Lesson 9

Lesson 9 is here!  Questions are posted as usual!  Enjoy :) 

1. Review Mark 13:5, 9, 23, 33, 35, 37 and identify the words take heed and watch in each verse. List at least three things from this chapter that believers could watch for in order to be prepared to meet the Lord.

Don’t be deceived

Watch and pray (Always) because we don’t know when Christ is coming again

We will be “beaten” and brought up before kings and rulers.  I would take this to mean that our testimonies will be challenged by those who don’t believe and people in high places with influence will disagree with us and mock us. 

2. Explain in writing any other additional truths that are taught in the following references about how to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
• Doctrine and Covenants 87:8

Go to the temple often

• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:32

Watch for the abomination of desolation (??)

• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37 

Treasure up the scriptures so we are not deceived. 

• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:46–50

Be diligent as we wait for Christ to come, we don’t know when he will be here

• Doctrine and Covenants 33:17

Be faithful and pray always

• Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57

Be prepared by inviting the spirit be with us and following his promptings.  

Lesson 8

Here is another entry!  I got a bit behind in the class I was doing this for . . . so . . . there will be a flurry of entries during this day . . . and then I'll have to start coming up with stuff on my own rather than rely on the class for material.  

Questions are included as usual.  Thanks for reading!  

1. Review Mark 12:41–44 and the institute student manual commentary for Mark 12:41–44, “What Was the Significance of the Widow’s Gift?” (pg. 149). Write an explanation of how the widow lived what the Savior taught in Mark 12:28–30.

The widow gave everything that she had to the treasury.  She loved God with all of her soul.  Like the institute manual says, it’s not the quantity of the gift we give to God, it’s the quality, and hers was top quality. 

2. Even though the widow gave less money than wealthier people gave, according to Mark 12:44, how much of what she had did she give? Write a paragraph describing what this teaches about what constitutes an acceptable offering to the Lord. How does 2 Nephi 25:23 apply to what the widow did?

The widow literally did all that she could do with that donation.  There was no more to give from her in that regard.  She gave all her living, or in other words, everything that she had.  Jesus Christ sacrificed everything for us, he gave his entire living life in example and then sacrificed that life for our sins.  If we want to dwell where Christ dwells we also need to give our everything.  Nothing less will be sufficient.  And again, we don’t have to give what Christ gave in quantity, that’s impossible.  But the quality of our gift, (the best that we have) is what makes our offer enough. 

3. Write two or three sentences describing a way, aside from the donation of money, that you could better follow the widow’s example of sacrifice and obedience.

I’ve been working on daily scripture study before I get involved with anything else during the day.  It’s been going pretty well.  It’s been almost a month now, and I’ve only missed a day.  It might be time for a new goal.  I think I need to get to the temple more often . . . I’ll talk with Katie and figure out a plan to get to the temple more often during this break, and during our married life.  

I chose to write about 2 of Christ's teachings this week.  I hope you enjoy it.  The questions have been included so you can see my prompts and perhaps do this on your own if you interested.  Thanks!  

1. Review Matthew 19:16–30 and write responses to the following questions and task
• What indications can you find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the Savior? How does Matthew 6:19–24 help explain his choice?

He was looking for the “requirements to enter heaven” checklist.  He wasn’t interested in following the Savior with all of his heart.  AKA He wanted to know what he was supposed to do not who he was supposed to be. 

• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him?

They will be blessed 100 fold. 

• Based on the Savior’s response to Peter, write a paragraph that could help you put the Lord first in your life (see also the additional details in Mark 10:17–31).

We have to be willing to follow Christ in word thought and deed.  And if we give up everything to follow him we will be blessed beyond our wildest dreams.  This is something that I want, and even though it is hard to keep at the forefront of my mind during my everyday life, when I take the time to think about it, this is what is most important. 

2. Review the parable in Matthew 20:1–16 and consider what rewards come to those who serve in the Lord’s kingdom. Complete the chart below, filling in the blanks with information you find in Matthew 20:

The hour the laborers were hired	How much the man agreed to pay	Hours worked	How much they were actually paid
Early in the morning	A penny a day	12 hours	a penny
Third hour	whatever is right	9 hours	a penny
Sixth hour	whatever is right	6 hours	a penny
Ninth hour	whatever is right	3 hours	a penny
Eleventh hour	whatever is right.	1 hour	a penny

3. Respond in writing to each of the following questions:

• What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord’s kingdom?

