Chapter 4: Freedom to Choose

AGENCY IS AN ETERNAL PRINCIPLE

This probably goes without saying, but…
Great insights and inspiration will come from reading all of the scriptures in the lesson before you start deciding how to teach it (or how to study it).

Two great resources on “Agency” for this lesson are Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff (Chapter 20) and Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay (Chapter 22).

From one of these, a terrific quote by President David O. McKay:

Next to the bestowal of life itself, the right to direct that life is God’s greatest gift to man. … Freedom of choice is more to be treasured than any possession earth can give. It is inherent in the spirit of man. It is a divine gift. … Whether born in abject poverty or shackled at birth by inherited riches, everyone has this most precious of all life’s endowments—the gift of free agency; man’s inherited and inalienable right.It may be helpful to reconcile two important ideas taught in this lesson. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 205)

FIRST - - Agency is an eternal principle (the section title).

President John Taylor said it this way:

As the gospel is a principle that emanates from God, like its author it is “the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever,”—eternal and unchangeable. (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, 11)

So God didn’t “invent” principles. He first learned and lived them, just as He wants us to do. Then, as a God He “created” them. My favorite quote about the word “create” is from Joseph Smith:

“The word create came from the [Hebrew] word baurau which does not mean to create out of nothing; it means to organize; the same as a man would organize materials and build a ship. (Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, 9)

The Sunday School manuals are excellent sources for teachers and students, NOT just during Sunday School. They are found online at “lds.org” then “Gospel Library” (then “Lessons”) then “Sunday School.”

SECOND - - God “organized” mortality to provide new opportunities for agency for us, \His spirit children. The first scripture listed under “Additional Scriptures” at the end of the lesson is Moses 7:32 which states:

Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, gave I unto man his agency;

So the word “gave” herein is best understood that God “created” an opportunity for “man/woman” to have “agency.” This is important principle in Father’s plan. Discussion about this would be effective. A question such as “How many new “opportunities” did Father provide us, His children, on this earth that were not available in premortality?” for class members. Hopefully two of the most important elements of mortality, a body and a test, would be included in the answers.

The reference from this section of 2 Nephi 2:27 is s terrific one. It reads:

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

An important principle herein is that with every choice we make about good and evil there are only two consequences: liberty” or “captivity.” A distinction should be made here about other choices made which are not about good and evil. Some of these include things like what color to paint the bathroom, which shoes to wear today, etc. To reinforce this idea, a quote from President Henry B. Eyring in a First Presidency Message might help:

When we reject the counsel that comes from God, we do not choose to be independent of outside influence. We choose another influence. We reject the protection of a perfectly loving, all-powerful, all-knowing Father in Heaven, whose whole purpose, as that of His Beloved Son, is to give us eternal life, to give us all that He has, and to bring us home again in families to the arms of His love. In rejecting His counsel, we choose the influence of another power, whose purpose is to make us miserable and whose motive is hatred. We have moral agency as a gift of God. Rather than the right to choose to be free of influence, it is the inalienable right to submit ourselves to whichever of those powers we choose.

Another fallacy is to believe that the choice to accept or not accept the counsel of prophets is no more than deciding whether to accept good advice and gain its benefits or to stay where we are. But the choice not to take prophetic counsel changes the very ground upon which we stand. That ground becomes more dangerous. The failure to take prophetic counsel lessens our power to take inspired counsel in the future. The best time to have decided to help Noah build the ark was the first time he asked. Each time he asked after that, each failure to respond would have lessened sensitivity to the Spirit. And so each time his request would have seemed more foolish, until the rain came. And then it was too late. (Ensign, Jun 2008, 4)

Additional discussion about how every choice we make concerning good and evil draws us closer to God or Satan could be helpful.

AGENCY IS A NECESSARY PART OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION

In this section the principle is discussed that “…we are responsible for our actions… (p. 19). Following is a great quote on this idea from President David O. McKay:

Freedom of the will and the responsibility associated with it are fundamental aspects of Jesus' teachings. Throughout his ministry he emphasized the worth of the individual, and exemplified what is now expressed in modern revelation as the work and glory of God—"To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). Only through the divine gift of soul freedom is such progress possible.
Force, on the other hand, emanates from Lucifer himself. Even in man's preexistent state, Satan sought power to compel the human family to do his will by suggesting that the free agency of man be inoperative (Moses 4:1-4). If his plan had been accepted, human beings would have become mere puppets in the hands of a dictator, and the purpose of man s coming to earth would have been frustrated. Satan's proposed system of government, therefore, was rejected, and the principle of free agency establish in its place. (Conference Report, April 1950, pp. 31)

Note that in the first sentence, President McKay names two great principles of agency - - freedom to choose and responsibility for choice. Today in the world there are deafening cries for freedom to choose, but there is often deathly silence about the responsibility for choices made.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson also add the following wonderful insights:

In years past we generally used the term free agency. That is not incorrect. More recently we have taken note that free agency does not appear in the scriptures. They talk of our being “free to choose” and “free to act” for ourselves (2 Nephi 2:27); 10:23; see also Helaman 14:30) and of our obligation to do many things of our own “free will” (D&C 58:27). But the word agency appears either by itself or with the modifier moral: “That every man may act in doctrine and principle … according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment” (D&C 101:78; emphasis added). When we use the term moral agency, we are appropriately emphasizing the accountability that is an essential part of the divine gift of agency. We are moral beings and agents unto ourselves, free to choose but also responsible for our choices. (Ensign, Jun 2009, 46–53)

This principle of personal responsibility for our choices is under attack today. It would be helpful to list on the board commonly heard phrases which run counter to this principle. Some examples of “verbal traps” we sometimes fall into may include:

“You make me so mad…”

“He/she made me do it…”

“You just have to…”

“I can’t help it if…”

“It wasn’t my fault…”

Also discussed in this section is the idea that “”Right choices increase our power to make more right choices.” This is a powerful concept perhaps lost in a world where the myth thrives that religion restricts us and stifles man’s true spirit. A discussion of the steps clearly outlined by the Savior in John 8:31-32 may be helpful here.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Carefully numbering the five steps to “freedom” outlined by the Savior will correct the fallacy often used when the statement “The truth will make you free” is quoted without the preceding conditions. Freedom in this formula only comes with the four prerequisites of belief, continuance, discipleship and knowledge.

This concept can be reinforced by the counsel about “line upon line” which originated in Isaiah 28:10-13 and was clarified in 2 Nephi 28:30 as follows:

For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

Perhaps our understanding of the wonderful gift Our Heavenly Father wants to give us can be strengthened by understanding the principles taught in this wonderful message shared by Elder Boyd K. Packer:

Now, my young friends, I would like to make reference to another experience, one I think of often but one I seldom talk about. I shall not mention it in detail; I only want to refer to it. It happened many years ago when I was perhaps not quite as young as you are now, and it had to do with my decision to follow that guide.

I knew what agency was and knew how important it was to be individual and to be independent, to be free. I somehow knew there was one thing the Lord would never take from me, and that was my free agency. I would not surrender my agency to any being but to Him! I determined that I would give Him the one thing that He would never take—my agency. I decided, by myself, that from that time on I would do things His way.

That was a great trial for me, for I thought I was giving away the most precious thing I possessed. I was not wise enough in my youth to know that because I exercised my agency and decided myself, I was not losing it. It was strengthened!

I learned from that experience the meaning of the scripture: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31–32.)

I have not been quite as frightened of spiritual crocodiles since then, because I have been alerted on many occasions as to where they were lurking.

