Feast 11 April through 15 April 2016

* Lamentations
Words to look for:
Lament - express beep sorrow or grief. Widow- a woman whose husband has either died or otherwise is gone. Tributary - obtain protection. Treacherously - cannot be trusted. Strait - narrow strip of water between two larger bodies of water. Zion - ideal nation. Solemn - serious or formal (like when we sustain a new prophet at a. Solemn assembly) Hart -  a male deer. Grevously - serious. Magnify - become larger. Vile - immoral. Wreathe - surround. Abhor - immense dislike. Thy prophets - False prophets. Banishment - force to leave. Chain mail - Protective clothing (armor). Derision - objective mocking. Subvert - secretly try to ruin. Off-scouring - Rejected of society.

Lamentations reveals Judah's pathetic condition following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. It resulted from the people sinning and disregarding the prophet's warnings. We can gain insight into the sorrow, remorse, and consequences that can accompany sin. We will learn about the compassion and mercy the Lord shows to those who turn to HIm in their sorrows. Lamentations was written by Jeremiah sometime after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. It contains sorrowful reactions to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. We know where Jeremiah was in Jerusalem or Egypt when he wrote it and that these took place during his lifetime. It is written in carefully constructed poetry, called acrostic. This means in the first four chapters the first letters of each line or verse form a meaningful sequence. These are based on the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Chapters 1, 2, and 4 each contain 22 verses, each beginning with a different Hebrew letter-n alphabetical order. Chapter 3 has 66 verses, the first three verses each begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the next three verses each begin with the second letter and so on. Chapter 5 has 22 verses but is not acrostic. Acrostic poetry gives structure and sequence to express the overwhelming grief that was felt because the events, which probably seemed chaotic, senseless, and devoid of any order. It resembles the books of Job and slams, but does not have responses from the Lors. It only has suffereing and longing for mercy by the people.
1:1-5
Jeremiah describes Jerusalem as solitary. He compares it a widow - abandoned and alone needing protection. Her freinds have become her enemies. Jerusalme is in captivity because of affliction, great servitude, and becaue of dwelling with heathens. Persecutors overtook her.
Zion is mourning and no one comes. Adversaries are in charge, enemies prosper and are afflicted because of transgression.

1:6-11
Some of the ing that happen because they choose not to listen to the Lord are:
beauty is taken from the girls, prince become homeless and weak and like harts, none help her, adversaries mock her, because of sins, honour is taken away, there is no comfort, the enemy is larger, poeople look for food so they trade pleasant things for meat. Jerusalem became a very vile place.

1:16
Increased sorrow. Lord afflicts then because of sins.

1:18
"My virgins and my young men are gone into captivity".  A loss of the rising generation.

1:19
"Mine elders gave up the ghost" they died while hunting.

1:20
"My bowels are troubled" "mine heart is turned within me" mental and spiritual anguish when we commit sin.

President Ezra Taft Benson:
"You cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible! Years of happiness can be lost in the foolish gratification of a momentary desire for pleasure. Satan would have you believe that happiness comes only as you surrender to his enticements, but one only needs to look at the shattered lives of those who violate God's laws to know why Satan is called the "Father of lies"

GEM When we sin, we will feel troubled

2:2-7
The habitations of Jacob were swallowed up and the Lord had no pity. He threw down his wrath on the daughters of Judah, they were brought to the ground, they polluted the kingdom, they were cut off in anger and He drew back his right hand, He burned against Jacob, bent His bow like an enemy and destroyed the strongholds, He increased the mourning an d lamenting of the daughter of Judah, they were violently taken away his tabernacle, cast off and abhorred his sanctuary.

2:11
The eyes do fall with tears, his bowels are troubled.

2:14
There are fals prophets so He banishes them.

GEM- Becuse the Lord is compassionate, we can find hope knowing He will help us if we seek Him

3
Jeremiah describes himself as having seen afflictions by the rod of His wrath. He describes his view of his relationship it's the Lord as: He led him, brought him into darkness-not into light, turned against him, made him old with broken bones, bulked against him, surrounded him with gall and travail in dark places, hedged him about, made his chain heavy (as chain mail for battle), shutters out his prayer, made his paths crooked, changed him, made him desolate, set him as a mark for his bow, and he was mocked by his people.

GEM - Sinful afflictions can help motivate us to urn again to the Lord
GEM - If we search the commandments and test them, they will help us know how and when to turn to the Lord



4:1-2
Jeremiah compares the people to gold and the precious sons to fine gold. ( we compared shiny pennies to older dirty pennies and how that represents sin in our lives.

4:3-6
The daughter became cruel, their children were thirsting and starving, who feed little are desolate and who raised in scarlet embrace dunghills, punishment greater thatn sodom.  ( we will tend to teach our children what we know - they need to be able to learn good ways even though we may not be able to teach them good ways. Where we grow up helps determine choices we make sometimes. WE need to look for God no matter our circumstances.

4:7-8
Nazarites description:
Purer than snow, whiter than milk, rudder than rubies and looked blue when shined. Their faces were blacker than coal and their skin lung to their bones.

