The Second Coming

Choice 2: Mark 13; Luke 21:5–38; Joseph Smith—Matthew. Preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming

1. 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.

1. They could be watchful of any person that tries to deceive them.

2. Believers need to be watchful of when believers will be beaten and taken before rulers because of their faith in Christ.

3. Continue to be watchful and prayerful, because we don’t know when the time will come.

2. 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- The abomination of desolation shall be fulfilled.  
• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37- Treasure up His word and we won’t be deceived. 
• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:46–50- All men need to be watchful, for no one knows when the Lord will come. Be ready, for it will be at an hour we don’t expect. Be a faithful and wise servant.
• Doctrine and Covenants 33:17- Be faithful, praying always; be prepared.  
• Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57- Be wise and receive the truth. Follow the Holy Ghost and you will not be deceived.  

Personal Application:

This was a great lesson for me personally and felt that it gave me great areas to work on and improve. I definitely need to be more watchful in the things I do and say every day. As a mom, I need to be setting the example for my family. They look up to me to be an example. I need to be preparing my family as well to be ready for when the Savior will come again. Being prepared and faithful is important as our society becomes more and more wicked. We need to be continuously standing in holy places. 

Parables of Jesus Christ

Choice 2: Matthew 21–22. Jesus Was Rejected by the Jewish Leaders
Review Matthew 21–22. Make a written comparison of how the Jewish leaders of Jesus’s day were like each of the following:

·         The fig tree in Matthew 21:17–20: The fig tree was not bearing any fruit. The Jewish leaders were     lacking faith in the teachings of Christ. When we don’t have faith, our souls aren’t being nourished and consequently suffer.
·         The second son in Matthew 21:28–32: The first son after being asked of his father to go work did not, but later repented and went. The second son said he would go, but never did. The first did the will of the Father. The Jewish leaders were asked to repent and believed, but they did not.
·         The husbandmen in Matthew 21:33–41: The husbandmen are us essentially. We are supposed to be tending to the Lord’s vineyard. The husbandmen or the Jews ended up killing the prophets and apostles and eventually killed the son of the father who owned the vineyard or the Son of Man. When the Lord comes he will smite the wicked.  
·         The wedding guests and the man without the wedding garment in Matthew 22:1–14: Many are called, but few are chosen. The wedding guests (us) were asked to the wedding. Will we be prepared to go into the wedding (kingdom of God)?

Personal Application:

After doing this assignment, I want to keep reading some of the parables in the scriptures to better myself and some of the principles in the parables such as repentance, faith, missionary work, and preparing ourselves for the second coming. 

Parable of the Laborer

Choice 1: Matthew 19:16–30; 20:1–16. 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?  

I think he loved his possessions more than he did the Savior. He put worldly treasures before heavenly ones. He drew near with his lips, but his heart was far from the Saviors. I also feel that he was prideful in not wanting to let go of his earthly things in order to serve his fellow man. Those verses help explain the mans’ actions in that giving and sacrificing is extremely difficult for some, especially when pride gets in the way. The analogy of the camel represented how hard it is to change and humble ourselves when we let worldly possessions take precedence in our lives.

·         What blessings did the Savior promise to those who make sacrifices to follow Him?

We are promised that we shall inherit everlasting life.

·         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).

Based on what the Savior said, I think having personal daily prayer and scripture study in my life would help me put the Lord first in my life. In keeping the commandments we show Him that we put Him above what the world deems as acceptable. We put our trust and faith in Him when we continually and diligently follow Him. Having good communication every day is important, which I believe can be established by sincere prayer and earnest scripture study. When we put forth the effort in making Him our first priority, He will bless us.

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	One penny per day	12 hours	One penny
Third hour	One penny per day	9 hours	One penny
Sixth hour	One penny per day	6 hours	One penny
Ninth hour	One penny per day	3 hours	One penny
Eleventh hour	One penny per day	1 hour	One 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?

This parable teaches us not to give up on somebody when we are sharing the gospel or setting the example. The reward is the same no matter when you decide to accept the gospel.

·         What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?

This message would bring comfort in letting a convert know that no matter when they joined the church and were baptized they would receive the same reward as someone who had joined the church when they were 8 years old. It would bring peace to know that the blessing of entering into the Lord’s kingdom was available to everyone, no matter when they accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ.

·         What would you tell someone who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid equally?

Those that have labored longer would have had a stronger testimonies and have been receiving the blessing the entire time. Their ability to handle trials and burdens of laboring is far better because they have been able to build up faith and strength, where-as the person who just accepted the gospel, may not have had as deep of roots. However, the ultimate blessing of salvation is the same and given to everyone. 

Personal Application:

I loved this assignment because of how applicable it was to my life. I believe that we all have the same potential when we receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to share the gospel and not judge people on where they are at, but where they have the potential to go. 

Seventy

 

Choice 1: Luke 10:1–24. “The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also”

1. Review Luke 10:1–24. Based on these verses, write a summary of the Lord’s counsel and instructions He gave the seventy.

