Problem Number One
People arguing and complaining over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week.
Solution Found In:
Phillipians 2:1-8, 14-15 (definitions to words added)
1If there be therefore any consolation (comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment) in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any abowels and mercies,
3Let nothing be done through astrife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each besteem other better than themselves.
7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a aservant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in afashion as a man, he bhumbled himself, and became cobedient unto ddeath, even the edeath of the cross.
15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the asons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse bnation, among whom ye cshine as lights in the world;
First Paul tells us that God wants us to be loving and empathetic towards each other, trying to understand others. He then tells us to be humble and in all situations we should esteem others better than ourselves. I would think this would mean that all should try and be willing to accept others ideas - Or be really uplifting of others and saying "I think that's a great idea!" (I think unless it is against church standards, like having someone act out Christ which is sacrilege and the Church specifically says in church handbooks not to do so for example). I personally really think my ideas are really great and sometimes I don't want to do other people's ideas because I think mine are cooler.... They usually think this too, but about their own ideas, so it is a problem. This would not happen if I esteemed others higher than myself and didn't worry about getting praise from others for a job well done. He gave the example of Jesus Christ - who truly was higher than all on earth - took the form of a servant and served others. I can see Jesus Christ supporting me in my ideas and wanting me to succeed, it would be so wonderful if we could all be like that. We should avoid having disputations. If you avoid being contentious you can be blameless and harmless - I wish I was blameless and harmless because sometimes I can be very harmful and definitely not blameless haha. Really you are the one who has to solve the problem and not fight - because you can't stop others from doing so.
Problem Number Two
Many youth feel that their parents' testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents they rely on them for all their spiritual strength.
Solution found in:
Philippians 2:12-13
12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, awork out your own bsalvation with fear and trembling.
I really think trying to rely on another's testimony is a very bad idea, because others can lose their testimony and you will have no control over that you will lose yours. You will have lost a precious and prized opportunity to learn of the truth for yourself. I saw this happen to some very good friends of mine, they relied on their mother's faith. When their mother lost her faith they realized they didn't have enough on their own and they no longer had the faith nessicary to follow the precepts of the gospel. Had they gained their own testimony and "work[ed] out their own salvation with fear and trembling" they would still have the happiness of the gospel in their lives. Also I don't feel you can be as strong of servant for God to do his will if you don't have your own testimony and desire. We have to gain our own testimony and conversion. Without faith in Jesus Christ you cannot be saved, and while doing the right thing for family honor is noble, it is not enough.
My teacher also suggested reading this quote from one of our past prophets found in the Church Educational System New Testament Manuel.
Problem Number Three
An investigator (person who is investigating the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints) is considering joining the church but his family will no longer speak to him if he does.
Solution Found In:
Phillipians 3:7-16, 4:13
My teacher also suggested reading this quote from one of our past prophets found in the Church Educational System New Testament Manuel.
“An outstanding doctrine of the Church is that each individual carries the responsibility to work out his own salvation, and salvation is a process of gradual development. The Church does not accept the doctrine that a mere murmured belief in Jesus Christ is all that is necessary. A man may say he believes, but if he does nothing to make that belief or faith a moving power to do, to accomplish, to produce soul growth, his professing will avail him nothing. ‘Work out your salvation’ is an exhortation to demonstrate by activity, by thoughtful, obedient effort the reality of faith. But this must be done with a consciousness that absolute dependence upon self may produce pride and weakness that will bring failure. With ‘fear and trembling’ we should seek the strength and grace of God for inspiration to obtain the final victory. “To work out one’s salvation is not to sit idly by dreaming and yearning for God miraculously to thrust bounteous blessings into our laps. It is to perform daily, hourly, momentarily, if necessary, the immediate task or duty at hand, and to continue happily in such performance as the years come and go, leaving the fruits of such labors either for self or for others to be bestowed as a just and beneficent Father may determine.” (David O. McKay in CR, Apr. 1957, p. 7.)