GEM - When we live righteously, our lives will be better than if we choose sin

GEM - When we sin our spirits become dim, but repentance can make us shiny again

5
Their inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.  Orphans and fatherless, with their mothers as widows .  They  buy our water and wood. They  work without  rest. They  have given to the  Egyptians and Assyrians but have no bread for ourselves. Paying for the sins of our fathers. Their lives are in constant peril. Their children are being killed and they are dying. Why has God forsaken theme or so long> They are ready ready for their hearts to be turned to HIm.

Feast for 21 March through 25 March 2016

* Isaiah 54-57
Names for Christ in the block of scripture:
"Lord of Hosts," "Redeemer," "Holy One of Israel," "God of the whole earth"

Summary of Isaiah 54:1-3- Handout from "The Kindgoms of Israel and Judah at a Glance." Isaiah witnessed the scattering of the Northern Kingdom because of wickedness, prophesied that Juadh would be conquered because of wickedness, saw that after being gathered again there would be growth.

Video from LDS Gospel Library:
President Hinckley: "Bring Back Those Who are Lost" - Isaiah 54:1-3 (1:11)

Isaiah 54:4-5
Israel would forget it's shame from unfaithfulness - "the shame of thy youth" and. 'The reproach of thy widowhood," he describes Israel's condition of separation from her close covenant relationship with the Lord.

Isaiah 54:7-10 
The Lord describes His relationship with Israel as a marriage- He is the husband and Israel is the wife.
The Lord would gather them with great mercies, show everlasting kindness and mercy for them, no more floods (as in Noah's day) would come, and kindness wouldn't depart.

Elder Holland quote:
"Surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don't expect it and oftener feel they don't deserve it"

GEM - THE LORD IS MERCIFUL AND SEEKS TO GATHER BACK TO HIM THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED


Video from LDS Gospel Library:
Elder Holland: "Coe Unto Christ" - Isaiah 55:1-7 (1:27)

Isaiah 55:7
The Lord "will abundantly pardon" means He will fully forgive us.

Elder Anderson Quote:
"When we sin, we turn away from God. When we repent, we turn back toward God.
"The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to "re-turn" toward God"

GEM - IF WE RETURN TO THE LORD, THEN HE WILHAVE MERCY ON US

Isaiah 55:8-9
The Lord's ways are not man's ways.

GEM -  THE LORD IS ALL-KNOWING AND HIS WAYS ARE PERFECT

Isaiah 57:13

The blessings we receive when we trust in the Lord are that we will inherit His Holy Mountain.

* Isaiah 58
This chapter has two Scripture Masteries in it.

Isaiah 58:13-14 (Scripture Mastery)
Sabbath day and high places

Bishop Dennis talked about the words Elder Bednar spoke when visiting with the local priesthood leadership and missionaries last week. Elder Bednar said, "the Temple he church built and protects - the lord allows us to protect the sabbath"
Sustaining means support and do what is asked of us.

Sacred ordinance are saving ordinances.

Temple - consecrated, dedicated, holy, and saving ordinances are performed there. It is a sanctuary or safe place.

Sabbath - consecrated, dedicated, holy, and saving ordinances are performed then. It is a tie to learn and be taught. It is 24 hours - not just a three-hour block.

Isaiah 58:6-7 (Scriptures Mastery) 

Law of the Fast

Sabrina explained how to fast.
     start with a prayer, and have a purpose, then close with a prayer.

Fast Offering is money you would have spent on two meals for you and/or your family during the 24-hr period.


* Isaiah 59-66
The paragraph symbol is used many times in Isaiah and it lets us know Isaiah is either clarifying was he has just spoken or he is clarifying something he has previously said somewhere else. (this symbol is usually regularly throughout the scriptures)
Isaiah prophesied or events that would occur in the last days, also during and after the millennium.

Word to know:
Intercessor   someone who intervenes to help settle difference between two people or groups.

We don't have to commit a grievous or even not-so-grievous sin to stop feeling the spirit. If we stop  doing the basic things (reading our scriptures, praying, acting on promptings from the spirit, attending our Sunday meetings, and our weekday church activities, going to the Temple, etc.) we will lose th Spirit from lack of nourishment. Our physical bodies need nourishment to live. Our Spirit needs spiritual nourishment to live.

Isaiah 65:17
We don't remember the pre-existence because their is a spiritual veil over our minds.

Isaiah 59:1-2
"The Lord's Hand is not chortened" = the Lord's power to save has not decreased.

Isaiah 59:3-4,7
The people had committed many sins . . .
     Defiled with blood, fingers with iniquity, lives spoken lies, tongue muttered perverseness, none  
     called for justice, none pleaded truth, trusted in vanity, conceive mischief, feet run to evil, she'd
     innocent blood, thoughts of iniquity, wasting and destruction in their paths.

GEM - WHEN WE SIN, WE SEPARATE  OURSELVES FROM GOD

Isaiah 59:16
The Lord saw that His people needed an intercessor so He became that. 

Isaiah 59:20
The Savior's roll as our Redeemer was that He purchased our sins with His blood through the Atonement.

GEM - IF WE REPENT OF OUR SINS, THEN THE LORD WILL INTERCEDE FOR US AND REDEM US.

Isaiah 63:1-3
The red color of he Savior's garments represents the blood of the wicked who will be destroyed  when justice is poured out upon them at the Second Coming and the Millennium. It can also remind the righteous of the blood He shed on their behalf.

DURING THE MILLENNIUM THE LORD'S EOPLE WILL ENJOY HAPPINESS, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY. 

