1 John 1-2: "Walk in the Light"

New Testament: Student Study guide, (2003), 160–161

Everyone sins and falls short of God’s glory (see 1 John 1:8). Through the Atonement we can be cleansed of our sins and receive the blessings of heaven. Think of some ways that you may be falling short, and consider what John said it would take to overcome your sins and to “walk in the light” each day (1 John 1:7). Also pay close attention to the Joseph Smith Translation changes in 1 John 1–2.

Understanding the Scriptures

1 John 1

That which was from the beginning (v. 1)Jesus Christ 
For the life was manifested (v. 2)Jesus Christ lived in the flesh 

1 John 2

The propitiation for (v. 2)The sacrifice that pays for 
Anointing (v. 27)Gift of the Holy Ghost 

1 John 2:1—“If Any Man Sin, We Have an Advocate”

The Joseph Smith Translation changed this verse to read: “If any man sin and repent, we have an advocate with the Father” (JST,  1 John 2:1).

1 John 2:18–19, 22—Antichrists

The antichrists that John referred to are those who left the Church and stopped believing in Jesus Christ.

Studying the Scriptures

Do the following activity as you study 1 John 1–2.

Activity A iconWhat Did He Mean?

Ezra Taft Benson

President Ezra Taft Benson explained, “Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind (in Conference Report, Apr. 1987, 106; or Ensign, May 1987, 85).

  1. 1.

    Write a paragraph describing how what John wrote in 1 John 1 supports President Benson’s statement.

  2. 2.

    Why might 1 John 2:1–3 mean more to someone who understood that we all are sinners, as John declared in 1 John 1:8, 10?