.the twelve tribes were becoming.

The Israelite people became The Israelite people became slaves of the Egyptians. They slaves of the Egyptians. They were told to kill any male were told to kill any male children when they were born. children when they were born.

Stephen testified of Stephen testified of the Israelite baby, the Israelite baby, Moses. He testified of Moses. He testified of how Moses was how Moses was spared and raised by spared and raised by an Egyptian princess. an Egyptian princess.

Stephen testified of Stephen testified of Moses fleeing Egypt Moses fleeing Egypt after killing an Egyptian after killing an Egyptian he saw beating an he saw beating an Israelite slave.Israelite slave.

He testified of the Lord He testified of the Lord speaking to Moses from speaking to Moses from a burning bush. The a burning bush. The Lord had heard the Lord had heard the Israelites prayers.Israelites prayers.

Stephen Stephen testified of the testified of the miracles Moses miracles Moses performed performed through the through the power of the power of the Lord.Lord.He testified of the Israelites He testified of the Israelites

wandering in the wilderness after wandering in the wilderness after they had been freed. They they had been freed. They wandered for forty years because wandered for forty years because they would not obey God.they would not obey God.

Stephen testified of Stephen testified of the tabernacle Moses the tabernacle Moses built in the wilderness built in the wilderness so that the Israelites so that the Israelites could be guided by could be guided by the Lord. the Lord.

He testified of the He testified of the temple Solomon temple Solomon built to honor the built to honor the Lord.Lord.

Stephen testified Stephen testified that the that the members of the members of the council did not council did not listen to the Holy listen to the Holy Ghost just as Ghost just as their fathers did.their fathers did.

He also said that He also said that the people the people disobeyed God, disobeyed God, persecuted and persecuted and killed the killed the prophets, and prophets, and rejected and killed rejected and killed the Messiah.the Messiah.

Whom did Stephen see when he Whom did Stephen see when he looked into heaven? looked into heaven?

Let’s read Acts 7:55Let’s read Acts 7:55

Who was with Stephen as he Who was with Stephen as he testified of Heavenly Father testified of Heavenly Father and Jesus? and Jesus?

Stephen was Stephen was filled with the filled with the Holy Ghost and Holy Ghost and saw Jesus Christ saw Jesus Christ standing at the standing at the right hand of right hand of God.God.

Did the people around Stephen Did the people around Stephen see the vision he saw? What did see the vision he saw? What did they do? they do?

Let’s read Acts 7:57–59Let’s read Acts 7:57–59What did Stephen say as they What did Stephen say as they stoned him? stoned him?

Let’s read Acts 7:59–60Let’s read Acts 7:59–60Why do you think Stephen was Why do you think Stephen was able to forgive the people who able to forgive the people who killed him?killed him?

Who else Who else saw a similar saw a similar vision of vision of Heavenly Heavenly Father and Father and Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ?

Let’s read Let’s read Joseph SmithJoseph Smith—History —History 1:171:17

What can we What can we learn about learn about Heavenly Heavenly Father, Jesus Father, Jesus Christ, and the Christ, and the Holy Ghost from Holy Ghost from the visions of the visions of Stephen and Stephen and Joseph Smith? Joseph Smith?

Let’s read and discuss D&C Let’s read and discuss D&C 130:22–23. 130:22–23.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have glorified bodies of flesh and have glorified bodies of flesh and bones. bones.

Our physical bodies are in the Our physical bodies are in the image of Heavenly Father and image of Heavenly Father and Jesus. Jesus.

The Holy Ghost is a personage of The Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit, not having a body of flesh Spirit, not having a body of flesh and bones.and bones.

Enr. Act. 4

Enr. Act. 5

The Godhead The Godhead The Godhead The Godhead

Heavenly Heavenly FatherFather

Heavenly Heavenly FatherFather Jesus ChristJesus ChristJesus ChristJesus Christ The Holy The Holy

GhostGhostThe Holy The Holy

GhostGhost

The Father of The Father of our spiritsour spirits

The Father of The Father of our spiritsour spirits

Our Savior & Our Savior & RedeemerRedeemer

Our Savior & Our Savior & RedeemerRedeemer

A personage A personage of Spiritof Spirit

A personage A personage of Spiritof Spirit

The Father of The Father of Jesus’ mortal Jesus’ mortal

bodybody

The Father of The Father of Jesus’ mortal Jesus’ mortal

bodybody

Has a glorified Has a glorified body of flesh body of flesh

& bones& bones

Has a glorified Has a glorified body of flesh body of flesh

& bones& bones

We pray to We pray to HimHim

We pray to We pray to HimHim

Created the Created the worldworld

Created the Created the worldworld

Has a glorified Has a glorified body of flesh body of flesh

& bones& bones

Has a glorified Has a glorified body of flesh body of flesh

& bones& bones

Had a mortal Had a mortal mothermother

Had a mortal Had a mortal mothermother

Bears witness Bears witness of Heavenly of Heavenly

Father & JesusFather & Jesus

Bears witness Bears witness of Heavenly of Heavenly

Father & JesusFather & JesusReveals the Reveals the truth of all truth of all

thingsthings

Reveals the Reveals the truth of all truth of all

thingsthingsCan be our Can be our constant constant

companioncompanion

Can be our Can be our constant constant

companioncompanion

How can we know that How can we know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ exist? Christ exist? What must we do to be worthy What must we do to be worthy

of the companionship of the of the companionship of the Holy Ghost? Holy Ghost?

