Week 11

Choice 2

1. What the Savior taught about (1) what the Holy Ghost does (2) what disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost

1-abides with us, sent in the name of the father, teaches us, brings all things to remembrance,  brings us heavenly peace, testifies of Christ, reprove the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement, quickens all intellectual faculties, purifies natural passions and affections, develops beauty of person, can cleanse us from sin

2- Bear witness of Christ, have truth or goodness in your heart or be striving towards righteousness, obey the commandments of the Father

Describe how the Holy Ghost helped the Apostles fulfill their missions after the Savior’s death and resurrection.

             He abides with them and testifies of truth, through the Holy Ghost people who have not been blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost are still able to feel his power and influence of truth. The spirit is able to testify of Christ and his mission which helped those who had never seen or even heard of Christ come to know him. 

Write a paragraph about a time when the Holy Ghost blessed you in one of the ways you listed above. Give an example of how the Holy Ghost has inspired you.

              A couple weeks ago, my grandpa passed away after battling cancer for 2 years. Through a lot of treatments, slowed lifestyle, painful days, restless night, and many other physical complications he lost his battle one evening as his family was gathered around his bed at home. I have rarely felt a spirit so strong, or a veil so thin as at that time. The spirit truly can change even that hardest of situations and wash them over with peace. Despite the difficult circumstance we were able to feel the love of our Father in Heaven and those on the other side as he crossed the veil to return to his heavenly family.

Week 10

Choice 4
I especially love these examples of how Christ lead and taught the apostles to lead. I think there is a distinct difference in our church's leadership compared to others and the most obvious to the outside world is that our leaders to not get paid at all. Besides some minor training for some callings and talking to other's who have had the same calling, our leaders do not go to a special school or get a certain certificate. Our leaders are strictly volunteer, and I believe that because of that they are blessed with an increased love for whoever they are called to teach. 

I have had many examples of leaders who were Christ-like leaders. The one that comes to mind at this time is my current bishop of my home ward. Last week my grandfather passed away, the very next night our bishop and his wife came over to offer their condolences and talk with my family. He has been the bishop for our ward for 4 years now and I have countless memories of him dropping whatever he is doing to help ward members. He is a man who loves both young and old and will do whatever he can to help them. He is someone who can truly love a sinner and help quide them back to their Heavenly Father. All without any complaint or ask of anything in return.

Week 8

1. Review Mark 12:41–44 and the institute student manual commentary for Mark 12:41–44, “What Was the Significance of the Widow’s Gift?” (pg. 149). Write an explanation of how the widow lived what the Savior taught in Mark 12:28–30.

The widow lived the first commandment by giving all the she had for the Lord. The institute manual taught that the angels do not count quantity but quality. The Lord cares less about the amount we give but looks at the bigger picture and looks at all we have and judges based on how much of it we were willing to give. Although someone with millions may give a thousand, it is nothing compared to someone with one dollar who gives all. Just like a child who gives a small and usually meaningless gift, to that child it is all they have or something very important to them and it is something that they were willing to give away to someone they love. 

1. Even though the widow gave less money than wealthier people gave, according to Mark 12:44, how much of what she had did she give? Write a paragraph describing what this teaches about what constitutes an acceptable offering to the Lord. How does 2 Nephi 25:23 apply to what the widow did?

I believe that the Lord is willing to except even the smallest donation as long as it comes from the heart and is given selflessly. The widows donation was greater than those of the wealthy because she was willing to give away all that she had for the Lord. This relates to n Nephi 25:23 because it is only after we do all that we can that the grace of Christ will save us. We must first be willing to work and sacrifice for him so that He will in turn be able to sacrifice for us.

1. Write two or three sentences describing a way, aside from the donation of money, that you could better follow the widow’s example of sacrifice and obedience.

I think that one of the best ways to offer all that we have for the Lord is to fulfill our church callings. I think one great way to show you are willing to do anything for the Lord is to accept any calling he has for you and to do all that you can to try to better yourself and those you are called to serve.

Week 6

Choice 1

1. There is a lot of beautiful counsel in these verses to the seventy. One of the most troubling is when he tells them they are going forth "as lambs among wolves". He advises them to bring nothing along and multiple times refers to trusting in the spirit and making decisions based on what they perceive and feel is correct. There are many words of counsel advising them to help heal the sick and eat what is placed before them. It seems that he is advising them to be grateful for the goodness that is placed before them and quickly turn away from those acts of feelings that are bad. He blesses them with the "power to tread on serpents".

