WEEK # 35

THE WORD OF WISDOM

"Every commandment of God is spiritual in nature. . . .   The Word of Wisdom is spiritual.  It is true that it enjoins the use of deleterious substances and makes provision for the health of the body.  But the largest measure of good derived from its observance  is in increased faith and the development of more spiritual power and wisdom."  (Stephen L. Richards, in Conference Report, Apr. 1949, p. 141).

Questions and Activities

• What is the Word of Wisdom?
• What dietary counsel (in addition to D&C 89) is given in the scriptures?
• In what ways is the Word of Wisdom a spiritual commandment?
• What does it mean to live the Word of Wisdom?
• What are the specific blessings promised to those who keep the Word of Wisdom?
• In what ways can obeying the Word of Wisdom help you be a better person?
• What experiences in your life or in the lives of those around you have strengthened your testimony of the Word of Wisdom:
• What are you doing to live the Word of Wisdom?
• What can you do to follow the spirit of the Word of Wisdom more closely?

Topical Guide

Body, Sanctity of

Drunkenness

Food

Health

Temperance, Temperate

Wisdom

Wine

Word of Wisdom

Scriptures

Mosiah 22:7-8

D&C 49:18-21;  89

Deuteronomy 14:3-20

Proverbs 23:20-21

Isaiah 5:11

Daniel 1:3-15

Bible Dictionary

Health

Kosher

Meat

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 29

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapter 25

WEEK # 34

CHASTITY

"How glorious is he that lives the chaste life.  He walks unfearful in the full glare of the noonday sun, for he is without moral infirmity.  He can be reached by no shafts of base calumny, for his armor is without flaw.  His virtue cannot be challenged by any just accuser, for he lives above reproach.  His cheek is never blothed with shame, for he is without hidden sin.  He is honored and respected by all mankind, for he is beyond their censure.  He is loved by the Lord, for he stands without blemish.  The exaltations of eternities await his coming."  (Heber J. Grant,  J. Reuben Clark, David O. Mc Kay,  "The Message of the First Presidency to the Church,"  Improvement Era, Nov. 1942. p. 759).  

Questions and Activities

• What is the law of chastity?
• Why does the Lord ask us to be chaste?
• What are the blessings for obeying the law of chastity?
• What are the penalties for disobeying?
• What can you do in your life to make sure your thoughts, words, and actions will always be clean and pure?
• What long-term effects does chastity have on your family?  
• What blessings have you received from obeying the law of chastity?
• What examples of cleanliness and purity in those you know make you want to live the law of chastity?

Topical Guide

Adulterer, Adultery

Chastity, Chaste

Clean

Fornication

Lust

Modesty

Purity, Pure

Sensuality

Sexual Immorality

Virtue, Virtuous

Scriptures

Jacob 2:28

Alma 39:3-11

D&C 42:22-26

Genesis 39:1-12

Leviticus 18:22-24

Matthew 5:27-28

Galatians 5:16-19

Articles of Faith 1:13

Bible Dictionary

Adultery

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 39

Week # 33

ETERNAL  FAMILY

" God not only commends but he commands marriage.  While man was yet immortal, before sin had entered the world, our heavenly Father himself performed the first marriage.  He united our first parents in the bonds of holy matrimony, and commanded them to be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth."  (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 274).

"Among the saints the family is the basic unit of the Church and of society, and its needs and preservation in righteousness take precedence over all other things.  True family organization is patriarchal in nature;  it is patterned after that organization which exists in heaven (Eph. 3:15). . . .

"Eternal families have their beginning in celestial marriage here in mortality. . .  By obedience to the laws of the gospel, Latter-day Saint families begin here and now to enjoy much of that peace, joy, love, and charity which will be enjoyed in eternal fullness in the exalted family unit"  (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 273).

Questions and Activities

• Why does God command us to be married and have families?
• What covenants and attributes establish the family as an eternal unit?
• How does the family unit help each individual prepare for eternal life?
• What are the responsibilities of the husband, wife, and children?
• For what reasons is the priesthood necessary to an eternal family?
• In what ways has your family influenced your life?
• How has your belief that your family can be eternal influenced your relationship with your parents?  with brothers and sisters?  with your spouse?
• Write in your journal the characteristics you want to possess as a wife or mother.

Topical Guide

Family, children, Duties of

Family, Children, Responsibilities toward

Family, Eternal

Family, Love within

Family, Patriarchal

Honoring Father and Mother

Marriage, Celestial

Marriage, Continuing Courtship in

Marriage, Fatherhood

Marriage, Motherhood

Parent

Scriptures

3 Nephi 17:1-3

D&C 68:25-28;  131:1-4;  132

Official Declaration---1

Psalm 127:3-5

Mark  10:2-16

Ephesians 5:21-33;  6:1-9

Abraham 5:14-18

Bible Dictionary

Family 

Marriage

Patriarch, Patriarchs

Other Sources
Gospel Principles, chapters 36-38
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapter 14
The Articles of Faith, chapter 24, pp. 442-46

Week # 32

TEMPLES

" Temple work. . . gives a wonderful opportunity for keeping alive our spiritual knowledge and strength. . . .  The mighty perspective of eternity is unraveled before us in the holy temples;  we see time from its infinite beginning to its endless end;  and the drama of eternal life is unfolded before us.  Then I see more clearly my place amidst the things of the universe,  my place among the purposes of God;  I am better able to place myself where I belong, and I am better able to value and to weigh,  to separate and to organize the common, ordinary duties of my life, so that the little things shall not oppress me or take away my vision of the greater things that God has given us."  (John A. Widstoe, in Conference Report, April 1922, pp.  97-98).

Questions and Activities

• Why has the Lord commanded his people to build temples?
• What blessings has the Lord promised to give through the temple?
• What is the significance of each temple ordinance in the plan of salvation?
• What is the history and future of temples?
• What blessings have you received because of the temple?
• What experiences have strengthened your testimony of temple work?
• What were your feelings as you attended the temple most recently?

Topical Guide

Baptism for the Dead

Book of Remembrance

Endowment, Endow

Genealogy and Temple Work

Mount

Salvation for the Dead

Sanctuary

Temple, House of the Lord

Scriptures

2 Nephi 5

Exodus 26, 40

Ezekiel 40-44, 46-47

John 2

D&C 124

Bible Dictionary

Elijah

Genealogy

Holy of Holies

Tabernacle

Temple

Temple of Herod

Temple of Solomon

Temple of Zerubbabel

Temple on Mount Gerizim

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 40

Truth Restored, chapter 5, pp. 47-40;  and chapter  7,  pp. 70-72