Setup
Ways to look for guidance:
1. The Prophet (Chapter 12)
2. Promised Land (Chapter 13-14)
3. Savior (Chapter 21)
Other References
1 Nephi 17:41
Alma 33:18-20
John 3:14-16
Helaman 8:13-15
Alma 37:46-47
Introduction
Walk across the room looking at the chalkboard behind. This is like the Israelites journey; despite being blessed their lack of faith caused and fear caused them to wish they hadn't left Egypt. This yearning for Egypt delayed and complicated their journey to the promised land.
Numbers 11
Israelites complained about Manna (v.1,6)
What prompted their complaint? (v.4-5)
They became so lustful for meat, they lost focus on the promised land
*** What are the dangers of wanting more than we already have?
*** How can we relate getting bored of eating manna to us in a spiritual sense?
Moses became so burdened by the sins of the Israelites he asked the Lord to take his life (v.14-15)
How did the Lord give him relief? (v. 16-17)
*** What can we learn from this about needing others' help?
Numbers 12
The Lord punished and chastened Miriam and Aaron for complaining about Moses' marriage to an Ethiopian woman. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses as their presiding authority, pointing out that they too had received revelation (v.2)
Elder James E. Faust said: "The prophets, seers, and revelators have had
and still have the responsibility and privilege of receiving and
declaring the word of God for the world. Individual members, parents,
and leaders have the right to receive revelation for their own
responsibility but have no duty nor right to declare the word of God
beyond the limits of their own responsibility"
***How can criticism of Church leaders affect our family and friends?
Moses was a meek person. He showed that when Miriam was punished for rebelling against him. (v.3, 13-15)
President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Meekness implies a spirit of gratitude
as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a
greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God, and an acceptance of
his commandments"
Moses shows his meekness when Miriam was punished for rebelling against him (v.13-15)
***How does it help to respond to criticism with meekness?
Numbers 13-14
The Israelites reached the border of the land of Canaan and Moses sent 12 men out to scope out the land, its resources, and it's people. The majority of the men gave an evil report about the land and said they couldn't possess the land. (v.32-33). Caleb said they were well able to possess it (v.30).
President Gordon B. Hinckley said:"There is no place in this
work for those who believe only in the gospel of doom and gloom. The
gospel is good news. It is a message of triumph. It is a cause to be
embraced with enthusiasm. The Lord never said that there would
not be troubles. Our people have known afflictions of every sort as
those who have opposed this work have come upon them. But faith has
shown through all their sorrows. This work has consistently moved
forward and has never taken a backward step since its inception. …This
is an age of pessimism. Ours is a mission of faith. To my brethren and
sisters everywhere, I call upon you to reaffirm your faith, to move this
work forward across the world. You can make it stronger by the manner
in which you live."
VIDEO CLIP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFkGhpy10u8
Numbers 21:1-9
The Lord helped the Israelites defeat the attacking Caananites but the Israelites continued to murmur. To punish them the Lord sent fiery serpents which bit the people and much of the people died. The people came to Moses and acknowledged their sins and asked him to pray to the Lord to take the serpents away.
What did the Lord tell Moses to do?
We learn why a lot of people died when not looking upon it (see 1 Nephi 17:41 and Alma 33:18-20)
We learn how the brass serpent symbolized Jesus Christ (see John 3:14-16 and Helaman 8:13-14)
We learn how we need to look to Christ to receive eternal life (see Helaman 8:15 and Alma 37:46-47)
***In what sense is eternal life easy?
If we keep an eye forward and focused on our promised land, eternal life, by following the prophets, demonstrating our faith to progress the work, keeping a positive attitude and looking to Christ in all that we do, we will be blessed and gain our reward.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Exodus 15-20, 32-34 - Ye Shall Be a Pecuilar Treasure Unto Me
Other References
1 Corinthians 10:4
1 Nephi 11:25
John 4:14
D&C 63:23
Deuteronomy 8:3
Deuteronomy 8:16
John 6:35
John 6:48–51
Background
- The experiences of the Israelites while journeying in the wilderness can teach us important lessons as we journey through mortality. One important lesson is that we can trust God to guide and care for us as he did the Israelites.
- After the Israelites had passed through the Red Sea, the Lord instructed Moses to lead them to the promised land. But first the Lord tested the Israelites’ faith in the wilderness.
Exodus 15-17
What couldn't the Israelites find after being in the wilderness a few days?
Read Exodus 15:22, 17:3
How did Moses respond to their murmurings?
Read Exodus 15:24, 17:4
The Lord provided physical and spiritual water for the children of Israel. The physical water came from the rock that Moses smote.
How can this relate in a spiritual sense?
Who is the spiritual rock? (see 1 Corinthians 10:4)
What is the spiritual water that flows from Christ? (see 1 Nephi 11:25)
What is promised to those who drink that water? (see John 4:14; D&C 63:23)
What was the next problem the Israelites faced? (see 16:2–3)
How did the Lord respond? (Manna and Quail - see 16:4, 11–15.)
There were other purposes of the manna besides satisfying their hunger
a. It would show the Lord whether his people would obey him (see 16:4, 16–31).
b. It would give the people daily reminders of the Lord’s power and love (see 16:12).
c. It would teach the people that they do not live “by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord” (see Deuteronomy 8:3).
d. It would humble the people and help them receive salvation (see Deuteronomy 8:16).
How is manna a representation of Christ? (see John 6:35.)
How does Christ’s living bread differ from manna? (see John 6:48–51.)
The Israelites needed to gather manna every day to maintain physical strength.
How can this be likened to what we must do to maintain spiritual strength?
What usually happened when the Israelites kept the manna overnight? (see 16:19–20.)
What happened when they kept manna overnight in preparation for the Sabbath? (see 16:22–25.)
How can we apply this principle to our weekly preparation for the Sabbath?
What would have happened to the Israelites if they had tried to journey through the wilderness without the Lord’s help?
What will happen to us if we try to journey through mortality without the Lord’s help?
Exodus 17-18
The Amalekites warred with the children of Israel for many years, beginning in the time of Moses. When Aaron and Hur sustained Moses by holding up his arms, Israel prevailed in battle. We are all part of spiritual battles today.
How does sustaining the prophet help us prevail in these battles?
President Ezra Taft Benson said: “I am reminded how Moses up on the hill raised his arms for the victory of the armies of Israel. As long as his arms were raised, Israel prevailed, but when they dropped from weariness, then the enemy prevailed. And so Aaron and Hur ‘stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side,’ and Israel was victorious. So will we be victorious as we hold up the arms of the Lord’s anointed servants”
Jethro was concerned when he saw the people coming to Moses all day and evening. He counseled Moses on his responsibilities as a prophet.
What are some responsibilities of a prophet mentioned in 18:16-20?
a. Be a judge for the people (v.16).
b. Represent the people before God (v.19).
c. Teach them ordinances and laws (v.20).
d. “[Show] them the way wherein they must walk” (v.20).
e. “[Show] them … the work that they must do” (v.20).
How can we support and sustain our local Church leaders?
Exodus 19-20
Within three months of Israel’s entering the wilderness, the Lord wanted to establish his covenant with them. As part of this covenant he revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses.
While the children of Israel were camped at Mount Sinai, what did the Lord promise if they would be obedient, he would make them “a peculiar treasure, … a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”) These promises mean that Israel would become the Lord’s covenant people, favored above all others and chosen to bear the priesthood and the gospel to all people.
Note: in this context, peculiar carries the meaning of “being the Lord’s own special people or treasure,” not the meaning of “odd or eccentric”
The first four commandments teach the proper relationship between us and God
How is the commandment to worship the Lord and to have no other gods before him relevant today?
President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Idolatry is among the most serious of sins. … Modern idols or false gods can take such forms as clothes, homes, businesses, machines, automobiles, pleasure boats, and numerous other material deflectors from the path to godhood... Intangible things make just as ready gods. Degrees and letters and titles can become idols.....Many people build and furnish a home and buy the automobile first—and then they ‘cannot afford’ to pay tithing. Whom do they worship? Certainly not the Lord of heaven and earth. …Many worship the hunt, the fishing trip, the vacation, the weekend picnics and outings. Others have as their idols the games of sport, baseball, football, the bullfight, or golf. …Still another image men worship is that of power and prestige. … These gods of power, wealth, and influence are most demanding and are quite as real as the golden calves of the children of Israel in the wilderness”
The other six commandments concern our relationships with others.
Exodus 32-34
When the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai, he revealed a law that included the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood. However, the Israelites’ idolatrous behavior showed that they were not ready to live the fulness of the gospel. Because they forgot the Lord so quickly, he withdrew the Melchizedek Priesthood from them and revealed a lesser law—the, law of Moses. The law of Moses did not replace the commandments, covenants, or principles of the gospel. Rather, it provided “a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him”. The law of Moses taught people to confess their sins and make amends, to follow strict rules in offering animal sacrifices, to keep their bodies healthy, to give to support the Lord’s work, to give thanks, and to be reconciled to God.
A big part of the law of Moses was animal sacrifice.
Elder M. Russell Ballard taught: "Although the law of Moses was fulfilled, the principles of the law of sacrifice continue to be a part of the doctrine of the Church. While the primary purpose of the law of sacrifice continued to be that of testing and assisting us to come unto Christ, two adjustments were made after Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. First, the ordinance of the sacrament replaced the ordinance of [animal] sacrifice; and second, this change moved the focus of the sacrifice from a person’s animal to the person himself. In a sense, the sacrifice changed from the offering to the offerer. … After his mortal ministry, Christ elevated the law of sacrifice to a new level. … Instead of the Lord requiring a person’s animal or grain, now the Lord wants us to give up all that is ungodly. This is a higher practice of the law of sacrifice; it reaches into the inner soul of a person."
If we will partake of the Lord’s spiritual water and bread, sustain his chosen leaders, and obey his commandments, he will invite us to his holy mountain—the temple. There we can meet with him, receive his laws, behold his glory, and go forth inspired to be more like him.
