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.

Week 9

Choice 1: Joshua 7-24. “Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve”

Read Joshua 10:12-14 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Joshua 10:12-14,
“Did the Sun Really Stand Still in the Heavens?” (pg. 240). Did the sun really stand still in the heavens? Write a paragraph how you could explain these verses to someone who says he or she won’t believe the Bible because of this obvious contradiction with science.

It is not the the sun itself stood still, the earth did. The earth was made to stand still.


Read the chapter summaries of Joshua 7-22. Make two lists—one that identifies Israel’s successes and another that identifies Israel’s failures.

Successes:
They take Ai
They obtain the Gibeonites
Defeat the Amorites
Conquer whole land
Thirty-three kings are conquered by Israel


Failures:
Ai defeats them


Read Joshua 23-24 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Joshua 24:1-28, “Choose You This Day Whom Ye Will Serve” (pg. 242). What do you think was the major theme of Joshua’s final address to his people? Based on the lists you created from Joshua 7-22, write a paragraph that explains why Joshua chose to deliver his final address on this particular topic.

I feel that the major theme of his final address was "Who are you going to serve?" This was the case because they kept wavering between Baal and God, between idols and the Living God. So he made it clear that he hadn't led the people astray but that they had to choose.

Lesson 8

Choice 1: Deuteronomy 2-3, 7, 9, 20, 25. Israel Commanded to Destroy the Wicked

Read Deuteronomy 20:17 and make a list of the different nations the Lord identified in these verses. Then read Deuteronomy 2:15, 7:2, 12:2-3, and write a paragraph about what the Lord commanded Israel to do with these nations.
Hittites
Amorites
Canaanites
Perizittes
Hivites
Jebusites

Israel was commanded by the Lord to destroy these nations. They were to show absolutely no mercy to them. The countries had been idolatrous and sinning. They had turned from the Lord.


Read Deuteronomy 9:4-5 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Deuteronomy 7:1-5, “Why Did the Lord Command the Israelites to Utterly Destroy the Canaanites?” (pg. 219). Add to your previous paragraph any other reasons why these nations were destroyed.


Many of the sins found among the people living in Canaan are prevalent in today’s society. Write a paragraph explaining how you think we can protect ourselves from these sins.

I feel that the way that we protect ourselves is by what I feel are the Primary answers. We pray, we study our scriptures, we go to church. If we are see something that isn't right, we are supposed to turn from it. We will be able to save ourselves from these sins by doing these things.

Week 7

Choice 4: Numbers 21:4-9. The Brazen Serpent

Read Numbers 21:4-9 and the Institute Student Manual Points to Ponder section (pg. 212). Then answer the following questions in writing:

•        What did the children of Israel do that resulted in the curse of the “fiery serpents”? They cursed God and also Moses.

•        In what ways are people today sometimes like unto the children of Israel anciently? (See also 1 Nephi 17:45.) It depends on how this question is meant. People today are often found swearing or using God's name in vain. This has never been good and in Israel's day, it was often fatal. In the case of being healed, many people think the cure is far too simple, so they turn away and look to other things instead of turning and looking to the brazen serpent (Christ).

•        According to Alma 33:18-22, what did the brazen serpent symbolize? It represents Jesus Christ.

•        How does one “look to” Jesus Christ for healing? We repent and come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We turn from our sins and come to Him.

•        Aside from physical healings, how can “looking to” the Savior heal a person in other ways? We can be freed from mental addictions, but I feel even more so, we can be healed from mental and emotional diseases, like depression and anxiety. He heals us.

•        Where else do people sometimes turn for healing other than the Savior? They turn to anything and everything else. Alcohol, drugs, books, eating, etc.

•        What are simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ that can heal us? The Atonement (both so simple and so complex at the same exact time), knowing God loves us, knowing we can be saved.

•        How have you experienced the healing power of the Atonement in your life? I would like to keep this in my heart to avoid sharing too much personal stuff on the internet...And no, no terrible addictions. Just personal stuff.

