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.