* Jeremiah 1-6
Things they hope to accomplish - graduation, and have success in life.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

Melany -  "He knew everyone"

True to the Faith
foreordination - applies to ll members

The Lord will prepare us if we are righteous.

Jeremiah 2:13
Two evils:   forsake Him                     Broken cistern

RaeLynn - "you need water like you need Jesus"

Most temples have fountains. Fountains are like living water -Christ is living water.

Jeremiah 3:12-13
Transgressed against God, backsliding.

Elder Holland: "We can change if we really want to"



 

Feast week of 14 March through 18 March 2016

* Isaiah 42-47
Children of Israel has two choices:
Trust in the Lord             OR                 Worship false gods

Messiah means the anointed

42:5-7
created heavens and spread them.

42:5
Spread forth the earth
Gave breath to people

42:6
Hold thine hand
Give light to Gentiles

42:7
 - Open blind eyes
 - Bring out prisoners
D&C 138:18-19, 30-31
 - Son of God appears in spirit prison and preached
 - commissioned of Jesus

42:16-17
 - bring the spiritually  blind by the way
 - lead them
 - make darkness light
 - crooked things straight
 - false god cause shame
Those who hearken to Christ will be healed spiritually.

43:1-5
 - created thee
 - formed thee
 - redeemed thee
 - loved thee 
 - with thee

**** Problems the students feel they have today:
     procrastination
     school
     laziness
     time
     priorities
     
44:9-10
Make graven image

44:14-20
Heweth down trees to make idols
make bread
eyes shut of knowledge and understanding

By working false gods we break off the spirit from us.


* Isaiah 48-50 
The first full chapter of Isaiah that the prophet Nephi quoted in the book of Mormon. He stated his reason for reading Isaiah to his brethren was so that he "might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their redeemer."

Some definitions from these chapters:
Sinew- a tendon which connects muscle to bone
Graven - to cut or carve something into an object so the imprint remains there permanently.
Redeem - to buy back or to deliver from captivity
Atonement - describes the setting "at one" of those who have been estranged and denotes the reconciliation of man to god. Sin is the cause of the estrangement. It is conditional, so far as each person's individual sins are concerned, and touches every one to the degree that he has faith in Jesus Christ, repents of his sins, and obeys the gospel.

 48:1, 4-5, 8
v. 1 - "Waters of Judah" refers to baptism.
Words or phrases symbolizing rebellion:
v. 4 - "an iron sinew," "brass brow," prideful people will not bend their neck in humility
v. 8 - "you hardest not," "thou knewest not,"
v. 5 - Why did he say he prophesied of events before they happen?  so the Israelites could not attribute the Lord's act to their graven images

48:9-15
The Lord told the people: "despite your wickedness, I will not abandon you."

 48:17-19
Isaiah used a river as a symbol of peace because usually rivers move calmly and running water can be soothing.
We pondered times when we hearkened to the Lord and had peace.

48:22
The wicked do not feel peace.

GEM - IF WE HEARKEN TO THE LORD'S COMMANDMENTS, THEN WE WILL HAVE PEACE

Isaiah 49
Isaiah warns the Israelites of being scattering in the future.

 49:14
They are referred to as "Zion" in this instance. They felt as though the Lord had forsaken and forgotten them.  However He had already told them He would not abandon them.
The Lord won't for any of us because He has engraved us in the palms of His hands through the crucifixion.

 49:16
Isaiah prophesied that in the latter days, the descendant of Israel would gather in great numbers. V.22-23 specifically Gentiles/non-Israelite people will assist in the  process and all people will now that He is the Savior and redeemer.

GEM - THE LORD LOVES, AND HE WILL NEVER FORGET US


50:1
(We wrote 3 Nephi 20:38 in the margin by this scripture and vise verse)

When something is sold it belongs to the person who bought the item. Through the Atonement, the Savior purchased  our souls with His blood. [1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19]  When we sin we may feel like the Savior has sold us or that He may not want us anymore. This is not true because He always wants us to return.
The Lord said, "For your iniquities have ye sold yourselves" and He meant that He had not sold them nor forsaken them but they had sold themselves into captivity by their actions.

GEM - WHEN WE SIN, WE SELL OURSELVES INTO CAPTIVITY

50:2
"When we sin, we sell ourselves for taught" means that sinning trades our freedom and happiness for something of no real value

 50:4-7
The Savior's willingness to endure the suffering involved with the Atonement is evidence of His commitment to us. At one point He asked for the cup to be removed from Him , but nevertheless not His will but Heavenly Father's will be done. Every thing He ever did was by choice for us.

GEM - THE SAVIOR HAS THE POWER TO REDEEM US BECAUSE OF HIS ATONEMENT

* Isaiah 51-52 
People make it hard to be righteous.

51:1-2
The Lord's counsel: hearken to me follow after righteousness seek the Lord.

Abrahamic Covenant - his future generations would be blessed.
As we remember our covenants and keep them . . . baptism, sacrament, remember Savior daily

GEM - AS WE REMEMBER OUR COVENANTS AND KEEP THEM, THE LORD WILL BLESS US AND COMFORT US 

Mason said,"All I need is the Lord."

Ignore when people try to mock and make fun of us. We can invite the Lord in our life by loving God's laws. if we respect commandments we'll keep them.