I have been nipped a time or two and on occasion have needed some spiritual first aid, but have been otherwise saved because I have been warned. (New Era, Jan 1981, 58)

This really ties in well with the last scripture listed in this section, D&C 93:28:

He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.

AGENCY REQUIRES THAT THERE BE A CHOICE

This section picks up from the last section on the consequences of choice. From the quote of Moses 4:3-4 it is important to understand that “captivity” is a result of listening to Satan rather than God. In 2 Nephi 26:22 Nephi warns about this captivity:

yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.

While on our mission in North Carolina, we went to a museum in Boone, NC where a guide there taught us how fibers of flax were woven into linen in Daniel Boone’s time. Flax plants look a lot like wheat. After soaking the flax stems in water and pounding them, the fibers inside the stem were withdrawn. The guide told us that most people could extract three fibers, but with practice, four or five could be extracted from one stem. These threads would then be woven into linen cloth.

The guide then told us that even though a single fiber could be broken easily, when woven together with other fibers, the resulting threads had a tensile strength almost comparable to steel. This seems to be similar to how many addictions grow.
Other scriptures talk about Satan’s hold being “chains” rather than “strong cords.” Several really worth reviewing are 2 Nephi 28:22 and Alma 12:6, 11, 17. Here it may also be effective to discuss how Satan deceives us into believing “I can quit anytime I want to. I’ve done it hundreds of times.” Addictions begin with our choice and end with us loosing our agency. According to God’s word, our will is replaced by “his [Satan’s] will” (Moses 4:4). In Conference in 1963 Elder Ezra Taft Benson said:

One of the greatest discourses that I have ever heard or read on how to avoid being deceived was given from this pulpit during the priesthood session of the October, 1960 semiannual conference by Elder Marion G. Romney…During the talk Elder Romney stated that there was no guarantee that the devil will not deceive a lot of men who hold the priesthood. Then, after referring to a talk on free agency by President McKay, Elder Romney states, ". . . Free agency is the principle against which Satan waged his war in heaven. It is still the front on which he makes his most furious, devious, and persistent attacks. That this would be the case was foreshadowed by the Lord."

And then after quoting the scripture from the Pearl of Great Price regarding the war in heaven over free agency (Moses 4:1-4) Elder Romney continues:

"You see, at the time he was cast out of heaven, his objective was (and still is) `to deceive and to blind men and to lead them captive at his will.' This he effectively does to as many as will not hearken unto the voice of God. His main attack is still on free agency. When he can get men to yield their agency, he has them well on the way to captivity. (Conference Report, October 1963, 15)

The previous discussion would lay a great foundation for the wonderful illustration of the whirlpool (p. 20). It would seem helpful to ask, “What are whirlpools of sin that you have seen in today’s society?”

Earlier was a quote from Elder Boyd K. Packer. This came from a terrific talk entitled, “Spiritual Crocodiles” and can be found in New Era, Jan 1981, 58. This talk reinforces and adds great illustrations for the ideas discussed here.

This might be a good time to discuss John 8:34 from “Additional Scriptures” at the end of the lesson:

Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Moroni 7:17, the scripture listed on p. 20, is wonderful:

But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

It might be helpful to have the class discuss who “those who subject themselves unto him” are and how they try to influence us to fall into captivity. We need to avoid employing “whirlpool guides” (guides into, that is, not away from). The following might be good to share from For the Strength of Youth pamphlet:

Choose your friends carefully. They will greatly influence how you think and act, and even help determine the person you will become. Choose friends who share your values so you can strengthen and encourage each other in living high standards. A true friend will encourage you to be your best self (p. 12).

Then compare this with the following from the same pamphlet:

Have the courage to walk out of a movie or video party, turn off a computer or television, change a radio station, or put down a magazine if what is being presented does not meet Heavenly Father’s standards. Do these things even if others do not (p. 17).

To build on the idea in the previous section that Satan slows our progress (captivity does that) and God helps eternal progression, the following from Moroni 7:12 may help:

Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually.

A neat illustration of what happens here is to put the following diagram on the board:

God → good

Devil → evil

Ask “What do you notice about the letters of these words? A simple lesson comes from “God adds” and Satan takes away.” A discussion here of what Satan attempts to “take away” from our heritage as sons and daughters of God may be effective.

One of the suggested scriptures listed on p. 20 is 1 Corinthians 10:13:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Have the class discuss “What is “a way to escape” mentioned here?” Then discuss the following scripture from John 14:5-6:

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

What might it mean, then in 1 Corinthians 10:13 as to “the way”?

Now 3 Nephi 18:15 (listed on p. 20) ties in beautifully:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.

Alma 13:28 (listed on p. 20) introduces another important principle tying back to 1 Corinthians 10:13:

But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit,

Something that may be helpful in this lesson would be to discuss help God has given us in using our agency to make choices. Important help is explained in Moroni 7:15:

For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.

In addition to the ideas already discussed in this lesson of what God “adds” to our lives, Our Father has provided us three “lights” in mortality.

FIRST - - the light of Christ. Following the verse we just discussed, Moroni 7:16 states:

For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.

In D&C 93:2 the Savior proclaims:

“…I am the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world;”

SECOND: The Holy Ghost. Joseph Smith explained:

Cornelius received the Holy Ghost before he was baptized, which was the convincing power of God unto him of the truth of the Gospel, but he could not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost until after he was baptized. Had he not taken this sign or ordinance upon him, the Holy Ghost which convinced him of the truth of God, would have left him. (Doctrines of the Gospel, Institute Student Manual, 44)

THIRD: The Gift of Holy Ghost. In John 14:26 we learn:

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

But if we hearken to Satan rather than God (Moses 4:4) we will lose this gift. From a little-known treasure, Gospel Fundamentals comes the following:

If we do not obey the Holy Ghost and if we begin to do wrong things, the Holy Ghost leaves us (p. 77).

This gem Gospel Fundamentals can be found at “lds.org” then “Gospel Library” then “Support Materials” then “Family” then “Gospel Fundamentals” (at the bottom). It can also be ordered from Distribution Center online.

Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior

If you have not yet done so, please read the “Welcome…” introduction at the beginning (very bottom now) of this blog.

For this lesson, there are some terrific quotes in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church that pertain to the Savior being chosen in premortality. My favorites are found in Heber J. Grant (pp. 221-225), David O. McKay (pp. 7-8), Spencer W. Kimball (pp. 24-26), and Joseph Smith (pp. 53-54). The way to access all of these is found in this blog, Chapter 2, section 3.

A SAVIOR AND LEADER WAS NEEDED
The two questions asked at the beginning of this section are great ones to utilize the “For teachers” suggestion at the bottom of p. 10. However, the discussion of these questions should lead at least to the two answers found in this sentence later in this section, “Our Heavenly Father knew and loved each one of us.” As pertaining to the “omniscience of God” discussed previously (Chapter 2, section 2) Our Father “knew” that all of us would sin as Paul would later proclaim in Romans 3:23. Because He “loved” us He did as proclaimed:

“Heavenly Father has provided us, His children, with a way to be successful in this life and to return to live in His presence.” (“Preach My Gospel”, 31)
The following material is mostly for our adult institute class on Wednesday, Jan.20. Some of the material may be useful for teachers of Priesthood/Relief Society in either this lesson or Chapter 11.

