Haggai. Week 13

Choice 2: 

The Value and Importance of the Temple

                                                                Winter Quarters Temple, Florence, Nebraska                                                               The temple I was married in.

(a) What did Haggai say were the consequences for delaying the building of the temple? 

He said there would be a drought (a stay of dew) and famine (a stay of fruit) in the land.

What do you think it means to put your wages “into a bag with holes”? 

I think it means that when you work hard and earn your reward but then waste it away either by making poor choices or not using it wisely.

What does Haggai 1:4–6 tell about the priority of the temple in the lives of the people? (see also institute student manual commentary for Haggai 1:7–11, “The Consequences of Disobedience,” pg. 325).

Temple building was not a priority in their lives.  They were choosing the world over the temple building for the Lord.

(b) What did the people do because of Haggai’s message? Explain how you are making the temple the symbol of your membership and how the temple affects the way you live.  

They obeyed the voice of the Lord and started to rebuild the temple.  I love attending the temple, but I, too have neglected building it up, by not attending it as often as I should.  I promise to make it a higher priority by attending at least 6 times a year with my husband and alone.  Knowing that I need to be worthy to enter the temple prompts me to question every desire that I have forcing me to account for all my actions and if doing something could keep me from being in my Heavenly Fathers home.

(c) From Haggai 2 list the blessings and knowledge the people would have if they worked to rebuild the temple. Also, record three main points that describe how the temple is a place of peace.

blessings & knowledge:

• will receive the spirit
• will have peace
• desire of nations will be completely fulfilled

the temple is a place of peace because:

1. it has the glory of God in it
2. will receive the same blessings they received in the first temple
3. it is where the Lord will come

Micha; Nahum. Week 12.

 “The Lord Shall Reign”

Choice 1:

 Read Micah 1:1–9; 2:1–11. Write a brief statement describing what Micah prophesied would happen to Israel and Samaria.  

The Lord would come down.  The mountains will be molten and the valleys will melt like wax.  Graven images, hires, and idols will be destroyed.  He also preached to the wealthy and greedy people and spoke of their evils and transgressions and then told them to leave the land.

Read Micah 3:4–12 and list the reasons why these things happened to them.

The people had been listening to the false prophets and had hardened their hearts to the truthfulness of Micah’s prophecies.  Because of their evils, God did not hear or answer their cries.

Read Micah 4:1–3 and the institute student manual commentary for Micah 4:1–2, “What Special Meaning Do These Verses Have for Latter-day Saints?” (pg. 121). Then make a second list of Israel’s future reasons for hope.

If we follow the commandments we will be blessed.  If we bring forth and establish Zion, and labor with all our might, mind, and strength, we will have a place in the Celestial world.

What additional insights does Doctrine and Covenants 45:66–71 reveal about Micah 4:6–8?

The righteous will be assembled with the Lord and will live together in peace and joy.

(c) In your own words summarize the teachings in Micah 4:12; Isaiah 55:8–9.

Basically it’s saying that the Lord’s way is the only way we should follow and obey because it is the correct way.

(d) Read Micah 5:1–5 and the institute student manual commentary for Micah 5:1-4, “But Thou, Bethlehem, ... out of Thee Shall He Come ... That Is to Be Ruler in Israel,” (pg. 122). Then list what Micah said about the first and second coming of the Lord.

The prophecy that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem and that he would be a ruler of Israel was fulfilled.  He would give it all up and stand in the glory of God and bring us peace.

(e) Read the messages of Micah 7:7–9, 18–19; Nahum 1:1–7 and the institute student manual commentary for Nahum 1:2–10, “The Second Coming” (pgs. 219–20). Then write an outline for a three-minute talk on the topic of “The Last Days and the Second Coming.”

I Israel’s Restoration

A.       Look unto God

1.       If we do this:

Bring forth light

Cast sins into the sea

2.       He promises us:

Will be our light

Plead our cause

Pardon iniquity

Pass over transgression

Will not be angry

Will be compassionate

Will subdue our iniquities

B.       The 2^nd coming

1.        God’s power:

a.       Over nature

b.      Over his enemies

c.       Goodness and justice

Obadiah. Week 11.

Choice 3.  Read Obadiah 1:17, 21; Doctrine and Covenants 128:5, 15; institute student manual Points to Ponder, “Saviors on Mount Zion” (pg. 259); Bible Dictionary, “Obadiah” (pg. 739). 

Explain in a paragraph or two what is taught in these references. In what ways does the temple deliver the faithful? How does the temple represent holiness?

               In Obadiah we are told we can become "saviors on Mount Zion."  This means that we are to live our life righteously so we can perform ordinances for those that have passed before us.  Joseph Smith told us to become a savior we need to: build temples, erect baptismal fonts, perform baptisms, confirmations, washings, anointings, and sealings to those that have died before they were able to receive these ordinances themselves.  
              This is the purpose for temples and why we need to go and do these lifesaving ordinances for them.  We need to work hard to find our family and perform their work so that they can be resurrected and exalted to thrones of glory.  Temples are sacred, with sacred works performed there, and is the Saviors house.  This is what makes it holy and so very special.  I love the temple and the feelings I get from attending.  There is no mistaking the Spirit that roams it's halls and the love our Savior has for us.