52:1-2 put on thy strength

GEM - WHEN WE REPENT AND COME UNTO THE LORD, HE WILL REDEEM US FROM OUR SINS 

Be that "runner' from the battlefield - be a missionary - stand tall and keep the commandments.

* Isaiah 53

Contains a prophecy of the Atonement.

Definitions from the chapter: comeliness pleasing in appearance, attractive; despise look down on with contempt or disrespect; esteem respect or affection; acquaint know personally. I also read the definition of Devil from the sealed portion of the Scriptures, which is, the Bible Dictionary and gave each them a copy of it for themselves. 

Isaiah 53

Asks two questions to begin with.

53:1

1. Who hath believe our report? We need to examine whether we believe in the testimony of he Prophet concerning the redeeming mission of Jesus Christ.

2. To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Consider whether you have experienced the redemptive power of the Savior's Atonement.

Quote 

President Joseph Fielding Smith:

Explaining: "no beauty that we should desire Him"

"There was nothing about [Jesus] so cause people to single Him out. In appearance He was like men; and so it is expressed here by the prophet that he had no form or comeliness, that is, he was not so distinctive, so different from others that people would recognize Him as the Son of God. He appeared as a mortal man"

We watched the LDS tools Old Testament video: 

"Isaiah Prophesied of Christ" (4:51)

We discussed the video. . .

GEM - JESUS CHIST BORE OUR GRIEFS AND CARRIED OUR SORROWS 

 

Quote

Elder David A. Bednar 

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

"There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever confront in morality that the Saior did not experience first. In a moment of weakness we may cry out, "No one knows what it is like. No one understands. 'But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands,  for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice (see Alma 34:14), He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us."

(this quote is also on a YouTube video titled: "Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease" (1:25)

We talked about the quote. . .

 

GEM - JESUS CHRIST SUFFERED FOR THE TRANSGRESSIONS AND INIQUITIES OF ALL SO THAT WE CAN BE FORGIVEN AND HEALED

We watched another LDS tools Old Testament video: 

President James E. Faust "Incomparable Atonement" (1:35)

We discussed the video. . . 

53:10

Jesus accomplished the Atonement for His seed (which is all those who believe the testimony of th prophets concerning His mission as the Redeemer).