1 Corinthians 10:4
1 Nephi 11:25
John 4:14
D&C 63:23
Deuteronomy 8:3
Deuteronomy 8:16
John 6:35
John 6:48–51
Background
- The experiences of the Israelites while journeying in the wilderness can teach us important lessons as we journey through mortality. One important lesson is that we can trust God to guide and care for us as he did the Israelites.
- After the Israelites had passed through the Red Sea, the Lord instructed Moses to lead them to the promised land. But first the Lord tested the Israelites’ faith in the wilderness.
Exodus 15-17
What couldn't the Israelites find after being in the wilderness a few days?
Read Exodus 15:22, 17:3
How did Moses respond to their murmurings?
Read Exodus 15:24, 17:4
The Lord provided physical and spiritual water for the children of Israel. The physical water came from the rock that Moses smote.
How can this relate in a spiritual sense?
Who is the spiritual rock? (see 1 Corinthians 10:4)
What is the spiritual water that flows from Christ? (see 1 Nephi 11:25)
What is promised to those who drink that water? (see John 4:14; D&C 63:23)
What was the next problem the Israelites faced? (see 16:2–3)
How did the Lord respond? (Manna and Quail - see 16:4, 11–15.)
There were other purposes of the manna besides satisfying their hunger
a. It would show the Lord whether his people would obey him (see 16:4, 16–31).
b. It would give the people daily reminders of the Lord’s power and love (see 16:12).
c. It would teach the people that they do not live “by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord” (see Deuteronomy 8:3).
d. It would humble the people and help them receive salvation (see Deuteronomy 8:16).
How is manna a representation of Christ? (see John 6:35.)
How does Christ’s living bread differ from manna? (see John 6:48–51.)
The Israelites needed to gather manna every day to maintain physical strength.
How can this be likened to what we must do to maintain spiritual strength?
What usually happened when the Israelites kept the manna overnight? (see 16:19–20.)
What happened when they kept manna overnight in preparation for the Sabbath? (see 16:22–25.)
How can we apply this principle to our weekly preparation for the Sabbath?
What would have happened to the Israelites if they had tried to journey through the wilderness without the Lord’s help?
What will happen to us if we try to journey through mortality without the Lord’s help?
Exodus 17-18
The Amalekites warred with the children of Israel for many years, beginning in the time of Moses. When Aaron and Hur sustained Moses by holding up his arms, Israel prevailed in battle. We are all part of spiritual battles today.
How does sustaining the prophet help us prevail in these battles?
President Ezra Taft Benson said: “I am reminded how Moses up on the hill raised his arms for the victory of the armies of Israel. As long as his arms were raised, Israel prevailed, but when they dropped from weariness, then the enemy prevailed. And so Aaron and Hur ‘stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side,’ and Israel was victorious. So will we be victorious as we hold up the arms of the Lord’s anointed servants”
Jethro was concerned when he saw the people coming to Moses all day and evening. He counseled Moses on his responsibilities as a prophet.
What are some responsibilities of a prophet mentioned in 18:16-20?
a. Be a judge for the people (v.16).
b. Represent the people before God (v.19).
c. Teach them ordinances and laws (v.20).
d. “[Show] them the way wherein they must walk” (v.20).
e. “[Show] them … the work that they must do” (v.20).
How can we support and sustain our local Church leaders?
Exodus 19-20
Within three months of Israel’s entering the wilderness, the Lord wanted to establish his covenant with them. As part of this covenant he revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses.
While the children of Israel were camped at Mount Sinai, what did the Lord promise if they would be obedient, he would make them “a peculiar treasure, … a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”) These promises mean that Israel would become the Lord’s covenant people, favored above all others and chosen to bear the priesthood and the gospel to all people.
Note: in this context, peculiar carries the meaning of “being the Lord’s own special people or treasure,” not the meaning of “odd or eccentric”
The first four commandments teach the proper relationship between us and God
How is the commandment to worship the Lord and to have no other gods before him relevant today?
President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Idolatry is among the most serious of sins. … Modern idols or false gods can take such forms as clothes, homes, businesses, machines, automobiles, pleasure boats, and numerous other material deflectors from the path to godhood... Intangible things make just as ready gods. Degrees and letters and titles can become idols.....Many people build and furnish a home and buy the automobile first—and then they ‘cannot afford’ to pay tithing. Whom do they worship? Certainly not the Lord of heaven and earth. …Many worship the hunt, the fishing trip, the vacation, the weekend picnics and outings. Others have as their idols the games of sport, baseball, football, the bullfight, or golf. …Still another image men worship is that of power and prestige. … These gods of power, wealth, and influence are most demanding and are quite as real as the golden calves of the children of Israel in the wilderness”
The other six commandments concern our relationships with others.
Exodus 32-34
When the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai, he revealed a law that included the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood. However, the Israelites’ idolatrous behavior showed that they were not ready to live the fulness of the gospel. Because they forgot the Lord so quickly, he withdrew the Melchizedek Priesthood from them and revealed a lesser law—the, law of Moses. The law of Moses did not replace the commandments, covenants, or principles of the gospel. Rather, it provided “a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him”. The law of Moses taught people to confess their sins and make amends, to follow strict rules in offering animal sacrifices, to keep their bodies healthy, to give to support the Lord’s work, to give thanks, and to be reconciled to God.
A big part of the law of Moses was animal sacrifice.
Elder M. Russell Ballard taught: "Although the law of Moses was fulfilled, the principles of the law of sacrifice continue to be a part of the doctrine of the Church. While the primary purpose of the law of sacrifice continued to be that of testing and assisting us to come unto Christ, two adjustments were made after Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. First, the ordinance of the sacrament replaced the ordinance of [animal] sacrifice; and second, this change moved the focus of the sacrifice from a person’s animal to the person himself. In a sense, the sacrifice changed from the offering to the offerer. … After his mortal ministry, Christ elevated the law of sacrifice to a new level. … Instead of the Lord requiring a person’s animal or grain, now the Lord wants us to give up all that is ungodly. This is a higher practice of the law of sacrifice; it reaches into the inner soul of a person."
If we will partake of the Lord’s spiritual water and bread, sustain his chosen leaders, and obey his commandments, he will invite us to his holy mountain—the temple. There we can meet with him, receive his laws, behold his glory, and go forth inspired to be more like him.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Exodus 1-14 - Bondage, Passover, Exodus
Introduction
Mormon Mouthful
1. Mission
2. Caption Moroni
3. Primary
4. How Firm a Foundation
5. Joseph F. Smith
6. Brigham Young University
7. Mortal Body
8. Singles Ward
9. First Quorum of the Seventy
10. I Love to See the Temple
11. The Joseph Smith Translation
12. Charity
13. Church Basketball
14. Adam-ondi-Ahman
15. King Lamoni
16. Two Thousand Stripling Warriors
17. Tabernacle
18. Temple President
19. Hyrum Smith
20. Salt Lake City
21. Compassionate Service
Exodus 1–3
The children of Israel are made slaves by the Egyptians
Moses is born and is raised by Pharaoh’s daughter
The Lord appears to Moses at the burning bush and calls him to deliver Israel from bondage
Imagine your are the children of Israel living in Egypt. For generations you have been taught that you are God’s covenant people and that he will fulfill the promises he made to Abraham. Yet now you are slaves, living in oppression and bondage.
What can we learn from this circumstance that can help us when we experience adversity?
Sometimes God doesn't deliver us from trials immediately.
see D&C 90:24; 98:3; Mosiah 24:14–15
How have you received comfort and help from the Lord during times of adversity?
What did Moses say when the Lord called him to deliver Israel?
What assurances did the Lord give him?
Why might some feelings of inadequacy be good?
How has the Lord helped you in callings for which you felt inadequate?
Exodus 5–6
Moses approached Pharaoh many times and asked him to free Israel. Despite signs, wonders, and plagues, Pharaoh refused
After Pharaoh increased Israel’s burdens, the Lord repeated His promises to Moses.
How did the children of Israel respond when Moses reminded them of these promises? (v9)
Why do some of us stop listening to the prophets and believing God’s promises during times of trial?
Exodus 11–13
The Lord promises to send one more plague on Egypt in which the firstborn in every home will die.
The Lord instructs Moses in the preparation of the Passover, which will protect Israel from the plague.
Pharaoh tells Moses to take his people from Egypt, and the Israelites leave.
Moses tells the children of Israel to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the future as a memorial of their deliverance.
(Note that the titles “Feast of the Passover” and “Feast of Unleavened Bread” are often used synonymously; the Passover is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.)
How did the Passover symbolize the Atonement?
A) see Exodus 12:5 (The children of Israel were to use a firstborn male lamb without blemish)
B) The children of Israel were to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorposts to save their firstborn from death - The Savior’s blood, which he shed in Gethsemane and on the cross, cleanses the faithful and saves them from spiritual death.
C) The children of Israel were to eat unleavened bread
Leaven, or yeast, was seen anciently as a symbol of corruption because it so easily spoiled and turned moldy
For the Israelites, eating the unleavened bread symbolized that they were partaking of the bread which had no corruption or impurity, namely, the Bread of Life
The removal of leaven also suggested repentance, or the removal of sin from a person’s life
D) The children of Israel were to eat the Passover meal in haste
Like the Israelites, we need to respond eagerly and immediately to the deliverance that the Savior offers us.
At the Last Supper, the Savior instituted the sacrament in place of the Passover
What similarities are there between the Passover and the sacrament?
Elder Howard W. Hunter taught that at the Passover meal that is now known as the Last Supper, “the bread and wine, rather than the animals and herbs, [became] emblems of the great Lamb’s body and blood, emblems to be eaten and drunk reverently and in remembrance of him forever.
“In this simple but impressive manner the Savior instituted the ordinance now known as the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. With the suffering of Gethsemane, the sacrifice of Calvary, and the resurrection from a garden tomb, Jesus fulfilled the ancient law and ushered in a new dispensation based on a higher, holier understanding of the law of sacrifice. No more would men be required to offer the firstborn lamb from their flock, because the Firstborn of God had come to offer himself as an ‘infinite and eternal sacrifice’”
Elder Howard W. Hunter said that just as the Passover was a covenant of protection for ancient Israel, the sacrament is a “new covenant of safety” for us.
