Parables and Accounts That Teach Eternal Truths

1. Study the following parables and accounts along with the accompanying commentary from the institute student manual. Describe in writing what you feel is the major principle the Lord wants us to understand from each of the parables:
• Luke 16:1–12, the parable of the unjust steward. “The Children of This World Are in Their Generation Wiser Than the Children of Light” (pg. 124).
  I feel like the bigger principles in this parable are about serving the Master.  He has given us all and we need to use those gifts and to serve Him.  Be faithful in the tasks we are given and use each day to prepare to meet him.
• Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. “What Do We Learn About the Spirit World from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?” (pgs. 124–25).
  We learn here that God has bridged the gap between spirit prison and paradise.  It’s important to serve others, even if we don’t have a lot to give.  That with which we are blessed is from God and he expects us to use those things to help others and be his hands.  I think we can learn from this parable that we shouldn’t cast someone away because of their spirituality or not. The bodies that bind our spirits don’t necessarily reflect what we are lacking or yearning.
• Luke 17:11–19, the ten lepers. “Why Were the Ten Lepers to Show Themselves to the Priests?” and “Were There Not Ten Cleansed?” (pg. 130). See also the Bible Dictionary, “Leprosy” (pg. 724).
  GIVING THANKS is the biggest principle from this message.  Even though we may think it, we need to say it and thank the Lord graciously, each day, for the blessing we are given – no matter if they are big or small.
• Luke 18:1–8, the parable of the unjust judge. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Unjust Judge?” (pg. 131).
  The main principle from here is to not be selfish.  The judge only got rid of the widow because she was bugging him.  It wasn’t because he wanted to help her or feared God, but for a purely selfish reason.
• Luke 18:9–14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican?” (pg. 131).
  Be humble in our lives.  If we are puffed up in pride, we have no opportunities to learn and we are compelled to be humble.  God will give us a reason to learn and be exalted.  But, we are better off learning and being humble from the beginning.
  
  
  ***It is better to learn from other people and from parables so that we may save ourselves some heartache and sin.

Earthly and Heavenly Rewards Parable Overview

1. Review Matthew 19:16–30 and write responses to the following questions and tasks:
• What indications can you find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the Savior? How does Matthew 6:19–24 help explain his choice?
  He was sad and sorrowful when the Savior told him that he needed to sell all his possessions. It helps explain his choice because not only does it tell us how he felt and that he walked away, but that Jesus used the situation as an opportunity to teach his disciples the law of consecration.
• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him? 
  The last shall be first, we’ll inherit everlasting life, obtain treasures in heaven, enter into the kingdom of God.
• Based on the Savior’s response to Peter, write a paragraph that could help you put the Lord first in your life (see also the additional details in Mark 10:17–31).
  It comes down to being willing to sacrifice everything for God.  Family, homes, lands, everything to receive the kingdom of God and have everlasting life.  In perspective, it should be relatively easy to give up what we have because the reason we have it is because of the blessings that God has given us.  We are indebted to him because he blesses us, so it would be like giving back what’s already his.
2. Review the parable in Matthew 20:1–16 and consider what rewards come to those who serve in the Lord’s kingdom. Complete the chart below, filling in the blanks with information you find in Matthew 20:

The hour the laborers were hired	How much the man agreed to pay	Hours worked	How much they were actually paid
Early in the morning	A penny a day	All day (9+)	A penny
In the third hour	A penny	9	A penny
In the sixth hour	A penny	6	A penny
In the ninth hour	A penny	3	A penny
In the eleventh hour	A penny	1	A penny

3. Respond in writing to each of the following questions:

• What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord’s kingdom? 
  All are treated equally and receive equal blessings for following the commandments and gospel of Jesus Christ.
• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?
  They won’t receive anything less just because they didn’t have the opportunity to partake of the gospel earlier in life.
• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?
  It’s not unfair, because they’ve had the opportunity to work (serve God) for a longer period of time.  They’ve had more time to receive blessings (pay).
  
