In regard to preparing to meet Christ, there are many scriptures that give us council. D&C 87:8 councils us to be in holy places so that we may be ready when Christ comes again. Joseph Smith- Matthew 1 has several verses in regard to this. This chapter councils us to treasure up the words of Christ, and to always be ready for the coming of the Lord, because we don't know exactly when he will come, and we don't want to miss it or be left out when he does come. D&C 33:17 councils us similarly to this, in that it advises us to make sure we are always ready for the time of the second coming, and pray always. D&C 45 also speaks of this same thing. It again talks about the importance of living in a way that we will always be ready for the coming of the Savior, no matter when it is. We always have to be ready for it.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Preparing for the saviors second coming
In Matthew 13, Jesus gives us several things to beware of and to prepare ourselves to meet God. He tells us to not be deceived, to pray, and to watch for the signs of his second coming.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Parables
After reading the parable of the unjust steward, I think the thing the Lord wants us to learn the most from that is we need to prepare ourselves for the Kingdom of God. We know what is going to happen to us, and the fact that we have that knowledge should make our preparations much more focused.
From the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man, we can learn a lot about how we need to treat others. The rich man does nothing to serve Lazarus, so when they die, Lazarus goes to what is called "Abraham's bosom," and the rich man goes to Hell. From this parable, the Lord clearly wants us to learn how to treat others properly in this life.
The parables of the 10 lepers teaches us an import lesson about gratitude. The lepers were healed by following the council of the Savior, and though all 10 were healed, only 1 came back to thank Christ. He wants us to learn how to be grateful and how to show our gratitude and be humble.
In the parable of the unjust judge, the Lord wants to teach us to pray always, and that if we pray he will answer us quickly and justly. He will not answer our prayers because we keep asking him something, he will answer our prayers because he loves us.
The Savior gave the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican to teach us to be humble. The pharisee thanked the Lord in prayer for everything he had been given, but then compared himself to the publican. He was very proud of himself and prayed looking towards heaven, while the publican prayed humbly, bowing his head and acknowledging his sins before the Lord.
From the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man, we can learn a lot about how we need to treat others. The rich man does nothing to serve Lazarus, so when they die, Lazarus goes to what is called "Abraham's bosom," and the rich man goes to Hell. From this parable, the Lord clearly wants us to learn how to treat others properly in this life.
The parables of the 10 lepers teaches us an import lesson about gratitude. The lepers were healed by following the council of the Savior, and though all 10 were healed, only 1 came back to thank Christ. He wants us to learn how to be grateful and how to show our gratitude and be humble.
In the parable of the unjust judge, the Lord wants to teach us to pray always, and that if we pray he will answer us quickly and justly. He will not answer our prayers because we keep asking him something, he will answer our prayers because he loves us.
The Savior gave the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican to teach us to be humble. The pharisee thanked the Lord in prayer for everything he had been given, but then compared himself to the publican. He was very proud of himself and prayed looking towards heaven, while the publican prayed humbly, bowing his head and acknowledging his sins before the Lord.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also
In Luke 10, Jesus establishes the seventy. He called seventy men and told them to go throughout the land in pairs to teach the gospel. He essentially commands them to be missionaries. They are told to invite others to come unto Christ and to partake of the word.
Article of faith number 6 talks about the organization of the church, and that we believe in organizing the church now in modern times the same way that the Savior organized his church during his ministry. Jesus called twelve apostles, the same as we have today, to help serve and assist him in his ministry. He called the seventy, and he commanded them to go throughout the land in pairs, like how missionaries serve today with a companion. As he was the head of the church back then, he remains the head of the church in the latter days.
The scriptures show the existence of the office of the seventy when Jesus calls them in Luke 10, and when they go throughout the land to preach the gospel.
Article of faith number 6 talks about the organization of the church, and that we believe in organizing the church now in modern times the same way that the Savior organized his church during his ministry. Jesus called twelve apostles, the same as we have today, to help serve and assist him in his ministry. He called the seventy, and he commanded them to go throughout the land in pairs, like how missionaries serve today with a companion. As he was the head of the church back then, he remains the head of the church in the latter days.
The scriptures show the existence of the office of the seventy when Jesus calls them in Luke 10, and when they go throughout the land to preach the gospel.
Friday, March 14, 2014
Become as Little Children
We are like little children because we don't understand everything our Father has done for us. He has blessed us in so many ways that we take for granted, and He says he will lead us along and show us the way, much like mortal parents do for their children. We think we may know everything, but the Lord knows how much there is for us to learn, and he will teach us all those things that we have to learn, and He has a great inheritance for us when we finally return to Him.
The Lord would have us be as little children, and we are taught how we may become like one from Mosiah 3:19. We are taught that unless we become like unto little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. To do this we must become submissive to the will of the Lord and willing to do all he has commanded of us. We have to be meek and humble, and realize that were it not for the blessings of the Lord we would have nothing. We must be patient in our sufferings, and full of love. Merely loving everyone is not enough either. We have to love and trust everyone, because that is the nature of the love of a child. They love and trust their parents above everyone else, because they know that there is security in their parents, much like we know of the safety that can come from trusting our Father in Heaven.