How is the sacrament a covenant of safety for us?
The sacrament reminds us of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, which brings eternal safety by freeing us from the bonds of sin and death. The covenants we renew as we partake of the sacrament also help provide us eternal safety
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asked:
“Do we see [the sacrament] as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?
“With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions.
Exodus 14
Pharaoh and his army pursue the children of Israel.
The children of Israel are delivered from the army and cross the Red Sea on dry ground;
What did Moses tell the children of Israel when their faith faltered? (v.13-14)
Just as the Lord fulfilled his promise to deliver the Israelites from bondage, he will fulfill his promises to us.
We should increase our appreciation for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and partake of the sacrament worthily and thoughtfully, keeping the covenant to “always remember him.
Mormon Mouthful
1. Mission
2. Caption Moroni
3. Primary
4. How Firm a Foundation
5. Joseph F. Smith
6. Brigham Young University
7. Mortal Body
8. Singles Ward
9. First Quorum of the Seventy
10. I Love to See the Temple
11. The Joseph Smith Translation
12. Charity
13. Church Basketball
14. Adam-ondi-Ahman
15. King Lamoni
16. Two Thousand Stripling Warriors
17. Tabernacle
18. Temple President
19. Hyrum Smith
20. Salt Lake City
21. Compassionate Service
Exodus 1–3
The children of Israel are made slaves by the Egyptians
Moses is born and is raised by Pharaoh’s daughter
The Lord appears to Moses at the burning bush and calls him to deliver Israel from bondage
Imagine your are the children of Israel living in Egypt. For generations you have been taught that you are God’s covenant people and that he will fulfill the promises he made to Abraham. Yet now you are slaves, living in oppression and bondage.
What can we learn from this circumstance that can help us when we experience adversity?
Sometimes God doesn't deliver us from trials immediately.
see D&C 90:24; 98:3; Mosiah 24:14–15
How have you received comfort and help from the Lord during times of adversity?
What did Moses say when the Lord called him to deliver Israel?
What assurances did the Lord give him?
Why might some feelings of inadequacy be good?
How has the Lord helped you in callings for which you felt inadequate?
Exodus 5–6
Moses approached Pharaoh many times and asked him to free Israel. Despite signs, wonders, and plagues, Pharaoh refused
After Pharaoh increased Israel’s burdens, the Lord repeated His promises to Moses.
How did the children of Israel respond when Moses reminded them of these promises? (v9)
Why do some of us stop listening to the prophets and believing God’s promises during times of trial?
Exodus 11–13
The Lord promises to send one more plague on Egypt in which the firstborn in every home will die.
The Lord instructs Moses in the preparation of the Passover, which will protect Israel from the plague.
Pharaoh tells Moses to take his people from Egypt, and the Israelites leave.
Moses tells the children of Israel to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the future as a memorial of their deliverance.
(Note that the titles “Feast of the Passover” and “Feast of Unleavened Bread” are often used synonymously; the Passover is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.)
How did the Passover symbolize the Atonement?
A) see Exodus 12:5 (The children of Israel were to use a firstborn male lamb without blemish)
B) The children of Israel were to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorposts to save their firstborn from death - The Savior’s blood, which he shed in Gethsemane and on the cross, cleanses the faithful and saves them from spiritual death.
C) The children of Israel were to eat unleavened bread
Leaven, or yeast, was seen anciently as a symbol of corruption because it so easily spoiled and turned moldy
For the Israelites, eating the unleavened bread symbolized that they were partaking of the bread which had no corruption or impurity, namely, the Bread of Life
The removal of leaven also suggested repentance, or the removal of sin from a person’s life
D) The children of Israel were to eat the Passover meal in haste
Like the Israelites, we need to respond eagerly and immediately to the deliverance that the Savior offers us.
At the Last Supper, the Savior instituted the sacrament in place of the Passover
What similarities are there between the Passover and the sacrament?
Elder Howard W. Hunter taught that at the Passover meal that is now known as the Last Supper, “the bread and wine, rather than the animals and herbs, [became] emblems of the great Lamb’s body and blood, emblems to be eaten and drunk reverently and in remembrance of him forever.
“In this simple but impressive manner the Savior instituted the ordinance now known as the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. With the suffering of Gethsemane, the sacrifice of Calvary, and the resurrection from a garden tomb, Jesus fulfilled the ancient law and ushered in a new dispensation based on a higher, holier understanding of the law of sacrifice. No more would men be required to offer the firstborn lamb from their flock, because the Firstborn of God had come to offer himself as an ‘infinite and eternal sacrifice’”
Elder Howard W. Hunter said that just as the Passover was a covenant of protection for ancient Israel, the sacrament is a “new covenant of safety” for us.
How is the sacrament a covenant of safety for us?
The sacrament reminds us of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, which brings eternal safety by freeing us from the bonds of sin and death. The covenants we renew as we partake of the sacrament also help provide us eternal safety
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asked:
“Do we see [the sacrament] as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?
“With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions.
Exodus 14
Pharaoh and his army pursue the children of Israel.
The children of Israel are delivered from the army and cross the Red Sea on dry ground;
What did Moses tell the children of Israel when their faith faltered? (v.13-14)
Just as the Lord fulfilled his promise to deliver the Israelites from bondage, he will fulfill his promises to us.
We should increase our appreciation for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and partake of the sacrament worthily and thoughtfully, keeping the covenant to “always remember him.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Genesis 34; 37-39 - How Can I Do This Great Wickedness
Introduction
Movie Clip - Worth Waiting for by Jenny Phillips - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR9UWj1q304#
What standards of sexual morality are presented by popoular media items currently today?
How do these standards differ from the Lord's standards as taught in the scriptures and by the Church leaders?
The standards of society can change, the Lord's standards are constant.
Genesis 37
Why were Joseph's brothers jealous of him? (v.3-4)
His brothers left and went to Schechem. Schechem was 45 miles away. Israel sent Joseph to go check on them.
How did Joseph respond to that request? (v.13-14)
He didn't find them in Schechem he found out they were in a Dothan. Dothan was at least another 12 miles away.
What can we learn about Joseph from this account?
What did Joseph’s brothers conspire to do when Joseph came to the fields where they were feeding the sheep? (v.18)
What did Reuben suggest? (v.21-22)
What did the brothers eventually do with Joseph instead of killing him? (v.28,31-33)
He was then sold into Egypt unto Potiphar (v.36)
How do you react when members of your receive better treatment than you do?
Can anyone share an experience they've had in overcoming feelings of jealousy or anger toward a family member or friend?
What Was Potiphar’s Position?
The Hebrew phrase which is translated as “captain of the guards” literally means “chief of the butchers or slaughterers.” From this meaning some scholars have thought that he was the chief cook or steward in the house of the pharaoh, but other scholars believe that butcher or slaughterer is used in the sense of executioner, and thus Potiphar was the “commanding officer of the royal body-guard, who executed the capital sentences ordered by the king”. Either way, Potiphar was an important man, but the latter position especially would give him great power and status in Egypt.
Genesis 39
How did the Lord bless Joseph after he was sold as a slave? (v.1–4)
Why did Potiphar, a wealthy officer of Pharaoh, put such trust in Joseph, a slave? (v.5–6)
How do the scriptures describe the kind of person Joseph was? (v.6)
What did Joseph do when Potiphar’s wife tried to tempt him to do wrong? (v.9).
How can we follow Joseph’s example when we are tempted?
He said How can I do this great wickedness against God.
He immediately removed himself from the situation
What excuses might Joseph have used if he had wanted to give in to the advances of Potiphar’s wife?
What excuses do people offer today to try to justify moral transgressions?
Why are these excuses not valid justifications?
Potiphar's wife was relentless at tempting Joseph (v.10)
How did Joseph become a prisoner? (v.12–20)
Because Potiphar had great power with the pharaoh and perhaps was even head of the royal executioners (see Reading 8-5), it is remarkable that Joseph was only put into prison and not executed. A slave accused of attempting to rape his master’s wife would seem to have deserved the most severe punishment, and yet Joseph was only imprisoned. Could it be that Potiphar, knowing of Joseph’s character and his wife’s character, suspected the truth and, although he felt compelled to take action, chose comparatively lenient punishment? Whatever the case, the hand of the Lord certainly preserved Joseph from what would otherwise have been almost certain death.
In the world today, how do some people treat others who are virtuous?
How does the world pressure our youth today to be immoral and can our youth resist this pressure?
The scriptures emphasize that while Joseph was in prison, the Lord was with him (v.21–23).
What does this reveal about Joseph?
He continued in faith rather than questioning or blaming God for the imprisonment that resulted from being virtuous.
What can we learn from Joseph about turning bad experiences and circumstances into good ones?
see also Romans 8:28
Elder Hartman Rector Jr. explained: "[The] ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated".
The spiritual greatness of Joseph is a remarkable thing. How many people have become bitter over some real or imagined slight, or blamed the Lord for some personal tragedy? In the very midst of being faithful and holding true to that which is right, Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison. How easy it would have been for him to give up, to say, “What’s the use of trying to serve God? All He does is punish me.” But there was not a trace of bitterness, no blaming the Lord. Joseph just continued being righteous and faithful. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (see Genesis 40:8). He still trusted in the Lord, although he must have felt doomed to spend his life in prison. If any person had cause for discouragement and bitterness, it was Joseph, but he never faltered in his faith. Truly, Joseph is a model to be emulated.
Not all of Joseph’s family members and acquaintances were as valiant as Joseph was when facing temptation.
How did Shechem, Reuben, and Judah react to sexual temptation?
Church leaders have consistently taught that obedience to God’s commandments is true freedom.
How do we see this in the life of Joseph?
How did disobedience result in less freedom for Shechem, Reuben, and Judah?
How can choosing to keep the commandments make us more free than choosing to break them?
see John 8:31–36.
Movie Clip - Worth Waiting for by Jenny Phillips - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR9UWj1q304#
What standards of sexual morality are presented by popoular media items currently today?
How do these standards differ from the Lord's standards as taught in the scriptures and by the Church leaders?
The standards of society can change, the Lord's standards are constant.
