Lesson 8 - Chapter 3, lesson 3 (Val Harker)

In John 20 and 21 we learn that Christ, following His resurrection, visited a group of His disciples at the sea of Tiberius. Peter, had left the ministry - had gone back to his fishing. Some of the disciples had done likewise. In a dramatic display the Savior appeared and redirected them.   Specifically, he told Peter to gather His sheep. (John 21:15-17) It is not hard to hear the seriousness of the responsibility given to Peter at that moment. The Savior had done his part - had made his incomparable sacrifice.  At last, through grace and mercy, the way had been paved for all mankind to return to God and attain salvation. (2 Nephi 2:6-9) But the work was not yet done. The Savior had answered the ends of the Law. Now it was up to those who remained to show mankind the way, the only way, to eternal life.

The sheep must be gathered – or - the wheat must be placed safely into the garners. Throughout the scriptures, we hear both of these metaphors repeatedly. The Lord commands each of us to secure His sheep. Additionally, He charges us all with gathering the wheat from the tares, with binding them up and placing them into the granary. He wants them to be preserved while the tares are hewn down and burned. (D&C 101:65-66) The plea of the Savior is tender but firm – “Feed My Sheep”. 

How can we help the Lord, as Peter was commanded? How can we bless those 

around us (including ourselves) with protection and salvation?

The answer is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Lesson 3 of Chapter 3(P. 60) in Preach My Gospel describes this simply but completely.  What is the Gospel and why do we need it? 

3 Nephi 9: 13-15, 17-18, 20-21 

3 Nephi 18:32

Helaman 14:15-18

3 Nephi 27:13-21

Faith, baptism, repentance and the power of the Holy Ghost qualify us for the mercy and the grace that make Salvation possible. (2 Nephi 31:14-21)

Here are the steps that take us through the gate that leads to Eternal Life.

Faith in Jesus Christ (Page 61) The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is only through the Saviour’s grace and mercy that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father.  Grace and mercy are extended to those with faith in Christ. 

Faith in Christ leads to action. It creates a sincere desire for repentance – a hunger to learn about and become more like Him. Faith is a consequence of keeping the commandments (John 7:17).  Our faith increases as we hear (Romans 10:17) and as we read the word of God (Helaman 15:7–8).

Repentance (Page 62) Repentance often has a heavy, negative connotation because we link it with guilt and the ugliness of human weakness. Truthfully, repentance is a brilliant opportunity. Our faith in the Saviour gives us a perfect model with which to align our vision – a supreme mentor. Then repentance becomes a way of embracing a new vision, of changing and fitting ourselves into a more empowering mold. Our obedience is the vehicle for that transformation. 

Baptism, Our First Covenant (Page 63) As we align our selves with Jesus Christ, we will be filled with the desire to participate in the ordinances of the Gospel and to make covenants with our Heavenly Father. Our first covenant involves the ordinance of Baptism, administered through priesthood authority. As we keep our part of the sacred covenant of baptism, God promises us the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and a remission of our sins. Another sacred and important ordinance is the sacrament. Each Sunday we renew our baptismal covenant as we take the sacrament. Weekly we have the opportunity to recommit and align ourselves once more to the Saviour.  Each time we revisit our commitment we can be blessed again with the same desires and the same witness of our faith that was kindled when our faith was new. 

The Gift of the Holy Ghost (Page 65) Baptism is not complete until we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, by proper authority. Then we are able to receive a remission of our sins and begin a new spiritual life as Disciples of Christ.

If we remain worthy we will enjoy the influenc of the Holy Ghost throughout our lives. The Holy Ghost is one of Heavenly Father’s most precious gifts and has multifaceted benefit for each of us. One role of the Holy Ghost of particular value is the power to cleanse and sanctify us. 

Endure to the End (Page 66) (2 Nephi 31:14-21)

Each time we keep a commandment, every time we embrace a covenant, as we daily put our focus upon the Saviour and make sacrifices for his kingdom, as we embrace those around us and strive to gather all that we see – our faith is being renewed, layer upon layer and we are placing ourselves in the garner. Over time, the Holy Ghost and the Saviour’s mercy will sanctify us. Eventually we will be fit for the kingdom of God!    (Moroni 7:48 Wherefore my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ, that ye may become the sons of God: that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as He is pure. Amen)

We, like Peter, are responsible for the Savior’s living Sheep. We are also charged to gather those who have passed from this life. Here is a brilliant talk by Dale LeBaron that shows us our responsibility to “Turn our Hearts to the Fathers”.

