Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Unit 2, Choice 1: Romans 12-16, Live as Saints should Live

1. Romans 13:11 what is "nearer"?  Ezekiel 3:20, Doctrine and Covenants 14:7 What must we continue doing to work out or Salvation?
Our Salvation is "nearer" than we thought. 
We must continue in righteousness to work out or Salvation, we cannot turn from our righteousness. If we keep the commandments of the Lord and endure to the end, we will have eternal life. 

2. Romans 12-13  What did Paul teach that would lead to Salvation?
12:1-- your body as a living sacrifice--to give service
12:2--renew your mind, to testify of God, what is good. 
12:9--love always, fend off evil, follow what is good. 
12:13--hospitality, help others
12:16--treat all equal
12:21--do so much good, it hides the evil of the world. 
13:1--honor the power of God. 
13:3--Do good continually
13:8--stay out of debt, love everyone
13:9--Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, that is all encompassing of all of the commandments that should be obeyed. 

3. Romans 14:1-13; 15:1-3
What cautions did Paul give about Judging?
He stated that "God hath received him", so it is His position to take care of judgement. We all have sins and are different in our own. Imperfect man are not equipped to judge another. We will all be judged by God and if we judge another, we will be responsible for that judgement. 
People may have different opinions and practices, but what is most important to remember?
We need to remember that we are all siblings in the Lord and we are all striving to return to him. If we remember this, we will be more ready to serve and love those around us, lift them up so that we may have them as we return to our Father. 
What additional insights from Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27?
We need to be equal in love to everyone and treat them in the best Spirit. We do not have the right to judge anyone and if we do, we are really not part of Heavenly Father's kingdom and family. "If ye are not one, ye are not mine". 

4. What is the term Paul frequently used to refer to members of the church in his day?
He referred to the members of the Church/followers of Christ as "Saints". We use this term today and I think that it has deep meaning in who we are supposed to be and how we should act. Saints are people who are always acting for others, doing things that take from themselves and give to others. 

Unit 1, choice 3: Romans 6, Baptism

Romans 6:1-13

1. What must be done with sin before baptism can occur?
The sin has to be stopped, terminated. We need to act no more in our sins. 
What events from Christ's life are symbolized in baptism?
The burial of Christ is symbolized in baptism, as we are submerged, as if being buried underground and coming back, a renewed Spirit. So that is the Resurrection of Christ, lifted from death. 
Considering this symbolism, why couldn't someone be baptized by sprinkling?
We wouldn't have the deeper meaning and symbolism of baptism of we were simply sprinkled. Christ was even baptized, as an example to us. Without complete immersion, you don't have the "death" or the "rebirth/resurrection". 
What do these verses teach us about how we can maintain the "newness of life"?
It teaches us that if we continue to model our lives after Christ, and follow in his footsteps, we won't feed our sinful side. If we remember that if we are sinning then it is like having half baptism, we don't get to enjoy the greatness of emerging from the death and rising. 
According to Mosiah 3:19, what part of us would ideally die at baptism?
Our Natural Man should die as we come unto Christ and try to make correct choices. We become more humble, and get rid of our selfishness/natural man who is enemy to God. 

2.   Romans 6:13-23 How do we know who's servant we are? What is the true source of freedom?

Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ gave us a way to be rid of our sins and to lead a life of righteousness. We can choose whose servants we will be. If we serve our Natural Man, we will be servants of the devil, but if we focus and serve our Lord, then we can stand as witnesses of him. 
The true source of freedom is righteousness. Through Christ, all are made free. Sin binds us down in misery. 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Unit 2, Choice 2 2 Corinthians 2:1-11

2 Corinthians 2:1-11     Matthew 6:14-15     Doctrine and Covenants 64:9-10

What were the people of Corinth commanded to do "if any have caused grief"?
Commanded to forgive and to comfort. They were commanded to tell the person they love them. I think this is through word and/or action. 

What blessings do we see if we forgive?  We are forgiven also, of God. 

What is the danger in failing to forgive?

If we do not forgive our fellow beings of their trespasses, we will hold the greater sin of not forgiving. Will be condemned before the Lord. It is required of us to forgive everyone, because we are not judges; that is the Lord's job. If we aren't forgiving, the Lord won't be able to forgive our wrong doings. 



