Who was Jesus before He was born? The idea of Christ's premortal existence is not new to believers; however, many scholars shun such a notion. Latter-day Saint scholars, who affirm Jesus' premortal existence, proclaim the reality of His foreordination in the pre-earth life as the Messiah, His role in the War in Heaven and the Creation, and His pivotal place as the Jehovah of the Old Testament.
Though many deny the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saint scholars search the differing biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus found in Matthew and Luke to conclude that Christ's birth was, in fact, divine. The scholars explore the traditions surrounding the sojourn in Egypt as well as the scripture and traditions surrounding Jesus' childhood and youth.
Though Jesus was born to mortal parents, there were early manifestations of His divine power and authority. Scholars explain the importance of the Savior's early ministry in the Jewish synagogues and the calling and organization of the original Twelve Apostles. Scholars also offer new insights as to whether Jesus considered Himself to be the Messiah.
Scholars compare the Sermon on the Mount in Palestine with Jesus’ sermon at the temple in The Book of Mormon. This episode also explores the many miracles of Jesus' ministry - including His turning the water into wine at Cana, healing the paralytic man and the woman with the issue of blood, generously feeding the 5,000 and raising His friend Lazarus from the dead. A close look at these miracles highlights their stunning reality.
Latter-day Saint scholars dive deep into the historical and social climate that surrounded Jesus' arrest, trial, and Crucifixion. As the archeological evidence for Jesus' suffering on the cross is examined, new perspectives surface concerning the Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane. Scholars also review the Roman and Jewish laws that defined Christ's trial and sentencing.
Referencing both New Testament and Book of Mormon accounts, Latter-day Saint scholars explore the validity of witnesses' accounts of seeing and touching the risen Savior. They also explore the special role women played in the Resurrection narratives and review the remarkable events of Jesus' post-Resurrection ministries in both Palestine and the Americas.
Latter-day Saint scholars appeal to scriptural accounts and explore the events that will precede the Second Coming and Final Judgment of the Savior. These include the Apostasy, the Restoration of the gospel through in the 1800s through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the joining of the records of Judah and Joseph. Daniel's dream of the “stone cut from the mountain” is highlighted, as is the prophet Elijah's mission to set the stage for the Savior’s return and the temple work that will bind the human family together before the Judgment.
In a day when many scholars have reduced Christ to a historical or purely figurative being, this seven-part documentary series stands to affirm His divinity by reconciling the historical Christ with the Christ of religious tradition.