Lesson 5

Choice 3: Isaiah 5:26–30; 11:12; 18:1–7. An Ensign to the Nation

 (a) Read Isaiah 5:26; 11:12; 18:1–7; the words to the hymn “High on the Mountain Top” (Hymns, no. 5); and the institute student manual commentary for Isaiah 5:26–30, “‘He Will Lift Up an Ensign to the Nations’ in the Latter Days” (pg. 142). List two themes that connect the scriptures with the hymn.
There are two kind of themes I'm seeing. The first is the gathering of Israel will begin with the temple. People of ALL lands will be brought to the temple. Also, we will be taught in the temples and learn how to serve the Lord.

 (b) What will the Lord do to extend the ensign to other nations, and where will He bring them? He will make it so a trumpet sounds. They will know the sound of the ensign. He will bring them to the temple.

Lesson 4

Choice 2: Ecclesiastes. Seeing Life Clearly

(a) Read the Bible Dictionary for “Ecclesiastes,” (pg. 659), and complete the following statements:

The book of Ecclesiastes consists of "reflections on some of the deepest problems of life...".
The author describes himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem".
Ecclesiastes is written from the point of view of the "world".
Ecclesiastes should not be construed as theological pronouncements on the condition of the soul after death...".
(b) Read Ecclesiastes 1–2 and list five ways the author sought happiness but couldn’t find it. After each item on your list, write the reference of the verse where you found it. Laughing-2:2; Drinking-2:3; Made great works-2:4; Built houses-2:4; Planted vineyards-2:4.

(c) Read Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 and compare it with the principles that are taught in Mosiah 4:27; Doctrine and Covenants 10:4; 111:11; Luke 10:38–42. Write a paragraph describing why the timing and order of our activities are so important. Note some examples of how major events of life when done at the wrong time or out of order could seriously hurt an individual’s eternal progress. What do you think the Lord wants you to accomplish during this “time and season” of your life?

The order and timing of our activities is so important that if we go about them in the wrong order, our eternal progress comes to a bump and can take us off course if we are not careful. An seemingly obvious example of this is the wrong kind of intimacy before marriage. If we have that wrong kind of intimacy, we could very well lose our chance to go to the temple and lose those eternal blessings if we do not repent. The Lord wants us to become ready to be like Him in this "time and season" of our lives.

(d) As you read Ecclesiastes 4–5, choose two principles to incorporate into your life. Write about them. Anger management. It says "Better is an handful with quietness..." It says that we need to have peace in our hearts. Humility. It says to not be vain. We all need, I feel, a little more humility in our lives.

(e) Read Ecclesiastes 12:7, 13–14 and answer the following questions:

What happens to us when we die? Our bodies will return to the dust and our spirits to God.
What is “the whole duty of man”? To fear (respect) God and keep His commandments.
Why is this a good description of man’s purpose? Because God already knows us, better than we know ourselves. It seems a silly thing to not be willing to respect God, when he is the one who made us, the one who is the Omnipotent one.

Choice 1: Ezra 1–10; Nehemiah 1–13. The Jews Delivered from Babylonian Captivity
Cyrus, king of Persia, captured Babylon and announced that captive Jews in Babylon could return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple (see 2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Ezra 1). There were three major returns to Jerusalem: one, approximately 538 BC, under the direction of Zerubbabel (Haggai and Zechariah’s ministry), a second, approximately 458 BC, under the direction of Ezra, and a third, 444 BC, under the direction of Nehemiah.


(a) Read Ezra 1 and list all that Cyrus did to help the Jews in Babylon return to Jerusalem. Read Isaiah 44:24, 26, 28: 45:1–3, 13; JST, Genesis 50:29, 33; 2 Nephi 3:6–7, 15, 17; 10:3 and write a summary of everything the Lord revealed through the prophet Isaiah nearly 200 years earlier. Who else has had his name revealed in scripture before his birth?

Cyrus commanded that the temple should be built, he had people work on things for the temple, he returned things that the previous king had stolen from the temple.
It was revealed that the Lord had created everything, that Jerusalem would be inhabited again and the cities would be rebuilt, and the temple would be built. It was also revealed that Joseph Smith would come from the lineage of Joseph who was sold into Egypt, and that Christ would be slain for his people. And so many people have had his name revealed that it's nearly impossible for them to all be names.

(b) Read the chapter headings for Ezra 2–9. Write at least three insights or impressions that come to as you read Ezra’s prayer as found in Ezra 9:4–15. Write a few sentences about the congregation’s reaction to Ezra’s prayer found in 10:1–5.
It's really interesting that he prayed for everyone, even those who hadn't sinned in that form. It's good that he remembers the sins of his and Israel's father. And it's interesting that he asks why the Lord isn't so angry that He wants to consume them in His anger.
As to the congregation's reaction, it's good to note that they know exactly what they did wrong. They know how to repent of this sin. They also do it right away.


(c) Nehemiah, like Ezra, pleaded with the Lord concerning his brethren, the Jews. Read Nehemiah 1 and the institute student manual commentary “Where Do the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah Fit in the Old Testament?” (pg. 319). Then add two additional insights or impressions to those you wrote from studying Ezra’s prayer.
The other insights from the prayer earlier is that it's significant that the troubles Israel had and deserved were remembered for so long. It's also interesting that Ezra is pleading when he himself did nothing wrong.



(d) Read in the student manual Enrichment J–3, “The First Return of the Jews” (pgs. 312–13), and the commentary for Ezra 4:1–10, “Who Were the Samaritans Who Hindered the Work on the Temple?” (pgs. 320–21). In addition read Ezra 4:1–5; Nehemiah 2:10–20; 4:1–20. For additional understanding, read “Samaritans” in the Bible Dictionary (pg. 768). From your understanding, write several paragraphs describing the origins of the Samaritans and the animosity between the Samaritans and the Jews. Include any experience you may have witnessed with opposition to the building of modern temples.

