“Wicked King Herod,” Friend, Sept. 2000, 18
Wicked King Herod
Chapter 8
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The Wise Men had said that Jesus would be king. Herod wanted to be the only king. Knowing that Jesus was a baby, he told his soldiers to kill all the babies in Bethlehem and nearby places. Matt. 2:3, 13, 16
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An angel told Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, a country far from Bethlehem. Herod would not find Jesus there. Matt. 2:13
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Joseph obeyed. He and Mary and Jesus were in Egypt when Herod’s soldiers killed all the babies in Bethlehem. Matt. 2:14, 16
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Zacharias did not want John to be killed, so he sent Elisabeth and John to the mountains. John was safe there. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 261
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King Herod asked Zacharias where John was, but Zacharias would not tell him. Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, page 261
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King Herod sent his soldiers to kill Zacharias. They killed him near the altar in the temple. Matt. 23:35
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After King Herod died, an angel told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary home. Joseph took them to Nazareth, where Jesus was safe. Matt. 2:19–21, 23
Illustrated by Paul Mann