Jesus the Christ Plain and Simple Preface

Jesus the Christ Plain and Simple Preface

The Author's notes

Preface to Jesus the Christ: Plain and Simple

The original creator of Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, devoted much time and effort into creating perhaps one of the greatest works of non-fiction of our time. I seek not to replace it but only to make it plainer and simpler in language so that more individuals may read and enjoy it. As needed and inspired, I will also add additional light and understanding. Such additional entries will be clearly marked by being italicized.

As an educator, former missionary, and in various jobs, I have worked extensively with children and adults who could not always understand the higher levels of reading and thinking. They offered me the opportunity to learn a skill: the ability to effectively condense technical and difficult materials into a form that is “plain and simple.” It is to them that I dedicate this work.

Because I only wish to add to and not detract from Elder Talmage’s work, I intend to stay as closely as possible to his original structure. I encourage the reader to use that text along with this one and to seek out his scriptural references and the chapter end notes as they are reading.

As a “translator” of sorts, I add my witness to the sacred, joyful, and “thirst-quenching” nature of this work and its subject matter. I also bear witness of the divinity, power, and existence of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my God, my Brother, my Hope, and my best friend. May He be or become the same for you – and more besides.

CSK

Original Preface

This book is about Jesus Christ. The writer doesn’t start with the birth of Mary’s babe and end with His death and resurrection as most writers do. This book also deals with events prior to his birth and after His death as the scriptural records retell them.

It is only right that the church that publishes this record also bears His name – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – and holds authority to act in His behalf.

The original author of this book wrote it at the request of the leaders of the church. Its leaders read and approved it. It also represents the writer’s deepest beliefs of truth.

A unique feature of this book is the additional information and light given by modern scripture and revelation. This light has served to make “plain and simple” the things that were previously “hard to the understanding” of most individuals.

“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.” (verbatim from James E. Talmage)

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