2 Nephi 17–19

The Titles and Roles of Jesus Christ

Why is the Savior Jesus Christ someone you can trust? In these chapters, the Lord encourages two kings who are threatened by strong armies to trust in Him. Isaiah then prophesies of the Savior Jesus Christ, listing several of His titles and attributes. This lesson is intended to help you trust Jesus Christ through studying and understanding His attributes and titles.

Reflecting on the titles of Jesus Christ. The scriptures contain over one hundred different names and titles that identify and describe Jesus Christ. As students identify different roles and titles of the Savior, invite them to reflect how He has fulfilled those titles in their own lives and in the lives of those around them.

Student preparation: In their daily scripture study, invite students to identify any titles of the Savior and to ponder what those titles might mean and how they might help them trust in and love the Savior more.

Possible Learning Activities

What can we learn from titles?

Consider writing the following titles on the board and asking the questions below.

Imagine that you have never met the following four people, but you know their titles:

• Doctor

• Police Officer

• Bishop

• Young Women’s President

• Which of these people would you go to for help if someone was trying to rob you? If you had a difficult health issue? For spiritual counsel?

• In what other situations might these people be uniquely qualified to help?

• How does knowing their titles help you understand what they are qualified to help with?

Take a moment to ponder any situations or challenges you might face that you would like help with.

Consider dividing the board with a line in the middle and inviting students to list on one half difficult situations a teenager may face. You will write on the other half of the board later in the lesson.

Jesus Christ has many roles and titles. Each of them teaches us something important about Him and His ability to help us. As you study today, look for His titles and roles and ponder how He may be uniquely qualified to help you.

The Lord’s words to two kings of Judah

As you explain the following information, consider inviting students to represent King Ahaz of Judah, King Rezin of Syria, King Pekah of Israel, King Hezekiah of Judah, and the king of Assyria in front of the room. You may want to prepare name tags for each. Perhaps invite the students representing King Ahaz and King Hezekiah to read their corresponding verses below.

During the time of Isaiah, King Ahaz of Judah and afterward his son, King Hezekiah, both faced extremely difficult situations: powerful nations threatened to attack them. In both cases, the Lord urged the kings and their people to trust in Him rather than make alliances with other nations. Read the following verses, looking for phrases that indicate the Lord is inviting them to trust Him.

• 2 Nephi 17:3–7. King Ahaz was threatened by King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel, who planned to attack and put a new king on the throne.

• 2 Nephi 18:11–13, 17. King Hezekiah was being invaded by the Assyrians and knew his army was not strong enough to stop them. (The word confederacy refers to forming an alliance with other countries to defend themselves.)

• What did you find?

• Why might it be difficult for a king and his people to trust in the Lord rather than form an alliance with another nation?

• What would they need to know about the Lord to trust in Him?

As you continue to study, ponder what it means to trust the Lord in the specific challenges that you face.

Titles of the Savior

In a verse you studied, Isaiah used a specific title for Jesus Christ that, if understood, could help these kings and their people trust in Him. Review 2 Nephi 18:13 and consider marking this title.

Consider writing Jesus Christ is … on the blank side of the board and asking students to complete the sentence with the title they found.

Identifying and understanding the titles of the Savior can help us know, love, and trust Him more in our lives. To help you understand the title “Lord of Hosts,” look up what it means in the Guide to the Scriptures or the Bible Dictionary.

• What did you learn about Jesus Christ?

• How would this role uniquely qualify the Savior to help these kings and their people when threatened by other armies?

Isaiah’s Prophecies

Isaiah also prophesied to these kings and their people of the Savior’s birth and millennial reign. Read 2 Nephi 17:14–15; 19:2, 6–7, looking for what Isaiah taught about Jesus Christ, especially His titles.

If you would like to identify additional titles of the Savior recorded in the Book of Mormon so far, consider reading some of the following verses: 1 Nephi 10:4–6; 12:18; 13:41; 15:14–15; 17:30; 19:12; 2 Nephi 1:10; 2:6, 10; 9:5, 46; 10:3, 14; 15:16. There are also titles and scripture references in the Topical Guide, Guide to the Scriptures, and the Triple Combination Index, under “Jesus Christ.”

Invite students to come to the board and add to the list of the Savior’s titles.

Select one title of the Savior that you would like to know more about. Then do the following:

• Explain what this title means to you. (Consider looking up the title in Guide to the Scriptures or the Bible Dictionary. If the title is not listed, consider studying a general entry on Jesus Christ and pondering how the title you chose may relate to His overall character and mission. It may also be helpful to look the title up in a regular dictionary.)

