Joseph Smith -- Matthew. Preparing for the Second Coming

Three main things that believers in Christ should look for in the last days:

1. Take heed lest man deceive you
2. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall whew signs and wonders, to seduce, of it were possible, even the elect. 
3. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

To simplify 

1. We, all believers in Christ must take heed and be careful that others do not deceive us. We will be exposed to those would convince us of
2. false Christs and false prophets. They will do signs and wonders to seduce the elect. To me this is not only in believing that they are the "2nd coming" but are more likely to be deceived by what they are teaching. Whither it be in politics, social issues of the day, morals, and beliefs. (this is my speculation) 
3. Last but not least we must Watch. Watch for the true signs of his coming and the way in which He will arrive. 

Teachings that pertain to the 2nd Coming of Christ:

D&C 87:8 "Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen" 

We need stand in holy places, or create them in our own homes and be NOT moved until the day of the Lord. If we stand in those holy places then we are more likely to be able to be not moved! 

Joseph Smith Matt 1:32 "And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled."

We should be prepared for the abomination of desolation, in other words the sin of the word to become as bad as Daniel the prophet professed. When this occurs it will be more important than ever to stand in holy places!

Joseph Smith Matt 1:37 "And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him and with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder for his elect form the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

If we keep our priorities straight then we will be able to serve God and keep the most important things close to us. We will be able to be blessed with discernment so that we can not be deceived. The Lord is coming soon and we better make sure we have the Holy Ghost with us so that we can know without a doubt the truth of His coming.

Joseph Smith Matt 1:46-50 "I say unto all men; watch, therefore, for you not at what hour your Lord doth come.  48 for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh. 50 Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing; . . .he shall make him ruler over all his goods."

We need to continue to pay attention to what is going on in the world so that we know when events are most likely the signs of the times. We must continue to be looking forward and spiritually preparing for His coming. We will be rewarded more responsibilities if we are prepared. 

D&C 33:17 "Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom--"

Similar to what I just said. We must be faithful, praying always, and having our testimonies ready to light our minds to truth.

D&C 45:56-57 "And at that day, when I shall come in my flory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins. 57 for they were wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived -- verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day."

This verse is amazingly clear. I love it. The Spirit will be our guide, and when we follow the promptings we receive we will be very blessed.

Parenting

http://stream.byui.edu/VideoPlayer/BYUIplayer.html?StartCue=33&EndCue=918&VideoName=4039_vcs&VideoType=libraryvideos

Please watch! Studies are not to be ignored when it comes to how we discipline/punish our children. I could not finish this video. The sound of spankings is crazy bad. Why on earth would these parents think its okay when its SO much easier to fix behavior with explaining logical reasons behind bad behavior? makes me shudder.

Last Week of the Saviors Mortal Ministry

Day 1:Jesus arrived at Jerusalem. He secured a donkey and a colt, and rode through the city gates into Jerusalem. A “very great multitude” who knew him to be “the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee” placed palm branches in his way and greeted him with a hosanna shout: “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:9.)

He went directly to the temple, and according to Mark, took note of what he saw and retired to Bethany for the night (Mark 11:11).

The people saw him as a prophet and honored him. He went straight to the temple. Which is significant.  He was showing his alliance is to God 1st.

Day 2:Early the next morning Jesus went again to the temple and made a decisive thrust calculated to challenge the Jewish religious leadership. He drove from the outer court area of the temple those who were trading and making money exchange from foreign currency. The money exchange was apparently sanctioned by the Jewish leaders; and by preventing the merchandizing, Jesus was in effect challenging their leadership. The issue was clear: Was the temple to be a place of worship of God or of pursuit of gain? As he cleared the temple courts, he said, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:13.)

Again that evening Jesus returned to Bethany.

Jesus makes his stand as the leader of the Jewish religion. He makes a very public stand against their false practices.

