Lesson 11

Choice 2: 2 Peter 2. Teaching

1.    Read 2 Peter 2:1–19. Record the characteristics of false teachers described by Peter. Explain in writing how your list helps you recognize false teachers today.

·         Shall bring in damnable heresies,

·         Denying the Lord the brought them, bringing upon them swift destruction

·         Many shall follow their pernicious ways

·         Ways of truth shall be spoken evil of

·         Through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you

·         Walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness

·         Despise government

·         They are Presumptuous

·         Selfwilled

·         Are not afraid to speak evil of dignities

·         Natural brute beasts

·         Speak evil of things they don’t understand

·         Speak vanity

·         Allure through the lusts of the flash

·         Promise liberty but are servants of corruption

2.    Read 2 Peter 2:20–22; Doctrine and Covenants 82:3, 7. In your own words, write a few sentences describing the dangers of returning to the “pollutions of the world.”

·         There are many dangers of returning to the “pollutions of the world.”  But I think knowing something to be dangerous or true and then having the light of the gospel and returning to it is a betrayal.  That is why your sins return to you according to D&C 82:7.  It is not the unpardonable sin (in most cases) because we don’t have a sure knowledge of God but it is the next closest thing.  That being said while it is very bad to return to sin we can still come back.  He will let us come back to him.  We have to go through the repentance process but we can come back.  It is just a matter of if you are willing.  I have heard the biggest damage done by people speaking of the Church is people who used to be members.  So when you have the knowledge and fall it is that much bigger a fall than for someone else.  

Lesson 10

1.    Read James 1 and respond in writing to the following items:

o       What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?

·               Ask in faith, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations, the trying of your faith worketh patience.

o       How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?

·               Asking in faith is humbling ourselves to be able to ask God for help and for wisdom.  Sure anyone can fold their arms and ask…but if they don’t have any faith then they not get anything.  They won’t see anything happen.  But if we humble ourselves and ask God knowing he will respond then the Spirit will be able to speak to us. 

o       How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?

·               Make a decision.  There is no grey….not really.  The grey comes from us trying to justify things.  There is Gods way or Satans way.  There is light or dark, right and wrong.  Choose one.  You look like a fool trying to sit on the fence.  I sit on the fence a ton… so I look like a fool a ton too, my wife would probably agree with that.  But really I do.  I’m not sure sometimes the best course of action and when the moment comes I sometimes don’t realize it. 

o       From James 1:13–15, 19–27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

·               Sin

o   Lust leads to temptation, then when we act on the lust and temptation sin comes.  Sin does not come from God

·               Be quick to listen

·               Be slow to wrath and speech

·               Be doers of the word and not just hearers

·               Bridle your pasions

·               Visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction and keep unspotted from the world. 

o       Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22.

·               My wife is constantly doing things because of the gospel.  She is such a strength to me in so many ways.  She gets up every morning and says her prayers…something that I almost every day forget to do.  Not only does she do it but she helps me remember too.  Also she constantly strives to make herself better.  I usually just say oh things are fine right now but

2.    Read the institute student manual commentary for James 1:5–6, “If Any of You Lack Wisdom” (p. 409). Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact ... upon mankind than any other” scripture.

“… this single verse of scripture has had a greater impact and a more far reaching effect upon mankind than any other single sentence ever recorded by any prophet in any age. It might well be said that the crowning act of the ministry of James was not his martyrdom for the testimony of Jesus, but his recitation, as guided by the Holy Ghost, of these simple words which led to the opening of the heavens in modern times.

“And it might well be added that every investigator of revealed truth stands, at some time in the course of his search, in the place where Joseph Smith stood. He must turn to the Almighty and gain wisdom from God by revelation if he is to gain a place on that strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life.” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:246–47.)

Rather than make a list I just decided to use the entire quote.  Wow this is a really powerful statement.  But it really is true.  Anyone searching for their faith only need to follow this teaching to find it.  It may not be just that easy but it certainly can be.  

Lesson 9

Choice Three: Hebrews 13. Works of Righteousness

Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel. Read Hebrews 13 and find statements about the following questions:

• How should we treat strangers and those “in bonds”?