This lesson deals with the premortal battle between Jesus and Satan. While it is crucial to avoid inviting the presence of Satan at any time, it is important that, as taught in this lesson, we understand who Satan is, as well as his agenda. As Brigham Young said:
…study…evil, and its consequences. (Discourses of Brigham Young, 256)

As President James E. Faust also stated:

Since Satan is the author of all evil in the world, it would therefore be essential to realize that he is the influence behind the opposition to the work of God. (Finding Light in a Dark World, 69-70)
The following chain of scriptures help us understand this battle between Jesus and Satan, which began in the War in Heaven and continues today (section 3).

D&C 76:25 (see “Additional Scriptures” at end of lesson) - - Satan “was in authority” in premortality.

Moses 4:3 - - “Satan rebelled…that I should give him mine own power.”

For years, I thought the above scripture meant that Satan wanted the assignment and the Priesthood. However…

D&C 76:28 (see “Additional Scriptures” at end of lesson) - - “Satan…sought to take the kingdom of our God.”

This was the first recorded attempt at a very hostile takeover.

As President David O. McKay declared:

…he [Satan] desired to supplant God. (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay, 207)

President Ezra Taft Benson also stated:

In the pre‑earthly council, Lucifer placed his proposal in competition with the Father’s plan as advocated by Jesus Christ....He wished to be honored above all others....In short, his prideful desire was to dethrone God. (Ensign, May 1989, 4)

The Encyclopedia of Mormonism states:

The devil…is also known by the personal names of Lucifer in the premortal existence and Satan since being cast down. The name Lucifer means “light bearer” in Latin and is a translation of the Hebrew…which means…”morning star.” The name Satan comes from a Hebrew root meaning “to oppose…” (p. 379)

In 2 Nephi 24:12-14 (Isaiah 14:12-14) we read:...Lucifer...hast said...I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God...I will be like the Most High
There is only one way that Satan could “ascend…above” God, who is the highest there is - - and that is to attempt to replace Him.

Paul prophesied about an important attempt by Satan to do just that:
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 - - [between Paul’s time and the Second Coming of Christ, during the apostasy] “…that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; “so that he as Godsitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”

Spencer W. Kimball further explained:Men with keen intelligence got together...[at] Nicea and created a God. They made it just about like a political party would do, and out of their own mortal minds created a God which is still worshiped by the great majority of Christians. They did not pray for wisdom or revelation. They claimed no revelation from the Lord. They took away all his physical properties; they took the Father and the Son and made them into one undefinable spirit... (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, 426)

President Kimball comments that the concept of the “Trinity” is “worshipped by the great majority of Christians.” He may be speaking conservatively. This doctrine is the most universally accepted, unifying doctrine of all religions which are usually categorized as “Christian.”

Interestingly, the concept of the “Trinity” (usually defined as 3 Gods in one and 1 God in 3, without a physical body) is the most common reason LDS are not considered “Christian.” The following newspaper statement was given as the reason that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was excluded from the National Day of Prayer:

“Mormon faith…not in accordance with… evangelical principles…a belief in the ‘Holy Trinity,’ or in the idea that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all one being.” (AP article, May 5, 2004)

The following statement is from The Encyclopedia of Religion (not an LDS work), a book edited by dozens of scholars, most with several PhD’s to their credit:

... theologians agree that the New Testament also does not contain an explicit doctrine of the Trinity... it is incontestable that the doctrine cannot be established on scriptural evidence alone... By the end of the fourth century...theologians went beyond the immediate testimony of the Bible and also beyond the liturgical and creedal expressions of Trinitarian faith to the ontological trinity of coequal persons "within" God.

Dozens of statements like the above can be found in scholarly books.

Now let’s look at how Jesus explained all of this to Joseph in the First Vision:
…the Personage who addressed me said that all their creeds were an abomination in his sight; that those professors were all corrupt…having a form of godliness, but they deny the power thereof. (Joseph Smith-History 1:19

Note that Jesus condemned “professors” here. In fact, most members of other churches and even many ministers have no knowledge of the fact that the definition of God that their churches teach came after the Bible was written and is not Biblical. This doctrine falls into what many call “traditional” or “historic” Christianity. But Jesus Christ made it plain to Joseph Smith that power is at the root of the struggle between Jesus and Satan. This power struggle continues on earth today.

In Conference Elder Jeffrey R. Holland summarizes much of what has been discussed:

Indeed no less a source than the stalwart Harper’s Bible Dictionary records that “the formal doctrine of the Trinity as it was defined by the great church councils of the fourth and fifth centuries is not to be found in the [New Testament].”

So any criticism that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not hold the contemporary Christian view of God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost is not a comment about our commitment to Christ but rather a recognition (accurate, I might add) that our view of the Godhead breaks with post–New Testament Christian history and returns to the doctrine taught by Jesus Himself. Now, a word about that post–New Testament history might be helpful.
In the year a.d. 325 the Roman emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea to address—among other things—the growing issue of God’s alleged “trinity in unity.” What emerged from the heated contentions of churchmen, philosophers, and ecclesiastical dignitaries came to be known (after another 125 years and three more major councils) as the Nicene Creed, with later reformulations such as the Athanasian Creed. These various evolutions and iterations of creeds—and others to come over the centuries—declared the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to be abstract, absolute, transcendent, immanent, consubstantial, coeternal, and unknowable, without body, parts, or passions and dwelling outside space and time. In such creeds all three members are separate persons, but they are a single being, the oft-noted “mystery of the trinity.” They are three distinct persons, yet not three Gods but one. All three persons are incomprehensible, yet it is one God who is incomprehensible.

We agree with our critics on at least that point—that such a formulation for divinity is truly incomprehensible. (Ensign, Nov 2007, 40–42)

There are some great quotes about Joseph Smith’s feelings concerning the “Trinity” in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p.42. The scripture that Joseph refers to concerning Stephen is one of the “Additional Scriptures” at the end of Chapter 1 (Acts 7:55-56). Also listed there is the reference to the First Vision (Joseph Smith History 1:17).

It is significant that that the first thing God restored to Joseph Smith was the nature of God. This knowledge completely counter to what was taught before Joseph’s prayer in 1820 and continues today. As Joseph Smith stated:

I have always declared God to be a distinct personage, Jesus Christ a separate and distinct personage from God the Father, and that the Holy Ghost was a distinct personage and a Spirit: and these three constitute three distinct personages and three Gods. (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 41-42)

What Joseph Smith said about this matter is still true today:
There are but a very few beings in the world who understand rightly the character of God. The great majority of mankind do not comprehend anything, either that which is past, or that which is to come, as it respects their relationship to God. (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, p. 39)

JESUS CHRIST BECAME OUR CHOSEN LEADER AND SAVIOR
Far more important than historical scholarship, is the wonderful restored doctrine that God the Father called for and His son accepted the mission of being a Savior, as taught in the first section of this lesson. John 3:16 (see “Additional Scripture” at the end of Chapter 1) reads:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

In our dispensation, D&C 20:21 reads:

Wherefore, the Almighty God gave his Only Begotten Son, as it is written in those scriptures which have been given of him.

Because of our knowledge of the nature of God as restored to the prophet Joseph Smith, we know that John 3:16 speaks of two gifts. One was given by God the Father, that of His Son. The second gift was given by Jesus Christ that we might “not perish, but have everlasting life.” The “Trinity” concept robs one of these two gifts. If one accepts the “Trinity,” this scripture could be vastly shortened to”

“For God so loved the world, that he came…”
As I once pondered that idea, a second question can came. “Why DID God the Father send His Son to do something as excruciatingly difficult as was the Atonement?” If it were at all possible, any good parent would rather do something deathly dangerous him/her self rather than ask his/her own child to do it.

