Peter 1-4

The Trial of Our Faith is more Precious than Gold

Responding to the question “why me, life isn’t fair. Why do I have so many trials? I am tired of being ridiculed by those who do not keep the commandments.”

1: 1-9 We should be happy, because of what Jesus Christ did for us we will be resurrected and we can inherit things in Heaven  and live for eternity. It is through our trials that our faith is tested to prove that we are disciples of Christ and that we love him and want to be like him. 2:12 be kind to everyone and don’t be afraid of them because they will help show your good works. 2:15 “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” From this we learn not to worry about those that tease and ridicule us because God has a way to silence them. 2:20-25 we each have faults take them patiently and don’t get frustrated at them and this is acceptable to God. If we get mad and angry that we are not perfect and always ask “why us” God becomes frustrated with this. Those that choose not to repent of their sins, in their sins, those that repent live unto righteousness.

3:11-16. We learn in verse 12 “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” In verse 14 it says to suffer for righteous sake, in the end those that persecute the righteous will be judged and God will handle their punishment. Don’t be afraid, if you are standing for righteousness God is on your side and He always wins.  4:7-19 we learn several things to do, watch unto prayer, have charity, use hospitality without grudging, spread the gospel, give all glory to Jesus Christ, and glorify him. Verse 16 “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” Endure to the end you can do it!

Principles of Hebrews Ch. 13

In Hebrews chapter 13 we learn some great principles. We should love everyone (verse 1), “Remember them that are in bonds, as with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Verse 2). Be kind to everyone. We learn in verse 3 that Marriage is very honorable. Verse 4 “let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have” Don’t be covetous, be happy with the things you have, don’t be jealous of the things other have. In verse 8 we learn that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, he is never changing.  We are sanctified through him, though his own blood (verse 12). “Obey them that rule over you” (verse 17), because they watch over us and protect us. We are asked to pray for the prophets and apostles, for them to have good conscience and to live honestly. 

Jesus Almighty

In the Bible Dictionary under “Epistles to the Hebrews” p. 746-747 we find 4 things that we know Christ is superior to. The verse after are all found in Hebrews.

Jesus Christ is superior to:

   1.     Angels

           a.     “Jesus is greater than the angels. He has a more excellent name, inheritance. And a higher calling. They are servants; he is the Son (1:4-2:18)”

 2.     Moses

         a.     “Moses was a faithful servant, but Jesus was a faithful son (3:1-6)”

  3.     Jesus’ words are superior

         a.     “How much more important it is therefore, to obey the words of Jesus who is greater than Moses if we wish to enter the Heavenly land (4:1-2)”

  4.     High Priests of the law of Moses

         a.     “Jesus was of the order of Melchizadek, which is greater than the order of Aaron. Melchezadek was even greater than Abraham (7:1-12)”

Three Truths Paul Taught about Jesus Christ

1.     Jesus Christ is Heir of all things, and created the worlds. Heb 1:2

2.     Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God 1:3

3.     Jesus is the only Begotten son

“...even the son of God. And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the world might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance: and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.” Alma 7:11-13

I know that Jesus Christ came to this earth and broke the bonds of death so that we may live again, and he is suffered for me, for my sins, for my sorrows, for every bad day I will ever have, for every death I go through, he has already suffered these things for me, he is my elder brother and I love him, and I love the sacrifices he made for me so that I can be with my family for eternity. This life is not the end, we will all see each other again, and if we live the way he commanded we can live together with our families for eternity.

Scripture Power

For each of the following common challenges, write the counsel from Philippians that you would use to resolve it:

People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15).

·         In verse 4 it says “look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” Don’t worry about the small petty things, don’t be selfish think of what others need. Put others first and the small petty things won’t even matter anymore

Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling” [pp. 361–62]).

·         The institute manual says ““An outstanding doctrine of the Church is that each individual carries the responsibility to work out his own salvation, and salvation is a process of gradual development.”

·         “To work out one’s salvation is not to sit idly by dreaming and yearning for God miraculously to thrust bounteous blessings into our laps. It is to perform daily, hourly, momentarily, if necessary, the immediate task or duty at hand, and to continue happily in such performance as the years come and go, leaving the fruits of such labors either for self or for others to be bestowed as a just and beneficent Father may determine.” (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1957, p. 7.)”

An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).

·         Paul’s advice is that he would give up and lose everything to win Christ. In the long run family matters, but Christ matters more. Through Christ you can help your family join the church also, either here on earth or after they have passed on. This over all is the better choice. Christ gave up everything for us, we should be willing to do the same for him.

How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3?

        2 Nephi 32:3 “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ wherefore I say unto you feast upon the words of Christ for behold the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do”

From the scriptures we found solutions to these problems, the scripture teaches us that if we feast upon the words of Christ we can find what Christ wants us to do.