Teaching for Our Times - Oct 2015 President Monson

INTRODUCTION

SAY: I was given two talks from President Monson  to teach a lesson from.  Both talks are good and worthy of discussion.  But, I had to choose.  So, I chose the latter: Be an Example and a Light

SAY: But, I wanted to read one excerpt from President Monson's keep the commandments talk.

READ 1

1 - May we realize that our greatest happiness in this life will come as we follow God’s commandments and obey His laws! I love the words found in Isaiah chapter 32, verse 17: “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” Such peace, such assurance can come only through righteousness.

Q: What is the assurance that Isaiah is talking about?
Q: What is righteous quietness?

LEARNER READINESS

SAY:  Now let's move to President Monson's second talk, Be an Example and a Light.

READ 2

2 - Recently, as I have been reading and pondering the scriptures, two passages in particular have stayed with me. Both are familiar to us. The first is from the Sermon on the Mount: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The second scripture is one which came to my mind as I pondered the meaning of the first. It is from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to Timothy: “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

READ 3

3 - I believe the second scripture explains, in great part, how we can accomplish the first. We become examples of the believers by living the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. As we do so, our lights will shine for others to see.

SAY: President Monson said, The Apostle Paul lists six attributes of a believer, attributes that will allow our lights to shine. Let us look at each one.

WRITE on Board:  Example of Believers, Living Gospel of Jesus Christ, 1. In word 2. in conversation 3. in charity 4. in spirit 5. in faith 6. in purity.

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

READ 4

4 - I mention the first two attributes together—being an example in word and in conversation. The words we use can lift and inspire, or they can harm and demean. In the world today there is a profusion of profanity with which we seem to be surrounded at nearly every turn. It is difficult to avoid hearing the names of Deity being used casually and thoughtlessly. Coarse comments seem to have become a staple of television, movies, books, and music. Bandied about are slanderous remarks and angry rhetoric.

READ 5

5 - Let us speak to others with love and respect, ever keeping our language clean and avoiding words or comments that would wound or offend. May we follow the example of the Savior, who spoke with tolerance and kindness throughout His ministry.

SAY: This reminded a something Peter said in 2 Peter chapter 2:7-9:

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Q: Is it vexing to be around so much filthy conversation?  Can it vex our righteous souls?
Q: What are some things you have done in your lives to keep your words and conversations free from coarseness, ever keeping our language clean?

WRITE: responses on the board

SAY: Let's move on to the next attribute.

READ 6

6 - The next attribute mentioned by Paul is charity, which has been defined as “the pure love of Christ.”3 I am confident there are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill, and those who feel discouraged. Ours is the opportunity to help them and to lift their spirits. The Savior brought hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. He healed the sick; He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. Throughout His ministry He reached out in charity to any in need. As we emulate His example, we will bless lives, including our own.

Q: President Monson says, that he is confident that there are within our sphere of influence those who are lonely, those who are ill and those who feel discourage.  Q: What does P. M. mean by spheres of influence?  Q: If we are wanting to help, where can we look?

Q: What if we just don't feel like helping others?  What do we do then?

READ 7

7 - Next, we are to be an example in spirit. To me that means we strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and goodwill. These qualities will provide for us a spirit which will touch the lives of those around us. It has been my opportunity through the years to associate with countless individuals who possess such a spirit. We experience a special feeling when we are with them, a feeling that makes us want to associate with them and to follow their example. They radiate the Light of Christ and help us feel His love for us.

SAY: kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, goodwill.
Q: How do we cultivate these qualities? [Isn't this what it mean to exercise faith in Christ?]  I mean, are there not opportunities all the time to exercise these qualities?  Can you give me examples?  [you have you health, are you grateful?, your feelings are hurt, an opportunity to forgive, you see a need, you are kind.

SAY: P.M. tells a story to illustrate that the light which comes from a pure and loving spirit is recognized by others.  Many years ago the Church was getting the permission necessary to build the Jerusalem Center.  We agreed that there would be no proselyting.  After the agreement had been made one of the Israeli officials remarked,   “But,” he said, referring to the students who would attend there, “what are we going to do about the light that is in their eyes?”

Q: Is this light in our eyes reserved only for the youth of our Church?

SAY:  Let move on to being an example of faith.

READ 8

8 - To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do.

Q: What are some simple things we can do to grow our faith?

READ 9

9 - I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly—that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”

Q: What three simple things can we do to have all things work together for our good?

READ 10

10 - Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.

