The scope of the subject presented in this work is expressed
on the title page. It will be readily seen that the
author has departed from the course usually followed by
writers on the Life of Jesus Christ, which course, as a rule,
begins with the birth of Mary's Babe and ends with the
ascension of the slain and risen Lord from Olivet. The
treatment embodied in these pages, in addition to the narrative
of the Lord's life in the flesh comprizes the antemortal
existence and activities of the world's Redeemer, the revelations
and personal manifestations of the glorified and exalted
Son of God during the apostolic period of old and in modern
times, the assured nearness of the Lord's second advent, and
predicted events beyond—all so far as the Holy Scriptures
make plain.
It is particularly congruous and appropriate that the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—the only
Church that affirms authority based on specific revelation
and commission to use the Lord's Holy Name as a distinctive
designation—should set forth her doctrines concerning
the Messiah and His mission.
The author of this volume entered upon his welcome
service under request and appointment from the presiding
authorities of the Church; and the completed work has been
read to and is approved by the First Presidency and the
Council of the Twelve. It presents, however, the writer's
personal belief and profoundest conviction as to the truth of
what he has written. The book is published by the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A characteristic feature of the work is the guidance
afforded by modern scriptures and the explication of the
Holy Writ of olden times in the light of present day revelation,
which, as a powerful and well directed beam, illumines
many dark passages of ancient construction.
The spirit of the sacredness inherent in the subject has
been a constant companion of the writer throughout his
pleasing labor, and he reverently invokes the same as a minister
to the readers of the volume.
JAMES E. TALMAGE.
Salt Lake City, Utah,
September, 1915.