Pray for missionaries (those to spread the gospel)

Don’t worry about the essentials. Have faith that the Lord will pr

ovide

Peace be unto this house (Bless the homes)

When welcomed into a home, don’t depart from it

Heal the sick (The Kingdom of God is come nigh unto you)

Blessed with power from enemies and provided protection

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.

The same principles in the scripture apply in the articles of faith that there was the same organization then as it is now. I know that the Lord has definitely had a hand in the gospel that was then and now. He is very organized and orderly. This church is a house of order.

3. Go to the Church’s scripture website and read the topic of “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.

The Lord has appointed the seventy today as well as what their responsibilities are as special witnesses of Jesus Christ. Building up the kingdom of God and regulating the churches affairs are the same as they were then.

1. How did you and what did you do to complete the assignment?

I completed this assignment by posting in my blog.

2. Why did you decide to do the assignment you did?

I wanted to do this assignment because I wanted to learn more about some of the responsibility that the seventy had.

3. What do you think is the best thing about your assignment, and how do you think it could it be improved?

I loved the first question in this assignment because of how informative it was. I think this lesson could be improved by asking a question about what we could personally learn from it. 

Personal Application:

I thought this was really great for me to learn that I feel we could all be disciples of Christ. The list above was an eye opener and let me know that we could be examples to others. 

What is Needed for a Miracle?

Choice 2: Matthew 17:14–21. The Savior Healed a Young Man

1.         Review Matthew 17:14–21, and list three things the Savior said were needed for the disciples to heal the man.

1. Faith

2. Pray

3. Fast

2.         Read each of the following references. Next to the reference, write what it teaches about what is needed for miracles to happen.

·         3 Nephi 18:20- When we ask in the name of the Father with faith we shall receive.

·         Doctrine and Covenants 50:29- When we are purified and cleansed from sin, it shall be done.  

·         Doctrine and Covenants 42:48- When we have faith in Him, we shall be healed.  

Personal Application:

            Knowing what is needed when requiring a miracle gives us me the opportunity to begin strengthening myself in these certain areas (faith, prayer, fasting). There is always room for improvement. I know that if I take these concerns and goals to my Heavenly Father, He will help provide me with the strength to improve myself and help those around me. 

Feeding the Multitudes

Choice 1: Matthew 14:14–21; 15:32–38. The Feeding of the Multitudes

1.    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 (multitude)	4,000 (multitude)
What did they need?	food	food
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet that need?	5 loaves and 2 fish	7 loaves and few fish
What words or phrases describe the Savior's feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need?	compassion	compassion
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?	Provided food for 5,000	Provided food for 4,000

  

2.  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?

Romans 3:23- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

·         Because we have all sinned and are imperfect we all fall short of the glory of God. However, through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, humility, and faith, we can overcome these insufficiencies.

Ether 12:27- “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

·         The Lord helps us overcome this insufficiency when we come unto Him with our weaknesses. This takes faith and humility, but when we do so, we are promised that He will make our weaknesses become strengths.

Personal Application: 

After completing this assignment, I feel that my testimony has been strengthened of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because He died for us, He bridged the gap from our efforts to the Glory of God. We have all sinned and fall short. Being reminded to humble ourselves before the Lord in faith, trusting that He will make our weakness become strong, has made me want to be better and turn my life and choices over to the Lord and follow Him continually. 

John the Baptist

Choice 1: Matthew 11:1–19; Luke 7:18–35. John the Baptist

1.    Read Matthew 11:1–19 and Luke 7:18–35. What did the two disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus Christ? The Savior told them to go back to John and tell what they saw and heard. After reading these accounts, explain three things you would have told John if you had been with those two men.

The two disciples that John sent to Jesus asked if He was the one they had been looking for or if they needed to still look for the Messiah.

1. He is the Messiah. He performed many miracles (Causing the blind to see and the lame to walk, etc…)

2. He raised men from the dead.

3. He caused the deaf to hear.

2.    Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:2–3, “Did John Doubt That Jesus Was the Messiah?” (p. 66). Explain why John wanted his disciples to go to Jesus Christ.

John wanted the disciples to go to Jesus for themselves, because a true prophets always points us toward Christ and encourages us to come unto Him.

3.    Read the institute student manual commentary for Matthew 11:11, “No Greater Prophet than John the Baptist” (p. 66). What did the Savior say about John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11 and Luke 7:28? Provide three reasons given by Joseph Smith why John the Baptist is considered among the greatest prophets.

The scriptures say that “there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist”.

1. He was the one to help prepare the way for Jesus. No man has ever been entrusted to do that.

2. He was entrusted to baptize the Son of Man.

3. He was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom on the earth.

4.    What does John 3:30 suggest about John the Baptist and his attitude toward the Savior? Briefly describe how we could apply a similar attitude in our own lives.

He said that John must increase, but I must decrease. I believe that he meant that we need to increase in faith and trust in Him. His presence wont decrease, but He expects us to trust in Him so that we don’t need to ask Him in everything which we should do.