lesson Notes

Todays lesson was "Jesus Christ Our Chosen Leader and Savior". When we lived in the pre-earth life with our Heavenly Father he presented his plan for us. His plan was for us to come to earth where we could learn to live by faith. Father knew that while we were away from Him some of us would sin and some of us would lose our way. He loved us so much that He provided a way for us to return. The plan called for a Savior who would pay for our sins and teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father.

Our Father asked "Who shallI send?" Jesus Christ, who was called Jehovah, said, "Here am I, send me." (Abraham 3:27) Jesus was willing to come to earth, give His life for us, and take upon Himself our sins. satan, who was called Lucifer, also came, saying "Behold, here am I, send me, and I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor." (Moses 4:1) Lucifer wanted to force us all to do his will. Under his plan we would not be allowed to choose.

After hearing both sons speak, Heavenly Father said, "I will send the first." (Abraham 3:27)

Jesus Christ was chosen and foreordained to be our Savior. Lucifer was not happy and a war was waged in heaven. Satan and his followers fought against Jesus and His followers. The Savior's followers "overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony." (Revelation 12:11)

A third part of the hosts of heaven chose to follow Satan and were cast out of heaven. They were denied the right to have a mortal body. Because we are here on earth we know that we chose to follow Christ.

The Lord said, "this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39) The Lord's work is to get us to eternal life. Our work is to keep the commandments and follow Him in faith.

Satan is still fighting the war begun to Heaven. Satan and his followers are here on earth, but as spirits. They have not forgotten who we are, and they are around us daily, tempting us and enticing us to do things that are not pleasing to our Heavenly Father. Christ is always with us also, still freeing us from satan's grasp.

By following Christ's teachings, we can inherit a place in the celestial kingdom. He did His part to help us return to our heavenly home. It is now up to each of us to do our part and become worthy of exaltation.

NEXT WEEKS LESSON: President Boyd K. Packer's address from October General Conference, "Prayer and Promptings". November Ensign, p. 43