Sons of God (Hebrews) QUESTIONS

Background: A letter, or possibly a formal written tract, followed up with a personal note, written by Paul in Rome to the Jewish Christians in Israel; approximately 62 AD but at least before 70 AD when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.

 

Sons of God

READ Hebrews 1:3-9 (including JST), Psalm 2:7, Hebrews 11:5, and D&C 88:75

What does it mean to be “made” a “son of God”?

What is THE Testimony of Jesus?

 

READ Hebrews 3:6-11 and Hebrews 4:1-2 and 11

What does it mean to enter into the “rest of the Lord”?

 

Re-READ Hebrews 1:3-9 (including JST), Psalm 2:7, Hebrews 11:5, and D&C 88:75

Is Christ the only one on this earth to whom the Father said “thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee”?

Who are the angels who are not called “sons of God”?

How does the Father know that Christ “hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity” above His fellows or peers?

 

READ Hebrews 2:10-13

How many sons of God does Christ intend to make?

 

READ Hebrews 5:1-3

Who are these “high priests taken from among men”?

What are these high priests ordained to do for men?

What does it mean that the high priest is also compassed with infirmity?

Why ought the high priest to offer himself for sins?

 

READ D&C 93:12-14

Why was Christ called the “son of God”?

 

READ TPJS 391:1 to 392:2 and LoF 7:9, 16

“I wish I was in a suitable place to tell it, and that I had the trump of an archangel, so that I could tell the story in such a manner that persecution would cease for ever. What did Jesus say? (Mark it, Elder Rigdon!) The Scriptures inform us that Jesus said, As the Father hath power in Himself, even so hath the Son power —to do what? Why, what the Father did. The answer is obvious—in a manner to lay down His body and take it up again. Jesus, what are you going to do? To lay down my life as my Father did, and take it up again. Do we believe it? I you do not believe it, you do not believe the Bible. The Scriptures say it, and I defy all the learning and wisdom and all the combined powers of earth and hell together to refute it. Here, then, is eternal life—to know the only wise and true God; and you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves, and to be kings and priests to God, the same as all Gods have done before you, namely, by going from one small degree to another, and from a small capacity to a great one; from grace to grace, from exaltation to exaltation, until you attain to the resurrection of the dead, and are able to dwell in everlasting burnings, and to sit in glory, as do those who sit enthroned in everlasting power. And I want you to know that God, in the last days, while certain individuals are proclaiming his name, is not trifling with you or me. The Righteous to Dwell in Everlasting Burnings These are the first principles of consolation. How consoling to the mourners when they are called to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to know that, although the earthly tabernacle is laid down and dissolved, they shall rise again to dwell in everlasting burnings in immortal glory, not to sorrow, suffer, or die any more; but they shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. What is it? To inherit the same power, the same glory and the same exaltation, until you arrive at the station of a God, and ascend the throne of eternal power, the same as those who have gone before. What did Jesus do? Why; I do the things I saw my Father do when worlds come rolling into existence. My Father worked out his kingdom with fear and trembling, and I must do the same; and when I get my kingdom, I shall present it to my Father, so that he may obtain kingdom upon kingdom, and it will exalt him in glory. He will then take a higher exaltation, and I will take his place, and thereby become exalted myself. So that Jesus treads in the tracks of his Father, and inherits what God did before; and God is thus glorified and exalted in the salvation and exaltation of all his children. It is plain beyond disputation, and you thus learn some of the first principles of the Gospel, about which so much hath been said. When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the Gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. I suppose I am not allowed to go into an investigation of anything that is not contained in the Bible. If I do, I think there are so many over-wise men here, that they would cry “treason” and put me to death.”

What must we also learn?

 

READ Hebrews 5:4-10

What is the honor that no man can take unto themselves?

What is the duty of a “son of God”, called by Him to be a High Priest, in a mortal probation?

 

READ Hebrews 7:3 JST Appendix and Genesis 14:25-36 JST Appendix

What does it mean that this High Priesthood was without father, mother or descent?

What does it mean “without beginning of days nor end of life”?

What power does this priesthood hold?

 

READ Hebrews 7:15-21 including JST Appendix

What is the difference between how the Levitical priesthood is obtained vs. the Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God is obtained?

 

READ Hebrews 7:24-28 including JST Appendix

Why is Christ able to save us?

 

READ Hebrews 8:10-13

Through His condescension, Christ established a “new” saving covenant for all those who will come unto Him – what is it now possible for us to do?