           

            According to Paul we should treat strangers as we would treat angels.  The scripture says that “some have entertained angels unawares.”  I think this is really true.  Angels can be people here on earth.  I certainly think it is possible that an Angel from heaven could come down to us and show himself or herself to us…..I think that it is much more likely that someone here on earth could be classified as an angel.  You never know who you are dealing with but we should treat everyone with as much respect and dignity we can muster.  As for those in bonds Paul says that we should remember them.  Keep them in our prayers.  Bonds doesn’t mean just people who are in prison but I could see it also applying to people who are confused or are in tough situations.  Keep them in our prayers and we should do whatever we can to help them. 

• How is marriage looked upon?

            Verse 4 states that “Marriage is honourable in all.”  Marriage is so important to our human race.  I don’t think we understand how important especially in our society today.  The family is the fundamental unit of the human race.  Well the binding power of the family is the marriage relationship.  We are literally sealed on earth and in heaven.  There is so much in our society today that is attacking the family, especially marriage.  Satan knows if he can stop this bond then the family will eventually fall. 

• What warnings are given about covetousness?

           

            This one really applies to me.  Paul says to not covet and “be content with such things as ye have said.”  This is something really hard.  I always want the next bigger and better thing.  Anyone who knows my wife can tell you that… but I think this is a product of our society also.  If you go on to read further it says “for he hath said, I will never leave thee , nor forsake thee.”  Heavenly Father will provide for us as we do as much as we can to provide for ourselves.  He will make up the rest if we are living faithfully. 

• What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”?

            Jesus Christ and also I would say God. 

• How are we sanctified?

            By following his gospel.  He has already “sanctified” us by his sacrifice and suffering.  We must submit to his will.

• How do we respond to those who rule over us?

            We are told to obey them and submit ourselves to them.  Although if they rule over us unrighteously I think we should still try to do something about that.

• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

            He asked them to “Pray for us”  I am guessing that means him and the other Apostles.  I think in this day we can pray for our Prophet and leaders.  They really do need our support and we can support them daily by praying for them.  

Choice 5: Hebrews 1–2. Jesus Christ Is Greater than Angels

 1.    Refer to “Epistle to the Hebrews” in the Bible Dictionary (pp. 746–47). Read the first paragraph and the “Analysis of Hebrews,” number 1–5. Make a list of what Jesus Christ is superior to.

·         Greater than the angels

·         Greater than Moses

·         Greater than Melchizedek

·         Greater than the order or Aaron

2.    Read Hebrews 1. Make a list of three truths Paul taught about the Savior Jesus Christ.

1.      Jesus Christ was made in the express image of God.

2.      Jesus Christ has purged our sins.

3.      Jesus Christ’s word will not pass away.

3.    Read Hebrews 2:7–18; 4:13–16; Alma 7:11–15; Doctrine and Covenants 122:8. In writing describe how these scriptures explain reasons the Son of God came to earth to experience mortality.

·         Hebrews 2:7-18

o   He was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death…that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  He came to earth to rescue us and to pay the price of our death.  Physical and Spiritual.  He took on him the seed of Abraham

·         Hebrews 4: 13-16

o   He is all powerful and has see’s all creatures and their infirmities.  He has experienced everything that we have and ever will.  He is without sin and he has paid the price of all the sin and hurt we will ever fill. 

·         Alma 7: 11-15

o   He suffered pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind so that he could take upon himself the pains and sicknesses of his people.

o   He took upon himself death so that he may loose the bands of death from his people and he will take upon himself their infirmities.  He has come to succor his people according to their infirmities.    

o   He does this so that he may blot out our transgressions

·         Doctrine and Covenants 122:8

o   He has descended below all things.  In Matthew there is a chapter that talks about how he ate with the publicans and sinners.  By doing this he became ritualistically unclean.  So he fell from a position of upper middle class in Jewish society and fell to the bottom.  He came to their level to be able. 

Lesson 7

    The lesson this week has been awesome.  I really enjoyed reading Philemon for our group assignment.  Forgiveness is such a powerful thing and even if you think that you cannot forgive someone with Christ you can.  This sounds so trivial but it is true.  It will be hard and seem impossible but with his help you can learn to forgive.  I chose to do choice 1 and it was really interesting because I always have a hard time directly applying the scriptures....especially things in the Bible to my own life.  

Choice 1: Philippians 1–4. Find Solutions in the Scriptures to Life’s Challenges

For each of the following common challenges, write the counsel from Philippians that you would use to resolve it:

·         People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15).

