The lesson covers the Annunciation of Mary, and much of the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth. The source of this lesson can be found at this link: https://www.lds.org/manual/new-testament-gospel-doctrine-teachers-manual/lesson-2-my-soul-doth-magnify-the-lord?lang=eng

1. "My Soul Doth Magnify The"My Soul Doth Magnify The
Lord"Lord"
Luke 1; Matthew 1Luke 1; Matthew 1

2. Objective:Objective:
• To help class members develop greater faith in JesusTo help class members develop greater faith in Jesus
Christ through a study of the lives of Elisabeth,Christ through a study of the lives of Elisabeth,
Zacharias, John the Baptist, Mary, and Joseph.Zacharias, John the Baptist, Mary, and Joseph.
• "And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which"And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which
were taught among my people; neither am I mighty inwere taught among my people; neither am I mighty in
writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speakethwriting, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh
by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holyby the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy
Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children ofGhost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of
men."men."
• 2 Nephi 33:12 Nephi 33:1

3. Luke 1:5-10Luke 1:5-10
• 5 ¶There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named5 ¶There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named
Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, andZacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and
her name was Elisabeth.her name was Elisabeth.
• 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and
ordinances of the Lord blameless.ordinances of the Lord blameless.
• 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were
now well stricken in years.now well stricken in years.
• 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the
order of his course,order of his course,
• 9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he9 According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he
went into the temple of the Lord.went into the temple of the Lord.
• 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of
incense.incense.

4. Questions:Questions:
• 1. How are Zacharias and Elisabeth described?1. How are Zacharias and Elisabeth described?
• 2. What is Zacharias praying for at the Temple?2. What is Zacharias praying for at the Temple?

5. Luke 1:11-17Luke 1:11-17
• 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the
altar of incense.altar of incense.
• 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
• 13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife
Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
• 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
• 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong
drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
• 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
• 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the
fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready afathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a
people prepared for the Lord.people prepared for the Lord.

6. Question:Question:
• Put yourself in Zacharias' shoes, how would youPut yourself in Zacharias' shoes, how would you
react to this visit by an angel of God?react to this visit by an angel of God?

7. What did Gabriel prophesyWhat did Gabriel prophesy
about John's mission?about John's mission?
• a. John would “turn [many people] to the Lord theira. John would “turn [many people] to the Lord their
God” (Luke 1:16).God” (Luke 1:16).
• b. He would “turn the hearts of the fathers to theb. He would “turn the hearts of the fathers to the
children” (Luke 1:17children” (Luke 1:17
• c. He would “turn … the disobedient to the wisdom ofc. He would “turn … the disobedient to the wisdom of
the just” (Luke 1:17).the just” (Luke 1:17).
• d. He would “make ready a people prepared for thed. He would “make ready a people prepared for the
Lord” (Luke 1:17).Lord” (Luke 1:17).

8. Luke 1:18-25Luke 1:18-25
• 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well
stricken in years.stricken in years.
• 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent
to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
• 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be
performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
• 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
• 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision
in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
• 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed
to his own house.to his own house.
• 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
• 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach
among men.among men.

9. Questions:Questions:
• How does the reaction from Zacharias compare toHow does the reaction from Zacharias compare to
Elisabeth's reaction?Elisabeth's reaction?

10. Luke 1:59-64Luke 1:59-64
• 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise
the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
• 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
• 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by
this name.this name.
• 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
• 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John.
And they marvelled all.And they marvelled all.
• 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he
spake, and praised God.spake, and praised God.

11. Question:Question:
• Do you think, by this time, Zacharias had beenDo you think, by this time, Zacharias had been
converted?converted?

12. Luke 1:65-79Luke 1:65-79
• 66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the
Lord was with him.Lord was with him.
• 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
• 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
• 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
• 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
• 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
• 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
• 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
• 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
• 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
• 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his
ways;ways;
• 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
• 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
• 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

13. Question:Question:
• What did Zacharias prophesy concerning JesusWhat did Zacharias prophesy concerning Jesus
Christ?Christ?

14. Luke 1:80Luke 1:80
• "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and
was in the deserts till the day of his shewing untowas in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto
Israel."Israel."
• In what ways did this prepare John for his mission?In what ways did this prepare John for his mission?

15. Luke 1:26-33Luke 1:26-33
• 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
• 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s
name was Mary.name was Mary.
• 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:
blessed art thou among women.blessed art thou among women.
• 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of
salutation this should be.salutation this should be.
• 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
• 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
• 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him
the throne of his father David:the throne of his father David:
• 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

16. Questions:Questions:
• What did Mary learn from the angel Gabriel?What did Mary learn from the angel Gabriel?
• Why did the Savior need to be born from a mortalWhy did the Savior need to be born from a mortal
mother and an immortal father?mother and an immortal father?

17. Elder Bruce R. McConkieElder Bruce R. McConkie
stated:stated:
• ““God was his Father, from which Immortal Personage … he inheritedGod was his Father, from which Immortal Personage … he inherited
the power of immortality, which is the power to live forever; or, havingthe power of immortality, which is the power to live forever; or, having
chosen to die, it is the power to rise again in immortality, thereafter tochosen to die, it is the power to rise again in immortality, thereafter to
live forever without again seeing corruption. … live forever without again seeing corruption. …
• “… “… Mary was his mother, from which mortal woman … he inheritedMary was his mother, from which mortal woman … he inherited
the power of mortality, which is the power to die. … the power of mortality, which is the power to die. …
• ““It was because of this … intermixture of the divine and the mortal inIt was because of this … intermixture of the divine and the mortal in
one person, that our Lord was able to work out the infinite and eternalone person, that our Lord was able to work out the infinite and eternal
atonement. Because God was his Father and Mary was his mother, heatonement. Because God was his Father and Mary was his mother, he
had power to live or to die, as he chose, and having laid down his life,had power to live or to die, as he chose, and having laid down his life,
he had power to take it again, and then, in a way incomprehensible tohe had power to take it again, and then, in a way incomprehensible to
us, to pass on the effects of that resurrection to all men so that allus, to pass on the effects of that resurrection to all men so that all
shall rise from the tomb” (The Promised Messiah [1978], 470–71).shall rise from the tomb” (The Promised Messiah [1978], 470–71).

18. Video: An Angel ForetellsVideo: An Angel Foretells
Christ's Birth To MaryChrist's Birth To Mary
Video: Mary and ElisabethVideo: Mary and Elisabeth
Rejoice TogetherRejoice Together

19. What do we learn aboutWhat do we learn about
Mary?Mary?
• a.Mary had found favor with God (Luke 1:28, 30). What does ita.Mary had found favor with God (Luke 1:28, 30). What does it
mean to find favor with God? To what other sources do somemean to find favor with God? To what other sources do some
people look for favor? How might looking for favor from thesepeople look for favor? How might looking for favor from these
other sources make it difficult to find favor with God?other sources make it difficult to find favor with God?
• b.Mary was worthy to have the Lord with her (Luke 1:28). Whatb.Mary was worthy to have the Lord with her (Luke 1:28). What
can we do to be worthy of this blessing?can we do to be worthy of this blessing?
• c.Mary was humble and submissive to the will of the Lord (Lukec.Mary was humble and submissive to the will of the Lord (Luke
1:38, 48). Why is it important for us to submit to the Lord’s will?1:38, 48). Why is it important for us to submit to the Lord’s will?
How can we become more humble and submissive?How can we become more humble and submissive?
• d.Mary rejoiced in her Savior (Luke 1:47). How can we rejoice ind.Mary rejoiced in her Savior (Luke 1:47). How can we rejoice in
the Savior?the Savior?