City	What they did that pleased the Lord.	How they needed to repent.	Promised blessings
Ephesus (2:1-7)	Their patients, hard work, honesty, and righteousness.	“Nevertheless I have somewhat against the, because thou hast left thy first love.”	Live in the paradise of God.
Smyrna (2:8-11)	Their good works, tribulations, and poverty.	Do not fear and be faithful.	“A crown of life” and “shall not be hurt of the second death.”
Pergamos (2:12-17)	They are faithful.	By not listening to false doctrine, and sexual immorality.	“Eat of the hidden manna (bread of life).” Will be given a “white stone (Urim and Thummim).” And “In the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth.”
Thyatira (2:18-29)	They were service oriented, faithful, charitable, patient, and motivated.	“Thou sufferest that woman, Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”	They will be given power over the nations.  “And I will give him the morning star.”
Sardis (3:1-6)	Good works	Be prepared and watchful.	“clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angel.”
Philadelphia (3:7-13)	Holy, true and faithful	Worship	“And I will write upon him my new name”
Laodicea (3:14-22)	Faithful true witnesses	“Open the Door” to Christ.”	“I will grant to sit with me in my throne.” And hear with the spirit.

All of the council given to the seven branches of the church does apply to us today.  Even though this council was given at a different time it is to applicable to us.  All of these promised blessings are inspiring for us to seek eternal life.  But to me the most inspiring is the last one in chapter 3.  "I will grant to sit with me in my throne," and hear with the spirit.  

Doctrine and Covenants 14:7 and 63:20 give great meaning to the phrase: "to him that overcometh."  In these scriptures we learn that eternal life is the "greatest of all the gifts of God."  And "He that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome, and shall receive an inheritance upon the earth when the say of transfiguration shall come."  

Unit 0ne
Choice 2:  2 Peter 2 Teaching
Characteristics of False teachers
·         Deny the Lord that brought them
·         Many will follow them
·         Truth shall be evil spoken of
·         Judge others
·         Have filthy conversations
·         “vexed his righteous soul from day to day”
·         Sexual immorality
·         Constituted authority
·         Presumptuous
·         Boasting
·         Self-willed
·         Speak evil of things they don’t understand
·         find pleasure in riot
·         “sporting themselves with their own deceiving”
·         Eyes full of adultery
·         Cannot cease from sin
·         Beguiling unstable souls
·         “love the wages of unrighteousness”
·         Speak words of vanity
·         Promise others liberty when they are servants of corruption
This list helps me to recognize false teachers today.  Peter makes it clear that false teachers are ones that do not have any sense of setting their priorities straight.   A false teacher would be somebody that, when around them the spirit would not be present. 
2 Peter 2 verse 21 says, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. “  It is clear what Peter is teaching us here.  It is dangerous to return to the pollutions of the world.  The greater the knowledge of the truth, the greater the condemnation if sinned against. We are also reminded in Doctrine and Covenants 82:7 that our former sins may continue to tempt us. 

Unit 2

Choice 4: 1 Peter-4. The Trial of Our Faith Is More Precious than Gold

It is common for somebody to think "Life isn't fair."  And sometimes in our eyes this may appear to be true.  We might also think, "If I am faithful why do I have so many trials?"  But we learn in Peter chapter 1 verse 7, "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."  

Heavenly Father gives us trials because he loves us.  Peter teaches us in 1Peter 4:12 "Beloved, thing it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you."  So instead, we should "rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's suffering." (verse 13) Heavenly Father and our Savior want us to be happy, and not thinking about how unfair life is. 

We are also taught in chapter 3 verse 15, "be ready always to give an answer to very man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."  So is someone feels tired of being ridiculed by those who do not keep the commandments, we should glorify God.  Chapter 2 verse 15 says, "For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men."

Unit one:

Choice Three: Hebrews 13. Works of Righteousness

I really like the clarity in chapter 13. listed are answers to questions that are clarified in chapter 13 of Hebrews.

• How should we treat strangers and those "in bonds?"

We should treat everyone with benevolence and love.  As for strangers, we are taught to treat them with hospitality, which means we should be accepting and friendly toward them.  I have found that when I treat somebody with hospitality, we are more likely to get along well. And finally, we are to have compassion on those 'in bonds."

• How is marriage looked upon?

Marriage is looked upon as honorable.  some synonyms for honorable are:

acclaimed, celebrated, chivalrous, conscientious,dependable, distinguished, eminent, esteemed,ethical, faithful, forthright, high-principled,honest, honored, illustrious, just, knightly, law-abiding, noble, notable, of good repute, on theup-and-up, principled, reliable, respectable,righteous, sincere, sterling, straightforward,trustworthy, truthful, unstained, upright, virtuous (http://thesaurus.com/)

• What warnings are given about covetousness?