• There is a ton of counsel on this that could apply.  To start it says in verse 14 to do all things without murmurings and disputing’s.  I think I am guilty of this a ton and it is something that I could definitely be better at.  In verse 3 it says let nothing be done through strife or vainglory.  Then the remedy is in verse 8 it talks about being humble and obedient. 

·         Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling” [pp. 361–62]).

• It is not enough.  The first line of the student manual commentary is “An outstanding doctrine of the Church is that each individual carries the responsibility to work out his own salvation, and salvation is a process of gradual development.”  This is about as clear as it gets.  Faith without works is dead.  We cannot just say that we believe and/or that our parent’s belief is good enough.  We have to act.  We have to strive to incorporate Christ like attributes into our own lives.  The whole purpose of this life is to become more Christ like. 

·         An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).

• I feel like the teachings here will be very cutting to this investigator but at the same time it does not leave a lot of room for interpretation.  4:13 says that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  If you know that it is true then you should join.  I can’t imagine what this would feel like but you know that you are doing the right thing.  And you just have to hope that one day they will be able to come to the gospel and the truth. 

·         How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3? 

• It helps me feast upon the words of Christ and it really helps me apply what I am learning to my own life. 

Colossians 3

Choice 3: Colossians 1-4. Becoming New Creatures in Christ

1.       Make a list of names, titles, and phrases used by Paul in Colossians 1:13–2:7 to describe the Savior. What did Paul teach that Jesus Christ has done for us? What do these verses teach about the responsibilities we have to receive the blessings of the Lord?

1. Son, image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature, creator, before all things, head of the body, the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, preeminence, treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2. He is the creator of all things and we are redeemed thru him.  He is the head of the church.
3. We need to continue in faith grounded and settled.  We need to do the little things, like reading our scriptures, saying our prayers and going to church.  That is what lets us be grounded and settled.  We also need to be reconciled with Christ.  We need to accept his gift and let it take power in our lives. 

2.       Write Helaman 5:12 next to Colossians 2:7 in the margin of your scriptures. After reading these two scriptures, write a paragraph explaining what it means to be “rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith.”

Colossians 2:7-  Rooted and built up in him and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Helaman 5:12-  And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his might winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

A.     To be rooted and built up in him means that our foundation is in Christ.  When you think of the story of the wise man that build his house upon the rock.  The storms came and because the house was on rock it was not moved or damaged.  But the foolish man who built his house on the sand, his house was destroyed when the storms came.  If we build our foundation on the ways of the world then we will be deceived.  In my history and systems of psychology class we talked about this.  To the world there is the empirical(scientific observation) and rational (logic) views to gain knowledge.  Also authority figures can be the source of knowledge also.  But there is no acknowledgement of divine revelation.  As Latter Day Saints we believe in revelation.  By doing the small everyday things we can get this revelation and be rooted up in the gospel.   

3.       Review Colossians 2:8, 18 and the institute student manual commentary for Colossians 2:18-19, “What does Paul Mean by the Worshiping of Angels?” (p. 345). List at least four means of deception Paul warned the Saints about in Colossae. What does 2 Nephi 9:28-29 add to what Paul warned?

1. A verse in acts really hits this home.  Acts 17:18  “Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him.  And some said, What will this babbler say? Other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods; because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.”  They called Paul a babbler because he taught of Christ and of the resurrection.  He warns us of philosopy and vain deceit, traditions of men, not to let others beguile us of our rewards.  He warned against the worshipping of angels because in those days it was believed that you could not get revelation from God directly.  Instead you had to go thru a messenger or Angel.  Paul is saying that this thought it wrong. 
2. 2 Nephi 9:28-29 really hits this home.  Nephi warns us of “the foolishness of men.”  How they are deceived and “hearken not unto the counsel of God.”  They totally ignore it and even say deface it and say that it is not needed anymore.  They say that we don’t need a God because reasoning and observation can explain everything.  In verse 29 I think this drive the point home.  It says that “to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God.”  So gaining knowledge and being learned is good as long as we don’t forget God and revelation and his counsel. 

