talkideas ( ** )

• The “five” or so greatest statements in the scriptures
  • Nephi – I know he loves his children, but I do not know the meaning of all things.  I focus on what I know, not on what I don’t know. 
  • Mary said, be it unto me according to thy word.  This is going to turn my world upside down, I am engaged, promiscuity is punishable by death, no one will believe me, why me? 
  • God and Jesus called Joseph Smith BY NAME!  They were focused on a 14 year old unschooled farm boy in New York.  Could they feel the same about us.  Could they call us by name?  They spoke in English. 
  • Adam said I know not, save the Lord commanded me. 
  • Choose ye this day,  they that are with us are more than they that are with them. 
  • You come to me in the name of _____, but I come to you in the name of the Lord. (David)   The Lord’s own testimony of Joseph Smith and the BOM in the D&C, As your Lord liveth, it is true! 
  • The statement about Jesus that after he had visited the surviving saints at the temple at Bountiful after his crucifixion, THEN was his joy full!  Seriously,  he had risen from the tomb, appeared to many in Israel, gone to his Father, been welcome into the heavens as King of King and Lord of Lords, been praised and adored by the hosts of heaven, but his joy was only full after he felt loved and needed by a ragtag group of Nephites in a lonely spot in America!  Incredible.(3 Nephi 17:20) 
  • Another great thought would be the two times in the book of John when Jesus said that he would or will do nothing on his own (John 5:19 – he exemplified absolute obedience to the will of the Father.  He had the power and authority, but he still did only that which was the will of the Father.) 
  • Another great statement by Jesus – I have overcome the world.  He said this long before Gethsemane and Golgotha.  He actually overcame the world every day, which is our challenge as well.

0) Draw a contrast between the Gadarene pig herders who asked Jesus to cure the demoniac and then asked him to leave.  We would rather have pigs and demons than you.  You make us uncomfortable. You will probably ask us to do things.  We are content with our pigs.  The Gadarenes were “Jack-Jews” as we have Jack-Mormons.  Contrast them with the humble Nephites who survived the destruction at the time of the crucifixion, and they were privileged to see Jesus also.  When he said he had to leave, they implored him to tarry longer.  Could also include either the young rich ruler who approached the Savior (he went away sad) or better yet, Nicodemus, who had only superficial interest in Christ and his miracles but was unwilling to step toward great spirituality and commitment.  Three groups – embrace, ambivalent, reject.

1) How do we know Jesus was born in the spring of the year? Adult men were out with the sheep at night.  That only occurred during lambing season, which is during the spring.  At all other times of the year, young boys were left to guard the sheep at night, but during lambing season, adults were there to make sure there were no problems with the brand new lambs, and to protect the babies from predators. 

2) How did Nephi know that Mary was a virgin when he saw her in vision?  During Mary’s time, virgins wore a special garment or sash or head dress to indicate virginity.  Possibly Nephi saw in vision an indicator that she was a virgin. 

3) Mary was known BY NAME 600 years before the birth of the Savior. She was chosen, elected, called.  How wonderful must she have been in the pre-mortal existence. 

4) Why did Mary go to Elizabeth?  Elizabeth had been through many difficult years, due to her barrenness.  Mary was going through difficult times due to her pregnancy out of wedlock.  What better person to comfort, counsel, advise, support. 

5) Astronomy — Moses 6:51,  Moses 3:5,  Moses 1:3,  Moses 1:33, Abraham 3, DC 88:6, 12-13, 118,  DC 121:28-31 

6) In June 1978, President Spencer W. Kimball received a revelation extending priesthood ordination to all worthy males of the COJCOLDS.  Before that time, only worthy male members who were not of black African descent were ordained to the priesthood.  Ever since Biblical times, the Lord has designated through His prophets who could receive the priesthood and other blessings of the gospel.  Among the tribes of Israel, for example, only men of the tribe of Levi were given the priesthood and allowed to officiate in certain ordinances.  Likewise, during the Savior’s earthly ministry, gospel blessings were restricted to the Jews.  Only after a revelation to the Apostle Peter were the gospel and priesthood extended to others (Acts 10:1-33; 14:23; 15:6-8).  With the revelation to President Kimball in 1978, the priesthood is now available to all worthy male members regardless of race or ethnicity.  Each candidate for ordination is interviewed by priesthood leaders to ensure that he understands and agrees to live by established principles of righteousness (DC 84:43-44, 121:34-46). 

7) Read, study, search, ponder, feast upon.  Which do we do?  All are important but the first 4 should lead us to “feasting” DC 1:38, Alma 5:12, 2 Nephi 32:3.  The scriptures don’t change, but we do — our minds, our circumstances, our attitudes.  1 Nephi 16:29  1 Nephi 16:23, 16, 26, 28, 30-31.  Look at the process described in DC 138: 1-11)

8) Great idea for a talk.  Look at Mosiah 1:1-8 and look at all the things Mosiah taught his sons.  It is an impressive list.  Great ideas for all of us as parents in our day.  I love the phrase “have his commandments always before our eyes..”

9) Feasting upon the word. taking 15 minutes to study a few verses, for example 1 Nephi 5:21 or 1 Nephi 17:1-3  Feasting, studying, reading, ponder, searching