Teaching: 2 Peter 2

The characteristics of false teachers as described by Peter

deny the Lord                                        shall speak evil of the truth                         covetousness
filthy conversation                                  walk after the flesh                                     lust of uncleannes
despise government                                presumtious                                              self willed
speak evil of things not understood         pleasure to riot                                           adultery
words of vanity    
                            
This list will help me to avoid false teachings in the world today.  We can tell who is a follower of Christ by their actions.  If someone were to do any of the list above then they are not following Christ.


In 2 Peter 2:20-22 and D&C 82:3,7 it talks about those that have received Christ in their life and have turned away from it and returned to their way of life before.  These scriptures state that it would have been better if they had not known the truth then to have know it and turned from it.  As we lose the light of Christ and lose the right to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, I think it become harder to choose the right and the resist temptations.  When we are followers of Christ be don't want anything to do with sin.
As a disciple of Christ we are expected to follow the commandments and
to follow the Savior in all things.

1 Peter 1-5: A "Peculiar People"

Chosen generation: Elder Bruce R. McConkie defined a chosen generation as “not those living in a particular period or age, but … the house of Israel both anciently, in the meridian of time, and now in these latter-days. … [It includes] faithful members of the Church who have taken upon themselves the name of Christ and been adopted into his family” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 3:294).

Royal priesthood:  Christ is the king of all those he calls his own-those who are mad royal by virtue of holding and honoring his priesthood.  Bruce R McConkie says " Whenever the Lord has a people on the earth he offers to make them a nation of kings and priests- not a congregation of lay members with a priest or a minister at the head- but a whole Church in which every man is his own minister, in which every man stands as a king in his own right, reigning over his own family-kingdom.  The priesthood which makes a man a king and a priest is this a royal priesthood" (McConkie, DNTC, 3:294)

Holy nation: A holy nation is also a phrase that requires definition and detail. Holiness in its Hebrew root means dedication, loyalty and an ability to break down the barriers of society that oftentimes prevent us from achieving spiritual satisfaction and nobility of purpose. A holy nation must therefore mean a nation that is able to retain its unique identity. It cannot be swallowed up by the prevailing and ever changing majority cultures that will always surround it.

Holiness requires the ability to care for everyone while remaining apart from everyone at one and the same time. Holiness refers to the body and not just to the soul and the spirit. It speaks to discipline and order, self-control and resisting impulse. The great challenge here is to instill these virtues and traits of character and behavior in an entire nation and not only in a few special chosen, extraordinary individuals. (Rabbi Berel Wein, Torah.org)

Peculiar people:  Peculiar as used in the King James version comes from the Latin peculim, meaning "private property".  Though today it has come to mean "strange or unusual", it carries the same idea - a characteristic or quality belonging to something.  It means that the Saints are God's own.  President Joseph Fielding Smith added: "And we will be a peculiar because we will not be like other people who do not live up to these standards" (CR, Apr. 1971 p. 47)

The price paid to help us become God's "peculiar people" was the blood of the perfect Christ.  He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for our sins and when we accept Christ and repent then we can become God's people.  (1 Peter 1:18-19; Mosiah 3:7)

When followed, this list will help us to remain God's "peculiar people". (1 Peter 1:13-25; 2:1-17; 3:10-11; 4:8; 5:6-8)
hope to the end                    obedient                       holy in conversation                   call on the Father
purify our souls                     love our brethren          love one another                        baptism
lay aside malice                    no hypocrisy                 no evil speaking                         spiritual sacrifices
believe on Him                     abstain from lust           honesty                                       submit to ordinances
honor men                           fear God                       seek peace                                love life
charity                                  be humble                   be vigilant
 
The Family Proclamation states that "By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.  Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.  In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners."  In 1 Peter  3:1-12, three principles that relate are...
First: Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, (vs 7) Husbands should teach their families.
Second:  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing (vs 9).  We should not have contention within the marriage.
Third:  Be ye of one mind, having compassion one of another (vs 8).  We are a team in marriage and in our families.

Hebrews:13

I am in London and Paris this week and wanted to make this a little more interesting. At the beginning of this trip, I read the questions for this assignment to my niece and daughter.  Our adventure was to find the answers in the history of London.

How should we treat strangers and those in bondage?

London has a rich history of good kings and queens and then horrible tyrants.  Their history is riddled with jealousy, wars, and putting those who were a threat to the crown in captivity.
The king of Scotland was incarcerated for 16 years.  He was allowed to leave when he wanted and even given hunting dogs.  He was not allowed to go further than 21 miles away from the Tower of London.  Then there were other horrible examples of torture and unjust treatment.

White Tower at the London Tower, London England

In vs 3.  It says we should treat others with compassion.  This does not mean to trust everyone and to be taken advantage of.  We need to use common sense but we can also be kind.