Ezekiel & Daniel Week 10

Choice 11.  
a) Read Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, 18, 22, & 27 and the institute manual commentary for Daniel 7:9-14.  Make a list comparing this future event with a similar past meeting in D & C 107:53-57.

Previous to Adams Death (D & C 107)           Adam & Faithful members of the church (Daniel 7)
-Adam blessed his children                                -thrones cast down
-Lord gives Adam leadership over                     -Christ as head of the church
  many nations
-Adam foretold what would happen                    -saints of the most high possess the kingdom
  to his posterity    

There will be a great gathering at Adam-ondi-Ahman and a grand council will be held.  A judgement will be held, where leaders will report and return the keys.  Christ will then come, and Adam will report.  Christ will be acknowledged as head of the church, Satan replaced and the all worldly governments will become part of God's government.  The earth will be cleansed, wicked destroyed, and peace will come.  Having been to this hallowed land I know without a doubt that it is a place of peace and is very special.                                              

Jeremiah 34-Lamentations. Week 9

Promises given to scattered Israel

(from reading Jeremiah 46:27-28; 50:17-20, 33-34, and 41)

They are promised that they and their seed will be saved from afar, that Jacob will return and that the Lord is with Jacob.  The Lord is upset with the choices his children are making but more angry with their teachers who are not showing them the way to follow.  Babylon will eventually be destroyed and Israel will scatter, but will eventually be restored.

Describe what happened in D & C 110:11 that relates to

 promises of Jeremiah.

D & C 110:11 "After this vision closed, the heavens were again opened unto us; and Moses appeared before us, and committed unto us the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, and the leading of the ten tribes from the land of the north."

Jeremiah repeatedly prophesied predicting God's judgment.  He told the Israelites to repent in hopes of turning away God's judgment and fulfilling their destiny as His chosen people. Jeremiah's fellow Israelites refused to heed his warnings and did not repent. His efforts failed.

What has happened since 1836 toward the

 fulfillment of these promises?

• We have been given prophets to lead us and guide us, and teach us the paths to follow
• Through missionary work, those that are lost will once again be found
• Keys will once again be upon the earth

Joseph Smith was the key to fulfill these promises.  The keys he was given to lead the gospel and send out missionaries, has brought about the truths of Jeremiah's prophecies.

Jeremiah 1-33. Week 8.

Jeremiah warns King Zedekiah to repent or Jerusalem would be destroyed

Choice 4: Jeremiah 16:1–21. 

Old Testament Destruction and Latter Day Hope

a. Read Jeremiah 16:10–13 and list five reasons why Jeremiah prophesied that Jerusalem would be destroyed and Judah taken captive.

1.    .  your fathers have forsaken me (v. 11)
2.       have not kept my law (v. 11)
3.       have walked and served and worshipped after other gods (v. 11)
4.       ye have done worse than your fathers (v. 12) 
5.       ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me (v. 12)

b. Read Jeremiah 16:14–21 and describe in a few sentences what is prophesied to happen in the days to come. Additionally, answer the following questions:

 • How will the Lord take His word to the whole earth?

 • Why do you think the Lord used the terms fishers and hunters to describe what He would do? (see institute student manual commentary for Jeremiah 16:13–21, “Doom and Delivery,” pg. 241).

 • According to Moses 7:62; Alma 22:14 what will be their message?

The Lord will bring the children of Israel from their driven lands to the lands their fathers were promised.  He will then send missionaries (fishers & hunters) into all the world to hunt and gather and fish to find and teach the message of God. They will, "bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth." (Moses 7:62)  They will also teach, "the sufferings and death of Christ, faith and repentance, that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory." (Alma 22:14)

Isaiah 48-66, Week 7

Choice 3: The Lord’s Thoughts & Ways

Isaiah 55:8-11

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Jacob 4:8

8 Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

How is the message of these verses one of comfort?

These verses are comforting because we know that God's words and acts are great and marvelous and that since he knows all the mysteries of what life has to offer and what is to come, we know he will share them with us when we are ready through the prophet or personal revelation through the Holy Ghost.  We should not be afraid of the unknown, because He will tell us all we are supposed to know.

How can we come to better understand God’s

thoughts and ways?

We can better understand God's ways by reading the scriptures, what better way to learn of Him then by his own doctrine or example and guidance through His prophets.  Being humble will make it easier to understand what he wants us to do and allows us to trust in Him and His wisdom and not ours or mans.  Learning about Him and building a relationship with Him will allow us to know who He is and His love for us.

Give an example of when you have observed a clear

 example of God’s ways being higher than man’s 

ways.

I worked in dental offices for almost 10 years and in that time I saw a lot of different stages of cleanliness, I also sadly saw a few cases of the affects of chewing tobacco in the mouth.  The sores that this substance can cause and eventually lead to cancer is horrifying.  Our Heavenly Father foresaw the harmful impacts of many things and gave us the Word of Wisdom in 1833.  This revelation was implemented as a means of keeping members of the church healthy in all things.  In return, if we live this counsel we are promised:

• shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
• shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
• shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
• the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. 

In my own life, I have seen the impact smoking can do to a person.  My grandmother smoked for 40 years and had terrible affects from it.  She quit cold turkey a few years ago, and though, didn't fully get over all her sicknesses, she did feel much better.  

Our Heavenly Father gives us commandments and guidance as a way for us to be protected from the evils of the world.  He wants the best for us and to be able to live and happy and healthy life.