Choice #3: Deuteronomy 10-11; 13-14; 22-24; 26; 28-29, Obedience Bring Blessings; Disobedience Brings Curses
A. Deuteronomy 10-15.
• Where did the Lord direct Moses to keep the tablets containing the Ten Commandments? ----- an ark made of wood.
• What do you think the instruction teaches us about the value the Lord places on the commandments? ------ because of the precise instruction on what the ark must be made of it shows that the Lord feel the commandments most precious.
• Notice the Joseph Smith Translation correction in the footnotes for v.2 Read D&C 84:14-27. What blessings did the Children of Israel deny themselves through their disobedience in the wilderness? ------they will not receive the mysteries or knowledge of God. They also are deprived of the godly ordinances and authority of the priesthood. Without these things Moses taught them that they couldn’t see God in the flesh and live but the children of Israel didn’t listen and so they didn’t get any of theses blessings.
B. Compare Deuteronomy 11:1, 13-14, 22, 30:6,19-20 with Matthew 22:36-40. Write a paragraph that explains why you think this is the most important commandment. Love is an emotion; can emotions be commanded? How can a person love someone they don’t even see? How can we learn to love God?
These scriptures show us that there are many things that we will be blessed with if we will dedicate our lives to loving God, land, blessings and that we might live. And not just ourselves will live but our “seed” as well. We can learn to love his by obeying his voice, I think this will teach us the wonderful things that the Lord is willing to bless us with if we just listen to him. I also think that this is first law because if we can learn to love God the following his commandments will be easier because we will have some understanding of why his subsequent laws are so important. We see that the second great law is loving thy neighbor, we can do this better when we can feel the eternal love of the Lord. I think that we can learn to love him without seeing him through faith, if we believe that he is there and supreme then we have to believe that all good comes from him, bad too but that comes more from agency. When we can understand and have faith then loving without seeing is a little easier.
C. Read Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 11:8-9; 13:4 and 26:17-19. Describe what theses verses have in common. Explain why you think the Lord places such a strong emphasis on obedience to the commandments. Also note in your paragraph how Mosiah 2:41 and D&C 130:20-21 applies to this question.
All of these scripture are telling us that if we will follow God then we can prosper and live a full life. If we will be true and faithful then we can be part of the chosen people of God. We have to love him and understand his power and authority, this is the only way that we can have all the blessings that are promised to the chosen people. Mosiah and D&C apply because they also tell us of the blessings of happiness and fulfillment that can only come through loving the Lord.
D. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and list results of obeying the commandments; then skim through Deuteronomy 28:15-65 and list of the consequences of disobeying the commandments. Helaman 12:3 and write purposes the Lord has for sometimes chastening his children with “many afflictions.”
-Obeying the Commandments of God:
• On high above all nations of earth
• Blessed shalt thou be in the field
• Blessed fruit of the body
• Fruit of the ground
• Fruit of the cattle
• Increase of kine
• Increase of sheep
• Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store
• Blessed when coming out and in
• The Lord will smite your enemies
• Blessings upon your storehouse
• Everything you touch will be blessed
• The land you own
• Establish a holy place for you.
• Everyone will see you are of the Lord and be afraid of you
• Plenty of goods and children and animals and food
• The Lord will keep all the promises given to your fathers
• You will never have to borrow
• You will be the head and not the tail
• Always above never below
-Disobeying the Commandments of God
• Curse on your fields
• Curse on your basket and store
• Curse on your children, flocks and food
• Cursed when coming and going
• You will be destroyed and perish quickly
• Pestilence cleave unto you
• You will be sick always
• Your crops will not grow
• Your enemies will defeat you
• Botch of Egypt on you
• You will not prosper
• Nothing will go right for you
• All your flocks and cattle will disease and die
• You will oppressed and crushed always
• Your body will be ruined
• Your nation will not prosper and be ruled by others
• You will be always hungry and thirsty
• You will be destroyed
Helaman tells us that if the Lord doesn’t bring these things to the people and show them when they aren’t following the Lord that they will not remember him. These afflictions are to remind us the importance of the Lord.
E. The Lord clearly stated consequences of disobedience, but He does not desire to curse His children. Deuteronomy 4:29-31; 26:7-11; Isaiah 55:6-7; Ezekiel 18:21-23; and Mosiah 26:30. Write a paragraph describing the Lord’s mercies and what His greatest desires are. Include in you statement how it makes you feel to know that God is kind, loving and merciful.
