Student Choice Activity Week 2 Unit 2

Choice 5: Hebrews 1-2. Jesus Christ is Greater than Angels

1. Refer to "Epistle to the Hebrews" in the Bible Dictionary (pp.746-47). Read the first paragraph and the "Analysis of Hebrew," number 1-5. Make a list of what Jesus Christ is superior to.

Jesus is greater than the angels. He has a more excellent name, inheritance, and higher calling. 

Jesus is great than Moses

The word of Jesus is superior

Jesus, as a high priest of Melchizedek, is superior to the high priest of the Law of Moses. 

2. Read Hebrews 1. Make a list of three truths Paul taught about the Savior Jesus Christ.

1. He upholds all things by the word of his power when he had by himself luged our sins.

2. His throne is forever and every and he is the scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.

3. In the beginning he hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.

3. Read Hebrew 2:7-18; 4:13-16; Alma 7:11-15; Doctrine and Covenants 122:8. In writing describe how these scriptures explain reasons the Son of God came to earth to experience mortality.

One of the reasons he came to Earth to experience mortality is so that he could understand this mortal life. Along with this he was able to destroy the power of death over us and be able to deliver us from bondage. The biggest reason to me though is so that he could understand this life and as a result he can succor each and every one of us through our trials in this life because he loves us and wants to help us through this life.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

This is a great chunk of scriptures to look more in-depth to as they show how great Jesus Christ is and then also to show how he sunk below all those things that he was blessed with in order to succor each of us and to be able to better understand this life. There is really not greater gift in this life that God was able to give us because it is through this that he is better able to understand each of us through the atonement and by having been in this life to experience the things that we have been through in this life.Christ loved us enough to be able to better understand what we would go through in this life.

Student Choice Activity Week 4 UNIT 1

Choice 1: Phillipians 1-4. Find Solutions in the Scriptures to Life's Challenges

For each of the following common challenges, write the counsel from Philippians that you would use to resolve it:

1. People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1-8, 14-15)

Complaining and not seeing the positive is something that each of us must make sure not to do in our lives. Philippians put it perfectly when he said "do all things without murmorings and disputing: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." This really spoke a lot to me on that just by not complying about the little things that go on during the week in our lives it allows us to be more positive and to be an example to the wicked world around us.

2. Many youth feel that their parents' testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12-15 and institute manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, "Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling" (pp.361-62)

The main reason that this is definitely not a good idea is because someday those people that have helped to create our testimony or that we only have their testimonies to depend on when those people may not always be there in our lives because they could die or that they could just not be there to depend on in that persons time of need. This is much the same as Philippians talking in verse 12 where he talks about how God will not always be there in our actual presence so we must be able to depend on our won testimonies.

3. An investigator is considering joining the church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7-16; 4:13).

I absolutely love what Philippians said about this subject in verse 8 basically saying that anything is worth giving up if it means that we can have the knowledge of Jesus Christ and of the gospel. This is a beautiful principle because their is no sacrifice too great in order to obtain the blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings that God will always give to us as result of our righteousness. There is nothing more sweet then this in this life! 

4. How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3? 

This is a great scripture to what we discussed in these things because when we are following and doing what God would have us do then we are directed in all things! One of the things that we need to make sure that we do is feasting upon the words of Christ, it is only as we do this that we will be able to know that things that God would have us do in our lives and the people that he would have us be.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

This was a really great assignment for me as it helped me to yet again realize and remember the importance and great blessing that come when we follow Gods will. There is no sacrifice in this life I am coming to realize that is not worth sacrificing because of the amazing blessings that the Lord gives to us through the sacrifices that we make in our lives. This is something that I want to make sure and always keep mindful that no matter the sacrifice, it is always worth it because of the great blessings we will have as a result!

Student Choice Activity Week 6: Choice 1

UNIT 2 Choice 1: "Keep Yourselves in the Love of God"

1. Read Jude 1:1-3 and explain in writing how you can multiply mercy, peace, and love. How can you appropriately "contend for the faith"?