Genesis 37
Why were Joseph's brothers jealous of him? (v.3-4)
His brothers left and went to Schechem. Schechem was 45 miles away. Israel sent Joseph to go check on them.
How did Joseph respond to that request? (v.13-14)
He didn't find them in Schechem he found out they were in a Dothan. Dothan was at least another 12 miles away.
What can we learn about Joseph from this account?
What did Joseph’s brothers conspire to do when Joseph came to the fields where they were feeding the sheep? (v.18)
What did Reuben suggest? (v.21-22)
What did the brothers eventually do with Joseph instead of killing him? (v.28,31-33)
He was then sold into Egypt unto Potiphar (v.36)
How do you react when members of your receive better treatment than you do?
Can anyone share an experience they've had in overcoming feelings of jealousy or anger toward a family member or friend?
What Was Potiphar’s Position?
The Hebrew phrase which is translated as “captain of the guards” literally means “chief of the butchers or slaughterers.” From this meaning some scholars have thought that he was the chief cook or steward in the house of the pharaoh, but other scholars believe that butcher or slaughterer is used in the sense of executioner, and thus Potiphar was the “commanding officer of the royal body-guard, who executed the capital sentences ordered by the king”. Either way, Potiphar was an important man, but the latter position especially would give him great power and status in Egypt.
Genesis 39
How did the Lord bless Joseph after he was sold as a slave? (v.1–4)
Why did Potiphar, a wealthy officer of Pharaoh, put such trust in Joseph, a slave? (v.5–6)
How do the scriptures describe the kind of person Joseph was? (v.6)
What did Joseph do when Potiphar’s wife tried to tempt him to do wrong? (v.9).
How can we follow Joseph’s example when we are tempted?
He said How can I do this great wickedness against God.
He immediately removed himself from the situation
What excuses might Joseph have used if he had wanted to give in to the advances of Potiphar’s wife?
What excuses do people offer today to try to justify moral transgressions?
Why are these excuses not valid justifications?
Potiphar's wife was relentless at tempting Joseph (v.10)
How did Joseph become a prisoner? (v.12–20)
Because Potiphar had great power with the pharaoh and perhaps was even head of the royal executioners (see Reading 8-5), it is remarkable that Joseph was only put into prison and not executed. A slave accused of attempting to rape his master’s wife would seem to have deserved the most severe punishment, and yet Joseph was only imprisoned. Could it be that Potiphar, knowing of Joseph’s character and his wife’s character, suspected the truth and, although he felt compelled to take action, chose comparatively lenient punishment? Whatever the case, the hand of the Lord certainly preserved Joseph from what would otherwise have been almost certain death.
In the world today, how do some people treat others who are virtuous?
How does the world pressure our youth today to be immoral and can our youth resist this pressure?
The scriptures emphasize that while Joseph was in prison, the Lord was with him (v.21–23).
What does this reveal about Joseph?
He continued in faith rather than questioning or blaming God for the imprisonment that resulted from being virtuous.
What can we learn from Joseph about turning bad experiences and circumstances into good ones?
see also Romans 8:28
Elder Hartman Rector Jr. explained: "[The] ability to turn everything into something good appears to be a godly characteristic. Our Heavenly Father always seems able to do this. Everything, no matter how dire, becomes a victory to the Lord. Joseph, although a slave and wholly undeserving of this fate, nevertheless remained faithful to the Lord and continued to live the commandments and made something very good of his degrading circumstances. People like this cannot be defeated".
The spiritual greatness of Joseph is a remarkable thing. How many people have become bitter over some real or imagined slight, or blamed the Lord for some personal tragedy? In the very midst of being faithful and holding true to that which is right, Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison. How easy it would have been for him to give up, to say, “What’s the use of trying to serve God? All He does is punish me.” But there was not a trace of bitterness, no blaming the Lord. Joseph just continued being righteous and faithful. Unselfishly he offered to interpret the dreams of his two fellow prisoners, telling them that the knowledge came from God (see Genesis 40:8). He still trusted in the Lord, although he must have felt doomed to spend his life in prison. If any person had cause for discouragement and bitterness, it was Joseph, but he never faltered in his faith. Truly, Joseph is a model to be emulated.
Not all of Joseph’s family members and acquaintances were as valiant as Joseph was when facing temptation.
How did Shechem, Reuben, and Judah react to sexual temptation?
Church leaders have consistently taught that obedience to God’s commandments is true freedom.
How do we see this in the life of Joseph?
How did disobedience result in less freedom for Shechem, Reuben, and Judah?
How can choosing to keep the commandments make us more free than choosing to break them?
see John 8:31–36.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Genesis 15-17, 21-22 - God will Provide Himself a Lamb
Introduction
Think of a person you love very much or a possession you value highly.
How would you feel if God asked you to give up, or sacrifice, this person or possession?
What would you do?
God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, whom Abraham loved very much. Although Abraham was not ultimately required to make this sacrifice, his willingness to do so was “accounted unto him for righteousness.” Because of Abraham’s righteousness, he and his descendants were greatly blessed.
see D&C 132:36
Background
Why Did Abraham Call Sarah His Sister?
The idea that Abraham, the great man of righteousness, deceived Pharaoh in order to protect his own life has troubled many students of the Old Testament. That his life was in danger because of Sarah’s beauty seems quite clear. It seems peculiar, but whereas the Egyptian pharaohs had a strong aversion to committing adultery with another man’s wife, they had no qualms about murdering the man to free his spouse for remarriage.
Even though Abraham was correct in calling her his sister, he did deceive the Egyptians. How can this action be justified? The answer is very simple. His action was justified because God told him to do it.
see Abraham 2:22–25.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught the following:“That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another. “God said, ‘Thou shalt not kill;’ at another time He said, ‘Thou shalt utterly destroy.’ This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire.”
Since God is perfect and does not do anything that is not right. Abraham’s act was not wrong.
Abraham 1
The family of Abraham had turned from righteousness and had become idolators. Abraham was persecuted by the false priests of Pharaoh and his own father was willing to sacrifice his son for evil purposes. Jehovah saved him.
How might Abraham’s experience on the altar of the false priests have helped prepare him for future trials?
How can our trials help us prepare for future difficulties?
Genesis 15-16
Abraham is promised a big posterity.
Sarai gives Hagar to Abram as his wife.
Hagar bears Ishmael.
Genesis 17
v1....Walk uprightly and be perfect
“Salvation does not come all at once; we are commanded to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect. It will take us ages to accomplish this end, for there will be greater progress beyond the grave, and it will be there that the faithful will overcome all things, and receive all things, even the fulness of the Father’s glory.
“I believe the Lord meant just what he said: that we should be perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect. That will not come all at once, but line upon line, and precept upon precept, example upon example, and even then not as long as we live in this mortal life, for we will have to go even beyond the grave before we reach that perfection and shall be like God.
“But here we lay the foundation. Here is where we are taught these simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in this probationary state, to prepare us for that perfection. It is our duty to be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today. Why? Because we are on that road, if we are keeping the commandments of the Lord, we are on that road to perfection, and that can only come through obedience and the desire in our hearts to overcome the world. - Joseph Smith
v5,15.... Abram's name changed to Abraham, Sarai's to Sarah
v10....circumcised
The word circumcision comes from the Latin words meaning “to cut around.” It was instituted by revelation as a sign or token that one was of the covenant seed of Abraham. To better understand why the Lord chose this particular sign or token, read the account in the Joseph Smith Translation:
see JST Genesis 17:3–7, 11
Much additional information is given in this account.
1. Before instituting the law of circumcision, the Lord explained why He was establishing this token of the covenant.
In many places the Lord speaks of true circumcision as being the circumcision of the heart. The heart that is “circumcised” is one that loves God and is obedient to the Spirit. The “uncircumcised in heart” are wicked, proud, and rebellious.
Though a person may have had the token of circumcision in the flesh, unless he was righteous the covenant was invalidated and the circumcision became profitless. Thus, circumcision was only a sign or token of what needed to happen to the inward man. If the inward change had not taken place, then circumcision was virtually meaningless..
With the fulfillment of the Mosaic law under Jesus, the token of circumcision was no longer required of God’s covenant people.
The Abrahamic covenant makes frequent reference to one’s seed. The organ of the body that produces seed and brings about physical birth is the organ on which the token of the covenant was made. The organ of spiritual rebirth, however, is the heart (see 3 Nephi 9:20). Thus, when a person was circumcised it signified that while he had been born into the covenant, he need not be baptized until he became accountable before the Lord. But spiritual circumcision, or the circumcision of the heart, must take place once one becomes accountable or one is not considered as true Israel. As Paul said so aptly, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
“But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2:28–29).
v19...Sarah shall bear a son, Isaac...I will establish my covenant with him
Genesis 21
v2...Sarah conceives Isaac
Genesis 22
v1...God did tempt Abraham
The word translated as “tempt” in the King James Version comes from the Hebrew word nissah, which means “to test, try, or prove.” The test given to Abraham had two aspects. First, he was asked to give up something very precious to him. To kill one’s child would be horrible enough but to kill the child that had come after decades of fruitless waiting, the child promised by holy men sent from God, the child in whom the covenant was to be fulfilled, must have been a test beyond comprehension. The willingness of Abraham to give up something as dear as Isaac sharply contrasts with the reluctance of the rich young ruler who asked the Savior what he must do to be saved. When told he should sell all of his possessions and follow the Master, “he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:22).
But an equally difficult, if not greater, test was what could be described as the question of the integrity of God. Abraham himself had nearly lost his life on an idolatrous altar and had been saved by the direct intervention of the Lord (see Abraham 1:12–20). Abraham knew that the law of God forbids human sacrifice or murder of any sort. Surely one would wonder at such a command, asking himself, “Can this be from God? Does God contradict himself?” And then to know that, additionally, it would mean the end of the very covenant line that God had Himself promised to establish would surely be almost overwhelming.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball commented on this aspect of the test: “Exceeding faith was shown by Abraham when the superhuman test was applied to him. His young ‘child of promise,’ destined to be the father of empires, must now be offered upon the sacrificial altar. It was God’s command, but it seemed so contradictory! How could his son, Isaac, be the father of an uncountable posterity if in his youth his mortal life was to be terminated? Why should he, Abraham, be called upon to do this revolting deed? It was irreconcilable, impossible! And yet he believed God. His undaunted faith carried him with breaking heart toward the land of Moriah with this young son who little suspected the agonies through which his father must have been passing.
v8...God will provide himself a lamb
see Jacob 4:5
Jacob clearly teaches that Abraham’s willingness to offer up Isaac is “a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son”. A similitude is an object, act, or event in physical reality which corresponds to (is similar to or is a simulation of) some greater spiritual reality.