The Lord will continue to give us hardships and afflictions when we forget him because he will not forget about us. He wants us to realize and recognize our faults so that we can return to him. I love the scripture in Isaiah when he tells us to seek the Lord while he is near, because he is easier to find. This is true and when we are able to find him then we know that the Lord will forgive our fault and mistakes. The Lord giving us many chances to be forgiven and v. 23 of Ezekiel when it is obvious that the Lord would have rather had the wicked turn from the wickedness than have them die. God loves us and wants us to live and return to him. While reading this week I was troubled by the men woman and children killed, this is a comfort to understand then they wouldn’t have helped further God’s purpose and wouldn’t have changed. If there were a chance that they could have left their evil ways then God would have let them live. In Mosiah it tells us that God will continue to let us live and forgive us as long as there is a chance that we will repents, and every time that we repent he will forgive us. I know that we must fear God and respect him but it is a comfort to know that He loves us so much that it doesn’t matter how many times we sin, if they are repent able sins then we will be forgiven if we just reach out to him.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Numbers 21:4-9
Heather Orme
Numbers 21:4-9 and Point to Ponder sec. 212.
1.What did the Children of Israel do that resulted in the curse of the “fiery serpents”?
First the Children of Israel were “discouraged because of the way” (v. 4). Then they began to murmur against the Lord, and Moses. They were angry that the journey was hard; they didn’t have enough water or food.
2.In what ways are people today sometimes like unto the children of Israel anciently? (Nephi 17:45)
The scripture tells us that children of Israel were quick to sin and slow to remember all the things the Lord has done for them. The Lord has sent angles and spoken to them but they are still unwilling to feel and listen to the Spirit. We are just like that today, look around us! We have so many wonderful blessings, Television, internet, comfortable cars and homes but not only do we want more but we abuse these wonderful resources that we have. Instead of watching information or uplifting things we watch terrible movies and shows. The internet is such a wonderful tool that we use for learning and for furthering the work of the Lord instead we fill it with pornography and trashy images for children and other innocent victims to find. Our cars and homes are so nice and fully capable of keeping us warm and comfortable but still we want nicer cars, better homes and more things to fill them with. God has created this world for us and in creating it he has spoken to us, shows that he loves us but still we turn away. Still we are quick to sin and slow to listen and remember our God. It is terrifying to think about wandering around in the desert for 40 years but I wonder how long we have all been wondering because of the iniquity on the earth today. We are blessed with the true gospel but do we always adhere to the teachings and use these resources for good? I think that we can do better, for the third phase to come we must prepare and be ready just like the Children of Israel had to be ready to find the promised land.
3. According to Alma 33:18-22 what did the brazen serpent symbolize?
It was as symbol of belief in the Lord. If the people really believed then they would have quickly looked at the serpent, but because some really didn’t adhere to the teaching of Moses nor truly believe in the teachings of the Lord. We learn from Alma that by looking to be healed as the believers in Moses’ day then we can be.
4. How does one “look to” Jesus Christ for healing?
The children of Israel literally only had to “look” to be healed. We must look also but in a more symbolic way. We have seek for healing. While I read this passage I couldn’t help but think of the talk by Elder Scott in the 2008 conference. His talk was on the consequences of abuse. In the talk it talks to the victims and tells them that while they can’t make the abuser apologize but through the Lord they can be fully healed. God is there to make us happy and Christ died for our sins so that we can move past them. Victims of abuse aren’t sinning by being abused but they might be by not forgiving. In this they can turn to or “look to” the Lord for healing their emotional and physical wounds wholly.
5. Aside from physical healing, how can “looking to” the Savior heal a person in other ways?
I like Elder Scott's talk tells us “There are many ways to begin healing, but remember that a full cure comes through the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Master and Redeemer.” I think that when we are hurt in anyway, whether physically or as Elder Scott is talking about emotionally we can truly and entirely be healed only through Christ. There are so many times in our lives that we need to be healed and that can come better and quicker if we only look to our Heavenly Father.
6.Where else do people sometimes turn to healing other than the Savior?
