My Thoughts: “He Taught Them As One Having Authority”

Sharing my thoughts after reading our assignment each week in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families.

“When we read the scriptures with a question in mind and with a sincere desire to understand what Heavenly Father wants us to know, we invite the Holy Ghost to inspire us. As you read Matthew 6-7, pay attention to these impressions.” [Header, Lesson for Feb 25-Mar 03, 2019, “He Taught Them as One Having Authority”.]

Journaling my impressions:

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I thoroughly enjoyed all the changes to these verses and the teachings restored to us according to the spirit of revelation through the Joseph Smith Translation. It never ceases to amaze me how much richer these verses are with their original impact restored. Here are two examples of a dozen or so present in the chapters of this lesson, two that were especially meaningful to me as I read them this time through:

King James Version (KJV)—Italics indicate words absent in earlier translations.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [KJV Matthew 6:30.]

Joseph Smith Translation (JST)—Italics indicate words absent in earlier translations.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he not provide for you, if ye are not of little faith? [JST Matthew 6:34.]

King James Version (KJV)

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. [KJV Matthew 7:7-8.]

Joseph Smith Translation (JST)

Say unto them, Ask of God; ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

And then said his disciples unto him, They will say unto us, We ourselves are righteous, and need not that any man should teach us. God, we know, heard Moses and some of the prophets; but us he will not hear.

And they will say, We have the law for our salvation, and that is sufficient for us.

Then Jesus answered, and said unto his disciples, Thus shall ye say unto them,

What man among you, having a son, and he shall be standing out, and shall say, Father, open thy house that I may come in and sup with thee, will not say, Come in, my son; for mine is thine, and thine is mine? [JST Matthew 7:12-17.]

As a father of six kids and five sons, I found verse 17 of the JST deeply meaningful.

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More on recording my impressions. (See also this lesson’s teacher manual version.)

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