Friday, March 27, 2015

Below is a chart that not only gives a nice breakdown of the last week of the Savior, but also give scriptural references in the four gospels to help you see where the information comes from. This chart is not of my own design, but is actually a resource that was used when we were teaching our Priest quorum this past Sunday. I really find it to be a fascinating representation of what the Savior had to endure in His last days. It is amazing all that happened in such a shot time. After reading through these, it really helped to strengthen my testimony of, not only the Savior, but of the importance it is to take the time to record what happens in our lives. If Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John had not done so, we would not have the blessing of the knowledge of the many miracles, struggles, and the life the Savior lived, He truly is the Son of the Father.


Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

THE WEEK OF THE ATONING SACRIFICE





FIRST DAY





Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
21:1–11
11:1–10
19:29–44
12:12–19

Certain Greeks Visit Christ—a Voice from Heaven



12:20–36

Return to Bethany

11:11



SECOND DAY





Cursing of the Barren Fig Tree
21:18–19
11:12–14



Second Cleansing of the Temple
21:12–16
11:15–18
19:45–48


Return to Bethany
21:17
11:19
21:37


THIRD DAY





Discourse on Faith
21:19–22
11:20–26
21:38


Question of Authority
21:23–27
11:27–33
20:1–8


Parable of the Two Sons
21:28–32




Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen
21:33–46
12:1–12
20:9–18


Parable of the Royal Marriage Feast
22:1–14




A Question About Tribute to Caesar
22:15–22
12:13–17
20:19–26


Marriage After the Resurrection
22:23–33
12:18–27
20:27–40


The Great Commandment
22:34–40
12:28–34



“Who Is Christ’s Father?”
22:41–46
12:35–37
20:41–44


Scribes and Pharisees Are Condemned
23:1–36
12:38–40
20:45–47


Jesus Laments over Jerusalem
23:37–39




The Widow’s Mite

12:41–44
21:1–4


Christ Declares the Purpose of His Mission



12:37–50

Olivet Discourse
24:1–51/JST-M
13:1–37
21:5–36


Parable of the Ten Virgins
25:1–13




Parable of the Entrusted Talents
25:14–30




The Inevitable and Final Judgment
25:31–46




Jesus’ Betrayal Foretold
26:1, 2




The Plot Against Jesus
26:3–5
14:1, 2
22:1, 2


Judas Arranges Betrayal
26:14–16
14:10, 11
22:3–6


FOURTH DAY





Gospel Writers are Silent on Proceedings of this Day







Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

FIFTH DAY





Arrangements for the Passover Meal
26:17–19
14:12–16
22:7–13


Strife over Precedence in the Passover Chamber
26:20
14:17
22:14; 24:30


Jesus Washes the Apostles’ Feet



13:1–20

Passover Meal—Introduction of the Sacrament
26:26–29
14:22–25
22:15–20


Jesus Indicates the Betrayer
26:21–25
14:18–21
22:21–23
13:21–26

Judas Leaves the Chamber



13:27–30

Jesus Foretells His Own Death



13:31–35

Apostles Express Loyalty
26:31–35
14:27–31
22:31–38
13:36–38

Discourse About the Comforter



14:1–31

They Sing a Hymn—Proceed to the Mount of Olives
26:30
14:26
22:39


Their Relationship to Christ and World



15:1–27

His Death Explained



16:1–33

High Priestly Prayer



17:1–26

Agony in Gethsemane
26:36–46
14:32–42
22:40–46
18:1, 2

SIXTH DAY





The Betrayal by Judas
26:47–50
14:43–45
22:47, 48
18:2–9

The Arrest
26:51–56
14:46–52
22:49–53
18:10–12

Jesus Questioned by Annas


22:54, 55, 63–65
18:13, 19–24