I know that when I have my feelings hurt I often turn to my husband or family. I come from a family of all girls, my sisters often take the “it’s their problem and they are a bad person” approach when it comes to a hurtful action or word. When I go to my husband he is opposite, its more of the “maybe they were having a bad day, try and look at it from their point of view.” Obviously this is the right way but I know that when I hear mean thing about the person that hurt me I feel better for about 3 seconds but the hurt doesn’t leave, it only turns to anger or pride on my part. If I would be more Christ like or ask for understanding the conflict would be resolved much quicker. The world I think often turns to the easier and much more offending alternative like me. They might turn to drinking or revenge for hurt. Often violence is an outlet for hurt. If everyone would turn to Christ for healing I can’t imagine the kinds of hurt that would be avoided in the world.
7. What are simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ that can heal us?
I think that prayer is something that can heal us. Often instead of turning to gossip and rumors we can let tell God of our frustration and those feelings of being understood and loved can enter our hearts and minds. This will lead to a less hurtful resolution.
Numbers 21:4-9 and Point to Ponder sec. 212.
1.What did the Children of Israel do that resulted in the curse of the “fiery serpents”?
First the Children of Israel were “discouraged because of the way” (v. 4). Then they began to murmur against the Lord, and Moses. They were angry that the journey was hard; they didn’t have enough water or food.
2.In what ways are people today sometimes like unto the children of Israel anciently? (Nephi 17:45)
The scripture tells us that children of Israel were quick to sin and slow to remember all the things the Lord has done for them. The Lord has sent angles and spoken to them but they are still unwilling to feel and listen to the Spirit. We are just like that today, look around us! We have so many wonderful blessings, Television, internet, comfortable cars and homes but not only do we want more but we abuse these wonderful resources that we have. Instead of watching information or uplifting things we watch terrible movies and shows. The internet is such a wonderful tool that we use for learning and for furthering the work of the Lord instead we fill it with pornography and trashy images for children and other innocent victims to find. Our cars and homes are so nice and fully capable of keeping us warm and comfortable but still we want nicer cars, better homes and more things to fill them with. God has created this world for us and in creating it he has spoken to us, shows that he loves us but still we turn away. Still we are quick to sin and slow to listen and remember our God. It is terrifying to think about wandering around in the desert for 40 years but I wonder how long we have all been wondering because of the iniquity on the earth today. We are blessed with the true gospel but do we always adhere to the teachings and use these resources for good? I think that we can do better, for the third phase to come we must prepare and be ready just like the Children of Israel had to be ready to find the promised land.
3. According to Alma 33:18-22 what did the brazen serpent symbolize?
It was as symbol of belief in the Lord. If the people really believed then they would have quickly looked at the serpent, but because some really didn’t adhere to the teaching of Moses nor truly believe in the teachings of the Lord. We learn from Alma that by looking to be healed as the believers in Moses’ day then we can be.
4. How does one “look to” Jesus Christ for healing?
The children of Israel literally only had to “look” to be healed. We must look also but in a more symbolic way. We have seek for healing. While I read this passage I couldn’t help but think of the talk by Elder Scott in the 2008 conference. His talk was on the consequences of abuse. In the talk it talks to the victims and tells them that while they can’t make the abuser apologize but through the Lord they can be fully healed. God is there to make us happy and Christ died for our sins so that we can move past them. Victims of abuse aren’t sinning by being abused but they might be by not forgiving. In this they can turn to or “look to” the Lord for healing their emotional and physical wounds wholly.
5. Aside from physical healing, how can “looking to” the Savior heal a person in other ways?
I like Elder Scott's talk tells us “There are many ways to begin healing, but remember that a full cure comes through the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Master and Redeemer.” I think that when we are hurt in anyway, whether physically or as Elder Scott is talking about emotionally we can truly and entirely be healed only through Christ. There are so many times in our lives that we need to be healed and that can come better and quicker if we only look to our Heavenly Father.
6.Where else do people sometimes turn to healing other than the Savior?
I know that when I have my feelings hurt I often turn to my husband or family. I come from a family of all girls, my sisters often take the “it’s their problem and they are a bad person” approach when it comes to a hurtful action or word. When I go to my husband he is opposite, its more of the “maybe they were having a bad day, try and look at it from their point of view.” Obviously this is the right way but I know that when I hear mean thing about the person that hurt me I feel better for about 3 seconds but the hurt doesn’t leave, it only turns to anger or pride on my part. If I would be more Christ like or ask for understanding the conflict would be resolved much quicker. The world I think often turns to the easier and much more offending alternative like me. They might turn to drinking or revenge for hurt. Often violence is an outlet for hurt. If everyone would turn to Christ for healing I can’t imagine the kinds of hurt that would be avoided in the world.