  **What a blessing it is to know that God is fair and just.  He has mercy and is able to exercise it for our benefit.  No matter when we embrace the gospel and all it has to offer, we will still be benefiting from the Lord and his infinite generosity.

Leadership

1. Study John 13:1–17; Luke 22:24–30; Mark 10:43–45. Write a paragraph or two about how the application of these teachings makes leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ different from what the world usually describes as leadership.
   John 13 – We need to serve one another as the Savior serves us.  Despite the fact that he was the Redeemer of the world, he took time to wash his disciples’ feet – a job that a servant would do.  If we do follow his perfect example, we will be happy.
   Luke 22 – Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are the ones who give authority for their kingdom and we need to serve everyone.
   Mark 10 – We need to teach others and to serve them, as well.
   The church leadership is different in that everyone is striving to reach one goal and everything done is centered around that goal.  We receive revelation from God through the Spirit and prophets on how to make our lives and the lives of others better and closer to Christ.  It’s a completely different mindset than those leaders of the world.  In the church leadership, there is harmony and positive communication.  There is a unanimous decision making method that allows everyone to be heard and to decide how to best help those of God’s children.  Leaders are lead by the Spirit on how to counsel people and help direct their lives in a righteous direction.  It’s a wonderful thing, and because of the leadership and revelation from God, the Church is thriving in a world that is crumbling. 
2. Write a paragraph or two about a time when one of your Church leaders or someone in the scriptures served and led in the way Jesus Christ taught.
   There was a time on my mission where I feeling very guilty for something I had done years previous to my mission.  Although I didn’t know if it was something that needed to be addressed, I knew that I needed it gone and out of my mind.  I called my mission president and in tears, told him about what I had done.  I was very surprised with his reaction and how happy he was that I had come to talk to him.  I immediately felt peace wash over me and knew that my life would be richly blessed by this experience.  Even though I had sinned, I felt the Atonement start to work in my life and knew that my Savior was pleased with what I was doing as well.  As my mission president counseled me, I knew that he was doing so by the Spirit and under the sacred calling he had been given by a prophet of God.  I knew that the words he spoke to me were coming directly from heaven and would bless and enrich my life.
   
   
   

The Savior's Suffering in Gethsemane

1.   Review Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46, making a list of words and phrases that describe the Savior’s suffering. Include in your list clarifications provided in the footnotes.
List or Words:
- distressed
- troubled
- sorrowful
- very heavy
- deeply grieved
-pain

2.   Write additional insights about the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane found in the following resources:

·         Mosiah 3:7; Alma 7:11-13; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19
Mosiah 3:7 – He will suffer more than any man can because of wickedness and sins of us
Alma 7:11-13 – He atoned for us not only for our sins, but for sadness and sorrows that we will experience.  He did this so that he would be able to succor us.
Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19 – He suffered so that we could repent and if we don’t, we will have to suffer as he did.

·         The institute student manual commentary, “To What Extent Was the Atonement Completed in the Garden of Gethsemane?” (p. 173)
The Atonement was necessary for the plan of God to be fulfilled.  The Savior experienced his Father withdrawing his immediate presence and that was excruciating.

·         The institute student manual commentary for Luke 22:44, “And Being in an Agony, He Prayed More Earnestly” (pp.173-74)
Jesus learned perfect obedience while he was performing the Atonement.  As he was supported by an angel, he prayed more earnestly to his Father.  Although we was in agony unfathomable by anyone else, he was still willing to do the Father’s will.

·         The institute student manual commentary for Luke 22:44, “And His Sweat Was As It Were Great Drops of Blood Falling Down to the Ground” (p. 174)
No other person could have done this, no matter their strength.  He was in every sort of pain imaginable – physical, emotional, spiritual.  He was in so much agony that he bled from each pore and death was a welcome sight. 