Week 6 (Should have been the 1st post in June)

Choice 3: Leviticus 17-25. Holiness to the Lord

a.       Read Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26; 21:8. Write a sentence that could be used as a theme for the book of Leviticus. "Be ye holy for I am holy" is the sentence that can be the theme of Leviticus. Read the Bible Dictionary entry for “Holiness” (pgs. 703-4) and compare it with what is said in the Guide to the Scriptures entry for “Sanctification” (available online athttps://lds.org/scriptures/gs/sanctification?lang=eng.) Then answer the following questions in writing:

• What does it mean to be holy and sanctified? To be holy and sanctified is to become pure.
• Why could Jehovah command His followers to be holy? Because He Himself is holy.
• What could we do today to avoid the same downfall? Read scriptures, go to church, avoid profane things.
• How can the principles you have studied to this point in the book of Leviticus help you become holy? I don't know because it was all about "This is a leprosy" and punishments for unholy things. So I guess just making sure I try to be holy. 

b.      Read Leviticus 18:4-5 and write a brief statement of how keeping the commandments applies to these verses. Read Leviticus 19:3-4, 11-20, 28-31; 20:10, 13 and make a list of commandments from these verses. Highlight the commandments from your list that you think the world struggles with the most today. Make note of the commandment that you want to improve in the most. Write some ideas of how you plan to improve in keeping that commandment.

The commandments apply to these verses because Molech can be Satan, so we can end up offering our talents, etc., to Satan, which is bad.

Commandments:

Fear (respect) your mother and father.

Keep the Sabbath.

Worship God only.

Don't lie, steal or deal falsely.

Don't swear falsely, or use the Lord's name in vain.

Don't defraud your neighbor.

Don't curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind.

Judge righteously.

Don't gossip or stand against the blood of your neighbor.

Don't hate your brother.

Love your neighbor.

Keep clean and unclean things separate.

Don't lie with a woman.

Don't cut yourself for sadness, don't make any marks in your body.

Don't prostitute your daughter

Reverence the sanctuary.

No witchcraft.

Don't commit adultery.

No homosexuality.

I want to keep the Sabbath more holy. I will do this by not doing anything unrelated to church before 7:30.

Lesson 5 (supposed to be the last one in May)

Choice 5: Exodus 34. The Second Set of Stone Tablets

Read JST, Exodus 34:1-2; Doctrine and Covenants 84:18-27; and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Exodus 34:1-4, “Did Both Sets of Tablets Contain the Same Material?” (pg. 143). Imagine that you have been assigned to give a brief presentation that explains the difference between the first and second sets of stone tablets that Moses brought down off the mountain. Prepare an outline to help you describe the differences between the two tablets.

Outline:

1st Tablet:

• The 10 Commandments

• The words of the Everlasting Covenant of the Priesthood

• The 10 Commandments

• No words of the Everlasting Covenant of the Priesthood

2nd Tablet:

(This is all I can see...)

Lesson 4 Student Choice Assignment

Choice 7: Exodus 19. Preparing to Meet the Lord

Read Exodus 19:3-6, 10-11. Write two paragraphs answering the following questions:

·         What did the Lord want the children of Israel to become?

·         What did the Lord command them to do that would help them achieve this goal?

·         What was the promised blessing if they could accomplish these commandments?

·         In what way does this apply to us?

He wanted the Lord to become a peculiar people. He commanded the people to become sanctified. He promised that the people would be allowed to listen to God as He spoke. 

This applies to us because God wants us to be able to hear His voice, but we must be sanctified. We would be able to listen to God's voice through the Spirit. We must become sanctified if we want to be able to listen to God's voice.

Lesson 3 Student Assignment Choice 3

Choice 3: Genesis 29-30, 35, 37, 39-41. Joseph Endured His Trials

1. Read the chapter summaries for Genesis 29-30, 35. List the birth order of Jacob’s 12 sons. The order is Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin.