Q: From what we just read, why is important to have an abiding faith?

READ 11

11 - Finally, we are to be pure, which means that we are clean in body, mind, and spirit. We know that our body is a temple, to be treated with reverence and respect. Our minds should be filled with uplifting and ennobling thoughts and kept free from those things which will pollute. In order to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we must be worthy. Brothers and sisters, purity will bring us peace of mind and will qualify us to receive the Savior’s promises. Said He, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

Q: What are the promises of letting virtue garnish our thought unceasingly?

LEARNER APPLICATION

As we prove to be examples in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity, we will qualify to be lights to the world.

Q: If we are not there yet, how do we get there?  [repentance and grace to grace is the only answer]

CONCLUSION

SAY: To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season, to reflect the Savior’s love and teachings, and to bravely let your light shine for all to see. When that season on earth has ended, if you have done your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with Him forever.

Remembering in Whom We Have Trusted

Remembering in Whom We Have Trusted

By Elder Allen D. Haynie, Of the Seventy



INTRODUCTION/ LEARNER READINESS



Have a black board ready.



SAY: To start the lesson, I wanted to ask you a question. In the Church and the Gospel we have a lot of rules, laws and commandments. What do you think the biggest or most important rule, law or commandment is? I want to write your thoughts on the board. You can repeat what others have said. There isn't a right or wrong answer.



WRITE: responds [Love God, Love our neighbor, Obedience, Sabbath, Sacrifice a Broken Heart, Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, Follow the Prophet]



ASK: Individuals to respond.



SAY: This lesson, in a way, is appropriate for Easter. The title of the talk by Elder Allen D. Haynie is Remembering in Whom we have Trusted. This title has caused me some introspection. In whom do I trust? In the past, it seemed like I trusted that keeping the laws and commandments would get me to heaven. This trust may have merits but I believe it is incomplete.



SAY: These days, I have been trying to put more trust in my Savior. I think of scriptures like 2 Nephi 4:18-19, I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.



I think of 2 Nephi 31:19, And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.



And I think of this verse in Moroni 6:4, And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

SAY: Is this how I view myself on the the strait and narrow path? Do I rely alone upon the merits of Christ, the author and finisher of my faith? Do I rely wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save? If I don't see my faith as taught in the scriptures, how do I gain this new perspective? How do I change my focus?



SAY: I now want to give you a short synopsis Elder Haynie's talk.

1. No unclean thing can enter the Kingdom of Heaven

2. We will commit sin, we need a Savior, Christ suffered for us. He requires that we confess and repent.

3. It doesn't matter what sins we have committed. What matters is Christ suffered and died, who had not sin.

4. This should give us renewed hope and determination to try one more time. The Savior will never turn us away, never reject us.

5. Repentance is not a fictional experience. It may lead us to no more having a disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.

6. The atonement heals. Christ took on himself the collective weight of all mankind. There is great power in the atonement. It makes perfect possible.

7. We will be judged. Our advocate will be Jesus.



LEARNER INVOLVEMENT



Let's read the last paragraph of Elder Haynie's talk:



READ #1



#1 - Brothers and sisters, if you feel discouraged or wonder if you can ever get out of the spiritual hole that you have dug, please remember who stands “betwixt [us] and justice,” who is “filled with compassion towards the children of men,” and who has taken upon Himself our iniquities and transgressions and “satisfied the demands of justice.” In other words, as Nephi did in his moment of self-doubt, simply remember “in whom [you] have trusted,” even Jesus Christ, and then repent and experience yet again “a perfect brightness of hope.”



Q: What is a spiritual hole that may have dug for ourselves? [becoming lax in our faith, ceasing to work on ourselves, giving up on particular weakness or sins that we have never quite mastered]



Q: Brethren, how do we get out of the spiritual hole that we have dug?

Q: Brethren is it that simple? Simply remember in whom you have trusted, repent, and experience yet again a perfect brightness of hope?



SAY: Lately, I have been studying Paul's writings in the New Testament. One chapter in Romans I found particularly interesting. May I indulge with some scriptures that are particularly difficult to understand? It reminded me of resent counsel from our leader regarding the sacrament. Open your scriptures to Romans. Let's read Romans 6 together. Who has verse 1?



1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [what he seems to be saying here is, since Christ paid for our sins, should we sin even more to have more of God's grace?]



2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [After receiving our new life in Christ, we should be living in sin any longer. This may be referring to continuing in our fallen natures, being carnal, sensual and devilish; being selfish, unkind, etc.]