3.   Read Matthew 26:36 and the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 26:36, “Then Cometh Jesus … unto a Place Called Gethsemane” (pp. 172-73). Write a paragraph about how the meaning of Gethsemane adds insight to what the Savior experienced there.
Gethsemane means oil press and there was a mill maintained there.  What they do with the olives is literally extract oil from them.  It was a place where Jesus would go often to pray.  This makes the place more meaningful, not only because it was the place where Jesus offered his biggest prayer to the Father, but where he was literally weighed down with the sins, abominations, and infirmities of the world.  Because of that burden, blood was extracted from his body because of such weight and suffering.

4.   Write response to each of the following questions, looking for lessons you can apply to your own life from the example of the Savior in Gethsemane:

·         What were the Savior’s disciples doing while He was praying?  The disciples had fallen asleep while he was in the Garden. What had the Lord taught the Apostles in Matthew 26:41? He taught them that they need to watch and pray, so as to not enter into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  What does His example teach about how to be obedient even when “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak?” His Atonement is a perfect example.  Despite his mortal body, he was able to complete such a task because of his willing spirit.  How does Doctrine and Covenants 10:5 apply to this verse?  It says that prayer will help us conquer Satan and escape temptation.

·         Read Mosiah 15:7; 3 Nephi 11:11; Doctrine and Covenants 19:19. Write the phrases from these verses that describe what motivated the Savior to “drink the bitter cup.”
Mosiah 15:7 – Giving up his will for the Father’s
3 Nephi 11:11 – To do the Father’s will
Doctrine and Covenants 19:19 – To give glory to the Father

·         Write your thoughts about the Savior’s use of the word nevertheless in Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42. In each of these accounts, what did the Savior initially ask for? He asks for the cup to be removed from him.  What did He say next, using the word nevertheless? Not his will, but the Father’s be done.  What does it require to submit one’s will to the Father in this way, no matter how painful or difficult the outcome might be? It requires dedication, faith, becoming a disciple and standing as a witness of Him, always.  When have you followed the “nevertheless” pattern the Savior exemplified in these verses by submitting to Heavenly Father’s will even though it was very difficult?  When I was thinking about going on a mission, I justified that if I didn’t go, it wouldn’t because I was scared.  But, I was justifying it and once I let go of those fears and listened to what the Spirit was trying to tell me, I decided to go, even though I was scared.  That has been one of the biggest ‘nevertheless’ moments I’ve had in my life.

·         According to Luke 22:44, as the Savior’s agony became more intense, how did His prayer change? He prayed more earnestly, despite the more intense agony.  Do you feel more like praying or less like praying when you are suffering? When I’m suffering, I do feel like I pray more earnestly because I know at that point, it can only be God who can help me endure the pain.  When has it made a difference in your suffering to have turned to the Lord with more earnest prayer?  I notice a difference immediately.  And although I’m not always coherent, I know that something has changed and I know that I’m not alone in what is happening to me.

Reflect on what you have learned about the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane. Write a paragraph about lessons you can apply to your own life from the example of the Savior in Gethsemane.
The perfect example that Christ set gives me hope.  It gives me comfort knowing that I have a Savior who can succor me perfectly and understand completely what is going on in my life.  I can also learn to be obedient to the Lord because his plan is bigger than mine.  Even when I’m suffering, turning to him will help me and help me become a better disciple.

Preparing for the Savior's Second Coming

Review Mark 13:5, 9, 23, 33, 35, 37 and identify the words take heed and watch in each verse. List at least three things from this chapter that believers could watch for in order to be prepared to meet the Lord.

5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.
23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

List of things believes can watch for:
-Watch for false prophets and people claiming to be Christ.
-Wars and rumors of wars
-Earthquakes and famines
-Nation contending again nation and brother against brother
-Gospel being proclaimed in all nations
-Sun will be darkened and the moon won’t give light
-Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Explain in writing any other additional truths that are taught in the following references about how to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

• Doctrine and Covenants 87:8
  • Stand in holy places and be not moved.
• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:32
  • Share the gospel with and help others.
• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37
  • Live righteously and treasure up God’s word so when the angels are sent forth with their trumpets and the righteous are gathered, you will be ready.
• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:46–50
  • Be faithful, wise, and giving.
• Doctrine and Covenants 33:17 
  • Be prepared, pray always, and be faithful.
• Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57 
  • Be wise, let the Spirit guide you, receive the truth, be prepared, and be not deceived.