2. Read Genesis 37:1-11 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Genesis 37:3, “What Was the Coat of Many Colors?” (pg. 93). Write an explanation of possible reasons Joseph’s brothers were envious of him. Joseph's brothers could have been jealous for these reasons: Joseph had a coat that was worn by one in a better class, setting him above his brothers, his dreams, his father's obvious love for him, and so on.

3. List the challenges in Genesis 37 that Joseph faced. How do you think Joseph felt about his challenges? How are Joseph’s challenges like the ones young people face today? Jealousy from his brothers, being stripped of his coat and tossed into a pit, then being sold into slavery. He probably was upset about it, but he knew things were coming his way that would be better.

4. Read Genesis 39:2-3, 21, 23 and find a phrase that is similar in all four verses. Then answer the following questions:

·         What did Joseph do in Genesis 39 that allowed the phrase in verses 2-3 to still be true in verses 21, 23? He resisted the advances of Potiphar's wife and stayed clean. When do you think Joseph made the commitment to be morally clean? I think Joseph made that commitment long ago. Maybe when his sister was defiled by Shechem.

·         Give examples from Genesis 40-41 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Genesis 39:21-23; 40:1-23 (pg. 95) that illustrate how the Lord remained with Joseph. He was able to interpret the dreams of the baker and butler, he was able to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, he was able to save Egypt.

·         Write two or three paragraphs listing the lessons you learn from the life of Joseph. What can you learn from Joseph about turning bad experiences and circumstances into good ones?

What have I learned about Joseph's life? Joseph's an amazing person. He was able to stay true to God despite his trials. He was able to save Egypt.

Now, I know I am no Joseph. I will never save Egypt, I won't be able to do what he did, but I am able to stay true to God. As long as I stay true, I will be blessed.

2nd Post of the BYUI Spring Semester 2015

This is again Choice 3 from our list of options.

Who Was Melchizedek?

Read JST, Genesis 14:25-40; Alma 13:14-19; Doctrine and Covenants 84:14, 107:1-4; and the

Institute Student Manual commentary for Genesis 14:18, “Who Was Melchizedek?” (pg. 67-68).

Write a paragraph or two describing what you found out about Melchizedek.

Okay, first off...Wow. I chose this option because it was going to be faster, but boy was it jam-packed full of info. Melchizedek was the King of Salem (which, by the way became Jerusalem, aka the city of peace). 

Abraham received his priesthood through Melchizedek. Melchizedek was very powerful in the Lord, shutting the mouths of lions and quenching fire. It is his name that was given to the Priesthood to avoid the repetition of the Lord's name.

Wow.

1st post of the BYUI Spring 2015 semester

This is Choice 3 from our list.

a. Read Genesis 11:1-9, Helaman 6:28, and Ether 1:3-4, and write your answers to the following questions:
• What was the stated purpose of building a tower? They were trying to reach heaven. Also, they were trying to "make [them] a name for [themselves]".
• Why do you think this angered the Lord? This angered the Lord because although they had a righteous desire, to get to heaven, they were going about it the wrong way. Also, they were being prideful in their attempt to make a name for themselves.
• What did God do to scatter the people? He confounded their language so they could not understand one another.
• Read Ether 1:33-43 and summarize in writing how the Jaredites from the Book of Mormon fit into this story. So, the Jaredites were in the land during the Tower of Babel and when the Lord confounded the languages. The Brother of Jared prayed to have his, his brother's, and their friends' and families' languages not confounded. They were then driven out of the land for their protection.

b. As is typical with Satan’s tactics, he will take a truth and twist it into a counterfeit. Note that the people building the tower of Babel tried to make a name for themselves, while the followers of the Lord willingly take His name upon them. Read Acts 4:12; Mosiah 3:17, 5:7-15; and Doctrine and Covenants 18:21-25, and write two to three paragraphs about how we can receive “a name” (Genesis 11:4) that will truly help us reach heaven.
There is only one way to "make a name" for us. We must take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. We must be baptized. We must live a life according to His will and obey the commandments.
This is the only way we can "make" a name for ourselves. If we do not take upon us the name of Christ, we will be cut off from the presences of the Lord. This should not be our goal.