3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [Paul is now comparing baptism to Jesus’ death]



4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.



Q: Why is Paul comparing baptism to death and coming out of the water to the resurrection?



[So, Paul is comparing being baptized to death, and being raise up out of the water, to the resurrection, that we can now walk in newness of life]



5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:



6 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 old way of being human was crucified with Jesus. He seems to be saying that the crucifixion cut the cord that bound us to sin]



7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.



Q: What do you think Paul means when he says he that is dead is freed from sin? [Could Paul be saying that he that is buried or baptized, is no longer a slave to sin? Or, since we are dead and buried, how can we be charged with the crimes of the past? Or, perhaps, now, since we are new creatures in Christ, we can continuously rely on His merit whom is might to save?]



SAY: Since we have been baptized, we are now under Grace. Justice can no longer make its demands as on long as we continue doing certain things. Q: What are those things that we must do on a continual basis to remain encircled about by Mercy?



[covenants, commandments: Q: by keeping our covenants or keeping the commandments, what are we demonstrating to God? {that we love Him} which is the first great commandment. What is the second great commandment?



Q: If our baptismal covenant and our sacramental covenants are basically the same, what are we affirming to God each week when we partake of His flesh and blood?



READ #2



#2 --- Galations 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.



Galations 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.



SAY: We must have faith in Christ.

Q: What does it mean to be called unto Liberty? (we are now under grace and the atonement.)



Q: How do we exercise our faith in Jesus Christ? {by loving our neighbor}

Q: What must we do to truly love our neighbor? {work on our inner self}



SAY: the embodiment of how to love each other is in Jesus' sermon that he gave to the Nephites in Bountiful.



Q: Who remembers some of Jesus's sayings?



SAY: In fact, Jesus calls all these sayings something else. Q: What does Jesus all them?



READ #3



#3 ---3 Nephi 12:19 And behold, I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father, that ye shall believe in me, and that ye shall repent of your sins, and come unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Behold, ye have the commandments before you, and the law is fulfilled.



20 Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.



READ #4



#4 ---3 Nephi 15:10 Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me.


LEARNER APPLICATION



SAY: At this stage of our development as saints, as High Priests after the order of the Son of God, we are learning how to love our God with all our might, mind, and strength and we are learning how to truly love our fellowman. Let's read a few quotes from Elder Haynie.



READ #5



#5 - I testify that the Savior will never turn away from us when we humbly seek Him in order to repent; will never consider us to be a lost cause; will never say, “Oh no, not you again”; will never reject us because of a failure to understand how hard it is to avoid sin. He understands it all perfectly, including the sense of sorrow, shame, and frustration that is the inevitable consequence of sin.



Q: How does repentance fit into the commandment to love? [when we fail at loving, we endure to the end by trying again and again]









READ #6



#6 - Repentance is real and it works. It is not a fictional experience or the product “of a frenzied mind.” It has the power to lift burdens and replace them with hope. It can lead to a mighty change of heart that results in our having “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” Repentance, of necessity, is not easy. Things of eternal significance rarely are. But the result is worth it. As President Boyd K. Packer testified in his last address to the Seventy of the Church: “The thought is this: the Atonement leaves no tracks, no traces. What it fixes is fixed. … The Atonement leaves no traces, no tracks. It just heals, and what it heals stays healed.”



SAY: Brethren, after we are baptized and as we continue to take the sacrament worthily, with a desire to follow Christ, we remember Him whom we have trusted. We rely alone upon the merits of Christ, the author and finisher of my faith. We are learning to love our God and our fellow man. We work on our inner man. And we repent quickly so we can experience yet again “a perfect brightness of hope.”



In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Justification, Instructed Sufficiently, Perfect in Christ

Doug,

Thank you for sharing.  I believe we are on the same page.  First Scripture in 2 Nephi 2 – Conscience or the Light of Christ

5 And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.

 6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

This indicates that there is a cosmic law that everyone knows.  If a person was taught to go against their light of Christ at an early age, that person has limited accountability.  If a person’s conscience is intact, then that person can be judged against his or her conscience.  And the gospel is taught.  And that person has every right to accept it in the world of spirits.

Paragraph 3 – commandments, LDS

Ultimately we all need to keep the commandments.  That is the static way at looking at things.  The dynamic way is, as you said, Christ helping us along the way, as long as we are willing to receive grace.  A person can’t be judged for a commandment not given.  So, we are special in that regard.  But, an evangelical Christian will be judged for the commandments he knows about.  That makes sense.  I believe some of the ‘Law’ (or current commandments) brings me constant frustration.  I can’t keep some commandments at this time.   That is where grace comes in.  Through Grace, the Holy Ghost justifies me as I continue forward.  Here’s the scripture: Moses 6:

56 And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment. (same as Lehi in 2 Nephi 2:5)

….

