1 John 1-3. That Ye May Have Fellowship with Us and with God

Read 1 John 1:1–4. Describe in writing John’s desire for those he wrote to.

John had experienced some pretty amazing things in regard to his relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He wanted to share those experiences and some insight about how to have those experiences for yourself. He also shared a promise that if we fellowshipped with the saints and with God our joy would be full. As we come closer to God and follow His commandments we do find joy, even during trial.

Study the following scripture references and then list what these verses teach about how we can come to know God better and have greater joy and fellowship with God:

·         1 John 1:8–10 – Recognize and repent of our sins

·         1 John 2:3–6 – Keep the commandments and follow the example of the Savior

·         1 John 2:9–11; 3:11–19 – We should love our brother, Love one another, not only in word but in the deeds we do. Serve others and care for those who need it.

·         1 John 2:15–17 – Live in the world, but not of the world. Keep our focus on the things of God, not things of the world.

·         1 John 2:20–21, 27 – Listen to the spirit that has been given to us and teach others what we know.

·         1 John 3:4–6 – Accept the Atonement in your life and become free from sin.

Choose one of the ways to have greater joy and fellowship with God as you described it above, and write a paragraph explaining how you can better implement those principles in your life.

Live in the world, but not of the world—I think this whole semester has been a way for me to learn how to focus first on the things of God and then to improve my life in more temporal ways. I know that God wants me to be successful in all I do. Successful in sharing the gospel with others, successful as a mother in Zion, successful as a daughter of God, successful in developing my talents, but also successful in helping to provide for my family, and successful in being able to give service to others. I've had to overcome the false assumption that to be humble is to be poor, and that people who are successful and have money are bad. A wise friend taught me that there are good people and bad people, who do you want to have the money? The good people of course. My dreams include a comfortable home for my family and letting them experience different cultures around the world through travel, but they also include teaching them to serve others and to be generous with our time and our resources to benefit those in need. That might mean the high school band that needs new uniforms, or going on a humanitarian trip to Haiti to help build water lines, or donating generously to the fast offering fund, or the humanitarian fund of the church. I can’t do these things or teach my kids how to do those if we are living pay check to pay check just to meet our basic needs. As I become closer to my Heavenly Father, I can see more clearly the path He would have me follow. Then I have to exercise my faith in Him, and work as hard as I can to do the things I’m guided to do. I think this is what it means to live in the world, but not of the world. 

James 1. “Be Ye Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only”

.    Read James 1 and respond in writing to the following items:

·        What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?

o   “let him ask of God…and it shall be given him.” (v. 5)

o   He that endureth shall inherit the crown of life. (v. 12)

o   “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” (v. 17)

·        How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?

James defines this phrase as having “nothing wavering.” He says that if we waver we are like a wave that is tossed and driven with the wind.

·        How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?

In Matthew is says that “no man can serve to masters,” and in 1 Kings that you cannot believe in two different Gods. For me this means that being a “double minded man” is one who is a fence sitter. Not committed to the gospel or to God. He wants to be in the world and say that he serves God, but it doesn’t work that way according to these scriptures or my own experience.

·        From James 1:13–15, 19–27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

o   Beware of the temptations of the Devil that will ensnare you and draw you away from the Gospel.

o   Be swift to hear

o   Be slow to speak

o   Be slow to wrath

o   “Lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness”

o   Meekly receive the word of God

o   Be doers of the word, and not hearers only

o   Bridle your tongue

o   Don’t let your heart be deceived

o   Visit the fatherless and widows (serve those in need)

·        Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22.

My bishop and his wife in Ohio were examples of doers of the word. They exemplified service and study and teaching correct principles. They showed genuine love to all those around them. Another friend of mine had the ability to lift me up every time we were together. If it was at a presidency meeting, or just a time when we ran into each other at the store, or in other social meetings, she always had a way of teaching a gospel principle or helping me recognize the Lord’s hand in my life. There are countless others that I know personally as well as all of the general Leaders of the church.

2.    Read the institute student manual commentary for James 1:5–6, “If Any of You Lack Wisdom” (p. 409). Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact ... upon mankind than any other” scripture.

These words led to the opening of the heavens in modern times.

They led Joseph Smith to turn to God for answers which led to the restoration of the fullness of the gospel.

Each investigator of truth stands in the same place as Joseph Smith, and must turn to God to gain wisdom by revelation. 