**If we are prepared, we shall not fear.  The Lord has given us adequate time to prepare ourselves.  We need to share the gospel with others so that they may have the chance to prepare, as well.  Despite the bad things that will happen when the Lord comes, the righteous have reason to be at peace because of what blessings will come because of this event.

Jesus' Final Week

Here are the key events that took place during the Savior's last week of mortality:

Day 1 -  Jesus arrives in Jerusalem riding upon a donkey.  He is greeted by a multitude placing palm branches in his way and giving a hosanna shout.  He goes to the temple, makes record of what he saw, and goes to Bethany for the night.

Day 2 -  Jesus goes to the temple and casts out all the trading and making money in the courtyard.  This is a direct challenge to the Jewish leadership.  He reiterates that the temple is a house of prayer.  He returns to Bethany for the night.

Day 3 -  Jesus again goes to the temple and is greeted by the priests who challenge his authority.  He responds by telling them parables that upset the Jewish leaders.  The scribes and Pharisees challenge Jesus and he calls them hypocrites.  Jesus no longer teaches in public.  Jewish leaders plot Jesus’ death and are aided by a disciple who offers to betray him.

Day 4 -  Jesus knew of the plot to be killed and spent his time outside the city.  The record in the gospels is silent on this day.

Day 5 -  Jesus arranges a Passover meal for him and his apostles.  Jesus introduces the sacrament and prophesies of his death and betrayal.  After some prayer, Jesus goes with 11 disciples to Gethsemane.  He takes Peter, James, and John further with him in the garden and then leaves them to pray.  He then performs the Atonement.  Sometime later he returns to his apostles and says that his betrayer is coming.  Armed men approach Jesus and take him.  He’s brought to an illegal trial that night.

Day 6 -  Jesus is charged with two crimes:  blasphemy and sedation against the state.  Though Pilate found him guiltless, Pilate didn’t want a demonstration and followed the request of the crowd for Jesus to be killed.  Jesus was crucified and after he gave up his spirit, he was taken down before nightfall and placed in a tomb by two disciples. 
 Day 7 (The Sabbath) -  Jesus’ body was still in the tomb, but he was busy ministering to those in the Spirit world. 
 Day of Resurrection -  Jesus had risen and appeared to Mary.  He also went to visit many other people. 

 

Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

1. Review Matthew 19:16–30 and write responses to the following questions and tasks:
• What indications can you find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the Savior? How does Matthew 6:19–24 help explain his choice?
  He was sad and sorrowful when the Savior told him that he needed to sell all his possessions. It helps explain his choice because not only does it tell us how he felt and that he walked away, but that Jesus used the situation as an opportunity to teach his disciples the law of consecration.
• What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him?
  The last shall be first, we’ll inherit everlasting life, obtain treasures in heaven, enter into the kingdom of God.
• Based on the Savior’s response to Peter, write a paragraph that could help you put the Lord first in your life (see also the additional details in Mark 10:17–31).
  It comes down to being willing to sacrifice everything for God.  Family, homes, lands, everything to receive the kingdom of God and have everlasting life.  In perspective, it should be relatively easy to give up what we have because the reason we have it is because of the blessings that God has given us.  We are indebted to him because he blesses us, so it would be like giving back what’s already his.
2. Review the parable in Matthew 20:1–16 and consider what rewards come to those who serve in the Lord’s kingdom. Complete the chart below, filling in the blanks with information you find in Matthew 20:

The hour the laborers were hired	How much the man agreed to pay	Hours worked	How much they were actually paid
Early in the morning	A penny a day	All day (9+)	A penny
In the third hour	A penny	9	A penny
In the sixth hour	A penny	6	A penny
In the ninth hour	A penny	3	A penny
In the eleventh hour	A penny	1	A penny

3. Respond in writing to each of the following questions:

• What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord’s kingdom?
  All are treated equally and receive equal blessings for following the commandments and gospel of Jesus Christ.
• What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?
  They won’t receive anything less just because they didn’t have the opportunity to partake of the gospel earlier in life.
• What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?
  It’s not unfair, because they’ve had the opportunity to work (serve God) for a longer period of time.  They’ve had more time to receive blessings (pay).
  