 60 For by the water ye keep the commandment; by the Spirit ye are justified, and by the blood ye are sanctified;

D&C 20 says:

29 And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.

 30 And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true;

 31 And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.

 32 But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God;

How does one know if he is justified?   I am not sure.  It has something to do with power.  Power from grace.  Don’t deny the power of God when you receive grace to overcome an ungodly attribute.  But, look at this scripture: Moroni 10

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

 33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

This tells me that justification and “perfect in Christ” are the same thing.  It seems to fit.

So, we serve God, denying ourselves all ungodliness (learning charity, not getting angry, not judging others, not entertaining lustful thoughts, being meek, etc.)  Walking out of theaters might be an outward manifestation of this.  President Eyring turned is chair around in the Marriott Center while watching the Young Ambassadors years ago.  I would guess that he was practicing doing something when he had impure thoughts and perhaps, meekly, desired to show others that ‘it’ can be done.  ‘It’, referring to turning his chair. 

Scott

Scotty Boy,

Most of the people who have lived and died or who are presently living.... know nothing of who God is let alone the Bible teachings or God's Plan. Yet the information is for everyone. 

I do not fully understand how they can be judged at all, since they have not been taught any truths, other than some basic, be good to people or not to be good to people. So if they have been taught, to be bad, they must be judged on very little. They just are hear for the body and experience? Or...... if all people have the Light of Christ, they do know right from wrong, even if their parents or circumstances teach otherwise? Not so? 

 In the early morning BYU Professor discussion this morning they said Jesus does more that make up the difference, he is everything and helps us thru everything.....  and yet they said members of the church need to obey the commandments in order to qualify in this life.  So members of the church need to qualify, but no one else does in this life? 

Don's answer to that is... that only members of the church are in the running for exaltation anyway. So the others are earning their salvation in other kingdoms and glories. Don's vision of polygomy for the righteous, in the here after sounds more like Islam teachings to me? 

Maybe we should keep it simple like Dave. By the way the take on keeping the Sabbath Day Holy and going to church on vacations comes from old church authorities teachings. So Don uses these changing teachings to justify not to listen to any of them. He makes some good points about not being a Prophet or General Authority Worshiper, in a way. The question is ...what is the line that seperates leading the church astray and just teaching a doctrine of that apostle or Prophet? 

Confussing.  

Dougie Boy 

Wicked Traditions (off the top of my head)

1. We shame our children. This creates neurotic children. Shaming is believed to be good by most parents in the Church.

2. We still use anger to get what we want. Many can’t seem to stop. This adversely effects our children.

3. We force others with our words. Rather than using love unfeigned and gentle persuasion. Especially with children.

4. Our American school system fosters comparing ourselves (as children) with others. We measure ourselves as children as stupid or smart based on the measurement of others. This is an insidious wicked tradition that we all accept as Mormons. The measurement is wrong for many reasons (only academics?, what about all the other gifts beside that?)

5. We don’t understand God’s grace generally in the Church. This creates self-righteousness for many in the Church, and they don’t even know it. We think we are better than others because we think outward righteous means something. We compare. We judge other for not obeying what we obey. Bad tradition.

6. It seems to be a tradition in our church to call all our meeting spiritual. Our children, many of them, have no idea what the Spirit is. They watch the adults and generally see a Church tradition. We don’t have a tradition in many wards and homes to practice with real intent conveyance of the Holy Ghost, thus growing testimony. Would this be called a wicked tradition? You can see something lacking in much of the rising generation. We, as adults, are at fault. My opinion. We can’t do what we don’t to do. Is this darkness?

7. We walk in the pride of hearts as American members of the Church, generally, both rich and poor. There are only a few humble followers of Christ, and I am not one of them.

8. Pride cont. If a poor person says in his heart that he would do the same thing what he see rich people do, amassing things, buying toys, moving from pleasurable experience to pleasurable experience, tossing a few coins to the poor, than that poor person doesn’t stand guiltless - because he covets that which he has not.

9. Pride cont. We members are so steeped in American Culture (wicked traditions of the fathers), that we can’t even comprehend having all things in common. We haven’t even been enlightened. Our minds are generally darkened on this matter. And it is all over the scriptures.

