Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
James teaches some practical aspects of religion as taught by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount. As a half-brother of Jesus, James uses similar language and themes. He emphasizes enduring tribulation in faith, the nature of faith, and applying one's faith in practical Christian living. James encourages us with small, straightforward analogies to help us in our daily discipleship. And, of course, James encourages us to Ask God if we lack wisdom. Ask, and ye shall receive.
James
"The teachings in the epistle of James may profitably be compared to practical religion taught in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5-7). In fact, another argument in favor of James the brother of Christ being the author of this epistle is that it approximates the language used in Matthew's account of the Sermon on the Mount. In other words, James knew the language of his brother, the Messiah! James presents counsel that centers on themes of enduring tribulation in faith (see 1:2 4, 12), the nature of faith (see 1:6; 2:14 16), applying one's faith in practical Christian living (see 1:26 27; 2:1 10), self control (1:19; 3:1 18), riches, pride, and lust (see 1:9 11; 4:1 16; 5:1 4), and forgiveness of sin (see 4:17; 5:14 20). See Bible Dictionary, "James"; "James, Epistle of"; and "James, Epistle of," in Ludlow, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 2:716 17)." (D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner, New Testament Apostles Testify of Christ Salt Lake City; Deseret Book, 1998, 264 265)
James Teaching Matthew
1:2 Joy amid trial 5:10-12
1:4 Exhortation to be perfect 5:48
1:5 Asking God for wisdom 7:7-11
1:17 God the giver of good 7:11
1:20 Against anger 5:22
1:22 Hearers and doers of the word 7:24-27
2:5 Poor will inherit the kingdom of God 5:3-5
2:10 Keeping the whole law 5:19
2:13 The merciful receive mercy 5:7
3:12 Know them by their fruits 7:16
3:18 Blessings of peacemakers 5:9
4:2-3 Ask, and you will receive 7:7-8
4:4 Serving God vs. friendship with the world 6:24
4:9-10 Consolation for mourners 5:4
4:11-12 Against judging others 7:1-5
4:13-14 Living for today 6:34
5:2-5 Moth and rust spoiling earthly treasures 6:19
5:10 Prophets as examples and patterns 5:12
5:12 Against oaths 5:33-37
Source: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/chart-59-01/
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "To have a book written by the Lord's brother is akin to having one penned by the Master himself. And in this General Epistle we find the son of Joseph, often in language reminiscent of that used by the Son of Mary, setting forth the practical operation of the doctrines taught by his Elder Brother." (DNTC, 3:244)
President Russell M. Nelson: “Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! …
“You don’t have to wonder about what is true [see Moroni 10:5]. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true. …
We are followers of Jesus Christ. The most important truth the Holy Ghost will ever witness to you is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He lives!” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 95–96)
Elder David A. Bednar: “Notice the requirement to ask in faith, which I understand to mean the necessity to not only express but to do, the dual obligation to both plead and to perform, the requirement to communicate and to act. …
“Joseph’s questions focused not just on what he needed to know but also on what was to be done! His prayer was not simply, “Which church is right?” His question was, “Which church should I join?” Joseph went to the grove to ask in faith, and he was determined to act.
“True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. … We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say “amen,” by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father.
“Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence.” (David A. Bednar, “Ask in Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 94–95)
It is interesting to note that Martin Luther tore the Book of James out of his Bible. He felt that the Book of James disagreed with Paul and his teaching on faith. He did not agree with the doctrine taught by James that faith was demonstrated by works. Martin Luther:"Many sweat to reconcile St. Paul and St. James, but in vain. 'Faith justifies' and 'faith does not justify' contradict each other flatly. If any one can harmonize them I will give him my doctor's hood and let him call me a fool.“
"We should throw the Epistle of James out of this school [the University of Wittenberg]...."
C. S. Lewis: “Christians have often disputed as to whether what leads the Christian to his heavenly home is good actions or just Faith in Christ. I have no right really to speak on such a difficult question, but it does seem to me like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most necessary. A serious moral effort is the only thing that will bring you to the point where you throw up the sponge. Faith in Christ is the only thing to save you from despair at that point; and out of that Faith in Him, good actions must inevitably come.
“There are two parodies of the truth that have been believed by different sets of Christians in the past. One set was accused of saying that good actions are all that matter, and the best good action is charity…..
