Week 11: Jesus' Instructions on the Holy Ghost

For this week’s assignment I chose to talk about the Savior’s instructions about the Holy Ghost.  I will first be going through verses in John chapters 14, 15 and 16 and identify what Jesus says in each verse what the Holy Ghost does and what the disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost.

Starting in John 14 we begin at verses 15-17.  In here, Jesus tells His disciples to keep His commandments and He will pray unto God that He will give them the Holy Ghost to abide with them forever.  How He describes the Holy Ghost in this is that the Holy Ghost is the spirit of truth that the world can’t receive because they can’t recognize him, but the disciples now him because he dwelt with them and will be in them.  Next verses are 26-27 where Jesus says that the Comforter is the Holy Ghost whom God will send in Jesus’ name and he will teach the disciples all things and bring all things to their remembrance of the things Jesus has taught and told them.  Jesus went on to say that he leaves His peace with them, but not as the world gives.  Then we jump to John 15:26-27 and Jesus tells His disciples that when the Comforter comes who He sends to them from God, which is the spirit of truth will testify of Christ, and that the disciples will bear witness as well, because they had seen Him.  Now we go to John 16:7-8 where Jesus says that it’s expedient for Him to go away or else the Comforter can’t come to them, but if He does leave, the Comforter can come, and when he does come, he’ll reprove the world of sin, righteousness and Judgment.  Hopping to verses 13-14 of the same chapter, Jesus asked how is that when the Holy Ghost comes he’ll guide the disciples into all truth because he doesn’t speak of himself but whatever he hears he will speak and will so them the things to come and will glorify Christ because he will receive of His and show it to them.

When the Savior died for our sins and then resurrected, the disciples had to rely on the Holy Ghost to guide them and help them recall truth.  The Holy Ghost became their constant companion and helped them in many ways.  When the disciples went to spread the Gospel, they had the spirit with them to help those they preached to feel the truthfulness of it.  They were able to make the church grow so big because of the Holy Ghost.  Another way the spirit helped them was by being the Comforter to them in times of hardships, trials and sufferings. 

The Holy Ghost has also been my aid and companion.  The Spirit testified to me the truthfulness of this Gospel which gave me my testimony.  The Comforter came to comfort me when I asked God for comfort.  This church would have a very hard time existing without the Holy Ghost, and so I am eternally thankful for the Spirit.

Week 10: A New Commandment

A New Commandment

How can others know if we are disciples of Jesus Christ?

In John 13:34-35 Jesus gave a new commandment to His disciples and told them to love one another as He loves them.  For us, others can know we are Disciples of Christ by loving them as Jesus loves us.  For example, if someone we knew was made fun of because of the way the dress, we would go them and make them feel better about themselves as well as make them feel loved and appreciated.  We would also remind them how Jesus sees them, and how that is the most important person to view them in a good way, which He does.  We would also tell them to ignore the mockers and that they are not being Christ-like. 

  Another example of being a disciple of Christ is noticing a new person at church.  We would go up to them and introduce ourselves.  We would try to get to know the new person and try to make them feel welcomed.  

I now come to the question: am I a disciple of Christ?  I believe I am, but I will work on it to become better.  I will use my husband as training.  I’ll make him feel better about himself when he feels down.  I will often remind him of God’s love for him and how I believe He views Him.  I will avoid arguing with Him.  I will make him feel loved.  That should be a good start!  I think it would be good if I did some of that with the ladies I visit teach to help them see their value in God.  

I challenge anyone who reads this to choose a person and start being a disciple of Christ to them, to love them as He loves us.

Week 9: Preparing for the Second Coming of Christ

This week, I will write about the truths given about how to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ from the references that were given to me.  