7. What are simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ that can heal us?
I think that prayer is something that can heal us. Often instead of turning to gossip and rumors we can let tell God of our frustration and those feelings of being understood and loved can enter our hearts and minds. This will lead to a less hurtful resolution.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Leviticus 11/ Word of Wisdom
Student choice Assignment Choice #1
A) Leviticus 11:1-30
Clean Animals
• Any fish in the waters that have scales and fins
• Whatever Parte the hoof
• Is cloven footed
• Chew the Cud
• Locust
• Bald Locust
• Beetle
• Grasshopper
Unclean Animals
Camel
• Coney
• Hare
• Swine
• Eagle
• Ossifrage
• Ospray
• Vulture
• Kite
• Raven
• Owl
• Night Hawk
• Cuckow
• Hawk
• Little Owl
• Cormorant
• Great Owl
• Swan
• Pelican
• Gier Eagle
• Stork
• Heron
• Lapwing
• Bat
• Weasel
• Mouse
• Tortoise
• Ferret
• Chameleon
• Lizard
• Snail
• Mole
B) The Student Manual tells us that the fowl of the air were normally birds that were birds of prey with the exception of the Heron and Stork but they might have eaten things that were considered unclean. Land animals had to have a foot separated into two parts and chew a cud. The whole dietary code is said to be symbolic and a system. God used this as a teaching tool. People had to make conscious choices to stay obedient to the laws of God each time they ate, it also helped set them apart as Hebrews.
C) Doctrine and Covenants 89:5-17
Ordained for Use
• Pure wine of the Grape
• Tobacco is a herb for bruises and sick cattle
• Herbs in season
• Flesh of beasts (sparingly)
• Flesh of fowls(sparingly)
• Grain
• Fruit (from ground or not)
• Mild Drinks
Restricted from Use
• Wine
• Strong Drink
• Tobacco
• Hot Drinks
D) Leviticus 1:43-47/ Corinthians 6:19-20/ D&C 89 1-4,18-21. Why did the Lord declare some things clean and other unclean. How does the Word of Wisdom part of the Sanctification process and what is a way that I can be more clean in my life.
I think that somethings were said to be unclean because first it might have just been another way for the Hebrews to set themselves apart as God’s people. It also says in Leviticus 11 that it will help sanctify them as God is. It is possible this helped bring them closer to God. Corinthians really paints the picture that by not following the Laws of Moses they weren’t respecting the gift of a body that God gave them. We have to learn that by respecting our bodies we are honoring our Father in Heaven because he paid for them they were” bought with a price” (v. 20).
The Word of Wisdom I think is another way that the Lord asks us like he did the Children of Israel to make commitments to him. By choosing to pass on wine or tobacco we are renewing our promises to follow his commandments. We are promised great knowledge and protection when we follow him, this helps in the sanctification process because when our minds are clear we are able to hear, understand and complete the tasks that the Lord gives us.
I can remember that my body is a temple, that by taking care of if I am showing my Heavenly Father that I love him. I need to be better about eating good food and exercising more.
A) Leviticus 11:1-30
Clean Animals
• Any fish in the waters that have scales and fins
• Whatever Parte the hoof
• Is cloven footed
• Chew the Cud
• Locust
• Bald Locust
• Beetle
• Grasshopper
Unclean Animals
Camel
• Coney
• Hare
• Swine
• Eagle
• Ossifrage
• Ospray
• Vulture
• Kite
• Raven
• Owl
• Night Hawk
• Cuckow
• Hawk
• Little Owl
• Cormorant
• Great Owl
• Swan
• Pelican
• Gier Eagle
• Stork
• Heron
• Lapwing
• Bat
• Weasel
• Mouse
• Tortoise
• Ferret
• Chameleon
• Lizard
• Snail
• Mole
B) The Student Manual tells us that the fowl of the air were normally birds that were birds of prey with the exception of the Heron and Stork but they might have eaten things that were considered unclean. Land animals had to have a foot separated into two parts and chew a cud. The whole dietary code is said to be symbolic and a system. God used this as a teaching tool. People had to make conscious choices to stay obedient to the laws of God each time they ate, it also helped set them apart as Hebrews.