Day 3:Jesus’ wrath in the temple raised the issue of authority, and the priests were not about to let the incident pass. As Jesus came to the temple the next day, the priests challenged him: “By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?” (Matthew 21:23.) Jesus responded by relating a series of parables that offended the religious leaders of the Jews. The scribes and Pharisees challenged him again; Jesus openly denounced them and condemned them as hypocrites.

From this point on, Jesus did not teach the public, but only the Twelve.

Perceiving that Jesus had gained the upper hand in their confrontations, the Jewish leaders consulted again how they might bring about Jesus’ death. They would have to move quickly before the Passover to avoid a riot, however, since Jesus had become very popular with the Jewish people. How to bring about an arrest without provoking crowd reaction was the problem. An unexpected turn of events that took place abetted their plot. One of Jesus’ own disciples offered to betray him.

On this morning Jesus returns to a batch of really unhappy Jewish leaders. They ask him where he got his authority and he answers them in riddles/parables. These answers only further their anger. He calls them out publicly as hypocrites. He no longer teachers any others except his disciples.

Day 4:Jesus well knew of the plot. The fourth day was spent outside the city, perhaps at Bethany. The record of the gospel writers is silent on the proceedings of this day.

Interesting how this day is silent. I wonder, why?

Day 5:Jesus had arranged to commemorate the Passover meal in a home privately reserved for him and the Twelve. Following the Passover meal, Jesus introduced a new ordinance, the sacrament, which presaged his atoning sacrifice. He then prophesied of his death and indicated who would betray him.

After some instructions, Jesus offered his great intercessory prayer. Then, with the eleven (Judas had left), Jesus led them outside the walls to a familiar spot—Gethsemane. Then taking Peter, James, and John with him, he went further into the Garden where he then left those three and went off by himself to pray. (See Matthew 26:36–39.) There he pled with his Heavenly Father to “let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39.) The cup did not pass and Jesus suffered “the pain of all men” (D&C 18:11), an agony so excruciating that it caused him to bleed at every pore (D&C 19:18).

Some time later he rejoined his apostles and indicated that his betrayer was at hand. While he spoke, an armed band led by Judas approached Jesus to seize him. Without resistance Jesus submitted. Jesus was brought to an illegal trial that night.

Jesus performed the act that saves us all from everlasting torment in darkness away from our Father in Heaven. We are able to be purified because of this days action.
Jesus also foresaw Judas's betrayal. And willingly was arrested. The greatest part of his mission was over. He still had more to give, for which we are all to be eternally grateful!

Day 6:The Jewish leaders now faced another problem. They were not content that Jesus should be put to death; they also wanted to discredit him before his own people. To do this, the leaders arranged to have Jesus charged with two crimes. The first was blasphemy, a capital offense under Jewish law. He was unanimously convicted of this charge solely on the evidence that he had said that he was the Son of God. (See Matthew 26:57–66.) Such a conviction would discredit Jesus before the Jews, but the rulers knew well that they could not carry out the death penalty; only the Roman governor could pronounce this. Therefore, they had to find political indictment against Jesus. The surest means of securing this was the charge of sedition against the state, for he had claimed to be a “king of the Jews.” Though Pilate’s examination found Jesus guiltless of the charge, the Jewish leaders had incited the crowd to “destroy Jesus.” (Matthew 27:20.) Fearing a demonstration, Pilate gave in to the clamor to crucify Jesus, and the death sentence was pronounced.
And so Jesus was executed by the brutal Roman practice of crucifixion. Later that afternoon he voluntarily gave up his spirit. The next day, which began at sundown, was the Passover, and the Jewish leaders abhorred the idea that a man should remain on a cross on the Sabbath, particularly the paschal Sabbath. Before nightfall, Jesus’ body was removed from the cross and buried in a sealed tomb by two revering disciples.

I find it amazing that the Jews still took him down on the Sabbath. I'm glad that they still had some honor when it came to the treatment of Jesus. They force Roman's hand and make sure he dies. Which is what he wanted/needed to have happen. All along. He died so that we might live. He died so that to concur death for us all.

