Peter's teachings about False prophets

In 2 Peter, we learn about false teachers.  Some of the characteristics that Peter lists to describe false teachers are

-  They deny the Lord

-   They speak of truth as evil

-  Covetousness

-   walk after the flesh

- despise authority/government

-  Presumptuous

- Self-willed

- Not afraid to speak evil of dignities

-  Riot in the daytime

- speak vain words

- Wanton

- They preach liberty, but are the servants of corruption

- turn away from righteousness

One of the things that stood out to me as I read about these false teachers is that they had known the truth, yet they chose to return to the pollutions of the word.  If we never know the truth, then we can’t be condemned for what we don’t know.  I like the imagery used in Peter describing people who go back to sin after finding truth as a dog turning to his own vomit.

Lessons in James 1

In James 1, there are many lessons to be learned.  We see several phrases that encourage us to look to direction from God, even the one that encouraged Joseph Smith to inquire.

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James reminds us that when we ask in faith, it needs to be unwavering so that we are not driven about like a wave of the sea.

James says that a ‘double minded man’ is unstable.  This is further reiterated in Matthew and 1 Kings which describe a man who cannot choose between serving God and worldly pleasures as a man who cannot really serve either.

We also learn to be better Disciples of Christ.  Here are some of the ways we learn about in the first chapter of James

• ·         Not giving into temptation
• ·         Abstain from lust
• ·         Develop and be grateful for our good gifts
• ·         Listen to people readily
• ·         Slow to speak and slow to anger
• ·         Be meek and humble
• ·         Rid ourselves of filthiness
• ·         Let the word of God implant on our hearts
• ·         Keep unspotted from the world
• ·         Minister unto the needy

Someone I think who exemplifies these traits is our prophet, Thomas S Monson.  As a young bishop he served in a ward of many widows who he still keeps in contact with today.

I also think of my mom, who drives several hours to complete her visiting teaching and writes thoughtful cards every month to the sisters in her relief society

I think of my family’s home teachers who reach out to us even when we don’t respond to their texts right away.

I think of my in-laws who have welcomed me into their family and I have never seen talk of anyone with malice or pride. They are always looking to help someone out.

Bruce R McConkie said that James 1:5-6 “had a greater impact ... upon mankind than any other” scripture. He said this because they led Joseph Smith to restoring the church. Also, they invite any other wandering soul to follow the same pattern of asking and receiving.

Lessons in Hebrews 13

There are several great principles we can learn by studying Hebrews 13.

One of the great counsels in this chapter is to remember those who are in prison or in other forms of bondage.  Since they are our brethren, we are to think of ourselves as bound with them.

Marriage is treated as honorable, and undefiled, and the only place for the full expression of love between a man and a woman.

In this chapter we are also warned against covetousness.  We should be content with what we have, because when we have the Atonement, we have all that we really need.  After all, our circumstances may change, but Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.  It is through Jesus Christ and his Atoning blood that we are able to be sanctified.

We are also counseled in this chapter to obey our church leaders and submit ourselves to those who are accountable for our souls.  As we sustain our church leaders, we should also pray for them that they may continue to live in honesty and in good conscience.

What other counsel do you find in Hebrews 13?

The priesthood of Melchezidek and Jesus Christ

For someone today to become a priesthood leader, they need to be ordained through the laying on of hands by someone who has the priesthood authority.  That is how we know who has authority in the church today. 

From reading the New Testament, we learn more about Melchezidek.  He was considered a type of Christ.  Melchezidek was the man that Abraham brought his tithes unto and ministered unto his people.  Because of these reasons and his righteousness, Melchezidek was considered a high priest.  Some of the miracles that Melchezidek performed included stopping the mouths of lions and quenching fires.  Melchezidek also bless Abraham.