 

READ Hebrews 6:4-6

What is the fate of those who, having been made a Son of God, betray their Lord?

 

 

Christ as a Man

READ Hebrews 2:14-18

Did Christ really endure a mortal probation, with all that entails?

Why did He condescend to live this mortal life?

 

READ Hebrews 4:15

Did Christ really experience carnal temptations?

 

 

Faith in Christ unto Salvation

READ Hebrews 10:31-37

Why is it a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God?

 

READ Hebrews 11:1 (JST) and 11:6

What does the assurance of things hoped for imply?

What does the evidence of things not seen mean?

Why is it impossible to please God unless you exercise faith in Him?

 

READ Hebrews 11:8-10, 13-19, 33-40 (including JST)

What was Abraham looking for in the “strange country”?

Why are Abraham and his family “strangers and pilgrims” on the earth?

How might they have seen hints of the realization of their promises “afar off”?

Why is our faith tried?

How was Abraham’s faith tried?

How do these verses define “hope”?

 

 

Enduring to the End

READ Hebrews 12:1-15

What kind of race must be run with patience?

Why does Paul tell the Saints that they have not yet “resisted unto blood, striving against sin”?

Who does God develop?

What is the “end” to which we must endure?

How can we fail of the grace of God?

 

READ Hebrews 12:18-25

Where is the ultimate destination Paul is encouraging us to endure to (in the flesh)?

Why does Paul advise us to not “refuse Him that speaketh” from heaven?

 

READ Hebrews 13:2

How might the Lord test our hearts?

How might they look?

The Grace of Christ (Romans)

Background: Letter written by Paul from Corinth to the Saints in Rome in 58 AD, to prepare them for his intended visit.

 

The Great Dilemma

READ Romans 3:9-12, 20, 23

How can Paul say that there are “none righteous, no, not one”?

He is referring to mankind – not Christ.

All mortals have sinned and gone out of the Way.

And all have come short of the glory of God because of this.

Righteous = perfect as God is or full of God’s glory/light/intelligence.

What does it mean “by the deeds of the Law” no one is justified?

The standard of salvation is absolute – we must be precisely as Jesus Christ is and nothing else, to be saved (see LoF 7:9).

“One sin and you can’t get in”.

Salvation is not really possible for us in the Law – it is a theoretical possibility but not a practical one.

 

READ LoF 7:9 and D&C 1:31

What is the solution to this “Great Dilemma”?

Christ’s grace through the atonement (see Romans 4:16 JST).

We must have a Savior to rescue us from the dilemma in which we find ourselves.

 

 

The Grace of Christ

READ Romans 3:24 (including JST)

What is grace?

Blessings we don’t deserve (which differs from “mercy”, which is not receiving what we do deserve: punishment and death).

Divine favor or goodwill or strength/blessing/light/energy.

It is unearned and undeserved (and unfair, by definition).

 

READ Romans 3:28

What does it mean that man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law?

It means that without faith in Jesus Christ, all of the white-knuckling or church meetings or good deeds won’t save you – you can’t save yourself.

It means that the covenant with Christ is all that matters regardless of or despite “all you can do” (see 2 Nephi 25:23).

 

READ Romans 5:1-2

What is Paul teaching (again) here?

The principle of our reconciliation to God through Christ – which means we are “justified” or declared innocent of all “charges”.

But here we learn it is through Christ’s grace and our faith in Him.

 

READ Romans 5:7-11

Paul can reason that MAYBE one might pledge to die for a righteous or good person, but why would He die for an evil person?

Because He loves us – even the sinner (the lost sheep, coin and son – more to come in chapter 8).

He wants to give us the undeserved gift.

But he will give it to whom He will (i.e. the prodigal son not the angry and entitled older son).

What is Paul’s definition of an undeserving sinner or enemy of God?

All of us.

The natural man is an enemy to God (see Mosiah 3:19).

The natural man takes in a large spectrum – from carnal and devilish to honorable man of the earth but still unredeemed and following his own way.

What does Atonement mean?

At-one-ment = the bringing of two things together to become one.

It is similar to reconciliation.

But a price must be paid for this union or reunion.

The Role of Righteousness After Entering the Covenant

READ Romans 6:1-7, 11

While we are not saved by our righteousness, what IS the role of righteousness (“works”) after we have entered the gospel covenant and been saved by grace?