To my the way to multiply mercy peace and love is by first practicing those things in the first place and also asking God for us to be able to have these things multiplied within us. God is capable of helping us all be the people that he needs us to be which oftentimes includes having mercy peace and love in each of our lives as people. Contending for the faith is something that all of us have to work on at some point in our lives and it is through working towards mercy, peace and love that we can be able to start to obtain more faith each and every day of our lives. It is through doing these things that we are able to gain more faith in our everyday lives.

2. Reading Jude 1:4-19 and complete the following tasking in writing:

1. Using the Bible footnotes and Jeremiah 1:5; identity the doctrine referred to in the phrase "first estate" from Jude 1:6.

The doctrine referred to in the phrase "first estate" is referring to the world before this or the pre mortal life. 

2. Read the institute manual commentary for Jude 9, "What Do We Know Concerning the Dispute Which Michael the Archangel Had with the Devil About the Body of Moses?" (p. 439); Article of Faith 1:8. How would you explain this odd disputation between Satan and Michael?

I can explain the old disputation between Satan and Michael in that Michael was given the job to bury Moses here on the earth. Satan on the other hand though believed he had rights over Moses body because he killed an Egyptian and because he was the Lord of matter and that he should be given Moses' body. In the end Adam won and Satan lost.

3. What does Jude 1:14 say about who will accompany the Savior at the Second Coming?

The people that will accompany him at the Second Coming are ten thousands of his saints.

3. Study Jude 1:17, 20-25. Write one or two paragraphs explains how we can avoid the evils that often come from false teachers.

First the big thing that we all must do in order to avoid the evils that often come from false teachers is to remember the words with the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ have spoken to each of us. This is something that each of us must do regularly, and a great way to do this is to listen to conference every 6 months and then spend the next 6 months working on things that they have taught us about in conference during that session until we listen to the next session 6 months later. The other amazing thing that stood out to me in these scriptures that we can do to avoid the evils that come from false teachers is by making sure that we pray unto God regularly, having compassion and lastly turning ourselves over to God and his will. These are things that can be difficult at times but as we do these things we will be closer to God and be able to resist the evils that come from false teachers because our spirits will be so centered on the gospel and on the Lords teachings.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

I loved studying these scriptures, especially the last ones that discuss how we can avoid the evils that often come from false teachers. This is something that all of us deal with at some points in our lives and are things that we all need to have in order to be more like God. It was interesting because those things that it talks about in those scriptures are the exact things that I am working on in my life right now is to follow the teachings of the apostles, praying regularly and finding ways to have compassion on all people. I know that is it through doing these things that I will be able to be the person that God needs me to be and be able to resist temptation in all ways possible.

Week 6 Student Choice Activity: Unit 1

UNIT 1 Choice 2: 2 Peter 2 Teaching

1. Read 2 Peter 2:1-19. Record the characteristics of false teachers described by Peter. Explain in writing how your list helps you recognize false teachers today.

Denying the Lord that brought them

They shall use feigned words to make many believe in their words

They participate and do unlawful deeds

They walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanliness and despise government

presumptuous, self-willed and are not afraid to speak evil of dignities

They shall utterly perish in their own corruption

Have eyes full of adultery

Cannot cease from sin and beguile unstable souls

Have a heart with covetous practices and and curse children

They speak great swelling words of vanity and allure the lusts of the flesh 

They promise liberty even though they themselves are servants of corruption and are in bondage.

This makes me realize that false prophets can come in many different shapes, sizes and overall very different kinds go people. This is something that I had never quite thought about before in such detail. They may not always look like they are someone that would be unrighteous when really they definitely are according to their spirit and the words that they use to convince others of the truth they believe to speak. I strongly believe that the most vital part of recognizing false prophets is to make sure that we are in the right mind spiritually to be able to recognize those that are not teaching the things that are true to the gospel. This is something that can only be done when we have the spirit with us and choose to live it.

2. Read 2  Peter 2:20-22; Doctrine and Covenants 82:3,7. In your own words, write a few sentences describing the dangers of returning to the "pollution of the world."