Day 7; Sabbath Day:This was the Jewish Sabbath. Jesus’ body remained in the tomb, but in spirit he ministered in the realm of departed spirits. (See 1 Peter 3:18–20.)

Jesus ministered in Heaven.

Resurrection: 

Had the gospel ended with Jesus’ burial, there would be no gospel story, no “good news.” The great message of these testators is that Jesus was risen and was seen again by many witnesses. On the first day of the week, the most memorable Sunday in history, Jesus Christ emerged alive from the tomb, and appeared before Mary. The testimony of these witnesses constitutes the gospel story, the “good news.”

“These are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” (John 20:31.)

He lives. He lives and he made sure there were enough written testimonies that it could not be disputed. I am grateful for all that he has done and is still doing for me. I cannot wait to kneel at his feet and sing his praises in person. The important thing is to always remember him and keep his commandments so that I can be his hands to others in this mortal life.
I love you all. And this is my testimony. That He lives and loves us. If we keep His two main commandments to love God and one another, truly and completely, we can be His hands. When we do this life will be most joyous!

Earthly and Heavenly Rewards

What indications do you find that suggest why the young man decided not to follow the savior?

He was wealthy. He said that he was a righteous man and would do anything. But when the Christ asked for
"all that he had . . . .he went away sorrowing because he had many possessions." Matt 19:21-22

It truly is hard for us to be willing to give up all our possessions to follow things that we are not physically there to us. Those that follow Christ and do accomplish giving of themselves all that they have will "sit in the throne of his glory . . . .and shall inherit everlasting life." Matt 19:28-29

The ways that we can put the Lord first in our lives include; Remembering to pray and be grateful for all that the Lord has given us. When we are grateful we are then able to give ourselves to Him. If we put our hearts towards Him we are more able to give all that we have towards them. Give up our sin is another way to give all that we have. Tithes is another.

The hour the laborers          How much the man          Hours                   How much they were
were hired:                           agreed to pay:                  Work:                   actually paid:
morning                              Penny for the Day            all day                       one Penny
third hour                            what so ever is right         2/3rds day                one Penny
sixth hour                            what so ever is right         1/3 the day               one Penny
ninth hour                           what so ever is right         last 4 hours               one Penny
eleventh hour                      Penny each man                one hour                 one Penny


What do we learn from this parable about serving in the Lord's kingdom?
He will grant us all the same rewards for coming and "working" for Him. He is fair to all of us.

What message of comfort can this parable have for converts to the Church?
Even though they are later in joining the Church they are equal to in importance to the older members of the Church.

What would you tell who feels it is unfair for each of the laborers to be paid enough?
The work that we are all doing is important and coming unto the Lord is a personal matter. When we do it is between us and the Lord. And when we are accepted we should all be joyful in the work. And accepting of help no matter how late.

I often connect this with Family History work/ Temple work.

Being a Disciples of Jesus Christ

Luke 10:38-42  Mary was focused on serving Him in a more spiritual way, while Martha was worried more about the physical things.

Luke 11:1-13 When we come unto God with our request and have faith He will grant us more than what we asked for, or rather better than what we asked for.
It's not always as we thought it would be.

Luke 12:13-40 "21: Layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. . .
22:Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
23:The life is more than meat, . . .
29:And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. . .
31:But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you."

If we seek for the kingdom of God laying up our treasures in Him (our hearts will follow) Then we will be also taken care of physically while on this earth.

Luke 13: 23-24 straight is the gate and narrow is the way

Luke 14:16-33 forsaking all that we have. Is that spiritually speaking or physically?

New Testament Institute Manual(p.115)

(16-7) Luke 11:5–13. The Parable of the Friend at Midnight

“The parable is regarded by some as a difficult one to apply, since it deals with the selfish and comfort-loving element of human nature, and apparently uses this to symbolize God’s deliberate delay. The explanation, however, is clear when the context is duly considered. The Lord’s lesson was, that if man, with all his selfishness and disinclination to give, will nevertheless grant what his neighbor with proper purpose asks and continues to ask in spite of objection and temporary refusal, with assured certainty will God grant what is persistently asked in faith and with righteous intent. No parallelism lies between man’s selfish refusal and God’s wise and beneficent waiting. There must be a consciousness of real need for prayer, and real trust in God, to make prayer effective; and in mercy the Father sometimes delays the granting that the asking may be more fervent. But in the words of Jesus: ‘If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?’” (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p. 435.)