The Lord would have us be as little children, and we are taught how we may become like one from Mosiah 3:19. We are taught that unless we become like unto little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. To do this we must become submissive to the will of the Lord and willing to do all he has commanded of us. We have to be meek and humble, and realize that were it not for the blessings of the Lord we would have nothing. We must be patient in our sufferings, and full of love. Merely loving everyone is not enough either. We have to love and trust everyone, because that is the nature of the love of a child. They love and trust their parents above everyone else, because they know that there is security in their parents, much like we know of the safety that can come from trusting our Father in Heaven.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
The Apostles and Christ
When the apostles first saw Christ walking towards them on the water, they were afraid. They thought he was a spirit because the didn't recognize him.
When Jesus called out the apostles, Peter answered with "if it be be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. I think this shows that Peter is doubting whether or not Christ is actually on the water, but he believes that if he is, he will manifest it to him. I think this shows that at this point in time for Peter, he is still trying to solidify his faith in Christ as the Son of God.
According to Matthew 14:30, Peter began to sink on the water because he was afraid of the wind and the storm.
When Peter began to sink, he called out to Jesus "save me." Jesus responds and offers Peter his hand to help him out of the water. The verses use the word immediately to describe how Jesus responded to Peters cry for help.
D&C 88:67 talks about an eye single to the glory of God. This is what made it possible for Peter to walk on water with the Savior. He was so focused on the power of the Savior that he was able to do anything because of his faith. If we apply this concept to our lives, we will be able to do so much more than we ever thought was possible. If we are that focused on the Lord, there will not be anything to distract us from his glory, and we will be so much stronger and it will be so much easier for us to draw closer to him and to serve him.
When Jesus called out the apostles, Peter answered with "if it be be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. I think this shows that Peter is doubting whether or not Christ is actually on the water, but he believes that if he is, he will manifest it to him. I think this shows that at this point in time for Peter, he is still trying to solidify his faith in Christ as the Son of God.
According to Matthew 14:30, Peter began to sink on the water because he was afraid of the wind and the storm.
When Peter began to sink, he called out to Jesus "save me." Jesus responds and offers Peter his hand to help him out of the water. The verses use the word immediately to describe how Jesus responded to Peters cry for help.
D&C 88:67 talks about an eye single to the glory of God. This is what made it possible for Peter to walk on water with the Savior. He was so focused on the power of the Savior that he was able to do anything because of his faith. If we apply this concept to our lives, we will be able to do so much more than we ever thought was possible. If we are that focused on the Lord, there will not be anything to distract us from his glory, and we will be so much stronger and it will be so much easier for us to draw closer to him and to serve him.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Parables
Parable- A parable is a story that teaches spiritual truths, using temporal lessons and examples to convey spiritual messages that will only be learned if one is already spiritually inclined to learn them.
What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
The parable of the leaven
Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?
The Parable of the Mustard seed.
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?
The parable of the leaven
Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?
The parable of the treasures and the pearl of great price
Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?
The parable of the wheat and the tares
A major sacrifice I've made for the gospel was my choice in friends. In high school, I never had a very good group of friends, but as I matured more spiritually, I realized I would never become the person the Lord wanted me to be if I continued to associate with that group of friends. I began to draw away from them and as I did that I began to grow stronger spiritually. Another sacrifice I have been trying to make is the music I listen to. The spirit can be offended so easily, and after being at BYUI I have begun to recognize this and there has been a noticeable difference in the spirit I feel when I listen to appropriate music.
The net in the parable is like the Kingdom of God. When we are gathered into the net, we are brought before the judgment bar of God, and the action of gathering the good vessels and removing the bad is when we will be judged of God, and if our works are found to be righteous we will live with our Heavenly Father in the Celestial Kingdom with eternal happiness, but if we are cast out, we will live in endless torment and woe like the Devil.
What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
The parable of the leaven
Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?
The Parable of the Mustard seed.
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?
The parable of the leaven
Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?
The parable of the treasures and the pearl of great price
Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?
The parable of the wheat and the tares
A major sacrifice I've made for the gospel was my choice in friends. In high school, I never had a very good group of friends, but as I matured more spiritually, I realized I would never become the person the Lord wanted me to be if I continued to associate with that group of friends. I began to draw away from them and as I did that I began to grow stronger spiritually. Another sacrifice I have been trying to make is the music I listen to. The spirit can be offended so easily, and after being at BYUI I have begun to recognize this and there has been a noticeable difference in the spirit I feel when I listen to appropriate music.
The net in the parable is like the Kingdom of God. When we are gathered into the net, we are brought before the judgment bar of God, and the action of gathering the good vessels and removing the bad is when we will be judged of God, and if our works are found to be righteous we will live with our Heavenly Father in the Celestial Kingdom with eternal happiness, but if we are cast out, we will live in endless torment and woe like the Devil.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
An Apostle of the Lord
The original 12 apostles are Peter, James, Andrew, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Lebbaeus, Simon, and Judas.
James- He was with Jesus at the Transfiguration.
John- He was one of the inner circle of the three.