Most readers of the Old Testament can immediately see the similarities between the test of Abraham and the sacrifice of the Father, but many miss the precise detail of this similitude that God used to teach about the future sacrifice of His only Son. The following are some of these significant details.
see D&C 101:1-5
Why is it necessary to be tried even as Abraham?
see D&C 101:5,35-38 , 122:5-7
Think of a person you love very much or a possession you value highly.
How would you feel if God asked you to give up, or sacrifice, this person or possession?
What would you do?
God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, whom Abraham loved very much. Although Abraham was not ultimately required to make this sacrifice, his willingness to do so was “accounted unto him for righteousness.” Because of Abraham’s righteousness, he and his descendants were greatly blessed.
see D&C 132:36
Background
Why Did Abraham Call Sarah His Sister?
The idea that Abraham, the great man of righteousness, deceived Pharaoh in order to protect his own life has troubled many students of the Old Testament. That his life was in danger because of Sarah’s beauty seems quite clear. It seems peculiar, but whereas the Egyptian pharaohs had a strong aversion to committing adultery with another man’s wife, they had no qualms about murdering the man to free his spouse for remarriage.
Even though Abraham was correct in calling her his sister, he did deceive the Egyptians. How can this action be justified? The answer is very simple. His action was justified because God told him to do it.
see Abraham 2:22–25.
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught the following:“That which is wrong under one circumstance, may be, and often is, right under another. “God said, ‘Thou shalt not kill;’ at another time He said, ‘Thou shalt utterly destroy.’ This is the principle on which the government of heaven is conducted—by revelation adapted to the circumstances in which the children of the kingdom are placed. Whatever God requires is right, no matter what it is, although we may not see the reason thereof till long after the events transpire.”
Since God is perfect and does not do anything that is not right. Abraham’s act was not wrong.
Abraham 1
The family of Abraham had turned from righteousness and had become idolators. Abraham was persecuted by the false priests of Pharaoh and his own father was willing to sacrifice his son for evil purposes. Jehovah saved him.
How might Abraham’s experience on the altar of the false priests have helped prepare him for future trials?
How can our trials help us prepare for future difficulties?
Genesis 15-16
Abraham is promised a big posterity.
Sarai gives Hagar to Abram as his wife.
Hagar bears Ishmael.
Genesis 17
v1....Walk uprightly and be perfect
“Salvation does not come all at once; we are commanded to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect. It will take us ages to accomplish this end, for there will be greater progress beyond the grave, and it will be there that the faithful will overcome all things, and receive all things, even the fulness of the Father’s glory.
“I believe the Lord meant just what he said: that we should be perfect, as our Father in heaven is perfect. That will not come all at once, but line upon line, and precept upon precept, example upon example, and even then not as long as we live in this mortal life, for we will have to go even beyond the grave before we reach that perfection and shall be like God.
“But here we lay the foundation. Here is where we are taught these simple truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in this probationary state, to prepare us for that perfection. It is our duty to be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today. Why? Because we are on that road, if we are keeping the commandments of the Lord, we are on that road to perfection, and that can only come through obedience and the desire in our hearts to overcome the world. - Joseph Smith
v5,15.... Abram's name changed to Abraham, Sarai's to Sarah
v10....circumcised
The word circumcision comes from the Latin words meaning “to cut around.” It was instituted by revelation as a sign or token that one was of the covenant seed of Abraham. To better understand why the Lord chose this particular sign or token, read the account in the Joseph Smith Translation:
see JST Genesis 17:3–7, 11
Much additional information is given in this account.
1. Before instituting the law of circumcision, the Lord explained why He was establishing this token of the covenant.
- The people had left correct principles and forsaken the true ordinances.
- Baptism was one ordinance being incorrectly observed.
- The people were washing their children and sprinkling blood in remembrance of Abel’s blood, which they taught was shed for sins.
- They misunderstood the relationship between accountability of children and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
- It was a covenant token.
- It was for the seed of Abraham.
- It signified that children were not accountable until they were eight years old.
In many places the Lord speaks of true circumcision as being the circumcision of the heart. The heart that is “circumcised” is one that loves God and is obedient to the Spirit. The “uncircumcised in heart” are wicked, proud, and rebellious.
Though a person may have had the token of circumcision in the flesh, unless he was righteous the covenant was invalidated and the circumcision became profitless. Thus, circumcision was only a sign or token of what needed to happen to the inward man. If the inward change had not taken place, then circumcision was virtually meaningless..
With the fulfillment of the Mosaic law under Jesus, the token of circumcision was no longer required of God’s covenant people.
The Abrahamic covenant makes frequent reference to one’s seed. The organ of the body that produces seed and brings about physical birth is the organ on which the token of the covenant was made. The organ of spiritual rebirth, however, is the heart (see 3 Nephi 9:20). Thus, when a person was circumcised it signified that while he had been born into the covenant, he need not be baptized until he became accountable before the Lord. But spiritual circumcision, or the circumcision of the heart, must take place once one becomes accountable or one is not considered as true Israel. As Paul said so aptly, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
“But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2:28–29).
v19...Sarah shall bear a son, Isaac...I will establish my covenant with him
Genesis 21
v2...Sarah conceives Isaac
Genesis 22
Elder
Melvin J. Ballard wrote: “You remember the story of how Abraham’s son
came after long years of waiting and was looked upon by his worthy sire,
Abraham, as more precious than all his other possessions, yet, in the
midst of his rejoicing, Abraham was told to take this only son and offer
him as a sacrifice to the Lord. He responded. Can you feel what was in
the heart of Abraham on that occasion? You love your son just as Abraham
did, perhaps not quite so much, because of the peculiar circumstances,
but what do you think was in his heart when he started away from Mother
Sarah, and they bade her goodbye? What do you think was in his heart
when he saw Isaac bidding farewell to his mother to take that three
days’ journey to the appointed place where the sacrifice was to be made?
I imagine it was about all Father Abraham could do to keep from showing
his great grief and sorrow at that parting, but he and his son trudged
along three days toward the appointed place, Isaac carrying the fagots
that were to consume the sacrifice. The two travelers rested, finally,
at the mountainside, and the men who had accompanied them were told to
remain while Abraham and his son started up the hill.
“The
boy then said to his father: ‘Why, Father, we have the fagots; we have
the fire to burn the sacrifice; but where is the sacrifice?’
“It
must have pierced the heart of Father Abraham to hear the trusting and
confiding son say: ‘You have forgotten the sacrifice.’ Looking at the
youth, his son of promise, the poor father could only say: ‘The Lord
will provide.’
“They
ascended the mountain, gathered the stones together, and placed the
fagots upon them. Then Isaac was bound, hand and foot, kneeling upon the
altar. I presume Abraham, like a true father, must have given his son
his farewell kiss, his blessing, his love, and his soul must have been
drawn out in that hour of agony toward his son who was to die by the
hand of his own father. Every step proceeded until the cold steel was
drawn, and the hand raised that was to strike the blow to let out the
life’s blood.” (“The Sacramental Covenant,” New Era, Jan. 1976, pp. 9–10.)
Bear
in mind that Abraham was saved from a similar fate instigated in
wickedness by his own father. As with most people, Abraham must have
abhorred human sacrifice.
Why would the Lord require such a trial of his
faith?
What can be learned from the life of Abraham, who was faithful
to the end?
v1...God did tempt Abraham
The word translated as “tempt” in the King James Version comes from the Hebrew word nissah, which means “to test, try, or prove.” The test given to Abraham had two aspects. First, he was asked to give up something very precious to him. To kill one’s child would be horrible enough but to kill the child that had come after decades of fruitless waiting, the child promised by holy men sent from God, the child in whom the covenant was to be fulfilled, must have been a test beyond comprehension. The willingness of Abraham to give up something as dear as Isaac sharply contrasts with the reluctance of the rich young ruler who asked the Savior what he must do to be saved. When told he should sell all of his possessions and follow the Master, “he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:22).
But an equally difficult, if not greater, test was what could be described as the question of the integrity of God. Abraham himself had nearly lost his life on an idolatrous altar and had been saved by the direct intervention of the Lord (see Abraham 1:12–20). Abraham knew that the law of God forbids human sacrifice or murder of any sort. Surely one would wonder at such a command, asking himself, “Can this be from God? Does God contradict himself?” And then to know that, additionally, it would mean the end of the very covenant line that God had Himself promised to establish would surely be almost overwhelming.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball commented on this aspect of the test: “Exceeding faith was shown by Abraham when the superhuman test was applied to him. His young ‘child of promise,’ destined to be the father of empires, must now be offered upon the sacrificial altar. It was God’s command, but it seemed so contradictory! How could his son, Isaac, be the father of an uncountable posterity if in his youth his mortal life was to be terminated? Why should he, Abraham, be called upon to do this revolting deed? It was irreconcilable, impossible! And yet he believed God. His undaunted faith carried him with breaking heart toward the land of Moriah with this young son who little suspected the agonies through which his father must have been passing.
v8...God will provide himself a lamb
see Jacob 4:5
Jacob clearly teaches that Abraham’s willingness to offer up Isaac is “a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son”. A similitude is an object, act, or event in physical reality which corresponds to (is similar to or is a simulation of) some greater spiritual reality.
Most readers of the Old Testament can immediately see the similarities between the test of Abraham and the sacrifice of the Father, but many miss the precise detail of this similitude that God used to teach about the future sacrifice of His only Son. The following are some of these significant details.