It seems that there are at least three reasons why God the Father could not have performed the Atonement.

ONE: The Father could not die. He was a resurrected being over whom death had no power (Romans 6:9, Alma 11:45)

TWO: The Father could not be tempted (James 1:13)

THREE: The Father could not suffer physical pain.
President Wilford Woodruff taught, “When the resurrection comes, we shall come forth clothed with immortal bodies; and the persecutions, suffering, sorrow, pain and death, incident to mortality, will be done away forever.” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, 81)

ALL THREE of these were crucial to the completion of the Atonement. Jesus Christ (or Son of Man as He is called 33 times in Matthew alone) could do ALL THREE of these things only because He was born the son of mortal Mary.

But the only way Jesus Christ could possibly complete the Atonement was because of what He inherited from His immortal Father in Heaven in ALL THREE of these areas.

ONE: He did not have to die, but gave his life (John 10:11).

TWO: He overcame temptation (Hebrews 4:15, 2 Nephi 17:16 or Isaiah 7:16).

THREE: He suffered every kind of physical (and every other kind of) pain (Mosiah 3:7, Alma 7:11, D&C 19:18-19).

The concept of “Trinity” cannot explain these three areas. Simply put, there could have been no Atonement without Jesus being the Son of an immortal Father and a mortal Mary. We are eternally grateful that Jesus Christ answered the call “Whom shall I send?” (p. 13).

The concept of “Trinity” also raises questions about how Mary could conceive the Son of God. There are three good answers to that question.

FIRST: The role of The Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost had a role in the birth of Jesus, but that role is vastly misunderstood in the Christian world. Most Christians believe in something similar to the Apostles Creed (several versions, most in agreement on this point) which states:

I believe in God the Father almighty And in Christ Jesus, his only Son, our LordWho was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary…

This misunderstanding may arise in part from Matthew 1:18 which states:
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Also, in verse 20 Joseph is told by the angel:

…for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

A similar statement about the Holy Ghost is found in Alma 7:10, which reads:

And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

The key concept here is that although many times in scripture (34 times in the Gospels alone) Jesus is referred to as the Son of God, He is never called the Son of the Holy Ghost. Luke, who incidentally was a physician and, more than others, would understand the medical process of birth, wrote:

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)

Note that Luke clearly states that the angel said, “…the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee…” It would seem reasonable that any Christian, if asked to name the “highest” in the Godhead, would name “The Father.”

The Encyclopedia of Mormonism states:
He [Christ] was not the son of the HOLY GHOST; it was only through the Holy Ghost that the power of the Highest overshadowed Mary (Luke 1:35; 1 Ne. 22:19). (p. 729)

Further on the subject of "Tranfiguration" the Encycopedia of Mormonism also explains:
Transfiguration for mortals consists of a temporary physical and spiritual change, allowing them not only to behold the glory of God but to enter his presence. (1484)

Bruce R. McConkie adds:
By the power of the Holy Ghost many prophets have been transfigured so as to stand in the presence of God… ( Pearl of Great Price Institute Student Manual, 4)

President Ezra Taft Benson also explained:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God in the most literal sense. The body in which He performed His mission in the flesh was sired by that same Holy Being we worship as God, our Eternal Father. He was not the son of Joseph, nor was He begotten by the Holy Ghost. He is the Son of the Eternal Father! (Ensign, Dec 2001, 8

SECOND: Some of the specifics of the birth of Jesus Christ are none of our business.

I like how this is clearly demonstrated in 1 Nephi 11 when the Angel showed Nephi Mary in vision:

…the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh” (verses 14-18).

Then these significant verses (verses19-20) follow:

And it came to pass that I beheld that she was carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for the space of a time the angel spake unto me, saying: Look!
And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.

Note that the bolded words indicate what Nephi did not see. If Nephi, a prophet of God experiencing a revelatory vision concerning this part of the birth of Christ, was “excused,” we should also excuse ourselves.

THIRD: The most important in all of the above is simply this - - Jesus Christ is literally the Son of God. He is indeed the “Only Begotten of the Father” (more on that in Chapter 11). This is by far our best answer to members of other faiths when they ask about this.

THE WAR IN HEAVEN

In D&C 52:14 is found a powerful principle in the battle between God and Satan, as well as many other truths:

And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations—

One of the very important patterns to recognize is that of the battle between God and Satan, part of which is as follows:

• Satan allowed in Garden
• Satan cast out of Garden
• Satan allowed on earth
• Satan cast out on earth
• Satan bound during the Millennium
• Satan loosed for a little season
•  Satan’s power destroyed at end of Millennium (D&C 88:114)

In reality, there were two things Joseph Smith learned before God revealed the doctrine of the nature of God in the First Vision. First Joseph learned about the power of Satan (Joseph Smith-History 1:15-16) Second Joseph learned that God had power over Satan (verses 16-17). Moses learned the same two lessons in reverse order (Moses 1:1-21).
We also have power over Satan, as Joseph Smith taught:
All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 181)
As Joseph herein implied, we also need God’s power to overcome Satan (as did Moses, see Moses 1:16-21). God even controls the ability Satan has to tempt us (1 Corinthians 10:13).

An important part of this scripture, often overlooked is “God…will with the temptation also make a way to escape…” (1 Corinthians 10:13). If we remember that Jesus Christ said, “…I am the way…” (John 14:6) it becomes clear that we indeed can overcome any temptation with “the way” provided by Our Father in Heaven, even Jesus Christ. Again affirmation of this important principle, Jesus Christ, if we come unto Him, is more powerful than Satan or his temptations.

Another illustration of the importance of Jesus Christ being “the way” appears in the Book of Mormon where Alma counsels his son Shiblon:

And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ… (Alma 38:9)

It is significant that in the accounts in Genesis and Moses where God casts Satan out of the Garden, God tells the serpent (mouthpiece for Satan) that [Christ] will “bruise thy [Satan’s] head.” However, footnote “c” to “bruise” in Genesis 3:15 gives the Hebrew translation as “crush.” In the temple, we learn that “crush” is the right word. This is clarified in D&C 19:3 where Jesus Christ proclaims:

“I AM Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; Retaining all power, even to the destroying of Satan and his works at the end of the world…”
Now let’s combine these two principles to see how the battle between God and Satan will play out during the the beginning of Millennium. Nephi declared:

And because of the righteousness of his [Holy One of Israel’s] people, Satan has no power… (1 Nephi 22:26)

John the Revelator also prophesied about this event:

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up,
and set a seal upon him… (Revelation 20:2-3)

This important combination was discussed by Elder George Q. Cannon:

Satan will be bound by the power of God; but he will be bound also by the determination of the people of God not to listen to him, not to be governed by him.” (Doctrines of the Gospel Institute Manual, 101)
The final chapter in this battle is described in Encyclopedia of Mormonism:
Toward the end of the Millennium, Satan will be loosed (D&C 88:110-15) because people will again hearken to him. But he will be vanquished and sent from this earth to outer darkness, where he and his followers, both spirits and resurrected sons of perdition…will dwell in the misery and darkness of selfishness and isolation forever. (p. 381)
It is most interesting that the Hebrew meaning of Satan is “to oppose,” since one of the principles of why a Satan is necessary is “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:21). Another principle is found in this quote by Brigham Young:
I ask, is there a reason for men and women being exposed more constantly and more powerfully, to the power of the enemy, by having visions than by not having them? There is and it is simply this--God never bestows upon His people, or upon an individual, superior blessings without a severe trial to prove them, to prove that individual, or that people to see whether they will keep their covenants with him, and keep in remembrance what He has shown them. Then the greater the vision, the greater the display of the power of the enemy. (Journal of Discourses 3:205)
Let us all pray to stay on the Lord’s side in this battle.