10. Pride cont. We seem to have mis-defined pride for the sake of the rich in the Church. Pride might very well be the purchase of things that are above and beyond ‘normal / middleclass’. The Nephites rich adorned themselves with fine apparel to show their wealth. We do the same as member of the Church. But, who am to judge? I am just listing what I think can be considered wicked traditions.

11. We pass down strange sexual rules to the next generation. This creates huge problems and even divorce.

12. We still think we need to be of this political party or that political party and fight vehemently that we are so right. This isn’t of Christ. It is a wicked tradition. Neither party is right.

13. Males sometimes still have wicked traditions of how they view females (as servants, as objects, etc.)

14. Females now have wicked traditions that they have adopted from more recent indoctrination. A virtuous woman, with female qualities (soft spoken, lovely, kind, wise, etc.) are not in vogue among some women in the Church. They also want men to deny their God-given manliness.

15. Mass production of meat products.

16. Keeping of animals inhumanely.

17. Hating the LGBT community (some).



18. Believing that gays should have the right to fornicate and be members of the Church.

MTHFR notes (see underlined)

MTHFR

MTHFR mutation -- changes to a gene that is increasingly linked to various diseases  – including thyroid disease – is becoming an increasingly hot and controversial topic. To learn more about the theories and developments related to MTHFR – which is the abbreviation for the gene called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase,

Question:  Can you please explain, for those who don't know or haven't heard, exactly what an MTHFR polymorphism is? 

Dr. Ben Lynch: The MTHFR gene produces an enzyme called methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. The job for the MTHFR enzyme is to convert one form of folate into the most active and usable form of folate in the human body – in every single cell.

MTHFR takes folic acid and changes it so the body can use it. Folic acid by itself is worthless – it does absolutely nothing – until it is run through various enzymes in the body and transformed into these forms of folate the body can use – such as methyltetrahydrofolate, or commonly shortened as methylfolate. 

Methylfolate is a key compound that performs two critical tasks.

First, methylfolate helps make neurotransmitters in your brain. Neurotransmitters are what allow us to think, sleep, run away, express emotions and learn. When methylfolate levels are low, so are your neurotransmitters. Low production of neurotransmitters may cause conditions of addictive behavior, depression, anxiety, ADHD, mania, irritability, insomnia, learning disorders and others.

Two, methylfolate also allows us to make a critical compound called s-adenosylmethionine -- also known as SAMe.  SAMe is critical as it helps regulate more than 200 enzymes in the human body – this is second only to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the body’s cellular power unit. Without ATP, life ceases.

It is very common for the MTHFR gene to not work as well as it should. Why? Because one in two people have an area in the MTHFR gene that has an incorrect DNA base. This DNA base change is called a polymorphism. Poly meaning ‘many’ and morphic meaning ‘shape’. When the MTHFR gene has a polymorphism, the enzyme it produces has an altered shape. The altered shape reduces the functional ability of the MTHFR enzyme. The altered function causes decreased neurotransmitter function and decreases SAMe production. 

Question:  What are the methylation pathways and what do they do? 

Dr. Ben Lynch: Let’s first define methylation. Methylation is the act of taking a single carbon and three hydrogens, namely a methyl group, and having it attach itself to an enzyme in your body. When this methyl group attaches to an enzyme, the enzyme performs an action. A common action performed by methylation that you appreciate daily is the breakdown of histamine. A methyl group is made by the methylation pathway and it floats around until it finds a specific enzyme to bind to. In this case, the methyl group binds to histamine. When a methyl group binds to histamine, histamine breaks apart and goes away. 

You can now figure out what happens if your methylation pathway is not producing enough methyl groups in this case.  Your histamine does not break apart and thus your histamine levels increase,  causing your nose to run and eyes to itch.

What is the function of SAMe? The function of SAMe is to simply take what is called a ‘methyl group’ and give it away to over 200 enzymes in the body in order to perform various critical functions. Some key functions of this freely donated methyl group are to:

• Protect your DNA. This is very important. For example, if your DNA is not protected, then it is susceptible to damage by viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, solvents and others. Over time, this damage becomes significant and may result in cancerous cell proliferation. -
• Reduces histamine levels! Repeating this so it sinks in. A methyl group given away by SAMe helps eliminate histamine from the body. Those with allergies or rashes may have higher levels of histamine and decreased methyl groups. -
• Produce a key component for your cell membranes called phosphatidylcholine. The methyl group donated by SAMe helps build phosphatidylcholine which then gets incorporated into the walls of all your cells, known as cell membranes. If these cell membranes become damaged and weak, the cells become fragile, allow toxins and harmful things into the cell, do not carry in useful nutrients and then they die. Excessive cell membrane damage can lead to serious medical conditions such as multiple sclerosisand cancer to name a few.