The first reference is Doctrine and Covenants 87:8 which advises to stand in holy places and not move from them until He comes.  The interesting part of the scripture is “be not moved” so it not only says not to move yourself from the holy places, but not to let anyone or anything else remove you from it.  The second reference is Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:32.  It says that again the abomination spoken by Daniel the prophet will be fulfilled.  So apparently whatever abomination Daniel spoke of, happens more than once, but what was the abomination?  It is the destruction of Jerusalem.  It’s already happened, and it will happen again.  Next is Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:37 which says that whoever treasures up His word won’t be deceived, for the Son of Man will come and send His angels before Him with the great sound of a trumpet and they will gather together the remainder of His elect from the four winds, from one end of Heaven to the other.  I find this scripture very curious.  We know about the trumpets from John’s book of Revelation, but I always wondered how it will sound and if the whole people of the earth will be able to identify it, or only the elect.  Then, I looked at the footnote for the word “remainder” and it says the remnant of Israel and also found that curious.  Then the whole gather together part, I wonder if it’s gathering in Temples or stakes or wards or branches, and if it would be in the meeting buildings, or somewhere else.  Also, what about Missouri?  There too?  This verse definitely makes me curious!  Next reference is Joseph Smith-Matthew 1:46-50 which speaks about being on guard and watch for the Savior’s coming as we would for a thief.  I don’t know if there is another time where He relates Himself to a thief, but I know he wasn’t saying that He’ll be one, just like the stealthiness of one for when He will come.  

I know the Lord will come, and that it will be soon.  We do not know what day he will come, and so we must prepare ourselves now and wait.  We must do our repenting now before it’s too late, because we don’t know when it will be too late.  He will come, and we must be prepared.

Week 8: Comparison of the Jewish leaders

I chose an assignment for this week where I talk about the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ days on earth.  There are scriptures where Jesus says something and it relates to the Jewish leaders somehow.  I will go over those scriptures and explain how the Jewish leaders relate to them.  Here are the comparisons:

Matthew 21:17-20 The Fig Tree.  Jesus was hungry, saw a tree and went to get food from it, but then saw that it had no fruit.  He then cursed it.  This is a difficult one for me, it’s hard to tell.  What I can think of is that the Jewish leaders should be the ones to recognize the Messiah and yet they didn't  and they even wanted Jesus dead.  I hope that connection makes sense to whoever reads this.

Matthew 21:28-32 The Second Son.  Jesus shares a story of a father and two of his sons which he tells them to go work in the vineyard.  The first son said he wouldn't, but then repented and did his father’s will.  The second son said that he would do it, but did not.  The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ days were like the second son.  They were supposedly the ones closer to God and more knowledgeable of the scriptures.  However, they were hypocrites and wanted to kill their Messiah.

Matthew 21:33-41 The Husbandmen.  There was a householder who planted a vineyard and made a wine-press in it and built a tower.  He “let it out” to husbandmen and went away.  Eventually he sent servants to go get the fruits, but the husbandmen would beat or kill the servants.  Eventually the householder sent his son thinking the husbandmen would reverence him, but they desired to kill him also so that they could gain his inheritance.  The Jewish leaders were like the husbandmen.  They wanted to give the Son of God.

Matthew 22:1-14 The Wedding Guests and the Man Without the Wedding Garment.   There was a king who made a marriage for his son and sent servants to tell those who were invited to come but they didn't and the king sent servants a second time to tell them to come but they went and did their own things not caring, and others killed the servants with the message to them.  When the king heard about the murders, he sent his armies to destroy them and their cities.  After that all those who were invited and would not come became unworthy to come and the king had his servants invite those from the highways, both good and bad.  Then the king saw a guest who he originally invited and saw that he had no wedding garment, and had him thrown out because of his unworthiness to be there.  The Jewish leaders were like the man with no wedding garment.  They thought they were good, but they denied the Son of God and so they would end up being in the outer darkness… is what the scriptures made it seem like, but I’m not sure if I’m translating that correctly.

Anyways, the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time were major hypocrites and wanted to kill Jesus.  They were considered to be the highly educated in the scriptures and to be the main examples of how Jews should be.  However, as I said before they were hypocrites.  And, Satan had their hearts and so they would not accept their Savior.  I however know that Jesus is our Savior, and that He suffered and died for our sins that we may have the chance to repent because we are imperfect.  I know that He resurrected and that He still lives and has his body with the nail markings to show who He is.  Jesus is the Christ.

Week 7: Parables and Accounts from Jesus

This week I will be talking about the parables and accounts that teach eternal truths.  Also, I will mention what I believe to be the major principles the Lord wants us to understand from each of the parables that I cover.  