We have no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually (see Mosiah 5:2) – i.e. “be righteous” or at least as righteous as we know how to be.

Because our hearts are changed and because we love our Master and seek to follow Him and be obedient to Him, we WANT to emulate Him and do our very best to keep the commandments.

So, righteousness is what naturally flows from entering the gospel covenant in good faith and receiving a mighty change of heart.

How do we feel about sin, having been baptized by fire?

Our spirit now abhors it.

Sin has become the enemy.

However, our bodies are still susceptible to sin through the effects of the Fall… setting up an epic battle (more to come in Romans 7).

What happened to the natural man when we were born of the Spirit by receiving the baptism of fire and Holy Ghost?

It was “killed” – crucified with Christ.

It was changed – sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

 

READ Romans 6:16-17

What is Paul teaching us here about the Gospel Covenant we have entered?

Either we “abide in the covenant” (i.e. keep the covenant) by “yielding” to the Spirit which entices us to align our behavior with Christ’s (i.e. be obedient to His commandments – do His works).

Or we break our covenant by “yielding” to the temptations of Satan and remove ourselves from the gospel covenant by retrieving our broken hearts from His altar and willingly engaging in sin – perhaps subtly at first but willingly nonetheless.

Although we are truly saved by grace, it is completely up to us whether we will a) humble ourselves and offer the appropriate sacrifice of our whole souls and broken hearts and then b) continue to abide in that covenant, continually seeking to become more like our Lord by emulating His works and obtaining His attributes.  He stands at the door and knocks but we must open to Him.  It is about where are our hearts – our deepest desires – leading us.

 

READ Romans 6:23

What does it mean that the “wages of sin are death”?

If you sin, you deserve to die – it is the wages or reward or result of sin – it is just or fair – you’ve earned death through your sins.

This is why, when Christ submitted to death, He was able to overturn death because His death was unjust due to the fact that He never sinned!  Death had no right to hold Him – but it has every right to hold us.

 

READ Romans 7:14-21 (JST Appendix) and 24-27 (JST Appendix)

What is Paul referring to when he says the “sin that dwelleth in me”?

His physical body, which is still under the effects of the fall and is susceptible to sin.

What is Paul struggling with here?

How can his “born-again” spirit control his fallen mortal body (v18).

He struggles to do what his heart desires to do because his body wants to do (and influences him to do) other things (v19 and 23).

What is the answer to Paul’s “warring members” problem?

His true or deepest desire is to serve the “law of God” (meaning to keep the commandments, both temporal and spiritual) – with His whole soul (v27 JST).

His weaknesses are given to him that he may be humble (see Ether 12:27 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

For if he humbles himself before the Lord and has faith, then the Lord will extend His grace and make those weaknesses become a strength.

 

READ Romans 8:5-6 and 9-11

What is the determining factor as to whether or not you are still “abiding in the covenant” with Christ and what is the sign so that you can know your covenant status with Him?

Factor: where is your mind and heart (i.e. your desires) – are you spiritually minded or carnally minded?

Sign: do you have the Spirit of God in you, quickening or sanctifying you?  Do the manifestations or fruits of the spirit happen to you on a regular basis?

 

READ Romans 8:14-17

Are these verses referring to the fact that we are all God’s spirit children?

No – it says “as many as are led by the Spirit of God” are the “sons of God”.

Everyone are spirit children but not everyone is led by the Spirit of God.

Everyone are spirit children but few are Sons of God.

What does it mean, then, to be “adopted” as a son and heir of God?

To be proclaimed God’s son and heir by His own voice (see Mosiah 5:15, Mosiah 26:5, D&C 88:75 and D&C 132:49).

How do we suffer with Christ?

We also make a sacrifice = our whole soul, our broken heart, our will, our sins.

We minister to everyone we can find, but especially to our “enemies”, with the pure love of Christ – anonymously, if possible.

We endure trials and afflictions with faith.

We are hated by the world but remain true to our Lord.

We struggle with the flesh to be obedient and filled with light; and we continually repent so as to continue to have His Spirit with us.

We continue to sacrifice all earthly things until we are sealed up and “adopted” by Christ, our spiritual father.

How is godly character gained?

The development of a godly character happens in stages, gradually.

We are forgiven in an instant, suddenly (see Alma 36: 18-20.).

When forgiven we necessarily turn to a new life, in which sharing the joy of forgiveness and the joy of redemption through Christ is our abiding desire (see Alma 36: 24.). The mind changes in proportion to the joy found in the new life (see Romans 8: 5-6.).