4.       Review Colossians 3 and make a list of what we should “put on” and “put off” or “mortify.” Make a chart like the following one and place your findings in the corresponding column:

Things We Should Seek After or “Put On”	Things We Should “Mortify” or “Put Off”
The elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, forgive others, charity, peace of God, be thankful,  word of Christ Dwell, Do things in the name of the Lord	Members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, lying,

5.       Review Colossians 3:15-21 and identify in writing several ideas that would help families live in greater harmony. Then answer the following questions in writing:

A.     What specific counsel did Paul give to children, parents, husbands, and wives?

1. He counseled to let the peace of God rule in your hearts and to be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.  He really taught that we need to be loving to our families and to not have bitter feelings toward them.  Don’t provoke and for children to obey their parents.  Husbands love their wives and not to be bitter against them.  Also Wives to submit to their husbands.  Be grateful for what you have.

B.      What did Paul teach about the importance of hymns

1. That they are very important because it brings the spirit of Christ into your home.  Hymns can be a way of teaching because of this.  So when we sing hymns we can actually teach one another. 

Baptism Lesson 5

Choice 3: Romans 6. Baptism

            This week I have chosen to do choice 3 which is all about baptism.  Baptism is one of the most important ordinances that a person can take part of.  It literally cleanses us from sin and allows us to be able to return to our Father in Heaven.  “It is by grace that we are saved after all that we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23)  The atonement of Jesus Christ saved us, period.  But we still must do all that we can do to be righteous and follow the commandments.  Because the demands of justice demanded that the laws of justice were served, Jesus Christ went thru the atonement and already paid the price for our sins.  This allows him in a sense to be able to change the rules a bit.  Since the law of Justice is fulfilled he can extend to us mercy.  So it is by grace that we are saved.  The price has been paid already.  But we still must do all that we can.  Why is this?  Because we need to become like Christ.  He asks us to do all that we can so that we can become like him.  Since we are only human and will make mistakes we are able to repent and try again because mercy is available since the price of our sins and mistakes have already been paid.  That was a huge tangent but what does this have to do with baptism?  We are told that no unclean thing can be in God’s presence.  We must be baptized in order to become clean from sins.  These are the questions we were given for this chapter on baptism. 

1.    Review Romans 6:1–13 and answer the following questions in writing:

·              What must be done with sin before baptism can occur?

o   This is best answered in Romans 6:7 which states, “For he that is dead to sin is cleared from sin.  The italicized is the Joseph Smith translation and the underlined is the greek translation.  This is the results of baptism.  But we have to stop sinning and come to Christ so we may receive the gift of baptism. 

·              What events from Christ’s life are symbolized in baptism?

o   His death and resurrection are symbolized in baptism.  As we are immersed in water it is symbolic of Christ’s death.  Then we are brought out of the water and are cleared from sin.  This is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ.  Hence he that is dead to sin is cleared from sin. 

·              Considering this symbolism, why couldn’t someone be baptized by sprinkling?

o   Because baptism is in essence making us dead to sin.  Our whole bodies must be cleansed.  Verse 6 states:  “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”  Our bodies are stained with our sins.  But baptism cleanses it.  Therefore it does not make sense to have a sprinkling because only a small amount of the body would actually be cleansed.  Because this is symbolic it would be like saying Christ died but only for some peoples sins.  That would not have been complete. 

·              What do these verses teach us about how we can maintain the “newness of    life”?

o   We are cleansed from our sins when we are baptized.  This is basically a new life.  We get a new chance to have a perfect life.  But we will sin again…we will make mistakes again.  We are only human.  But each time we repent.  Each time we take the sacrament we are cleansed again.  This can give us such hope because it is not over once we make a mistake.  It may not be easy but we can repent of our sins and become just like we were after our baptism.  Because we were baptized and followed that commandment we are able to partake of the ordinance of the sacrament. 

·              According to Mosiah 3:19, what part of us would ideally die at baptism?

o   The natural man. 

2.    Study Romans 6:14–23. Write a paragraph that describes how we know whose servant we are. Then write a statement identifying the true source of freedom.

           

            I think that Matthew 6:24 puts this best:  “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  We know whose servant we are by our actions.  We choose our actions and by doing so we either do the right thing and choose to serve God or we do not and choose to serve the devil.  You can’t be hot and cold, you are either hot or cold.  We may not intentionally be serving the devil but we are if we are not doing what we know to be right.  This is why we must have the atonement.  We may choose to serve the devil.  It may not be intentional but we still must repent.  The devil never has our best intentions at heart.  It might seem enticing in the moment but if we follow him we will never truly be happy.  The true source of freedom is choosing to follow God.  When we follow God and are righteous we have freedom.  We are free to choose right and wrong, good or evil and because of this we are free.  If we choose sin then we may become bonded and chained.  In some sense this may seem extreme.  But really looking at the bigger picture….which we may not know until the next life… will show us how we are in bondage when we choose to not follow God.  When we do follow God we retain that freedom to choose and are not bonded to anyone.