Question: How did you become aware of MTHFR, and what motivated you to make it your professional crusade? 

Dr. Ben Lynch: One afternoon, a lady asked me about natural treatment options forbipolar disorder. I began rattling off all the usual natural approaches to stabilizing those with bipolar disorder.  For some reason, I felt my answer incomplete, likely because I had been out of medical school for a few years and I wanted to see if research brought forth anything new.

So I hit the research and discovered that researchers were investigating bipolar and genetics, specifically MTHFR. I had no idea what MTHFR was so I entered ‘MTHFR’ into the medical research database, PubMed, which is the US National Library of Medicine’s research database. I was astounded what came back to me. Over 3,000 papers at the time. Now it is over 5,200 papers just on MTHFR alone – and increasing.

As I scanned the research paper titles with MTHFR in it, I was amazed by how many conditions appeared. Cleft palate, hypertension, thrombosis, schizophrenia, myocardial infarction (heart attack), acute lymphoblastic leukemia, recurrent pregnancy loss – and this was just on page 1!! (You can see for yourself!)

I was so stunned that I never heard about this that I actually ‘tweeted’ about MTHFR – and I hardly ever ‘tweet’. The next day, I was bombarded by people who were looking for a physician knowledgeable about MTHFR. Needless to say, my knowledge was nil but I promised them that I would learn. To this day, I continue to learn the complexities of MTHFR and pass my knowledge onto physicians. 

MTHFR polymorphisms are SO prevalent and so damaging to millions and millions of people. Yet, with awareness, those with MTHFR polymorphisms can increase their odds of a totally healthy life if they just knew that their lifestyle, dietary and environmental exposures really speed up their risk for disease. 

Question:  Whose health can benefit most from an awareness of MTHFR ? 

Dr. Ben Lynch: Simply – those who have the genetic polymorphism in their MTHFR gene – which remember, is one in two of us. Even those who do not have MTHFR polymorphisms benefit knowing about it as their loved ones or friends may have it and if they are made aware of it, they may impact their lives significantly. 

It should be mentioned that doctors need to be made aware of how significant MTHFR is because they are the ones managing the health of the patient. Thus, it is up to the doctor to inform the patient and screen them for MTHFR polymorphisms. 

Question:  Who should get tested for MTHFR and where/how does one get tested?

Dr. Ben Lynch: Everyone should get tested. Why? Because 1 in 2 people are affected and if one knows they have a MTHFR polymorphism, they know they have to be very proactive in taking care of themselves. 

Testing for MTHFR needs to be seen as a screening test. If one wants to get pregnant, they test for MTHFR. If one wants to reduce disease risk factors in general and optimize their health, they test for MTHFR. If one wants to identify why their family seems to have more risk of neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression or autism to name a few, they test for MTHFR.

If you approach your physician asking to screen you for MTHFR, two things will happen. One, they do not know what it is and two, they will state MTHFR is not a big deal and there is nothing to worry about – it is all a fad.

On the off chance you have a progressive, current physician, they will test you for MTHFR polymorphisms. A word of caution here.

Many insurance companies do not cover MTHFR testing and if they say they do, they still may come back and charge you an exorbitant fee.

That said, there are some reliable testing companies out there that do MTHFR testing reliably and affordably and may even be covered by insurance.

The two leading MTHFR testing companies are Spectracell Labs and Any Lab Test Now.

If you do not have insurance, out of pocket expense is not that bad, especially given the potential life-changing results you may obtain.

For information about MTHFR testing options – along with the ethical considerations  –learn more at the MTHFR site.

Question:  What are your top recommendations for people with MTHFR polymorphisms?

Dr. Ben Lynch: MTHFR polymorphisms have been around for generations and generations – and they are being passed on at an even faster rate due to folic acid supplementation. )

I believe the poor choices in food, unhealthy environment, fast-paced lifestyle, corporate lobbyists and symptom-based medicine are contributing the expression of MTHFR polymorphisms.  

That said, it is critical people snap out of it and stop listening to the drug ads on TV imploring ‘Ask your doctor if this drug is right for you.’ I can tell you right now, it is not. 