Such new people are no longer the sons of men, but they become the sons of God (see Romans 8: 14-17.). They know the joy of having the voice of the Father declare to them that they have been begotten by the Father and are the sons of God (see Psalms 2: 7.). 

Remaining mired in the flesh is evidence a man has not been redeemed, not been succored by Christ, not accepted the saving knowledge which He can impart, and has not risen up to receive salvation. Atonement is not active in such lives.

The fullness of the atonement is the fullness of knowledge, which comes by following Him and abiding the conditions. No one can receive what He offers unless they conform to the conditions He has established for redemption (see D&C 93: 27-28.).

 

READ Romans 8:35-39

Can anything separate us from Christ’s love?

No.

It is why He has done what He has done for us.

The love of God makes Christ one with the Father – and having it within us is what can make us one with Him – it literally connects us across “height and depth”, across any world or dimension we find ourselves in or body we find ourselves occupying, across all time and eternity, and cannot be prohibited or constrained by any spiritual entity or power.  Did you see Chris Nolan’s film, Interstellar?  Perhaps, he was on to something…

What is the only thing that can separate us from Christ’s love for us?

Our outright rejection of Him and His sacrifice while standing in His presence.

It is us who walks away from Him; His arms are always open to receive us until the night comes.

 

READ Romans 12:1-2

What is Paul begging us to do?

Present ourselves as an acceptable “living sacrifice” to God through offering a broken heart/whole soul and then to lose our lives in service – to love others as He loves us and sacrifice everything else, and by so doing become like Him.

And in return, receive the birth of the Spirit/baptism by fire and be transformed and renewed from the inside (spirit) out, that we might be sanctified through our obedience to His Ways and be filled with light that we might enter His presence to become His son/daughter - which is His will or “work and glory” = to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life.

 

The Grace of Christ (Romans) QUESTIONS

Background: Letter written by Paul from Corinth to the Saints in Rome in 58 AD, to prepare them for his intended visit.

 

The Great Dilemma

READ Romans 3:9-12, 20, 23

How can Paul say that there are “none righteous, no, not one”?

What does it mean “by the deeds of the Law” no one is justified?

 

READ LoF 7:9 and D&C 1:31

What is the solution to this “Great Dilemma”?

 

 

The Grace of Christ

READ Romans 3:24 (including JST)

What is grace?

 

READ Romans 3:28

What does it mean that man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law?

 

READ Romans 5:1-2

What is Paul teaching (again) here?

 

READ Romans 5:7-11

Paul can reason that MAYBE one might pledge to die for a righteous or good person, but why would He die for an evil person?

What is Paul’s definition of an undeserving sinner or enemy of God?

What does Atonement mean?

The Role of Righteousness After Entering the Covenant

READ Romans 6:1-7, 11

While we are not saved by our righteousness, what IS the role of righteousness (“works”) after we have entered the gospel covenant and been saved by grace?

How do we feel about sin, having been baptized by fire?

What happened to the natural man when we were born of the Spirit by receiving the baptism of fire and Holy Ghost?

 

READ Romans 6:16-17

What is Paul teaching us here about the Gospel Covenant we have entered?

 

READ Romans 6:23

What does it mean that the “wages of sin are death”?

 

READ Romans 7:14-21 (JST Appendix) and 24-27 (JST Appendix)

What is Paul referring to when he says the “sin that dwelleth in me”?

What is Paul struggling with here?

What is the answer to Paul’s “warring members” problem?

 

READ Romans 8:5-6 and 9-11

What is the determining factor as to whether or not you are still “abiding in the covenant” with Christ and what is the sign so that you can know your covenant status with Him?

 

READ Romans 8:14-17

Are these verses referring to the fact that we are all God’s spirit children?

What does it mean, then, to be “adopted” as a son and heir of God?

How do we suffer with Christ?

How is godly character gained?

 

READ Romans 8:35-39

Can anything separate us from Christ’s love?

What is the only thing that can separate us from Christ’s love for us?

 

READ Romans 12:1-2

What is Paul begging us to do?

Reconciliation to God (2 Corinthians)

Background: Sent from northern Greece to the saints in Corinth, fall 57 AD (3-4 months after 1^st Corinthians)

 

Calling & Election

READ 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

What is an earnest?

A promise of something big to be given later; with a smaller token given now in good faith (i.e. “earnest money” in a real estate transaction where a small amount of the money owed is paid before the house contract closes as a promise that the rest will come and the buyer will not back out).