It doesn’t matter if we were born with Adam and Eve or right after the restoration of the church.  It also doesn’t matter if we were born into the gospel or if we converted when we were 85.  The blessings of the gospel are the same for all if we are faithful. 

• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?

Just because they found the gospel later in life doesn’t mean that they will receive less than those who have been in it their entire lives.  The blessings of the gospel are the same for all if we are faithful. 

• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?

Each laborer agreed to their contract when they were hired.  It is fair to receive what you’ve agreed to be paid.  Comparison in this, or in most other matters is unhelpful.  

1. Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:4 contains questions that the Savior’s disciples asked Him. Verses 5–20 contain the answer the Savior gave to their first question regarding the destruction of the temple, and verses 21–55 contain His answer to their other questions concerning His Second Coming and the destruction of the wicked. Read Joseph Smith—Matthew. Then fill in the following chart. After each item you list, write the verse number where you found that item.

	Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (JS-M 1:5-20)	The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (JS-M 1:21-55)
Events to Occur	Men will try to deceive you False Christs will come and afflict and kill.  False prophets will arise and deceive many.  The world will love less.	False Christ’s will come.  The elect will almost be deceived by great signs and wonders from false prophets.  Nation will rise against nation.  People will love less.  The gopsel of the kingdom will be preached.  The sun will be darkened and we won’t have light for a time.  Christ will descend from heaven.
Promises to the Righteous	For the elect’s sake the days will be shortened	If you treasure up the word you will not be deceived.  Watch for signs and you won’t be deceived.  The righteous will be taken.

2. Study 1 Nephi 22:16–22; Doctrine and Covenants 97:22, 25. Then write a statement that would give hope to a person who worries about the Second Coming.

The wicked will not destroy the righteous in the last days.  God won’t let it happen.  He will preserve us by his power.  Times will be hard, but the Lord will prepare a way for use just as he did in the time of Moses.  The Lord’s vengeance will speedily come upon the ungodly, but Zion will escape.  

Mormons and the 70

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has the same organisation that existed in the Primitive Church.

In Luke 10 Jesus calls a quorum of 70 men, and sends them out two by two to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, cast out devils, heal the sick, and testify of Jesus Christ.  They are sent to whomever will receive them without worrying about money or shelter.

Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, have missionaries that are sent out into the world to teach the gospel as most people who have received a knock on their door from 2 young men in white shirts and ties know well.  What most people don't know is that we also have quorums of 70 who have been called to the work and devote their lives to Christ rather than the 2 years a missionary is called to serve.

This group is scripturally based, as is demonstrated in Luke 10:1.    It is also further clarified in the book of Doctrine & Covenants  in sections 107 and 124

If you want to learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how it has been restored to the earth in our days by a prophet of God please visit http://mormon.org/jesus-christ/ or just www.mormon.org.

Here is this weeks lesson report!  As usual the questions are included for your benefit as well.

1. Review Matthew 17:14–21, and list three things the Savior said were needed for the disciples to heal the man.

Faith (as a grain of mustard seed)
Speak (ex: say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove)
Prayer
Fasting.

2. Read each of the following references. Next to the reference, write what it teaches about what is needed for miracles to happen.

3 Nephi 18:20 Ask in the name of Christ and believe that you will receive
Doctrine and Covenants 50:29 Be purified and cleansed from sin, ask in the name of Christ
Doctrine and Covenants 42:48 Have faith and be healed if you're not appointed to death

Another week, another assignment.  I will once again include the questions so that you can ponder them yourselves.  

1. Review Matthew 14:22–33. Identify in writing what the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them.

They were scared!  They thought he was a spirit or a ghost on the water

1. What did Peter’s response indicate about him?

That he had faith in the abilities and power of Christ.  

1. According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink?

He saw the winds, or in other words, he looked away from the Savior. 

1. What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request?

Peter cried out "Lord, save me." and Jesus immediately saved him.    

1. Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:67. Write a paragraph describing what principle from this verse relates to what Peter did to successfully walk on the water. How can this same principle be applied to your life to assist you in walking over the storms of life? 

The verse states 

And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.   

Peter was completely focused on the Savior when he stepped out and walked on water.  He, quite literally, had his eye single to Christ's glory.  He was able to comprehend, if but for a moment, how to walk on the water with Christ.  It wasn't until he looked away until he fell through the water.  We can conquer our challenges in the same way.  If we look to the Savior in our struggles we will be able to comprehend a way to get through the "storms of life"