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

WEEK  #43

EXALTATION

"The Father has promised us that through our faithfulness we shall be blessed with the fullness of his kingdom.  In other words, we will have the privilege of becoming like him"  (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:48).

"Exaltation consists in the continuation of the family unit in eternity.  Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life which God lives.  Those who obtain it gain an inheritance in the highest of three heavens within the celestial kingdom.  (D&C 131:14.)

". . .  They inherit in due course the fullness of the glory of the Father, meaning that they have all power in heaven and on earth" (Bruce R. McConkie,  Mormon Doctrine, p. 257)

Questions and Activities

• What is exaltation?  How does it differ from immortality?
• What must a person do to gain exaltation?
• What does it mean to be an heir to our Father's kingdom?
• What qualities must you possess if you are to feel comfortable in God's presence?
• What opportunities has God given you in mortal life to prepare for exaltation?  How have they helped you prepare for exaltation?
• What blessings will come to those who are exalted?
• If you were judged today, in what ways are you prepared to enter the celestial kingdom?  What would you need to change?

Topical Guide

Celestial Glory 

Eternal Life

Exaltation

Father

God

Grace, Man May Fall from

Holy, Holier, Holiest

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Man, Potential to Become Like Heavenly Father

Perfection, Perfect, Perfectly

Purity, Pure

Sanctification, Sanctify

Scriptures

3 Nephi 28:1-10

D&C 76;  78:17-22;  131-132;  137

Isaiah 56: 1-3

Matthew 19:16-29

John 14:1-6

2 Peter 1:10-12

Revelation 21-22

Bible Dictionary

Heaven 

Holiness

Saint

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 47

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapter 19

WEEK # 42

MISSION OF JESUS CHRIST

"Whether descriptively designated as Creator, Only Begotten Son, Prince of Peace, Advocate, Mediator, Son of God, Savior, Messiah, Author and Finisher of Salvation, King of Kings---I witness that Jesus Christ is the only name under heaven whereby one can be saved!  (See D&C 18:23)

"I testify that He is utterly incomparable in what He is, what He knows, what He has accomplished, and what He has experienced.  Yet, movingly, He calls us His friends.  (See John 15: 15).

"We can trust, worship , and even adore Him without any reservation!  As the only Perfect Person to sojourn on this planet, there is none like Him!  (See Isa. 46:9)"  (Neal A. Maxwell,  "O Divine Redeemer, " Ensign, Nov. 1981, p.8).

Questions and Activities

• What does it mean that "there is none other name given whereby man can be saved?"
• What are Christ's roles in our Father's plan (in the premortal council, the Creation, during Old Testament times, etc.").
• How have each of these roles affected your life?
• Search the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament for prophecies of Christ.  Have they been fulfilled?  How?
• In what ways is Jesus Christ the Father?  the Son? 
• What is our role in the Lord's work of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man?
• Record in your journal your feelings about your role in this great work.
• In what ways are you showing your appreciation for Christ?

Topical Guide

Jesus Christ, Creator

Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd

Jesus Christ, Judge

Jesus Christ, Messenger of the Covenant

Jesus Christ Messiah

Jesus Christ, Millennial Reign

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Jesus Christ, Prophecies about

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

Jesus Christ, Savior

Jesus Christ, Teaching Mode of 

Jesus Christ, Types of, in Memory 

Redemption

Scriptures 

Mosiah 13-16

Alma 7

Isaiah 53

John 6, 10, 12, 17

I Corinthians 15

Bible Dictionary 

Advocate

Christ

Christ, Names of 

Jehovah

Jesus 

Messiah

Redemption

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapters 5, 11, 43

Jesus the Christ, chapters 3, 5

The Articles of Faith, chapter 20

WEEK # 41

DILIGENT WORK

"Work is to be re-enthroned as the ruling principle of the lives of our Church membership"  (Heber J. Grant, in Conference Report, Oct 1936, p. 3).

"Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success."  ( David O. Mc Kay, quoted in Franklin D. Richards, "The Gospel of Work,"  Improvement Era, Dec. 1969, p.103).

"Diligence is determination, perseverance, application to duty, zeal, industry, and heed to counsel.  Continuing diligence in church service is a mark of testimony, conversion, and spiritual stability."  (Bruce R. McConkie,  Mormon Doctrine. p. 197).

Questions and Activities

• How does the commandment given to Adam---"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread"---apply to your life?
• What are some examples of diligence and hard work in the scriptures?
• What is meant by being "anxiously engaged" in a good cause?
• What was the process by which you have become proficient in a particular skill or hobby?
• Compare the attitudes and feelings of a hardworking person with those of a person who is satisfied with just doing the minimum.
• What is the role of work in perfecting our lives?  in gaining exaltation?
• In what ways do you feel you are a diligent servant of the Lord?
• What are you doing to become more diligent in other ways?

Topical Guide

Trustworthiness

Valiant

Valiantly

Work

Work, value of

Scriptures

Jacob 1:7

Mosiah 1:11

Alma 18:7-10

Helaman 10-:4

D&C 4;  24:7-9;  75:3-5;  106

Matthew 25:15-46

2 Thessalonians 3:13

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 27

WEEK # 40

TITHING

" By this principle (tithing) the loyalty of the people of this Church shall be put to the test.  By this principle it shall be known who is for the kingdom of God and who is against it."    (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 225).

" The principle of tithing should be more than a mathematical, mechanical compliance with the law. . . .  If we pay our tithes because of our love for the Lord, in complete freedom and faith, we narrow our distance from him and and our relationship to him becomes intimate.  We are released from the bondage of legalism, and we are touched by the spirit and feel a oneness with God.

"The payment of tithing strengthens faith, increases spirituality and spiritual capacity, and solidifies testimony"  (Howard W. Hunter,  "The Windows of Heaven,"  Improvement Era, June 1964, p. 476).

Questions and Activities

• What is the law of tithing?
• How does tithing develop unselfishness?
• How are tithing funds used?
• What is the history and future of the law of tithing?
• Share with your family experiences that have strengthened your testimony of the law of tithing.
• What blessings come from paying a full tithe?
• What is the importance of our attitude in paying tithing?
• What is your testimony of the law of tithing?  Record this in your journal.

Topical Guide

Consecrate

Consecration

Family, Managing Finances in

Tenth

Tithing

Scriptures

Jacob 2:18-19

3 Nephi 24:6-12

D&C 64:23-25; 119

Genesis 28:22

Numbers 18:26

2 Chronicles 31:5

Malachi 3:8-12

Luke 21:1-4

Bible Dictionary

Tithe

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 32

A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapter 26