I like how he said that building faith in continual, and everyone who wishes to keep their faith must continually work on it. We must act on our faith and continue to learn about the gospel and grow. This is a slow process and must be continually attended to! I know God doesn't expect us to go on blind faith, I know that if we pray about a precept we can receive confirmation about it through the Holy Ghost and know for ourself in our hearts.
Problem Number Three
An investigator (person who is investigating the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints) is considering joining the church but his family will no longer speak to him if he does.
Solution Found In:
Phillipians 3:7-16, 4:13
7But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I haveasuffered the bloss of all things, and do count them but cdung, that I may win Christ,
9And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, thearighteousness which is of God by faith:
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the afellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
12Not as though I had already attained, either were alreadyaperfect: but I bfollow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
15Let us therefore, as many as be aperfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
4:
13I can do all things through aChrist which bstrengtheneth me.
This would be a very hard situation. Our families are so important to us, and it would be really very hard to face that they may not speak to us after joining the church - What a bittersweet feeling. I have never had to deal with trial. What I gather from these scriptures is that even though because of the gospel of Jesus Christ we may suffer losses, they will not be compared to the wonderful happiness and joy that comes from following Jesus Christ. Also the gifts of eternal life and salvation. In Chapter 4 - It basically is saying, you can do it. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins but also for all our heartaches, and that would include family disowning us. One other point I want to bring up though is that the Church of Jesus Christ does not condone leaving one's spouse or children or getting a divorce over a membership of the church. I was very shocked to learn this in my missionary preparation class, but also it makes sense because we do want to break up the family unit. In that case you need to live all the commandments that you can live while keeping your family intact and things will take care of themselves in the next life. But with parents, siblings, and extended family I believe that blessings of the gospel will contribute more greatly to your happiness while you partake in those soul-saving ordinance of baptism. I would admire all who were able to do this, for I cannot say if I would be able to.
13I can do all things through aChrist which bstrengtheneth me.
This would be a very hard situation. Our families are so important to us, and it would be really very hard to face that they may not speak to us after joining the church - What a bittersweet feeling. I have never had to deal with trial. What I gather from these scriptures is that even though because of the gospel of Jesus Christ we may suffer losses, they will not be compared to the wonderful happiness and joy that comes from following Jesus Christ. Also the gifts of eternal life and salvation. In Chapter 4 - It basically is saying, you can do it. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins but also for all our heartaches, and that would include family disowning us. One other point I want to bring up though is that the Church of Jesus Christ does not condone leaving one's spouse or children or getting a divorce over a membership of the church. I was very shocked to learn this in my missionary preparation class, but also it makes sense because we do want to break up the family unit. In that case you need to live all the commandments that you can live while keeping your family intact and things will take care of themselves in the next life. But with parents, siblings, and extended family I believe that blessings of the gospel will contribute more greatly to your happiness while you partake in those soul-saving ordinance of baptism. I would admire all who were able to do this, for I cannot say if I would be able to.
How does finding solutions in the scripture relate to 2 Nephi 32:3?
3aAngels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, bfeast upon the cwords of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will dtell you all things what ye should do.
This scripture states simply that you can know all things which you should do if you heed the words of Christ - and the words of Christ are found in the scriptures. We should constantly be studying the scriptures to obtain answers to our prayers. I know that Heavenly Father listens to us and that one way he answers our prayers is by when we read the scripture the Holy Ghost speaks to our mind and our hearts to help us know what to do. I know these things are true by experiment and experience. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
3aAngels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, bfeast upon the cwords of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will dtell you all things what ye should do.
This scripture states simply that you can know all things which you should do if you heed the words of Christ - and the words of Christ are found in the scriptures. We should constantly be studying the scriptures to obtain answers to our prayers. I know that Heavenly Father listens to us and that one way he answers our prayers is by when we read the scripture the Holy Ghost speaks to our mind and our hearts to help us know what to do. I know these things are true by experiment and experience. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
