Royal's Ramblings

Post # 266 -- Come, Follow Me -- Week # 49 -- December 14–20 -- Moroni 10 -- “Come unto Christ, and Be Perfected in Him”

Dear Family and Friends

I pray that you are all finding new ways to connect or reconnect with your family members and friends even though you may not be able to visit with them in person due to this nasty virus.

It is so important that we stay connected to and with our family members and friends at least weekly. As it is so easy for people to slip into depression, and if someone lives alone they may need contact daily.

I know when I was sick that week of Thanksgiving I was lonely in my basement room. Even though I could hear my family all around me they were all upstairs and I was the only one down stairs for days.

I know that they came down to check on me occasionally, it came to a point that I just wanted to be around them. so i drug my blanket and pillows upstairs for about 20 minutes, then i went back downstairs to sleep some more.

The next day I came upstairs for a little longer and then a little bit longer each day.Though i was still very weak, i went back to work on Monday as i could not afford to take any more days off.

I do not have time off days so when i have to be at home i lose a day's pay. Well that’s enough of my rambling:)If you and or your family members and friends have had some meaningful experiences as you have been reading and studying the Book of Mormon this year.

You as the teacher can draw on these experiences which you have had to encourage your family members and friends to study the scriptures each day. They too, can help to encourage you as well, to read and study the Book of Mormon every day in your individual and family study.

As you finish reading the Book of Mormon, consider seeking a renewed witness from the Holy Ghost that it is true. As you do, record the impressions you receive.

The Book of Mormon opens with Nephi’s promise to show us that “the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith” (1 Nephi 1:20). The book closes with a similar message from Moroni as he prepared to “seal up” the records: he invited us to “remember how merciful the Lord hath been” (Moroni 10:2–3). Even if we think only of the many mercies recorded in the Book of Mormon, this gives us a lot to think about. What examples come to your mind? You might ponder the merciful way God led Lehi’s family through the wilderness and across the great waters, the tender mercies He showed to Enos when his soul hungered for forgiveness, or the mercy He showed to Alma, a bitter enemy of the Church who became one of its fearless defenders. Or your thoughts might turn to the mercy the resurrected Savior showed to the people when He healed their sick and blessed their little children. Perhaps most important, all of this can remind you of “how merciful the Lord hath been” to you, for one of the main purposes of the Book of Mormon is to invite each of us to receive God’s mercy—an invitation expressed simply in Moroni’s farewell words, “Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Moroni 10:32).

What if you and your family members and friends pretended that the prophet Moroni is visiting you at your home today during your regular lesson time.

What do you think your family members and friends would say to Moroni about what he has written for us in Moroni 10?

Do they have any special verses that are meaningful to them that they would want Moroni to know about? Would you and your family members and friends be willing to share any experiences which you and or they have had with these verses?

Moroni 10:3–7

I can know the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost.

You and your family members and friends will possibly gather up some new insights. You will gather up more little packets of light if you will all study very carefully the teachings you will find in Moroni 10:3–5 here below:

Moroni 10:3–5

Book of Mormon

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

You could write from these verses important phrases onto separate pieces of paper to pass out to each of your family members and friends. Then you ask each member of your scripture study group to ponder what their phrase means.

You might want to have a discussion about what each phrase means. Be sure to discuss what each one can do to apply their phrase in their daily lives. Now is a good time for you and your family members and friends to read

You should read together Moroni 10:3–5 [above]. With that said, you should be sure to stop when you come across a phrase that someone in your scripture study group studied this way.

Each person can share his and or her thoughts about their phrase with one another. Get out your journal and encourage your family members and friends to write in their own personal journals where you and they could write down their experiences during the week.

Those experiences which you and they have had with acting on the invitation from Moroni that is found in these verses. You may even want to ask your family members and friends to think about the following situation:

they have a friend or family member who wants to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and needs some encouragement. How can you encourage this person? How might you and / or they use Moroni 10:8–25?

8 And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the cSpirit of God unto men, to profit them.

9 aFor behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom;

10 And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

11 And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

12 And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles;

13 And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things;

14 And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits;

15 And again, to another, all kinds of tongues;

16 And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues.

17 And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.

18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.

19 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that all these gifts of which I have spoken, which are spiritual, never will be done away, even as long as the world shall stand, only according to the unbelief of the children of men.

20 Wherefore, there must be afaith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.

21 And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope.

22 And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.

23 And Christ truly said unto our fathers: aIf ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.

24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of \unbelief.