First is the parable in Luke 16:1-12.  It’s about the Unjust Steward.  The principle I got from this is to be diligent with your earthly riches since they will not last long.  The second one is in the same book and chapter, but verses 19-31.  This parable is of Lazarus and the Rich Man.  The principle I got from reading this is that the gulf between the spirit paradise and spirit prison was not bridged in order for those in paradise to preach those in prison until Christ performed the Atonement.  Next is Luke 17:11-19 which is the parable of the Ten Lepers.  This one’s principle is that we are not made whole from being healed until we give the Lord our gratitude.  Fifth is in Luke 18:1-8.  It is the parable if the Unjust Judge, and what I found in it was that God will avenge His followers who are hurt or made fun of for their righteousness and doing the Lord’s will.  Also that He will do so speedily.  The last one is in Luke 18:9-14, and is the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican.  The principle I got from this is that if I am self-righteous, I won’t get anything for it, but if I humble myself, I will receive many blessings for it.  

These parables all have great meaning in them.  For anyone who reads this, I hope I did not butcher anything or even say false doctrine (I don’t think I did).  The Lord gave these parables for a reason.  He also knew they would be recorded and that we would all read it in these latter days.  These can relate to us.  Some are easier to understand and relate than others, but I know that if you try, you will find the things that the Savior wants you to learn.

Week 6: The Establishing of the Seventy

I chose to talk about the Seventy, both when it was formed first by Christ, and the quorums in the latter days.  When the Lord called Seventy, He told them many things.  First, was that they must travel in pairs everywhere.  They should not have anything precious on them.  He tells them to stay in the same house every night that they are in an area, and to bless the house when they first go into it.  They must eat anything and everything that they are given for their meals.  Anyone that receives or denies them receives or denies Christ as well.  They are given the power to cast out devils and to heal.  They are also given the power to overcome Satan.  

When the church was first being established by Jesus, he called the Seventy, having them travel in pairs, and healing the sick, and power over Satan and to cast out devils.  This day, in the Gospel, we also have Quorums or Seventy called of God that still go around having watch and leadership over certain areas as but in pairs.  They can heal, cast out devils, and have power over Satan.  Our gospel has the same organization as when Jesus established the church.  These are things that our church to today believes in, and that is what our present-day Quorums of the Seventy do.  

Presently, the quorums of Seventy hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.  They are General Authorities in the church, and have Apostolic authority, but are not ordained as apostles.  They are always ministering and devoted all their time to do so.  I know that they are all called of God, and are just men.  I have had the privilege to hear a couple of their talks in Stake meetings.  I know that the church uses the same organization as Jesus started.

Week 5: Become as Little Children

This week, I chose the topic about becoming as little children.

In Matthew 18:4 Jesus says to humble ourselves as a little children.  A little child knows very little compared to adults.  They always ask questions and seek truth and answers to them.  We also know little when compared to the Lord’s knowledge.   Because of that, we should become humble, acknowledge that fact and also should seek truth and wisdom like a little child would. 

The Lord wants to become like little children by being Submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord sees fit to inflict upon us, just like a child submits to his parents.  A child is all of these things, but sadly we grow out of them just to end up being chastised back to that.  By changing and becoming like a child, we can become better disciples of the Lord and we will be better people in general.  I know that if we make the effort and change to become like a child, we will be blessed for doing so, especially for those of us who have pride issues.

Week 4: Walking on the Sea

This week, I chose the to talk about topic of Jesus and Peter walking on the sea.

When the apostles saw Jesus walking toward them on water, they cried out in fear and were troubled because they thought He was a spirit.  When Jesus told them not to be afraid and that it was Him, Peter asked for Him to bid him to walk to Him on water.  I believe that what this showed about Peter was that he really wanted to be with the Lord.  Peter then walked on the sea toward Jesus, but then became aware of the boisterous winds which made him afraid.  He then began to sink because he lost his faith from his fear.  As he began to sink he cried out to the Lord to save him.  Immediately, the Savior did.

