WEEK # 50

YOUR OWN CHOICE

We have come to the end of our year long topic study.  It has been a blessing for me to study the gospel  in more depth.  My testimony of Christ has been strengthened.  I have gained greater insight into a number of basic gospel topics.  The blog will continue to be available.  I have been able to study the topics but not all in the depth I would have liked.  I think I could fill gospel study time for the next few years going back over the outlines we have posted.  Study and discuss a topic of your own choice this week. The following are a few suggestions of possible topics:

Conversion
Last Days
Leadership
The Second Coming
Teaching with the Spirit
Joy

You might begin by writing in the left column of a sheet of paper a topic you plan to study.

Then in the right column write down questions that will help you learn more about the topic.  Use the Topical Guide and the other resources listed in the study outlines to learn what the Lord and his prophets have said about the topic.

Merry Christmas!!

WEEK # 49

EXAMPLE

"How wonderful it would be for every holder of the priesthood if he knew that the Lord knew he could count on him because of the way he lived.  I'd like to say today that it is a tremendous responsibility for members of this Church to so live that others, seeing their good works, can be led to glorify the Lord's name."  ( N. Eldon Tanner,  "Remember Who You Are," Ensign, Nov. 1981, p. 78).

"All of us give our lives daily for what we believe is important.  Those with whom we associate are silently assessing us, our values and character traits." (J. Richard Clarke,  "Hold Up Your Light, "Ensign, May 1985, p.74).

Questions and Activities

• What does it mean to "let your light so shine before men" (Matthew 5:16)?
• What does Christ mean when he says,  "Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up" (3 Nephi 18:24)?
• In what ways does your example hold up Christ as the light to others?
• What is the example set by the following people in the scriptures:  Jeroboam, the scribes and pharisees, Laman and Lemuel, Nephi, the sons of Mosiah, and Christ?
• What has the Lord said about those who set a bad example?  about those who do good works to be seen by others?
• What qualities do you expect to find in a representative of the Lord?
• Think of people who are examples to you and the ways in which they have influenced you.  Record your thoughts in your journal.
• In what ways has your example to your family and friends, affected their testimony of the gospel?

Topical Guide
Ensign
Example, Ensample
God, the Standard of Righteousness
Good Works
Jesus Christ, Exemplar
Jesus Christ, Light of the World
Leader
Pattern
Peculiar People
Peer Influence

Scriptures

2 Nephi 31:5-10

Jacob 2:35

Alma 4:11; 39:11

3 Nephi 18:1-9

D&C 115:5

Isaiah 62:1-3

Matthew 5:13-16; 6:1-8; 23:1-12

2 Thessalonians 3:7-11

1 Peter 2:21-25

Bible Dictionary

Peculiar

Other Sources

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder,  chapter 27-28

WEEK  # 48

THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH

"We ought to have the building up of Zion as our greatest object"  (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 160).

"As important as it is to have this vision in mind, defining and describing Zion will not bring it about.  That can only be done through consistent and concerted daily effort by every single member of the Church.  No matter what the cost in toil or sacrifice, we must do it. . . .

"May I suggest three fundamental things we must do if we are to bring about Zion, three things for which we who labor for Zion must commit ourselves.

"First, we must eliminate the individual tendency to selfishness that snares the soul, shrinks the heart, and darkens the mind. . . .

'Second, we must cooperate completely and work in harmony one with the other.  There must be unanimity in our decisions and unity in our actions. . . .

"Third, we must lay on the altar and sacrifice whatever is required by the Lord"  (Spencer W. Kimball, "Becoming Pure in Heart," Ensign,  May 1978, p. 79).

Questions and Activities

• What are the characteristics of Zion?
• What promises are found in the scriptures about the establishment of Zion in the latter days?
• What does the Lord mean when he says,  "The kingdom of God is within you."  (Luke 17:21)?
• What changes would have to occur in today's society in order for it to become like Zion?
• What is the role of the Church in establishing Zion?
• How can you assist in building Zion?
• What personal qualities do you have that qualify you to be a part of Zion?
• What qualities do you still need to develop?
• What will you do this week to build Zion in your heart?

Topical Guide

Earth, Renewal of

Jerusalem, New

Jesus Christ, Millennial Reign

Kingdom of God, on Earth

Millennium

Millennium, Preparing a People for

Promised Lands

Stake 

Zion, Sion

Scriptures

2 Nephi 8:11

Ether 13:2-11

D&C 45:63-75;  57:1-5;  64:33-43;  97

Isaiah 11

Matthew 13:18-50

Moses 7:17-23

Articles of Faith 1:10

Bible Dictionary

Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God

Zion

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 44

The Articles of Faith, chapter 19

Jesus the Christ, chapter 42

WEEK  # 47

THE  GATHERING  OF  ISRAEL

" He who scattered Israel has promised to gather them."  (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 195).

Questions and Activities

• What were the significant events that lead to the scattering of Israel?
• What is spiritual bondage?
• By what means has the Lord promised to gather his people from spiritual bondage in the last days?  What will be the major gathering places?  What is the significance of being "fishers of men"?  (See Jeremiah 16;16;  Matthew 4:19.)
• What does temple work have to do with the gathering of Israel?
• Why is the restoration of the gospel essential to the gathering of Israel?
• What responsibilities for scattered Israel has the Lord placed on you?