C) Doctrine and Covenants 89:5-17
Ordained for Use
• Pure wine of the Grape
• Tobacco is a herb for bruises and sick cattle
• Herbs in season
• Flesh of beasts (sparingly)
• Flesh of fowls(sparingly)
• Grain
• Fruit (from ground or not)
• Mild Drinks
Restricted from Use
• Wine
• Strong Drink
• Tobacco
• Hot Drinks
D) Leviticus 1:43-47/ Corinthians 6:19-20/ D&C 89 1-4,18-21. Why did the Lord declare some things clean and other unclean. How does the Word of Wisdom part of the Sanctification process and what is a way that I can be more clean in my life.
I think that somethings were said to be unclean because first it might have just been another way for the Hebrews to set themselves apart as God’s people. It also says in Leviticus 11 that it will help sanctify them as God is. It is possible this helped bring them closer to God. Corinthians really paints the picture that by not following the Laws of Moses they weren’t respecting the gift of a body that God gave them. We have to learn that by respecting our bodies we are honoring our Father in Heaven because he paid for them they were” bought with a price” (v. 20).
The Word of Wisdom I think is another way that the Lord asks us like he did the Children of Israel to make commitments to him. By choosing to pass on wine or tobacco we are renewing our promises to follow his commandments. We are promised great knowledge and protection when we follow him, this helps in the sanctification process because when our minds are clear we are able to hear, understand and complete the tasks that the Lord gives us.
I can remember that my body is a temple, that by taking care of if I am showing my Heavenly Father that I love him. I need to be better about eating good food and exercising more.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Exodus 20:3-17
Choice 1 Exodus 20:3-17
A. The 10 Commandments
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Love God)
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (Love God)
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Love God)
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Love God)
5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Love Neighbor)
6. Thou shalt not kill. (Love Neighbor)
7.Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Love Neighbor)
8. Thou shalt not steal. (Love Neighbor)
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Love Neighbor)
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (Love Neighbor)
2 Great Commandments:
1. Thou shalt love the lord thy God with all thy heart and with all they soul and with all they mind.
2. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
B. The three commandment that I feel are neglected today most and that would make the most difference if followed are:
1. Thou salt have no other gods before me
2. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
3. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.
The first commandment is that we shouldn’t have anything above God, honestly I always thought that this was because we should appreciate his love and sacrifice that he has always given us freely. After reading the manual I see that there are many more reasons, I didn’t think of the fact that God said himself that his work is to bring man to immortality and eternal life. When we don’t remember him then we can’t make it back to him, therefore we mess with his goal. We have to have God first in our lives, it makes it easier to hear and listen to him, if we put things like money first then we are only ruining our communication ability with God. If the world would put God first then we could all listen harmoniously making the world work flawlessly.
The second thing I feel the world is not following is keeping the Sabbath day holy. I know that even we as church members do this too. This doesn’t even mean just going out and spending money on Sunday but remembering God the whole day. I watch movies and visit friends on this day when I should be reading scripture or writing in journals. There are so many good things to do, but because we put things before the Lord we quickly and easily forget Him. Imagine if no one ever spent money on anything on Sunday, it would eliminate the need for people to work making it possible for everyone to be at home with family, focus on the Lord and to rest their bodies from the 6 other days of labor.
The last commandment that I thought would make a huge difference in the world if followed by everyone is to not covet thy neighbor’s house. I feel that coveting others’ things is the source for people breaking other commandments. Do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery; theses all happen when you covet something of someone else. The manual explains how this commandment is so intertwined with the other commandments and I see how that is so true. This is the reason that we can’t really pick and choose commandments to keep. When we don’t follow one then it is interesting how other commandments follow in the decline. Not following one commandment is the very epitome of a slippery slope. If the world were to learn to not covet there would be less crime, murder, discontent and anger. Peace and charity would reign.
A. The 10 Commandments
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Love God)
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (Love God)
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Love God)
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Love God)
5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. (Love Neighbor)
6. Thou shalt not kill. (Love Neighbor)
7.Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Love Neighbor)
8. Thou shalt not steal. (Love Neighbor)
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Love Neighbor)
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (Love Neighbor)
2 Great Commandments:
1. Thou shalt love the lord thy God with all thy heart and with all they soul and with all they mind.
2. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
B. The three commandment that I feel are neglected today most and that would make the most difference if followed are:
1. Thou salt have no other gods before me
2. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
3. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house.