I really have learned a ton more about baptism.  I knew that we were cleansed from sin because of it but I did not know the symbolism behind it.  By choosing to become baptized we are symbolically dying to sin.  And are born again as a clean person.  

Lesson 4 Choice 2: Forgivness

     
       This is such a powerful picture.  It is of the Savior as he is in the garden of Gethsemane praying to the father during the atonement.  These last few years the atonement has come to mean so much more to me as I have developed my relationship with my father in heaven.  Partly...Mostly with the encouragement of my wife I have come to discover something else that has been missing from my life during the past 26 years.  Don't get me wrong I always believed in it and I always had faith but over the last few years I have been able to make the atonement and the sacrifice that the Savior made for me and everyone else so much more personal.  Because it truly was a very individual thing.  He suffered for all of us individually and also all of us collectively.  It was both broad and individual.  That is what is so special.  He is complete.
        A very important part of the atonement is forgiveness.  In order to be forgiven and take full advantage of the gift we have been given we have to have the ability to forgive.  In Doctrine and Covenants 64: 9&10 we are commanded:
      "9:  Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
       10: I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men."

Also a similar verse can be found in Matthew 6: 14-15
       "14: For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you:
        15: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

        Why is it so important to forgive?  Because it sets us free.  The point of forgiveness is not just to not have bad feelings for someone or harbor a grudge.  Or to get rid of contention or to not hate somebody.  It is all of those things but it is to set us free.  We will be free from all of this if we are able to forgive.  The emotional and psychological pain and turmoil can be eased and even disappear if we can develop this talent.  And it is a talent to forgive.  One that I wish I was better at.  What a blessing that the atonement gave us this gift.  To be free from all the pain that someone or something...or maybe just circumstances has caused.  If we can accept this gift and learn to forgive it can all be taken from us.  Obviously the memory cannot be taken but the actual pain can be.

        There are so many dangers to us if we do not forgive.  All of that pain and anger and hate can destroy us.  Honestly I have never read this but I have heard of this story.  It is the story of Moby Dick.  In this Captain Ahab is the captain of a whaling ship.  Earlier in his career a whale who he named Moby Dick mamed him.  He spent the rest of his life chasing this whale trying to kill it.  He believed the whale to be evil.  Not just that it was a whale being a whale but that the whale was pure evil and was trying to destroy him.
   
     "All that most maddens and torments; all that stirs up the less of things; all truth with malice in it; all that cracks the sinews and cakes the brain; all the subtle demonisms of life and thought; all evil, to crazy Ahab, were visibly personified, and made practically assailable in Moby Dick. He piled upon the whale's white hump the sum of all the general rage and hate felt by his whole race from Adam down; and then, as if his chest had been a mortar, he burst his hot heart's shell upon it"

This is obviously an extreme and fictitious example but I think the story is trying to make the point that hate and malice can destroy us.  The only cure is forgiveness.

But little things in our lives can affects us with not as dramatic effects.....at least not in the beginning.  I know that as we learn to forgive we will be free from this evil.  One last example that I can think of is the story of Chris Williams.  His wife and several kids were killed by a drunk driver in Utah.  But the way he handled it can be an example to all of us.  I hope if I am ever in a situation like that I would be able to have half of his ability to forgive.  This mormon message gives the whole story:

The true power of forgiveness can be seen in this story from both sides.  For Chris....I can't imagine what it would be like to lose my wife.  She is my everything.  She is my best friend and....heck she is gone for this weekend and won't be back until Monday.  I wasn't able to go because I had to work.  But even being apart from her less than 24 hours has been really hard.  I miss her so much.  I can't imagine how I would feel if I ever lost her.  But for Chris it was due to an accident.  There was an obvious place to place blame and want revenge.  But he did not take revenge on Cameron.  He forgave him.  But what about the other side.  How did Chris's forgiveness affect Cameron?  Just trying to put myself in that situation.  I killed a wife and 3 children in an accident where I should not have been driving?  I don't think I would ever be able to forgive myself.  With the help of the atonement I could but it would be so incredibly difficult.  I can't imagine the shame I would feel.  But Chris just forgave him.  I have read Chris's book and it has almost come to the point that they are both friends.  Chris wants to help Cameron move on with his life and help him learn from what happened but he wants him to move and have a great life.  Imagine the opposite.  This is such a powerful story of the atonement and the power of forgiveness.