Topical Guide

Bondage, Spiritual

Graff, Graft

Israel, Bondage of, in Other Lands

Israel, Deliverance of

Israel, Gathering of 

Israel, Remnant of 

Israel, Restoration of 

Scriptures

I Nephi 15:12-20

2 Nephi 15

Jacob 5

3 Nephi 15:17-24;  16:4-20;  21

D&C 110:11;  133:17-35

Isaiah 5, 54

Jeremiah 16

Ezekiel 34

Micah 4

Zechariah 10

Romans 11

Articles of Faith 1:10

Bible Dictionary

Adoption

Israel, Kingdom of

Joseph, Son of Rachel

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 42

A Marvelous Work and  a Wonder, chapters 15-16

The Articles of Faith,  chapters 17-18

WEEK # 46

MISSIONARY  WORK

"Perhaps the greatest reason for missionary work is to give the world its chance to hear and accept the gospel.  The scriptures are replete with commands and promises and calls and rewards for teaching the gospel.  I use the word command deliberately for it seems to be an insistent directive from which we, singly and collectively, cannot escape. .

"I wonder if we are doing all we can.  Are we complacent in our approach to teaching all the world?  We have been proselyting now for 144 years.  Are we prepared to lengthen our stride?  To enlarge our vision?"  (Spencer W. Kimball,  Ensign, Oct. 1974, pp. 4-5).

Questions and Activities

• What  is the role of missionary work in accomplishing God's purposes?
• Why has God commanded his Saints to spread the gospel?
• What special help and protection have been promised to missionaries?
• What blessings have been promised to those who faithfully share the gospel?
• Study some missionary experiences found in the scriptures (for example, Ammon, Aaron, Alma, Nephi).
• Record in your journal your feelings about missionary work.
• Share with your family the experiences you have had that have strengthened your testimony of missionary work.
• Set some specific goals that will help you be a more effective instrument in the Lord's hands.

Topical Guide

Conversion, Convert

Fellowshipping 

Gentiles

Israel, Mission of

Jesus Christ, Teaching Mode of

Mission of Early Saints

Mission of Latter-Day Saints

Missionary Work

Preaching, Preach

Warn, Warnings

Worth of Souls

Scriptures

Alma 17-23

Helaman 5, 10

D&C 11-12, 18, 33

Jonah 1-3

Luke 10:1-20

Acts 13

Articles of Faith 1:11

Bible Dictionary 

Conversion

Gentile

Jew

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 33

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder,  chapter 18

Jesus the Christ, chapter 21, pp. 328-33

Truth Restored, chapter 4

WEEK # 45

COVENANTS

"Each ordinance and requirement given to man for the purpose of brining to pass his salvation and exaltation is a covenant."  (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 1:152).

"A gospel covenant is a holy contract.  'God in his good pleasure fixes the terms, which man accepts' (Bible Dictionary, LDS ed., 'Covenants'). . . .  Man covenants to do certain things or meet certain conditions;  God cites promises that he will give in return.  (Carlos E. Asay,  "The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood." Ensign, Nov. 1985, p. 43).

"The Lord identified the gospel as the great and all-embracing covenant. . . .  Many of the Lord's commandments are in the form of covenants promising specific blessings. . . .  Observing the gospel covenants we make with the Lord justifies us to enter the temple and there receive the ordinances and covenants essential to exaltation."  (Marion G. Romney, "Gospel Covenants,"  Ensign, May 1981,  pp. 43-44).

Questions and Activities

• What is a covenant?
• Name some of the covenants that we make with the Lord.
• Why does the Lord make covenants with men?
• What are the promised blessings of each of the major covenants in the gospel?
• What is the Abrahamic covenant, and what does it mean to us today?
• What specific covenants have you made with the Lord?  How do you feel about the way you are keeping them?
• What blessings can be yours if you live up to the covenants you have made with the Lord?
• How do the covenants you have made give you added responsibility?

Topical Guide

Abrahamic Covenant

Covenants

Oath

Promise

Stewardship, Steward

Swearing, Swear, Sware, Sworn

Vow

Scriptures

2 Nephi 29:1, 14

Alma 24:17-19;  56:1-8

Genesis 9:8-17 (compare JST, Genesis 9:21-25);  17:1-14

Deuteronomy 7:6-9;  26:12-19

Joshua 24:12-15;  21-27

Hebrews 8:6-13

Bible Dictionary

Abraham, Covenant of 

Corban

Covenant

Rainbow

Vows

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 15

WEEK # 44

SERVICE

"God does notice us, and he watches over us.  But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.  Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom. . . .  so often, your acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and small but deliberate deeds!"  (Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, Dec. 1974, pp. 4-5).

Questions and Activities

• What specific attitudes and attributes does the Lord require from us as we serve him?
• What does it mean to serve mammon (see Matthew 6:24)?
• What things could be considered mammon?  How can you avoid serving mammon?
• How has the Lord served you?  How have you served him?
• In what ways does the organization of the Church give us opportunities to serve others?
• What are the different attitudes that a person might have while serving others?  How does the attitude with which you serve influence what you gain from serving?
• Think of a specific experience when you gave service to another.  What were your feelings?
• How can you/ your families give service?
• What specific things can you do to develop a selfless attitude of service toward those around you?  

Topical Guide

Care

Church

Duty

Flock

Help

Minister

Needy

Serve

Service

Succor

Scriptures

Mosiah 2:12-22; 4:12-21

D&C 4; 72:3-4; 81:3-6

Luke 16:13

John 13:1-10

Romans 12:10-21

I Corinthians 12:13-31

Articles of Faith 1:13

Bible Dictionary

Church 

Mammon

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 28

Jesus the Christ, chapter 26, pp. 416-19