Matthew 11
I Will Send You Elijah the Prophet
Kenneth L. Alford
You Shall Have My Word: Exploring the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants, Sidney B. Sperry Symposium 41 (2012)
Moroni’s message to Joseph Smith in 1823 prophesied that Elijah would return, which happened on April 3, 1836. This article looks at how Elijah would return, how John the Baptist was not Elijah, when Malachi’s prophecy would be fulfilled, and Elijah’s mission.
John the Baptist
Loui Novak
Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992)
An overview of John the Baptist’s life, ministry, and postmortal influence, including his role in baptizing Jesus.
Naaman and Gehazi: A Contrast in Obedience
Ralph W. Hardy Jr.
Ensign 32, no. 7 (Aug. 2002)
Naaman was a powerful leader, and Gehazi was Elisha’s trusted servant. When Naaman was cleansed from leprosy, after initially resisting instructions, he wanted to reward Elisha, but Elisha refused. Gehazi later returned to Naaman and asked for money and clothing to help others, but he kept it for himself. Both men learned that strict obedience to the Lord is the only way.
Matthew 12
The Savior’s Questions: Teaching from the Last Week of His Life
Rick B. Jorgensen
Religious Educator 10, no. 2 (2009)
“The last week of Christ’s mortal life truly was a hostile teaching environment. Most gospel teachers do not experience such fierce opposition while teaching, although some called to teach may have felt as if all were against them. Perhaps the most valuable finding from his analysis is Christ’s ability to use questions to his advantage while teaching.”
Luke 11
The Chronicles of Mary and Joseph: Part 1 of 4, an Angel Comes to Galilee
S. Kent Brown
The Testimony of Luke, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Dec. 2014)
The report of the angel’s visit also begins to unveil Mary’s notable qualities. In the first instance, she is not bowled over by the angel’s coming. Even in her youth, she maintains her presence of mind because she thinks of the right question to ask at the end of his message: “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34). Second, the angel’s words “highly favoured . . . [and] blessed” (Luke 1:28) clearly imply both heaven’s regard for this young woman and, just as important, Mary’s maturing respect for heavenly things. Third, she is thoughtful enough to sense an imperative in the angel’s words about Elisabeth that she should visit her older cousin: “thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son” (Luke 1:36). And she acts on that implied command. Last, her final words to the angel, “be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38), disclose her anticipation of the challenges ahead, including her fall from her society’s standard of uprightness when people dis
Matthew
Luke’s Different Genealogy
Eric D. Huntsman
Good Tidings of Great Joy: An Advent Celebration of the Savior's Birth, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Dec. 2013)
Huntsman compares the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke, highlighting the structural and thematic differences between the two. He notes how Luke’s genealogy, ascending from Jesus to Adam, reflects a broader focus on the inclusion of Gentiles in Christ, contrasting with Matthew’s emphasis on Jesus' Davidic lineage.