  **What a blessing it is to know that God is fair and just.  He has mercy and is able to exercise it for our benefit.  No matter when we embrace the gospel and all it has to offer, we will still be benefiting from the Lord and his infinite generosity.

Becoming a Disciple

Read Luke 10:38–42; 11:1–13; 12:13–40; 13:23–24; 14:16–33 and the institute student manual commentary for Luke 11:5–13, “The Parable of the Friend at Midnight” (p. 115). Make a list of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and what the Savior taught about counting the costs of following Him.

To be a disciple...:
-Receive the Lord

-Hearken to his word
-Choose God

-Be prayerful

-Repent and ask for forgiveness

-Keep the commandments

-Rely on the guidance of the Spirit

-Seek after the kingdom of God

-Wait and watch for the Lord

-Give service

-Be faithful and a wise steward

-Follow the path the Lord has laid

-Live the gospel

-Consecrate our lives

-Forsake what we have

Identify one of the teachings from your list that you would like to apply more fully in your life. Write a paragraph about how you could apply that teaching and what difference you believe it would make in your life.

One of the teachings that I would like to apply more fully in my life is to give service.  Service is something that makes you happy because you are putting off the selfish natural man and helping another child of God.  When we serve others, we are serving the Lord.  There is no way to not be happy when we serve Him.  I can apply this principle by helping others in my ward by doing my visiting teaching, helping my husband with his school work, and other members of my family.  The more we serve, the more it becomes second nature to us and we can continue to strive to be a disciple of Christ.

Read Luke 14:33; Omni 1:26; Mosiah 2:34; Matthew 13:44–46. Explain in writing what is ultimately required to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. 
Luke 14:33 - We need to forsake all that we have to be a disciple.
Omni 1:26 - Offer our souls as an offering to God; continue in fasting and prayer and endure to the end.
Mosiah 2:34 - Knowing that we are indebted to Christ and to render ourselves and all that we have to Him.
Matthew 13:44-46 - Sacrificing our greatest things for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Children

Review Matthew 18:3-4 and Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-18.  Explain in writing the ways we are like little children.  In these verses, how does the Lord say He will help us?

 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

 17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

 18 And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of goodcheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.

We are like little children when we become converted to the Lord and his gospel and just like the scripture reference from Ether in the previous post, humility makes us like children.  The Lord says that even though we may not fully understand, he will help lead us along, so that we may inherit the kingdom, blessings, and riches of eternity.

Read Mosiah 3:19 and list the ways in which we are to become as little children.

 19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

The Lord commands us to become as little children by being:  submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to the Lord, putting off the natural man, listening to the Spirit, and becoming a saint.

*Becoming like a child is different than being childlike.  We need to embrace the happy and trusting nature that children portray.  A child is willing to follow, wants to learn, and is always loving.  I have a 13 month old daughter and she teaches me each day on how to be more Christlike.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to have a child of God in my home to help remind me what I must do to inherit all the Father has in store for me.

Miracle of the loaves and fishes

The Savior provided two similar miracles.  As a summary of what took place, complete the following chart:

	Matthew 14:14-21	Matthew 15:32-38
How many people were present?	5,000 men, plus women, children, the apostles, and Jesus	4,000, plus the women, children, apostles, and Jesus
What did they need?	Food	To eat
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet the need?	Five loaves of bread and two fishes	Seven loaves and a few small fishes
What words or phrases describe the Savior’s feeling toward the multitude in their time of need?	Compassion and he healed their sick	Compassion and concern
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?	He fed them, despite the desert terrains	He filled their bellies.

