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" 

I am going to include the questions that prompted this entry so that you can answer them too if you are inclined.  

1.    In the Bible Dictionary read the first three paragraphs under the entry “Parables” (pgs. 740-41). In your own words, write a definition of a parable.

A parable is a story  and analogy that contains a moral.  It's characters are figurative in nature.  By analyzing the relationships between the characters in the parable and relating these relationships to what they may represent you can discern truth from parables.  

2.    Read the following parables: parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30); parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:47-50); parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46); parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50). Next to each of the following questions write the name of the parable that best answers that question.

o       What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

The Church will grow across the world.  Eventually everyone will have a chance to hear the gospel.  The parable of the net.  

o       Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?

Because we have the gospel of Jesus Christ!  We need to thrust in our sickle and reap while the day is long!  Parable of tares

o       How do you explain the remarkable growth of the Church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier?

Becahse it's true!  And if it's true, it doesn't matter how small it starts, God will guide it's growth.  The parables of the mustard seed and leaven   

​o       Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?

Because they know the true value of the gospel.  It is a pearl of great price and a treasure beyond worth.  

o       Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?

I don't know why people leave the church . . . they can't live the gospel, or feel restricted by it, or get offended.  They aren't willing to sacrifice enough for the gospel.  The parable of the pearl of great price.  

Write answers to the following questions:

o       Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (see Matthew 13:44-46), what sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel? What sacrifices have you or those you know already made for the gospel?

I have sacrificed deeply for this gospel, because I love it and know it to be true.  I was living a life unfit for a saint, was engaged to a non member gal, and had a plan for my life that, albiet, it wasn't a very good one, but I had a plan.  I had an experience that made it clear to me that this wasn't the life that God wanted me to lead, and more specifically, that he wanted me to serve a mission.  When I talked about this with my fiance at the time she was vehemently opposed to it, and it ended our relationship.  After repenting I served a mission for 2 years away from my grandparents who were very ill and unable to care for themselves (I was a live in care-taker with them for 3 years).  I work hard to live my life by gospel standards and sacrifice my desires in order to follow what God would have me do.  I will continue to boiling to make any sacrifice required of me in order to obtain the treasure of the gospel.  

o       What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? (See Matthew 13:47). What does it mean to be gathered into the net? What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away? (See Matthew 13:48-50).

I think net represents the Church.  To be gathered into the net would be to be baptized into the Church.  Tha action of gathering the good and casting the bad away would represent judgment when theirs life is over.