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.