- Abraham obviously was a type or similitude of the Father. Interestingly enough, his name, Abram, means “exalted father,” and Abraham means “father of a great multitude” Both are names appropriate of Heavenly Father.
- Isaac was a type of the Son of God. One of the meanings of his name is “he shall rejoice.” Like Jesus, he was the product of a miraculous birth. Isaac’s birth certainly was not as miraculous as the birth of Jesus through Mary, but at age ninety, Sarah too was a woman for whom birth was not possible by all usual standards. Yet, through the intervention of God, she conceived and bore a son. Paul called Isaac the “only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17) when he referred to this event.
- The Lord not only asked Abraham to perform the act of similitude of His own future actions but indicated that it had to be in a place specified by Him. This place was Moriah, “upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Genesis 22:2). (Today Mount Moriah is a major hill of Jerusalem.) The site known traditionally as the place where Abraham offered Isaac is now the site of the Dome of the Rock, a beautiful Moslem mosque. A few hundred yards to the north on a higher point of that same hill system is another world-famous site known as Gordon’s Calvary. Its Hebrew name was Golgotha. Not only did Abraham perform the similitude, but he performed it in the same area in which the Father would make the sacrifice of His Son.
- When they arrived at Moriah, the Genesis account says, “Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son” (Genesis 22:6). The Joseph Smith Translation, however, reads, “laid it upon his back” (JST, Genesis 22:7). Some have seen in this action a similarity to Christ’s carrying of the cross upon His shoulders on the way to His Crucifixion (see Clarke, Bible Commentary, 1:139; John 19:17).
- Isaac voluntarily submitted to Abraham. This important parallel is often overlooked. The Old Testament does not give enough detail to indicate exactly how old Isaac was at the time of this event, but it is possible that he was an adult. Immediately following the account of the sacrifice on Mount Moriah is recorded the statement that Sarah died at the age of 127 (see Genesis 23:1). Thus, Isaac would have been 37 at the time of her death. Even if the journey to Moriah had happened several years before Sarah’s death, Isaac could have been in his thirties, as was the Savior at the time of His Crucifixion. Nevertheless, Isaac’s exact age is not really important. What is significant is that Abraham was well over a hundred years old and Isaac was most likely a strong young man who could have put up a fierce resistance had he chosen to do so. In fact, Isaac submitted willingly to what his father intended, just as the Savior would do.
- Once the event was over and all ended happily, Abraham named the place Jehovah-jireh, which the King James Version translates as “in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen” (Genesis 22:14). Adam Clarke, citing other scholars, said that the proper translation should be “on this mount the Lord shall be seen.” Clarke then concluded: “From this it appears that the sacrifice offered by Abraham was understood to be a representative one, and a tradition was kept up that Jehovah should be seen in a sacrificial way on this mount. And this renders … more than probable … that Abraham offered Isaac on that very mountain on which, in the fulness of time, Jesus suffered.”Jesus was sentenced to death within the walls of the Antonia fortress, which was only about a hundred yards from the traditional site of Abraham’s sacrifice. He was put to death at Golgotha, part of the same ridge system as Moriah.
- Scholars not only have noted the significance of the site for the sacrifice of Jesus Himself but also have pointed out that it related to the site of Solomon’s temple where the sacrifices under the Mosaic dispensation took place. “The place of sacrifice points with peculiar clearness [to] Mount Moriah, upon which under the legal economy all the typical sacrifices were offered to Jehovah; … that by this one true sacrifice the shadows of the typical sacrifices might be rendered both real and true”.
see D&C 101:1-5
Why is it necessary to be tried even as Abraham?
see D&C 101:5,35-38 , 122:5-7
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Abraham 1,2 Genesis 12,17 - The Abrahamic Covenant
What does it mean to have the patriarch declare our lineage in a patriarchal blessing?
When a patriarch declares our lineage, he reveals to us that we are descendants of the prophet Abraham through Ephraim, Manasseh, or another of Abraham’s descendants.
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: “The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham and Israel must become such, and when they are baptized and confirmed they are grafted into the tree and are entitled to all the rights and privileges as heirs.
Abraham 1:1-4
What blessings did Abraham desire?
Elder Neal A. Maxwell, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said: “The true disciple has an inborn questioning to know, personally, all that God is willing to teach us. Nephi could have accepted gladly the vision of his father, Lehi. But Nephi ‘desired to know the things that [his] father had seen.’ (1 Nephi 11:1.) Abraham sought, even though he had a father who had turned from the faith, ‘for greater happiness and peace’ and ‘for mine appointment unto the Priesthood.’ (Abraham 1:2, 4.) Abraham described himself as desiring ‘great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness’ (Abraham 1:2), questing for the word of Christ. Divine discontent in the form of promptings can move us to feast because we know that by feasting we can increase our knowledge, effectiveness, and joy”.
President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: “The order of this priesthood which was established in the beginning was patriarchal. The authority descended from father to son, and those who held it were high priests. This order of descent from Adam to Noah is given in the Doctrine and Covenants. Noah, who stands next to Adam in authority, brought this priesthood through the flood, and it continued from generation to generation. Abraham, the 10th from Noah, received special blessings from the Lord, and the priesthood continued through him and his seed with the promise that all who received the gospel should be counted as Abraham’s seed and partake of his blessings”
Who Conferred the Priesthood upon Abraham?
see D&C 84:14–16
Bible Dictionary - Abraham, covenant of
Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation). Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase. Finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity (D&C 132:29–50; Abr. 2:6–11). Included in the divine promises to Abraham were the assurances that (1) Christ would come through his lineage, and that (2) Abraham’s posterity would receive certain lands as an eternal inheritance (Gen. 17; 22:15–18; Gal. 3; Abr. 2). These promises taken together are called the “Abrahamic covenant.” It was renewed with Isaac (Gen. 26:1–4, 24) and again with Jacob (Gen. 28; 35:9–13; 48:3–4).
The portions of the covenant that pertain to personal salvation and eternal increase are renewed with each individual who receives the ordinance of celestial marriage (see D&C 132:29–33). Those of non-Israelite lineage, commonly known as Gentiles, are adopted into the house of Israel and become heirs of the covenant and the seed of Abraham through the ordinances of the gospel (Gal. 3:26–29).
Being an heir to the Abrahamic covenant does not make one a “chosen person” per se but does signify that such are chosen to responsibly carry the gospel to all the peoples of the earth. Abraham’s seed have carried out the missionary activity in all the nations since Abraham’s day. (Matt. 3:9; Abr. 2:9–11.)
To fulfill the covenant God made with Abraham—having particular reference to the fact that the literal seed of his body would be entitled to all of the blessings of the gospel (Abr. 2:10–11)—a number of specific and particular things must take place in the last days. The gospel must be restored, the priesthood must be conferred again upon man, the keys of the sealing power must be given again to mortals, Israel must be gathered, and the Holy Ghost must be poured out upon the Gentiles. All this has already taken place or is in process of fulfillment.
Abraham 2:6-11, Genesis 12:1-8, Genesis 17:1-9
What blessings did God promise Abraham in this covenant?
GOD'S PROMISE CHART
Land - 2:6
Posterity 2:9
Priesthood 1:18
Salvation and Exaltation 2:10
What, then, is the Abrahamic covenant? It is that Abraham and his seed (including those adopted into his family) shall have all of the blessings of the gospel, of the priesthood, and of eternal life. The gate to eternal life is celestial marriage, which holy order of matrimony enables the family unit to continue in eternity, so that the participating parties may have posterity as numerous as the sands upon the seashore or the stars in heaven. The Abrahamic covenant enables men to create for themselves eternal family units that are patterned after the family of God our Heavenly Father. A lesser part of the covenant is that the seed of Abraham have the Millennial destiny of inheriting as an everlasting possession the very land of Canaan whereon the feet of the righteous have trod in days gone by.
What blessings can we receive through the Abrahamic covenant?
see D&C 132:29-33
What are our responsibilities as heirs of the Abrahamic covenant?
President Ezra Taft Benson said, “The responsibility of the seed of Abraham, which we are, is to be missionaries to ‘bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations’
Elder Boyd K. Packer made the following analogy to emphasize our responsibility to share the gospel with others: Imagine that our bishop has appointed us to plan a picnic for ward members. It is to be the best social in the history of the ward, and we are to spare no expense. We reserve a beautiful picnic ground in the country. We are to have it all to ourselves. The day arrives and everything is perfect. The tables are set and the feast is spectacular. Then, just as the blessing is being said, an old car turns into the picnic grounds and sputters to a stop. A worried man lifts the hood, and a spout of steam comes out. Several children climb out of the car. An anxious mother takes a box to a nearby table. She puts a few leftovers on the table, trying to make them look like a meal for her hungry children. But there is not enough. Then one of the little girls sees our table. She pulls her little brother over to us and pushes her head between you and me. We move aside. The little girl says, “Look at that; I wonder what that tastes like.”What would we do? Would we ignore the people or ask them to be quiet? Would we show them back to their table and give them some of the food we don’t really need? Or would we invite them to come and join us, to sit between us and share the feast, and to let us help fix their car and give them something for their journey? “Could there be more pure enjoyment than seeing how much we could get those hungry children to eat? Could there be more satisfaction than to interrupt our festivities to help [them] fix their car? …
“… There are people across the world and about us—our neighbors, our friends, some in our own families—who, spiritually speaking, are undernourished. Some of them are starving to death! If we keep all this to ourselves, it is not unlike feasting before those who are hungry”
How is the declaration of lineage in our patriarchal blessings like a call to fulfill our responsibilities as heirs to the Abrahamic covenant?
By declaring that we are the seed of Abraham, our patriarchal blessings reemphasize our privilege to receive the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and our obligation to fulfill its responsibilities.
When a patriarch declares our lineage, he reveals to us that we are descendants of the prophet Abraham through Ephraim, Manasseh, or another of Abraham’s descendants.
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said: “The great majority of those who become members of the Church are literal descendants of Abraham through Ephraim, son of Joseph. Those who are not literal descendants of Abraham and Israel must become such, and when they are baptized and confirmed they are grafted into the tree and are entitled to all the rights and privileges as heirs.
