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.