* Flex Day

Scripture Mastery Bingo

Feast for 7 March through 11 March 2016

* Isaiah 17-23 We are going to see Isaiah's prophecy of the scattering of the Israel, the Ensign (which is the gospel) being raised up in the beginning of he last. Dispensation, the church's role in gathering Israel. Isaiah 17 We see a message of doom for Damascus, which is the capital of Syria) and for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. These two nations will be conquered by the Assyrian army, ad the Lord will rebuke the Assyrians and others who oppress Israel. Isaiah 18:1-3 V. 1 Where is the land Isaiah's talking about? > beyond Ethiopia in Cush. (The word Woe here may be a greeting). President Joseph Fielding Smith said a possible interpretation of "the land shadowing with wings" is a reference to the Americas. Here's how Isaiah's imagery relates to the restored Church? > land-the Americas where the restoration began > Ambassadors and messengers-can refer to apostles and missionaries who travel all over the world to spread the gospel. > ensign-a flag or banner armies gather around for barrel > trumpet-the latter day call to gather to the restored Church of Jesus Christ Isaiah 18:4-8 The lord used imagery to describe the destruction of the wicked and gathering of the righteous. Isaiah 18:7 What are the people to bring gate Lord? > a gift Background for 18:7 "The Saints are so determined to offer to the Lord a worthy gift of gathered Israel that, as the Prophet Joseph smith said, they 'have labored without pay, to instruct the United States [and now the world] that the gathering had commenced in the western boundaries of Missouri, to build a holy city, where, as may be seen in the eighteenth chapter of Isaiah, the present should "be brought unto the Lord of Hosts."' Mount Zion is identified i modern revelation as the New Jerusalem. Thus,once the Church s restored and Ephraim begins the work of gathering Israel fro their scattered and peeled condition . . . ., they can present a restored house of Jacob to the Lord as a gift that will delight Him. "The Jerusalem bible renders the phrase i Isaiah 18, 'a people terrible from their beginning,' as 'the nation always feared'; and it renders the phrase 'whose land the rivers have spoiled' as 'the country criss-crossed with rivers.' These passages seem to refer to America, where the Restoration was to take place" What would be most meaningful to the Lord? Isaiah 19 Summary- Isaiah prophesied of Egypt being smitten because of their idol worship and evil practices but they would eventually recognize their need for the Lord and turbot Him. GEM - TRUSTING IN OUR OWN STRENGTH INSTEAD OF TRUSTING IN GOD CAN LEAD US INTO SIN AND ULTIMATELY TO DESTRUCTION Isaiah 20-21 Summary- Other wicked nations would be destroyed. 2 Kings 19:32-35 Here we see that they will not be spared by the Babylonian army more than a century later. Isaiah 22:1-7 V.1 What did the people think they could depend on for protection from the Babylonian army? > weapons, fortifications that the city wall and Hezekiah's tunnel (conduit for water being diverted into the city from outside the city) > they forgot God. V.2 What did the Lord want the people to do? > repent Isaiah 22:8-14 V.13 How did the people respond? > they procrastinated their repentance (2 Nephi 28:8 - They believe they can do whatever they want.) ***Why do you think Satan is successful in promoting this idea that people are entitled to seek pleasure and commit sin without being concerned about the consequences of their actions? Background on 22:22-25 "Isaiah made a symbol of Shebna's replacement, Eliakim. His name means God shall cause to arise.' anticipating the Savior, who holds the 'key of the house of David' but was fastened 'as a nail in a sure place' until the burden of the Atonement was complete. Upon Him rests 'all the glory of his father's ouse.' Isaiah recommended depending on Him for everlasting security. "The 'nail in a sure place' is messianic and symbolizes the terrible reality of the cross, though only a part of the total suffering of the lord that caused Him to 'tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit'. Just as the nail of the cross that was driven in the sure place, for He has given them power so that none need be lost. As Christ brings the redeemed to the father, the glory becomes His own, and he redeemed to the father, the glory becomes part of the family of heaven under the throne of Christ." Isaiah 23 Summary Isaiah prophesied that the coastal city of tre, located in modern-day Lebanon, would slap be destroyed. GEM - WE CAN BE SAVED ONL IF WE ABANDON THE THINGS OF THE WORLD AND FOLLOW THE SAVIOR. GEM - JESUS CHRIST HOLD THE KEY OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID AND THE KEYS OF SALVATION FOR ALL MANKID * Isaiah 24-28 Has the Lord ever asked us to wait for something? Finish High School, finish College, opportunities, answers, marriage, children Isaiah 24 We see the destruction of the wicked at the 2nd Coming. Isaiah 25:1-5 We see the celebrating of righteousness. What has the Lord been to the people? > I will praise thy name > strong people glorify thee > strength in the storm > shadow from the heap > strength to the poor Isaiah 6-8 We see what the Lord does: > feast of fat things > feast of wines on lees > swallow up death with comfort Isaiah 25:9 People will say in the millennium > this is the Lord - I've been waiting GEM - IF WE WAIT FOR THE LORD, THEN WE CAN RECEIVE HIS SALVATIOIN AND REJOICE Elder Robert D. Hales said: "In the the scriptures, the word wait means to hope, to anticipate, and to trust. To hope and trust in the Lord requires faith, patience, humility, meekness, long-suffereing, keeping the commandments, and enduring to the end." Isaiah 26-27 Isaiah testifies that we can trust in the Lord forever Isaiah 28:10-13 Talks of apostasy Joseph Smith: "We should have wisdom a little at a time." (Like going up a ladder one rung at a time) Isaish 28:15-16 Chidlren of Israel didn't think they needed God. Build on a stone: > a tried stone > precious corner stone > a sure foundation * Isaiah 29 Prophecy of the Book of Mormon The Great Apostacy is referred to in Isaiah 29:9-10 as when the Lord withdrew the authority and keys of His priesthood from the earth. He said it would occur after the death of the Savior and His Apostles and over time people would change many gospel principles and ordinances, and alter the organization of the Savior's Church. Why are there so many different Christina churches if they all believe in the Bible? > they all interpret the Bible and Christ's doctrine differently How can we know the Lord's true doctrine when there are so many ways io interpret the Bible? > Isaiah 29 prophecies and supports the Book of Mormon. GEM - DURING A PERIOD GREAT APOSTASY, PEOPLE WERE WITHOUT DIVINE DIECTION FROM LIVING PROPHETS AND APOSTLES Isaiah 29:1-14 The Lord said He would deliver the truth to the unlearned to overcome the effects of the Apostasy. The unlearned he spoke of was Joseph Smith. The Marvelous work and wonder Isaiah prophesied about is the Book of Mormon President Russell M. Nelson said: "Isaiah foresaw that do would do 'a marvellous work and a wonder' in the latter days . . . . That marvelous work would include the coming forth of the Book of Mormon nod the Restoration of the gospel." GEM - THE RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL, INCLUDING THE COMING FORTH OF THE BOOK OF MORMON, IS A MARVELOUS WORK THAT CORRECTS FALSE TEACHINGS AND COUNTERS THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD Isaiah 29;15-17 The Book of Mormon would come forth when people seek to hide their works from God, and don't acknowledge His hand in their lives. Isaiah 29:22-24 V.22 Jacob's posterity in the latter days (the"house of Jacob" is the lord's covenant people - us) V.23 "fear the God of Israel" means to ave reverence and respect for God and HIs covenants, not be scared to death of Him. GEM - IF WE STUDY THE BOOK OF MORMON, IT CAN HELP UP TO HAVE JOYM REVERE GOD, AND UNDERSTAND TRUE DOCTRINE * Isaiah 30-35 Following "For the Strength of Youth" will help you be and stay worthy of entering the Temple. 30:1-3,7 Tells how the people rebelled: - they trust in Pharoah more than God Melany was reminded of Lot's wife turning to salt. 30:9-11 The parents are teaching children, but not righteous things. Elder Holland Quote: "Unfortunately, messengers of divinely mandated commandments are often no more popular today than they were in anciently. . . . "Sadly enough, . . . It is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don't rock the boat but don't even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds" 30:12-14 If we continue to reject God we get punished. Melany: "If you're not following the prophet then you aren't really following anything." 30:15 Repentance brings safety - repentance will save us. 32-33 Something to think about . . . If you were to stand in front of God would you feel worthy? 32 - Prophecy of millenial reign of Jesus Christ 33:10-13 Prophecies of wicked people 33:14 Estuardo said: "People will "freak out" at the Second Coming" 33:15-16 Melany said it reminds her of the 3 monkeys: "see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil" President Uchtdorf said he keeps a pocket-sized copy of For the Strength of Youth right next to his Temple Recommend. This way he knows that if he is following it to his best abilities he is worthy of entering the Temple. * Isaiah 36-41 Learning how to build trust in the Lord. 36-39 Isaiah told the people of Judah they would be saved form the Assyrian army if they trusted the Lord. They followed the counsel and were spared, but then Isaiah prophesied the Babylonians would eventually capture and plunder Jerusalem. 40:1-2 Isaiah's purpose was to comfort the people by prophesying of the coming of Christ. 40:3-5 We were taught that we need to prepare for the Second Coming, remembering who prepared and taught the people about Jesus original coming prior to Jesus' baptism. > John the baptist. Isaiah used imagery to represent the Lord and man in the following scriptures. 40:6-8 the grass > the people; flower > leading to Christ 40:10-11 the Lord will the lead the people as a shepherd 40:12-15 balance us in His hands and the people are as a drop in a bucket 40:22-25 the people weren't rooted until the knew Christ.

