Jesus the Christ (book)

"Jesus the Christ" by James E. Talmage is a doctrinal study on the life and ministry of Christ, and is a widely appreciated document among Latter-day Saints. The book consists of 42 chapters, each focusing on important aspects of the life and mission of Jesus as the Messiah.

History

Since it was first published in September 1915, "Jesus the Christ" has been viewed by the LDS church as a classic text on the LDS church's teachings and beliefs concerning the life and ministry of Jesus. Elder Marion G. Romney said, "One who gets the understanding, the vision, and the spirit of the resurrected Lord through a careful study of the text "Jesus the Christ" by Elder James E. Talmage will find that he has greatly increased his moving faith in our glorified Redeemer."

In his preface to the first edition, Elder Talmage wrote: "The author has departed from the course usually followed by writers on the Life of Jesus Christ, which course, as a rule, begins with the birth of Mary's Babe and ends with the ascension of the slain and risen Lord from Olivet. The treatment embodied in these pages, in addition to the narrative of the Lord's life in the flesh, comprises the antemortal existence and activities of the world's Redeemer, the revelations and personal manifestations of the glorified and exalted Son of God during the apostolic period of old and in modern times, the assured nearness of the Lord's second advent, and predicted events beyond-all so far as the Holy Scriptures make it plain.

"It is particularly congruous and appropriate that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-the only Church that affirms authority based on specific revelation and commission to use the Lord's Holy Name as a distinctive designation-should set forth her doctrines concerning the Messiah and His mission."

Acceptance and publication

Dr. Talmage first presented his study on the Savior as a series of lectures delivered under the auspices of the Deseret Sunday School Union Board at the LDS University in Salt Lake City from September 1904 to April 1906. He was subsequently asked by the First Presidency of the Church to publish the lectures in book form. Because of other commitments, he was unable to complete this assignment for several years.

On 8 December 1911, Dr. Talmage was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Less than three years later he was able at last to continue his work on the manuscript, writing in longhand, in a council room on the fourth floor of the Salt Lake Temple. As chapters were completed, he presented them to the First Presidency, members of the Twelve, and Sunday School board members.

In his journal under date of April 19 1915, Elder Talmage wrote: "Finished the actual writing on the book "Jesus the Christ", to which I have devoted every spare hour since settling down to the work of composition on September 14th last. Had it not been that I was privileged to do this work in the Temple it would be at present far from completion. I have felt the inspiration of the place and have appreciated the privacy and quietness incident thereto. I hope to proceed with the work of revision without delay."

Published more than eight decades ago and translated into many languages, "Jesus the Christ" has become a classic volume in Mormon literature.

References

*Citation
last=Talmage
first=James E.
title=Jesus the Christ: A Study of the Messiah and His Mission According to the Holy Scriptures Both Ancient and Modern
year=1915
place=Salt Lake City
publisher=Deseret News
url=http://books.google.com/books?id=tSEPAAAAIAAJ .

External links

* [http://www.cumorah.com/etexts/jesusthechrist.txt Complete online text of Jesus the Christ] (Warning: this link goes to a large page over 1660 KB)