In D&C 88:67 there is a principle that comes from it relating to the story, which is: If your focus is only on the Lord, no darkness will overpower you.  If Peter only focused on the Lord, he wouldn't have noticed the boisterous winds which made him afraid and start sinking.  He would've continued to walk on the sea.  If we throughout life make and keep only goals that will lead us to God, and do everything that we might join Him in Heaven, we will be able to escape Satan’s grasp and temptations and be able to endure to the end.

Week 3: John the Baptist and the Savior

This week, I find myself speaking about John the Baptist again, but about a different part of his story than last time. This one is about John sending his disciples to Jesus and why.  John sent his two disciples to ask Jesus Christ if he was the Messiah.  When they did so, they were shown the many miracles of the Lord and He told them to go tell John what they witnessed.

If I was one of them, and had three things to tell John, it would be three of the miracles that we saw Jesus perform, of which were that:

1)He cast out devils

2)He made the blind see again

3)He cleansed the lepers

John wanted his disciples to go to Jesus, because he wanted them to realize for themselves that Jesus is the Messiah and that He was the one they should be following at that point.  John kept telling his disciples to go and follow the Savior, but some of them still wouldn't leave John, and so John thought this was the best way for them to realize who they needed to follow.

There are three reasons by Joseph Smith that explain why John is considered one of the best prophets:
     1) He was the only one entrusted to prepare the way before the face of the Lord.
     2) He was privileged by being chosen to baptize the Son of Man.

     3) He was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom on the earth at that time and held the keys of power.

What the Savior said about John the Baptist, was that among those who are born of women, there isn't a greater prophet than John the Baptist.

John the Baptist’s had a wonderful attitude toward the savior.  In John 3:30 it shows John’s respect for the savior and his knowledge that he had already done his part and that it was time for the Savior to take over and do His part.  It also shows that John understood his calling.

An image I see from this is passing a baton or even the flaming torch in the opening ceremony of the Olympics.  I also see it as a situation where one is released from their calling and another is called for that position.  That is a way we can apply it to our own lives.  There may be some people in the church who have a hard time acknowledging that the calling they had is not theirs anymore.   All of us should respect the next person who is called for that calling, sustain them, and support (not criticize) the next person.  We need to embrace them with love and only give advice (and kindly so) if they ask for it.  We should also remember that just as we were called of God, that next person is also called of God.  John the Baptist is an example of how we should pass the baton to the next person.  I know that if we do these things, we will be blessed in return.

Week 2: The Calling of the 12 Apostles

This week, I learned about the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ.  The 12 He called were Peter (Simon Peter), Andrew, James and John (sons of Zebedee), Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon, Thaddeaus (Lebbaeus), and Judas Iscariot.  I'll tell you about three of these apostles.

Thomas we don't hear much about, but we know when Jesus appeared unto the other apostles after He resurrected and they told Thomas, but he said he wouldn't believe it unless he saw the Lord with his own eyes and touch His hands and side.  Well, the Lord appeared unto all of them the next time and Thomas finally believed but was sort of scolded by Jesus about that.

Judas Iscariot was the apostle who betrayed the Savior for money.  To signal who the Savior was, he gave a kiss on His forehead.  After he woke up to what he had done, he went to give the money back and then hung himself out of guilt.

John is my absolute favorite apostle, because of the huge part he plays.  Before John became a disciple and apostle of Christ, it’s assumed that he was learning with Andrew under John the Baptist.  He was a fisherman with his father Zebedee and brother James until the brothers both left to follow the Savior.  John is my favorite because of his importance in this world.  Jesus referred to John as His Beloved.  It shows the love Jesus has for his apostle.  Also, John was with the Savior at the Transfiguration.  When Jesus asked Peter, James and John the things they wished for, John said he wanted to tarry to proclaim the word to the world until the Savior comes again.  You could tell how pleased the Lord was of that decision and made it so that John could not die.  What is most amazing to me is that John is still on this earth somewhere to this day doing the work of the Lord.  He wrote the book of Revelation.  He is a mystery, which is why I’m drawn to him.  Sorry, that was a little long!

Anyways, let me explain what an apostle is.  To be an Apostle means to represent the Lord, to be a special witness of Christ, and travelling around the world to do the Lord’s work.

