Choice 2: 2 Peter 2. Teaching

1.    Read 2 Peter 2:1–19. Record the characteristics of false teachers described by Peter. Explain in writing how your list helps you recognize false teachers today.
 1. Denying the Lord
2. Brought themselves swift destruction
3. Coveting
4. make wrong seem right
5. Turning cities into ashes
6. Turning cities to ungodliness
7. Crude vulgar speech
8. being lustful
9. unclean
10. despising government
11. not afraid to speak of evil things
12. speaking about things they don't actually know about, in a negative way
13. adultery
14. loves money
15. have gone astray
16. get others to believe their lies. 
17. Corrupt


This helps me realize corruption because these are all obvious examples of someone corrupt. It is obvious that these characteristics aren't anything that I would want to deal with, and makes me evaluate myself. 

2.    Read 2 Peter 2:20–22; Doctrine and Covenants 82:3, 7. In your own words, write a few sentences describing the dangers of returning to the “pollutions of the world.”


 It's hard to recover from previous sins. Once you recover from them and repent but revert back to them, then that is where the problem comes to be. You've learned once. Its like the phrase Fool you once, shame on them. Fooled me twice, shame on me. It is up to you if you go back to the ways that you know is wrong. It is easy to fall back into something you don't want, but if you are recovering and head back to it, then that is the biggest problem. 

Choice 1: James 1. “Be Ye Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only”

1.    Read James 1 and respond in writing to the following items:
o       What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?
 "The trying of your faith worketh patience" More importantly it says in verse 5 if you lack wisdom ask God through pray.
o       How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?
He defined the phrase by saying that faith is nothing wavering and that it is something strong that we have in God. 
o       How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?
Both of those verses remind us that we need to only have one master. 

o       From James 1:13–15, 19–27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
-First realize anything that we are tempted with is not of God
-Everyone sins
-Get rid of evil
-Do good to the world. Go forth with actions. 
-Don't be forgetful
-Serve other people. 
o       Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22.
-I had one friend that I met my very first semester. She always was serving and helping everyone around us. She would volunteer at special needs events, someone to talk to, and would just serve overall. Now she's serving a mission in Brazil. S
2.    Read the institute student manual commentary for James 1:5–6, “If Any of You Lack Wisdom” (p. 409). Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact ... upon mankind than any other” scripture.
Personally, I think that these have the greatest impact because first of All, these are the ones that provoked Joseph Smith to pray about the Church. This is what started our gospel in the Latter Days. It also is a motivator scripture. It makes us al choose to pray about what is happening, and challenges us to pray to know what is true. It is the way that we gain our own testimony instead of relying on someone else. It is a way that we must do what we know is right, but more importantly to find out on our own. 


-

Choice Three: Hebrews 13. Works of Righteousness

Paul concluded his epistle to the Hebrews with some brief teachings and statements of counsel. Read Hebrews 13 and find statements about the following questions:


• How should we treat strangers and those “in bonds”?
Those that are in bonds should be treated as though we too are experiencing the challenges. It is important to relate to people in ways that they need it, and often that is through empathy.  

• How is marriage looked upon?
Marriage is something so sacred and honorable. It is something never to be taken lightly and must be treated with such high respect. God will judge you if you don't follow his commandments about marriage. 
 
• What warnings are given about covetousness? 
Let our conversations not be filled with coveting and we are reminded to be content and happy and thankful for what we have for ourselves. It isn't important as to what someone else has because we are given what we are needed. 

• What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. He is not changing and neither is His love for us. 

• How are we sanctified? We are sanctified with His own blood suffered without the gate. 

• How do we respond to those who rule over us? We must obey and be submissive to them. This to me, means understanding good and evil over those that rule over us. To be respectful and understanding and also humble. These people are placed for a reason and therefore we must have faith in them. 

• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?Pray for the prophets and rulers and the 12. Pray for them to have a good conscience and to be honest, because this is what they already are, but we must pray for them to continue this way.

Choice 5: Hebrews 1–2. Jesus Christ Is Greater than Angels

1.    Refer to “Epistle to the Hebrews” in the Bible Dictionary (pp. 746–47). Read the first paragraph and the “Analysis of Hebrews,” number 1–5. Make a list of what Jesus Christ is superior to.

• The apostles

• Angels

• Moses

• His own word is superior. 

• High priests of the law of Moses

 

2.    Read Hebrews 1. Make a list of three truths Paul taught about the Savior Jesus Christ.

• Christ is the heir of all things. 

• Christ made the worlds

• Christ is better than the angels.

3.    Read Hebrews 2:7–18; 4:13–16; Alma 7:11–15; Doctrine and Covenants 122:8. In writing describe how these scriptures explain reasons the Son of God came to earth to experience mortality.
Christ was given the opportunity to come to this Earth to destroy the devil and that He would be able to pay for our sins.  He came to this earth so that he could fulfill his word that He said he would take the pains and sickness of the people.He also did this so we could learn to repent for our sins and keep the commandments. Its also is important to read these scriptures because the last verse in D&C shows that we need to remember that we are not greater than Jesus. The way it is phrased in a question makes you ponder what your ideas are.