Obedience
There have been commandments to guide us and help us grow
We can not be pushed and dragged to Heaven. We need to choose to walk on our own. We also can't just sit and do nothing.
Where do we spend our time? What is most important to us? What things do we justify doing that gets in the way of our duty and what is true?
Luke 12:34
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Mosiah 18:8-10
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Before we are baptized all people have the light of Christ to guide them in a basic way, much like what some call our conscience. The feeling that tells us what is right and what is wrong. After we are baptized we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which allows us to have a greater portion of those impressions from the Spirit if we are obedient to Heavenly Father. These impressions guide us more deeply and more specifically as we make decisions in our life.
We have a portion of the spirit at the level of obedience that we are at, but we could more of it if we try harder.
People say God knows their heart to justify doing bad things, because they are a "good person". God does know our hearts and our actions are an outward showing of what is in our heart and God does know that.
John 17:3
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
There have been commandments to guide us and help us grow
We can not be pushed and dragged to Heaven. We need to choose to walk on our own. We also can't just sit and do nothing.
Where do we spend our time? What is most important to us? What things do we justify doing that gets in the way of our duty and what is true?
Luke 12:34
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Mosiah 18:8-10
8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Before we are baptized all people have the light of Christ to guide them in a basic way, much like what some call our conscience. The feeling that tells us what is right and what is wrong. After we are baptized we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which allows us to have a greater portion of those impressions from the Spirit if we are obedient to Heavenly Father. These impressions guide us more deeply and more specifically as we make decisions in our life.
We have a portion of the spirit at the level of obedience that we are at, but we could more of it if we try harder.
People say God knows their heart to justify doing bad things, because they are a "good person". God does know our hearts and our actions are an outward showing of what is in our heart and God does know that.
John 17:3
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
”Most of us have thought about how to prepare for storms. We have seen and felt the suffering of women, men, and children, and of the aged and the weak, caught in hurricanes, tsunamis, wars, and droughts. One reaction is to ask, "How can I be prepared?" And there is a rush to buy and put away whatever people think they might need for the day they might face such calamities.
But there is another even more important preparation we must make for tests that are certain to come to each of us. That preparation must be started far in advance because it takes time. What we will need then can't be bought. It can't be borrowed. It doesn't store well. And it has to have been used regularly and recently.
What we will need in our day of testing is a spiritual preparation. It is to have developed faith in Jesus Christ so powerful that we can pass the test of life upon which everything for us in eternity depends. That test is part of the purpose God had for us in the Creation.” (Elder Henry B. Eyring, October 2005 General Conference, Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady)
How can we harvest something we haven't planted and tended?
Matt 25 - parables of ten virgins and of the talents
The foolish virgins slept and sat around and waited. Do we just stay where we are in our spiritual development and wait for the second coming or do we keep walking and working to be more prepared for his coming?
“Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.” (President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), Faith Precedes the Miracle (1972), 256)
The servant given one talent says that he was scared because the master was mean. The meaning is that he felt the weight of the expectations of the master and he felt he could not do it, so he did nothing.
We discussed A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief in the context of some of the parables Jesus gave.
Covenants and Sacrifice
Covenants are not events, but rather lifestyles.
We should live by covenant and by convenience.
The teach handed our a hand out with the following information on it and the address given by Elder Bruce R. McConkie to the Sunday School General Board, The Teacher's Divine Commission
{Begin Handout}
Teacher's Divine
Commission
little children are given words that
confound wise, Alma 32:23
In our sacred callings of gospel teaching, no effort is too good for the work of the Lord and the growth of His children.
Dallin H. Oaks
"Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine? If you are lucky enough to find your way to such teachers, you will always find your way back."
Dallin H. Oaks
President Hinckley taught many years ago, "Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church."
Gospel teaching is universal and important. Truly, "no greater responsibility can rest upon any [one of us] than to be a teacher of God's children." Our Savior's occupation was that of a teacher. He was the Master Teacher, and He invites each of us to follow Him in that great service.
Dallin H. Oaks
Our theme is teaching and learning the gospel of Jesus Christ, both in the classroom and at home. All of us—leaders, teachers, missionaries, and parents—have a lifelong challenge from the Lord to both teach and learn the doctrines of the gospel as they have been revealed to us. President Packer
When we learn a few fundamental principles about teaching and are shown how to teach, all of us can do it.
William D. Oswald
Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency
Throughout the scriptures we can find additional examples of successful gospel teachers who changed the lives and saved the souls of those they taught. From the Book of Mormon, for example, Nephi, Alma, and the sons of Mosiah readily come to mind. Notice the personal preparation of the sons of Mosiah as they prepared to teach the gospel:
"They had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
"But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."
What matters most is the attitude or spirit by which the teacher teaches. David M. McConkie
First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency
We have received from the Lord some counsel and instruction relative to the teaching of his gospel,
which if accepted and followed will make us the greatest and most influential teachers in the world.
This revealed system for preaching the gospel is simple. It is easy. It can be learned and practiced by every member of the Church. It is the same teaching system used by the Lord Jesus during his mortal ministry among men; and if we learn its principles and apply them in our teaching, we shall strengthen the faithful, reclaim the inactive, and convert the investigator.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie
We are commanded—it is something on which we have no choice; there are no alternative courses open to us—we are commanded to teach the principles of the gospel.
We are to teach the principles of the gospel as they are found in the standard works of the Church.
