PURPOSE: To help class members come unto Christ through recognizing some of the wonderful things he has done.
Study the following scriptures & take note of the things that the Savior has done for us, it is remarkable:
a. Isaiah 22:22. The Savior opens the door to Heavenly Father’s presence.
b. Isaiah 24:21–22. The Savior shows mercy for those in spirit prison.
c. Isaiah 25:1–4; 32:1–2. The Savior is a strength and a refuge.
d. Isaiah 25:6–9. The Savior will prepare a feast and destroy the “vail.”
e. Isaiah 25:8. The Savior wipes away our tears.
f. Isaiah 26:19. The Savior will bring the Resurrection.
g. Isaiah 28:16. The Savior is our sure foundation.
h. Isaiah 29:4, 9–14, 18, 24. The Savior will restore the gospel to the earth.
i. Isaiah 30:19–21. The Savior knows our trials and directs our paths.
• How does the Savior “wipe away [our] tears”? (Isaiah 25:8).
• Isaiah prophesied that when the Messiah would come, he would die and be resurrected (Isaiah 25:8). Who else will be resurrected? (See Isaiah 26:19; 1 Corinthians 15:20–22; Alma 11:43–44.) What does Isaiah 26:19 suggest about how we will feel when we are resurrected? (See also D&C 138:12–16, 50.)
Compare the following verses in Isaiah 29 with the corresponding passages to see how some of Isaiah’s prophecies have been fulfilled:
Isaiah 29:4 compare to Moroni 10:27
Isaiah 29:9–10, 13 compare to Joseph Smith—History 1:18–19
Isaiah 29:11–12 compare to Joseph Smith—History 1:63–65
Isaiah 29:14 compare to Doctrine and Covenants 4:1; 6:1
• Isaiah told of people drawing near to the Lord with their mouths while their hearts are far from Him (Isaiah 29:13). How can we make sure that we are close to the Lord in our thoughts and actions as well as in our words?
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Lesson 36: The Glory of Zion Will Be a Defense
PURPOSE: To encourage class members to avoid the evils of the world by standing in holy places and to help them draw strength from Isaiah’s willingness to serve.
BACKGROUND: For the background I am turning a resource that I have really enjoyed titled "The Old Testament Made Easier" by David Ridges pg. 22-23.
The Savior quoted Isaiah more often than He quoted any other prophet in the Old Testament. This fact alone testifies of the importance of the writings and teachings of Isaiah. During the Savior's ministry to the Nephites on the American continent, He quoted Isaiah and then said (3 Nephi 23:1), "And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah."
There are obviously many reasons that the teachings of Isaiah are vital to us. We will quote again from the Book of Mormon to see two major reasons to study Isaiah, according to Nephi. We will use bold to point out Nephi's reasons for quoting Isaiah to his people, including his wayward brothers Laman and Lemuel.
1 Nephi 19:23-24
23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.
24 Wherefore I spake unto them saying: Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from who ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written.
Thus we are taught that Isaiah's teachings can greatly strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and provide wonderful hope and assurance in our hearts that we can be found among those who are saved. ("The Old Testament Made Easier" by David Ridges pg. 22-23)
STUDY: Isaiah 1–6.
Isaiah prophesied many things about the earthly mission of the Savior, about the destruction that would follow Israel’s wickedness, and about the mission and destiny of latter-day Israel.
• Many of Isaiah’s warnings and prophecies apply both to his time, which was a time of great wickedness, and to our time. How are the conditions described in Isaiah 1–5 evident in the world today?
• What three holy places mentioned in Isaiah 4:5–6 offer safety from evil? What expressions are used in these verses to describe how these holy places will protect us?
BACKGROUND: For the background I am turning a resource that I have really enjoyed titled "The Old Testament Made Easier" by David Ridges pg. 22-23.
The Savior quoted Isaiah more often than He quoted any other prophet in the Old Testament. This fact alone testifies of the importance of the writings and teachings of Isaiah. During the Savior's ministry to the Nephites on the American continent, He quoted Isaiah and then said (3 Nephi 23:1), "And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah."
There are obviously many reasons that the teachings of Isaiah are vital to us. We will quote again from the Book of Mormon to see two major reasons to study Isaiah, according to Nephi. We will use bold to point out Nephi's reasons for quoting Isaiah to his people, including his wayward brothers Laman and Lemuel.
1 Nephi 19:23-24
23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.
24 Wherefore I spake unto them saying: Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from who ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written.
Thus we are taught that Isaiah's teachings can greatly strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, and provide wonderful hope and assurance in our hearts that we can be found among those who are saved. ("The Old Testament Made Easier" by David Ridges pg. 22-23)
STUDY: Isaiah 1–6.
Isaiah prophesied many things about the earthly mission of the Savior, about the destruction that would follow Israel’s wickedness, and about the mission and destiny of latter-day Israel.
• Many of Isaiah’s warnings and prophecies apply both to his time, which was a time of great wickedness, and to our time. How are the conditions described in Isaiah 1–5 evident in the world today?
• What three holy places mentioned in Isaiah 4:5–6 offer safety from evil? What expressions are used in these verses to describe how these holy places will protect us?
Sunday, October 10, 2010
I'm BACK!
I am thrilled to have been called to teach gospel doctrine in the College Park Ward. I will be teaching every other week, rotating with Sister Mills. Our lesson next week is Lesson 35: God Reveals His Secrets to His Prophets. Please look HERE (the post from a couple of weeks ago) or just scroll down to the post on September 21, to prepare for our discussion next Sunday.
Even if you don't have much time to read the scriptural passages included in the lesson, think about the promise made to Amos that "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but [until] he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." This promise is the title of our lesson, which I think is so amazing! We just had General Conference a week ago...what did the Prophet and the Lord's servants reveal? If our Father in Heaven has an important and timely message to share, General Conference is a likely, but not exclusive, setting for that message to be revealed. I want to be in the know; part of the inner-circle if you will.
I genuinely look forward to our discussion on Sunday and appreciate the opportunity to learn from you and with you next week!
** Be sure to watch the clip of talks from the April General Conference! It is really good!
Even if you don't have much time to read the scriptural passages included in the lesson, think about the promise made to Amos that "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but [until] he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." This promise is the title of our lesson, which I think is so amazing! We just had General Conference a week ago...what did the Prophet and the Lord's servants reveal? If our Father in Heaven has an important and timely message to share, General Conference is a likely, but not exclusive, setting for that message to be revealed. I want to be in the know; part of the inner-circle if you will.
I genuinely look forward to our discussion on Sunday and appreciate the opportunity to learn from you and with you next week!
** Be sure to watch the clip of talks from the April General Conference! It is really good!
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