Feast for 29 February through 4 March 2016

* Isaiah 1-2 Background on Isaiah - served as prophet for 40 years and is the most quoted prophetic scriptures. Parallelism - Heaven and earth listen. Imagery - v.3 1:5-9 Compares to bad Israelites 1:13-15 The Lord doesn't bless our grudging actions. 2:1-5 temples are established no fighting between nations * Isaiah 3-5 v.1-7 physical destruction and spiritual death Melany: "don't be a farmer" Nathan:"I try not to pay attention to my feelings and go with what's right" * Isaiah 6-9 First of all, up to this point Isaiah is not a prophet. 6:1-4 - v.1 Isaiah saw God, and he also saw the Lord's train filed the entire room. He saw a six-winged seraphim which was an angelic being (part human). 6:5 - He felt unclean in the presence of the Lord because he was overwhelmed by the sins of the people. 6:6-7 - Coal was taken as a symbol of cleansing. The seraphim said that Isaiah's sins were symbolic of peoples' sins and he had to be purged from those sins. 6:8 - Isaiah called to be prophet. 6:9-10 - The people rejected the message? they made their hearts fat and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes (they hardened their heart) 6:13 - Teil trees (this is an old names for lime trees that stand alone in a a ravine or on a hill), Abloom was hanging from an oak tree. GEM - AS WE ARE FORGIVEN OR OUR SINS, WE BECOME MORE WILLING TO DO WHAT GOD ASKS US 7:3; 8:1; 8:18 - Isaiah named his sons Shear-jashub and Maher-shalal-hash-baz (which is the longest word in the scriptures). Their names mean: Maher-shalal-hash-baz - (1)to speed to the spoil (destruction) (2) he hastens (3)destruction is imminent Shear-jashub - The remnant shall return. Isaiah - (1) The Lord is salvation (2) Jehovah saves Isaiah 9:12,17,21 Isaiah repeated the phrase > "His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still." This means God punishes for our wrong doings but also gives mercy trough the Atonement. If the people would turn to Him He was available to them. GEM - IF WE REPENT, THE LORD IS WILLING TO EXTEND HIS MERCY TO US AND FORGIVE US GEM - THE JUSTICE OF GOD DEMANDS PUNISHMENT FOR SIN, BUT THE ATONEMENT BRINGS THE PLAN OF MERCY TO APPEASE THE DEMANDS OF JUSTICE * Isaiah 10-16 During the Millennium Satan will be retrained. Ensign - an everlasting covenant in this dispensation. Joseph Smith restored the gospel. 11:11-12 Stem - House of Jesse (Jesus Christ)(Jesus was of the House of David) Rod - a servant (Joseph Smith) Roots - descendent of Jesse GEM - THE RESTORED CHURCH IS AN ENSIGN TO GATHER THE SCATTERED ISRAEL BACK TO THE GOEPSL OF JESUS CHRIST 13 - a similitude of the 2nd Coming GEM - WHEN THE LORD COMES AGAIN HE WILLD DESTROY THE WICKED, AND BE MERCIFUL TO HIS PEOPLE AND GIVE THEM REST

