Lecture Notes: Seeking Jesus Lecture by John Hilton

Introduction

Focus on testimonies of early Christians in the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
Object lesson: Visualize seeing only what we focus on (red vs. blue items).
- Principle: We often see what we are looking for.
- Goal: Change focus to see Jesus and live happier lives.

Temple garment symbolizes Christ's atonement, akin to coats of skin given to Adam and Eve.
Connection to Ancient Temples:
- Design of temples: Outer Courtyard, Holy Place, Holy of Holies.
- High priest’s annual sacrifice parallels Jesus entering the holy place with his own blood.
- Temple veil torn at Christ’s death, symbolizing access to God through Jesus.
Modern Temple Veil: Similar symbolism in temple endowment ceremony.
- Key Idea: Veil = Flesh of Christ, connecting it with the temple garment.

Greatest Acts of Love: Observations from personal experiences.
Moral Influence Theory:
- Christ’s atonement as the ultimate act of love.
- 1 John 4:19: Love inspired by God's initial love for us.
- Moral Change: Understanding Christ’s love leads to heartfelt change.
Timothy Keller’s Insight:
- God's love surpasses human love.
- Christ’s love redefines self-image and motivations.

Balance: High vs. low expectations affect happiness.
Study Findings: Lower expectations can lead to greater happiness.
God’s Promises:
- Righteousness doesn't guarantee immediate prosperity or a lack of trials.
- Faithful individuals can experience unmet expectations (e.g., Mormon, Moroni).
Eternal Perspective: Focus on Christ for ultimate resolution in life or the next.

Initial intrigue with Revelation: Focused more on Christ than the Antichrist.
Theme: War between good and evil led by the Lamb.
Symbolism of the Lamb:
- The Lamb of God as a central figure in Revelation.
- The Lamb: Slain yet victorious, representing Jesus Christ.
- Revelation 7:17: Lamb as shepherd, leading to eternal peace.
Conclusion: Jesus is enough, not Jesus plus something else.

Analogy of Wool: Raw wool symbolizes knowledge; must be crafted into something practical.
Application: Internalize teachings to build a firm foundation on Jesus Christ.

Emphasizes continuous learning and applying principles to strengthen faith.
Encourages reflection on personal expectations and the enduring hope in Christ's promises.