High Priest Lesson August - Choices (Monson), Opposition in All Things (Oakes)

Thomas S. Monson - Choices

INTRODUCTION

SAY: The Teaching for our Times lesson for this month is from last month's Ensign on President Monson's talk on Choices and Elder Oakes' talk on Opposition in All Things.

SAY: President Monson's opening statement is: May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.

SAY: And Elder Oakes statement at the beginning of his talk is: Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become.

SAY: And my objective is: To have a discussion and learn what choosing the harder right instead of the easier wrong means.  What are some of the hard things as disciples of the Lord, Jesus Christ, that we must do?  Be thinking about this as we move through lesson.

LEARNER READINESS 

SAY: To begin let's listen to a few quotes from President Monson's talk,

READ A

READING A - I have been thinking recently about choices. It has been said that the door of history turns on small hinges, and so do people’s lives. The choices we make determine our destiny.

When we left our premortal existence and entered mortality, we brought with us the gift of agency. Our goal is to obtain celestial glory, and the choices we make will, in large part, determine whether or not we reach our goal.

Lets' read two excerpts from Elder Oake' talk:

READ B

READING B - The purpose of mortal life for the children of God is to provide the experiences needed “to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.”  As President Thomas S. Monson taught us so powerfully this morning, we progress by making choices, by which we are tested to show that we will keep God’s commandments. To be tested, we must have the agency to choose between alternatives. To provide alternatives on which to exercise our agency, we must have opposition.

SAY: Do you see the relationship between choices and opposition?

READ C

READING C - The rest of the plan is also essential. When we make wrong choices—as we inevitably will—we are soiled by sin and must be cleansed to proceed toward our eternal destiny. The Father’s plan provides the way to do this, the way to satisfy the eternal demands of justice: a Savior pays the price to redeem us from our sins. That Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father, whose atoning sacrifice—whose suffering—pays the price for our sins if we will repent of them.

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

SAY: We are moving into the involvement phase of the lesson.  Please listen carefully to the next quote from President Monson's talk:

READ D

READING D - May we choose to build up within ourselves a great and powerful faith which will be our most effective defense against the designs of the adversary—a real faith, the kind of faith which will sustain us and will bolster our desire to choose the right. Without such faith, we go nowhere. With it, we can accomplish our goals.

SAY; President Monson talks of a great a powerful faith that we CHOOSE to build up within ourselves, a real faith that bolsters our desire to choose the right.  Without such faith, we go nowhere.  With it, we can accomplish our goals.

Q: Is it hard to exercise faith (do the hard choice) rather than go with the flow?
Q: Why is it a choice to build within ourselves a great a powerful faith? (because it is hard, because it requires humility, it requires obedience to the pattern set forth in scriptures.  Q: What is that pattern?

Q: What does real faith look like? (perhaps a man of faith is meek.  He has learned not be offended, not retaliate, not react, not revile;  perhaps he has learned to trust in his God in all things; Perhaps he is kind and gentle, not easily provoked.  Q: What do you thing real faith looks like?

Q: Why is faith required to accomplish our goals? Q:Brother Pyne, when our patriarcal blessing state that our blessing is fulfilled through our faith and faithfulness, what CHOICE is the Lord implying? The hard right or the easier wrong (if no answer)?

Q: How do we grow our faith? (by living righteously, by receiving signs, assurances and evidences from our righteous living, Giving our wills to God (our grace) for His grace.

SAY: Let's read of a time in scriptures where a group of men were having a difficult time.  While we read these verse, note in your minds what the men did and what the Lord did.

READING E : Alma 59:10-11

10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. 11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.

Q: What did the men do?
Q: What did the Lord their God do? (assurance and hope)

Q: What if we aren't receiving assurance from God through the Spirit?  What do we do?

LEARNER APPLICATION

SAY: Let's transition to application portion of the lesson.  Let's read a except from President Monson:

READ F

READING F - May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.

Q: What does P.M. mean by "defy the consensus"?

SAY: Let's read another except from Elder Oaks:

READ G  (about the sabbath)

READING G - Our efforts to improve our observance of the Sabbath day pose a less stressful example of opposition. We have the Lord’s commandment to honor the Sabbath. Some of our choices may violate that commandment, but other choices in how to spend time on the Sabbath are simply a question of whether we will do what is merely good or what is better or best.

Q: How could we apply this lesson on choices and opposition to how we keep the Sabbath Day?

SAY: And one more quote from President Monson:

READ H

READING H - As we contemplate the decisions we make in our lives each day—whether to make this choice or that choice—if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice.