How is marriage looked upon?

The royal weddings are looked upon with great amazement and admiration.

In vs 4:  Marriage is looked upon honorably

What warnings are given about covetousness?

I was amazed at how many people were killed because they were considered a threat to the crown.  Many of the stories were very sad.
In vs 5.  Be content for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.

What is the same yesterday, and today, and forever?

vs 8.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever

How are we sanctified?

vs 12.  We are sanctified through Christ's blood and by His suffering

How do we respond to those that rule over us?

It seems that the general people in London love their Queen.  We happened to be there when the Queen was arriving at Westminster Abby.  The people lined the street.

Buckingham Palace in London, England

vs 17.  We obey and submit ourselves to those who rule over us.

Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?

The Anglican Church built St. Paul's Cathedral to honor Paul.  This is not what Paul asked for.  Instead of praying for Paul, the people pray to Paul.

St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England

vs. 18.  Paul asked us to pray for him so that he could return to be with the people.

Titus 1-3: Epistle of Obedience

1.  Paul converted Titus (vs. 1:4).  Paul then sent Titus to Corinth with a letter (2 Cor. 7:6-7, 13, 15).  Titus then returned to Paul in Macedonia and was again sent to Corinth..  At the conclusion of Paul's first imprisonment at Rome, Titus joined him in Ephesus, and they went together to Crete.  Titus remained in Crete where he received a letter with Paul's instructions to set things in order and ordain elders.   Later Titus was sent on a mission to Dalmatia (2 Tim 4:10)

2.  The attributes of a Bishop as listed in Titus 1:6-9 & 1 Timothy 3:1-7

   blameless                                           lover of hospitality
   steward of God                                  sober
   not selfwilled                                     just                      
   not soon to anger                               holy
   not given to wine                                temperate
   no striker                                          hold fast the faithful word
   not given to filthy lucre                       good report
   husband of one wife                           apt to teach
   not covetous                                      ruleth well in his own house
   not lifted up with pride

3.  List of problems Paul found with the Cretans

   liars                                                 evil beasts
   slow bellies (idle bellies)                     false teachers
   greed                                               avariciousness (greedy or covetousness)

   The name Creatan became synomymous with dishonesty
   Their reputation for lying became so commonly known that the name became both a verb and a noun.  (kretidzein, meaning "to speak like a Cretan or to lie")  (kretismos, literally "Cretan behavior" which equaled lying)
    Slow bellies or idle bellies, carries the idea of lazy gluttony that leads to extreme obesity.


4. Titus 2-3
     2:1   Paul encourages Titus to speak of all men.

     Paul said that sound doctrine would affect aged men to be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience (vs 2).  Aged women, that their behavior becometh holiness, not false accuser, not given to wine, teachers of good things (vs 3)

     This applies to the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands (vs. 4-5)  Young men likewise.  (vs 6).  pattern of good works, in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech. (vs 8)
   
     The counsel that Paul give can help us be patient with new members of the church.  We need to give them time to learn and grow.  These versus say when we are aged.  We need life experience and time to learn the gospel.

The Lord's grace is essential to our salvation.  We can not be perfect.  We take one day at a time.  We improve our lives each day and make progress.  We need the Atonement, Repentance and the Grace of God.

5.  In Titus 3:9 is says to "avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions and striving about the law". I think avoiding foolish questions means getting hung up on questions that are not essential to our salvation.  I think the genealogy part of this scripture means that it doesn't matter what your bloodline is.  "Don't think you are awesome just because your Grandpa was."

Foolish questions and genealogy refers to the people struggling with the fulfillment of the law of Moses and more specifically with men outside of the house of Levi receiving the priesthood.  The Priesthood is no longer granted based on lineage but on personal worthiness.

Find the Solutions in the Scriptures to Life's Challenges: Philippians 1-4

People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or through out the week.  

 Philippians 2:1-8, 14-15

Let nothing be done in strife or in vain glory.  Think of others before yourself.  

vs 2:  be unified

vs 3:  treat others better than ourselves

vs 4:  don't just pay attention to your own stuff, look around at others

vs 7: serve others

vs 8: be humble

vs 14:  do all things without murmurings or disputings.

I have had my eyes opened to this matter.  People complain to me about the way my husband is doing his calling.  I don't know why.  I am learning to not get my feelings hurt even though they are talking about my husband.  

We raise our hand to sustain people in their callings within the church.  We say that we will support them.  Complaining doesn't do any good.  It just hurts the person complaining.  If there is a real problem then go to the leaders and don't complain to others.  

Many youth feel that their parent's testimony is sufficient for them.  Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength.  

