Years ago, in my Seminary teaching days in Alaska, I remember studying and learning about Christ being tempted...Christ knew the Scriptures...He used the Scriptures to resist temptations. I remember the quote by President McKay that was used in the Seminary manual.
I'm sharing all of this for two reasons...1) I loved re-reading this information and thought you might also! 2) maybe you'd like to use the marvelous Prophetic insight shared below and create a wonderful FHE!
The Temptations of Christ- (CR Nov. 1976) here
(excerpts from the above talk by Elder Hunter. This sure looks rough to read and I don't know why there is big and small and etc. but please persevere!)
In speaking of the three temptations that came to Jesus, a former President of the Church made this statement concerning them: “Classify them, and you will find that under one of those three nearly every given temptation that makes you and me spotted, ever so little maybe, comes to us as (1) a temptation of the appetite; (2) a yielding to the pride and fashion and vanity of those alienated from the things of God; or (3) a gratifying of the passion, or a desire for the riches of the world, or power among men.” And then he said: “Now, when do temptations come? Why, they come to us in our social gatherings, they come to us at our weddings, they come to us in our politics, they come to us in our business relations, on the farm, in the mercantile establishment, in our dealings in all the affairs of life, we find these insidious influences working, and it is when they manifest themselves to the consciousness of each individual that the defense of truth ought to exert itself.” (David O. McKay, Conference Report, Oct. 1911, p. 59.)
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“And when the devil had ended all the temptation,” Luke adds, “he departed from him for a season.” (Luke 4:13.) Matthew tells us that “angels came and ministered unto him.” (Matt. 4:11.)
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As with Jesus, so with us, relief comes and miracles are enjoyed after the trial and temptation of our faith.
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It is important to remember that Jesus was capable of sinning, that he could have succumbed, that the plan of life and salvation could have been foiled, but that he remained true. Had there been no possibility of his yielding to the enticement of Satan, there would have been no real test, no genuine victory in the result. If he had been stripped of the faculty to sin, he would have been stripped of his very agency. It was he who had come to safeguard and ensure the agency of man. He had to retain the capacity and ability to sin had he willed so to do. As Paul wrote, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Heb. 5:8); and he “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). He was perfect and sinless, not because he had to be, but rather because he clearly and determinedly wanted to be. As the Doctrine and Covenants records, “He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.” (D&C 20:22.)
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Mark 4:1-11 Christ quoting scriptures! This is a good scripture to show the value of Scripture study and also the fact that the adversary knows the scriptures and can/will use them in a twisted way to challenge us to disobey. Also that taunting word if. Throwing down the gauntlet! Daring us! Challenging us. Through the example of the Savior, in those few verses, we see that we also can use scriptures to thwart the devil and his cunningness. Christ knew the scriptures and how to use them!
True the Holy Ghost will/can bring all things to our remembrance BUT it's a bit of a stretch to think about drawing water from an empty well! We must put something in, to where our reservoir is filled with that living water, and awaits in readiness to be drawn out when needed.
I also see this as a definite pattern in my own life, when President Hunter said....As with Jesus, so with us, relief comes and miracles are enjoyed after the trial and temptation of our faith. I'm assuming it is the same way for you.
The confirming of truth occurs for me when I read/study/ponder/savor what Apostles/Prophets say. Love it!
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