Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:1-21

Joseph Smith – Matthew 1:1-21 Study Guide – to be discussed February 4
Day 1: Read D&C 45:15, 60-61; Matthew 23:34-39; JS-M 1:1
1. Read the headnote explaining what Joseph Smith - Matthew is, plus D&C 45:15, 60-61. When was the revelation in Section 45 received? When did Joseph Smith restore the writings of Matthew?



2. Read Matt. 23:34-39 (with footnote 36a). To whom was Jesus speaking at the end of Matt. 23? Whose house did he say would be left desolate? Why?



3. Read JS-M 1:1 with Matt. 23:39. When would Jesus’ disciples recognize him? What did he reveal about himself?



Day 2: Read JS-M 1:2-3; D&C 45:15-21; Bible Dictionary entry, “Temple of Herod”
4. What question did Jesus’ disciples ask him as they left the temple mount in Jerusalem? How did the Savior answer this question?



5. What did the disciples need to DO in order to HEAR the Lord?



6. Read D&C 45:15-21. How did Jesus say desolation would come?



Day 3: Read JS-M 1:4-6
7. Where did Jesus take his disciples for this discourse? Look at map 12 in your Bible appendix. Does it appear Jesus and his disciples had a clear view of the temple from where they were?



8. List the two main questions posed by the disciples as recorded in JS-M 1:4.



9. What was Jesus’ first point of counsel to his disciples? How did this answer their questions?



Day 4: Read JS-M 1:7-11; D&C 45:22-27
10. List signs given in JS-M 1:7-11. Do these signs answer the disciples’ first or second question or both?




11. Who will be saved (or safe)?

12. Read D&C 45:22-27. List signs from these verses. Which sign is the same from D&C 45 and JS-M?



Day 5: Read JS-M 1:12-17; Daniel 11:30-33; D&C 101:22
13. Read Daniel 11:30-33. In describing the “abomination that maketh desolate,” what did Daniel say will happen to those who “do wickedly against the covenant”?



14. Use the last part of Daniel 11:32 with D&C 101:22 to tell how we can stand in holy places.




15. Why were the people of Judea warned to flee and not turn back during the time of desolation?



Day 6: Read JS-M 1:18-19; Bible Dictionary entries, “Abomination of Desolation” & “Assyria and Babylonia”
16. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Abomination of Desolation.” When are the two fulfillments of this prophecy? Do you think we need to understand the details of the first in order to prepare for the second?




17. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Assyria and Babylonia” – especially paragraphs 1,4 and 7. When had Jerusalem been under siege before Christ’s time? According to JS-M 1:18, how would the coming desolation compare?




18. Read JS-M 1:18-19 with Matthew 24:7-8. How do you think the disciples felt when they learned about “the beginning of sorrows”?




Day 7: Read JS-M 1:20-21; 3 Nephi 29:8-9
19. For whose sake will the days of tribulation be shortened?



20. Read 3 Nephi 29:8-9. How will the Lord fulfill his covenant with Israel?




21. Compare JS-M 1:21 with JS-M 1:5-6. Why do you think false Christ’s appear after calamities?