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Sunday, September 11, 2016

Ramblings of a Gospel Doctrine Teacher aka my "Reflections"

Disclaimer: This is new to me. I have wanted to "look back" and reflect on my class times for ages now and just finally caved in. I might need some time to get this right. I think this one is a little "dry". Definitely much drier than how I teach it but I feel like its important to write this stuff down. Hopefully it will get easier in the coming weeks. The main thing missing is intimacy; a sort of personalized touch; my raw feelings about what I am teaching. I will definitely consider including something of the sort as I progress in this venture.

Introduction:

The purpose of this exercise is to: 1. Review highlights from this week’s lesson material. 2. Add “reflections”. “Reflections” are my “second thoughts” and “hindsight”. These come from hearing input from other students, from material that I didn’t have time to cover in class and general closing feelings about the subject.  3. Preview upcoming lessons.

Let’s get started. This week’s lesson is #35 “Repent and Return unto the Lord.” Here is a link to the lesson: https://www.lds.org/manual/book-of-mormon-gospel-doctrine-teachers-manual/lesson-35-repent-and-return-unto-the-lord?lang=eng

Helaman 13-16. Here is a link to an online Book of Mormon: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng

NOTE: If I have not specified a “book” in my citations e.g. (13:8) the citation is in the covered chapter material; for this lesson the covered material is in the book of Helaman.

Lesson Overview:

I am going to take the liberty that is afforded me as a “set apart” teacher and re-name this lesson “Repent and Return [YOUR HEART] unto the Lord.”

The main idea of this selection is the story of Samuel the Lamanite prophet who was commanded by God to preach repentance to the wicked and soon-to-be-destroyed-Nephites. Samuel is called to not only invite them to repent but also to tell of the signs of Christ’s birth and death. Some people do heed Samuel’s words, the Lord chastens the people, but many seek to destroy Samuel and remain hardened in their hearts.

In class we focused on the warnings Samuel gives. He not only warns but he provides solutions. Mercifully, God does not just tell us what we do wrong but He always gives us the “what to do right” part. This period of time in the Book of Mormon very much resembles our world today. I feel strongly that this is a warning we as Latter Day Saints should pay special attention to. It was the chosen of God, the Nephites, who are rebelling, wicked, and about to be destroyed. We check ourselves often to ensure that we remain faithful to God and the gospel. The adversary’s prime targets are US, the righteous, the people of the house of Israel, those of us who have light and truth

Samuel’s warning includes signs we can use to check ourselves: hardened hearts (13:8), worshipping of riches (other gods) and pride (13:21-22), denying the words of the prophets (13:24-29), and seeking happiness in iniquity (13:38). To fix these temptations in ourselves we must soften our hearts, repent and have faith in Christ (13:6). We must remember God; remember that He is the author of our blessings and all we have; we must express our gratitude for what He has provided (13:22). As seekers of truth we should listen carefully to the counsel of our leaders, pray for guidance, and obey (13:24-29). Samuel warns about being blinded by men who would lead us to seek happiness in the things of the world.  Samuel tells us that seeking happiness in this way is contrary to the nature of God (13:38). In Alma’s words, “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10).

If we do find ourselves beginning to “dwell in unbelief” our key to returning is in our hearts. Ask yourself: “What is in my heart? Is my motivation to worship the God of heaven and earth, to give Him the glory? Is my heart always turned to the One who gave me life?”

Consider this example from Ted Givens: “Draw a line on a piece of paper. Now draw another parallel line somewhere below it. Label the top one beliefs and the bottom one behavior. From the perspective of one who has entered into covenants with the Father and the Son, the distance between the top line and the bottom line is sin. When we perceive that our behavior does not match our beliefs, we have two choices. We can either modify our behavior to coincide with our beliefs, which is repentance; or we can modify our beliefs to coincide with our behavior, which is rationalization.” Have we become experts at rationalization? How do we bridge the distance between our beliefs and our behavior? (http://www.ldsliving.com/BOM-Lesson-35/s/81985)

In this rationalizing we risk the consequences Samuel spoke of in 13:8. “I will take away my Word…and I will withdraw my Spirit...” As was mentioned in class, not because of His unavailability; but because of our unwillingness. One student testified that God never turns His back on us. His arms are always inviting us. We choose to turn away from Him.

Joseph Smith taught: “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it...this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, BOM manual pg. 157)

I leave this as my testimony. I know this is truth. I know because the Spirit has witnessed it to me. I know because, like Samuel says in 13:7, “he did [and does] bring glad tidings to my soul”. All things and people in my life are a witness of the love and mercy God has for His children. 

Up ahead:

 (9/25) #36 “On the Morrow Come I into the World”        

 3 Nephi 1-7



How can we endure faithfully in times of trial and temptation?

 The righteous among the Nephites are vindicated by the fulfillment of Samuel’s prophecies of the Savior’s birth. However, between the time of His birth and death the people again grow in wickedness and ripen for destruction.

(10/9) #37 “Whosoever Will Come, Him Will I Receive”   

3 Nephi 8-11      

        

 What blessings are available to those who come unto the Savior?

What feelings do you have when you read 3 Nephi 11?

These chapters describe the Savior’s visit to the Nephites and are some of the most powerful passages in the Book of Mormon. Included are the calamities that occurred in the Americas when Jesus was crucified and the beginning of His ministry among the Nephites.