With these facts in mind, it is easy to understand the words of Jesus in the Spirit world. At the great council of the spirits--about which we have already learned--Jesus said to those around Him, "We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these (spirits) may {65} dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them." And in our own dispensation, Jesus said to the Prophet, Joseph Smith, "It must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves, for if they never should have bitter, they could not know the sweet." [Sidenote: The free agency of man.] Here of course lies the secret of the matter. God has endowed us with free agency. He does not try to force us to be good, but we may do good or evil as we ourselves please. And as we gain strength to overcome evil, we grow in character and in power, and become more nearly worthy to return to the presence of God. It was partly because he wanted to destroy the God-given free agency of man, that Lucifer was cast out of heaven. Only the person who sturdily and persistently resists temptation retains his free agency. He who yields to temptation becomes soon a servant to the devil, and loses the free agency with which God endowed him. Through overcoming temptation and evil Jesus triumphed over the devil and redeemed the world. Through overcoming temptation and evil, man, too, may triumph over the devil, and have glory added upon his head for ever and ever. "Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given unto them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great mediation of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil." {66} THE REFERENCES Matt. 4:1-11. Abraham 3:24,25. Matt. 13:19. Doc. and Cov. 29:39. John 13:2-26, 27. 2 Nephi 2:27. THE QUESTIONS 1. Why should the devil be concerned after the baptism of Jesus? 2. Discuss the temptation of Jesus. 3. To what do the suggestions of the devil lead? 4. How did Jesus prove Himself worthy to be the Son of God? 5. How may man prove himself worthy to be a son of God? 6. Why was man placed upon the earth? 7. What is the meaning of free agency? 8. Why is evil upon the earth? {67} {68} PICTURE: MARKET SCENE AT BETHLEHEM. {69} IX THE CROWN OF CREATION Have you ever felt the wonder of the poet as he sings, "I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me; I tremble to know that for me He was crucified, That for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died." [Sidenote: A wonder-rousing sacrifice.]