We are warned to have conversations free from covetousness.  The Lord has said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."  Therefore we should be content with what we have, if we have the Lord in our lives.   And in reward, we should not fear men.  

• What is "the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever?" 

Hebrews chapter 13 verse 8 says, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day and for ever."  Many people say that change is the the only thing constant.  But, if we are established with Christ, he is constant.  

• How are we sanctified?

We are sanctified through the symbolism of Jesus Christ blood.  As we come to him we begin to repent.  And when we sacrifice our sins, we are sanctified through Christ. 

• How do we respond to those who rule over us?

We respond to our church leaders by sustaining them.  To sustain a church leader we must be obedient to the Lord, and heed to their counsels.  And verse 7 says, "Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God."  I think this is important because sometimes after I have felt impressed during a church meeting or general conference, it is easy to forget what was taught.  And verse 24 says, "Salute all them that have the rule over you." To "salute" means, "to address with expressions of goodwill, respect, etc." (dictionary.com).

• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for? 

Paul wanted the people to pray for the apostles, or leaders of the church.  He asked that they pray that they, "may have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly."  It is very important that leaders of the church be honest.  That is why Paul asked us to give him more strength by praying for it.  It is also very important for us to pray for our church leaders today.  

Unit 2

Choice 6 Hebrews 3-4 Entering into the Lord's Rest

We are taught by President Joseph F. Smith that Entering into the Lord's Rest "means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right."  We learn that the group of people that is refused entrance into the Lord's rest are those who do not believe. "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief." (Hebrews 3:19) It was sin that caused these people to forfeit this privilege of entering into the Lords rest.  Hardheartedness, selfishness and provocation are the forfeiting sins. 

Doctorine and Covenants 84:24 describes The Lord's Rest as, "the fulness of his glory."  This is a defining factor, because we learn of the joy that comes from his fulness and glory, that helps us strive to achieve in our lifetime. The sins that Paul repeatedly warned against were the hardening of hears. The warnings in Hebrews 3:12-15 very much apply to us.  They apply to us because we also have to be cautious of unbelief and evilness.

Counsel that are found in Hebrews 4 will help us enter into the rest of the Lord.

• faith/belief in the Gospel we hear
•  keeping the sabbath day holy
• "hear his voice"
• have a soft heart
• labor, be eager
•  obedience
• have good motivations 
• listen to our church leaders
• be sympathetic
• be bold
• be a follower of Jesus Christ  

We learn in Hebrews 4:2-3, that the words need to be "mixed with faith."  Matthew 7:21 says, "He that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven."  It is not enough for us to just learn, teach, or talk about the doctrines of the Savior.  But we have to live by, and practice them.  Sometimes we expect our testimonies to be strengthen just by learning about the gospel, but we come to know of the doctrines to be true by also doing his will.  This is also in accordance with James 1:22 "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

Unit One

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

It is common for people to argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week.  Philippians 2:7 speaking of Christ says,"took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."  We are taught in Philippians 2:1-8 that we should be humbled, and like-minded.  We would be so ignorant to think that only our own point of view is worth consideration.  "Saints should be of one mind and one spirit." (chapter 2, chapter heading)

Many youth feel that their parents' testimony is sufficient for them.  Since they have good parents, they rely on them for ll their spiritual strength.  After Christ died the apostles had to obey in the absence of Him.  As a child grows spiritually and physically  they will be faced with challenges and choices.  Choices that their parents will not be able to make for them.  In order to make the correct choices, they need to have a concept for what will bring happiness.  Through spiritual strength they will gain a personal testimony, which brings eternal happiness.  

I have seen situation when an investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does.  This is always a sad situation, because if it were me, no longer associating with my family would be a really awful thing.  But Paul says in chapter 3 verse 14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  We should do all that we can to become closer to God. Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

2 Nephi 32:3 "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."  This is an example to "Finding Solutions in the Scriptures to Life's Challenges," because it is telling us that the scriptures will tell us all things we should do.  As I study and ponder the scriptures I find myself learning answers to questions I wouldn't have found otherwise.

Unit 2

Choice 1 Romans 12-16 Live as Saints should live

Romans 13:11 says, "for now is our salvation nearer than we believed."  I think that by using the word nearer, Paul is reminding us that we must endure to the end.  We can not live a righteous life then fall into temptation by not repenting of our sins.  We must continually repent of our sins, work towards perfection through the atonement of Christ.  For a person who has lived a righteous life, often the trap is: that they have been good and worked hard, and it is okay to give into temptation because they rarely do.  But this is what Paul is warning us of.  

I have made a list from Romans 12-13 of counsels that Paul has given, for us to live, to help lead to salvation.

