Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord

Baptism of Fire and the Holy Ghost

William S. Bradshaw

Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992)

This entry defines the concept of being baptized with fire as a spiritual witness of receiving a remission of sins, referencing early Christian practice and scriptures.

By Simple Yet Propitious Means: The Art of Jorge Cocco Santangelo

Herman du Toit

BYU Studies Quarterly 55, no. 2 (2016)

This article includes many beautiful images of Christ, including one of Christ returning to his body at the Resurrection. Open the PDF to see the images.

Chart 8-10: Baptism of Jesus in the Four Gospels

John W. Welch, John F. Hall

Charting the New Testament (2002)

A side-by-side comparison of the accounts of Jesus' baptism in all four Gospels and the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew.

Dove, Sign of the

Robert L. Marrott

Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992)

Marrott discusses the sign of the dove given to John the Baptist as a symbol of the truth of Jesus' baptism, according to Joseph Smith.

Elisha and the Children: The Question of Accepting Prophetic Succession

Fred E. Woods

BYU Studies 32, no. 3 (1992)

The youths who taunted Elisha (2 Kings 2) were probably not small children but were teenagers or near twenty years old; the name “Baldhead” may well indicate that the youths were calling Elisha a usurper of prophetic authority. Such a charge needed to be met with serious consequences, and they incurred the vengeance of God.

Matthew’s Portrayal of Jesus: Son of David, a New Moses, and Son of God

Tyler J. Griffin

Thou Art the Christ, the Son of the Living God: The Person and Work of Jesus in the New Testament, Sidney B. Sperry Symposium 47 (2018)

Griffin explores Matthew’s portrayal of Jesus, emphasizing his fulfillment of messianic expectations as Emmanuel, the Son of David, and a new Moses. Griffin discusses Matthew’s deep understanding of scripture and tradition, which informs his presentation of Jesus.

My Testimony

President Gordon B. Hinckley

General Conference (Apr. 2000)

President Hinckley shares his personal testimony, reflecting on the divinity of Jesus Christ as portrayed in the Gospel of John and the creation.

New Testament Come Follow Me Commentary

Lynne Hilton Wilson

Book of Mormon Central

When Paul writes about grafting branches of an olive tree, he may not be drawing directly from Zenos as Jacob did, but he is drawing on common Jewish theological literature. The way Paul and Jacob each use the symbol is significantly different, but there are commonalities too: Israel will be saved only by God, and the Lord will keep his covenants with his chosen people.

Understanding Christian Baptism through the Book of Mormon

Noel B. Reynolds

BYU Studies Quarterly 51, no. 2 (2012)

Noel B. Reynolds explores the meaning of baptism through the lens of the Book of Mormon, emphasizing its significance as a covenant with God and an expression of repentance.

Chart 8-10: Baptism of Jesus in the Four Gospels

John W. Welch, John F. Hall

Charting the New Testament (2002)

A side-by-side comparison of the accounts of Jesus' baptism in all four Gospels and the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew.

Cleansing Leprosy: Mark 1, Matthew 8, Luke 5

Eric D. Huntsman

The Miracles of Jesus, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Feb. 2015)

This commentary discusses the cleansing of leprosy by Jesus, emphasizing the role of faith in Christ in both physical and spiritual healing.

Dove, Sign of the

Robert L. Marrott

Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992)

Marrott discusses the sign of the dove given to John the Baptist as a symbol of the truth of Jesus' baptism, according to Joseph Smith.

Healing Women

Eric D. Huntsman

BYU New Testament Commentary website (Feb. 2015)

This commentary highlights Jesus’s attention to women and his healing on the Sabbath, showing his compassion and appropriate use of the Sabbath.

How Christmas Came to Be on December 25

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)

Jesus Heals a Lame Man (Mark 2:1–12)

Julie M. Smith

The Gospel according to Mark, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Mar. 2019)

In this excerpt, Julie M. Smith analyzes the healing of a paralyzed man by Jesus and its implications for understanding faith and authority.

Jesus Is Anointed (Mark 14:1–11)

Julie M. Smith

The Gospel according to Mark, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Apr. 2019)

The anointing story is the narrative bridge between Jesus's life and death; it is both the last story relating events from the daily life and the first part of the story of his death. It is the hinge between the accounts of his life and his death; its location in the text mirrors its theological function since the anointing story explores the link between Jesus's life and death.

Narrative Atonement Theology in the Gospel of Mark

Julie M. Smith

BYU Studies Quarterly 54, no. 1 (2015)

Mark’s Gospel teaches about the Atonement of Christ not through discourses on theology but through narrative. This article focuses on three events that happen immediately after Jesus dies: the rending of the temple veil, the centurion’s statement, and the women watching and ministering. Mark uses each story to explain the meaning of Jesus’s atoning death.

Think It Not Strange Concerning the Fiery Trial

Sherrie Mills Johnson

Go Ye into All the World: Messages of the New Testament Apostles, Sidney B. Sperry Symposium 41 (2002)

Explores Peter’s teachings on enduring trials and tribulations while remaining faithful to the gospel.

Chart 8-10: Baptism of Jesus in the Four Gospels

John W. Welch, John F. Hall

Charting the New Testament (2002)

A side-by-side comparison of the accounts of Jesus' baptism in all four Gospels and the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew.

Dove, Sign of the

Robert L. Marrott

Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992)

Marrott discusses the sign of the dove given to John the Baptist as a symbol of the truth of Jesus' baptism, according to Joseph Smith.

Luke 3:16, 17: John the Baptist Foretells Jesus’ Baptism

S. Kent Brown

The Testimony of Luke, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Jan. 2019)

Brown provides a verse-by-verse commentary on Luke 3:16–17, exploring the significance of John the Baptist’s words about Jesus's baptism.

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.

The Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain

S. Kent Brown

The Testimony of Luke, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Feb. 2015)

Brown explores the similarities between the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) and the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20–49), suggesting they are variants of each other.

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.