"That the asking my be more fervent"
 How often do we wonder why God is not granting us our desires? Do we give up praying just because we lose faith and become impatient?
We are praying for a job that will enable us to stay in the rental home and town we're in. We love it here. And feel that this location brings us closer together, and together in God. So we pray over and over to know his will. Do we even ask to stay? We're so scared of not being able to stay or that it's God's will for us to stay that we have stopped asking for it. It is a righteous desire. We are within walking distance to our Church building, our Temple, Parks, and friendly neighbors. All these things have helped us become stronger in our faith. Would he take us away to somewhere better? So many questions. So what is okay to pray for ? His will or things things we can see right in front of us that we feel is best?

What it means to be a Disciple of Christ:
forsake all that we have; leave our sin behind and follow Him.
all our selfish desires to do God's will.
Give all we can.

Counting the costs of following Him
The cost of following him is slavery and sin.
The cost of following Him is our will and our faith.

What in the list would I like to apply more fully in my life?
How will I do this?
To leave behind sin can be difficult. But there are ways to minimize it. Going to Church, saying prayers, not letting my mind become idle/keeping busy. Recognizing temptation, looking it in the face and turing away. Turning away to follow the light of Christ.

I do this by doing more homework, knitting, talking with my daughter, husband, dog, cats, watering my flowers,
Family prayer before bed and when I wake. Prayers through-out the day to ask for help when anxiety hits hard and my minor panic attacks start to creep in.
Last but not least attending Church meetings, group meetings, and attending the Beautiful Temple.

Luke 14:33 "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all the he hath, he cannot be my disciple."

Omni 1:26 We must offer our whole souls continue in prayer and fasting; endure to the end.
Mosiah 2:24 We are always indebted to Him.
Matt 13:44-46 We must sell all that we have (our sin) and buy up that pearl that is God's path.

What is ultimately required to be a disciple of Christ?
Our will and faith.

Avoiding Sin and Remaining Free

Matt 18: 6 "whoso offend [cause to stumble] one of these little ones which believe in me [those humble unto God] . . . it were better that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
9 "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter unto life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire."

Joseph Smiths Translation: Matt18:9 "And a man's hand is his friend, and his foot, also; and a man's eye, are they of his own household."

Hand, foot are a man's friend and his eye is his household.
Notice the connection with the mote in your eye must be seen before you can clearly see someone else's beam. With our hands and our feet we can function (not perfectly) and adapt to losing them. Such is the way with our friends. I say its better to gain friends that have do not threat your relationship with God.
There are right ways to keep friends that do not hold the same values and morals as you do. We all need support and love. The trick is to keep our relationships with God strong so that outside influences cannot bring us down.

John 8:32-34 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. . . . Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."

(15-4) John 8:31, 32. “The Truth Shall Make You Free”

Elder Bruce R. McConkie has interpreted the foregoing expression to mean that we shall be made “free from the damning power of false doctrine; free from the bondage of appetite and lust; free from the shackles of sin; from every evil and corrupt influence and from every restraining and curtailing power; free to go on to the unlimited freedom enjoyed in its fulness only by exalted beings.” (DNTC, 1:456–57.)

When we live in such a way that we are sinning as little as humanly possible we are then able to be free. Free from impatience, anger, contention, frustration, depression, addiction, pain, and regret. We are free to have more control over our minds and bodies. It truly is so liberating when we follow the words of wisdom and other such laws. We are less prone to fall into addictive behaviors if we continue to be a person that invites the Holy Ghost into our day to day lives.

John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Being like Christ truly is the way to truth and life. If we follow the Beatitudes (in which I posted a previous post about) then we are more likely to be happy, and content with our lives.