Lesson 7 - Chapter 3, Lesson 2 (Janine Thompson)

This week we studied the Plan of Salvation.

1.  Pre-Earth Life

We know we have always existed as intelligences or then as spirit children of Heavenly Father.  We lived with Him, but knew we couldn't become like Him unless we first had a body.

D&C 93:29 -- we are eternal
D&C 138:56 -- we learned in the pre-earth life


Val Harker shared this quote:

Who were we before we were born? What were we doing in that place before this one? 
Do our lives here reflect the things we accomplished there? It is intriguing to consider the magnificent adventure and the grand opportunity that existed in the presence of our Heavenly Father. 

Please read the following from Elder Bruce R. McConkie:

"Being subject to law, and having their agency, all the spirits of men, while yet in the Eternal Presence, developed aptitudes, talents, capacities, and abilities of every sort, kind and degree . . . As the ages rolled, no two spirits remained alike. Mozart became a musician; Einstein centered his interest in mathematics; Michelangelo turned his attention to painting. Cain was a liar, a schemer, a rebel who maintained a close affinity to Lucifer. Abraham and Moses and all of the prophets sought and obtained the talent for spirituality. Mary and Eve were two of the greatest of all the spirit daughters of the Father . . . and so it went through all the hosts of heaven, each individual developing talents and abilities as his soul desired." (Bruce R. McConkie, The Mortal Messiah, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book 1979 1:23 497)

2.  The Creation

Jesus created the earth under the direction of Heavenly Father.

Moses 3:5 - all things are created spiritually first, then temporally or physically.  Elder Bednar taught that we should use prayer each morning as a way to spiritual create our day, and then to go about temporally creating our day as we strive to make necessary changes.

Moses 2:1 -- The Lord knows the end from the beginning.  The earth has a purpose and a finite life.  Although we need to be good stewards, we don't need to worry about about the destiny of the earth (ie. climate change, global warming, overpopulation) -- it is in the Lord's hands and under his direction.

Moses 6:63 -- all things bear record of Him, it is our job to find those symbols and those testimonies.

Gen 3:20 - Eve was called a mother before she even bore children

3.  Agency and The Fall

Adam and Eve lived in innocence in the Garden.  They CHOSE to partake of the fruit in order to know joy through knowing sorrow and pain.  God gave agency to Adam and Eve -- agency is an essential part of our existence.

Agency allows us to progress -- as we make choices, good or bad, we learn, grow, and change.  In order for a true choice to be made, and true agency to be exercised, both sides of a choice have to be desirable.  Staying the garden was desirable, having children and progressing was also desirable.  A true choice had to be made.

Adam and Eve are a type for all mankind.  Heavenly Father's pattern has been shown to be first a spiritual creation and then a temporal creation.  During the war in Heaven, we made a spiritual choice to follow Heavenly Father's plan.  In order to become mortal and live on earth, we had to make a temporal choice as well.  This physical or temporal creation of this choice was made for all of us by Adam and Eve as they partook of the fruit in the garden.

Moses 5:11

4.  Our Life on Earth

Life on earth is an opportunity and a blessing.  Our purpose is to have joy.  We have experiences to bring us happiness and experiences that bring us pain and sorrow.  All of these give us opportunities to learn and grow.

How do you find joy?
How do you keep an eternal perspective?

Isa 1:18 -- "let us reason together" -- we have to work WITH the Lord to overcome our sins, weaknesses and sorrows.

Josh 24:15 -- faith is a choice

5.  The atonement, spirit world, resurrection, judgement, and the kingdoms of Heaven

We didn't have time for discussion of these items.  In short, Jesus is our saviour who was prepared from before the creation to be the sacrifice to pay the price for our sins and weaknesses.  He has experienced all, and by so doing knows how to comfort us at all times.  We only need repent.

