Deanna Draper Buck - My First New Testament Stories

To my siblings, Duane, David,
Eileen, Ron, Don, Brent, Lynn,
Sue, and Julie

Text 2002 by Deanna Draper Buck
Illustrations 2002 by Jerry Harston

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Deseret Book Company, P.O. Box 30178, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130. This work is not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed herein are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of the Church or of Deseret Book Company.

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First printing in board book format 2002
First printing in paperbound 2009

ISBN-13 978-1-57008-867-4 (board book)
ISBN-13 978-1-60641-111-7 (paperbound)

Printed in Mexico

R. R. Donnelley and Sons, Reynosa, Mexico

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Jesus Is Born

Mary was a young woman who lived in Nazareth. One day an angel appeared to her and told her she would have a baby boy. The child would be the Son of God.

Mary was happy and wanted to obey Heavenly Father. Mary and her husband, Joseph, had to go to Bethlehem to pay their taxes. When they got to Bethlehem there was no room in the inn, so Jesus was born in a stable.

While some shepherds were tending their sheep, an angel appeared to them and told them Jesus had been born. They hurried to the stable to see and worship the baby Jesus.

The Wise Men

Heavenly Father made a new star to shine in the sky as a sign that Jesus had been born. Far away in the East, wise men were watching for the sign. When they saw the star they wanted to worship the holy baby.

They traveled far and brought precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. The Wise Men knew that Jesus was the Son of God and would be our Savior.

Jesus in the Temple

When Jesus was twelve years old, he went to Jerusalem with Joseph and Mary for the Feast of the Passover. When it was time to go home, Mary and Joseph couldnt find Jesus.

They looked and looked and finally found him in the temple with the rabbis and teachers. Jesus was teaching them and answering their questions. When Joseph and Mary told Jesus they had been worried, he said he was doing what Heavenly Father wanted him to do.

John the Baptist

John the Baptist was a prophet. He was chosen by Heavenly Father to prepare the people to listen to Jesus. John taught the people to repent and to keep the commandments. Many people believed John and wanted to obey Heavenly Father. After they repented, John baptized them in the Jordan River.

Jesus Is Baptized

Jesus came to John to be baptized. He told John that everyone needs to be baptized to show Heavenly Father they want to obey his commandments. After Jesus was baptized, by immersion, the Holy Ghost came down, like a dove, and rested on Jesus.

Then Heavenly Father spoke from heaven and said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Disciples and Apostles

Jesus taught the people to be kind and to help each other. He healed the sick and did many other miracles. Many people believed Jesus and wanted to follow his teachings. These people were called disciples. Jesus chose twelve of his disciples to be apostles, and he gave them special priesthood authority. They could baptize and also perform miracles. The apostles knew that Jesus is the Son of God and would become the Savior of the world.

Peter, James, and John

Peter, James, and John were fishermen. While they were working with their boats and nets, Jesus said to them, Come, follow me. They left what they were doing to become his special helpers.

Later, they became apostles and the leaders of Christs Church. One time Peter, James, and John had fished all night and hadnt caught any fish. Jesus told them to try again. They obeyed Jesus and soon caught so many fish they couldnt get them all in the boat.

The Sermon on the Mount

One day Jesus climbed a mountain. The people wanted to hear his teachings, and they followed him. He taught them that they should love and forgive everyone. That they should be kind and treat others the way they would like others to treat them. He said that if someone asks for help, we should do more than we are asked to do.