The top recommendations in bullet form -- and to let you know I practice what I preach -- are the following:

• Eat whole, organic, non-GMO, free range, wild foods.
• Stop ingesting synthetic folic acid supplements and folic acid enriched foods. Use only natural folates such as folinic acid and/or methylfolate.
• Eat foods containing natural folates such as uncooked leafy greens. (Yes -- you have to eat salads. Daily.) 
• Drink filtered tap water – avoid bottled water in plastic that contains bisphenol A (BPA).
• Avoid gluten and dairy products.

 If FAD levels are low due to low levels of thyroxine, then the MTHFR enzyme slows down, causing low methylfolate levels. We now know from above that low methylfolate leads to low neurotransmitters and low SAMe. 

Question:  What can hypothyroid patients do, i.e. nutrition and lifestyle changes, to cope with MTHFR inhibition? 

Dr. Ben Lynch: Hypothyroid patients must have their doctor monitor their TSH, T4, T3, and thyroid antibodies often in order to optimize thyroid function. If any of these values are off, then the thyroid function will be compromised and thus the MTHFR enzyme will be as well.

It is critical that doctors monitor all these markers and not just TSH. TSH measurement by itself is worthless. It is similar to someone asking you where the car keys are and you reply back, “Over there.” ‘Where?’ you ask again. They reply back, “Over there.” Not very helpful unless the person actually points where ‘there’ is or defines it better for you.

Key nutrients for thyroid function are magnesium, iodine, selenium, zinc and tyrosine -  which comes from eating – and absorbing - enough protein. Methylfolate, produced by the MTHFR enzyme, is also needed to help convert tyrosine into active thyroid hormone. 

A lifestyle change for optimizing your thyroid would be to limit exposure to chlorine, bromine (bromide), and fluoride- basically the other halogens. Why? Because these other halogens mimic the charge of the halogen iodine, and that prevents iodine from binding to the receptor on your thyroid gland. 

If you have other halogens on your thyroid receptor, how is iodine supposed to be bound to it? Difficult – especially if one is iodine deficient and some American women are deficient in iodine. Talk with your doctor about how to monitor iodine levels and properly supplement when necessary.

I recommend installing chlorine shower filters for your shower, filtering your drinking water, limiting exposure to fluoride, and limiting or avoiding drinking soda, as many citrus sodas contain brominated vegetable oil. 

Environmental changes to protect your thyroid would be avoiding heavy metals such as mercury. Mercury and other heavy metals are very toxic to the thyroid. Mercury amalgams are researched to be an aggravating factor in causing Hashimoto’s disease. 

A pervasive food that negatively affects your thyroid is gluten. Removing gluten entirely from your diet may significantly improve your thyroid. This means 100% avoidance – not ingestion once a week or once a month – complete avoidance. This is especially important if you have celiac disease. 

Question:  Can you tell us about your MTHFR.net website? 

Dr. Ben Lynch: I do my homework. If I state something, I cite research or I clearly state it is a working theory. I don’t pretend I know something I don’t. If I don’t know something, I simply don’t write it or make up some answer, I simply say three words – “I don’t know.”

If people would stand up and understand that saying “I don’t know” is okay and useful, then medicine and other areas of life would be so much better.

I constantly read – and critically analyze - cutting edge research papers on MTHFR, methylation, nutrigenomics, one carbon metabolism, mitochondrial function and epigenetics. I love what I do and am totally engrossed and passionate about it as well. Why? Because I know it is going to change how medicine is practiced. 

The medical model today is one that needs to be chucked out the window. The symptom-disease based model is highly ineffective and doctors know this. They are turning tonaturopathic and functional medicine. The problem is these doctors continue to practice the same symptom-disease based model using supplements, herbs and other concoctions instead of drugs and surgery. Yes, this is an improvement most of the time but it still is not addressing the absolute underlying cause of why their patient is ill.

I am educating other physicians about the new model that is emerging from all this and that is biochemical nutrigenomics. When a physician focuses on the patient’s lifestyle, diet, surrounding environments, hobbies, emotional status, biochemistry, genetics and genetic expression, then amazing things happen. Just ask the doctors who have attended some of my conferences. The learning curve is steep and frankly a pain, but very worthwhile because once you learn it, you continue to perfect it and your patients get better faster – and faster.