25 And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God.

How can you and/or they use what is found in Moroni 10:3–7?

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.

7 And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.

What experiences could you and / or they share? How can we help others understand what it means to know something “by the power of the Holy Ghost”? (Moroni 10:5).

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Moroni 10:3–7

I can know the truth by the power of the Holy Ghost.

The promise in Moroni 10:3–7 has changed the lives of millions of people around the world. How has it changed yours? Whether you are seeking to gain or to strengthen your testimony of the Book of Mormon, Moroni’s invitation applies to you. As you read Moroni 10:3–7, consider reading more carefully than you have in the past. You could examine each phrase, asking yourself questions like these: What does this mean? How can I do this better? What experiences have I had with this? How has the Holy Ghost manifested the truth of the Book of Mormon to me?

Also think about someone who needs to hear your testimony of the Book of Mormon. How will you help that person seek his or her own witness?

Moroni 10:8–25

“Deny not the gifts of God.”

In Moroni 10:8 we are given the admonition to ‘deny not the gifts of God”. Why do you think this admonition to “deny not the gifts of God '' is so particularly important for each one of us in these latter days?

At this point you may want to encourage your family members and friends to take the time to ponder this question as you and or they read Moroni 10:8–18.

9 For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom;

10 And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

11 And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

12 And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles;

13 And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things;

14 And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits;

15 And again, to another, all kinds of tongues;

16 And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues.

17 And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they come unto every man severally, according as he will.

18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.

You might want to ask your family members and friends to share some examples of people they know who are using each of those spiritual gifts which you can find listed in Moroni 10:9–16. [above]

Doing this activity can help to strengthen you and your family members and friends’ belief in those spiritual gifts. You and your family members and friends can find examples of spiritual gifts in several places.

Those examples could come from the scriptures, from Church history, or from yours and /or their own lives. Examples from the Book of Mormon are suggested here below:

Manifestations of spiritual gifts in the Book of Mormon.

• Teaching by the Spirit: Nephi and Lehi (Helaman 5:17–19)

• Exceedingly great faith: Alma, Amulek, Ammon, and others (Ether 12:13–22)

• Healing: Alma (Alma 15:5–11)

• Mighty miracles: The three disciples (3 Nephi 28:19–22)

• Prophecy: Lehi (2 Nephi 1:6–7)

• Beholding of angels: Amulek (Alma 10:7–10)

• Interpretation of languages: Mosiah (Mosiah 28:11–16)

How were these spiritual gifts manifest?“ You and your family members and friends could also discuss how some of the gifts which are described in these verses were manifested in the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.

Why is it important for someone who is seeking a testimony of the Book of Mormon to believe in spiritual gifts? What do we sometimes do to “deny” these gifts in our lives? How do these gifts help us “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him”? As we are counseled in Moroni 10:30–33.

30 And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.

31 And awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled.

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

Get out your poster board for another way to explore the spiritual gifts which are described in these verses. You should write on your poster board a few questions like the following: What are spiritual gifts?

Who are they given to? Why are they given? and How do we receive them? Read through the questions together with your family scripture study group.

Now ask your family members and friends to search Moroni 10:8–25 to find answers. The following statements by President Brigham Young and President Dallin H. Oaks can also help.

President Brigham Young’s testimony of spiritual gifts.

“Faith. When you believe the principles of the Gospel and attain unto faith, which is a gift of God, he adds more faith, adding faith to faith. …

“The Gift of Healing. I am here to testify to hundreds of instances of men, women, and children being healed by the power of God, through the laying on of hands, and many I have seen raised from the gates of death, and brought back from the verge of eternity; and some whose spirits had actually left their bodies, returned again. I testify that I have seen the sick healed by the laying on of hands, according to the promise of the Savior. …

“Prophecy, Revelation, and Knowledge. Every man and woman may be a revelator, and have the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy, and foresee the mind and will of God concerning them, eschew evil, and choose that which is good” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Brigham Young [1997], 252–53).

“Lay hold upon every good gift.”

President Dallin H. Oaks told how seeking spiritual gifts blessed his mother: “Having lost her husband, my widowed mother was incomplete. How she prayed for what she needed to fulfill her responsibility to raise her three small children! She was seeking, she was worthy, and she was blessed! Her prayers were answered in many ways, including the receipt of spiritual gifts. She had many, but the ones that stand out in my memory are the gifts of faith, testimony, and wisdom” (“Spiritual Gifts,” Ensign, Sept. 1986, 72).