• Think of a story or find a picture that shows the Savior acting in the role you picked.

• Explain what the title teaches you about who the Savior is, His motives, His love, and His power.

• Explain how this role uniquely qualifies the Savior to help you in your life or why you might trust in Him. (This may include how the Savior has already helped you in your life.)

Invite several students to share what they prepared about one of the titles. One way may be to ask students to come to the board, circle the title they chose, and share their thoughts in front of the class. Consider sharing your thoughts as well.

Afterward, invite students to look at both sides of the board and make any specific connections between the problems they face and a title of the Savior that shows His ability to help.

Trusting in the Lord

Unfortunately, King Ahaz and many of the people of Judah chose not to believe Isaiah and did not trust in the Lord for protection. His people were attacked, and many were captured and enslaved. (See 2 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 28.) King Hezekiah, unlike his father, chose to trust in the Lord and follow Isaiah’s counsel. As a result, the Lord defended the people in Jerusalem by sending an angel to destroy the attacking army. (See 2 Kings 19:15–20, 32–35.)

Ponder what you have learned and felt about Jesus Christ in this lesson. In your study journal, write how you might increase your trust in Him. You may list a specific title or role He has and how you would like to trust in Him in that role more.

Commentary and Background Information

What else do we know about Ahaz and Hezekiah and the armies they faced?

In the days of King Ahaz, the nations of Israel, Syria, and Judah were being threatened by the much stronger Assyrian Empire. The kings of Israel and Syria wanted King Ahaz of Judah to join them in an alliance against the powerful empire of Assyria. When King Ahaz refused to join the alliance against Assyria, Israel and Syria attacked Judah in order to place another ruler on Judah’s throne who would support the alliance against Assyria (see 2 Nephi 17:1, 6). Rather than trusting in the Lord’s protection, Ahaz plundered the temple treasury in Jerusalem and offered those resources to the Assyrians in an attempt to buy their protection and favor. However, the Assyrians attacked Judah anyway (See 2 Kings 16:8; 2 Chronicles 28:21).

In the days of King Hezekiah—the son of Ahaz—Isaiah compared the Assyrian army to a river that would symbolically flood the land of Judah and “reach even to the neck”—meaning the walls of Jerusalem (2 Nephi 18:8). This prophecy was fulfilled when 185,000 Assyrian soldiers came to attack Jerusalem, stopping at the walls of the city. King Hezekiah, unlike his father, Ahaz, chose to trust in the Lord and follow Isaiah’s counsel. As a result, the Lord defended the people in Jerusalem by sending an angel to destroy the attacking army (See 2 Kings 19:32–35).

What do the Savior’s titles in 2 Nephi 19:6 mean?

Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:

The fact that the government would eventually be upon [Jesus Christ’s] shoulders affirms what all the world will one day acknowledge—that he is Lord of lords and King of kings and will one day rule over the earth and his Church in person. …

As “Wonderful Counselor,” he will be our mediator, our intercessor, defending our cause in the courts of heaven. …

“Mighty God” conveys something of the power of God, his strength, omnipotence, and unconquerable influence. …

“Everlasting Father” underscores the fundamental doctrine that Christ is a Father—Creator of worlds without number, the Father of restored physical life through the Resurrection, the Father of eternal life for his spiritually begotten sons and daughters, and the One acting for the Father (Elohim) through divine investiture of authority. (Jeffrey R. Holland, Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 80–81)

Supplemental Learning Activities

An alternate way to begin the lesson

Invite students to write the names of two people in the class they really admire and why on separate pieces of paper. Then gather up the slips of paper and read them to the class. It may be wise to ensure that everyone in the class is highlighted by assigning students to write what they admire about the person seated on their left, as well as selecting one other person. You may also want to write several notes yourself. Then ask the class to ponder which traits of the Savior they have come to know and admire, and how that has affected them. Invite them to look for more of the Savior’s traits as they study this lesson.

Becoming like Jesus Christ

After students have studied the titles and roles of the Savior, it may also be useful to invite students to contemplate one or two and ponder if there is an appropriate way they may strive to become more like the Savior in that role.

Additional activities

If available, you also may want to do one or both of the following as part of the lesson:

Watch the video “The Prince of Peace: Find Lasting Peace through Jesus Christ” (2:32), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Sing or listen to the hymn “My Redeemer Lives” (Hymns, no. 135).

Understanding the context of Isaiah’s teaching

If you feel it would be helpful to share more of the context of what was happening in Isaiah’s day, share the first entry in the Commentary and Background Information. It may be helpful to draw visuals on the board similar to those that follow. As you share different parts of the context, you could adjust the arrows to represent what you are sharing.