Jan 18, 2009 Lesson #3 "I Had Seen A Vision

The Great Apostasy

1. Began in the days of the Apostles:

• John A. Tvedtnes: "In view of the evidence from the ancient texts ... it seems clear that the general apostasy in the early Church was the result of individual apostasy by dissident Christians who not only rejected the Lord's chosen servants, but sometimes set themselves up in their place. With the passing of the apostles and other recognized authorities of the early Church, these rebellious individuals filled the void and brought their own opinions, rather than the Lord's revealed truth, into the Church." (Rejection of Priesthood Leaders as a Cause of the Great Apostasy, Foundation for Apologetic Information & Research)

2. After the departure of the apostles, spiritual gifts ceased to exist in the Church.

• President Joseph Fielding Smith: "This condition also led to the universal belief, which the world holds even now, that the canon of scripture is full and there is to be no more scripture, notwithstanding the Lord has revealed through his servants that revelation is to continue." (Essentials In Church History, p8)

3. In the 4th Century, the Church as it had evolved, became the state religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine.

• Over time the simple principles of the Christian faith were embellished almost beyond recognition with pomp and mystic rites borrowed from pagan worship.
• Doctrines of the gospel were changed:
  
• The doctrine of the Godhead became one of mystery.
• The ordinance of baptism was changed to sprinkling.
• Infant baptism was instituted.
• Changes in the administration of the Sacrament were instituted.
  
• Those entering the ministry were forbidden to marry.

God prepared the way for Restoration
"Beginning in the 14th Century, the Lord began to prepare those social, educatinal, religious, economic, and governmental conditions under which he could more easily resotre the gospel for the last time." Bruce R. McConkie Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed (1966), 717.

1- Renaissance
2 - Reformers There were many great ones; I just learned of William Wilberforce last night (Amazing Grace is the show/video about his contribution - excellent watch!)
3 - Americas with independent peoples
4 - Constitution with religious freedom

Many truths were revealed in the First Vision
"I submit that in the few minutes that Joseh Smith was with the Father and the Son, he learned more of the nature of God the Eternal Father and the risen Lord than all the learned minds in all their discussion through all centries of time" President Gordon B. Hinckley, Church News, 24 Oct. 1998, 6)

Truths revealed through First Vision:

• God and Jesus live
• They are two separate beings
• God answers prayers
• Revelation has not ceased
• Satan is real
• Satan has power but God's is greater
• No church at that time had fullness

This is a great talk by Jeffrey R. Holland regarding the Nicene Creed and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint's believe in the Godhood. It is a must read to begin to understand the significance of the revealed truth of the Godhead in contrast with mainstream Christian beliefs of today.

Journal Questions:
How did God prepare Joseph Smith to be a prophet? How are we using our personal trials and afflictions to become better servants of God?

January 11, 2009 Lesson #2 - "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World

The attached Wordal (picture of word associations represented in size by number of references within a given text) was created from all the scripture references given in this lesson for the names, roles and characteristics associated with Jesus Christ.

I thought it was interesting that the word LIGHT was given the most emphasis as you can see by the size of the word light in the picture.

The Light of Christ is sometimes referred to as our conscience, but it is much more than that. Read the second and third paragraphs under the “Light of Christ: on page 725 of the Bible Dictionary to gain a greater understanding of the Light of Christ, then read D&C 88:6–13; D&C 93:2; Moroni 7:13, Moroni 7:16–19

The following are some key points to consider:

• The Light of Christ “[fills] the immensity of space” and “giveth life to all things” (D&C 88:12–13).
• It is an uplifting influence that is given to every person who is born into the world (D&C 93:2).
• It helps us know good from evil and invites us to do good and believe in Christ (Moroni 7:13, Moroni 7:16–19).

Challenge/Goal for next Week - along with Lesson Guide Reading assignment:
1- Spend some time to ponder and journal your insights and impressions of how remembering and understanding Christ's roles, attributes and atonement could impact or change your daily behaviors.
2- Ponder and journal how you can show the Savior your gratitude for His Atonement

Jan 4, 2009 Lesson #1 Introduction to Doctrine and Covenants and Church History

Hi Everyone -
We will be using the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History Class Member Study Guide this year. I will not be "recreating study guides" but I will share any additional information that I think will be helpful in our studies this year.

Also, here is an invitation to YOU to add via the comments section on this blog any ideas you may have to help motivate or encourage our class learning!

One idea is to categorize your thoughts into the following three buckets:

1. Ah Haaaas! (I was formerly calling these 'appetizers') Insights connections, patterns, or themes that adds to your understanding & testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
2. TA Das! Personal accomplishments or acknowledgment of others relative to class purposes and lesson content or personal scripture study.
3. Uh Ohs? Specific questions or challenges that were answered through the scriptures

Let me know what you think.

