For overcoming petty murmurings in small matters, or at church meetings, I feel that the advice in Phillipians 2 is very telling. Each of us has things that bother us. In an imperfect world, there are tons of issues everywhere, both great and small, but look how Joseph Smith handled each issue. When a problem came along, he took it in stride, even enduring tar and feathering without murmuring, but abiding by the gospel. Is it so hard for us to do that? We can each pass over the little things without murmuring, and even great affairs can be dealt with in a loving and understanding fashion. It is the classis difference between acting, and reacting.

Many youth feel their parents testimony is sufficient. I do not. It is not hardly enough to rely on the strength of another person. Aren’t we all living individual lives? Do people think God will let them coast along, so at the end of their lives they could say, it wasn’t my own work that saved me, but mother’s or father’s? No, I think that as the scriptures say, we must work out our own salvation as stated in Phillipians 2:12. How many have fallen because their testimony was questioned? If it was based on their father’s testimony, then ask yourself this question: would your father have fallen under pressure? If not, then why did you, if you were confident his testimony was enough for you?

In Phillipians 4:13 it states that all things may be accomplished in Christ. For those who are frightened to give up family fellowship for the gospel, we have to look at what we give, to get. We give up some of our dearest fellowship, maybe all the fellowship we have ever known. In exchange, we receive the grace and forgiveness of God, and He in turn gives us all things. One day, we will receive our families again, even those who turned away from us, if we are faithful. So why not be faithful? In Phillipians 3:7-16 we see that nothing in this life has lasting value, for to God, this world’s values are valueless. What you fear to lose, is far less than what you stand to gain.

The words in 2 Nephi 32:3 essentially state that the writings and words of Jesus Christ are a roadmap to what we should do in life. If that is so, then this writing assignment discusses methods of answering difficult life issues by going to the words of Christ and feasting upon them, searching for those answers in the writings of the scriptures. By searching the scriptures for answers, we know we are led along the right path, just as listening to the prophets counsel is the same as feasting on the word of God.

Romans 12-16. Live As Saints Should Live

1. In Romans 13:11 the thing that is “nearer” is our salvation, through ministering to our fellow men. In order to continue working out our salvation we must speak up and share the gospel, and not be afraid to be a support to our fellow saints and beings, so that the blood of this generation will not be required of us.
2. The things we need to do to achieve salvation according to Paul include: offering our whole bodies unto God as a sacrifice, or an offering, becoming spiritually reborn, and loving others with real love, eschewing evil and valuing good. We must also have charity, avoid pride and vanity, do not give in to wicked desires, have no other God but one, use our given powers for the good of all, avoid all debt save the love of our fellow being, and lastly keep all the commandments and show love to our neighbor.
3. Paul cautioned that how we judge is easily prone to error, and especially when judging other men, we should avoid it, for we are all God’s children, and only God can really judge, for everything we judge is already judged of God. Why risk being terribly wrong? Oftentimes, we have different insights and opinions that lead to disagreements and even estrangement. When this happens we need to remember that most importantly, at the end of the day, only God’s opinions and views will matter. Whatever we make of it, it has no value unless it shares its view with God. In Doctrine and Covenants 38 it reads that we should esteem our brothers as equals with us, and that we should all be one. This seems to preclude judging each other, except as we would judge ourselves.
4. In the chapters of Romans 14 and 15 it shows that Paul is discussing charity to the saints at Jerusalem, and throughout this writing he often referred to the church members as saints, and that we ought to succor one another as good saints should. A saint is also a member of Zion, meaning one in heart, and the saints should also be one in heart.

Romans 1: The Gospel of Christ is The Power of God Unto Salvation

For this assignment, I draw upon some past observations to help answer this question. First, when speaking of Jesus Christ as the heir to the throne of David, he was rightfully so through his mother’s lineage being descended directly through King David’s line. Joseph’s lineage would only reinforce this thought, and if anyone disputed it through the male line it would have been equally relevant to still say he was the rightful King. But even further, as the son of the eternal God, Israel is God’s people, and God is truly their king beyond the line of earthly kings (after all, they only had judges early on, and God was seen as the true King). In that sense, Jesus is more truly King of Israel being both the earthly king, and the King by being God also and thus establishing multiple lines of legitimacy. John 10:17-18 points out that being immortal, only Christ had truly the power to resurrect, and initiate that resurrection for the rest of mankind.