There is nothing better to a physician then having to put a sign out on the front door –“Patients needed. All my other ones are healthy.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Dr. Ben Lynch is a naturopathic physician who has focused his research and teaching on MTHFR polymorphisms and genetic changes, and the connection to disease. Dr. Lynch's site http://mthfr.net features research, articles, links and information related to MTHFR genetic mutations and polymorphisms. His book on this topic will be available during the spring of 2014 at this site, and online bookstores. You can also find Dr. Lynch on Facebook.

What Is Heterozygous and Homozygous MTHFR?

MTHFR mutations are typically referred to as heterozygous or homozygous.

The prefix “hetero” means different.

The prefix “homo” means same. Zygous just refers to degree of similarity.

In genetics, hetero- and homo- refers to the two alleles on the gene. For example, for C677T the alleles are C and T, which are different and therefore heterozygous.

Heterozygous

Heterozygous MTFHR means you have one copy of the mutant allele on the MTHFR gene.

Homozygous

Homozygous MTHFR mean you have two copies of the same mutant allele, which is considered more severe. It looks like this T677T, although it is typically just referred to as homozygous C677T.

So homozygous C677T actually means T677T.

Compound Heterozygous

There is also compound heterozygous, which is when you have one mutant allele on both the 677 and 1298 base position.

FROM:http://www.dietvsdisease.org/mthfr-c677t-a1298c-mutation/

Summary: In genetics, hetero- and homo- refers to the two alleles (letters) on the gene. A heterozygous mutation means one copy of the mutation, homozygous means two copies.

List of Common MTHFR Mutation Variations

This brief list helps to make more sense of the entire concept.

Remember that the mutation can be re-written with both letters at the end (for example C677T = 677CT) or even just the letters with no numbers (for example CT or TT):

• MTHFR C677C = normal MTHFR gene
• MTHFR C677T = heterozygous mutation (one mutation)
• MTHFR T677T = homozygous mutation (two mutations)
• MTHFR A1298A = normal MTHFR gene
• MTHFR A1298C = heterozygous mutation (one mutation)
• MTHFR C1298C = homozygous mutation (two mutations)
• MTHFR C677T + MTHFR A1298C = a compound heterozygous mutation

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MTHFR C677T and A1298C and Homocysteine

One of the biggest concerns for those with an MTHFR mutation is the effect it may have on homocysteine levels in the blood.

Homocysteine is an amino acid linked to a wide range of health problems, and is an independent risk factor for heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease (4, 5, 6).

It is naturally formed in the body, but gets broken down (recycled) by L-methyfolate (active folate). Said another way, a lack of L-methylfolate can lead to an increase in homocysteine.

Although diet and lifestyle are major influences, your genetics are thought to be responsible for between 45-60% of the variance in plasma (blood) homocysteine levels in normal adults (7, 8).

Of that genetic variance, C677T mutations are thought to account for between 24-53% of all cases (7).

Research shows that regardless of how much folate you consume, homozygous C677T (T677T) subjects always have significantly lower folate levels than heterozygous C677T. Subsequently, they also have remarkably higher homocysteine concentrations than everyone else; most pronounced when folate intake is low (9).

Total plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations according to daily folate intake. Black = C677C; Grey = C677T; White = T677T.

Other research confirms that both homozygous C677T (T677T) and compound heterozygous (C677T + A1298C) are linked with higher homocysteine concentrations and greater risk of heart disease (10).

It was concluded that a heterozygous A1298C mutation on its own does not influence heart disease risk.

Summary: High homocysteine is an independent risk factor for numerous diseases. Those with a homozygous or compound heterozygous MTHFR mutations are more likely to have elevated homocysteine and greater risk of heart disease.

Which MTHFR Mutation Is A Problem?

Heterozygous MTHFR mutations seem to have only minor influences on enzyme activity and health.

Heterozygous A1298C is thought to be of minor consequence (if any), while heterozygous C677T may affect folate metabolism by up to 35% (3, 11).

MTHFR mutations that have the greatest influence on health are:

• Homozygous A1298C (C1298C) and homozygous C677T (T677T)
• Compound heterozgous A1298C + C677T

Compound heterozgous is considered the most severe or “at risk”, but it is thought that homozygous mutations can inhibit MTHFR enyzme function by up to a whopping 70% (11).

Remember that MTHFR mutations don’t directly make you unwell. But they may cause an exaggerated response to poor diet or lifestyle choices that others can “get away with”.

This is why dietary considerations are fundamental for certain MTHFR mutations.

As the saying goes, “Genes load the gun, environment pulls the trigger.”

Always consult with a Dietitian or health professional who can give context to your results and specific situation.

[Last updated: 6th March, 2016]