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

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