The title of Lesson 38 is “Beside Me There Is No Saviour”.

The purpose of this lesson is: “To help class members understand that Jesus Christ is incomparable in his devotion to his people and that he has a great work for them to do.”

For this lesson church members spend the class period reading and picking through Isaiah chapters 40-49 the same way someone else would as they perused the classified ads.

Going back to title of the lesson, I have to wonder if Mormons truly believe what it says. In Isaiah 43:11 we read:

“I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.”

Do they really believe that? I wonder considering a few chapters later in Isaiah 49 the lesson leaves the class with the impression that it’s their church that will save people. The description for this chapter reads as follows:

“Isaiah 49 contains many prophecies about the mission of latter-day Israel. These prophecies can help us understand the important work the Lord has for each of us to do. Have class members read some of the passages listed below and discuss the following question: What does this passage teach about our responsibilities in these latter days? (Note that many of the prophecies apply both to the work of the Savior and to the work of his servants, the house of Israel”

In lesson 33 we read that Mormons see themselves as “latter-day Israel”, because they believe they are the only true church on the face of the earth.

At the conclusion of the lesson a suggested activity for the teacher is to have the class sing “How Great Thou Art”.

I wonder how they can sing this beautiful hymn and still think salvation comes from membership in their religion? The third stanza goes:

And when I think,

That God, His Son not sparing

Sent Him to die,

I scarce can take it in,

That on the Cross,

My burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died

To take way my sin.

How wonderful would it be for them to embrace and accept Jesus for who He truly is? I pray they will.

In Christ,

Melissa Grimes (melissa@lifeafter.org)

References

Teacher Manual

Class Member Manual