The second edition of this work appeared in December, 1915, and the third in March, 1916. The third edition presented several minor alterations in wording and contained additional notes and references. Succeeding issues, including the fifth which was printed on India paper, and the present edition are practically uniform with the third. JAMES E. TALMAGE. Salt Lake City, Utah, October, 1922. CONTENTS. Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION. Historicity of Jesus the Christ.--Scope and purpose of the present treatise Chapter 2. PREEXISTENCE AND FOREORDINATION OF THE CHRIST. Antemortal existence of spirits.--Primeval council in heaven.--Rebellion of Lucifer.--His defeat and expulsion.--Free agency of man insured.--The Beloved Son chosen to be the Savior and Redeemer of mankind Chapter 3. THE NEED OF A REDEEMER. Spirits of diverse capacities.--Entrance of sin into the world foreseen.--God's foreknowledge not a determining cause.--Creation of man in the flesh.--Fall of man.--Atonement necessary.--Jesus Christ the only Being eligible as Redeemer and Savior.--Universal resurrection provided Chapter 4. THE ANTEMORTAL GODSHIP OF CHRIST. The Godhead.--Jesus Christ the Word of power.--Jesus Christ the Creator.--Jehovah.--The Eternal I AM.--Proclamations of Jesus Christ by the Father Chapter 5. EARTHLY ADVENT OF THE CHRIST PREDICTED. Biblical prophecies.--Revelation to Enoch.--The Prophet predicted by Moses.--Sacrifices as prototypes.--Book of Mormon predictions Chapter 6. THE MERIDIAN OF TIME. Significance of the designation.--Epitome of Israel's history.--Jews in vassalage to Rome.--Scribes and rabbis.--Pharisees and Sadducees.--Other sects and parties Chapter 7. GABRIEL'S ANNUNCIATION OF JOHN AND OF JESUS. Angelic visitation to Zacharias.--Birth of John the forerunner.--Annunciation to Mary the Virgin.--Mary and Joseph.--Their genealogies.--Jesus Christ heir to the throne of David Chapter 8. THE BABE OF BETHLEHEM. Birth of Jesus Christ.--His presentation in the temple.--Visit of the magi.--Herod's evil designs.--The Child taken into Egypt.--Birth of Christ made known to Nephites.--Time of the birth Chapter 9. THE BOY OF NAZARETH. Jesus to be called a Nazarene.--At the temple when twelve years of age.--Jesus and the doctors of the law.--Jesus of Nazareth Chapter 10. IN THE WILDERNESS OF JUDEA. John the Baptist.--The voice in the wilderness.--Baptism of Jesus.--The Father's proclamation.--Descent of the Holy Ghost.--Sign of the dove.--Temptations of Christ Chapter 11. FROM JUDEA TO GALILEE. John Baptist's testimony of Christ.--First disciples.--The Son of Man, significance of title.--Miracle of transmuting water into wine.--Miracles in general Chapter 12. EARLY INCIDENTS IN OUR LORD'S PUBLIC MINISTRY. First clearing of the temple.--Jesus and Nicodemus.--John Baptist's disciples in disputation.--John's tribute to and repeated testimony of the Christ Chapter 13. HONORED BY STRANGERS, REJECTED BY HIS OWN.