The Samaritans were Assyrians, whether by birth or some other way. They offered to help the Jews rebuild the temple, but they were refused due to their idolatrous ways, which offended the Jews. So when they refused, the Samaritans became angry.



(e) The book of Nehemiah contains the account of someone who did a great work to protect himself and his people from enemies. He faced opposition (in various forms and from various sources), but when enticed to leave his work he responded that he was doing a great work and would not “come down” and let the work cease (Nehemiah 6:3). Reflect on what “wallbuilding” efforts you are making in your life. Then answer the following questions:

• What “walls” of protection has the Lord commanded we have in place to guard against temptation? He's told us to visit the Temple often, to go to Church, to read the scriptures, to pray each night and morning.
• What are you trying to build for your future? I'm not completely sure what this question is asking.
• In what ways are you tempted to leave that good work and “come down” to less worthy pursuits? Telling us we don't have enough time, telling ourselves that we go to church so often that we don't need to go this week.
• How can Nehemiah’s example help you? We can tell ourselves that we do indeed have time and that we need to go each week for the blessings we get at church.

2nd Post of BYU-I Fall semester

Choice 2: 1 Kings 17–2 Kings 1. The Miracles of the Lord through Elijah

(a) Read the following scriptures and list the miracles the Lord performed through the prophet Elijah in each case:

1 Kings 17:1: He cursed the land with famine

1 Kings 17:2–6: He obeyed in fleeing the land and was fed by ravens

1 Kings 17:8–16: He blessed a woman so her food and oil would sustain her and her son until the famine ended.

1 Kings 17:17–22: He raised that woman's son (the woman mentioned above).

1 Kings 18: 31–38: Called fire from heaven to light a sacrifice on fire on a wet altar.

1 Kings 18:41–45: He made it rain.

1 Kings 21:17–19; 22:34–38: He cursed a man.

2 Kings 1:9–14: He killed 102 men with fire from heaven.

(b) Write a paragraph that gives examples from what you read of how the sealing keys can both bless and curse. 

The Lord can shut up the land or make it rain. He can seal the ground from bearing fruit. He can open the heavens to bring rain or to sustain food and oil for months or years.

That's it for this post. Will have another post by next Friday.

1st Post of BYU-I Fall Semester

Choice 7: 1 Kings 19:1–18. “A Still Small Voice”

 (a) Study 1 Kings 19:1–18; 1 Nephi 17:45; Moroni 10:5, and answer the following questions:

What did Jezebel want to do about Elijah? She wanted to kill him.

Where did Elijah go, and why? He went to Beer-sheba.

What did the Lord teach Elijah about revelation? It's not going to come as a large thing, but as a still small voice. 

(b) Conclude this assignment reading Doctrine and Covenants 8:2–3; Luke 24:31–32; Acts 2:37, and then write a paragraph about how revelation typically comes to us. 

We will receive revelation in our hearts. It won't come as a loud voice, but as a small voice. It'll burn in our hearts.

Lesson 11 (AKA the last blog post of BYUI's Spring Semester 2015)

Choice 2: 2 Samuel 1-10. David Anointed King



Search 2 Samuel 1-10 and make a list of King David’s accomplishments.

David's Accomplishments:
Killed the man who claimed to have killed Saul.
Anointed king over Judah.
Followers defeat Abner and men of Israel.
Got Michal back.
Kills men who kill Ishobeth, a righteous man.
Takes Jerusalem.
Conquers Philistines.
Defeats many nations.
Restores Saul's land to Saul's son.

Read 1 Chronicles 22:7-8 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for 2 Samuel 7:1-17, “Why Was David Not Allowed to Build the Temple?” (pgs. 289-90). Write your explanation of why the Lord did not want David to build a temple.
In these sections asked to read, it says that it was revealed to David that he had seen too much war and bloodshed to build a temple. That, to me, says that while his intentions were proper and good, his heart and mind weren't pure enough. You need to be worthy to build a temple.


Read 2 Samuel 7:12-17 and write one or two sentences describing how you would feel if you were in a situation similar to David’s. Write one or two sentences describing how 2 Samuel 7:16 is a Messianic prophecy. Then read 2 Samuel 7:18-29 and summarize David’s response to the Lord’s message to him.
I would feel kind of mad that I myself was not allowed to build a temple but that my son would be. At that same time, I would feel privileged to know that the house would still come from my lineage.
2 Samuel 7:16 is a Messianic prophecy because Christ was prophesied to inherit the throne of his "father David." It is through David that Christ comes (Mary being of his line. Mary and Joseph both were, but Mary is the only mortal parent of Christ that had any of her blood or genes flowing through Him.)
David's response is that he is willing to obey the Lord and that he will rejoice for the Lord's mercy to him.

Lesson 10

Choice 6: 1 Samuel 9-10. Saul Anointed King in Israel



Read 1 Samuel 9-10 and list the qualities of Saul that made him a good choice to be king.

Saul's kingly qualities:
A full head taller than anyone else.
Follows requests.
Religious.
Occasionally prophesies.




Read Articles of Faith 1:5 and briefly explain in writing how the calling of Saul to be king in Israel follows the same pattern of choosing leaders in the Church today.

The Article of Faith 1:5 reads "We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof." Samuel, a man who had authority in the church, received revelation as to who should be the king. Today, our prophets and all those who have any leadership in the church have been called by prophecy and by being set apart (laying on of hands) as was Saul.