"The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also"

1. Review Luke 10:1-24. Base on these verses, write a summary of the Lord's counsel and instructions He gave the seventy.
2. Articles of Faith 1:6 states, "We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church." Using the principles taught from Luke 10: 1-2, 8-9, 17-20, write a paragraph that supports this Article of Faith.
3. Go to the Church's scripture website and read the topic of the "seventy" in the Guide to the Scriptures. Describe in one or two sentences how the scriptures show the existence of this office in the priesthood.

When the Lord appointed the 70 His goal was to strengthen his church and continue to spread the gospel. The 70 were to teach the people and rely on them for food and shelter.  They were to bring the gospel to the people. They were to heal those who had faith and help those that needed it.

As in the days of Christ we have the Quorum of the Seventy and they each has a certain area to administer to.  They have a stewardship over these people as did the Seventy in the days of Christ.  They were to heal and bless those in need and the seventy do that now as well. Then and now men with the priesthood have authority over Satan.

The scriptures show us how the Seventy serve us. They give their time and talents to helpthe gospel grow.

Becoming as little children

1. 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?
2. Read Mosiah 3:19 and list the ways in which we are to become as little children.


When we are humble we are more like little children.  The Lord says he will lead us if we are willing to become like little children.  To become as little children we need to have humility, meekness, patience, love and be submissive.  When we are able to have these qualities it brings us closer  to our Heavenly Father and he will help us through this life with the Holy Ghost.

Walking on Water

     I am really excited for this post. This is one of my favorite stories in the New Testament and I'm glad I get to look more deeply into it.  For this assignment I'm doing choice three, Matthew 14: 22-33.  This is the story of Peter walking out to the Lord on the stormy sea.  First I just want to say what faith! Oh what it would be like to have that experience. That is trusting in the Lord.  

    

    The Lord was coming to the Apostles walking on water, it must have been terrifying at first, not knowing what was going on.  Here they are in the night with the winds raging and they see a figure walking towards them, no wonder they were frightened! When the Lord reassured them Peter said "Ok cool, Lord I'm coming out to meet you." (The Emily version of his response lol) Peter obviously trusted the Lord with his life and believed in him.  When Peter looked away from the Lord that is when things went awry.  He began to fear the world and asked the Lord to save him.  The Lord responded immediately to Peter's call with a hand and a slight rebuke.  The Lord needs us to always have faith in him and to keep our hearts and minds focused on his teachings. 

     In DC 88: 67 it reads "And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you."  

      Peter had his eye on the Lord as he walked on the water and had complete faith in him until so close to the end.  My classmate, Kori Andrews said something like this, when we are so close to our goal that is when Satan is coming at us the most, trying to get us to doubt ourselves. If we look away from the Lord for just a second we can sink and fail in our quest for salvation.  If we just look to the Lord in all our doings we can do no wrong.  We just have to keep God in our hearts and minds and we will succeed. 

Parables

Choice 2: Matthew 13: 24-48. The Lord Often Taught with Parables

1.    In the Bible Dictionary read the first three paragraphs under the entry “Parables” (pgs. 740-41). In your own words, write a definition of a parable.

2.    Read the following parables: parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30); parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:47-50); 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 write the name of the parable that best answers that question.

o       What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

o       Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?

o       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?

​o       Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?

o       Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?

3.    Write answers to the following questions:

o       Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (see Matthew 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?

o       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).

A parable is a story that invokes deeper thought and has a special meaning to those who truly understand.

o       What describes the future growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

The parable that describes the growth of the church is the story of the net. As we send out missionaries they are teaching more and more people the gospel.

o       Why does the Church send out so many missionaries?

The parable that relates to this one is the parable of the tares.  The tares represent the temptations of the world and the problems we have.  The missionaries are going out to fight against the devil's temptations. 

o       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?

The mustard seed is like the church.  It started small but grew into something great and far reaching.

​o       Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrifice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the Church?

The parable that fits this is the parable of treasures and the pearl of great price.  They are willing to give up so much because they know the final rewards.

o       Why do some Church members choose to leave the Church?

                                  This is again the parable of the pearl of great price.  They are unwilling to      

                                    give up the things of the world. 

As a member of the church I am willing to give up a lot of things for this gospel.  I am working on being willing to give up everything.  I think missionaries are a prime example.  They are willing to sacrifice two years of their lives to serve others and further the gospel.  What a great sacrifice!

Finally, the net represents missionaries and the people gathered are the people who hear or except the gospel.  The separation represents the final judgment.