Feast for 22 February through 26 February 2016

* Psalm 119, 127, 140, 144, 141, 143, 144, 145 Psalm 119 There are 8 verses for each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Precepts are commandments or teachings.Synonymous for God's words:testimonies, statues, last or ordinances, ways. Quiver- holds arrows for an archer. In this psalm: Blessed means happy. Undefiled means we are free of sin. The word is hidden in his heart. He will meditate and eight in the statutes, not forgetting. Symbolic expressions are riches, gold , sliver, and fine gold; Counsellor; path of commandment; statutes are songs; sweeter than honey; lamp unto my feet. GEM - As we study the word of God, we ca receive guidance for our lives Psalm 127 Vanity can cause us to be up late and was to sleep sleep sleep - it is synonymous with selfishness. Children are like arrows in a quiver for an archer. GEM - Children are gifts from God and can bring great peace Psalm 140 David asks for deliverance, to be preserved, and kept. GEM - As we pray with sincerity and truth, H will be near us Psalm 141 He doesn't want to e inclined to do evil. Psalm 142 He wants the Lord to be his refuge, to attend and deliver him, and to bring his soul out of prison. GEM - If we love God, He will spiritual preserve us Psalm 143 "Cause him to hear;" "Cause hims to know;" "Deiver him" Psalm 144 He doesn't want to be around children whoa re vain or lie. Psalm 145 The Lord is with those wo pray to Him. He preserves the good and destroys the wicked. * For our Flex Day we played Bible Apples to Apples * Proverbs 1-9 Many brief but wise statements on how to live a good life are in Proverbs. Some are attributed to Solomon. He was considered an author of many of the proverbs. think of Proverbs as a library of the wisdom of the Israelites. Some of the are deeply spiritual, but some don't rise above worldly wisdom. Many of them come from oral traditions that existed before Solomon''s time. Proverbs 1:1-4 Purpose of proverbs is to provide wisdom, instruction and understanding. Fear or reverence for the Lord is beginning of knowledge. President David O. McKay "Reverence is profound respect mingled with love . . . . [One writer] says it is 'the highest of human feelings' . . . . "Reverence embraces regard, deference, honor, and esteem" Proverbs 1:7 It is possible to have knowledge with out wisdom because Knowledge is something we gain and Wisdom is how we use the knowledge. GEM - Reverence for the Lord and His teachings will cause us to gain knowledge and wisdom President David O. McKay "Gaining knowledge is one thing, and applying it [is] quite another. Wisdom is the right application of knowledge, and true education - the education for which the Church stands - is the application of knowledge to the development of a noble and Godlike character" GEM - It we seek wisdom, then we can avoid sin and enjoy happiness and peace Proverbs 3:5-7 We should rust the Lord will all our heart. Elder Richard G. Scott "Our Father in Heaven has invited you to express your needs, hopes, and desires unto Him. That should not be done in a spirit of negotiation, but rather as a willingness to obey His will no matter what direction that takes. His invitation, 'Ask, and ye shall receive' does not assure that you will get what you want. It does guarantee that if worthy, you will get what you need, as judges by a Father that loves you perfectly, who wants your eternal happiness even more than do you" GEM - If we trust in the lord with all our heart, then He will direct our paths Proverbs 6:16-19 The six things the Lord hates . . . a proud look, a lying tongue, shedding innocent blood, wished heart, swift to do mischief, soweth discord. * Proverbs 10-31 the class gave ultra mini lessons: ESTUARDO 11:17 Doing good gives peace. 11:19 Pursue righteousness. The W.O.W. will keep us healthy. Follow the Lord and don't be prideful. HAILEY 12:22 Don't lie. 28:13 Sinning causeth not to prosper. NATHAN 17:17-22 Dn't search for fights. Negativity can such the life out of us. 23:7 As we think, that is how we are. EMILY 13:7, 20 All riches don;t necessarily make us rich. 29:18 If we deep the commandments we can be happy. MASON 18:10-12 Lord is always there for us. 24:1-2 Don't be envious. MELANY 20:1 Winde is bad. RAE LYNN 22:6 Train up s child to do what's right. 30:5 Word of God is pure. Trust God. CINDY 10:4 A person can be poor because of hard work and laziness. 25:21-22 Be kind to enemies and be blessed. SABRINA 15:26 Thoughts of doing wicked are begins of doing wicked things. 21:25 Work is important. 27:1-2 We don't know what tomorrow will bring. Wisdom is more valuable than riches - family, Lord, love. Proverbs 31:10 A virtuous woman. Clean thoughts. Emily - "the Lord is always listening and watching." President Packer - "Your mind is like a stage win a theatre." * Ecclesiastes; Song of Solomon Ecclsisates is a Greek translation of the Hebrew Koheleth, which means preacher. It contains reflections on some of the deepest problems in life. The author describes himself as "son of David, King of Jerusalem." It seems to permeate with pessimistic flavr but must be read in light of it's "worldly point of view" Vanity in this book means "transitory" or fleeting." Everything is temporary - nothing is permanent. The most spiritual part of this book is chapter 11 and 12. 1:1-3 In life everything is temporary. 1:8 We never have enough of anything. "All is vanity" and "under the sun" = everything is empty, temporary or meaningless using mortality. 2:1-3 The preacher pursued amusement, pleasure and laughter through drinking. 2:11 HIs works were in vain - to no avail. 3:1-8 To everything there is a season. 11:9-10 Be careful of your choices. walk away from sin. 12:1-7 Everyone dies and will decay and return to the earth. Death quote: "Death does not change our personality or our desires for good or evil. Those who chose to obey God in this life live in state of happiness, peace, and rest from troubles and care. Those who chose not to obey in this life and did not repent live in state of unhappiness. In the spirit world the gosple is preached to those who did not obey the gospel or did not have the opportunity to hear it while on the earth. We remain in he spirit world until we are resurrected. GEM - Although we experience physical death, our spirits continue to live and will return to God Song of Solomon Joseph Smith Translation: It is uninspired. Elder Bruce R. McConkie said of Song of Solomon: "It is Biblical Trash"

Feast 16 February through 19 February 2016

* Job
The Book of Job narrates the afflictions that came to a righteous man and discusses the moral problems such sufferings present. It doesn't entirely answer the question as to why Job or anyone might suffer the loss of his/her goods. It is clear that affliction doesn't mean a person has sinned. It suggests that affliction may be for experience, discipline and/or instruction, and not for punishment. Job's assurance that the resurrection and his testimony of the Redeemer are one of the hight points of the book. It was essential for Job to have a correct knowledge of God, and know that his life course was acceptable to God. We see his unfailing faith in his statement, "Though He slaps me, 'yet I will trust Him."
Job was a wealthy man, but when he lost everything - instead of cursing God h tore his clothes, shaves his head, and  worshipped.