Abraham 1:1-4
What blessings did Abraham desire?
Elder Neal A. Maxwell, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said: “The true disciple has an inborn questioning to know, personally, all that God is willing to teach us. Nephi could have accepted gladly the vision of his father, Lehi. But Nephi ‘desired to know the things that [his] father had seen.’ (1 Nephi 11:1.) Abraham sought, even though he had a father who had turned from the faith, ‘for greater happiness and peace’ and ‘for mine appointment unto the Priesthood.’ (Abraham 1:2, 4.) Abraham described himself as desiring ‘great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness’ (Abraham 1:2), questing for the word of Christ. Divine discontent in the form of promptings can move us to feast because we know that by feasting we can increase our knowledge, effectiveness, and joy”.
President Joseph Fielding Smith wrote: “The order of this priesthood which was established in the beginning was patriarchal. The authority descended from father to son, and those who held it were high priests. This order of descent from Adam to Noah is given in the Doctrine and Covenants. Noah, who stands next to Adam in authority, brought this priesthood through the flood, and it continued from generation to generation. Abraham, the 10th from Noah, received special blessings from the Lord, and the priesthood continued through him and his seed with the promise that all who received the gospel should be counted as Abraham’s seed and partake of his blessings”
Who Conferred the Priesthood upon Abraham?
see D&C 84:14–16
Bible Dictionary - Abraham, covenant of
Abraham first received the gospel by baptism (which is the covenant of salvation). Then he had conferred upon him the higher priesthood, and he entered into celestial marriage (which is the covenant of exaltation), gaining assurance thereby that he would have eternal increase. Finally he received a promise that all of these blessings would be offered to all of his mortal posterity (D&C 132:29–50; Abr. 2:6–11). Included in the divine promises to Abraham were the assurances that (1) Christ would come through his lineage, and that (2) Abraham’s posterity would receive certain lands as an eternal inheritance (Gen. 17; 22:15–18; Gal. 3; Abr. 2). These promises taken together are called the “Abrahamic covenant.” It was renewed with Isaac (Gen. 26:1–4, 24) and again with Jacob (Gen. 28; 35:9–13; 48:3–4).
The portions of the covenant that pertain to personal salvation and eternal increase are renewed with each individual who receives the ordinance of celestial marriage (see D&C 132:29–33). Those of non-Israelite lineage, commonly known as Gentiles, are adopted into the house of Israel and become heirs of the covenant and the seed of Abraham through the ordinances of the gospel (Gal. 3:26–29).
Being an heir to the Abrahamic covenant does not make one a “chosen person” per se but does signify that such are chosen to responsibly carry the gospel to all the peoples of the earth. Abraham’s seed have carried out the missionary activity in all the nations since Abraham’s day. (Matt. 3:9; Abr. 2:9–11.)
To fulfill the covenant God made with Abraham—having particular reference to the fact that the literal seed of his body would be entitled to all of the blessings of the gospel (Abr. 2:10–11)—a number of specific and particular things must take place in the last days. The gospel must be restored, the priesthood must be conferred again upon man, the keys of the sealing power must be given again to mortals, Israel must be gathered, and the Holy Ghost must be poured out upon the Gentiles. All this has already taken place or is in process of fulfillment.
Abraham 2:6-11, Genesis 12:1-8, Genesis 17:1-9
What blessings did God promise Abraham in this covenant?
GOD'S PROMISE CHART
Land - 2:6
Posterity 2:9
Priesthood 1:18
Salvation and Exaltation 2:10
What, then, is the Abrahamic covenant? It is that Abraham and his seed (including those adopted into his family) shall have all of the blessings of the gospel, of the priesthood, and of eternal life. The gate to eternal life is celestial marriage, which holy order of matrimony enables the family unit to continue in eternity, so that the participating parties may have posterity as numerous as the sands upon the seashore or the stars in heaven. The Abrahamic covenant enables men to create for themselves eternal family units that are patterned after the family of God our Heavenly Father. A lesser part of the covenant is that the seed of Abraham have the Millennial destiny of inheriting as an everlasting possession the very land of Canaan whereon the feet of the righteous have trod in days gone by.
What blessings can we receive through the Abrahamic covenant?
see D&C 132:29-33
What are our responsibilities as heirs of the Abrahamic covenant?
President Ezra Taft Benson said, “The responsibility of the seed of Abraham, which we are, is to be missionaries to ‘bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations’
Elder Boyd K. Packer made the following analogy to emphasize our responsibility to share the gospel with others: Imagine that our bishop has appointed us to plan a picnic for ward members. It is to be the best social in the history of the ward, and we are to spare no expense. We reserve a beautiful picnic ground in the country. We are to have it all to ourselves. The day arrives and everything is perfect. The tables are set and the feast is spectacular. Then, just as the blessing is being said, an old car turns into the picnic grounds and sputters to a stop. A worried man lifts the hood, and a spout of steam comes out. Several children climb out of the car. An anxious mother takes a box to a nearby table. She puts a few leftovers on the table, trying to make them look like a meal for her hungry children. But there is not enough. Then one of the little girls sees our table. She pulls her little brother over to us and pushes her head between you and me. We move aside. The little girl says, “Look at that; I wonder what that tastes like.”What would we do? Would we ignore the people or ask them to be quiet? Would we show them back to their table and give them some of the food we don’t really need? Or would we invite them to come and join us, to sit between us and share the feast, and to let us help fix their car and give them something for their journey? “Could there be more pure enjoyment than seeing how much we could get those hungry children to eat? Could there be more satisfaction than to interrupt our festivities to help [them] fix their car? …
“… There are people across the world and about us—our neighbors, our friends, some in our own families—who, spiritually speaking, are undernourished. Some of them are starving to death! If we keep all this to ourselves, it is not unlike feasting before those who are hungry”
How is the declaration of lineage in our patriarchal blessings like a call to fulfill our responsibilities as heirs to the Abrahamic covenant?
By declaring that we are the seed of Abraham, our patriarchal blessings reemphasize our privilege to receive the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant and our obligation to fulfill its responsibilities.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Moses 5,6,7 - If Thou Doest Well, Thou Shalt Be Accepted
Background
v5...Adam was obedient unto the Lord. They were commanded to offer their firstlings of their flocks as an offering unto the Lord.
v12...Adam and Eve blessed the name of God and made all things known unto their children.
v16,17...Cain was a tiller of the ground; Abel was a keeper of sheep.
...firstling of the flock
The word ‘firstlings’ puts certain qualifications and restrictions and even determines the quality of faith that is used in offering the sacrifice. ‘Firstling’ does not necessarily denote the oldest of the flock, but the firstborn of its particular mother. A ‘firstling’ is a male, the ‘first to open the matrix’ of its mother. Each mother in her lifetime could produce only one firstling, but a flock of sheep could have several firstlings born each year. In order to know which lambs were acceptable for sacrifice, the owner would have to know his flock. Some notice would have to be made of mothers and of young. Otherwise, how could anyone know which mothers had produced offspring for the first time? There is no way that a man, Adam or anyone else, could know which males were firstlings unless a record and some identification of mothers and offspring were kept. This requirement removes the element of chance and of haphazard obedience, or sometime obedience. Not only is one’s faith shown in the willingness to offer a sacrifice but also in the care required and the preparation needed beforehand in making the selection of the proper animal.
This particular passage of scripture illustrates the concept that the commandments of God require the intelligent and deliberate attention of those who are seeking salvation. It gives a reason for Paul’s observation that ‘without faith it is impossible to please’ God. For without faith one would not have kept a record and marked (at least mentally) which animals were proper for sacrifice'
Moses 5:18-20
Who did Cain love the most?
...Cain loved Satan more than God
What did Satan command Cain to do unto the Lord?
...Satan commanded him saying: Make an offering unto the Lord
What did Cain offer unto the Lord?
...Cain brought of the fruit of the ground
What did Abel offer unto the Lord?
...Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock
Whose offering did the Lord respect?
...The Lord had respect unto Abel
Why was it important to make sacrifices in the way the Lord had commanded?
Moses 5:21,26
How did Cain react when the Lord rejected his sacrifice and called him to repentance?
...Cain was wroth, his countenance fell, he rejected the greater counsel, he listened not any more to the voice of the Lord, neither to Abel, who walked in holiness.
Why is sometimes hard for us to be called to repentance?
How can we develop more repentant hearts?
Moses 5:32
...Cain slew Abel
How could the Lord allow something like this to happen?
In 1885 the First Presidency made the following statement, speaking about the righteous who are afflicted by the wicked: “For a wise purpose in [God’s] providence He permits the wicked, in the exercise of their agency, from time to time to afflict His followers. Since the days of our father Adam this has always been the case, and it will continue to be, so long as Satan has any power over the hearts of the children of men”.
Moses 5:33
...I Am Free
What do you think Cain believed he was free of?
How does disobedience actually decrease our freedom?
How does obedience increase our freedom?
Moses 5:34
...Am I my brother’s keeper?
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: "Are we our brothers’ keepers? In other words, are we responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors as we seek to earn our daily bread? The Savior’s Golden Rule says we are. Satan says we are not. Tempted of Satan, some have followed the example of Cain. They covet property and then sin to obtain it. The sin may be murder, robbery, or theft. It may be fraud or deception. It may even be some clever but legal manipulation of facts or influence to take unfair advantage of another. Always the excuse is the same: ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’".
Bishop Robert L. Simpson said: “The world today tells you to leave your friend alone. He has the right to come and go as he pleases. The world tells you that persuasion to attend church or priesthood meeting or to discard a bad habit might lead to frustration and undue pressures; but again I repeat the word of the Lord: You are your brother’s keeper, and when you are converted, you have an obligation to strengthen your brother.
Moses 5:36
What happened to Cain as a result of choosing to follow Satan instead of God?
...thou shalt be cursed
How did Cain's choices affect his descendants as well as himself?
How can our righteous or unrighteous choices affect our family members?
Elder Richard G. Scott counseled: "Many of you have heavy hearts because a son or daughter, husband or wife, has turned from righteousness to pursue evil. My message is for you. Your life is filled with anguish, pain, and, at times, despair. I will tell you how you can be comforted by the Lord. First, you must recognize two foundation principles:
1. While there are many things you can do to help a loved one in need, there are some things that must be done by the Lord.