The first commandment is that we shouldn’t have anything above God, honestly I always thought that this was because we should appreciate his love and sacrifice that he has always given us freely. After reading the manual I see that there are many more reasons, I didn’t think of the fact that God said himself that his work is to bring man to immortality and eternal life. When we don’t remember him then we can’t make it back to him, therefore we mess with his goal. We have to have God first in our lives, it makes it easier to hear and listen to him, if we put things like money first then we are only ruining our communication ability with God. If the world would put God first then we could all listen harmoniously making the world work flawlessly.
The second thing I feel the world is not following is keeping the Sabbath day holy. I know that even we as church members do this too. This doesn’t even mean just going out and spending money on Sunday but remembering God the whole day. I watch movies and visit friends on this day when I should be reading scripture or writing in journals. There are so many good things to do, but because we put things before the Lord we quickly and easily forget Him. Imagine if no one ever spent money on anything on Sunday, it would eliminate the need for people to work making it possible for everyone to be at home with family, focus on the Lord and to rest their bodies from the 6 other days of labor.
The last commandment that I thought would make a huge difference in the world if followed by everyone is to not covet thy neighbor’s house. I feel that coveting others’ things is the source for people breaking other commandments. Do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery; theses all happen when you covet something of someone else. The manual explains how this commandment is so intertwined with the other commandments and I see how that is so true. This is the reason that we can’t really pick and choose commandments to keep. When we don’t follow one then it is interesting how other commandments follow in the decline. Not following one commandment is the very epitome of a slippery slope. If the world were to learn to not covet there would be less crime, murder, discontent and anger. Peace and charity would reign.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
How the children of Israel were symbolically saved by water and fire. Exodus 14: 19-30 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
How the children of Israel were symbolically saved by water and fire. Exodus 14: 19-30 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
I know how the Lord saved the children of Israel literally by water and fire but it took some digging to figure out how the Lord symbolically saved the Israelites. Looking in Corinthians it talks about how the Children of Israel were baptized by passing through the water in the Red Sea. We all must be baptized to return to our Heavenly Father; therefore he made it possible for the children of Israel to return to him. Corinthians also tells us that the pillar was also a way that the Lord baptized his people by fire. The student manual also tells us that the “overshadowing of the cloud or pillar of fire were clearly types of symbols of the baptism of water and fire” (pg. 121). This is congruent to the explanation by Paul in Corinthians 10. I think that by symbolically baptizing the children of Israel God was saving them with the water and fire. My question is why would he save them by water and fire? I think that by literally protecting Israel by fire the Lord was also showing them his glory; he was the warrior against the whole Egyptian army (student manual 121). By using fire God was showing the Israelites that he could and would protect them by any mean possible. To truly be cleansed you must be born of water and fire, this was Gods ways to truly make a new life and heritage for the children of Israel. With baptism of fire they now have the holy spirit with them. All of these may be contributing factors to why God would symbolically baptize the children of Israel.
I know how the Lord saved the children of Israel literally by water and fire but it took some digging to figure out how the Lord symbolically saved the Israelites. Looking in Corinthians it talks about how the Children of Israel were baptized by passing through the water in the Red Sea. We all must be baptized to return to our Heavenly Father; therefore he made it possible for the children of Israel to return to him. Corinthians also tells us that the pillar was also a way that the Lord baptized his people by fire. The student manual also tells us that the “overshadowing of the cloud or pillar of fire were clearly types of symbols of the baptism of water and fire” (pg. 121). This is congruent to the explanation by Paul in Corinthians 10. I think that by symbolically baptizing the children of Israel God was saving them with the water and fire. My question is why would he save them by water and fire? I think that by literally protecting Israel by fire the Lord was also showing them his glory; he was the warrior against the whole Egyptian army (student manual 121). By using fire God was showing the Israelites that he could and would protect them by any mean possible. To truly be cleansed you must be born of water and fire, this was Gods ways to truly make a new life and heritage for the children of Israel. With baptism of fire they now have the holy spirit with them. All of these may be contributing factors to why God would symbolically baptize the children of Israel.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Joseph Enduring his Trials Genesis 29-30, 35,37,39-41
Choice 3: Genesis 29-30, 35, 37, 39-41. Joseph Endured His Trials
A) Jacob’s 12 sons
1. Reuben (Leah)
2. Simeon (Leah)
3. Levi (Leah)
4. Judah (Leah)
5. Dan (Bilhah)
6. Naphtali (Bilhah)
7. Gad (Zilpah)
8. Asher (Zilpah)
9. Issachar (Leah)
10. Zebulun(Leah)
11. Joseph (Rachel)
12. Benjamin (Rachel)
B) What was the Coat of Many Colors? What were some reasons that Joseph’s brothers were envious of him?