“The other set was accused of saying ‘Faith is all that matters. Consequently, if you have faith, it doesn’t matter what you do. Sin away, my lad, and have a good time and Christ will see that it makes no difference in the end.’ The answer to that nonsense is that, if what you call your ‘faith’ in Christ does not involve taking the slightest notice of what He says, then it is not Faith at all – not faith or trust in Him, but only intellectual acceptance of some theory about Him.
“The Bible really seems to clinch the matter when it puts the two things together in one amazing sentence. The first half is ‘Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling’ – which looks as if everything depended on us and our good actions: but the second half goes on, ‘For it is God who worketh in you’ – which looks as if God did everything and we nothing.
“…We are now trying to understand, and to separate into water-tight compartments, what exactly God does and what man does when God and man are working together. And of course, we begin by thinking it is like two men working together, so that you could say, ‘he did this bit and I did that.’ But this way of thinking breaks down.” (Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis)
Elder Dale G. Renlund: “Let us liken heavenly blessings to a massive pile of wood. … [It] contains an enormous amount of fuel, capable of producing light and heat for days. …
“For the energy in the woodpile to be released, the match needs to be struck and the kindling lit. The kindling will quickly catch fire and cause the larger pieces of wood to burn. …
“Striking the match and lighting the kindling are small actions that enable the potential energy of the wood to be released. Until the match is struck, nothing happens, regardless of the size of the woodpile. …
“In a similar way, most blessings that God desires to give us require action on our part—action based on our faith in Jesus Christ. … The required action, though, is always tiny when compared to the blessings we ultimately receive.” (“Abound with Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 70)
President Russell M. Nelson: “To do anything well requires effort. Becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ is no exception. Increasing your faith and trust in Him takes effort. …
“…What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.” (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Liahona, 2021, 103)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “Obviously James doesn’t mean our tongues are always iniquitous, nor that everything we say is “full of deadly poison.” But he clearly means that at least some things we say can be destructive, even venomous—and that is a chilling indictment for a Latter-day Saint! The voice that bears profound testimony, utters fervent prayer, and sings the hymns of Zion can be the same voice that berates and criticizes, embarrasses and demeans, inflicts pain and destroys the spirit of oneself and of others in the process. …
“… May we try to be “perfect” men and women in at least this one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, … so desperately needed in the world today. With such words, spoken under the influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail.” (“The Tongue of Angels,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 16, 18)
Benjamin Franklin: ‘Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.’
Dale Carnegie in his classic work, How To Win Friends and Influence People, made comments and quoted others on the virtue of avoiding an argument, that which often leads to anger by one party or the other. Mr. Carnegie said that he had come to the conclusion "that there is one way under high heaven to get the best of an argument--and that is to avoid it. Avoid it as you would avoid rattlesnakes and earthquakes.“
Benjamin Franklin: "If you argue and rankle and contradict, you may achieve a victory sometimes; but it will be an empty victory because you will never get your opponent's good will.“
Abraham Lincoln once reprimanded a young army officer for indulging in a violent controversy with an associate. After explaining to the officer the fallacy of engaging in contention, he concluded by saying, "Better give your path to a dog than be bitten by him in contesting for the right. Even killing the dog would not cure the bite."
Additional teachings from James
Students could choose one scripture reference to study in more detail and prepare a three- to five-minute lesson on that topic.
Teaching Thoughts:
James
- Wrote book of James between A.D. 45 and 50.
- He was likely the half-brother of Jesus Christ (see Guide to the Scriptures, “James, Brother of the Lord,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
- Like the Lord’s other half-brothers, he may not have initially believed that Jesus was the Christ (see John 7:3–5).
- He eventually became an Apostle and, according to early Christian writers, the first bishop of the Church in Jerusalem (see Acts 12:16–17 ; 21:17–18 ; Galatians 1:18–19 ; 2:9; Eusebius, History of the Church, 36, 75).
- Leader in the Jerusalem Conference (see Acts 15: 13).
- Stoned to death by the Sanhedrin in A.D. 62: "He Ananus assembled the Sanhedrin of the judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others. . . he delivered them to be stoned" (Josephus, Antiquities, 20.9.1; see also Eusebius, History of the Church, 58 61).
