New Years Resolutions

Ah, the beginning of a new year. It's time for a fresh start and new resolutions. I found my list from last year and thankfully I did almost all of the things I wanted to do! If I've learned anything about goals, you have to set them, write them down (where other people can see them) and STICK TO THEM. So now is the time to write them down for people to see. A few of them are rolled over from last year because I think they're something that should be done often.

• Run 2.5 miles in 20 minutes
• Go somewhere I've never been before
• No soda
• No Fast food
• Go to the Beach

These are very simple goals, but they are good and attainable, which is what I think makes for successful goals. So here's to a new year and new challenges! Hopefully 2013 will be just as good, if not better, than 2012!

Choice 1 Acts 19-20

Five Priesthood ordinances Paul performed:
Baptism
Holy Ghost
Prophecy
Sacrament
Raising the Dead

1.) Baptism
2.) It's critical for a person to be baptized by the right authority, because if it's done with the wrong authority, it doesn't count.
3.) He laid his hands on their heads and gave them the Holy Ghost.
4.) The sabbath was on the first day of the week.

Choice 2: 2Peter 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.
 Deny the Lord
Lust after things
Deny Government
speak evil of things they don't understand
speak words of vanity
I feel like after making this list, it'd be pretty easy to spot false teachers, but that isn't the case. False teachers are also the master of disguise, slowly leading you down to destruction. When I think of false teachers, I can't help but think of the preachers on TV shows (like the 700 Club). Whenever I watch those types of shows, I just get an uncomfortable feeling. I know those preachers are doing it for the money, it's all for show, which just makes me uncomfortable. But on the outside, it looks pretty good, on the inside, I can't help but feel their false teachings.
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.”
I think one of the biggest dangers of returning to the ways of the world is that for a person do to that, they must deny everything they once knew to be true. It's denying a part of you, giving up yourself for momentary satisfaction. The "happiness" you gain from following the world is not eternal, and when you die, it's like a slap in the face with the realization that you made the stupidest mistake ever.

“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?
 Ask in faith

o       How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?
Have unwavering faith and you will receive your answers.
o       How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?
They help clarify that a man eventually HAS to choose to follow the Lord or to follow Satan. You cannot follow both, it's not an option.
o       From James 1:13–15, 19–27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Do not lust after things
Be quick to hear and slow to speak
Be clean and cling to the scriptures
Be doers of the word, and not just hearers 
o       Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22.
Being a "hearer" of the word but not a "doer" gives people a false sense of security. Going through the motions are not enough, people need to actively be engaging in the gospel, improving themselves daily. Those that are both "Hearers" AND "doers" are constantly on check with their spirituality and don't get lulled into a spiritual rut.
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.
It helped Joseph Smith ask God to know what church was true, which lead to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Investigators of the Church have this promise that if they ask God, they will get an answer

Choice Three, Hebrews 13

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”?
 We need to be kind to strangers and those that are in bonds. We need to treat them how we would treat friends, family or how we, ourselves, would want to be treated. Treat them like we are the ones in bonds or the ones who are suffering.
• How is marriage looked upon?
 Marriage is an honorable and sacred thing.
• What warnings are given about covetousness?
 We should keep coveting out of our conversations and be happy with what we have. We have the Lord on our side, what more could we want?
• What is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”?
 Jesus Christ
• How are we sanctified?
 We are sanctified through the blood of Christ.
• How do we respond to those who rule over us?
 We are supposed to obey and submit to those that are over us.
• Who did Paul ask the people to pray for?
Paul asked the people to pray for their leaders.

Choice 5: Hebrews 1-2

• What Christ is Superior to: The Law of Moses, Prophets, Angels, Moses, High Priests of the law of Moses
• Truths Paul taught about Jesus Christ: Christ is appointed heir of all things, Christ is made better than the angels, Christ laid the foundation of the earth
• Reasons why Christ came to mortality: To descend below every human being so He can understand everyone sorrows, He needed to be tempted so He can understand those that are tempted, So that He can be merciful towards us at our judgment because He will know what we've been through, He had to fulfill the prophecy, Loose the bands of death,

Choice 1 Phillipians 1-4

• Phil 2:1-8,14-15: We are supposed to love one another and have no contention among us. We are commanded to not murmur or fight amongst the saints.
• Phil 2:12-15: We are supposed to gain our own testimony, not rely on our parents. It's so difficult to do what is right if we have always only relied on our parents, when our parents aren't there, then we might fall and not be able to obey.
• Phil 3:7-16, 4:13: If we are dealing with a family member that will disown us because we join the church, then we need to have faith that everything will work out. Christ will not punish us for doing what is right He wants us to succeed and He will strengthen us when we are weak.
• We need to rely on the scriptures to guide us through our daily life. Often times people think that the scriptures don't apply to them because they were written thousands of years ago, but they are just as relevant today. The Book of Mormon was written for US and will help guide us through our lives.