In Doctrine and Covenants we learn that Melchizedek’s priesthood is higher than the Aaronic priesthood. Melchezidek’s priesthood is really the priesthood of Christ but is called Melchizedek to avoid overuse of Christ’s name. This is referenced in the Joseph Smith Translation of Hebrews 6, when Joseph Smith corrects it to say ‘not leaving behind the principles of the doctrine of Christ”.  It is important that these principles of faith, repentance, baptism and the Holy Ghost not be left behind because the priesthood is necessary to perform those ordinances.

When we deny the Holy Ghost, we are committing the unpardonable sin.  When we do that, we become sons of perdition.  This means that we must know truth and being receiving the blessings of the truth, and still choose to deny the Holy Ghost.  There is not repentance for that.

Now back to Melchizedek being a type of Christ.  They had many similarities like working miracles, being called kings, and being foreordained for their work.  Melchezidek was not really without father, mother or descent, but the order of the priesthood which he was ordained to was without father, mother or descent.

Paul taught in Hebrews a little bit more about the Priesthood.  The higher priesthood required an oath, but also allowed people to progress more toward perfection.

Life Answer's found in the Scriptures

In the Book of Philippians, we can find some great counsel about to find answers to some of our issues in life.

Here are some common problems, as well as the counsel found in the scriptures.

      1.       People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in chuch meetings or throughout the week

Counsel for this can be found in the second chapter of Philippians.  Paul counsels the people to be of one heart and one mind, not anyone esteeming themselves over another. This includes not murmuring or arguing with each other.   

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

Counsel for this can also be found in Philippians 2.  Paul counsels for people to work out their own salvation, because no one else’s testimony can save you.

      3.      An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does

Counsel for this issue can be found in Philippians 3 and 4. Jesus also was rejected by many.  We should remember this and not deny Christ because we may be denied by others. This can also help us to gain appreciation for Jesus’s sacrifice.

We can find many answers to life’s questions throughout the scriptures. “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”  These three scenarios are just a few examples of the help we can get from reading the scriptures.

Living as the Saints Live

Sometimes we think that once we are baptized that our salvation is secured.  This is not the case.  In Romans, and other places in the scriptures, we learn that we must continue to be righteous every day and endure to the end.

Paul teaches about several things that will help lead us to salvation in his epistle to the Romans

·         Romans 12:1-  Sanctify our bodies to serve the Lord

·         Romans 12:2-  Become spiritually reborn and cast off the world

·         Romans 12:9 –Hate evil and love good

·         Romans 12:13 – Practice hospitality

·         Romans 12:16- Be humble and beware of pride

·         Romans 12:21- Overcome evil with good

·         Romans 13:1 –Subject ourselves to God

·         Romans 13:3- Not be afraid

·         Romans 13:8 –Love one another

·         Romans 13:9 – Keep the commandments

Paul also cautioned against judging.  After all, it is Christ who will judge us.  We will also be judged for the judgments we make of other people.   Also, people may have different opinions and practices, but we are all alike under Christ.  He does not esteem us differently.  In Doctrine and Covenants this is further explained as God being our Heavenly Father who loves all his children equally.

With Christ came a new way of life, as well as a new name for his people. This name is ‘saints’. 

Baptism lessons from Romans 6

Before baptism can occur, we must be dead unto sin.

Christ’s burial and resurrection symbolizes baptism.  Just as Christ was able to overcome physical death and live again, through baptism we overcome spiritual death and our renewed with our sins forgiven. This is why we are baptized by immersion as opposed to other methods like sprinkling.  For us to be fully renewed and cleansed, we need to be completely immersed, or buried in the water.   In Paul’s epistle to the Romans, he counsels that for the people to maintain the ‘newness of life’ obtained through baptism, they need to continually cast off sin and follow the counsels of God.  Ideally, the ‘natural man’ part of us would die at baptism.

After baptism, we should strive to be the servants of God.  We know that we are serving God when we are being obedient to his commandments.   We are servants of sin when our lives are free from righteousness and we are disobedient.  When we are righteous, are lives are free from sin.   That is the true source of freedom.