Examined Before Caiaphas
26:57–68
14:53–65

18:14–16, 18

Peter Denies Knowing Jesus
26:69–75
14:66–72
22:55–62
18:17, 25–27

Formal Trial and Condemnation
27:1, 2
15:1
22:66–71; 23:1


Judas Iscariot’s Death
27:3–10




Before Pilate
27:11–14
15:2–5
23:2–5
18:28–38

Before Herod


23:6–12


Again Before Pilate
27:15–23
15:6–14
23:13–23
18:39, 40

Barabbas Released
27:26–30
15:15–19
23:25
19:1–3

Pilate Sentences Jesus
27:24, 25
15:20–23,25,27,28
23:24
19:4–16

The Way to Calvary
27:31–34, 38

23:26–33
19:16–18

Superscription on the Cross
27:37
15:26
23:38
19:19–22

His First Utterance on the Cross


23:34


Soldiers Divide His Clothing
27:35, 36
15:24
23:34
19:23, 24

Mocking and Scoffing
27:39–44
15:29–32
23:35–37


Second Utterance from the Cross


23:39–43


Third Utterance by the Savior



19:25–27



Matthew
Mark
Luke
John

Darkness Covers the Earth
27:45
15:33
23:44, 45


Fourth Statement
27:46, 47
15:34, 35



Fifth Statement
27:48, 49
15:36

19:28, 29

Sixth Utterance



19:30

Final Utterance; Jesus Dies
27:50
15:37
23:46
19:30

Centurion’s Testimony
27:51–56
15:38–41
23:45, 47–49


His Side Pierced
27:57–61
15:42–47
23:50–56
19:31–37

His Burial



19:38–42

SEVENTH DAY





Guards Are Placed at the Tomb
27:62–66




THE RESURRECTED CHRIST APPEARS TO MEN





THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK





The Tomb Is Opened
28:2–4




Mary Magdalene and Other Women Visit the Tomb
28:1, 5–7
16:1–8
24:1–8
20:1

Mary Tells Peter and John


24:9–11
20:2

Peter, Mary, and John Visit the Tomb


24:12
20:3–10

The Savior Appears to Mary

16:9

20:11–17

Mary Tells the Apostles

16:10, 11

20:18

Christ Appears to the Other Women
28:9, 10




Chief Priests Told of Resurrection by Guards
28:11–15




Two Disciples See Savior While En Route to Emmaus

16:12, 13
24:13–32


Appears unto Peter


24:34


Appears to all Apostles Except Thomas

16:14
24:33–49
20:19–23

SUBSEQUENT APPEARANCES





Appears to the Eleven Apostles (in Jerusalem)



20:24–29

An Appearance to the Disciples (at Sea of Galilee)



21:1–14

“Feed My Sheep”



21:15–19

John Is to Be Translated



21:20–23

Appearance to a Great Multitude (in Jerusalem)
(See 1 Corinthians 15:6)


Appears to James (in Jerusalem)
(See 1 Corinthians 15:7)


Appearance to the Disciples (in Galilee)
28:16–20
16:15–18
(See Acts 1:1–8)
The Ascension (in Bethany, Judea)

16:19
24:50, 51


Disciples Return to Jerusalem

16:20
24:52, 53


John’s Concluding Words



20:30, 31; 21:24-25

lds.about.com -Compiled from "The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1979. Rachel Bruner, lds.about.com -Compiled from "The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1979. Rachel Bruner, lds.about.com -Compiled from "The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1979. 

Sunday, March 22, 2015


    When Reading through the parables listed below I really felt that there were a couple of underlying principles that were being taught, One thing that stuck out to me is that we must beware of pride in our lives. We must not allow ourselves to be so lifted up that we cannot recognize the blessings in our lives and how we truly received them. Which leads to the next principle, we must recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives and give him the thanks and recognition that he deserves. If we are ungrateful to the Lord for all he does, we will not be worthy for further blessings in our lives.

