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Scripture Story Sketch Notes · John 1:1–14; Helaman 14; 3 Nephi 1

The Light Comes
into the World

“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:5

John wrote that the Word who made all things became flesh. Across the sea, Samuel promised a night with no darkness, and the faithful watched. Then the Light came into the world.

Follow the light ↓ Read John 1:1–14 and 3 Nephi 1:4–21 first
Hand-drawn doodle map of a winding path: a glowing scroll among stars, a small candle shining in gray darkness, Mary and Joseph beside the manger, Samuel preaching on a city wall as arrows miss him, believers waiting while a gray crowd mocks, Nephi praying alone on a hill, a village of people in a night bright as day, and a brilliant new star rising over the village.

Before you begin

The story in brief

John begins before Bethlehem: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” Then “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” In Bethlehem, Mary “laid him in a manger.”

Across the sea, Samuel the Lamanite promised “great lights in heaven,” a night with “no darkness,” and “a new star.” Five years later, unbelievers set a day to kill the believers, who “did watch steadfastly.” Nephi “cried mightily unto the Lord all that day,” and the Lord said, “Lift up your head and be of good cheer… on the morrow come I into the world.” That night “there was no darkness,” and “a new star did appear, according to the word.”

Who’s who

  • Jesus Christ: the Word and the true Light
  • Samuel the Lamanite: a prophet who foretold the signs
  • Nephi: who prayed for his people

Where and when

Bethlehem, and the land of Zarahemla in the Americas.

Watch for the Savior

Watch for light shining in darkness.

Read it yourself: John 1:1–14; 3 Nephi 1:4–21

Part 1 of 7

The light, mapped

Eight stops from “In the beginning” to a new star. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.

    Part 2 of 7

    The story, plainly

    Four scenes: Bethlehem, a prophet on a wall, a prayer, and a night with no darkness. Look for the Savior in each one.

    Read it plainly

    The words that trip people up

    Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1

    1. John 1:5“the darkness it not”
    2. John 1:14“the of the Father”
    3. Helaman 14:4“know of a ”
    4. 3 Nephi 1:4“in the of the ninety and second year”
    5. 3 Nephi 1:8“they did watch ”
    6. 3 Nephi 1:20“every ”

    Part 3 of 7

    Look closer

    Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from Church leaders or Church resources. Each card says which.

    0 of 9 turned

    Part 4 of 7

    Where are you?

    Waiting in the dark, mocked for believing, crying out, or seeing the light. Which feels most like you right now?

    Try it

    Light the night

    On two sides of the world, the Light came. Tap each light in the night sky, and the words of scripture will fill in, one by one.

    “The light shineth in darkness.” John 1:5

    Part 5 of 7

    Their world, their words

    A little background on the Book of Mormon’s Christmas story, a companion to Luke 2. Outside sources are labeled.

    Church leader · Elder David A. Bednar

    A second Christmas story

    “The Restoration of the gospel in the latter days provides an important companion account of the Savior’s birth in the Book of Mormon.”6

    Two witnesses of one birth.

    Church resource · New Era

    Why a Lamanite?

    At that time “the Lamanites were actually the more righteous people—hence the need for a Lamanite prophet.”8

    The Lord sends who is ready.

    Scripture · Helaman 14

    Five years

    Samuel said, “Five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.”4

    A countdown to Christmas.

    Church leader · Elder David A. Bednar

    Light and darkness

    “One of the signs of Christ’s death foretold by Samuel was three days of intense darkness.”6

    Light at His birth, darkness at His death.

    Word study · Greek

    logos λόγος · “the Word” (John 1:1)

    Bible Hub: “a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a speech.”9 Outside · lexicon

    Jesus is God’s message to us in person.1

    Word study · Greek

    skēnoō σκηνόω · “dwelt” (John 1:14)

    Strong’s: “to tent or encamp.”10 Outside · lexicon

    He pitched His tent among us, living right where we live.1

    What the text does not say

    John doesn’t say the darkness wins, or even comes close. “The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” The Light came anyway, as a baby, “full of grace and truth.”1

    Part 6 of 7

    Look to Him

    He is the Word, the Light and the One who came. Every stop points to His birth.