The Coat could have been many different things; in the Institute manual it explains that it might have been many colors or simply a long coat that reached to Joseph’s feet and all the way to his wrists. It might have been made of animal skins or cloth, this isn’t clear. The coat might have been the symbolism of Jacob passing on the birthright to Joseph because Reuben had forfeit it. It also makes it obvious that Jacob favored Joseph above all his brothers. It is also apparent that the dreams Joseph had didn’t help with his brothers’ jealously.
C) Challenges of Joseph
Joseph’s first challenge was not being believed about his dreams. Then it was being thrown into a pit by his brothers, then his brothers thought it would be more “profit” if they sold him into slavery. Joseph was then sold to Potipher, the Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. I wonder how Joseph felt about all this because we don’t ever hear his thoughts the whole chapter, but judging from his attitude during the rest of his challenges he knows that what the Lord has in store for him, and he knows that he will be protected because the Lord is with him. I think he is sad either way that his brother’s hate him but knows that in end he will be serving them. Today’s youth might face jealousy, when we are doing as the Lord would do then it is noticed. It doesn’t seem to be taken notice that the person is humble but when they are receiving lots of attention it’s natural for other’s to think they are conceited or don’t deserve what is given. I hope that no youth is being sold into slavery but they can be abused for their beliefs and speaking the truth like Joseph did with his dreams.
D) Similar Phrase in Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23
“The Lord was with Joseph”
1. The reason that the Lord was still with Joseph because he didn’t fall to temptation and “lie” with his master’s wife. I think that this decition would have been made when we choose to follow the Lord. Joseph knows that you can’t follow God in some ways and not in others. When he understood that God would bless him and his seed he knew who to follow.
2. We learn from Genesis 40-41 that the Lord stayed with Joseph during his time in prison, we can see the evidence of this through the baker and butler. The Lord placed Joseph in prison so that in the end he could leave prison and save Egypt from the drought. If he had been but three days late then he couldn’t have met either of these men and showed them that the Lord was with him, making the interpretation of their dream impossible. I think that through Joseph’s faith and by not murmuring that we see how the Lord was with him so strongly during the terrible times in his life. I don’t know how he did it, it does seem that every time that Joseph did right he was punished but because of his faith he knew the Lord was with him and would bless him.
3. Unfortunately we are all going to have bad things happen, we will always be put in hard positions and by not complaining and by showing our faith we can be more than just workers we will become tools in the hands of God. We are often told that the Lord’s plan for us is so much larger than the one we have for ourselves, if we trust the Lord he will take us to places that we couldn’t imagine.
We can also learn how to forgive. I don’t know how Joseph found forgiveness in him for his brothers after then threw him in pit, sold him then told their father he was dead. It is an incredible feat to then look at them with love.
I also think we can remember that the Lord will bless us if we trust. It’s more that just knowing that the Lord will bless us but we have to remember that he will get us there on his time and in his way. The Lord’s timing is perfect and things will work together perfectly if we will just let him run the show. Joseph is a perfect example of this, he went where he was put and didn’t show anger at the Lord but trust because he knew that he was doing what is right.
A) Jacob’s 12 sons
1. Reuben (Leah)
2. Simeon (Leah)
3. Levi (Leah)
4. Judah (Leah)
5. Dan (Bilhah)
6. Naphtali (Bilhah)
7. Gad (Zilpah)
8. Asher (Zilpah)
9. Issachar (Leah)
10. Zebulun(Leah)
11. Joseph (Rachel)
12. Benjamin (Rachel)
B) What was the Coat of Many Colors? What were some reasons that Joseph’s brothers were envious of him?
The Coat could have been many different things; in the Institute manual it explains that it might have been many colors or simply a long coat that reached to Joseph’s feet and all the way to his wrists. It might have been made of animal skins or cloth, this isn’t clear. The coat might have been the symbolism of Jacob passing on the birthright to Joseph because Reuben had forfeit it. It also makes it obvious that Jacob favored Joseph above all his brothers. It is also apparent that the dreams Joseph had didn’t help with his brothers’ jealously.