Supplemental Information:

• Hymn # 41 Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise - awesome hymn describing the context for D&C study! LDS Hymns

• Meridian Magazine – The Voice of Warning Shall be Unto All People, Scot Facer Proctor http://www.meridianmagazine.com/gospeldoctrine/dc/041228dcintro.html

• Web tool that provides daily scripture reading assigments: http://www.readthescriptures.com/

Dec 28, 2008 Combined Lessons

LESSON 47

Moroni1-6 “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

Dennis Roberts http://www.ldsgospeldoctrine.net/

How far away from home have you spent Christmas?

What parts of Sacrament meeting are the same throughout the world?


Chapters 2 through 5 contain the following:

Chapter 2 --How to give the gift of the Holy Ghost

Chapter 3 --How to ordain elders, priests, and teachers

Chapters 4 & 5 --The sacramental prayers

Chapter 6 --Who should be baptized

Chapter 6 --Necessity of meeting often

Chapter 6 --No iniquity in the church

Chapter 6 –Instructions on conducting meetings



LESSON 48

Moroni 7-8,10 “Come Unto Christ”


Lesson Highlights

* Mormon explains how to judge between good and evil.

* Mormon explains the importance of faith, hope, and charity.

* Mormon teaches that little children are saved through Christ's Atonement.

* The Holy Ghost testifies of all truth. Spiritual gifts follow those who come unto Christ.



Story of Vincenzo di Francesca (http://italy.fiber.net/fun/articles/burnbook.html)

How Rare a Possession: The Book of Mormon – Video 65 min


READ MORONI 7:3-4.

What does it mean to be “peaceable followers of Christ?”

How do we become peaceable followers? What is the reward?

Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "True saints enter into the rest of the Lord while in this life, and by abiding in the truth, they continue in that blessed state until they rest with the Lord in heaven. The rest of the Lord, where mortals are concerned, is to gain a perfect knowledge of the divinity of the great latter-day work." (Mormon Doctrine, p633)

President Joseph F. Smith: "The ancient prophets speak of 'entering into God's rest'; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive." (Gospel Doctrine, p58)


READ MORONI 7:6-9.

What is Mormon telling us here about our motives for doing good?

President Romney's story teaches us to:

Study the scriptures - to help us understand the workings of the Lord.

Go the extra mile (don't just do the minimum)



READ MORONI 7:12-19.

What did Mormon teach about how we can discern good from evil?

How can we become more receptive to the guidance of the spirit of Christ?

Search diligently in the light of Christ (v19) What do you think this means?

Lay hold upon every good thing and condemn it not (v19).

Mormon asks the question: "How is it possible to lay hold upon every good thing? (v20)

How does Mormon answer this question? (see v21-26).

“Hebrew Meaning of "Faith:" True religion is based on true faith in the Lord. The Hebrew word for faith is emunah and that is probably derived from the word imun which means practice, procedure or work. Inherent in the word emunah is faith and works. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:17)” Daniel Rona http://www.israelrevealed.com/gospel/2000les47.htm


Read Moroni 10

Holy Ghost testifies of all truth

Moroni 10:1 To whom is this chapter addressed?

Moroni 10:2 What does Moroni exhort us to do? Could he not have just said good-bye?


Moroni’s exhortations - Is this what we would like to tell those we love?

V 3 “Remember how merciful Lord hath been”

V 4 “Ask God if these things are not true”

V 7 “Deny not power of God”

V 8 “Deny not the gifts of God”

V 18 “Good gifts cometh of Christ”

V 19 “Christ is same forever”

V 27 “Remember these things”

V 30 “Come unto Christ”


Moroni 10:4 Why can’t we gain testimonies by intellect

Moroni 10:7 Moroni said to deny not what? How do we deny power of God? Why do we?

Moroni 10:30,32 How does “Come Unto Christ” reflect entire message of BofM?

Continue To Study The Book of Mormon
The course of study for next year's Gospel Doctrine class is the Doctrine and Covenants.
What place should the Book of Mormon have in our personal study next year?

President Ezra Taft Benson: "The Book of Mormon is studied in our Sunday School and seminary classes every fourth year. This four-year pattern, however, must not be followed by Church members in their personal study. We need to read daily from the pages of the book that will get a man 'nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book'." (Ensign, Nov 1988, p4)

Reflection and Challenge for 2009
What is your current level of satisfaction with your spiritual growth?
What are you willing to do to increase your spiritual growth next year?

Sister Fillmore’s “Appetizers” from Last Week:
• Christ provides light for the dark times in our lives.
• When night came they (Jaradites) did cease not to praise God. (Do I do the same during the “nights” of my life?)
• They (Jaradites) had light continuously above or beneath the water. Have I asked and obtained my source of light to warm me during the times I am “below or above the water”?
• Their children (Jaradites) were taught to walk humbly before the Lord; they also were taught from on hight. How do I encourage my children (grandchildren) to “walk humbly before the Lord? Do I walk humbly before the Lord?