Lesson 3 Choice 2

 I choose to do choice 2 this week.  Honestly I was wondering about this when I read thru this chapter.  It just seemed like it was too specific to only be talking about fornication.  But as I go along that word had a little bit different meaning in Pauls time

11.       Read the institute student manual commentary for 1 Corinthians 5: 1, 11 “Did Paul use the word Fornication as we use it Today?”  Write a few sentences comparing the moral condition of ancient Corinth with the moral condition of our day.

a.       Honestly it is very similar.  According to the institute manual the word fornication had a much broader use during Pauls time than now.  Now we think of it as sexual intercourse between 2 unmarried people.  “But the word which Paul used is porneia (the root word for our pornography) and meant any extramarital intercourse.”  Anything that aroused the sexual feelings that should only be used in marriage.  It went on to talk about how Corinth was very worldy and the temple of Venus was there with thousands of basically glorified prostitutes under the cloak of religious worship.  In our day today there is so much sex all around us.  We can’t get away from it.  Its on our TV and our billboards in magazines.  You have to try very hard to avoid it.  I am scared for my kids because there is no avoiding it.

22.      Read 1 Corinthins 5:7-13.  Describe in writing what Paul suggested the saints do to be protected against sin.  How do the Savior’s teachings in Matthew 5:29-30 apply to these principles?

a.       Paul suggests that we avoid it at all costs.  Mainly that we don’t spend time with people who do those things.  These principles are applies in Matthew 5:29-30 well because those things really do offend our spirits.  I think though that it is important to also realize that there are people who struggle with sins and that by just out casting them we are not being very Christlike either.   We have to be very careful to not participate in sin but also remember that everyone is either our brother or our sister and we need to love them as such.

New Testament Week 3!

Hey everyone in my New Testament class and anyone else who might stumble upon this blog!  I am really excited to share the things that I am learning from the New Testament this semester in my class and hope that I can really share my testimony of the restore church and of the gospel of Jesus Christ!  There are a few assignments that I have the choice of choosing from.  I choose to do one that specifically focuses on Acts 19 verses 1-12 and Acts 20 verses 7-12.  It talks about Pauls Priesthood authority in performing Priesthood ordinances and ministering to the people.  So this is what I have learned:

5 priesthood ordinances Paul Performed

1.       Paul Baptized the people (Acts 19:5)

2.       Paul gave the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:6)

3.       Paul healed the sick (Acts 19:12)

4.       Paul Raised Eutychus from the dead (Acts 20:9)

5.       Paul administered the Sacrament? (Acts 20:11)

1.)    What did Paul do for the saints because it hadn’t been done right the first time?

a.       He baptized them and conferred the gift of the Holy Ghost on them.   It had not been done correctly the first time and so because he had the proper priesthood authority he was able to do it correctly. 

2.)    How does this help answer the questions that many nonmembers have about the need of being baptized when they have already been baptized?

a.       I would imagine this is very difficult for many people.  But here in Acts Paul has to redo many people’s baptism and confirmation because it was not given by the proper authority.  This would probably lead to other questions about why your church has the proper authority.  And we could then talk about the restoration and go from there.

3.)    In what way did Paul bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost?

a.       By the laying on of hands

4.)    On what day of the week did the saints meet to break bread?  What evidence is there in John 20:1, 19 for why the Sabbath day was changed?

a.       According to Acts 20:7 it sounds like they got together on the first day of the week.  So Monday.  In the footnotes it says the Sabbath day so maybe they counted Sunday as the first day, I am not sure.  A footnote in Acts 20:6 takes you to exodus and there it clarifies on which day the Sabbath should be.  That is the evidence of why it was changed.

Looking for the ways Paul used the Priesthood and answering these questions has really made me delve so much deeper into these verses.  For the most part I missed a lot of the details before hand.  I am so grateful that we have the proper Priesthood authority restored to us on the earth.