What is an earnest promise for a sealing to come later at the hand of God, refer to?

Calling and election.

It is a covenantal promise of exaltation – given by God to man (see TPJS 170:3-6, TPJS 171:2, D&C 88:75, and D&C 132:49).

It is not the same as the Second Comforter (the ministry of Christ to the person – see TPJS 172:5).

 

 

Saints Under Condemnation

READ 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 and D&C 84:23-27

Why was the veil placed over the minds of the Children of Israel?

Because they refused to take what was offered.

They asked Moses to talk to God for them; they would not go up on the Mount to see and know God for themselves (see Exodus 20:18-21).

So, they lost the High Priesthood which enabled one to enter the presence of God – in effecting putting a “veil” between them and God.

This happened again to the Saints, at the time of Joseph Smith.

 

READ 2 Corinthians 4:4 and D&C 84:49-58

What effect does this veil have over the minds and hearts of those who have it?

They are blinded (2 Cor 3:14) – meaning they can’t see the truth.

They are in the dark – their minds are darkened because of unbelief (i.e. believing things that are wrong).

They are under the bondage of sin – which causes pain.

What is the antidote for this condemnation?

“Remember” or live the new and everlasting covenant found in the Book of Mormon and D&C – i.e. turn to the Lord or in other words, come unto Him.

Begin by repenting.

Perform the outward ordinance of baptism.

Keep the carnal commandments.

Grow in light.

Seek for the ministering of angels who will prepare you to enter the presence of the Lord (see Alma 12:28-29, Moroni 7:25, 29-31, and D&C 29:42).

 

READ 2 Corinthians 3:18

Different from the “dark glass” Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians, what does this “glass” let us see into?

The presence of the Lord.

We see the light or glory of heaven shining through the open or removed veil.

How can we endure His presence in glory?

We must be changed.

We must have some of that same glory within us.

 

 

Souls in Heaven

READ 2 Corinthians 5:1-4, D&C 88:15-16, D&C 93:29-30, 33-36, D&C 131:7-8, and Abraham 3:22-23

What is a soul?

The spirit and the body (physical element) together.

What is a spirit?

It is a body made of more fine or pure matter than can be seen by the mortal eye.

It houses intelligence or light, truth, spirit, glory, life.

Why did God refer to the noble and great ones in Abraham’s vision as “souls” if they had yet to be born on this earth?

Perhaps they had already proven themselves in a mortal experience (or many) in previous eternities, and were living in heaven as souls (spirit and elemental body) as per the gift of a previous Savior, but committed to have another mortal experience in this eternity to a) prove THEM (others) now herewith and b) to ascend another rung on Jacob’s Ladder by gathering additional light while being tried and proven again in a world of suffering and death?

And might they be referred to as “spirits” later in the verse because they were, at that time, living in bodies that were more refined than a mortal tabernacle of “clay” – a body like Christ’s resurrected body that could eat fish and walk to Emmaus but also come through stone walls and ascend to heaven?

What is Paul talking about when he refers to a “building of God” waiting for us in the heavens that we desire to be clothed with again?

Might Paul have been caught up to the “Third Heaven” (see 2 Cor 12:2) and seen for himself the perfected, physical, “spiritual” bodies that those who live in that Kingdom possess?

And might he have been told that he was one such noble and great one, and even given a vision of who he had been before the foundation of THIS world, recalling to his mind the fullness of joy he had enjoyed while in that body?

Our bodies are the “temple of God” – even here on earth; but in heaven, we laid aside bodies of glory to take upon us bodies of flesh and blood which enable us to function in this telestial world.

 

 

Reconciled to God Through Christ

READ 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (including JST)

What does reconcile mean?

To reestablish a close relationship between.

To settle or resolve.

To bring oneself to accept.

To make compatible or consistent.

What does reconcile imply?

That two people or things are separated.

That those two people or things were together or one, at a point in the past.

What does it mean to be “in” Christ?

It means to be in a covenant relationship with Him.

The covenant relationship with Christ is the only way we are reconciled to God.

How do we make this covenant with Christ?

We perform an ordinance, in this case through baptism by water.

How do we know that we have met and are living our part of the terms of the covenant?

When we are baptized by fire and the Holy Ghost.

What does it mean to be a “new creature”?

You have received a mighty change of heart.