You could read the following verses with your family members and friends the following verses Moroni 10:9–16 looking for the spiritual gifts listed there:

9 For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom;

10 And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

11 And to another, exceedingly great faith; and to another, the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

12 And again, to another, that he may work mighty miracles;

13 And again, to another, that he may prophesy concerning all things;

14 And again, to another, the beholding of angels and ministering spirits;

15 And again, to another, all kinds of tongues;

16 And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues.

Be sure that you make a list of all of the spiritual gifts shared in these verses In addition to the spiritual gifts listed in verses 9–16, what other “gifts of God” have we received or been blessed by? As we can read about in Moroni 10:8.

It may be good for you to share with your family members and friends what Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “Spiritual gifts are endless in number and infinite in variety. Those listed in the revealed word are simply illustrations of the boundless outpouring of divine grace that a gracious God gives those who love and serve him” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1985], 371).

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Moroni 10:8–25

“Deny not the gifts of God.”

There are many ways a person might “deny … the gifts of God” (Moroni 10:8). Some people deny that these gifts even exist. Others might deny that they have spiritual gifts but recognize them in other people. Still others deny their gifts by simply neglecting them or failing to develop them.

As you read Moroni 10:8–25, look for truths that will help you discover your spiritual gifts and use them with greater power to bless yourself and others. Seek insights about the gifts God has given you or the gifts He wants you to seek. Why is it important to “remember that every good gift cometh of Christ”? (Moroni 10:18).

Consider also this counsel from Elder John C. Pingree Jr.: “So how do we come to know our gifts? We can reference our patriarchal blessing, ask those who know us best, and personally identify what we are naturally good at and enjoy. Most important, we can ask God (see James 1:5; Doctrine and Covenants 112:10). He knows our gifts, since He gave them to us” (“I Have a Work for Thee,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 33).

See Guide to the Scriptures, “Gifts of the Spirit,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Moroni 10:30–33

I can be perfected through the grace of Jesus Christ.

It would be very beneficial for you and your family members and friends to sing the following hymn: Come Follow Me -- hymn # 116 . As you do this I am betting that you too will begin to feel the spirit and bring the spirit into your discussion as well.

116

Come, Follow Me

31243, Hymns, Come, Follow Me, no. 116

1. "Come, follow me," the Savior said.

Then let us in his footsteps tread,

For thus alone can we be one

With God's own loved, begotten Son.
2. "Come, follow me," a simple phrase,

Yet truth's sublime, effulgent rays

Are in these simple words combined

To urge, inspire the human mind.

3. Is it enough alone to know

That we must follow him below,

While trav'ling thru this vale of tears?

No, this extends to holier spheres.

4. Not only shall we emulate

His course while in this earthly state,

But when we're freed from present cares,

If with our Lord we would be heirs.

5. We must the onward path pursue

As wider fields expand to view,

And follow him unceasingly,

Whate'er our lot or sphere may be.

6. For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow'rs,

And glory great and bliss are ours,

If we, throughout eternity,

Obey his words, "Come, follow me."

Text: John Nicholson, 1839-1909

Music: Samuel McBurney, b. 1847

Matthew 4:19

2 Nephi 31:10-21

After the music here is a question to start this section with:What do you feel would help the members of your class accept Moroni’s invitation to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him”? (Moroni 10:32).

You could ask your family members and friends to share any of the connections which they have found between the hymn and the truths found in Moroni 10:30–33. After you have had your discussion

30 And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.

it's time for you and your family members and friends to answer a couple of questions before you move on to our next section:) What do we learn from these verses and this hymn about what it means to come unto Christ?

What does it mean to be “perfect in Christ”? (see also Doctrine and Covenants 76:50–53, 69). Share your feelings about what it means to be “made perfect through Jesus” (Doctrine and Covenants 76:69), and encourage your family members and friends to share theirs.

50 And again we bear record -- fore we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just --

51 They are they who received the testimony of Jesus , and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given --

52 That by keeping the commandments they might be washed and cleansed from all all their sins and receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of the hands of him who is ordained and sealed untothis power;

53 And who overcome by faith, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, which the Father sheds forth upon all those who are just and true.

69 These are they who have come to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of Enoch, and of the Firstborn.

As you may have noticed this is the last lesson from the Book of Mormon for this year’s study. You and your family members may want to share some of what you and/ they have felt and learned as you have all studied the Book of Mormon together.

You could enhance your sharing session by reading Moroni 10:32–33 together with your family members and friends. Then you could ask your family scripture study group to take a few moments and ponder about how the Book of Mormon has helped you and/or each of them to come closer to Christ.