    • Luke 16:1–12, the parable of the unjust steward. “The Children of This World Are in Their Generation Wiser Than the Children of Light” (p. 124).
    • Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. “What Do We Learn About the Spirit World from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?” (pp. 124–25).
    • Luke 17:11–19, the ten lepers. “Why Were the Ten Lepers to Show Themselves to the Priests?” and “Were There Not Ten Cleansed?” (p. 130). See also the Bible Dictionary, “Leprosy” (p. 724).
    • Luke 18:1–8, the parable of the unjust judge. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Unjust Judge?” (p. 131).
    • Luke 18:9–14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican?” (p. 131).

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

It is amazing how lucky we are to be able to be members of the true church on the Earth today. The lord truly is the founder and the Head of this great church. He is the same God and founder that walked the Earth and setup the original church in the days of His ministry. Our church is setup in the exact same manner as it was then. He would not have it any other way.

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.
The Lord gave the seventy simple yet wonderful guidelines for how they should act as his seventy. He instructed them to pray to him and to bring peace wherever it is they go. Also to bless those they come in contact with. He also told them that they will deal with adversity and whosoever despiseth them also despisth the Lord, yet whoever loveth them loveth the Lord. Through Him, they will have power, even over the Devil.
  1. 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.
In the primitive Church, as described in Luke, the Lord set up the seventy in a manner that they were coupled together and given instruction of how they should accomplish all that they would need to do. We too in our day and age are set up the exact same way. The Lord gave the Prophets the same guidelines and counsel today as he did in the days of the church’s past.
  1. 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 seventy are men who are set apart to be those who minister fulltime to the church, but are not apostles. The Lord himself originally organized the seventy and gave them the priesthood power and authority to administer unto his people.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

The Lord has blessed us with many great miracles in our day and age and there have been many miracles throughout the ages. The amazing thing of it all is that He does not require much of us for those miracles to be performed. In the reading below, we can learn that the main aspect of being worthy to receive miracles of the Lord is to have Faith in Him and in His Son. The wonderful thing about that is when we have that faith, we recognize miracles more in our lives, such as being able to repent and become cleansed or being able to pray for to Him for help and guidance. If we will do our part, the Lord has promised the miracles will come.

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.
The Savior said that they needed to have sufficient faith combined with prayer and fasting.

  1. 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 We must have faith and ask the Father in the name of the Savior.
    • Doctrine and Covenants 50:29 We must repent of our sins and become cleansed, then ask in the name of the Savior.
    • Doctrine and Covenants 42:48 We must have faith!
The In Matthew 14 and 15, the description of what happen those days was truly magnificent. In both occasions the lord came unto a multitude who were in desperate need or nourishment. Not only of the body but of the spirit. Unfortunately there was only a minimal amount of food and thousands of people on both occasions. The Savior instructed his disciples to break the bread and prepare the fish and distribute it to the multitudes. Through His grace and power, that minimal amount of food was not only sufficient for everyone to be fed, but there was a surplus left over. This account of these miriacles relates to our own insuffficent amounts of “food” for ourselves. We cannot truly be nourished on our own or through our own means. That is why the Lord must come take all that we can give, if we are willing, and help us to turn it into all that we would ever need and more. As in Ether 12:27 He speaks of how if men will come unto Him, he can make their weaknesses strengths if we will humble ourselves to him.
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?
 About 5000, beside women and children
 400 Men, beside women and children
What did they need?
 Nourishment
 Nourishment
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet that need?
 Five loaves and 2 fishes
 Seven loaves and a few fishes.
What words or phrases describe the Savior's feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need?
 They need not depart; give ye them to eat. Bring them hither to eat.
 I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?
 Miracle
 Miracle

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? See above.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

1.      Matthew 11:1–19 and Luke 7:18–35. 
What did the two disciples of John the Baptist ask Jesus Christ? They ask Him if He is the one that has been prophesied will come, or if they should go their way looking for another.
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.
I would have told him how the savior healed the blind, blessed the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. How to the poor the gospel is preached. And how the majesty of Him was testifying of his divinity.
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 his disciples to go and question Jesus because he knew that if they did, they would know for themselves that he was truly the Savior and then they would become his disciples. That was John’s purpose all along, teach people to become the disciples of Christ.
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? He stated that “He that is considered the least among you is greater than John”
Provide three reasons given by Joseph Smith why John the Baptist is considered among the greatest prophets.
“First. He was entrusted with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the Lord. Whoever had such a trust committed to him before or since? No man.

