Week # 26


SABBATH


"The purpose of the Sabbath is for spiritual uplift, for a renewal of our covenants, for worship, for prayer.  It is for the purpose of feeding the spirit, that we may keep ourselves unspotted from the world by obeying God's command"  (Ezra Taft Benson,  God, Family, Country:  Our Three Great Loyalties,  pp. 103-4.)

Questions and Activities

• What is the history of the Sabbath day?
• What is the difference between the Sabbath day and the Lord's day?
• What does it mean to keep the Sabbath day holy?
• What activities have been suggested as appropriate on the Sabbath?
• Why is it important for Church members to assemble and worship together on the Sabbath?
• What  spiritual experiences have you had recently while attending Church meetings?
• What blessings have come into your life through keeping the Sabbath day holy?
• Think of ways that you can make the Sabbath day more meaningful.  Record these things in your journal.

Topical Guide

Assembly for Worship

Congregation

Meetings

Sabbath

Sabbatical Year

Scriptures

Mosiah 13:16-19

Exodus 20:8-11

Isaiah 58:13-14

Matthew 12:1-8

Acts 20:7

D&C 59:9-19

Bible Dictionary

Lord's Day

Sabbath

Sabbatical Day's Journey

Sabbatical Year

Synagogue

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 24

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder,  chapter 23

Jesus the Christ, chapter 15

Week  # 25


SACRAMENT


" Who is there among us that does not wound his  spirit by word, thought, or deed, from Sabbath to Sabbath?  We do things for which we are sorry and desire to be forgiven, or we have erred against someone and given injury. . . .

"We want every Latter-day Saint to come to the sacrament table because it is the place for self-investigation, for self-inspection, where we may learn to rectify our course and to make right our own lives, bringing ourselves into harmony with the teachings of the Church and with our brothers and sisters."  (Melvin J. Ballard,  Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, pp.  148-50).

Questions and Activities

• What are the purposes of the sacrament?
• What do the bread and water symbolize?
• How did the Savior introduce the sacrament?
• Read the sacrament prayers one phrase at a time.  What covenants do we make?  What blessings can we receive?
• How can you prepare yourself properly to partake of the sacrament?
• How has the sacrament helped you become closer to your Heavenly Father?
• What blessings have you recently received from partaking of the sacrament?
• What are you doing to make partaking of the sacrament a meaningful experience each Sunday?  What are some things you can think about during that sacred time?

Topical Guide

Bread of Life

Jesus Christ, Taking the Name of

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Memory

Sacrament

Scriptures

3 Nephi 18:1-10;  20:3-9

Moroni 4-5

D&C 20:75-84;  27

Matthew 26:17--30

Mark 14:12-26

Luke 22:7-20

John 6:26-35

1 Corinthians 11:22-29

Bible Dictionary

Communion

Other Sources

Gospel Principles,  chapter 23

Jesus the Christ, chapter 33

The Articles of Faith,  chapter 9

Week # 24


RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL


"The greatest event that has ever occurred in the world since the resurrection of the Son of God from the tomb and his ascension on high, was the coming of the Father and of the Son to that boy Joseph Smith, to prepare the way for the laying of the foundation of His Kingdom, not the kingdom of man--never more to cease nor be overturned."  (Joseph F. Smith, as quoted in Preston Nibley,  Joseph Smith the Prophet, p. 28).

"What then is our message for all men?  It is the message of the Restoration. . . .

"The message of the Restoration includes three great truths, truths which must be accepted by all mankind if  they are to save themselves.  These are, first, the divine Sonship of Christ;  second the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith; and third, the truth and divinity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"  (Bruce R. McConkie, "Who Hath Believed Our Report,"  Ensign, Nov. 1981.p.46).

Questions and Activities

• What is meant by the phrase "the restoration of the gospel"?
• What were the major events of the Restoration?
• What ancient prophecies were fulfilled by the Restoration?
• Why has the Restoration been called "a marvelous work and a wonder"?
• What does it mean to you to be a member of the true Church of Jesus Christ?
• What blessings have come to you because of the restoration of the gospel?
• Record in your journal your testimony of the Restoration.
• What are you doing to strengthen your testimony of the Restoration?

Topical Guide

Dispensations

Ensign

Israel, Mission of

Israel, Restoration of

Millennium, Preparing a People for Restoration

Restoration of the Gospel

Scriptures

1 Nephi 13:32-42; 15:1-16

2 Nephi 25:6-20

Isaiah 29

Daniel 2

Acts 3:19-26

Revelation 14:6-11

D& C 1:17-23;  27:5-13;  110

JS---H 1

Articles of Faith 1:6

Bible Dictionary

Restoration, Restitution

Other Sources

Gospel  Principles, chapter 17

Truth Restored, chapter 3

Jesus the Christ,  chapter 41

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapter 5

Week # 23


PRIESTHOOD  ORGANIZATION


"The priesthood is greater than any of its offices.  No office adds any power, dignity, or authority to the priesthood.  All offices derive their rights, virtues, and authorities from the priesthood.  Our concern is with those holding the offices of elder, of seventy, and of high priest. . . .

"Why do we have offices or callings in the priesthood? . . . .So that brethren can become specialists in the performance of priesthood labors. . . .

"Elders are called to be standing ministers;  to perfect the Saints;  to labor for the salvation of the brethren.

"Seventies are called to proclaim the message of salvation to our Father's other children.

"High priests are called to be standing presidents;  to perfect the Saints;  to guide, govern, and direct the organization of the Church."  (Bruce R. McConkie, Address at Regional Representatives' Seminar, 7 Oct. 1973, p.2).

Questions and Activities

• Discuss the history of the orders of the priesthood.
• What are the responsibilities of each of the offices of the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods?
• What is the difference between priesthood authority and priesthood keys?
• What prophets visited Joseph Smith, and what priesthood keys did they restore?
• Why has the Lord established priesthood quorums?
• How have priesthood quorums helped you and your family?

Topical Guide

Apostles

Church

Church Organization

Elder--Melchizedek Priesthood

High Priest--Aaronic Priesthood

High Priest--Melchizedek Priesthood

Jesus Christ, Head of the Church

Ministry, Unpaid

Patriarch

Priesthood, Aaronic

Priesthood,Keys of

Priesthood, Magnifying Callings within

Priesthood, Melchizedek

Quorum

Scriptures

3 Nephi 12:1-2

Moroni 3

D&C 20,  68, 107

Exodus 18:13-27

Luke 10:1-4

Acts 1:20-26;  6:1-4

Ephesians 4:11-14

Titus 1:7-9

Articles of Faith 1:6

Bible Dictionary

Apostle

Bishop

Elders

Evangelist

High Priest

Ministry

Patriarch, Patriarchs

Transfiguration, Mount of

Help Others Feel and Recognize the Spirit

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 14

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapter 12

Jesus the Christ, chapters 16, 23

The Articles of Faith, chapter 11