You no longer desire to do “evil” (which ranges from truly evil and carnal to selfishly following your own will).

You desire, with your whole soul, to do good continually (see Mosiah 5:2).

How can we be righteous enough to make this covenant with Christ?

We can’t be righteous enough.

It’s a trick question – actually, it’s a bad question.  It suggests that you can be righteous enough, which you can’t; unless you have always been and will always be perfect in this life, in which case you are already like Christ.

The real question should be: What does the Lord ask me to sacrifice in this covenant with Him to become a new creature?

Answer: the Old Creature – the natural man (see Mosiah 3:19).

My whole soul (Omni 1:26).

A broken heart and contrite spirit (see 3 Nephi 9:19-20).

All my sins (see Alma 22:18).

My will (see 3 Nephi 11:11).

Be willing to take upon myself the Name of Christ (become His son/daughter by adoption), always remember Him (because I love Him) and keep His commandments (so I can be filled with light like He is) – see Moroni 4:3.

What does it mean that God made Christ “to be sin for us” that we “might be made the righteousness of God in Him”?

He became guilty of the sins we commit (like Abigail before David).

There was a real transference of guilt and innocence in the Atonement.

Christ was not only punished for our sins but was also declared “guilty” of them.  If He had only assumed the punishment for our sins but not the sins themselves, we would merely be “guilty but forgiven” instead of being proclaimed “innocent.”  This is what it means to be “perfect in Christ.”

 

 

Feeling Godly Sorrow for our Sins

READ 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

What is Godly Sorrow?

A gift of the Spirit.

The deep realization that our actions have offended God and that He has separated Himself from us – causing a feeling of rejection in us.

Keen awareness of the price paid by Christ to reconcile us to God.

A stark awareness of the fact that no unclean thing can dwell in the presence of God and that we have in fact sinned badly – and that any sin counts as “sinning badly” against the standard of perfection and glory that is God.

What is the difference between Godly Sorrow and remorse?

Remorse means to feel bad for what one has done wrong – because their actions have caused them or loved ones great sorrow and misery; or perhaps because they’ve been caught and punished.

Godly sorrow is what leads to the resolve to sacrifice one’s whole soul – it is a spiritual gift which comes from God and cannot be manufactured by man (either from within the person or externally by someone else through guilt, shame or fear).

What is repentance without Godly Sorrow and is this a problem?

Repentance is a change of heart and mind, not just a change of behavior (see Alma 5:13).

True repentance requires the sacrifice of a broken heart, which is the fruit or result of Godly Sorrow.

So, while there may be a change of behavior due to any number of reasons (will power and self-discipline or dire consequences or deep shame or desirable rewards, etc.) it does not constitute repentance without the individual putting their whole soul on the Lord’s altar.

Godly sorrow helps us see that it is not just the individual sin, but our whole mindset that needs changing.  We must realize that the path we are on leads directly to Babylon and death, and then turn around to face God and begin to walk the journey back to Him and Life.  Without Godly Sorrow we won’t see that we are on the wrong path (really, going the wrong direction) and we won’t go through the difficulty of turning around to face God.

 

 

Receiving Visions

READ 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

What does it mean to be not “in the body”?

You are still in your physical body to one degree or another; it doesn’t mean to be dead (the spirit leaving the body altogether).

But it is transformed to be able to abide the presence of God because the glory of God descends upon the individual (see Moses 1:2, 9-11).

It is the way that you can know that you are in the presence of a messenger from God’s presence (or God Himself) or not, as Satan can appear as an angel of light but you do not have to be transformed to see him (if he chooses to show himself to you or you can see through the veil as a spiritual gift) (see Moses 1:14).

It is to see with the eyes of your spirit, not your natural or physical eyes (your spirit can see a much great light spectrum).

It can be to exit the body (without dying) to visit the spiritual realm or dimension and even ascend to the heavens. 

Why is it hard to tell whether or not he was “in the body” or not?

Because the spiritual world is just as “physical” as the mortal, telestial world – it’s just that the matter is more refined (see D&C 131:7-8).

Why are the words heard in Heaven “unspeakable”?

Because man does not have language to describe what is discovered or revealed in Heaven.

Because many of the concepts taught there require a level of intellect which mortals do not possess when they are back “in the body”; seeing in vision and comprehending the atomic realm (“all the sands of the sea” and “stars of the sky”) while out of the body and then trying to make sense of it and articulate it in mortal speech is not possible. 

Because in some cases you covenant not to share.