“Secondly. He was entrusted with the important mission, and it was required at his hands, to baptize the Son of Man. Whoever had the honor of doing that? Whoever had so great a privilege and glory? Whoever led the Son of God into the waters of baptism, and had the privilege of beholding the Holy Ghost descend in the form of a dove, or rather in the sign of the dove, in witness of that administration? The sign of the dove was instituted before the creation of the world, a witness for the Holy Ghost, and the devil cannot come in the sign of a dove. The Holy Ghost is a personage, and is in the form of a personage. It does not confine itself to the form of the dove, but in sign of the dove. The Holy Ghost cannot be transformed into a dove; but the sign of a dove was given to John to signify the truth of the deed, as the dove is an emblem or token of truth and innocence.

“Thirdly. John, at that time, was the only legal administrator in the affairs of the kingdom there was then on the earth, and holding the keys of power. The Jews had to obey his instructions or be damned, by their own law; and Christ Himself fulfilled all righteousness in becoming obedient to the law which He had given to Moses on the mount, and thereby magnified it and made it honorable, instead of destroying it. The son of Zacharias wrested the keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory from the Jews, by the holy anointing and decree of heaven, and these three reasons constitute him the greatest prophet born of a woman.”
3.      What does John 3:30 suggest about John the Baptist and his attitude toward the Savior?
He suggest that John the Baptist knew that he needed to ensure that his followers became the Savior’s followers. That he would now become a follower himself.
Briefly describe how we could apply a similar attitude in our own lives.

I think the best way to apply this in our own lives it to recognize that while we do play an important in the plan of the Lord, the main goal is to ensure that the Savior is the center of our lives and that we are not allowing ourselves to be overcome with pride or the vain things of the world.
Reference
Miracles of the Lord
Who Demonstrated Faith
Matthew 8:1-4
Healed the leper by simply touching him.
The leper had such great faith that he knew even a simple tough from the savior could heal him.
Matthew 8:5-13
Jesus healed the servant of the Centurion.
The centurion had such great faith in the Savior that he asked Him to simply speak the words that he would be healed and he knew it would heal his servant.
Matthew 8:14-15
He touched Peter’s mother in law’s hand and healed her.

 Peter’s mother in law was healed by simply being touched on the hand and then arose and began to minister unto them.
Matthew 8:16
Cast out devils
Those who were stricken with devils in their bodies.
Matthew 8:23-27
He commanded the winds and the sea to be calm.

 His disciples had faith in Him to wake Him so he could do something. When He did what He did, their faith grew even more.
Matthew 8:28-34
Cast devils from two people.
The two people had to have faith and there were also a group that gather and ran off to tell all of what had happened.
Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34
Healed a woman who was stricken with a blood desease.
The woman had great faith and knew that if she could just touch his garments, she would be healed.
Matthew 9:27-31
Healed two blind men.
The blind men came unto Him and simply asked for Him to heal them, knowing He had the power to do so.
Mark 2:1-12
He healed a man of his ailments and his sins.
The gentlemen caring for the man with palsy knew that if they could get him unto the Savior he would heal him. They then proceeded to drop him through the roof so he could meet the Savior. He too had faith that the Savior would heal him.

​ 


As I have read through those magnificent accounts, it amazes me how strong the faith was of those who were healed by the Savior. We have been blessed in our time with so many witnesses and so many ways to learn of the Savior, in their day they did not have that luxury. The faith the built was essentially built upon very small amounts of information. It helps me to have a greater faith myself. I have been so blessed to know of the Savior and all that he has done and I owe it to those before me to continue to build that faith. Knowing the power the Lord has helps me to do so.