Search Results for: blog rseq casually but not devoutly

RS/EQ: Casually But Not Devoutly

The final section in next Sunday’s Priesthood and Relief Society lesson deals with exaltation. After detailing the difference between immortality and eternal life, after describing the different degrees of glory and how they may be obtained, the quotes center on achieving exaltation. In short, they turn on the old ‘faith versus works’ argument. One of the things that greatly impressed me when I investigated the church was the direction the gospel takes that argument. To quote James in James 2:18, “I will shew thee my faith BY my works” (emphasis added). That is, once we have faith, we will prove … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: Self-Justification and Repentance

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Integrity and honesty go hand in hand. Only when we are honest with our fellow men and with ourselves can we maintain integrity. Furthermore, when we become accustomed to deceiving or defrauding those we interact with, we can easily find ourselves drawn into attempting to deceive ourselves or our Heavenly Father. When we seek to justify our misbehavior, we make repentance impossible. According to President Kimball, almost all dishonesty stems from self-justification. When we strive to rationalize or make excuses for sin, it can be easy to break the commandments of God. “It’s just a little piece of candy in … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: All That My Father Hath

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As I studied the second section in the President Kimball manual today, my eye was drawn to the reference to D&C 84:39. Here, President Kimball speaks of a covenant. Although it doesn’t specifically relate to integrity, I would like to take this chance to explore that covenant. After all, it is difficult to keep up our end of a promise if we don’t know what the promise is. This section of the Doctrine and Covenants starts in verse 33, and refers to those who are “faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods…and the magnifying their calling.” In short, the people … Continue reading →

The Cursing of the Fig Tree

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When I was a child, I always wondered why Christ would curse the fig tree that bore Him no fruit. (Matthew 21:19-20) It did Him no harm, and was a simple plant. Only later, as I learned more of the scriptures (and made it through Jacob in the Book of Mormon) did I understand that He was teaching a parable not with words, but with actions. Here we are, in the last week of the Savior’s ministry. He is approaching Jerusalem; the atonement and the crucifixion loom in His near future. For the last three years, He has taught all … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: The Second Half of the Beatitudes

Although I neglected to blog yesterday, I did study the first half of the Beautidues, which leaves me with the second half (verses 6-12) to cover today. Although I enjoyed the overview I did on Monday, it was wonderful to ponder more fully the blessings and promises given through these seven verses. I’m going to address just a few of them and give you some wonderful corresponding scriptures. On a side note, I found the corresponding footnotes in 3 Nephi 12 to provide a few more scriptures than those found in Matthew. In verse 6, we read that those who … Continue reading →

Visiting Teaching: Strengthening Your Personal Testimony of Jesus Christ

The visiting teaching message for February urges us to strengthen our personal testimonies of the Savior. As we do so, we can become tools in the hands of our Heavenly Father, acting out His will on this Earth and serving Him as He would have us do. The message first addresses the question of how to strengthen ones testimony. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we should already have a testimony of our Savior. If we do not, it is imperative that we seek to cultivate and develop one. Without a firm, strong testimony, staying … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: A Well of Living Water

The first fourteen verses of John 4 record Christ’s encounter with the Samarian woman (well, part of it, anyway). This woman came to the well in search of drinking water, and instead found the source of living water, Christ himself. Elder Bruce R. McConkie defines living water as “the words of eternal life, the message of salvation, the truths about God and his kingdom; it is the doctrines of the gospel.” He continues, “Where there are prophets of God, there will be found rivers of living water, wells filled with eternal truths, springs bubbling forth their life-giving draughts that save … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: Because of the Simpleness of the Way

One of the most puzzling stories I ever read in the Old Testament was the story of the fiery serpents sent among the Israelites. To be bitten by one of these snakes was certain death. Through the prophet Moses, God sent a way for His followers to be healed. Moses erected a bronze serpent and hung it high, where all the people could see it throughout the camp. Those who would turn their eyes to the serpent would be healed. To my disbelief, there were many who refused to look, because the way was too simple. (1 Nephi 17:41) Instead, … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: The Ordinance of Baptism

I’m sure you didn’t think it was possible, but I finished up Matthew 3 today. In the last few verses (13-17), Christ goes down to the waters of Jordan to be baptized by John who, you’ll remember, held the Aaronic priesthood. If Christ, who was perfect, had need to be baptized, what does that say for us? When Christ approached John about the baptism, John asked how Christ could need to be baptized by him, a mortal man. Obviously, John recognized the divine nature of the Savior. I am sure that, as he grew, Elizabeth testified to him of the … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine & Relief Society Week in Review: January 7-13

Well, it’s Saturday, and every Latter-day Saint knows (or should know) that “Saturday is a special day, it’s the day we get ready for Sunday” (Children’s Songbook, pg 196). Part of getting ready for Sunday means finishing up your reading of the Sunday school and Relief Society/Elder’s Quorum lesson. If you’ve been following the LDS families blog throughout the week, you’ve been able to read each segment of the two lessons as they have been published. However, for those who are running a bit behind – or who procrastinated their lesson study until this week, I’d like to provide you … Continue reading →