• sacrifice ourselves (Romans 12:1)
• be in the world and not of the world; have self mastery; repents and renew your mind; test, try and prove good things; do the will of God (Romans12:2) 
• Hold on to the good, let go of the bad, and love unconditionally (Romans 12:9)
• Law of consecration (Romans 12:13) 
• Be understanding and humble (Romans 12:16)
• "Overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21)
• Be submissive and obedient, the only power is God's power (Romans 13:1)
• Do not fear men if you are righteous (Romans 13:3)
• Love one another (Romans 13:8)
• Keep the commandments, and "briefly" keep the commandments that, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Romans 13:9)

In Romans 14 and 15 we learn to not judge others.  I really like Romans 14:3 it says, "Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him." This verse says a lot about judging others.  What is most important to remember is that God receives everyone, no matter what they believe or how they live their lives.  So we should also receive and accept everyone by not judging them.  Doctorine and Covenants 38 also teaches us that we should not only refrain from judging others, but we should "esteem his brother as himself." (verse 25).  The term that Paul frequently uses to refer to the members of the church in his day is Saints.   

Unit One

Choice 3:Romans 6 Baptism

Before we are baptized we can not be living in sin.  Therefore, we must repent of our sins. Romans 6:4 says, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."  Here we learn that Christ's death is a symbolism of baptism.  We believe that we are to be baptized by immersion, and not by a sprinkling of water.  Baptism by immersion means that our entire body is under the water all at once.  Then the body is "raised" out of the water.  In verse four when the death of Christ is being compared to baptism, it says, "that like as Christ was raised from the dead."  Because of Christ, we are also raised from our sins after baptism. Verse 7 and 8 says, "For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ we believe that we shall also live with him." Because baptism is being compared to the death of the Savior.  I think, when we are baptized, we are making a covenant with God, and that covenant can be renewed each week as we take the sacrament.  Therefore, we are able to maintain the "newness of life."  According to Mosiah 3:19 the part of us that dies at baptism is the natural man.

Verse 16 says, "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  We know who's servants we are because of who we obey.  If we obey God we are God's servants it is as simple as that.  Verse 22 says, "but now being made fee from sin, ad become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."  I had a coworker who always liked to remind me what a "sheltered" life I lived.  She thought of it as a negative thing.  But in verse 22 we learn that we are made free from sin through repentance.  I know that sin is a binding thing, and when we repent of it we are made known of the true source of freedom.   



    

Unit 2

Choice 2 Forgiveness

The people of Corinth were commanded to forgive.  In 2 Cor. chapter 2 verse 5 it says, "But if and have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all."  I chose to write about Forgiveness this week because in Primary tomorrow I am teaching my class about the blessings of forgiveness.  An object lesson I have for them is this:  I will prepare a bag with rocks and have each child take a turn in carrying the bag around.  When they have all felt the weight of the bag, I will ask them if they had a choice of carrying the bag full of rocks around all day, or carrying the empty bag, which would they choose.  We would choose to carry the empty bag.  This relates to forgiveness because when we forgive others we are freeing ourselves of a unneeded burden. Mathew 6:14 says, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

Verse 15 of the same chapters says, "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."  This is a danger in failing to forgive others.  I often fall into the trap of apologizing too much, in fear that I wont be forgiven.  This is something that I have been working on.  For the reason that my apologies may not seem sincere or meaningful.  Along with that, I think we should forgive others so we can help them to grow and progress as well as ourselves.

Unit One

Choice 4 1 Corinthians chapter 9

Being Influential for Good in the Lives of Others.

Paul was an apostle and missionary, verse 16 says, "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel." So Paul's responsibility is to spread the gospel to all different kinds of people. I think that Paul is a genius.  When I think about it, if I am being taught something by someone I would learn better from a person if they had something in common with me.  In these passages of scripture Paul says that he is, (verse 22) "Made all thing to all Men."  Paul is preaching to all of the different people, by adapting to the different types of people.  This is what he does to get them to pay attention to what he has to say.  My father in law is an example of this.  He spreads the gospel by talking to all different kinds of people.  When talking to all different types of people you have to find something to talk about in order to break the ice.  Therefore, he relates and connects with them. This helps us to, like Elder Evans said in April 2012 General Conference, Share the gospel naturally and normally. (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/was-it-worth-it?lang=eng)

Finally, I wanted to post this video I found.  I know that the charitable love these people have, is the love of Christ.  And they are being Influential for Good in the Loves of Others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHSkiEeLpTk

Unit 2 choice 6: 1 Thessalonians 3-5, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-6, 11

I have compiled a list from the above scriptures that Paul counseled members to improve on.

• increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men
• walk and please God
• know what commandments are given
• abstain from fornication
• Do not be in the lust of concupiscence 
• "no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter"
• Do not despise, "the therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit."
• Love one another
• increase more and more
• "study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands"
• "walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing."
• "watch and be sober"
• put on the "breastplate of faith and love"
• put on the "helmet, the hope pf salvation"
• "obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ"
• comfort yourselves together 
• edify one another
• know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord
• Respect and love those that serve and work in the church
• be at peace among yourselves
• "warn them that are unruly"
• "comfort the feebleminded"
• "support the weak"
•  be patient to everyone
• "seek that none render evil for evil unto any man."
• "follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
• Rejoice
• "Pray without ceasing."
• Give thanks in everything
• Do not hinder the Spirit
• "Despise not prophesyings."
• study and prove all things
• "hold fast that which is good"
• "Abstain from all appearance of evil."
• Pray for the Leaders of the church
• Pray that "the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified."
• Pray to be "delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all men have not faith."
• The Lord will keep you from evil
• do the things that the Lord commands, and the Lord will direct you to those waiting for the love of Christ.
• Withdraw yourselves from those that "walk disorderly," and not after the ways of the Lord. 
• Work
• Don't be a busy body

Wow, after making this list I have realized that there is always something to be improving on.  I have selected 3 attributes from the list that I am going to commit to work towards.  

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." In the Foot note for Prove it says: Examine, put to the test, study, test, try, prove.  I find that sometimes if a subject doesn't interest me, I don't put a lot of effort into finding and learning more about that subject.  So in order to expand my knowledge and understandings I am going to spend my time more wisely.  And like it says in 2 Thessalonians 3:11, I am not going to be a busy body with my time, but devote my free time to studying.  Wither that time is spent studying the teachings of the gospel, scriptures, subjects in school, the news, politics, it only matters that it is worth while.  
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 "See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."  It took me a little while to put meaning to this scripture.  But I have concluded that we should not only abstain personally from evils things, and follow that which is good. But that we should help others to do the same.  The fact that the scripture says "all men" makes me think to the laws and bad morals that are being inflicted upon society today.  I think that we all have a duty to protect the sanctity of marriage.  So a goal I have is to help others to see and understand the importance of good morals in this world. 
3. 1 Thessalonians 5: 14 "be patient toward all me."  Automatically my mind goes to the times when I am at the grocery store and I become impatient with the long lines, or I am driving and I am impatient of the "slow" speed limit.  So I know that there is much room for improvement there.  But I think that the most important place to have patience is at home.  I am going to work on always being patient at home, with myself and with my husband.  I say that I am going to be patient with myself, because I know that sometimes I am too hard on myself, and by being patient with myself I think I will be a more pleasant person to be around.  And therefore, have patience to give to those I come in contact with.  

Unit One

Choice 4: Acts 7 the Martyrdom of Steven

I try to imagine the picture that was painted in Acts Chapter 7 of the death of Stephen.  It breaks my heart how awful this must have been to witness this tragedy.  But as I put myself in the shoes of Stephen, his last words being "Lord lay not this sin to their charge,"  my heart is softened to those that stoned Stephen.  I can't help but compare to the words of the Savor as he died on the cross, (Luke 23:34) "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do."  Because Stephen, "Being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God," I know that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings that make up the Godhead.

After reading about the death of Stephen, and then the death of Abinadi I have seen that both men have unwavering testimonies.  They are fearless of the powers of men, but they only fear God.  They loved God, and were willing to "suffer even until death," (Mosiah 17:10) rather than recall their testimonies that they have spoken.  Their testimonies stand as a witness to me to not fear man, and to always be on the Lord's side.  They have taught be that "always" being on the Lord's side doesn't mean: always when it's convenient, always when it's legal, or always when everyone else seems to be.  But always being on the Lords side mean: when it seems impossible, and even when it seems easy.
 

Acts 1-15

Choice 3 Acts 2: The Day of the Pentecost

The Pentecost is known to be 7 weeks (50 days) following the Feast of the Passover.  It literally means fiftieth, deriving from the Greek word Pentekoste.  Feast of the harvest, day of the first fruits, or feast of the weeks are also reference names found in the Bible for The Day of the Pentecost. On this day "Came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting" (Acts 2:2. "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire" (verse 3). "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance" (verse 4).  And they, "were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." We also learn from Verse 4 in chapter 2 that the gift of tongues is a gift of the spirit.  Often Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints experience and recieve the Gift of Tongues as they go to foreign Countries to teach others about Jesus Christ in a different Language, than the language "wherein we (they) we born." (verse 8)

Peter taught, those that doubted, that what they were seeing was a Prophesy of  the Prophet Joel (Also found in Joel 2:28-32). He also taught of the Patriarch David, to "Let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both the Lord and Christ." Peter was calling the people to repentance, and the people responded with, "What shall we do?"   Peter fulfilled his role as a special witness of Jesus Christ through his Faith, and continuing his role as head apostle even after the savior was crucified.  He testified of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and lead the people to repentance, baptism, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

And finally, the people responded.  They feared, and they repented, and they were baptized.  They lived the Law known as Consecration.  By selling their possessions and common things and giving to each other in need, the Lord Blessed them.