In each story, the available food was insufficient to feed the multitude, yet with the help of the Lord, the insufficiency was overcome.  Read Romans 3:23 and explain in writing another way human effort is insufficient in receiving the Glory of God.  According to Ether 12:27, how does the Lord help us overcome this insufficiency?  We’re human and therefore flawed.  Our sins make us imperfect.  We cannot receive the glory of God without a Savior to plead for us and atone for our sins.  In Ether, we see that the Lord gives us weaknesses to make us humble and his grace is sufficient for us.  If we are humble, we are able to have the faith required to become strong and overcome weaknesses and sin.

*I'm grateful for a loving Father who does give us trials and weaknesses so that we may turn to him to learn from him.  I know that he did the miracles that we read about in the scriptures and that those miracles still continue to be seen today.  He is able to be a constant influence in our lives, if we will just let him.  Embrace the grace of his Son and the Atonement.  They can make our shortcomings sufficient.

Parables

1. In the Bible Dictionary, read the first three paragraphs under the entry “Parables” (pp. 740–41).
2. Read the following parables: parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24–30); parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:31–33); parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44–46); parable of the gospel net (Matthew 13:47–50). Next to each of the following questions match the name of the parable that best answers that question.
• What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? 
  Parable of the tares -   As we mature, the members will manifest themselves from the tares.
• Why does the Church send out so many missionaries? 
  Parable of the gospel net.  The Church sends out missionaries to teach as many people as they can the gospel.
• How do you explain the remarkable growth of the Church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier? 
  Parable of the mustard seed and leaven.  Like the mustard seed, the church started out small, and as it grew, it became big and because it is Christ's church, the best of all the other herbs.
• Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church? 
  Parable of the treasure and pearl of great price.  They are aware of the treasure that they have and the joy that it brings.  Nothing is worth losing that for.
• Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?
  Parable of the tares.  If you separate the church and world to soon, the church would cease.  If you pull the tares too soon, you'll take some of the wheat, too.  Same with members.  Some aren't converted and end up leaving.
3. Address the following questions:
• Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (see Mattthew 13:44–46), what sacrifices would you be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel? What sacrifices have you or those you know already made for the gospel?
  I would be willing to sacrifice everything I possessed to know my Heavenly Father and his gospel.  There are many examples of this in the scriptures like King Lamoni's father.  Also, I've seen many converts give up their life styles, their family, and many other things to have the gospel.
• What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? (See Matthew 13:47). What does it mean to be gathered into the net? What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away? (See Matthew 13:48–50). 
  I think the net represents the kingdom of heaven.  To be gathered in means to be living with our maker, families, and those that were righteous and followed the gospel.  Judgement day is what I feel represents the action of gathering the good and casting the bad.  We will be judged by our hearts, our actions, etc. and we will be placed accordingly.
  
  ***I'm constantly in awe at the things parables teach us.  We can learn so much from them, but only if we are disciples of Christ.  We read about that in the Bible Dictionary.  Here's an excerpt from it:  "From our Lord’s words, we learn the reason for this method (speaking in parables). It was to veil the meaning. The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith and intelligence; to the dull and uninspired it is a mere story, “seeing they see not,” while to the instructed and spiritual it reveals the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Thus it is that the parable exhibits the condition of all true knowledge. Only he who seeks finds."  I hope that I'm continually one that is finding the true knowledge of my Savior and his perfect teachings.

The Beatitudes

 1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you,and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
(Matthew 5:1-12)

Read the footnote for Matthew 5:3 and the institute student manual Points to Ponder section:  "The Sermon on the Mount is Our Constitution for Perfection".  Write a definition for the word blessed or blessedness.

The footnote for Matthew 5:3 says, "The Latin beatus is the basis of the English “beatitude,” meaning “to be fortunate,” “to be happy,” or “to be blessed.”  Blessed or blessedness means being higher than happiness, an inward fountain of joy from the soul.

Read Matthew 5:12.  Identify or mark all of the "blessed" attributes in these verses.  Also, read the definitions President Harold B. Lee gave for each of these attributes found in the institute student manual Points to Ponder section.  From these verses, select three beatitudes and write a paragraph for each describing how living has in the past or can in the future increase your happiness.