Chapter 2: Our Heavenly Family

WE ARE CHILDREN OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER

There were several quotes from Chapter 1 in this blog that, if not already used, would also fit in this Chapter.

One interesting way to look at the three sections found in this lesson is that they parallel the three great questions of the ages: “Where did I come from?” “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?” A great video segment dealing with the importance of understanding the first of these questions is entitled “4. The Plan of Salvation” (4 minutes & 24 seconds) found in “Teachings from the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History” Video found in most Meeting House Libraries.

The video illustrates what Elder Boyd K. Packer stated in Conference:

There is no way to make sense out of life without a knowledge of the doctrine of premortal life. The idea that mortal birth is the beginning is preposterous. There is no way to explain life if you believe that. The notion that life ends with mortal death is ridiculous. There is no way to face life if you believe that. When we understand the doctrine of premortal life, then things fit together and make sense. (Ensign, Nov 1983, 16)

Elder Bruce C. Hafen (Seventies) also adds to this concept:

Our understanding of the earthly family is like the second act in a three-act play. Act 1 was our pre-earth life in the family of God, act 2 is our current mortality, and act 3 is our eternal sealing after death. Without the perspective gained from acts 1 and 3, the second act can seem too hard or too confusing. But with that vision, act 2 has infinite meaning. (Ensign, Oct. 2003, 28)

The wonderful doctrine that we were “begotten sons and daughters” of God (see D&C 76:23-24 under “Additional Scriptures”, p. 12) in premortal existence was restored in these latter days, as illustrated in this great quote:

As to man’s relationship to God, Joseph learned from a subsequent revelation that the inhabitants of “the worlds” (including those of us on this earth) “are begotten sons and daughters unto God.” (D&C 76:24) These fundamental truths concerning God and man’s relationship to him were not being taught by the churches of Joseph Smith’s day, for the obvious reason that they were neither known nor believed. It is true that they were known and taught and believed by members of the church of Christ in the days of Jesus and his apostles. But in 1830 an understanding of them had long since been lost. It was ignorance of a true knowledge of God and man’s relationship to him that spawned the many churches. (Marion G. Romney, Ensign, Jan 1973, 30)

Some additional Biblical scriptures about us being children of God are John 20:17, Acts 17:28, Romans 8:16-17 and Psalms 82:6. In fact, one of the most beautiful discussions of premortality in the Bible is found in Proverbs 8:22-30.

This section discusses the spirit birth of men and women in premortality. Before our spirits were born (see Hebrews 12:9 under “Additional Scriptures”) we were intelligence. While the following information may be helpful for you, if you are a teacher, please prayerfully ponder whether or not your students need the following ideas. Later in the blog, there is a wonderful quote about the premortal existence and its role in our birth from President Harold B. Lee. There he states that our spirits were “organized intelligences.” Because of that statement, ideas on “intelligences” are discussed here.

Two great scriptural references on “intellegence” are D&C 93:29 and Abraham 3:19. These two references are, in fact, about all we know from the scriptures about this subject. Prophets have helped our understanding a little bit more.

In regards to D&C 93:29, Elder Spencer W. Kimball explained:
“Our spirit matter was eternal and co-existent with God and was organized into spirit bodies by our Heavenly Father. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, 5)

President Marion G. Romney, of the First Presidency, stated:

In origin, man is a son of God. The spirits of men “are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:24). Through that birth process, self-existing intelligence was organized into individual spirit beings. (Ensign, Nov 1978, 13)

President Spencer W. Kimball said in Conference:

God has taken these intelligences, given to them spirit bodies, and given them instructions and training. Then he proceeded to create a world for them and sent them as spirits to obtain a mortal body, for which he made preparation. (Ensign, May 1977, 49)

However, very little is really known about this subject. We do not know, for instance, whether intelligences were pre-spirits or whether spirits were organized from “intelligence” matter. We do know that we have always existed as Intelligence or light and then we got a spirit.

“…the revelations leave no doubt as to the existence of intelligent matter prior to its being organized as spirits…” (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 693)

Joseph Smith taught:

The intelligence of the spirit had no beginning, neither will it have an end...Intelligence is eternal...there is no creation about it. (History of the Church, 6:310-311)

Interesting to note is a shift that has occurred in the Church away from the use of the word “pre-existence.” In church publications the term now almost always used is “premortal existence.” This makes sense from Joseph Smith quote that “intelligence…had no beginning…” In other words, technically, as far as man and woman go, there is no such thing as “pre-existence” since we have always existed.

Two of the greatest articles on this subject, “Intelligence” and “Intelligences” are found in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism. If you haven’t discovered this wonderful work, trust that its content was scrutinized by the very best of Church eyes. To find these articles, just google “encyclopedia of mormonism” or go online at “lib.byu.edu/Macmillan.” This encyclopedia is a great one to add to your “Favorites” as well.

WE DEVELOPED PERSONALITIES AND TALENTS WHILE WE LIVED IN HEAVEN

While “talents” are discussed in this section, note that there will be a whole lesson on this subject next year (Chapter 34). A great quote on this idea which could be used now or later (or both) comes from Elder Joseph Fielding Smith:

The spirits of men were created with different dispositions and likes and talents. Some evidently were mechanically inclined, from them have come our inventors. Some loved music and hence they have become great musicians. We evidently brought to this world some if not all of the inclinations and talents that we had there. (Answers to Gospel Questions, 5:138)

The wonderful concept of "foreordination" is discussed here. The first reference, Alma 13:1-3 is great one about premortal existence. Note that the priesthood office Alma is discussing here is that of “priest” (verse 1). Also, note that God’s “foreknowledge” (verse 3) is a key factor here. God knows all things past and present, but crucial to this discussion, all things future. A quick check of the Topical Guide under the subjects, “God, Foreknowledge” and “God, Omniscience” will verify how many scriptures testify of this power held by Our Heavenly Father. In addition, God watched how we carried out assignments in premortal life.

Elder Joseph Fielding Smith taught:

…in the pre-mortal state…It is reasonable to believe that there was a Church organization there…Priesthood, without any question, had been conferred and the leaders were chosen to officiate. Ordinances pertaining to that pre-existence were required and the love of God prevailed. Under such conditions it was natural for our Father to discern and choose those who were most worthy and evaluate the talents of each individual. (The Way to Perfection, 50-51)

Elder Dallin Oaks stated in conference:

Many of us also made covenants with the Father concerning what we would do in mortality. In ways that have not been revealed, our actions in the spirit world influence us in mortality. (Ensign, Nov 1993, 72)

In Conference, President Harold B. Lee stated:

Now then, to make a summary of what I have just read, may I ask each of you again the question, “Who are you?” You are all the sons and daughters of God. Your spirits were created and lived as organized intelligences before the world was. You have been blessed to have a physical body because of your obedience to certain commandments in that premortal state. You are now born into a family to which you have come, into the nations through which you have come, as a reward for the kind of lives you lived before you came here and at a time in the world’s history, as the apostle Paul taught the men of Athens and as the Lord revealed to Moses, determined by the faithfulness of each of those who lived before this world was created.