2. These scriptures show that just as we do today, the Lord established more than just the 12 apostles, but established a quorum of 70 men, who held some sort of priesthood power or were at least baptized because they were able to "heal the sick" and be inspired by the spirit. The Lord also sent out missionaries two by two and had them work, eat, and live alongside the people they were teaching. He had them leave their lives behind and sacrifice their time, and in some instances I'm sure even their lives in order to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

3. The most obvious example of proving the Lord had a quorum of the Seventy is in Luke 10:1 when he says that he called the 70. 

Week 5

Choice 3: Matthew 18:1–14. “Become as Little Children” 

1. Matthew 18:3–4 and Doctrine and Covenants 78:17–18. 

We are like little children in these ways:

-we do not fully understand how great the blessings that our Heavenly Father has given us and those he is still preparing us for

-we cannot bear all things

-stay happy and trust in the Lord

-become humble as a little child

In these verses, how does the Lord ​say He will help us?

-The Lord has promised to help us along and guide us and unveil more blessings throughout our lives as we follow Him

2.    Read Mosiah 3:19 and list the ways in which we are to become as little children.

Submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which our Father seeth fit to inflict upon him

Week 4

Student Choice Assignment Week Three: Choice 3
Matthew 14:22-33
1. The first reaction of the apostles when they saw Christ walking on water was fear, because they did not know it was the savior, but thought it was a spirit.

2. Peter's response was interesting to me. In my opinion by asking the Lord to "bid me come unto the water" he was verifying the Lord's response. Part of me thinks this is wrong because Christ's "right hand man" should be able to identify him, however if it was night time, on the ocean during a storm, it may have been incredibly difficult for him to make out his physical appearance. So by asking him this, he know that if he did bid him to walk on the water he knew it was really Christ.

3. Peter began to sink because he looked away from Christ and allowed his fear of the waves overcome his faith in Christ's power.

4. Peter called out for Christ to save him (because he knew that he could) and it says that "immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand"

5. In D&C 88:67 the line that stood out to me was "your eye be single to my glory". In Peter's story of walking on water, it is easy to learn how quickly we can fall if we do not stay focused on Christ. As soon as Peter looked away he began to fall. That being said, it is also amazing how quickly the Lord can save us when we ask for his help. As soon as Peter called out to Him he was there to lift him up. In my own life, trials are usually much longer than just a few moments, but the principle is the same. If we stay focused of Christ we will not fall, however if we do, as soon as we call out for His help he will be there.

Week 3

Week 3 Student Choice Assignment 2

1. Parables- A story told to veil a deeper gospel-related meaning using every day examples that is dependent upon the faith of the listener to uncover the true message or meaning behind it.

2. What describes the future growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? - Parable of the mustard seed and of the leaven

    Why does the church send out so many missionaries? -Parable of the gospel net
   
    How do you explain the remarkable growth of the church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier? -Parables of the mustard seed and of the leaven
 
    Why are some members of the church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the church? -Parable of the treasure and of the pearl of great price

    Why do some church member choose to leave the church?  -Parable of the tares

3. It is easy to sit here and say I am willing to give everything for the church, and I am sure I would when the time comes. But if I was being honest I would also say that if that time ever does come, I know it will be much harder than it sounds. Two of my best friends choose to join the church in high school and both were kicked out of their homes. one was allowed to come home a while later but struggled with living with an un-supportive family. However the other friend was never allowed home, and is no longer talking to his family since he chose to serve a mission. It is extremely hard for him at times, and he has (at this point) lost many of the people he loves. But I have talked to him about it multiple times and I know he has absolutely no regrets because he knows this temporary state of pain and heartache on earth and he can see the eternal effects of making the choice to both join and live the gospel.

I believe the net represents missionaries when they are out in the field finding new investigators. I believe to be gathered into the net means those people who are being taught the gospel by the missionaries. The action of gathering the good into the vessels and casting out that bad is when the missionaries have to make the decision to continue to teach only those who are really interested in the gospel. It may not be easy, but there are times when you have to choose who is really serious about the gospel and focus on them only.