How can we know that How can we know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ exist? Christ exist? What must we do to be worthy What must we do to be worthy

of the companionship of the of the companionship of the Holy Ghost? Holy Ghost?

When we obey the When we obey the commandments, we can receive commandments, we can receive a testimony of Heavenly Father a testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the and Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.Holy Ghost.

Let’s read John 17:20–21 and Let’s read John 17:20–21 and discuss how Heavenly Father, discuss how Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are “one” in purpose. are “one” in purpose.

Enr. Act. 1

Let’s read John 17:20–21 and Let’s read John 17:20–21 and discuss how Heavenly Father, discuss how Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are “one” in purpose. are “one” in purpose.

Each member of the Godhead Each member of the Godhead has a role in our prayers: We has a role in our prayers: We pray to Heavenly Father in the pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and name of Jesus Christ, and answers come through the Holy answers come through the Holy Ghost.Ghost.

Enr. Act. 1

Courageous, Courageous, faithful people faithful people other than other than Stephen have Stephen have also been also been martyrs because martyrs because of their testimony of their testimony and faith in and faith in Heavenly Father Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. and Jesus Christ.

Enr. Act. 2

Joseph Smith Joseph Smith was persecuted was persecuted when he told when he told others about others about his vision, and his vision, and Joseph and his Joseph and his brother Hyrum brother Hyrum were later were later martyred. martyred.

Enr. Act. 2

James was martyred James was martyred (Acts 12:2), as was (Acts 12:2), as was Paul. Paul.

It is traditionally It is traditionally accepted that Peter, accepted that Peter, Mark, and Matthew Mark, and Matthew were also martyred were also martyred (see “Mark,” “Matthew,” “Paul,” and “Peter” in (see “Mark,” “Matthew,” “Paul,” and “Peter” in the Bible Dictionary in the LDS edition of the the Bible Dictionary in the LDS edition of the Bible).Bible).

Enr. Act. 2

Many of the early disciples and Many of the early disciples and Apostles of the Church were Apostles of the Church were persecuted and some were martyred. persecuted and some were martyred.

What could What could we learn we learn from the from the examples of examples of these these faithful faithful people?people?

Enr. Act. 2

The Fifth Article of The Fifth Article of FaithFaith

We believe that a man We believe that a man must be called of God, by must be called of God, by

prophecy, and by the laying prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.in the ordinances thereof.Enr. Act.

3

Church leaders today call Church leaders today call people to Church positions, people to Church positions, just as Stephen was called to just as Stephen was called to help the early Apostles. help the early Apostles.

When a person receives a call, When a person receives a call, he or she is set apart by the he or she is set apart by the laying on of hands and given laying on of hands and given the authority to perform the authority to perform specific responsibilities. specific responsibilities.

Enr. Act. 3

When young men and women serve When young men and women serve in the presidencies of priesthood in the presidencies of priesthood quorums or Young Women classes, quorums or Young Women classes, they will be called and set apart in they will be called and set apart in the same manner.the same manner.

Enr. Act. 3

I bear I bear testimony of testimony of the Godhead. It the Godhead. It is important to is important to me to have this me to have this knowledge. knowledge.

I love our I love our Heavenly Heavenly Father, Jesus Father, Jesus Christ, and the Christ, and the Holy Ghost.Holy Ghost.

The lesson is from lds.org. The scripture stories The lesson is from lds.org. The scripture stories are from lds.org and paraphrased from various are from lds.org and paraphrased from various articles on lds.org and from the scriptures.articles on lds.org and from the scriptures.

Images and clipart are from lds.org, Microsoft Images and clipart are from lds.org, Microsoft Office, and other websites indicating the images Office, and other websites indicating the images were in the public domain or permitted for church were in the public domain or permitted for church and home use. and home use.

Please do not use this presentation for Please do not use this presentation for commercial use. Feel free to alter the commercial use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in church or home to suit presentation for use in church or home to suit personal preference.personal preference.

This presentation is intended to supplement, not This presentation is intended to supplement, not replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. Teachers should refer to the manual, scriptures Teachers should refer to the manual, scriptures and other resources when preparing and and other resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.conducting the lesson.