This is an interesting thing to me because it makes me think about sinning and how it is vital for each and every person to make sure that they do not return to the sins that they have repented of and no longer wish to commit. The thing that I loved about these scriptures though is that it talks about the idea that each of us that sins that seriously must know that they would be better off not having known the gospel at all in the first place. This is because once they know the truth, then they are responsible for the sins that they commit against this truth. This is something I never want to have to face in my life and would a terrible thing for any person to bear.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS:

This is something that I strongly believe all of us should do better at in our lives because there are many people in our lives that we meet that fit under this description of a false teacher. It is our jobs as saints to make sure that we have the spirit with us in order to know which of the people we come in contact with are false prophets and which of those are are true saints, teaching true doctrine.

Student Choice Activity Week 5 Unit 2

Choice 4- The Trial of Our Faith Is More Precious than Gold

Read Peter 1:1-9, 2:12, 15, 20-25; 3:11-16; 4:12- 19. Write 2 to 3 paragraphs unsung the principles in these verses to explain to someone who says "Life isn't fair. Why do I have to have so many trials? I'm tired of being ridiculed by those who do not keep the commandments."

You are very right life isn't always fair in the moment but there is always a reason that it isn't fair. I love what Peter says in chapter 1 and says that we must have faith no matter what and have a trial of that faith in order to be tried by fired to "be found unto praise and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" I can think of no greater reason to be willing to go through trials and hard times then to be seen before the Lord and receive his praise and glory at the day of judgment. 

Then in chapter 2 it makes a really great point that I think really brings it home to me where he says that  "because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps". I know this does not mean that we are meant to suffer in the same way that Christ suffered but instead we must be tried and tested in order to know that we are worthy of the blessings of Heaven. This can often be a difficult thing to keep in mind when things are hard and it feels as if nothing is going your way. It is in those times of trial and hardship that we all need to remember that the Lord is there for us and loves us so much. In those moment of sadness and hard times we all need to make sure that we ask for more faith to get through the trial we are going through. God just wants us to learn and grow so that we can become the people that he wants and needs us to be in this life.

Personal Feelings: This is something I have faced a lot in the last 2 years and had a lot of times where I felt this exact same way. I have come to the realization though that God does not do these things to punish us but instead he does them to help us learn and grow. Through my trials it has allowed for God to be able to help mold me into a completely different person then I was 2 years ago and I am definitely a much better person as a result of it.

Student Choice Activity Week 5 Unit 1

Choice 3-Works of Righteousness

Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel. Read Hebrews 13 and find statements about the following questions:

1.How should we treat strangers and those "in bonds"?

13:2-3- we should treat strangers and those that are in bonds like we would everyone else and even more kind then we would our own friends. We should be bound with them and helping them suffer through their adversity and help bring them up in their times of trial

2. How is marriage looked upon?

13:4- Marriage is honorable but those that are whoremongers and adulterers will be judged by God.

3.What warnings are given about covetousness?

13:5-to be content with the things that we have because God will never leave or forsake us.

4. What is "the same yesterday, and today and forever"?

13:8- Jesus Chrsi is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

5. How are we sanctified?

13:12- We are sanctified through Christ's blood, which he suffered without the gate.

6. How do we respond to those who rule over us?

13: 17, 24- to obey them that rule over you and submit yourselves because they watch for our souls and also to salute them that are over us.

7. Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

13:18- Paul asked the people to pray for him and the apostles that they would have a good conscience and in all things be willing to live honestly.

This was a really interesting chapter for me to look more in-depth to! I really greatly enjoyed reading this chapter of scripture over again and seeing how many great works of righteousness that Paul did in this chapter and that he asks us to do and live up to. He doesn't just talk about the basics of the gospel that we need to obey he goes even deeper and talks about some of the things that may be more difficult for people such as coveting and how to be sanctified and how we need to act and feel about those that rule over us. These are all very important messages that every Latter Day Saint should know in some way and be willing to follow.