Hebrews 8-10. The Atonement is Greater Than All of the Sacrifices of the Old Testament

1.    Throughout the book of Hebrews, Paul taught the superiority of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Melchizedek Priesthood over the Law of Moses and the Aaronic Priesthood. From your study of Hebrews 8:1-3; 9:22-28; 10:1-4, 10-17; Alma 34:10, 13-14, write a paragraph describing how the Atonement of Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law of Moses. Include in your paragraph what these verses say about the following questions:

·                    What was the purpose of the Law of Moses?

·                    What does the Atonement of Jesus Christ do for us?

The Law of Moses was there for people to offer blood sacrifices to be clean, and to show obedience. It was necessary to repeat over and over every year. However, the blood of animals is not sufficient to redeem people from their sins. That required an infinite sacrifice of one who was perfect. Jesus Christ made that one-time, infinite blood sacrifice with his own body. This gives us the opportunity to be cleansed from our sins and be redeemed from the fall. We now have the opportunity to receive salvation if we repent continually for the sins we commit.

2.    In the book of Hebrews, Paul referred to Jesus Christ as a “high priest” (see Hebrews 9:11). Read Hebrews 9:11-28; the institute student manual commentary for Hebrews 9:1-10, “What Do We Know Concerning the Ancient Tabernacles and Its Services?” (pp. 390-91); commentary for Hebrews 9:11-15, 23-28, “The Role of Jesus Christ as High Priest Mediator of the New Testament” (p. 391). Write a paragraph that shows how the labors of the high priests in the temple were like what the Savior did for us in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Every year the High Priest would enter the tabernacle and perform sacrifices on the Day of Atonement. He would perform certain ceremonies for sin offerings, which included blood sacrifices of animals. He would enter the Holy of Holies alone and perform these rituals for himself and the people of Israel. Jesus offered a one-time sacrifice for all of our sins. He entered Heaven to plead at the mercy sear of our Heavenly Father for each of us, if we would repent. He used his own blood, and sacrificed himself for us. He was the High Priest for us as well as the sacrifice.

3.    Write a paragraph on why the title “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11) is an appropriate title for Jesus Christ.

When we have trials, and sorrows that occur in our lives, we can get discouraged and can feel like it will never get better. The gospel of Jesus Christ provides the hope that we need to sustain us through those times. The Savior has felt all of our sorrows, and all of our disappointments. He has been through it all in the garden of Gethsemane. We can look to Him for the hope of “good things to come.” If we can but follow his council and do the things that He requires, we will find eternal happiness and joy. We can even find that happiness along the way as we turn to Him, serve others, and keep the commandments. 

Hebrews 3-4. Entering into the Lord’s Rest

·        What group of people was refused entrance into the Lord’s rest?

The Israelites were refused entrance because of their unbelief and hardness of heart.

·        What sins caused them to forfeit this privilege?

Their continued refusal to obey the commandments. They continued to worship idols and would not hearken to the words of Moses, which were the words of the Lord.

·        How does Doctrine and Covenants 84:23–24 help define what is the Lord’s rest?

The Doctrine and Covenants describes the Lord’s rest as the “fullness of his glory.”

·        What sins did Paul repeatedly warn against so as not to incur the same punishment?

Harden not your hearts, v. 8; an evil heart of unbelief, v. 12; Paul repeated this counsel about the heart. Be believers, have a soft heart, follow the commandments.

·        How do you think the warnings in Hebrews 3:12–15 apply to us?

If we gather together often, as we do in our weekly Sunday meetings, and in other meetings throughout the week, we will be able to lift and strengthen each other continually. I think it also pertains to our social lives. As we associate with other members as friends we can help keep each other accountable and teach each other daily. As we associate with others not of our faith, we also have an opportunity to teach the gospel of Christ through our examples and our words. This too will help strengthen our testimonies and keep our hearts turned toward Christ and His gospel.

·        List the counsel found in Hebrews 4 that will help a person enter into the rest of the Lord.

o   Hear the teachings of the gospel with faith in your heart

o   Harden not your heart

o   Hear his voice

o   Keep the Sabbath Holy

o   Don’t fall into unbelief

o   Follow the Savior’s example in all things

·        How do Matthew 7:21–23; John 7:17; James 1:22 help in understanding how the word needs to be “mixed with faith”? (Hebrews 4:2–3).

As we hear the word, or the gospel, we need to have faith to act on the things we hear. When we receive the doctrine of repentance, we need to repent. When we are counseled to forgive, we need to forgive. Faith is an action. We can’t just say we have faith, we show that faith by doing what the Lord would have us do.