Last Sunday, forgiveness was the topic of the lesson in my Primary class. I have been thinking about it a lot and how we so often get angry with people and how we need to stop and show more love. We discussed in Primary how Christ, during the worst time ever, hanging on the Cross, after being beaten, he Asked that those who did this to him be forgiven. It is so amazing. I just want to think of that every time I am angry with someone. I am pretty sure no one will ever do anything that horrible to me. I want to be able to show love to everyone, because we are all fighting a hard battle. 

Unit 1, Choice 1 1 Corinthians 4:2, 9-17; 8: 9-13

What is required of the servants of the Lord?
It is required that the servants of the Lord be Faithful. 

The group specifically selected to be examples in 1 Corinthians 4:9-17?
The apostles of the Lord have been specifically selected to be examples of Christ and of his teachings. 

Why is it not enough to simply know what is right? (Alma 39:11-12)
If we know what is right, but do things that are not inline with the teachings of the Lord, then others will see our example and not gain a testimony of the truths. We have to DO what is right so that others may come unto Christ. We must put off the natural man, who is an enemy to God. 

What additional powers come to those who live what they know? (3 Nephi 8:1)
If we live what we know and bless others, our sins will be forgiven us, "cleansed every whit from his iniquity".  The more good we do, the more good we want to do and the better we become. We become more valiant servants of the Lord. 

Friday, November 14, 2014

https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/10/religious-values-and-public-policy?lang=eng

Beautiful talk. So much there.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Unit 2, Choice 4 Acts 19-20


Unit 2 Choice 4:
Proper Authority and Ministering to the People

Priesthood Ordinances Paul performed:
1. Baptism by immersion. 
2. Giving the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. 
3. Priesthood blessings. 
4. Administering of the Sacrament
5. Healing. 

1. What did Paul do for the Corinthian Saints because it hadn't been done right?
They had repented, but did not know that there was a needed ordinance. He baptized them with proper authority and immersed them in water. 
2. How does this help answer the question of many nonmembers of needing to be baptized when they have already been baptized?
They understand where the authority comes from. The authority comes down straight from God. They recognize the example that the Savior set as he was baptized, though a perfect Man. 
3. In what way did Paul bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost?
he laid his hands upon their heads. 
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?
They met the first day of the week to break bread. 
It was changed to this because it was on this day, that Mary went to the tomb and Jesus was risen. Jesus came to the disciples that evening and said, "Peace be unto you". 
With the Sacrament we are to think of Christ and the Sacrifice he made for each of us, but to also know that he lives!

Unit 1, Choice 1: Acts 1-12

Unit 1, Choice 1:
Themes emphasized in the Book of Acts:

--There is order within the Lord's church.
--Truth changes hearts.
--Truth will prevail as we put our faith in the Lord and do his will.
--Eternal truths and principles are gained through acts not forms that man would desire (money).
--The Holy Ghost teaches and leads people to do good.
--Importance of Missionary work.
--The gospel will be spread to all the world.

What was Peter doing in the chapters of Acts?

Chapter 2:
-Testifying of the resurrection of Christ.
-Teaches of gaining Salvation and of the Holy Ghost.
-Converts many.
-Baptizes.

Chapter 3:
-Peter, along with John, heal a man who has been lame since birth.
-Preaches Repentance.
-Teaches of the restoration to take place before the Second Coming of Christ.
-Clarifies that Christ is the prophet of which Moses spoke.

Chapter 4:
-Arrested and before the council.
-Testifies that Salvation comes because of Christ.

Chapter 5:
-Continue the miracles of Jesus.
-Arrested (as well as John) and released by an Angel.
-Testify of Christ.

Chapter 8:
-Peter and John to Samaria, confer the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
-Rebukes Simon for wanting to buy the gift.

Chapter 9:
-Peter heals AEneas
-Raises Dorcas from death.

Chapter 10:
-Commanded in a vision to take the gospel to the Gentiles.

Chapter 12:
-Peter is freed from Prison.
-Helps church grow.