"Blessed are the meek" - When I am meek, I humble myself and turn to the Lord for help.  This has helped me both in the past and can help me in the future.  While I was on my mission, there was no way that I would be able to do the work of the Lord if I wasn't willing to be humble and ask him for help.  There was no way for me to be an effective missionary without humility.  I am a weak human being and am nothing without God and his gospel.  But, in Ether, we see that the Lord gives us weaknesses so that we can be humble and rely upon him.  Then will he make our weaknesses strengths.  Any time there is a weakness, if I am meek, I will be able to see the hand of the Lord in my life, throughout my whole life.

"Blessed are the merciful" - I have tried my whole life to conscientiously forgiving.  And I have seen the benefits of that forgiving nature.  There have been many occasions that are very personal to me in where I have been hurt very deeply, but have found strength in the Lord to forgive that person.  Not only did we strengthen our relationship, but it strengthened my relationship with my Savior.  I know that when I am merciful, the Lord will be merciful towards me and forgive my trespasses.

"Blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness" - I'm human.  And because of that fact, I have sinned.  I know how sin drives the Spirit away.  I know that sinning moves you further away from God.  All these things can be combated through a want and need for righteousness in my life.  I have felt the sweetness of repentance and that only makes me want to desire for righteousness more so.  As I continue to hunger and thirst after righteousness, not only will my life be happier, but the atmosphere and relationships in my family will be stronger and happier, as well.

*The Beatitudes are meant to bring us closer to our Maker.  I am so grateful for the Sermon on the Mount and how it teaches us more than happiness.  After reading the excerpts from the Institute manual and from the scriptures, I can see how each and everyone can be for our benefit in making us happier and for strengthening relationships all around.  And just like it says in verse 12, great is our reward in heaven.  I hope that I can live up to these instructions and find a great reward.

Apostles

Unit 2, Choice 3

• Review Matthew 10:1-4 and Mark 3:13-19 and highlight the names of the original Twelve Apostles.  Look up the names of three Apostles in the Bible Dictionary and write one sentence describing something you learned about each one you selected.

Matthew 10:1-4

1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphæus, and Lebbæus, whose surname was Thaddæus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Simon Peter - The Lord honored Peter by selecting him to hold the keys of the kingdom on earth and despite his weaknesses, he is shown to overcome them through Christ.
James - He was one of the inner circle of three chosen to be with Jesus on certain special occasions.
Andrew - He was a disciple of John the Baptist when he met Jesus and then brought Peter to meet Jesus.  He was one of the earliest apostles.

•   Read Acts 4:33; Doctrine and Covenants 107:23; and the entry for “Apostle” in the Bible Dictionary (p. 612).  Then, write a definition for what an Apostle is.

Apostle means "one sent forth" and is not reserved for only the original Twelve, as it means one who is called to serve and be a special witness of Christ.

•  Describe in writing how the Savior’s teachings to his Apostles in Matthew 10:5-42 prepared them to be sent out to proclaim the gospel.

Christ instructs his Apostles to go in search of lost sheep.  He tells them that there will be people who deny them and their message.  He also tells them that they are a rarity and that they will be ‘as sheep amidst wolves’.  But despite the hardships, troubles, and persecution that will come, the Spirit will speak to people and that they need not worry about what to say.  He tells them of his purpose here on the earth and tells them that he will be aware of them.  At the end, he promises them divine blessings.  I believe by telling them what to generally expect, that prepares them, as well as knowing the blessings that will come because of their service.

• Read Luke 5:1-11. Explain in writing what you learn from the responses made by Peter, James, and John to the Savior’s call.  How would you apply their actions and examples in their own life?
  
  Even though they know they are sinners and probably feel inadequate of the calling, the scriptures say they 'forsook all, and followed him'.  I can do exactly as they did and when he asks me to do something, instead of second guessing or rethinking things, I can immediately obey.