All these rewards were seemingly promised, or foreordained, before the world was. Surely these matters must have been determined by the kind of lives we had lived in that premortal spirit world. Some may question these assumptions, but at the same time they will accept without any question the belief that each one of us will be judged when we leave this earth according to his or her deeds during our lives here in mortality. Isn’t it just as reasonable to believe that what we have received here in this earth life was given to each of us according to the merits of our conduct before we came here? (Ensign, Jan 1974, 2)

President David O. McKay also taught:

“. . . Our place in this world would then be determined by our own advancement or condition in the pre-mortal state, just as our place in our future existence will be determined by what we do here in mortality. (Doctrines of the Gospel Institute Manual, 15)

The Institute manuals are a terrific resource and are found online at “institute.lds.org” under “Institute Courses & Manuals”.

Before we leave this subject, it is important to mention women and “foreordination.” While women do not hold the priesthood, they do perform wonderful ordinances in the temple. Concerning foreordination of women, Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught:

We know so little, brothers and sisters, about the reasons for the division of duties between womanhood and manhood as well as between motherhood and priesthood. These were divinely determined in another time and another place. We are accustomed to focusing on the men of God because theirs is the priesthood and leadership line. But paralleling that authority line is a stream of righteous influence reflecting the remarkable women of God who have existed in all ages and dispensations, including our own. Greatness is not measured by coverage in column inches, either in newspapers or in the scriptures.

Just as certain men were foreordained from before the foundations of the world, so were certain women appointed to certain tasks. (Ensign, May 1978, 10)

The twin doctrine accompanying that of “foreordination” must be, as the lesson points out, is, “…every one on earth is free to accept or reject any opportunity to serve” (p. 10). There will soon be a whole lesson on “Freedom to Choose” (Chapter 4). A great quote on this idea comes from President Harold B. Lee in Conference:

…even though we have our free agency here, there are many who were foreordained before the world was, to a greater state than they have prepared themselves for here. Even though they might have been among the noble and great, from among whom the Father declared he would make his chosen leaders, they may fail of that calling here in mortality. (Ensign, Jan 1974, 2)

At the most recent CES Fireside (you can view all of them online at "institute.lds.org" then "CES Firesides" then "The 209 Firesides can now be found here" (I think "2009" is a typo and will be changed to "2010") Elder Neil L. Anderson (some of the whole talk has to do with this lesson) taught:

You were chosen and foreordained to have the gospel in your life and to be a leader in the cause of the restored gospel.

In this section, we are referred to a talk by President Monson in the 1986 October Conference. For those who don’t already know how, this is easily accessed. Go online to “lds.org” and put your cursor on “Gospel Library” then click on “Magazines” then put your cursor on “Ensign” and click on “Past Issues” and then select from there. When you find the article you are looking for, if you know the quote, an easy way to find it is to press “Ctrl” (lower left on keyboard) and at the same time press “F”. then type an unusual word in the quote and that word will be highlighted in the talk.

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER PRESENTED A PLAN FOR US TO BECOME LIKE HIM

Some LDS have been confused about “two plans” presented in the “Grand Council” discussed in this section. As the title states, there was only “A” plan. Here is a quote from the Pearl of Great Price Student Manual:

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said that it is “extremely important to get straight what happened in that premortal council. It was not an unstructured meeting, nor was it a discussion between plans, nor an idea-producing session, as to how to formulate the plan for salvation and carry it out. Our Father’s plan was known, and the actual question put was whom the Father should send to carry out the plan” (p. 12)

Again, the Institute manuals are a terrific resource.

Two times in this section we are encouraged to go to former Priesthood/Relief Society manuals, one for Joseph Smith and one for President Kimball. The quotes from President Kimball are especially important because they are among the best ever for the very difficult doctrine of the role of trials in Father’s plan. Great quotes on this subject are also found in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, Chapter 22 and Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, Chapter 21.

To access all of the former manuals titled “Teachings of Presidents of the Church…” go to “lds.org” and put your cursor on “Gospel Library” then click on “Lessons.” In the middle of the page, click on “Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society.” At the bottom of that page are listed each of the last nine manuals.

In this section, the lesson states that the veil is necessary for us to obey, "because of our faith...not because of our knowledge." A great scripture to discuss here would be Alma 32:21.

One of the crucial principles taught in this section is that trials, a necessary part of mortal life, can teach and purify us. A fact of life from Father’s plan is that “bad things happen to good people”. This is a very difficult principle for many. However, we can choose to have them defeat us. The concept that trials do not defeat us, but our choices about them can defeat us is a very important principle taught later in Chapter 4. Since there does not appear to be another lesson on this topic, some quotes on how to choose during trials follow and could be used now or later, with Chapter 4:

On premortal training for trials:

In the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, “Men have to suffer that they may come upon Mount Zion and be exalted above the heavens.” (History of the Church, 5:556).

This does not mean we crave suffering. We avoid it all we can. However, we now know, and we all knew when we elected to come into mortality, that we would here be proved in the crucible of adversity and affliction. (Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, Oct. 1969, 57)

On how trials teach us:

Help from the Lord always follows eternal law. The better you understand that law, the easier it is to receive His help. Some of the principles upon which His healing is predicated follow. It is important to understand that His healing can mean being cured, or having your burdens eased, or even coming to realize that it is worth it to endure to the end patiently, for God needs brave sons and daughters who are willing to be polished when in His wisdom that is His will. Recognize that some challenges in life will not be resolved here on earth. (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 1994, 7)

When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this, now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial? (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, Nov 1995, 17)

On how trials purify us:

I used to think, if I were the Lord, I would not suffer people to be tried as they are. But I have changed my mind on that subject. Now I think I would, if I were the Lord, because it purges out the meanness and corruption that stick around the Saints, like flies around molasses. (John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom, p. 333)

Still, some of us have trouble when God’s tutoring is applied to us! We plead for exemption more than we do for sanctification, don’t we, brothers and sisters? (Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1991, 88)

While I do not believe in stepping out of the path of duty to pick up a cross I don’t need, a man is a coward who refuses to pick up a cross that clearly lied within his path. No cross, no crown. No gall, no glory. No thorns, no throne. (President Ezra Taft Benson, Area Conference Report, Taipei, 1975, 3)

We are here that we may be educated in a school of suffering and of fiery trials, which school was necessary for Jesus our elder brother, who, the scriptures tell us, was made perfect through suffering. It is necessary we suffer in all things, that we may be qualified and worthy to rule and govern all things, even as our Father in heaven and his eldest son Jesus… (Lorenzo Snow, Teachings of Lorenzo Snow, 119)

On our choice concerning trials:

I have seen the remorse and despair in the lives of men who, in the hour of trial, have cursed God and died spiritually. And I have seen people rise to great heights from what seemed to be unbearable burdens. Finally, I have sought the Lord in my own extremities and learned for myself that my soul has made its greatest growth as I have been driven to knees by adversity and affliction. (Marion G. Romney, Conference Report, Oct. 1969, 60)

On the Savior’s role concerning trials:

…the word succor. Do you know its meaning? It is used often in the scriptures to describe Christ’s care for and attention to us. It means literally “to run to.” What a magnificent way to describe the Savior’s urgent effort in our behalf! Even as he calls us to come to him and follow him, he is unfailingly running to help us. (Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, Apr 1998, 16)

Into each of our lives come golden moments of adversity. This painful friend breaks our hearts, drops us to our knees, and makes us realize we are nothing without our Lord and Savior. This friend makes us plead all the night long for reassurance and into the next day and sometimes for weeks and months. But, ultimately, just as surely as the day follows the night, as we remain true and faithful, this strange friend, adversity, leads us straight into the outstretched arms of the Savior. (Elder Glenn L. Pace (Seventies), Ensign, Nov 1992, 11)

An additional reference for D&C 132:19-20 in this section is D&C 131:1-4. From the Doctrine and Covenants Institute Student Manual comes clarification on “increase”:

Those who comply with the new and everlasting covenant of marriage and endure to the end gain the right to become eternal parents. The Prophet Joseph Smith, as he spoke verses 1-4 to William Clayton, stated: “Except a man and his wife enter into an everlasting covenant and be married for eternity, while in this probation, by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood, they will cease to increase when they die; that is, they will not have any children after the resurrection. But those who are married by the power and authority of the priesthood in this life, and continue without committing the sin against the Holy Ghost, will continue to increase and have children in the celestial glory.” (p. 325)

Yes, the Institute manuals are terrific.