You might say to them: How has the Book of Mormon helped each one of us to have a greater love for God? How has the Book of Mormon helped each one of us to rely more completely on the grace of Christ?

How has our study of the Book of Mormon helped each one of us to “deny not” the Savior’s power? Now would be a good time for you and your family members and friends to bear your testimonies of the Book of Mormon and its witness of Jesus Christ.

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Moroni 10:30–33

I can be perfected through the grace of Jesus Christ.

Moroni’s admonition to “come unto Christ” involves more than learning about Him or thinking about Him more often or even trying harder to keep His commandments, as important as these things are. Rather, this is an invitation to come unto Christ in the most complete sense possible—to become as He is. As you read Moroni 10:30–33, notice phrases that help you understand what it means to come to Christ completely, such as “lay hold upon every good gift,” “deny yourselves of all ungodliness,” and, of course, “be perfected in him” (italics added).

How is this possible? Look for answers in Moroni 10:30–33. What is the Spirit telling you that you should do to more completely “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him”?

See Omni 1:26; Guide to the Scriptures, “Perfect,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

You can encourage your family members and friends to look forward to studying the Doctrine and Covenants together with me and all of our cyber study buddies next year.

You can do this as you review Moroni 10:9–16 together with your family members and friends and explain that these gifts are all evident in the Church today.

Tell them that as we read the Doctrine and Covenants, we will see just how the gifts and the power of God have been used to do His work in the latter days

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Family Home Evening

As you read the scriptures with your family, the Spirit can help you know what principles to emphasize and discuss in order to meet the needs of your family. Here are some ideas.

Moroni 10

Read this chapter together, looking for every time Moroni used the word exhort. List or mark what Moroni is exhorting—or strongly encouraging—us to do. What can we do to follow his exhortations?

Moroni 10:3

What have we learned about the Lord’s mercy as we read the Book of Mormon this year? How has the Lord been merciful to our family?

Moroni 10:3–5

After reading these verses, you might ask family members to share how they have come to know that the Book of Mormon is true. Consider singing together a song about seeking for truth, such as “Search, Ponder, and Pray” (Children’s Songbook, 109). You might also invite family members to record their testimonies in a family journal.

Moroni 10:8–18

Christmas is a natural time to think about receiving gifts. Perhaps family members could wrap gifts for each other that represent the “gifts of God” mentioned in Moroni 10:9–16. These gifts could also represent other good gifts that come from Christ that they see in one another.

Moroni 10:27–29, 34

Family members could share what they would like to say to Moroni when they “meet [him] before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah.”

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “Search, Ponder, and Pray,” Children’s Songbook, 109.

Here are two more for you to add to your collection of personal study improvement ideas and teaching improvement ideas. I found it works to have them written out on index cards and put into an index card box for safe keeping and where I can find them easily when I need an idea:)

Improving Personal Study

Look for Jesus Christ. The purpose of the Book of Mormon—and all scripture—is to testify of Jesus Christ. What do you learn about Jesus Christ in Moroni 10? What do you feel inspired to do to come unto Him?

Improving Our Teaching

Reserve time for learners to share. “When learners share what they are learning, they not only feel the Spirit and strengthen their own testimonies, but they also encourage other class members to discover truths for themselves” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 30).

Well, here we are again at the end of this lesson. I pray that something that i have shared in this post has helped you in some small way. I have tried to include the whole lesson for you.

Even though there may not always be enough time during your Sunday lesson to cover everything. You can always use parts of the lesson each day along with your individual and or family scripture study.

You can always use parts of the lesson during this upcoming year to help you continue your daily study of the Book of Mormon. It is so important to develop that habit of reading from and studying the Book of Mormon every day.

If you miss a day or two, it's ok, just begin again… and again. I have restarted my daily study of the Book of Mormon so many times I have lost count. The important thing is to begin again.

You will notice as I have. that there is a drastic difference in my daily life when I take the time to study from the Book of Mormon and when I forget or do not take the time to at least read from the Book of Mormon every day.

Next week we will be doing the Christmas lesson. I will do my best to get the lesson out to you on time. So you and your family members and friends can enjoy the lesson all week long:)

Please remember who you are. You are each one a child of God!!! You belong to a heavenly family. You are of eternal birth. You are amazing!!! Until my next post, everyone be safe, and stay healthy and well.

Royal's Ramblings

Monday, December 14, 2020

No comments:

Post a Comment