Saturday, December 7, 2013

Abide in the Doctrine of Christ

Christmas is rapidly approaching. I am so excited for the opportunities I get to share with my families.

1.    Read 2 John 1:7 and the institute student manual commentary for 2 John 7, “For Many Deceivers Are Entered into the World” (p. 437). Summarize in one or two paragraphs the false doctrine John warned against, where it came from, and what effect it would have if it were believed.

John was warning us about anti-Christs. That means those people who profess that Christ is not real. They were around in his day as well as ours. We know that Christ has come in the flesh and has sacrificed himself for us and with this knowledge we can be saved at the last days.
2.    Read 2 John 1:8–13. Write one or two sentences explaining what counsel John gave that could help avoid this and other false doctrines generally.
John teaches us that if we follow the counsel of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we will have God with us, and the Spirit will allow us to know what is right.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

A Peculiar People

Sorry this is so late. Thanksgiving was great. I got to spend some time with family, but I forgot about this post so here is is now.

1.  Let's read 1 Peter 2:9–10, including footnote f  and also read the institute student manual commentary for 1 Peter 2:9, “What Is the Meaning of the Phrase ‘a Peculiar People’?” (pp. 416–17) and commentary for 1 Peter 2:9, “What Is a Royal Priesthood?” (p. 417). Write a brief definition of the following phrases:
o       Chosen generation
  A chosen generation means that God has chosen us to be here at this time. Each generation is chosen; this is not to mean that we are not all special in God's eyes, because he did choose us to be here at this time and in this place.
o       Royal priesthood
  A royal priesthood is exactly as it seems. We hold the priesthood of God, and as the manual puts it the king of all kings, thus we are hold a royal priesthood.
o       Holy nation
  A holy nation is one that has been called of God and God wants us to be his.
o       Peculiar people
  I like what President Joseph Fielding Smith had to say on this: "And we will be peculiar because we will not be like other people who do not live up to these standards." We will be Lord's people and this will make us different from other people.
2.  Now lets read 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Mosiah 3:7; Doctrine and Covenants 18:10–11 and describe the price that was paid to help us become God’s “peculiar people.”
We have been bought with Christ's blood. He suffered everything that we would ever go through in this world and more so that he could know what is like to feel what we feel, so he can relate to us. Finally Christ died for all of us so that we could live again.
3.    Search 1 Peter 1:13–25; 2:1–17; 3:10–11; 4:8; 5:6–8. Make a list of principles that, when followed, help us remain God’s peculiar people.
  • Obedience
  • Be holy
  • Be kind
  • Abstain from lusts
  • Honor Men
  • Love the brotherhood
  • Honor the King
  • Speak no evil
  • Charity
  • Humility
  • Be vigilant

4.    The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared: “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). Read 1 Peter 3:1–12 and identify three principles that relate to the statement above.
  1. Wife's should be "subject" to husbands (by this I don't mean that they have to take abuse, but follow his counsel as he follows the counsel of God).
  2. Husbands honor wives (Should be equal partners).
  3. Be ye all of one mind (the family needs to work together and be equal).