"The teachings in the epistle of James may profitably be compared to practical religion taught in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5-7). In fact, another argument in favor of James the brother of Christ being the author of this epistle is that it approximates the language used in Matthew's account of the Sermon on the Mount. In other words, James knew the language of his brother, the Messiah! James presents counsel that centers on themes of enduring tribulation in faith (see 1:2 4, 12), the nature of faith (see 1:6; 2:14 16), applying one's faith in practical Christian living (see 1:26 27; 2:1 10), self control (1:19; 3:1 18), riches, pride, and lust (see 1:9 11; 4:1 16; 5:1 4), and forgiveness of sin (see 4:17; 5:14 20). See Bible Dictionary, "James"; "James, Epistle of"; and "James, Epistle of," in Ludlow, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 2:716 17)." (D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner, New Testament Apostles Testify of Christ Salt Lake City; Deseret Book, 1998, 264 265)
James Teaching Matthew
1:2 Joy amid trial 5:10-12
1:4 Exhortation to be perfect 5:48
1:5 Asking God for wisdom 7:7-11
1:17 God the giver of good 7:11
1:20 Against anger 5:22
1:22 Hearers and doers of the word 7:24-27
2:5 Poor will inherit the kingdom of God 5:3-5
2:10 Keeping the whole law 5:19
2:13 The merciful receive mercy 5:7
3:12 Know them by their fruits 7:16
3:18 Blessings of peacemakers 5:9
4:2-3 Ask, and you will receive 7:7-8
4:4 Serving God vs. friendship with the world 6:24
4:9-10 Consolation for mourners 5:4
4:11-12 Against judging others 7:1-5
4:13-14 Living for today 6:34
5:2-5 Moth and rust spoiling earthly treasures 6:19
5:10 Prophets as examples and patterns 5:12
5:12 Against oaths 5:33-37
Source: https://www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/chart-59-01/
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "To have a book written by the Lord's brother is akin to having one penned by the Master himself. And in this General Epistle we find the son of Joseph, often in language reminiscent of that used by the Son of Mary, setting forth the practical operation of the doctrines taught by his Elder Brother." (DNTC, 3:244)
President Russell M. Nelson: “Does God really want to speak to you? Yes! …
“You don’t have to wonder about what is true [see Moroni 10:5]. You do not have to wonder whom you can safely trust. Through personal revelation, you can receive your own witness that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, that Joseph Smith is a prophet, and that this is the Lord’s Church. Regardless of what others may say or do, no one can ever take away a witness borne to your heart and mind about what is true. …
We are followers of Jesus Christ. The most important truth the Holy Ghost will ever witness to you is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He lives!” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 95–96)
Elder David A. Bednar: “Notice the requirement to ask in faith, which I understand to mean the necessity to not only express but to do, the dual obligation to both plead and to perform, the requirement to communicate and to act. …
“Joseph’s questions focused not just on what he needed to know but also on what was to be done! His prayer was not simply, “Which church is right?” His question was, “Which church should I join?” Joseph went to the grove to ask in faith, and he was determined to act.
“True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. … We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say “amen,” by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father.
“Asking in faith requires honesty, effort, commitment, and persistence.” (David A. Bednar, “Ask in Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 94–95)
It is interesting to note that Martin Luther tore the Book of James out of his Bible. He felt that the Book of James disagreed with Paul and his teaching on faith. He did not agree with the doctrine taught by James that faith was demonstrated by works. Martin Luther:"Many sweat to reconcile St. Paul and St. James, but in vain. 'Faith justifies' and 'faith does not justify' contradict each other flatly. If any one can harmonize them I will give him my doctor's hood and let him call me a fool.“
"We should throw the Epistle of James out of this school [the University of Wittenberg]...."
C. S. Lewis: “Christians have often disputed as to whether what leads the Christian to his heavenly home is good actions or just Faith in Christ. I have no right really to speak on such a difficult question, but it does seem to me like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most necessary. A serious moral effort is the only thing that will bring you to the point where you throw up the sponge. Faith in Christ is the only thing to save you from despair at that point; and out of that Faith in Him, good actions must inevitably come.
“There are two parodies of the truth that have been believed by different sets of Christians in the past. One set was accused of saying that good actions are all that matter, and the best good action is charity…..
“The other set was accused of saying ‘Faith is all that matters. Consequently, if you have faith, it doesn’t matter what you do. Sin away, my lad, and have a good time and Christ will see that it makes no difference in the end.’ The answer to that nonsense is that, if what you call your ‘faith’ in Christ does not involve taking the slightest notice of what He says, then it is not Faith at all – not faith or trust in Him, but only intellectual acceptance of some theory about Him.