Paul felt that the gospel of Christ was a blessing, and something not to be ashamed of, a blessing unto salvation. He felt it was for all people, but clarified that it was for the Jew first, and the Greek second distinguishing that there was a difference in when it would be receieved. In reviewing Pauls words, I think we too can be unashamed of the Gospel of Christ by being willing to discuss it no matter where we are. Paul felt it was for all people, and what is more important in each daily life than the Gospel? So many say it’s not politically correct to talk about those things, but really that’s an excuse to avoid talking about a difficult subject that many try every day without true success to block out.

The sins mentioned of Paul that people who are reprobate include: fornication/adultery, envy, murder, debate?, deceit, vengeful, boasters/prideful people, disobedient to parents, ignorant, without natural affection, covenant breakers, and the stubborn. Of all these sins, every one is present in our society today! I found debate to be interesting: why should a person who debates all the time be wicked? Perhaps it refers to constantly challenging the system, like how Congress may get stuck over trying to change laws for the worse all the time, or trying to force your own views on others? The people came to be this way according to the scriptures because they chose to accept lies as truths desiring it to be so, and further, and since they refused to remember God, the Lord allowed them to forget Him, so they could become what they desired. Also, they were highly vain, and allowed their pride to continue this way.

I believe where it says they worshipped the creature more than God, they are referring to how they emphasized the love of the flesh over the spirit itself, or spiritual things. I think they failed to consider spirituality as important, and placing emphasis on personal and physical freedom deluded themselves into thinking an abhorrent lifestyle was acceptable to live.

God Comforts Us in Tribulation

2 Corinthians 1:4; 11-12

1. How were Paul and Timothy able to avoid despair despite being troubled, perplexed, persecuted and cast down?

The Lord comforts us during our times of tribulation, so that we may be able to comfort others during their times of tribulation also. When we comfort others during their times of tribulation, we too are comforted. All things that happen to us are for our sakes and for this cause we shall not faint, though our outward many may perish, our souls are renewed day by day.

2. How can the teachings in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 help during our own tribulations?

(See also D+C 121:7-8).

Our affliction is only for a moment but worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

We should look at the things which are not seen rather than the things which are seen. For the things that are seen are temporal and the things which are not seen are eternal.

3. Similarities between the life of Paul and the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith:

Paul had spiritual weakness of which he was constantly troubled, as well as some physical weakness such as malaria, serious beatings, epilepsy and a serious eye infection. Paul referred to himself as “having been given a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). This meant that Paul was constantly troubled about his spiritual well-being. Joseph Smith also suffered physical pain from persecution and also, at times, worried about his spiritual wellbeing. Joseph Smith said, “I feel, like Paul, to glory in my tribulation”. Despite all their hardships, Paul and Joseph Smith believed that the Lord would help them prevail and triumph over all their enemies and they did.

4. What role does grace play in helping us to overcome our tribulations?

The grace of the Lord can make our strength perfect during times of weakness. Through the power of the Lord, we can be exalted during times of trial and tribulation. The Lord shows us our weaknesses, that we may know that it is by His grace that we have the power to overcome our weaknesses and trials. The Lord gives us trials so that he is able to show us our weaknesses. The Lord gives us weakness so that we may learn to be humble. The Lords grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before the Lord and if we humble ourselves before the Lord and have faith, then the Lord will make weak things become strong before Him.

5. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

How did the Lord answer Paul’s prayer?

The Lord answered Paul’s prayer during his time of tribulation by comforting him. The Lord reassured Paul that His grace was with Paul and that during Paul’s trials, he will be perfected and made strong. Paul said that he will now start to take pleasure in his infirmities and persecutions because he knows that the Lord will make him strong enough to bare them. We should all be like Paul and bare our trials and tribulations as something that will benefit us in the long run, instead of begrudging them. As in Mosiah, the voice of the Lord came to the people of Alma during their times of affliction saying, “lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage”. The Lord promises us that if we keep the covenants that we have made with Him, the He will make our burdens light, that we won’t even be able to feel them upon our backs. The Lord does this so that we can stand as a witness of Him, that he does visit and comfort His children during their afflictions. The people of Alma did submit cheerfully to their afflictions and did carry them with patience. We learn, by example, from Paul and the people of Alma how to endure our trials well.