WEEK # 39

FASTING

"Compliance with the law of the fast would call attention to the sin of over-eating, place the body in subjection to the spirit, and so promote communion with the Holy Ghost, and insure a spiritual strength and power which the people of the nation so greatly need.  As fasting should always be accompanied by prayer, this law would bring the people nearer to God, and divert their minds once a month at least, from the mad rush of worldly affairs and cause them to be brought into immediate contact with practical, pure, and undefiled religion"  (Joseph F. Smith,  Gospel Doctrine,  pp. 237-38).

"Fasting, with prayer as its companion, is designed to increase spirituality;  to foster a spirit of devotion and love of God;  to increase faith in the hearts of men,  thus assuring divine favor;  to encourage humility and contrition of soul;  to aid in the acquirement of righteousness;  to teach man his nothingness and dependence upon God; and to hasten those who properly comply with the law of fasting along the path to salvation"  (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon doctrine, p. 276).

Questions and Activities

• Describe a fast that would be acceptable to the Lord.
• Why has the Lord commanded us to fast?  to pay fast offerings?
• What has been promised to those who obey the law of the fast?
• In what ways does fasting increase our spiritual powers?  our self-control?
• What are some of the blessings that can come into your life through giving a generous fast offering?
• Why does the Lord refer to fasting as "rejoicing"?
• Recall a time when your fast was a spiritual and meaningful experience.  What made this experience special for you?
• Write down some specific goals that will help make your next fast a spiritual experience.

Topical Guide

Almsgiving

Fast, Fasting

Generosity

Hungry

Poor

Prayer

Welfare

Scriptures

Alms 6:6;  17:2-3

3 Nephi 13:16-18

D&C 59:9-19

1 Kings 19:8

Isaiah 58

Jonah 3:5

Matthew 4:2;  6:16-18

John 4:31-34

Bible  Dictionary

Fasts

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 25

WEEK # 38

SACRIFICE

"For a man to lay down his all, his character and reputation, his honor, and applause, his good name among men, his houses, his lands, his brothers and sisters, his wife and children, and even his own life. . . .requires more than mere belief or supposition that he is doing the will of God:  but actual knowledge, realizing that,  when these sufferings are ended , he will enter into eternal rest, and be a partaker of the glory of God. . . .

". . .  A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation. . . .

"It is vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those. . . .  who have offered their all in sacrifice, . . . . unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice"  (Joseph Smith, Lectures on Faith, 6:5, 7-8).

Questions and Activities

• Why does the Lord require his people to make sacrifices?
• Compare the present practice of the law of sacrifice with the Mosaic law of sacrifice.
• Discuss how the sacrifices in the Mosaic law symbolized the Savior's atonement.
• What specific examples are given in the scriptures of people sacrificing?  What can be learned from each example?
• What does it mean to lose your life for Christ's sake (see Luke 9:23-26)?
• What blessings have come into your life because others have sacrificed for you?
• In what ways have you sacrificed for others?  How have these experiences influenced your life?
• What things in your life would you have difficulty giving up for the gospel?
• What can you do to prepare to make sacrifices, should they become necessary?

Topical Guide

Blood, Symbolism of

Contrite Heart

Jesus Christ, Lamb of God

Jesus Christ, Types of , in Anticipation

Oblation

Offering

Passover

Self-sacrifice

Scriptures

Jacob 4:5

3 Nephi 9:19-21

D&C 13:98:11-15

Genesis 4:3-8; 22

1 Kings 18:17-46

Matthew 10:39

Acts 5:40-42

Hebrews 9:26

Moses 5:5-8

Bible Dictionary

Altar

Feasts

Lamb of God

Laver

Law of Moses

Moriah

Priests

Sacrifices

Other Sources

Gospel Principles,  chapter 26

Truth Restored,  chapters 8-10

WEEK # 37

CHARITY

"Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God.  A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessings his family alone but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race."  (Joseph Smith, in History of the Church, 4:227).

Questions and Activities

• How is charity defined in the scriptures?
• What actions and attitudes characterize a charitable person?
• How does charity help us become more like our Heavenly Father and fulfill his plan?
• How can a person develop charity?
• When have you shown charity to others?
• What specific examples from the Savior's life illustrate charity?  What examples can you find in the lives of the prophets?
• How can we love people in spite of their sins and faults?
• What are your feelings when others have been charitable toward you?
• What can you do to become a more charitable person?

Topical Guide

Benevolence

Charity

Compassion

Family, Love within

God, Love of

God, Mercy of

Love

Mercy, Merciful

Selfishness

Scriptures

Mosiah 4

Ether 12:28

Moroni 7:41-48

D&C 12:7-9

Matthew 25:31-46

Luke 10:29-42

John 15:12-19

1 Corinthians 13

1 John 4:8-21

Articles of Faith 1:13

Bible Dictionary

Almsgiving

Charity

Other Sources

Gospel Principles,  chapter 30

WEEK # 36

COURTESY

" Courtesy is a natural outgrowth of the refining influence of the Spirit of the Lord.  It presupposes the presence of kindness and an inherent consideration for the comfort and well-being of others"  (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 166).

"It is a time-honored adage that love begets love.  Let us pour forth love---show forth our kindness unto all mankind, and the Lord will reward us with everlasting increase. . . .

"Nothing is so much calculated to lead people to forsake sin as to take them by the hand, and watch over them with tenderness.  When persons manifest the least kindness and love to me, O what power it has over my mind, while the opposite course has a tendency to harrow up all the harsh feelings and depress the human mind."  (Joseph Smith, in  History of the Church, 5:23-24, 517).

Questions and Activities

• In the scripture, what words and phrases have the same meaning as courteous?
• What is the Lord's counsel concerning courtesy and kindness?
• What blessings are promised to those who are courteous/
• What is the role of kindness and courtesy in developing charity?
• How have you felt when others have been courteous to you?
• How do you feel when you make the effort to be kind and courteous to those around you?
• How has courtesy affected your daily life?
• In what ways are you courteous?  In what ways do you need to improve?

Topical Guide

Brotherhood and Sisterhood

Comfort

Courtesy

Gentle

Gentleness

Gracious

Hospitality

Kindness

Neighbor

Pity

Scriptures

Mosiah 18:8-10

3 Nephi 14:8-12

D&C 4:3-6

Genesis 18:3-8

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Matthew 7:12

John 13:4-9

Hebrews 13:1-3

James 3:17-18

1 Peter 3:8-9

Articles of Faith 1:13

Bible Dictionary

Hospitality