Thomas- his name means a twin.
Apostle- Someone who is sent forth of the Lord to be a special witness of Him.
In preparing His apostles to teach throughout the land, He taught them how to be humble, and who they should seek to teach. He taught them how to interact with the people he was teaching and what to teach them. He taught them to have faith, and to teach by the power of the Spirit.
We can learn a lot from the example Peter, James, and John showed in Luke 5:1-11. The had exhausted all of their resources and knew that there were not fish in the sea for them to catch. However, when Jesus instructed them to go out one more time, they were blessed beyond what they would have ever expected. They were greatly humbled by this, and worshipped the power of the Savior. We can learn from this example, to trust in the Lord, and when he blesses us as he has promised, we have to recognize his hand in all things and show gratitude for that. We must show humility because there is no way we would be able to do all that we do without him.
James- He was with Jesus at the Transfiguration.
John- He was one of the inner circle of the three.
Thomas- his name means a twin.
Apostle- Someone who is sent forth of the Lord to be a special witness of Him.
In preparing His apostles to teach throughout the land, He taught them how to be humble, and who they should seek to teach. He taught them how to interact with the people he was teaching and what to teach them. He taught them to have faith, and to teach by the power of the Spirit.
We can learn a lot from the example Peter, James, and John showed in Luke 5:1-11. The had exhausted all of their resources and knew that there were not fish in the sea for them to catch. However, when Jesus instructed them to go out one more time, they were blessed beyond what they would have ever expected. They were greatly humbled by this, and worshipped the power of the Savior. We can learn from this example, to trust in the Lord, and when he blesses us as he has promised, we have to recognize his hand in all things and show gratitude for that. We must show humility because there is no way we would be able to do all that we do without him.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
The Beatitudes
Blessed: to be happy from following the commandments of the Lord
There have been many times in my life where I have felt despair, and have mourned because of my inadequacies. During these times, I knew from these beatitudes, that if I turned unto the Lord he would bless me and comfort me. This last week even I was going through a very stressful time and I didn't know how I was going to get through everything, but I walked up the temple at night and the Lord blessed me with the most heartwarming feeling of comfort, and I know that he loves me.
One of my favorite beatitudes is verse 6 of Matthew 5. This scripture talks about hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Many times when I have had a question about the scriptures or when I have just had a desire to learn about the Gospel, I have been able to turn to the Lord in prayer that when I study the scriptures I will allow the Spirit to teach me, and the Lord has always answered my prayer. Every time I have asked that of him, having a desire to learn of the scriptures, he has blessed me with the Spirit which has given me a lot of very humbling personal revelation, and I have been spiritually filled, as the scripture suggests. I know that this will continue to be true in my life whenever I have a true desire to learn about the Gospel.
Another beatitude I try to follow is to be merciful to those around me. I feel like this is one of those beatitudes that everyone can work on a lot more, especially me. I have to be a lot more merciful and forgiving towards others. Things like not getting upset at a roommate for some small trivial thing of giving someone a second chance if they need it are things I definitely need to work on. If I can learn to be merciful to others, I know the Lord will have mercy on my when I need it most and that is something I will strive for because the Lords tender mercies are one of the greatest things he can give to us.
There have been many times in my life where I have felt despair, and have mourned because of my inadequacies. During these times, I knew from these beatitudes, that if I turned unto the Lord he would bless me and comfort me. This last week even I was going through a very stressful time and I didn't know how I was going to get through everything, but I walked up the temple at night and the Lord blessed me with the most heartwarming feeling of comfort, and I know that he loves me.
One of my favorite beatitudes is verse 6 of Matthew 5. This scripture talks about hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Many times when I have had a question about the scriptures or when I have just had a desire to learn about the Gospel, I have been able to turn to the Lord in prayer that when I study the scriptures I will allow the Spirit to teach me, and the Lord has always answered my prayer. Every time I have asked that of him, having a desire to learn of the scriptures, he has blessed me with the Spirit which has given me a lot of very humbling personal revelation, and I have been spiritually filled, as the scripture suggests. I know that this will continue to be true in my life whenever I have a true desire to learn about the Gospel.
Another beatitude I try to follow is to be merciful to those around me. I feel like this is one of those beatitudes that everyone can work on a lot more, especially me. I have to be a lot more merciful and forgiving towards others. Things like not getting upset at a roommate for some small trivial thing of giving someone a second chance if they need it are things I definitely need to work on. If I can learn to be merciful to others, I know the Lord will have mercy on my when I need it most and that is something I will strive for because the Lords tender mercies are one of the greatest things he can give to us.
Birth of John the Baptist
Zacharias was told by the angel that many would rejoice at the birth of his son. There were many reasons for the people to rejoice over the birth of John. Zacharias was given many great prophecies in regard to his birth. He proclaimed that the House of Israel had been redeemed, that the Abrahamic covenant would be fulfilled, that they would be delivered from their enemies. Zacharias also prophesied that he would be called "the prophet of the Highest" and to "give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins." He was prophesied to prepare the coming of Jesus Christ, so the birth of John would mean the coming of the Savior into the world, and the redeeming of Israel.
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