After we die, we go to the spirit world until our spirits and bodies are reunited as a perfect, eternal being when we are resurrected.  After resurrection, we stand before God to be judged.  But we are not alone.  The Lord will be there, will know us by name, and hopefully will say to our Heavenly Father that we have been true and faithful servants who are worthy of the celestial kingdom.

6.  Other Resources

"The Two Trees" -- a Fair Mormon talk that gives some interesting insights into the Garden of Eden

"The Good Samaritan" -- an ensign article that teaches how the symbols of this parable are types of the Fall and the Redemption

Lesson 6 - Chapter 3, lesson 1, part 2 (Val Harker)

What is the Message of the Restoration?

(Part two)

Many stalwart, courageous souls had been placed upon the earth in that moment of history when the grand truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ were about to be welcomed back. No one did this work alone. The great Reformers had done their part to make the Bible and it’s truths accessible. A new land had been prepared and welcomed many with the promise of religious and political freedom. The limitations of the religions of the day were exposed to all who carefully studied the pages of the King James Bible. There was a hunger among the population for a religion that reflected the ancient Church. The keys and the priesthood, prophecy and revelation, apostles and prophets and the particular ordinances and order of the early Church were missing. Many began to pray and plead for a restoration. 

The hand of God began to move upon this land of promise. Joseph Smith prayed for personal direction and was blessed to behold God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  He was told not to join any church of the day. And he was blessed to begin the translation of the Book of Mormon, a volume of holy scripture, hidden for centuries, that contained the fulness of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. He was led to others who were waiting and seeking. Step by step a people gathered and a new dispensation began. At last the world was ready for the restoration. The earth began to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2008-06-01-the-restoration?lang=eng

There are many lessons and insights that come out this important period. 

Here are a couple of questions to guide your study and pondering.

1. In our class we learned about the prayers of many people. Joseph prayed to know which church to join. Many others prayed to be led to a church that had the fullness of truth. What are other ways that prayer forwarded the process of the restoration? Do you believe that Heavenly Father hears and answers your prayers?  How do our prayers impact the building of the kingdom? (JSH 1:5-20)  

2. Many early saints knew the Bible so well that they were able to use it as a blueprint to discern the flaws in the churches of the day.  How would you rate your own understanding of the scriptures? When you read do you ponder? Do you hear the voice of the Lord? Do the things you read inform your decisions and your understandings? What change could you make to improve your scriptural understanding? Here's a video on our scripture heritage.

3. On many occasions Joseph became aware of the efforts of Satan to thwart the work of God. (Joseph Smith – History 1:20-26)

Have you noticed frustration and troubling interference as you have worked to fulfill callings and responsibilities? As you have tried to open your mouth to share the gospel? As you have worked to keep commandments and honor covenants? Joseph came to understand that this was often a good indication that the kingdom was moving forward. What can we do to prevent “the Prince of Darkness” from stopping our efforts? 

Further Reference:  Church History Manual, Chapter 4

Lesson 5 - Chapter 3, Lesson 1, Part 1 (Val Harker)

What is the Message of the Restoration?

(Part one)

Important messages:

God wants to give all of His children the opportunity to accept the gospel.


The restoration teaches us some important doctrines and patterns:

Apostasy has been the outcome of each dispensation until now.
       
 We can experience personal apostasy.

There must be an opposition in all things. 

   *We are fighting a battle against the Great and Abominable Church of  the Devil – God will not take away the agency of man.

   *God has allowed for periods of time when it appeared that all was lost. (Christ crucified, the apostles martyred, the widespread persecution of the Saints.)

God is at the helm.  Satan will not triumph! 

*1 Nephi 13 is an accurate description of many details of the apostasy, the reformation and the restoration that were given in vision to Nephi long before they came to pass. God did exert influence by sending to earth, pious, brilliant and influential men and women, who helped usher in the dispensation that began with the First Vision and will end with the Return of the Saviour of all Mankind.

Application:

1. Stay out of the Great and Abominable Church of the Devil.

It is not a building with a fixed address. We can be in it’s pews in a heart beat. Seek

the guidance of the Lord in all of our dealings and our decisions.  We must trust that

as we humble ourselves and keep our covenants we will have the power to

overcome.  (1 Nephi 22:10-17, 1 Nephi 14: 2-4 and 16-17. Compare 1 Nephi 13: 3-9/

Revelation 17 / Mormon 8:36-41)

2. As you try to find ways to share the gospel – remember the bold examples

and the integrity of the reformers - those who were willing to die for what they

believed. SO MUCH EASIER to share a loving message, than to be burnt at the stake!