C) Challenges of Joseph
Joseph’s first challenge was not being believed about his dreams. Then it was being thrown into a pit by his brothers, then his brothers thought it would be more “profit” if they sold him into slavery. Joseph was then sold to Potipher, the Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. I wonder how Joseph felt about all this because we don’t ever hear his thoughts the whole chapter, but judging from his attitude during the rest of his challenges he knows that what the Lord has in store for him, and he knows that he will be protected because the Lord is with him. I think he is sad either way that his brother’s hate him but knows that in end he will be serving them. Today’s youth might face jealousy, when we are doing as the Lord would do then it is noticed. It doesn’t seem to be taken notice that the person is humble but when they are receiving lots of attention it’s natural for other’s to think they are conceited or don’t deserve what is given. I hope that no youth is being sold into slavery but they can be abused for their beliefs and speaking the truth like Joseph did with his dreams.
D) Similar Phrase in Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23
“The Lord was with Joseph”
1. The reason that the Lord was still with Joseph because he didn’t fall to temptation and “lie” with his master’s wife. I think that this decition would have been made when we choose to follow the Lord. Joseph knows that you can’t follow God in some ways and not in others. When he understood that God would bless him and his seed he knew who to follow.
2. We learn from Genesis 40-41 that the Lord stayed with Joseph during his time in prison, we can see the evidence of this through the baker and butler. The Lord placed Joseph in prison so that in the end he could leave prison and save Egypt from the drought. If he had been but three days late then he couldn’t have met either of these men and showed them that the Lord was with him, making the interpretation of their dream impossible. I think that through Joseph’s faith and by not murmuring that we see how the Lord was with him so strongly during the terrible times in his life. I don’t know how he did it, it does seem that every time that Joseph did right he was punished but because of his faith he knew the Lord was with him and would bless him.
3. Unfortunately we are all going to have bad things happen, we will always be put in hard positions and by not complaining and by showing our faith we can be more than just workers we will become tools in the hands of God. We are often told that the Lord’s plan for us is so much larger than the one we have for ourselves, if we trust the Lord he will take us to places that we couldn’t imagine.
We can also learn how to forgive. I don’t know how Joseph found forgiveness in him for his brothers after then threw him in pit, sold him then told their father he was dead. It is an incredible feat to then look at them with love.
I also think we can remember that the Lord will bless us if we trust. It’s more that just knowing that the Lord will bless us but we have to remember that he will get us there on his time and in his way. The Lord’s timing is perfect and things will work together perfectly if we will just let him run the show. Joseph is a perfect example of this, he went where he was put and didn’t show anger at the Lord but trust because he knew that he was doing what is right.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Genesis 12-23 reading. Thoughts on Melchizedek
“The Prince of Peace” is a title that we reserved for Christ. I feel silly that I didn’t realize that this is actually referring to the most righteous King Melchizedek. I found this reading extremely interesting and helpful in understanding where Abraham came to learn and have the authority to do things in the name of God. I knew there was a man named Melchizedek but didn’t know anything about him, I feel silly saying that I normally leave the priesthood learning to the men. Obviously I am missing out on some really great knowledge.
As far as Shem and Melchizedek being the same person I don’t know. I wonder how it could be possible that Shem being one of about 8 people on the earth could possibly see the Earth grow to have several cities as well as many different races in his lifetime. It could be because those men were living to be about 900 years old. I don’t have enough experience or knowledge to give any kind of educated insight on this debate. I don’t see how they couldn’t be the same person if Melchizedek wasn’t named as one of the great patriarchs but Shem was (Pres. Joseph F. Smith's vision). He seems to be a great man and should be named so through all time.
As far as Shem and Melchizedek being the same person I don’t know. I wonder how it could be possible that Shem being one of about 8 people on the earth could possibly see the Earth grow to have several cities as well as many different races in his lifetime. It could be because those men were living to be about 900 years old. I don’t have enough experience or knowledge to give any kind of educated insight on this debate. I don’t see how they couldn’t be the same person if Melchizedek wasn’t named as one of the great patriarchs but Shem was (Pres. Joseph F. Smith's vision). He seems to be a great man and should be named so through all time.
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