Chapter 1: Our Father in Heaven

THERE IS A GOD

If you have not yet done so, please read the “Welcome…” introduction at the beginning (very bottom now) of this blog.

A great scriptural passage to discuss for the confusion over whether or not God exists is 2 Nephi 2:13-14.


In this section, the lesson discusses Alma 30:44. The following is a good illustration of the idea that the creation denotes a Creator. It is taken from a Website named CreationWiki, under “Isaac Newton”:


In the book: The Truth: God or evolution? Marshall and Sandra Hall describe an often quoted exchange between Newton and an atheist friend.Sir Isaac had an accomplished artisan fashion for him a small scale model of our solar system, which was to be put in a room in Newton's home when completed. The assignment was finished and installed on a large table. The workman had done a very commendable job, simulating not only the various sizes of the planets and their relative proximities, but also so constructing the model that everything rotated and orbited when a crank was turned. It was an interesting, even fascinating work, as you can imagine, particularly to anyone schooled in the sciences.Newton's atheist-scientist friend came by for a visit. Seeing the model, he was naturally intrigued, and proceeded to examine it with undisguised admiration for the high quality of the workmanship. "My, what an exquisite thing this is!" he exclaimed. "Who made it?" Paying little attention to him, Sir Isaac answered, "Nobody." Stopping his inspection, the visitor turned and said, "Evidently you did not understand my question. I asked who made this." Newton, enjoying himself immensely no doubt, replied in a still more serious tone, "Nobody. What you see just happened to assume the form it now has." "You must think I am a fool!" the visitor retorted heatedly, "Of course somebody made it, and he is a genius, and I would like to know who he is!" Newton then spoke to his friend in a polite yet firm way: "This thing is but a puny imitation of a much grander system whose laws you know, and I am not able to convince you that this mere toy is without a designer or maker; yet you profess to believe that the great original from which the design is taken has come into being without either designer or maker! Now tell me by what sort of reasoning do you reach such an incongruous conclusion?"


In this part of the lesson, Joseph Smith is quoted calling God “the Great Parent.” Following are some of my favorite quotes on this subject:


…he [God the Father] has passed the ordeals we are now passing through…” (Brigham Young, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 30)


Let us all recognize that each of us is a son or daughter of our Father in Heaven, who loves all of His children. (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 2006, 58–61)


There has come to you as your birthright something beautiful and sacred and divine. Never forget that. Your Eternal Father is the great Master of the universe. He rules over all, but He also will listen to your prayers…and hear you as you speak with Him. He will answer your prayers. He will not leave you alone. (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 2004, 112)


How does God feel towards the human family? He feels that they are his children. What, all? Yes; the white, the black, the red, the Jew, the Gentile, the heathen, the Christian and all classes and grades of men; he feels interested in all, he as done so from the beginning, and will continue to do so to the end. (John Taylor, Journal of Discourses, 21:17-18)


Each of us is His child. Can we really believe that? We know it! We have conviction concerning that. If we have, then we will rise above the sultry, sleazy things of the world and stand taller and be better than we might otherwise be. (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Pleasant Grove Regional Conference, Church News, January 25, 2003)


THE NATURE OF GOD

In Newsweek magazine, October 17, 2005 appeared an interview with President Gordon B. Hinckley. He was asked, “What do you believe is [Joseph] Smith’s most meaningful contribution, not only to the church, but also to the world?” President Hinckley answered:

His greatest contribution I think is defining the nature of deity. He saw the Father and the Son. He spoke with them. They were beings of substance. They were in form like a man. And they could express themselves and he could speak with them. Such an interpersonal relationship. And such a warm and reassuring thing to know the nature of God.


In this section of the lesson the concept that “we are made in His image” is discussed. Following are some of my favorite quotes on this subject:


Man is the child of God, formed in the divine image and endowed with divine attributes, and even as the infant son of an earthly father and mother is capable in due time of becoming a man, so the undeveloped offspring of celestial parentage is capable, by experience through ages and aeons, of evolving into a God. (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund, First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, November 1909; reprinted in Ensign, Feb. 2002, 26)


Our bodies are sacred. They were created in the image of God. They are marvelous, the crowning creation of Deity. No camera has ever matched the wonder of the human eye. No pump was ever built that could run so long and carry such heavy duty as the human heart. The ear and the brain constitute a miracle. The capacity to pick up sound waves and convert them into language is almost beyond imagination. Look at your finger and contemplate the wonder of it. Clever men have tried to match it, but have never fully succeeded. These, with others of our parts and organs, represent the divine, omnipotent genius of God, who is our Eternal Father. (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1996, 46)


Consider the power of the idea taught in our beloved song “I Am a Child of God”…Here is the answer to one of life’s great questions, “Who am I?” I am a child of God with a spirit lineage to heavenly parents. That parentage defines our eternal potential. That powerful idea is a potent antidepressant. It can strengthen each of us to make righteous choices and to seek the best that is within us. Establish in the mind of a young person the powerful idea that he or she is a child of God and you have given self-respect and motivation to move against the problems of life. (Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov 1995, 25)
NOTE: This quote is also in Lesson 1 of the Old Testament Sunday School Class Teacher Manual. This is available online at "lds.org" then "Gospel Library" then "Lessons" then "Sunday School."


For resources concerning the question “Why is it important for us to understand the nature of God?” the following quotes from Joseph Smith form last year’s manual are helpful:


If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves. (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 40)


“… Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to approach Him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. When we understand the character of God, and know how to come to Him, He begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to Him, He is ready to come to us.” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 40-41)


Elder Jeffrey R. Holland also taught:
Little wonder then that the Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “It is the first principle of the gospel to know for a certainty the character of God.” “I want you all to know Him,” he said, “and to be familiar with Him.” We must have “a correct idea of his … perfections, and attributes,” an admiration for “the excellency of [His] character.” Thus the first phrase we utter in the declaration of our faith is, “We believe in God, the Eternal Father.” So, emphatically, did Jesus. Even as He acknowledged His own singular role in the divine plan, the Savior nevertheless insisted on this prayerful preamble: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God.” (Ensign, Nov 2003, 70)


COMING TO KNOW GOD

I want to tell you, each and every one of you, that you are well acquainted with God our Heavenly Father, or the great Elohim. You are all well acquainted with him, for there is not a soul of you but what has lived in his house and dwelt with him year after year; and yet you are seeking to become acquainted with him, when the fact is, you have merely forgotten what you did know. (Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, 50)


From Lectures on Faith, Lecture Third, p. 33:
2 Let us here observe, that three things are necessary, in order that any rational and intelligent being may exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.
3 First, The idea that he actually exists.
4 Secondly, A correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes.
5 Thirdly, An actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing, is according to his will. For without an acquaintance with these three important facts, the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding, it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.


