Reverence Invites Revelation

Here is a great talk by Pres. Boyd K. Packer.

http://lds.org/general-conference/1991/10/reverence-invites-revelation?lang=eng&query=Reverence+Invites+Revelation

What is the first thing Pres. Packer says that a military will do to conquer their enemy? What does he say the adversary does in our lives to accomplish the same purpose?

Go to 1 Nephi 17:45, what does it mean to not be able to "feel his words?" What can you do in your life to be able to "feel his words?"

2 Nephi 32:1-5. One Slight Difference

In these verses (3 and 5) it explains that the words of Christ and the Holy Ghost guide us to know all things what we should do. There is one slight difference between what the words of Christ will do and what the Holy Ghost will do, what is it? Why do you think that difference might be significant?

The Gift of the Holy Ghost, pgs.65-66 of Preach My Gospel

D&C 130:22-23 speaks of the Holy Ghost descending upon us but not tarrying with us. Galatians 5:22-23 speaks of the fruits of the Spirit or how we feel when we have the Spirit. What have you noticed invites the Spirit into your life? When have you felt the fruits or the effects of the Spirit in your lives? If you were giving your younger brother or sister advice about what to do to feel the Spirit, what would you tell him or her to do?

Questions

What questions do you have for each other or us regarding the things we've discussed so far in this Lesson 3, pgs. 60-65? Anything that isn't very clear about faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, etc.? Any questions about anything that you want to ask?

Baptism

In your own words, why would you say baptism is so important? You might want to read the verses on p. 65 of "Preach My Gospel," to get you thinking.

Baptism, Our First Covenant, p.63-65

In Moroni 6:1-4, what are the qualifications someone must meet to be baptized? Why are each one of these so important? What does it mean to bring forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it? Why is this so important? We know baptism is a covenant and sacrament is the renewing of that covenant (or promise), so what does it mean to you to come to the sacrament table each week willing to qualify for the partaking of the sacrament? How can you better prepare to partake of this covenant each week?

In Alma 34:8-17, multiple times it talks about having "faith unto repentance." Why is it important that faith and repentance are mentioned together?

Listen to or read Elder D. Todd Christofferson's Talk

Go to this link and read or listen to Elder D. Todd Christofferson's latest talk on repentance. It is one of the best I've ever heard on the subject. What is one thing that sticks out to you in this talk?

http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-divine-gift-of-repentance?lang=eng

Bonus Question--Worth A Candy Bar

There is a person in our ward who has given up over $200,000 and the opportunity to play Major League Baseball. Because of his faith in Jesus Christ he chose to serve a mission and forego the opportunity. Who is it and what team was he going to play for?

"Faith in Jesus Christ" section, pg.61-62 of "Preach My Gospel"

Out of the scriptures given in these paragraphs and in the "Scripture Study" section on pg. 62, what is your favorite verse or verses? Why? What does it explain or mean to you? How does it help you understand or build faith in Jesus Christ? How can you use these verses in your life?

You don't need to answer all of these questions, but these can help you get started in explaining your favorite verses describing faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ Cannot Do One Thing

Amulek argued with Zeezrom about the power of Jesus Christ in Alma 11. Read Alma 11 starting in verse 23 and tell us what it is that Amulek said Jesus could not do. The first person to answer this question correctly gets a king size candy bar.

Bonus Question--Worth King Size Candy Bar of Your Choice

Find a scripture that explains if Jose Reyes' actions to keep his batting title were in agreement with gospel truths (principles) or not. He has the highest batting average in baseball and in order to keep his title he pulled himself out of the game so he would not mess it up and lose the title. Do you agree or disagree and find a scripture to back up your choice. First one to write one in the comments that I feel works will get a King Size Candy Bar of their choice.

Helaman 14:15-18, Question

What are the two deaths spoken of in these verses? How does the atonement help us overcome them?

2 Nephi 9:16, Question

Verse 16 talks about the judgment. It says those that are filthy shall be filthy still and they who are righteous shall be righteous still. Why can't His mercy save those that are filthy?

2 Nephi 9:10-16, Lesson 3 "Preach My Gospel," page 60

I wanted to give you a little example of a response you might make. This is what I felt as I read:

I was reading these scripture references on page 60 and verse 14 of 2 Nephi 9 hit me. It occurred to me that I could die tomorrow and would be face to face with Jesus Christ. I don't think I would feel totally comfortable. I'm trying to be good and become more like Him but there are some things I want to change about myself still. I battle with the same faults/sins each day it seems. I can imagine Him looking right through me. This motivates me to want to get rid of these things right now. I want to feel good and clean when I see Him again. I know He will forgive me once I completely repent.

At times the particular weakness I have weighs heavy on me. I look back to the time I was in middle school and high school. There was a particular weakness I had that I thought I would never overcome. I felt like I was praying and pleading for help to overcome it and for forgiveness each night. Now, as a I think about that weakness, I feel quite comfortable the Lord has forgiven me. As I continued to turn to the Lord for help, He has helped me and now that weakness I feel has become a strength. I hope and pray the same thing will happen to my current weakness, that it will become a strength eventually and the Lord can forgive me.

Welcome and Explanation

Hello teachers from the Middleton 7th Ward Teacher's Quorum. I'm grateful you've decided to join this blog. I think we'll all be uplifted and edified as we study the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ together.

I chose the background to this blog because it reminds me of studying the gospel. Gospel study is like climbing a mountain. As soon as one thinks they've arrived at the top of the peak, they realize there is another larger peak still off in the distance. After climbing the next peak, again one notices another peak still further off and higher. At the top of that peak is a better view and greater perspective of the workings of God. The simple doctrines of Jesus Christ are like this. As we come to understand them, we realize there is more this time that we are learning than we understood the last time. Our circumstances change and so the doctrines have new meanings to us and help us through our new challenges and give us greater perspectives.

I believe as we study together, our understanding will increase and our perspectives will deepen. It is like a high adventure trip. If we were to go alone, the trip would be more difficult than going together. I hope all will contribute their thoughts and questions. A question opens up the opportunity to learn and receive revelation. You'll notice in the Doctrine and Covenants that Joseph Smith received most, if not all, of these revelations (sections) because he was seeking answers to his questions.

Each week, I'll post some questions and verses or quotes to consider and comment on. You can answer or comment on these and/or create your own post too. I would encourage you to use, "Preach My Gospel," to get you started. The scriptures are at the end of the section I'll reference in the title of the post. We will be starting on Lesson 3, page 60, of "Preach My Gospel."

Please feed off each other's posts and I think we'll find this to be a great experience. We'll also be fulfilling portions of "Fulfilling My Duty to God," the prophet has asked us to work on. Specifically pages 38-39 and 42-43. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you, Brother Hymas