Q: Is it a choice to be humble and meek? Alma 13 28

28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

Q: Why is it a harder right choice?

READ 1 Nephi 10:19-21

READING I

19 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.
20 Therefore remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment.
21 Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are found unclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God; wherefore, ye must be cast off forever.

Q: Is it a choice to seek after God?
Q: What are the blessings for those who diligently seek?
Q: Is it hard to do this?

Q: Is it a choice to consider yourselves fools before God? 2 Nephi 9:42-43

READING J

42 And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and thewise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them.43 But the things of the wise and the prudent shall be hid from them forever—yea, that happiness which is prepared for the saints.

Q: Is it a choice to consider yourselves fools before God?

READ 2 Nephi 2:7

READING K

7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

Q: Is it a choice to come unto Christ with a broken heart?
Q: Who else beside those with broken hearts and contrite spirits will the Lord answer the demands of justice for?  (none)  Q: Isn't this a sobering thought?

Q: What is the harder right choice?

CONCLUSION

Our true nature is from God.  We are children of Heavenly Parents.  When this truth is removed we run into all sorts of problems in this life.

If there is something in this lesson that especially  impressed you, take it up with the Lord in prayer; Ask for His Grace.

Offer the Lord your broken heart and contrite spirit as best you can.  He will answer you grace with his own.

These are the hard right choices that we are here on earth to make.

The Holy Ghost as Your Companion By President Henry B. Eyring

The Holy Ghost as Your Companion
By President Henry B. Eyring

INTRODUCTION

SAY: The conference talk that I have been asked to teach from is 'The Holy Ghost as Your Companion' By President Henry B. Eyring.  The quote at the top of the talk is, "We can, if we live worthy of it, have the blessing of the Spirit to be with us, not only now and then but always."

LEARNER READINESS

SAY: Story about being prompted to visit my mother-in-law.
Q: Why do you think the Holy Ghost wanted me to visit my mother-in-law? (to comfort her, for me to receive assurances that he cares about me)

READ

My purpose today is to increase your desire and your determination to claim the gift promised to each of us after we were baptized. During our confirmation we heard these words: “Receive the Holy Ghost.” From that moment, our lives changed forever.

Q: What is God's glorious promise to us when we partake of the sacrament each Sunday?
Q: Why is it important to have the Spirit with us?

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

SAY: President Eyring enumerates some of the things the Holy Ghost will do for us.

READ

To always have the Spirit with us is to have the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in our daily lives. We can, for instance, be warned by the Spirit to resist the temptation to do evil.

For that reason alone, it is easy to see why the Lord’s servants have tried to increase our desire to worship God in our sacrament meetings. If we partake of the sacrament in faith, the Holy Ghost will then be able to protect us and those we love from the temptations that come with increasing intensity and frequency.

Q: What are some general categories of temptations? (morality, deception, apostasy)
Q: Have you had experiences where the Holy Ghost has helped you resist temptation? (story when I was 15,

READ

The companionship of the Holy Ghost makes what is good more attractive and temptation less compelling. That alone should be enough to make us determined to qualify for the Spirit to be with us always.

SAY: Let's read another wonderful role of the Holy Ghost

READ

Just as the Holy Ghost strengthens us against evil, He also gives us the power to discern truth from falsehood. The truth that matters most is verified only by revelation from God. Our human reason and the use of our physical senses will not be enough. We live in a time when even the wisest will be hard-pressed to distinguish truth from clever deception.

Q: Is there clever deception out there?
Q: Why is it that our human reasoning and our use of our physical senses will not be enough?

SAY -  (Harmstonite story in Nephi - the spirit of discernment came over me)  I am grateful for the Holy Ghost.

Q: Do any of you remember what Bishop Parish taught at Dover Hunt's funeral about our physical senses and the Holy Ghost?  (internet attack about the HG being a bunch of chemical reactions in our brains, how we know that our eyes can easily be deceived with all the new tech advances and old deceptions that are out there - can't tell what is real or just computer generated).

READ

The truths that mark the way home to God are verified by the Holy Ghost. We cannot go to the grove and see the Father and the Son speak to the young Joseph Smith. No physical evidence or any logical argument can establish that Elijah came as promised to confer the priesthood keys now held and exercised by a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

Q: What does President Eyring mean when he said, The truths that mark the way home to God are verified by the Holy Ghost?

READ

Confirmation of truth comes to a son or daughter of God who has claimed the right to receive the Holy Ghost. Since falsehoods and lies may be presented to us at any time, we need a constant influence of the Spirit of Truth to spare us moments of doubt.