We watched the Bible stories video of Job.
Here are the highlights of Job . . .
Job 1
Word or phrase that describes Job - perfect (faith) and upright. He feared ad avoided evil. Satan said if God removed the protection around Job - Job would curse God. God gave Satan reign to do whatever h wanted to Job except harming Job.

Job 2
Job curses that day he was born. His wife encourages him to "curse God and die." His friends - Eliphaz (Tamanite), Bildad (Shuhite), and Zophar (Naamathite), came to mourn with Job and comfort him 7 days and 7 nights.

GEM - We can choose to have with in God even in the midst of our trials

Job 8-13
Eliphaz: you must have sinned.
Bildad: you must have done something wrong, God helps the good.
Zohar: you say you're good but God sees to be punishing you for something. Did you sin? He is confused about the trials. Job will always trust God.

GEM - Trials and difficulties come to the righteous as well as the wicked,  and we may not know why - we must continue to trust the Lord

Job 17-19
Job thinks he is getting ready to die when he is cursed with boils. He asks how much longer? He says, "my friends are grossed out to look at me." "After my skin the worms destroy this body - in the grave"

GEM - Because of Jesus' resurrection we will be resurrected and this knowledge can give us hope during our trials

Job 23
If we turn to the Lord in our afflictions, then . . . He strengthens us.
Our trials can . . . refine us.
Our trials can  . . . soften our heart.

GEM - If we turn to the Lord during trials, then He will strengthen us, refine and purify us, and help soften our hearts

Job 38
V.3 - The Lord asked Job to answer Him. To consider where he was during the creation of the earth and who created the earth. Who were the "sons of God?" The council in Heaven. Job acknowledged that God knows all things and is all powerful; that he had heard of Him but now could see Him. Job was greatly blessed with more than he had before, including 10 ore children.

GEM - We lived with Heavenly Father before birth and rejoiced for His plan of happiness
             
             Remaining faithful during our trials will help Heavenly Father bless us according to His           
             will

** Psalms [Part 1 - (1, 9, 22:7-8, 16, 18; 31:5; 34:20; 69:21); 23)]
Psalms at the top of the page simply means a group of songs or poems.
Psalm and the beginning of each chapter means the individual poem or song.
Selah - (1) an ancient capital of Edomites. Afterwards known as Petra. (2) A musical term that occurs 71 times in the book of Psalms.
Rod - a shepherd's Rod was a club approximately 3 ft. Long with a knob on one end and was used to beet away wolves.
Staff - sometimes a rod, is longer and was used for walking, resting, or for guiding the sheep
Shepherd's Crook - not only does th Shepherd's crook serve as a walking stick, but it may also serve a significant function because it is normally wide enough to fit around the neck of a sheep or goat, allowing a herder to catch a animal that is trying and reroute them in a different direction.
Reading and pondering Psalms can bring you closer to God and help you feel His love

Psalm 1
Blessed is the and that delights in the law of the Lord.

Psalm 9
Will praise the Lord with his whole heart and rejoice. Those that know God's name and trust Him will not be stranded by God. The Lord will strengthen us.

Psalm 22:1, 7-8, 16, 18;  31:5;  34:20;  69:21 (the events leading up to the Crucifixion of Christ. We watched the video of the Crucifixion from Bible videos)
What are your feelings about the video? Keep in mind that although tradition was that the legs were broken to insure the prisoner was dead, Jesus' legs were not broken because He was the Lamb without blemish.

GEM - Prophesies of Jesus Christ's suffering and death were given before He was born and have been fulfilled.


Psalm 23 -  The Lord is My Shepherd
1-4 Teaches how the lord can help us when we experience difficulties. This is widely regarded as one of the most beloved scripture passages in the Bible. It is a poem with vivid images and symbols. The Lord if compared to a Shepherd. He taketh me to lie down in green pastures, leadeth me beside still waters, restoreth my soul, leadeth me in path of righteousness.
5-6  Jesus changes from shepherd to host as He "prepares a table before me" "anointed my head with oil" "my cup runneth over"

GEM - If we trust in the Lord, He will lead and care for us

* Esther
Becomes queen and pleads for the Jews to be protected basically.

* Psalms 24, 33, 51

Psalm 24
Be worthy to go to the temple. Pure heart means good intentions as well.
Elder Bednar: "The atonement provides cleansing and redeeming"

The natural man is an enemy of God. Natural man is the lustful side ion man.

Palm 33
Love of God and the creation of earth.

Psalm 51
Good - David became king, played the harp, killed the Goliath,was a shepherd.
Bad -  murdered Bathsheba's husband by sending him to the front lines during war. Laid with Bathsheba after lusting for her.
We will be in our prime in the spirit world.

 A broken heart and a contrite spirit is the ultimate repentance.