Because the most important things learned in heaven are about one’s personal salvation and relationship with the Lord – which doesn’t matter to others anyway.

Sharing the details about what is learned in heaven can cause pride and priestcraft in the sharer and it is voyeuristic to the listener.

Why does Paul share this experience if he isn’t trying to boast?

To let us know it is possible – it is a testimony.

Sharing the fact that it is possible to rend the veil and visit Heaven while in the flesh should inspire us and build our faith in the possibility of taking that journey ourselves – it is possible, and we have one more anecdotal witness who attests to that fact.

In fact, he is asking that you seek to have those same experiences because he has covenanted that he cannot tell you what was learned in heaven – but you can and must find out for yourself.

 

 

The Thorn in the Flesh

READ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Why was Paul given this “thorn in the flesh”?

To remind Paul of his dependence on the Lord.

To stop him from being filled with pride.

Why did the Lord not answer Paul’s fervent and repeated prayer?

The weakness was needed – it was important to remind Paul of God’s power and his dependence on the Lord.

What is the connection between the “thorn in the flesh” and being spiritually “gifted”?

Anyone with a connection to God will have to endure physical, emotional, social, or financial reminders of their weakness and dependence on Him.

Opposition accompanies the gifts of God (see Moses 1:12-20 and JSH 1:15-17).

 

READ TPJS 156:3

“The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart! None but fools will trifle with the souls of men.”

What is the big difference between scholarly knowledge and divine insight?

The first can be learned in books and from others; it requires work but no opposition in the application of the knowledge learned.

The second can only be experienced by connecting to God but will also require encountering the opposition of evil in the application of the principles taught you by God.

Devils don’t usually bother you at the library but they do on the way to the Temple or in service to others or in prayer/meditation.

 

Reconciliation to God (2 Corinthians) QUESTIONS

Background: Sent from northern Greece to the saints in Corinth, fall 57 AD (3-4 months after 1^st Corinthians)

 

Calling & Election

READ 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

What is an earnest?

What is an earnest promise for a sealing to come later at the hand of God, refer to?

 

 

Saints Under Condemnation

READ 2 Corinthians 3:13-16 and D&C 84:23-27

Why was the veil placed over the minds of the Children of Israel?

 

READ 2 Corinthians 4:4 and D&C 84:49-58

What effect does this veil have over the minds and hearts of those who have it?

What is the antidote for this condemnation?

 

READ 2 Corinthians 3:18

Different from the “dark glass” Paul referred to in 1 Corinthians, what does this “glass” let us see into?

How can we endure His presence in glory?

 

 

Souls in Heaven

READ 2 Corinthians 5:1-4, D&C 88:15-16, D&C 93:29-30, 33-36, D&C 131:7-8, and Abraham 3:22-23

What is a soul?

What is a spirit?

Why did God refer to the noble and great ones in Abraham’s vision as “souls” if they had yet to be born on this earth?

What is Paul talking about when he refers to a “building of God” waiting for us in the heavens that we desire to be clothed with again?

 

 

Reconciled to God Through Christ

READ 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (including JST)

What does reconcile mean?

What does reconcile imply?

What does it mean to be “in” Christ?

How do we make this covenant with Christ?

How do we know that we have met and are living our part of the terms of the covenant?

What does it mean to be a “new creature”?

How can we be righteous enough to make this covenant with Christ?

The real question should be: What does the Lord ask me to sacrifice in this covenant with Him to become a new creature?

What does it mean that God made Christ “to be sin for us” that we “might be made the righteousness of God in Him”?

 

 

Feeling Godly Sorrow for our Sins

READ 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

What is Godly Sorrow?

What is the difference between Godly Sorrow and remorse?

What is repentance without Godly Sorrow and is this a problem?

 

 

Receiving Visions

READ 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

What does it mean to be not “in the body”?

Why is it hard to tell whether or not he was “in the body” or not?

Why are the words heard in Heaven “unspeakable”?

Why does Paul share this experience if he isn’t trying to boast?

 

 

The Thorn in the Flesh

READ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Why was Paul given this “thorn in the flesh”?

Why did the Lord not answer Paul’s fervent and repeated prayer?

What is the connection between the “thorn in the flesh” and being spiritually “gifted”?

 

READ TPJS 156:3

“The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God. How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God, than the vain imaginations of the human heart! None but fools will trifle with the souls of men.”

What is the big difference between scholarly knowledge and divine insight?