SAY: I think this is what Nephi meant by this scripture: 2 Nephi 26:13

13 And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith.

Q: Why did I use this verse of scripture?  (Because it is the right of a believer in all ages to have spiritual things manifested unto them by the power of the Holy Ghost).

SAY: I believe THIS IS the norm for believers.

SAY: Let's listen to one more reason why the constant help of the Holy Ghost is important.

READ

We need that constant help from the companionship of the Holy Ghost for yet another reason. The death of a loved one may come unexpectedly. It is the witness from the Holy Ghost of the reality of a loving Heavenly Father and a resurrected Savior that gives us hope and comfort at the loss of a loved one. That testimony must be fresh when death occurs.

READ

So, for many reasons, we need the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We desire it, yet we know from experience that it is not easy to maintain. We each think, say, and do things in our daily lives that can offend the Spirit. The Lord taught us that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion when our hearts are full of charity and when virtue garnishes our thoughts unceasingly.

Q: Where in the scriptures is this standard given?
Q: What is the standard?

LEARNER APPLICATION

READ

For those who are struggling with the high standard needed to qualify for the gift of the Spirit’s companionship, I offer this encouragement. You have had times when you have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost. It may have happened for you today.

You can treat those moments of inspiration like the seed of faith that Alma described. Plant each one. You can do that by acting on the prompting you felt. The most valuable inspiration will be for you to know what God would have you do. If it is to pay tithing or to visit a grieving friend, you should do it. Whatever it is, do it. When you demonstrate your willingness to obey, the Spirit will send you more impressions of what God would have you do for Him.

Q: What is the most important inspiration for you to know?
Q: If we are struggling to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, what does President Eyring suggest?

READ

As you obey, the impressions from the Spirit will come more frequently, becoming closer and closer to constant companionship. Your power to choose the right will increase.

You can know when these impressions to act for Him are from the Spirit rather than from your own desires. When the impressions square with what the Savior and His living prophets and apostles have said, you can choose to obey with confidence. Then the Lord will send His Spirit to attend you.

Q: Why is it so important to recognize the impressions of the Holy Ghost and act on them?

CONCLUSION

READ Jacob's encounter with Sherem. Jacob 7

4 And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.
5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.

SAY: As we have the companionship of the Holy Ghost in our lives, we also will not be shaken!  All the doctrines of men that are all around us cannot create doubt in us - if we are have and continue to have the comfort, promptings, and cleansing of the Holy Ghost.  All these things are signs, evidences and assurances that God is with is!

Amen.


SAY: I would like to read to a few hymns. As I read you thy hymn, think about them in context of the Holy Ghost.

97

Lead, Kindly Light

31243, Hymns, Lead, Kindly Light, no. 97

1. Lead, kindly Light, amid th'encircling gloom;
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me.

2. I was not ever thus, nor pray'd that thou
Shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path; but now,
Lead thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years.

3. So long thy pow'r hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone.
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

1. Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;

With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Behold Thy Mother By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Lesson May 2016

Behold Thy Mother
By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles


INTRODUCTION

SAY: As I was preparing this lesson, I thought of a time in my life where I was good Mormon man but I felt that I had to do everything myself without any help from God.  I was unaware of my defficency at the time.  Only look back brings what I lacked at the time to my awareness.  I am sure that 20 years from now I will look back at today and realize things that I cannot see today.  By the way, I am aware of God watching over me even at that time years ago.

SAY: Reflect back on a time in your life where you came to an awareness that God was watching over you or was even carrying you.  Perhaps a time in your life where your testimony grew of the Lord's love for you.  We will ask for your stories later in the lesson.

LEARNER READINESS

READ A

READING A - Prophesying of the Savior’s Atonement, Isaiah wrote, “He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” A majestic latter-day vision emphasized that “[Jesus] came into the world … to bear the sins of the world.” Both ancient and modern scripture testify that “he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old.” A favorite hymn pleads with us to “hear your great Deliv’rer’s voice!”

SAY: In the quote we just read, Elder Holland quotes D&C 133:52-53 when he said of the Savior, in the last days when Zion is established, that "He redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old".

SAY: I found the preceding verse interesting as well.  Let's read both verses:

READ B

READING B - D&C 133:52 - 53

52 And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever.
53 In all their afflictions he was afflicted. And the angel of his presence saved them; and in his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them, and bore them, and carried them all the days of old;

Q: Why do  you suppose the redeemed of the Lord in that future and past day, mention among themselves the loving kindness of the Lord?