Lesson #46 “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”
Ether 7 – 15

Context Setting:
The last half of the book of Ether describes the blessings of righteousness and the curses of wickedness. Prophets helped preserve the Jaredites for many years. However, secret combinations eventually led to strife and the overthrow of freedom.


The story, as it unfolded, caused me to be amazed, saddened and hopeful all at the same time. Amazed at how quickly a strong nation can adopted a society of wickedness, saddened at the death and destruction and suffering and hopeful knowing that God is quick to forgive and bless those who truly turn their hearts and lives towards Christ.


Some things to consider:
Why do Mormon and Moroni write so much concerning their historical/political situation of their day and the end of their society? How do we apply these warnings to our own lives?


Ether 7: Symptoms of decay: Lack of gratitude and failing to remember the source of their blessings Ether 6:30, 7:27, Ether 10:2


How can we better recognize and remember these blessings through:
• Personal and family scripture reading
• Testimony bearing
• Recording personal and family histories


Ether 12: v 6, 7 &12
What are four characteristics of faith that Moroni teaches us?
How have you seen the power of faith manifest in your life or in the life of someone you know?
What is the connection of being meek and strengthening our faith? Ether 12:26


A Merry Christmas Treat to You . . . Please Read and you will be rewarded!
The Meek and the Lowly by Neal A. Maxwell an excellent talk that shares, as only Br. Maxwell can, the attributes of becoming meek:
• Wears Christ’s Yoke
• Key to deepening discipleship
• True Education
• Offsets the Chains of Pride
• Enables Ears to Hear
• Prepares us for the eternity
• Prevents the small view from becoming reality
• Strong men are meek

May each of us have the personal desire and patience to recognize our weaknesses as opportunities to become more faithful unto our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

May peace and joy be yours as you celebrate His blessed birth!

LESSON 45 - Sunday, Dec 15th Ether 1-5

Hi Everyone - I will not be teaching this Sunday. Bro Brown promised to provide a substitute.I did want to share some study questions. I have found these so helpful. I hope you do to.
See you in two weeks. Sister Fillmore

Outline, Study Questions and Notes by Dennis Roberts
http://www.ldsgospeldoctrine.net/ Dennis Roberts Gospel Doctrine Lesson Material


“Never Has Man Believed in Me as Thou Hast”
Objective: to help members understand how faith helps us eternally


Supplement #1 - Background

The book of Ether is a fifteen chapter abridgment of the twenty four plates
found by the people of Limhi in the days of King Mosiah. It gives an outline
history of a people who were led to this continent from the Tower of Babel
and became a great nation. These people, called Jaredites, had a national
history of possibly sixteen centuries or more. The Tower of Babel record is
the factual basis of the book of Ether. The Lord did not confound the Jaredite
language, but guided his people and made of them a great nation. Ether, the
last great prophet and historian of this people, gives his own genealogy,
covering twenty nine generations or more back to Jared, who lived at the
time of the Tower of Babel episode.

(FARMS, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, Vol.4, Number 2, p.123)


1- The Lord grants the requests of the brother of Jared
Ether 1:1-5 What is contained on 24 gold plates?
Ether 1:34 What kind of person must the brother of Jared been?
Ether 1:35-43 What is difference being “crying unto Lord” and saying prayers?

2- The Jaredites begin their journey to the promised land
Ether 2:7-8 For whom had the Lord preserved this Promised Land?
Ether 2:9-12 What was said about the decrees of God? Did Moroni speak from experience? This is for all inhabitants.
Ether 2:13-14 Why did Lord chasten BofJ? Why might he (we) have neglected to call upon the Lord?
Ether 2:15-17 What did BofJ do after repenting?
Ether 2:19 What problems did BofJ foresee?
Ether 2:20,23-25 How did Lord respond? What can we learn from BofJ’s experience with Lord?

Supplement #2 Elder Russell M. Nelson gives direction on how we can solve our own problems. Quoting President Hinckley he stated: “I don’t know how to get anything done
except getting on my knees and pleading for help and then getting on
my feet and going to work.” (General Conference, October, 1997)

3- The brother of Jared sees Jesus Christ
Ether 3:1-5 How did BofJ propose to solve light problem? How do the words of this request show humility and faith?
Ether 3:6-9 How did the Lord respond to BofJ’s request? Why was BofJ frightened? What did Lord say about faith?
Ether 3:10-12 How did BofJ demonstrate faith? Where did such faith come from?
Ether 3:13-14 How did Lord describe himself? What was necessary for BofJ to see Lord? (redeemed from Fall)
Ether 3:15-18,25-26 What did Lord show BofJ?
Ether 3:27-28; 4:1 What did Lord instruct BofJ to do now?