Philippians 2:12-15

We each need to have our own testimonies.  Our parent's testimonies will not carry us through difficult times or into heaven.  We each have to accept the gift of the atonement by believing for ourselves in the Savior.

vs. 12:  work our your own salvation

To work out one's own salvation is not to murmur belief in Jesus Christ or to sit idly by hoping that God's miracles will fall into our laps.  It is to perform daily and hourly the duty at hand.  We must progress with our faith, leaving the fruits of our labor.

There is the saying that says "Integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is looking."  It is somewhat easy to do the right thing and to depend on our parent's testimonies when we live at home and the structure of home is conducive to doing what is right.  Often times, when teens leave home for the first time they can go a little wild.  If the teen has their own testimony and it is strong then they tend to not stray when their parents are not around.  

An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does.

Philippians 3:7-16; 4:13

vs 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  

I think Paul is trying to tell each of us that the reward for following Christ is greater than the turmoil or struggles we will go through by following Christ.  

I know it is hard for those investigating the church to make this choice.  One of the key principles in the church is our families and being a forever family.  

How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3

vs 3:  feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

We can find the answers to everyday problems or questions in the scriptures.  This assignment showed three examples of modern day concerns that the scriptures written by Paul answered.  

Romans 12-16: Live as Saints Should Live

1.  In Romans 13:11 it says that our salvation is nearer than we believe.  We must continue in righteousness, keep the commandments, and endure to the end so that we can have eternal life.

2.  In Romans 12-13, Paul gave much counsel that leads to salvation...

12:1  service
12:2  prove what is good
12:9  abhor evil.  have sincere love
12:13   given to hospitality
12:16   conform with humble hearts.  be not prideful
12:21   overcome evil with good
13:1  obedience to God
13:3   do good
13:8   love one another
13:9   love thy neighbor as thyself

3.  Paul gave a caution to judging.  In vs 14:11 he says that every knee shall bend and every tongue confess.  We will all stand before the judgement seat of the Lord.  We need to be careful not to judge others.  It is not our place but the Lord's.

We all have different opinions and different traditions or practices.  We need to remember that we are all children of God.  By reading D&C 38:25-27, we learn that we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord.

4.  Paul frequently used the term "Saints" to describe the members of the church in his day.

Faith, Grace, and Works : Romans 2-5

Faith, Grace, and Good Works all play a part in our salvation.  We can see this in Romans 2-5

Faith and Grace

2:11  no respecter of persons

3:22  faith of Jesus Christ

3:23  for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God

3:24  being justified freely by his grace

3:25  faith in his blood

3:27  law of faith

4:12  walk in steps of faith

4:16  it is of faith, that it might be by grace

5:1  justified by faith

5:2  by faith into this grace

5:9  justified by His blood

5:15  free gift; gift by grace

Works

2:6  according to his deeds

2:7  patient continuance

2:10  glory and peace, to ever man that worketh good

3:20  by the deeds of the law

3:25  declare his righteousness

3:21  we establish a law

5:3  tribulation worketh patience

5:19  by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous

In Romans 4:17-25, Paul chose Abraham as a model of Faith.  I think Paul chose Abraham because Abraham exhibited such great faith throughout his life.  Abraham had faith that he would have a son and his faith didn't waiver even though Abraham was old and his wife was past child bearing years.  Abraham was told to sacrifice his son.  Abraham's faith did not waiver.  He was willing to do what the Lord commanded even though, I am sure, it didn't make any sense based on the promises God had made to Abraham.

When I think of how these verses can apply to my life, I need to always remember that God fulfills his promises.  Always.  These promises are not necessarily fulfilled in my time but are in God's time.

In Romans 5:12-14, Paul talks about the Fall of Adam and why a Savior was needed for all mankind.  Before the Fall there was no sin.  In 2 Nephi 2:11 it states that there must be opposition in all things.  If there was no opposition then we would not have agency.  Because of the Fall, we are free to choose.  The Savior atoned for all of us.

In 2 Nephi 25:23 it states that we are saved by grace, after all we can do.  This is helpful in understanding how grace and good works work together.  Even if we had all the good works in the world, it would not be enough.  We are saved by grace.  All of us receive the gift of the Savior.  We are still required to do all we can do so that we can return to live in glory with our Heavenly Father. 

While studying these chapters in Romans, I learned a great deal about why we need grace, faith, and works.  I am thankful for the Atonement and that my Savior gave me the gift of eternal life and the chance to return to live with my Heavenly Father.  I am thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful that I can give my life to him and do my very best to live the commandments.

I have this quote in my entry way.

We are all children of our Heavenly Father.  He has given us a wonderful gift through our Savior.  We need to do our best and become all that we can so that He can smile and say, "Well done."