    “In every season of our lives, in all of the circumstances we may encounter, and in each challenge we may face, Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear.”

    Elder David A. Bednar6
    “I witness that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, triumphantly fulfilled His mortal mission and ministry, and as our resurrected Lord, He lives today.”
    Elder David A. Bednar6
    “With such trials and troubles going on for centuries, no wonder the angels of heaven sang for joy when, finally, Jesus was born—the long-promised Messiah Himself.”
    Elder Jeffrey R. Holland7
    “May the beautiful lights of every holiday season remind us of Him who is the source of all light.”
    Elder David A. Bednar6

    Jesus (John 8)

    The light of the world

    “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

    The Lord (3 Nephi 1)

    On the morrow

    “Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world.” 3 Nephi 1:13

    Part 7 of 7

    Seek Him today

    A question to ask in prayer

    Where do I need the Savior’s light most this Christmas? John 1:5

    Ask Heavenly Father to help you see His Son’s light, and to show you who needs you to share it.

    Try it today

    One small light each day this Christmas. It saves on this device, one day at a time.

    0 of 7 today

    This week:0 of 7 days

    A quiet moment

    “Lift up your head.”

    Read 3 Nephi 1:11–15 slowly. Picture Nephi praying all day, and then the sky staying bright. What would you feel? 3 Nephi 1:11–15

    A verse to hold

    Talk about it

    1. Who is the Word in John 1?
    2. What sign did Samuel promise?
    3. What did the Lord tell Nephi?
    4. How is Jesus the light of the world?
    Open

    For adults and deeper study

    Go deeper

    Longer readings, harder questions, and where to study next. Each one says what it is before you click.
    Apostle

    Elder David A. Bednar, “The True Light” (New Era, 2020)

    The Book of Mormon’s Christmas story, from Samuel’s sign to the Savior’s words at the temple: “I am the light.”6

    Read the article →
    Church resource

    “Christmas in the New World” (New Era, 2010)

    Samuel the Lamanite, the believers who watched, and the night that never got dark.8

    Read the article →
    Apostle

    Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Behold the Lamb of God” (2019)

    From the first lambs to the Savior’s birth and sacrifice.7

    Read the talk →
    To ponder

    Harder questions

    • Why do you think John begins his Gospel “in the beginning,” not in Bethlehem?
    • What helped the believers keep watching when others mocked them?
    • How has the Savior’s light helped you in a dark time?

    Sources

    Every quotation, gloss, and piece of background on this page is listed here: scripture first, then Church sources, then outside scholarship (labeled).

    Scripture

    1. John 1:1–14: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
    2. John 8:12: “I am the light of the world.”
    3. Luke 2:7–8: “And laid him in a manger.”
    4. Helaman 14:2–7: “And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld.”
    5. 3 Nephi 1:4–22: “Lift up your head and be of good cheer.”

    Church leaders and Church resources

    1. Elder David A. Bednar, “The True Light”, New Era, December 2020 (from the 2015 First Presidency Christmas Devotional).
    2. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Behold the Lamb of God”, general conference, April 2019.
    3. Wendy Kenney, “Christmas in the New World”, New Era, December 2010.

    Outside sources (labeled on the page)

    1. Strong’s 3056, logos, Bible Hub lexicon.
    2. Strong’s 4637, skēnoō, Bible Hub lexicon.

    Quotations checked against the linked pages on October 11, 2026. Scripture is quoted from the King James Version as published in the Gospel Library.

    “The light shineth in darkness”

    The Light came into the world. Lift up your head, be of good cheer, and share His light. John 1:5

    Back to this week: December 20–26 Earlier: The New Jerusalem and the Tree of Life More Christmas: The Nativity All New Testament Story Sketch Notes Study John 1 verse by verse
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    The Light Comes into the World, ready to print $3.99

    Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.

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    Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The accounts are in John 1, Helaman 14 and 3 Nephi 1; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.