READ C

READING C - Bear, borne, carry, deliver. These are powerful, heartening messianic words. They convey help and hope for safe movement from where we are to where we need to be—but cannot get without assistance.

Q: What is this assistance that we all need?  What is this loving kindness that the redeemed of the Lord, as they look back at their lives, make mention of?

READ D

READING D - These words also connote burden, struggle, and fatigue—words most appropriate in describing the mission of Him who, at unspeakable cost, lifts us up when we have fallen, carries us forward when strength is gone, delivers us safely home when safety seems far beyond our reach. “My Father sent me,” He said, “that I might be lifted up upon the cross; … that as I have been lifted up … even so should men be lifted up … to … me.”

Q: What is the mission of our Savior?

LEARNER INVOLVEMENT

SAY: At this point in Elder Holland's talk, Elder Holland changes subject ever so slightly.

READ E

READING E - But can you hear in this language another arena of human endeavor in which we use words like bear and borne, carry and lift, labor and deliver? As Jesus said to John while in the very act of Atonement, so He says to us all, “Behold thy mother!”

READ F

READING F - Today I declare from this pulpit what has been said here before: that no love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child. When Isaiah, speaking messianically, wanted to convey Jehovah’s love, he invoked the image of a mother’s devotion. “Can a woman forget her sucking child?” he asks. How absurd, he implies, though not as absurd as thinking Christ will ever forget us.7

Q: What most closely approximates our Saviors love for us?

READ G

READING G - This kind of resolute love “suffereth long, and is kind, … seeketh not her own, … but … beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Most encouraging of all, such fidelity “never faileth.” “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed,” Jehovah said, “but my kindness shall not depart from thee.” So too say our mothers.

Q: Why is it important to understand the God's love for us is like a mother's love?

LEARNER APPLICATION

SAY: Let's delve a little deeper into Elder Hollands analogy of why the Lord uses mothers as an metaphor for how loves us.

Q: How dependent is baby on his mother? [completely]
Q: What kind of time commitment is involved by the mother?
Q: How bound up is the mother in the life of the child?
Q: Is the baby aware of all the work and assistance he is receiving from his mother?
Q: According to this analogy, how intricately involved is God in our lives?

SAY: Perhaps we are more dependent on the Lord than we have ever realized.  Perhaps God has been watching of me and you more than we can comprehend.  As a mother is bound up in the life of her child, God is bound up in our lives.  He cares about us deeply.

And as children, we don't even realize it.

Q: Are there limits to what God can do?   Are there limits to what our mothers can do?  [agency]
Q: Will God give us things that will hurt us or stop our progression?

TELL STORY of little girl on youtube that wanted her mother make the sun stay up.  She cried and cried having a little temper tantrum demanding that her mother stop the sun from going down.  The mother said to the child that other children need the sun to shine them as well.

Q: Why is important for us to believe and acknowledge that God is intricately involved in our life?

SHARING TIME

SAY: Brethren, could you share a life changing experience where your awareness of God watching over you increased or where you knew you were being carried?  Where you began walking in His Grace and felt secure in His love?

[if not answer] This has happened multiple times in my life.  First, was as a child. Another, when I was a teenager, another as an adult, where I finally confessed to God that I was out of control and needed Him.  Something changed at that time.


SAY: I am reminded of a scripture in Alma 33.  Verse 16 says:

16 For behold, he said: Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.

SAY: Alma goes on tell the people the story of when the people were being bitten by fiery serpents and how Moses took one of the serpents and put it on a stick and raised it up.  Let me read it to you:

19 Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type wasraised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.

20 But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them.

21 O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?

SAY: Alma then goes on to say:

22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.

Q: Why bring these verses of scripture to your attention?  [look to the Savior]

Q: Brethren, do we have to solve all our problems on our own or can we look to Christ, lifted up on the cross?

Q: How do we do it?  How do look to Christ and be healed?

SAY: I believe that the God wants us look to Christ in everything.  He wants us to deeply acknowledge God's Hand in our lives.  We put our trust in God in every aspect of lives.

Listen to the next verse:

23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.

SAY: Let's plant Christ deeply into our hearts and nourish this seed by our faith until it becomes a tree.  Our burdens then become light through the joy of His Son.

CONCLUSION

SAY: Brethren, when we look to God and come unto Christ, he heals us.  We are filled with His love. He blesses us with His Grace.  We know, like a loving mother, that he is watching over us and cares deeply for us.  Like a mother, he hears our crys.  He anticipates our needs. And the more we depend on our Savior, the more this relationship grows.  I am grateful for my Savior and that he has rescued me and continues to rescue for as long as I am in this mortal life (and beyond)

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.