We are to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost.
We are to apply the gospel principles taught to the needs and circumstances of our hearers. S. We must testify that what we teach is true.
And so we have now before us an exposition of our status as the Lord's agents and of the teacher's divine commission.
We are appointed‑
To teach the principles of the gospel,
Out of the standard works,
By the power of the Holy Ghost,
Always applying the teachings to our needs, and S. To testify that what we have taught is true.
{End Handout}
1 Corinthians 12:28
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
From the Bulletin
"A Saint loves the Savior and follows Him in holiness and devotion. Evidence of this kind of holiness and devotion is exemplified by consecration and sacrifice. Sacrifice is the crowning test of the gospel. It means consecrating time, talents, energy, and earthly possessions to further the work of God. In Doctrine and Covenants 97, verse 8, it concludes, 'All...who...are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice — yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command — they are accepted of me." Quentin L. Cook, Are You a Latter-day Saint?, New Era, Dec. 2009, 5
But there is another even more important preparation we must make for tests that are certain to come to each of us. That preparation must be started far in advance because it takes time. What we will need then can't be bought. It can't be borrowed. It doesn't store well. And it has to have been used regularly and recently.
What we will need in our day of testing is a spiritual preparation. It is to have developed faith in Jesus Christ so powerful that we can pass the test of life upon which everything for us in eternity depends. That test is part of the purpose God had for us in the Creation.” (Elder Henry B. Eyring, October 2005 General Conference, Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady)
How can we harvest something we haven't planted and tended?
Matt 25 - parables of ten virgins and of the talents
The foolish virgins slept and sat around and waited. Do we just stay where we are in our spiritual development and wait for the second coming or do we keep walking and working to be more prepared for his coming?
“Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps.” (President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), Faith Precedes the Miracle (1972), 256)
The servant given one talent says that he was scared because the master was mean. The meaning is that he felt the weight of the expectations of the master and he felt he could not do it, so he did nothing.
We discussed A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief in the context of some of the parables Jesus gave.
Covenants and Sacrifice
Covenants are not events, but rather lifestyles.
We should live by covenant and by convenience.
The teach handed our a hand out with the following information on it and the address given by Elder Bruce R. McConkie to the Sunday School General Board, The Teacher's Divine Commission
{Begin Handout}
Teacher's Divine
Commission
little children are given words that
confound wise, Alma 32:23
In our sacred callings of gospel teaching, no effort is too good for the work of the Lord and the growth of His children.
Dallin H. Oaks
"Have you ever really had a teacher? One who saw you as a raw but precious thing, a jewel that, with wisdom, could be polished to a proud shine? If you are lucky enough to find your way to such teachers, you will always find your way back."
Dallin H. Oaks
President Hinckley taught many years ago, "Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church."
Gospel teaching is universal and important. Truly, "no greater responsibility can rest upon any [one of us] than to be a teacher of God's children." Our Savior's occupation was that of a teacher. He was the Master Teacher, and He invites each of us to follow Him in that great service.
Dallin H. Oaks
Our theme is teaching and learning the gospel of Jesus Christ, both in the classroom and at home. All of us—leaders, teachers, missionaries, and parents—have a lifelong challenge from the Lord to both teach and learn the doctrines of the gospel as they have been revealed to us. President Packer
When we learn a few fundamental principles about teaching and are shown how to teach, all of us can do it.
William D. Oswald
Second Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency
Throughout the scriptures we can find additional examples of successful gospel teachers who changed the lives and saved the souls of those they taught. From the Book of Mormon, for example, Nephi, Alma, and the sons of Mosiah readily come to mind. Notice the personal preparation of the sons of Mosiah as they prepared to teach the gospel:
"They had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.
"But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God."
What matters most is the attitude or spirit by which the teacher teaches. David M. McConkie
First Counselor in the Sunday School General Presidency
We have received from the Lord some counsel and instruction relative to the teaching of his gospel,
which if accepted and followed will make us the greatest and most influential teachers in the world.
This revealed system for preaching the gospel is simple. It is easy. It can be learned and practiced by every member of the Church. It is the same teaching system used by the Lord Jesus during his mortal ministry among men; and if we learn its principles and apply them in our teaching, we shall strengthen the faithful, reclaim the inactive, and convert the investigator.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie
We are commanded—it is something on which we have no choice; there are no alternative courses open to us—we are commanded to teach the principles of the gospel.
We are to teach the principles of the gospel as they are found in the standard works of the Church.
We are to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost.
We are to apply the gospel principles taught to the needs and circumstances of our hearers. S. We must testify that what we teach is true.
And so we have now before us an exposition of our status as the Lord's agents and of the teacher's divine commission.
We are appointed‑
To teach the principles of the gospel,
Out of the standard works,
By the power of the Holy Ghost,
Always applying the teachings to our needs, and S. To testify that what we have taught is true.
{End Handout}
1 Corinthians 12:28
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
From the Bulletin
"A Saint loves the Savior and follows Him in holiness and devotion. Evidence of this kind of holiness and devotion is exemplified by consecration and sacrifice. Sacrifice is the crowning test of the gospel. It means consecrating time, talents, energy, and earthly possessions to further the work of God. In Doctrine and Covenants 97, verse 8, it concludes, 'All...who...are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice — yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command — they are accepted of me." Quentin L. Cook, Are You a Latter-day Saint?, New Era, Dec. 2009, 5
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