2. Also, no enduring improvement can occur without righteous exercise of agency. Do not attempt to override agency. The Lord himself would not do that. Forced obedience yields no blessings (see D&C 58:26–33).
I will suggest seven ways you can help. First, love without limitations. … Second, do not condone the transgressions, but extend every hope and support to the transgressor. … Third, teach truth. … Fourth, honestly forgive as often as is required. … Fifth, pray trustingly. ‘The … fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’ (James 5:16). …Sixth, keep perspective. … When the things you realistically can do to help are done, leave the matter in the hands of the Lord and worry no more. Do not feel guilty because you cannot do more. Do not waste your energy on useless worry. … In time, you will feel impressions and know how to give further help. You will find more peace and happiness, will not neglect others that need you, and will be able to give greater help because of that eternal perspective. …“One last suggestion—Never give up on a loved one, never!"
Moses 6:27
...thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people
Do you think the Lord is pretty much at that point the way the world is now?
Moses 6:31-32
How did Enoch react when he was called by the Lord to preach repentance to the people?
...wherefore am I thy servant
Elder James E. Faust, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught: “Most of us who are called to leadership in the Church feel that we are inadequate because of inexperience, lack of ability, or meager learning and education
What can we learn from Enoch about serving the Lord even when we do not feel capable?
Moses 6:35-36
...A seer hath the Lord raised up
Elder John A. Widtsoe stated: “A seer is one who sees with spiritual eyes. He perceives the meaning of that which seems obscure to others; therefore he is an interpreter and clarifier of eternal truth. He foresees the future from the past and the present. This he does by the power of the Lord operating through him directly, or indirectly with the aid of divine instruments such as the Urim and Thummim
Moses 6:37
Why were people offended when Enoch began to preach?
Why did they continue to listen to him even though they were offended?
Moses 7:18
...one heart, one mind
What does it mean to be of one heart and one mind?
What can we do to become of one heart and one mind with the Lord?
Moses 7:21
...Zion was taken up into heaven
Moses 7:26-28
...Satan laughed at the wickedness
...God wept
Elder Marion D. Hanks, a former member of the Seventy, explained: "God, from whom all blessings come, asked of his children only that they should love each other and choose him, their Father. But as in our day, many neither sought the Lord nor had love for each other, and when God foresaw the suffering that would inevitably follow this self-willed, rebellious course of sin, he wept. That, he told Enoch, was what he had to cry about."
Summary Points
- The commandments of God require the intelligent and deliberate attention of those who are seeking salvation. It took a lot of faith to make an offering of the firstlings of the flock.
- It is important make an offering in the way that the Lord wants
- We should be slow to anger and humble ourselves to repentance
- God permits the wicked to afflict the righteous in exercise of their agency
- Obedience increases our freedom not disobedience
- We are responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors
- The choices we make to follow Jesus Christ will help draw us closer to him and lead us to liberty, happiness, and eternal life.
v5...Adam was obedient unto the Lord. They were commanded to offer their firstlings of their flocks as an offering unto the Lord.
v12...Adam and Eve blessed the name of God and made all things known unto their children.
v16,17...Cain was a tiller of the ground; Abel was a keeper of sheep.
...firstling of the flock
The word ‘firstlings’ puts certain qualifications and restrictions and even determines the quality of faith that is used in offering the sacrifice. ‘Firstling’ does not necessarily denote the oldest of the flock, but the firstborn of its particular mother. A ‘firstling’ is a male, the ‘first to open the matrix’ of its mother. Each mother in her lifetime could produce only one firstling, but a flock of sheep could have several firstlings born each year. In order to know which lambs were acceptable for sacrifice, the owner would have to know his flock. Some notice would have to be made of mothers and of young. Otherwise, how could anyone know which mothers had produced offspring for the first time? There is no way that a man, Adam or anyone else, could know which males were firstlings unless a record and some identification of mothers and offspring were kept. This requirement removes the element of chance and of haphazard obedience, or sometime obedience. Not only is one’s faith shown in the willingness to offer a sacrifice but also in the care required and the preparation needed beforehand in making the selection of the proper animal.
This particular passage of scripture illustrates the concept that the commandments of God require the intelligent and deliberate attention of those who are seeking salvation. It gives a reason for Paul’s observation that ‘without faith it is impossible to please’ God. For without faith one would not have kept a record and marked (at least mentally) which animals were proper for sacrifice'
Moses 5:18-20
Who did Cain love the most?
...Cain loved Satan more than God
What did Satan command Cain to do unto the Lord?
...Satan commanded him saying: Make an offering unto the Lord
What did Cain offer unto the Lord?
...Cain brought of the fruit of the ground
What did Abel offer unto the Lord?
...Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock
Whose offering did the Lord respect?
...The Lord had respect unto Abel
Why was it important to make sacrifices in the way the Lord had commanded?
Moses 5:21,26
How did Cain react when the Lord rejected his sacrifice and called him to repentance?
...Cain was wroth, his countenance fell, he rejected the greater counsel, he listened not any more to the voice of the Lord, neither to Abel, who walked in holiness.
Why is sometimes hard for us to be called to repentance?
How can we develop more repentant hearts?
Moses 5:32
...Cain slew Abel
How could the Lord allow something like this to happen?
In 1885 the First Presidency made the following statement, speaking about the righteous who are afflicted by the wicked: “For a wise purpose in [God’s] providence He permits the wicked, in the exercise of their agency, from time to time to afflict His followers. Since the days of our father Adam this has always been the case, and it will continue to be, so long as Satan has any power over the hearts of the children of men”.
Moses 5:33
...I Am Free
What do you think Cain believed he was free of?
How does disobedience actually decrease our freedom?
How does obedience increase our freedom?
Moses 5:34
...Am I my brother’s keeper?
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: "Are we our brothers’ keepers? In other words, are we responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors as we seek to earn our daily bread? The Savior’s Golden Rule says we are. Satan says we are not. Tempted of Satan, some have followed the example of Cain. They covet property and then sin to obtain it. The sin may be murder, robbery, or theft. It may be fraud or deception. It may even be some clever but legal manipulation of facts or influence to take unfair advantage of another. Always the excuse is the same: ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’".
Bishop Robert L. Simpson said: “The world today tells you to leave your friend alone. He has the right to come and go as he pleases. The world tells you that persuasion to attend church or priesthood meeting or to discard a bad habit might lead to frustration and undue pressures; but again I repeat the word of the Lord: You are your brother’s keeper, and when you are converted, you have an obligation to strengthen your brother.
Moses 5:36
What happened to Cain as a result of choosing to follow Satan instead of God?
...thou shalt be cursed
How did Cain's choices affect his descendants as well as himself?
How can our righteous or unrighteous choices affect our family members?
Elder Richard G. Scott counseled: "Many of you have heavy hearts because a son or daughter, husband or wife, has turned from righteousness to pursue evil. My message is for you. Your life is filled with anguish, pain, and, at times, despair. I will tell you how you can be comforted by the Lord. First, you must recognize two foundation principles:
1. While there are many things you can do to help a loved one in need, there are some things that must be done by the Lord.
2. Also, no enduring improvement can occur without righteous exercise of agency. Do not attempt to override agency. The Lord himself would not do that. Forced obedience yields no blessings (see D&C 58:26–33).
I will suggest seven ways you can help. First, love without limitations. … Second, do not condone the transgressions, but extend every hope and support to the transgressor. … Third, teach truth. … Fourth, honestly forgive as often as is required. … Fifth, pray trustingly. ‘The … fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’ (James 5:16). …Sixth, keep perspective. … When the things you realistically can do to help are done, leave the matter in the hands of the Lord and worry no more. Do not feel guilty because you cannot do more. Do not waste your energy on useless worry. … In time, you will feel impressions and know how to give further help. You will find more peace and happiness, will not neglect others that need you, and will be able to give greater help because of that eternal perspective. …“One last suggestion—Never give up on a loved one, never!"
Moses 6:27
...thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people
Do you think the Lord is pretty much at that point the way the world is now?
Moses 6:31-32
How did Enoch react when he was called by the Lord to preach repentance to the people?
...wherefore am I thy servant
Elder James E. Faust, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught: “Most of us who are called to leadership in the Church feel that we are inadequate because of inexperience, lack of ability, or meager learning and education
What can we learn from Enoch about serving the Lord even when we do not feel capable?
Moses 6:35-36
...A seer hath the Lord raised up
Elder John A. Widtsoe stated: “A seer is one who sees with spiritual eyes. He perceives the meaning of that which seems obscure to others; therefore he is an interpreter and clarifier of eternal truth. He foresees the future from the past and the present. This he does by the power of the Lord operating through him directly, or indirectly with the aid of divine instruments such as the Urim and Thummim
Moses 6:37
Why were people offended when Enoch began to preach?
Why did they continue to listen to him even though they were offended?
Moses 7:18
...one heart, one mind
What does it mean to be of one heart and one mind?
What can we do to become of one heart and one mind with the Lord?
Moses 7:21
...Zion was taken up into heaven
Moses 7:26-28
...Satan laughed at the wickedness
...God wept
Elder Marion D. Hanks, a former member of the Seventy, explained: "God, from whom all blessings come, asked of his children only that they should love each other and choose him, their Father. But as in our day, many neither sought the Lord nor had love for each other, and when God foresaw the suffering that would inevitably follow this self-willed, rebellious course of sin, he wept. That, he told Enoch, was what he had to cry about."
Summary Points
- The commandments of God require the intelligent and deliberate attention of those who are seeking salvation. It took a lot of faith to make an offering of the firstlings of the flock.
- It is important make an offering in the way that the Lord wants
- We should be slow to anger and humble ourselves to repentance
- God permits the wicked to afflict the righteous in exercise of their agency
- Obedience increases our freedom not disobedience
- We are responsible to look after the well-being of our neighbors
- The choices we make to follow Jesus Christ will help draw us closer to him and lead us to liberty, happiness, and eternal life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)