Check out “Fires of Faith” at BYU TV website. 

(The story of the martyrs who brought the King James Bible into existence.)

Lesson 4 - Chapter 2, part 2 (Janine Thompson)

Some scripture study tips that we discussed from the manual include:

-always begin with prayer
-think about others that you want to teach as you read
-liken the scriptures to yourself
-be alert!
-sit at a desk or table
-study by topic


On page 25 of the manual, it has a list of questions to rate the effectiveness of our scripture study.  The ones that we found most relevant were:

1.  Do I think about the people I'm teaching as I study?
2.  Throughout the day, do I think about what I studied in the morning?


We talked about how we can keep the scriptures in our mind.  In 2 Ne 4:15-16 Nephi says, concerning the scriptures, that his heart pondereth the things of the Lord continually.

Pondering scriptures is a way to keep our sacrament covenant where we promise to always remember Him.  Keeping a scripture in mind helps us feel the spirit.  We all have a default setting -- a place where our mind goes when we have nothing to think about.  Let`s all try to make the default a scripture or a spiritual thought.

We also talked about the importance of memorizing scriptures.

2 talks for reference:

1.  My Heart Pondereth Them Continually by Elder Durrant
2.  The Power of Scripture by Elder Scott


Finally, we also did an exercise to show how we can always find more insight from scriptures - even when they seem so familiar.

Step 1 - choose a scripture and as you read it, underline or circle any words or phrases that stand out.
Step 2 - write in your journal your thoughts about why you chose those particular points.
Step 3 - write three questions from this scripture.  Make them open-ended -- What did the Lord mean by....How does this apply in my situation...How can this lead to...What is the relationship between...
Step 4 - pick at least one question, and using all study resources (topical guide, bible dictionary, conference talks, lds.org) find answers to those questions.

Lesson 3 - Chapter 2 Part 1 (Janine Thompson)

D&C 11:21 "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed"

Who do we teach?  Non-members, family members, those we visit teach, others in our wards.  Sometimes we are called as actual teachers.  We realize that we are always teaching -- whether it is verbally or through our actions.

Where do we seek the word of the Lord?  Scriptures, magazines, general conference, personal revelation.  We also hear the word of the Lord when we attend our meetings -- not only from the speakers and the teachers, but from the comments of others.

In the manual, it says "to teach effectively, you need to obtain spiritual knowledge" 

What's the difference between spiritual and temporal knowledge?  Spiritual knowledge is a gift from the Lord, it comes through learning and faith. 

Why is it important to study the gospel?  We need to fill up our well of knowledge so that when needed, the Holy Ghost can bring it to our remembrance.  Feeling comfortable in our gospel knowledge can help us better articulate our beliefs.

How will my study affect those I teach?  At first, the better question seemed to be, how will my study affect my teaching?  But asking about the affect on others reminds us all that we study the gospel in order to be able to bless the lives of other people.

Sometimes the person who is affected is ourselves -- prior scripture study can help us with present trials and questions.

From the manual: "Effective daily study must always begin with prayer"  Why would this be important?  How has prayer help you be more effective in your study?  We discussed the idea that prayer leads us to open our hearts and be ready to listen to the Spirit.

Elder Larry Spackman, when he was president of the Calgary stake, taught that when we read our scriptures we need to pray to be ready to receive the revelations that the Lord wants us to hear. 

Elder Richard G. Scott taught this same method of receiving revelation in his conference talk "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance"

The manual teaches us that scripture study "prepares you for service, offers solace, resolves problems, and gives you the strength to endure to the end."

Finally, we discussed the 3 steps to effective scripture study:

1.  Read
2.  Pray and have faith
3.  Obey and act

This goes along with the 3 levels of questions that can be used in teaching/studying:

1.  Context -- what is going on
2.  Doctrines/principles -- what is the Lord teaching
3.  Application -- what does this mean for me

PMG Study Guide From Sandra Harding

Sandra shared this study guide with us -- we won't be following it but it's a great tool to use for your own personal study or family study.