LDS New Testament Gospel Doctrine Lesson 15 - “I Am the Light of the World” - John 7, 8:1-36

1. “I Am the Light of the World”
Gospel Doctrine: New Testament Lesson 15
John 7, 8:1-36

2. Introduction
Garden lights
The small solar panels harness
the light and use the power but
they didn’t create it.
They only shine brightly with
repeated exposure.
ATOT: Going to women’s
conference gives me a stockpile
of light but I need to study and
do to keep my light bright.

3. History
Feast of the Tabernacles
Annual Jewish 8-day feast held 6 months after Passover
(October)
Harvest feast, most joyous
Two big ceremonies (see next slide)
The pouring out of water by the altar
The lighting of the great lights in the temple
Both are used as teaching tools by the Savior

5. If any man will do…
Jesus puts doesn’t travel to the feast with his brethren. He
goes later. Why?
John 7:14-17
What is the challenge he is offering? Experiment upon
the word.
Alma teaching the poor Zoramites: Alma 32:26-27, 41
ATOT: Praying about the Book of Mormon. Moroni
10:3-5 followed by Moroni 7:16

6. How is truth earned?
Bruce R. McConkie
"In the final analysis the truth of
doctrine can only be known by
revelation gained as a result of
obedience.”
Brigham Young
"More testimonies are obtained on
the feet than on the knees.”

7. The inverse is also true
Elder Neal A. Maxwell
“Since knowing is tied to doing, and doing
to knowing, there is an awful cycle in all of
this. Jesus said we can know of the divinity
of his doctrines by keeping his
commandments and by doing the will of the
Father. Therefore, a slackening of
behavioral standards brings more doubt.
(John 7:16-17.) Such doubters will not want
to be reminded of the strong, true doctrines
pertaining to human behavior. Standards
will grow even more slack, and true
teachings will dwindle even further."
(Things As They Really Are, p48-49)

8. If any man thirst…
Feast of Tabernacles
Daily ceremony called “Libation of Water”
Water is drawn in a golden pitcher from
the pool of Siloam.
The people follow the priests through
the city
It is poured on the altar of the temple.
On the 7th day, they circle 7 times
(Jericho, number for perfection)
John 7:37-38, Why is he the ‘living water’?

9. The Woman Taken in
Adultery
John 8:1
Why was he a threat?
John 8:2-5
What was the set up? Roman law against capital punishment vs. Law of Moses
Marvin J. Ashton
“The scribes and Pharisees brought before the Savior a woman taken in adultery. Their
purpose was not to show love for either the woman or the Savior, but to embarrass and trick
Jesus. … Jesus did not condone adultery; there is no doubt about His attitude toward proper
moral conduct. [But] He chose to teach with love—to show the scribes and Pharisees the
need of serving the individual for her best good and to show the destructive forces of trickery
and embarrassment” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1981, 31–32; or Ensign, May 1981, 24).
Watch Bible Video (next slide)

10. Go and Sin No More
CLICK HERE

11. Jewish law on adultery
Both parties would be stoned
(where was the man?)
If there were 2 witnesses and
the judge ruled in their favor
they would earn the right to
cast the stones.
After the witnesses, the elders
could cast stones, followed by
the general public.

12. Where are thine accusers?
John 8:6-8
He is asking the ‘witnesses’. If they
caught her ‘in the very act’ one of
them was the adulterous man. -
Camille Fronk Olsen
John 8:9-11
To condemn is to sentence to death.
He isn’t forgiving everything, he is
opening a gateway to repentance.
JST 8:11c
She became a disciple

13. I am the light of the
world…
Feast of the Tabernacles
Ceremony called “Illumination of the Temple”
4 gold oil-fed lamps in the court of the women (75
ft high). They illuminated the entire city
John 8:12
I AM: The Jews knew these phrases (Exodus
3:13-14). He was proclaiming his divinity.
What is the light of life? How can we ‘have’ it?
D&C 88:6-13
What do the sun, moon and stars offer the
earth?
Life, navigation, tides, food, warmth…etc.

14. The truth shall make you
free
John 8:31-36
What does truth (and obedience to the truth) free us from?
ATOT: Jack’s struggle with others tattling
John 7:40-41
The truth can only set you free if you seek it. They witnessed his divinity
but couldn’t believe because of one small point (which was wrong).
How many have left the church because they were hung up on bits of
false doctrine? Find truth! Doubt your doubt.
How do we know if it’s truth? John 7:17 - do his will and know!