President Monson, when he was in the First Presidency taught:
Develop a yearning to know the Lord, to understand His commandments and to follow Him. Then shadows of despair are dispelled by rays of hope, sorrow yields to joy, and the feeling of being lost in the crowd of life vanishes with the certain knowledge that our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us. (Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 1998, 46)


In this part of the lesson the idea is presented that “By keeping His commandments we can become like Him.” Many of other faiths think it blasphemous that we believe this doctrine literally. Many believe that God is “unreachable” in human progression and that God is “nothing like us” in spite of the idea that we were “made in His image.” I like the following quotes for dealing with this issue:


Some believe or conceive the idea that to know God would lessen him in our estimation; but I can say that for me to understand any principle or being, on earth or in heaven, it does not lessen its true value to me, but on the contrary, it increases it; and the more I can know of God, the dearer and more precious he is to me, and the more exalted are my feelings towards him. (Brigham Young, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young, 30)


The Father is the one true God. This thing is certain: no one will ever ascend above Him; no one will ever replace Him. Nor will anything ever change the relationship that we, His literal offspring, have with Him. He is Eloheim, the Father. He is God. Of Him there is only one. We revere our Father and our God; we worship Him. (Elder Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Nov 1984, 66)


Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught:

It is one thing to know about God; to have information relative to his character, perfection and attributes; and to know what he has done and is doing for men and all created things. But it is quite another thing to know God in the real, full, and accurate sense of the word. We do not know the Lord unless and until we think what he thinks, say what he says, and experience what he experiences. In other words, we know God when we become like him. It is one thing to know about God and another thing to know God. (Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year, July 20, 1871


God is our Father; we are his children. He has brought us into his covenant, and it is our privilege to go on from wisdom to wisdom, from intelligence to intelligence, from understanding of one principle to that of another, to go forward and progress in the development of truth until we can comprehend God. For we are his children, we are his sons and daughters, and he is our father. He has organized this Church in order that we may be educated in the principles of life, that we may comprehend those principles that exist in the bosom of God, that we may be able to teach our children correct principles, in order that we may be placed in a position whereby we can be assimilated in the likeness of our heavenly Father. (John Taylor, Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, 6-7)


In this part of the lesson, four suggestions are listed under the heading, “We can know God if we will:” A quote which has to do with a combination of # 1 and # 3, as well as summarizes much of what is discussed in the whole lesson is as follows:


God is our Eternal Father. He is the great Governor of the universe. There is none to excel Him, none to equal Him. He is over all, and yet He is our father….He has a body, and he can speak to us as a Father counsels His children. We were created under His direction and in His image. What a wonderful and remarkable thing it is to know that the great God of the universe is the Father of our individual spirits, and that there is something of divinity within each of us. It matters not our nationality, the color of our skin, or the shape of our eyes. We are all sons and daughters of the Eternal God who loves us and is anxious and willing and able to help us if we will ask for help. (President Gordon B. Hinckley, form Australia Stake Conference satellite broadcast, Feb. 12, 2005, in Church News, April 1, 2006)


I also like several answers to this question found in a statement made by Elder Harold B. Lee:
One man asked: How can one find God? To him I gave a hurried answer. One finds God in the same way he finds anything—by searching. The Master had answered to a similar question: "If any man will do his will, he shall know" (John 7:17). Conference Report, April 1969, pp. 129-133)


Concerning suggestion # 3, “Pray to Him” I like the following:
“…it is the first principle of the Gospel to know for a certainty the Character of God, and to know that we may converse with him as one man converses with another.” (Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 345)


That we may know and still not be able to convey that knowledge to others is well illustrated in the following story by Elder Boyd K. Packer:
I will tell you of an experience I had before I was a General Authority which affected me profoundly. I sat on a plane next to a professed atheist who pressed his disbelief in God so urgently that I bore my testimony to him. “You are wrong,” I said, “there is a God. I know He lives!”
He protested, “You don’t know. Nobody knows that! You can’t know it!” When I would not yield, the atheist, who was an attorney, asked perhaps the ultimate question on the subject of testimony. “All right,” he said in a sneering, condescending way, “you say you know. Tell me how you know.”
When I attempted to answer, even though I held advanced academic degrees, I was helpless to communicate.
Sometimes in your youth, you young missionaries are embarrassed when the cynic, the skeptic, treat you with contempt because you do not have ready answers for everything. Before such ridicule, some turn away in shame. (Remember the iron rod, the spacious building, and the mocking? See 1 Ne. 8:28.)
When I used the words Spirit and witness, the atheist responded, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” The words prayer, discernment, and faith, were equally meaningless to him. “You see,” he said, “you don’t really know. If you did, you would be able to tell me how you know.”
I felt, perhaps, that I had borne my testimony to him unwisely and was at a loss as to what to do. Then came the experience! Something came into my mind. And I mention here a statement of the Prophet Joseph Smith: “A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas … and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 151)
Such an idea came into my mind and I said to the atheist, “Let me ask if you know what salt tastes like.”
“Of course I do,” was his reply.
“When did you taste salt last?”
“I just had dinner on the plane.”
“You just think you know what salt tastes like,” I said.
He insisted, “I know what salt tastes like as well as I know anything.”
“If I gave you a cup of salt and a cup of sugar and let you taste them both, could you tell the salt from the sugar?”
“Now you are getting juvenile,” was his reply. “Of course I could tell the difference. I know what salt tastes like. It is an everyday experience—I know it as well as I know anything.”
“Then,” I said, “assuming that I have never tasted salt, explain to me just what it tastes like.”
After some thought, he ventured, “Well-I-uh, it is not sweet and it is not sour.”
“You’ve told me what it isn’t, not what it is.”
After several attempts, of course, he could not do it. He could not convey, in words alone, so ordinary an experience as tasting salt. I bore testimony to him once again and said, “I know there is a God. You ridiculed that testimony and said that if I did know, I would be able to tell you exactly how I know. My friend, spiritually speaking, I have tasted salt. I am no more able to convey to you in words how this knowledge has come than you are to tell me what salt tastes like. But I say to you again, there is a God! He does live! And just because you don’t know, don’t try to tell me that I don’t know, for I do!” (Ensign, Jan 1983, 51)


Finally, Joseph Smith states how important it is for us to “Know God”:
“… Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to approach Him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. When we understand the character of God, and know how to come to Him, He begins to unfold the heavens to us, and to tell us all about it. When we are ready to come to Him, He is ready to come to us.” (Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 40-41)

Welcome to Inservice ideas for Gospel Principles manual for Priesthood & Relief Society

Welcome to our blog. This is a first for us. This blog is dedicated to students who want to learn more and teachers who may want additional resources for the 2010 Priesthood/Relief Society manual, Gospel Principles. We started this blog for students in our Adult Institute Class (Wednesday nights at 7:00pm at the LDS Seminary building near Weber High School in Pleasant View, Utah - - in case anyone is interested). But anyone is more than welcome to use it.

We will be posting quotes and ideas which we think of as we study the Gospel Principles manual. Much more information is included than any teacher will want to use. In fact, we worry that some may be overwhelmed at times by our material. Just choose what you find useful.

Hopefully here every student/teacher will find ideas that will meet his or her needs or those of the students in his or her class. Please follow the spirit and choose carefully. As we learn how to run a blog (patience please!) we invite you to post your comments and ideas so we and others can benefit.