When Jesus had called His 12 Apostles, He told them to gather the lost sheep of Israel, go around and heal the sick, cast out devils, and do service and good works.  He tells them to travel with basically nothing on them (money and extra clothes) and to reside with the righteous in the places they visit. in other words, He tells them to be humble.  He warns them that it will not be easy, and there will be arrests that take place, but to not worry, because they will have the Holy Ghost with them to help them say the right things in tricky situations.  When they are persecuted, they must go on to the next city. 

I look back to when the Savior first approached Peter, James and John and the fishing boats.

After they had witnessed a miracle from the Lord and He bid them to follow Him, they dropped their precious work and life (James and John also left their father) to follow Him.  They sacrificed their jobs and comfortable life-style.  This teaches me that I must give up something precious to me in order to follow my Savior’s teachings and Gospel at some point.  We will all go through this, especially when joining the church or re-activating.  If I am willing to drop all those precious things that are distracting me from the teachings of the Savior, I know will be blessed in return.  I have seen many examples in and out of the scriptures.

Week 1: The Samaritan Woman

When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman, she was basically shocked.  The reason being is because the Jews had a problem with the Samaritans, and at the point of the Lord’s ministry it had boiled to hate, where Jews would purposefully take a longer and indirect path outside the country than travel through Samaria.  The Jews snubbed the Samaritans and so the woman at the well was, needless to say, dumbfounded that a Jew was speaking to her.  As she spoke more with the Savior, her tone towards Him becomes more respectful and curious.  She starts using the word “Sir”, then tells Him she calls Him a prophet, and then believes when He tells her that He is the Messiah.   As she spoke with Him and heard His words, she seemed to realize that something was different and special about Him.  For example, when He spoke of the water of which He has to offer will never let her thirst again she asked where she asks Him questions on how to obtain it.  What He meant by living water was everlasting life by living His gospel and to not accept it would be committing an evil.  When the Lord told the Samaritan woman that He was the Christ, she ran to her town to tell everyone to come see Him, which they did.  They also believed and asked the Lord to tarry with them, which He did for two days.  The Samaritan community that the woman was from believed on the Lord, and because of that they were blessed.

Throughout the years, as I have come to know my Savior better, my testimony has grown is the knowledge of His love for each and every one of us.  Not just a certain person or people, like the Jews, but ALL of us.  I know the He is no respecter of persons, and that He will gladly accept anyone who comes unto Him.  As I have witnessed many people struggling and then learning or re-learning about the Lord’s gospel and seeing them repent and become happier than ever, it only adds to my testimony.  Because I know the Savior, I have a responsibility to share the news that He lives and that is one partakes of His Living Water, they will have eternal life.  That is my duty.

Intro Week: Others Who Learned About the Birth of Jesus Christ

I was studying the different ways of how certain people learned about the birth of Christ.  My reading included Luke chapters 1 and 2, Matthew chapter 2 and 3 Nephi chapter 1.
The people that I read about were Elisabeth, the shepherds, Simeon, Anna, the Wise Men, Herod, his Chief Priests, and the Nephites.  As I read all the accounts, I realized that they received their knowledge about Christ in similar ways that we still do today.  I'm not talking about the star, but that some of us have read about it in the scriptures like Herod's Chief Priests did.  Some found out through others, as Herod learned from his priests.  Others may have had it revealed unto them either by revelation or by the Holy Ghost testifying of it unto us.
When I come to think of it, I learned through more than one of those ways.  I gained knowledge from the scriptures and prophets.  I also knew it was true because I felt Holy Spirit telling me that it did happen.  What I know about the Savior from the scriptures and everything else is that He did come to this Earth, preached unto the Jews, was rejected by is own people, and that He suffered for our sins.  I know that He has given us the not only the chance, but the choice to repent and become clean again.  We have a second chance.  I know that He is the Messiah, our Redeemer, and our Savior and our brother.  I also know that He has an endless amount of love for us.  I will share my knowledge with others as well as add to what I know so far.  I will never know everything about our Lord and His gospel, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try to learn as much as I can in this life.