1.       Read 2 Peter 2:1-19. Record the characteristics of false teachers described by Peter. Explain how your list helps you recognize false teachers today.

a.       They were covetous, they used feigned words. They have filthy conversations. They walk after the flesh, and lust uncleanness, they despise government. They are presumptuous, swift willed and are not afraid to speak evil. They have eyes full of adultery.

b.      This helps me to be more aware of the false teachers. I think that sometimes I just wouldn’t think of these type of people to be teachers. But they are teaching the worldly things to everyone around them.

2.       Read 2 Peter 2:20-22; In your own word, write a few sentences describing the dangers of returning to the “pollutions of the world”.

a.       To me I think of people who have heard, understood and accepted the truth at some point in time. Then turn around and try to forget about all that they have learned and go back to their old life. It would have been better for their salvation that they haven’t learned the truth, so that they would not be held accountable for their ignorance. But because they do know the truth they are held at a higher standard.

Unit two - 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:

a.       What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?

                                                   i.      In James 1:5 the phrase “lack wisdom” has always stuck out to me. When I see that there is something that I need to change in my life it motivates me to look for direction from God.

                                                 ii.      In James 1:5 the phrase “that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not” this encourages me to look for direction because I know that the Lord will give it to me freely if I ask.

                                                iii.      The word “blessed” also is encouraging because blessings are always needed.

b.      How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?

                                                   i.      He said, “But let him ^aask in ^bfaith, nothing ^cwavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” He explained that faith has to be solid. Your faith has to be strong enough that you are not doubting or hesitating.

c.       How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8 (A ^adouble minded man is unstable in all his ways.)?

                                                   i.      Matthew 6:24 says, ”No man can ^bserve two ^cmasters: for either he will ^dhate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and ^emammon.” This helps you understand the conflict of the double minded man. He is confused on who to serve, God or Satan.

                                                 ii.      1 Kings 18:21 says, “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between ^atwo opinions? if the Lord be God, ^bfollow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” This pushes the fact that if the Lord is God, why are you trying to follow anyone else. Follow him and do not hesitate.

d.      From James 1:13-15, 19-27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

                                                   i.      Recognize the good things in our life, realize that they come from God

                                                 ii.      Be swift to hear

                                                iii.      Be slow to speak

                                               iv.      Be slow to anger

                                                 v.      Stay away from filthiness and evil

                                               vi.      Embrace meekness

                                              vii.      Be a doer of the word

                                            viii.      Bridle your tongue

e.      Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22.

                                                   i.      This made me think of general conference. We go to general conference twice a year but yet sometimes we don’t even remember what was said. We could do better at being a doer of the word and not just a hearer.

                                                 ii.      Missionary work is another example. As members of the church we have the gospel in our life. We need to share that with other people, be doers instead of hearers only.

2.       Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact… upon mankind than any other” scripture.

This was the scripture that Joseph Smith read that got him thinking. It helped guide him to pray for the things that he did not know about. This event has affected the world greatly. The whole restoration of the church started in the grove of trees.   

Hebrews 11-12 Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Name	Verse	How they demonstrated faith	Blessings they received
Abel	4	Offered a “more excellent sacrifice”	A witness from God that he was righteous
Enoch	5	Showed enough faith in his testimony and in God to be translated	He was translated so that he does not have to see death
Noah	7	Prepared an ark even though he was condemned by the world	He was saved during the flood
Abraham	8	To go wherever the Lord wanted him to go.	Found the place of inheritance that the lord wanted him to be
Sara	11	Judged him faithful who had promised	Was able to conceive a child
Isaac	20	Offered blessings to Jacob and esau	He was able to receive revelation about things to come
Jacob	21	Blessed both sons of joseph	Able to get revelation and strength from God
Moses	24-29	Forsook Egypt, chose to be called after the son of God instead of the son of pharaoh.	Miracles, passing through the red sea on dry ground
Joseph	22	Told about the departing of the children of Israel	Commandments were fulfilled

The other three that I found were as follows:

Nephi	1 nephi	Followed his father in the wilderness, went to go get the plates, built a ship	He was blessed with understanding, and his life was spared.. and much more
Samuel the lamanite		Stood on a wall and declared the word of the lord	Was protected and saved from arrows.
The stripling warriors		Fought to protect their families	Their lives were spared

 

 In Hebrews 12:1-2 Paul encouraged saints to lay aside all their sins and run with patience the race that is set before us. In other words, we need to give up the sinful things in our life and move forward towards the Lords plan.

Faith is much different than a belief. A belief only requires your mind and heart to agree on a specific point. Faith requires action. Faith requires you to actually do something about it.