“The Bible really seems to clinch the matter when it puts the two things together in one amazing sentence. The first half is ‘Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling’ – which looks as if everything depended on us and our good actions: but the second half goes on, ‘For it is God who worketh in you’ – which looks as if God did everything and we nothing.
“…We are now trying to understand, and to separate into water-tight compartments, what exactly God does and what man does when God and man are working together. And of course, we begin by thinking it is like two men working together, so that you could say, ‘he did this bit and I did that.’ But this way of thinking breaks down.” (Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis)
Elder Dale G. Renlund: “Let us liken heavenly blessings to a massive pile of wood. … [It] contains an enormous amount of fuel, capable of producing light and heat for days. …
“For the energy in the woodpile to be released, the match needs to be struck and the kindling lit. The kindling will quickly catch fire and cause the larger pieces of wood to burn. …
“Striking the match and lighting the kindling are small actions that enable the potential energy of the wood to be released. Until the match is struck, nothing happens, regardless of the size of the woodpile. …
“In a similar way, most blessings that God desires to give us require action on our part—action based on our faith in Jesus Christ. … The required action, though, is always tiny when compared to the blessings we ultimately receive.” (“Abound with Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 70)
President Russell M. Nelson: “To do anything well requires effort. Becoming a true disciple of Jesus Christ is no exception. Increasing your faith and trust in Him takes effort. …
“…What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.” (“Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains,” Liahona, 2021, 103)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “Obviously James doesn’t mean our tongues are always iniquitous, nor that everything we say is “full of deadly poison.” But he clearly means that at least some things we say can be destructive, even venomous—and that is a chilling indictment for a Latter-day Saint! The voice that bears profound testimony, utters fervent prayer, and sings the hymns of Zion can be the same voice that berates and criticizes, embarrasses and demeans, inflicts pain and destroys the spirit of oneself and of others in the process. …
“… May we try to be “perfect” men and women in at least this one way now—by offending not in word, or more positively put, by speaking with a new tongue, the tongue of angels. Our words, like our deeds, should be filled with faith and hope and charity, … so desperately needed in the world today. With such words, spoken under the influence of the Spirit, tears can be dried, hearts can be healed, lives can be elevated, hope can return, confidence can prevail.” (“The Tongue of Angels,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 16, 18)
Benjamin Franklin: ‘Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.’
Dale Carnegie in his classic work, How To Win Friends and Influence People, made comments and quoted others on the virtue of avoiding an argument, that which often leads to anger by one party or the other. Mr. Carnegie said that he had come to the conclusion "that there is one way under high heaven to get the best of an argument--and that is to avoid it. Avoid it as you would avoid rattlesnakes and earthquakes.“
Benjamin Franklin: "If you argue and rankle and contradict, you may achieve a victory sometimes; but it will be an empty victory because you will never get your opponent's good will.“
Abraham Lincoln once reprimanded a young army officer for indulging in a violent controversy with an associate. After explaining to the officer the fallacy of engaging in contention, he concluded by saying, "Better give your path to a dog than be bitten by him in contesting for the right. Even killing the dog would not cure the bite."
Additional teachings from James
Students could choose one scripture reference to study in more detail and prepare a three- to five-minute lesson on that topic.
- James 1:12–16 (We are blessed for resisting temptation.)
- James 1:27 (Pure religion is caring for others and being spiritually clean.)
- James 2:8–9 (Love others as yourself.)
- James 4:6–10 (Be humble, resist Satan, and draw near to God.)
- James 4:17 (If we know to do good but choose not to do it, we commit sin.)
- James 5:14–15 (The sick can be healed through prayer or by the laying on of hands and anointing with oil in the name of Christ.)
Teaching Thoughts:
- James is a book of practical application of the gospel.
- How can we be a ‘doer of the word?’
- How can we remember to keep it ‘small and simple?’
- Ask and receive. “No message appears in scripture more times, in more ways than “Ask, and ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22; James 4:3; 1 John 3:22; 1 Nephi 15:11; Enos 1:15; Mosiah 4:21; D&C 4:7; and Moses 6:52 are examples.) While we may invite this communication, it can never be forced! If we try to force it, we may be deceived.” (Boyd K. Packer, in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, 26; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, 21)