4- Moroni seals up the writings of the brother of Jared
Ether 4:4-7 What do we learn about the plates & us?
Ether 4:8,10-11 What about those who deny / believe?
Ether 5:1 To whom is this chapter addressed?

5- The Jaredites travel to the promised land
Ether 6:3-4 How can this apply to us?
Ether 6:8-9 What did Jaredites do day and night?
Ether 6:12 What did Jaredites do in promised land?..Might this be similar to our return to our Heavenly Father?

How does this apply to me?
Supplement #3 Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
The brother of Jared may not have had the great belief in himself, but
his belief in God was unprecedented. In that there is hope for us all.
His faith was without doubt or limit… Once and for all it was declared
that ordinary people with ordinary challenges could rend the veil of
unbelief and enter the realms of eternity.”
(Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 29)


Unique analogy and application given by Dennis Roberts “I know families who are in the “barges” as I write. They cannot see where the Lord is taking them, and having lost the moorings that bind them to familiar lands, they are utterly in his hands, waiting and hoping for him to bring them finally to a land of promise of their own.

During the crossing they were often buried by the waves and tempests of the deep. How did they spend their time? Giving thanks.

They might have done so many other things during that year of sailing. They might have argued over land divisions. They might have speculated on the kind of choice land the Lord was giving to them. They might have passed the days playing shuffleboard or other shipboard games. And perhaps they did some of these things, but the brother of Jared is anxious for us to know that they spent much of their time in gratitude.

In the absence of the blessings they sought, they were willing to give thanks for the blessings they had. This is another great lesson for those of us who find ourselves sailing blindly toward an unknown destination in our own barges.
Finally they arrived at the promised land and then gave thanks again.

Lesson #44 "I Speak Unto You As If Ye Were Present" - Dec 7, 2008

Objective: To help members understand counsel given by Mormon


1-Mormon exhorts descendants to believe in Christ

Mormon 7:1-2 Why is this important to know? (Abraham 2:8-11)

Mormon 7:3-10 What instructions did Mormon give us?

Mormon’s instructions

Mormon 7:3,5,8,10 Repent, be baptized, receive Holy Ghost

Mormon 7:4 Lay down weapons of war

Mormon 7:5 Come to knowledge of ancestors

Mormon 7:5-7,10 Believe in Jesus Christ and Atonement

Mormon 7:8-9 Study gospel in Bible and Book of Mormon

D&C 49:24 How is this prophecy being fulfilled today?




2- Moroni prophesies about coming forth of B of M

Mormon 8:1-5 What emotions do you sense from Moroni?

Mormon 8:14-16 Moroni prophesied of whom?


President Ezra Taft Benson
“I commend you faithful saints who are striving to flood the earth and
your lives with the Book of Mormon. Not only must we move forward
in a monumental manner more copies of the Book of Mormon, but we
must move boldly forward into our own lives and throughout the earth
more of its marvelous messages.” (General Conference, April, 1989)


Mormon 8:21-22 How can these words strengthen us?

Mormon 8:26-32 What did Mormon prophesy about today?

Mormon 8:34-35 What did Mormon say about us?

Mormon 8: 36-41 How does pride affect attitude toward needy?


President Ezra Taft Benson
“The antidote for pride is humility – meekness, submissiveness. It is
the broken heart and contrite spirit… God will have a humble people.
Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be
humble… Let us choose to be humble.” (General Conference, April, 1989)





3- Moroni exhorts people (us) to believe in Christ

Mormon 9:1,3-5 Who is Moroni talking to?

Mormon 9:6 How can we dwell in God’s presence?

Mormon 9:7-8 What people do not believe in gifts?

Mormon 9:11-17 How is God a God of Miracles?

v. 11-12 Creation of heavens, earth, and mankind

v. 12 The Fall

v. 12-13 The redemption

v. 13 Resurrection of all people

v. 13-14 Return of all people to Lord to be judged

Read Bible Dictionary – Miracles. What did you learn?

Mormon 9:18 What did Moroni refer to here? Why?

Mormon 9:20-21 What causes miracles to cease?

Mormon 9:24-25 What signs follow believers?

Mormon 9:27 What did Moroni exhort us to do?


Prophet Joseph Smith
“Where doubt is, there faith has no power.” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 46)
-----
“Those who know their weakness and liability to sin would be in
constant doubt of salvation if it were not for the idea which they have
of the excellency of God, that he is slow to anger and long-suffering,
and of a forgiving disposition, and does forgive iniquity, transgression,
and sin. An idea of these facts does away doubt, and makes faith
exceedingly strong.” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 42)



How does this apply to me?


What would Moroni expect of the Sequim, Happy Valley Ward?



Adapted from Dennis Roberts Lesson 44 Mormon 7-9 Outline