Parables and Accounts That Teach Eternal Truths

Luke 16:1–12, 19–31; 17:11–19; 18:1–14. 

• Luke 16:1–12, the parable of the unjust steward. “The Children of This World Are in Their Generation Wiser Than the Children of Light” (pg. 124).

In this parable we learn that you should use your wealth to ensure your friends hereafter. We should be diligent, because the day in which we can use our earthly riches will pass. We are to take a lesson even from the dishonest and evil; in providing for our future.

• Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. “What Do We Learn About the Spirit World from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?” (pgs. 124–25).

In this parable we learn that in the postmortal world there is a paradise, or place of rest, and a hell, or place of torment. There was also a gulf between the two which made it impossible for social exchanges between the two prior to the resurrection of Christ. The Savior’s visit to the spirit world bridged the gulf, making it possible for the spirits in the spirit prison to receive the gospel from authorized missionaries. They are also allowed to repent and accept the gospel, with their work done vicariously in the temples.

• Luke 17:11–19, the ten lepers. “Why Were the Ten Lepers to Show Themselves to the Priests?” and “Were There Not Ten Cleansed?” (pg. 130).

Jesus told the lepers to show themselves to the priests so that they could show that they were cleansed that they may get permission to reenter society. He asked them to do so, to test their faith. When they went to do so, they were healed. Only one of the ten lepers, a Samaritan, came back to thank him.

• See also the Bible Dictionary, “Leprosy” (pg. 724).

This disease, which sometimes was contagious or infectious, was had by many “notables”. In these cases, it was given as a sign, a warning, or a punishment.

• Luke 18:1–8, the parable of the unjust judge. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Unjust Judge?” (pg. 131).

The purpose of this parable was to remind men that they need to pray always, and not faint.  

• Luke 18:9–14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican?” (pg. 131).

This parable was given for those who trusted in their self-righteousness, as an assurance of justification before God. This parable is applicable to all men, regardless of class.

The Savior Taught the Apostles about Leadership

Study John 13:1–17; Luke 22:24–30; Mark 10:43–45. Write a paragraph or two about how the application of these teachings makes leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ different from what the world usually describes as leadership.

As we read in John 13:1-17, Christ washed the feet of his disciples. We learn that “the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” We once again find Christ serving in Luke 22:24-30. It reads, “…but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” In Mark 10:45 it goes on to say, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” What we learn is that Christ was here to serve others. He ultimately gave his life so that we could gain the ability to return to our Father.  

In the world today, when we think of leadership, and the leaders that we have; we are reminded of the corruptness that can come along with that position. Just as in biblical times, in reference to the Pharisees, we find those who have let pride come in the way. They act opposite of our Savior and his example/teachings. We see CEOs and other company leaders who get paid the big bucks to oversee others that do the “dirty work”. They are in charge and are served by people who make far less money to make sure their needs are met on a personal level. It is not uncommon to find “leaders” that have been corrupted by power and on occasion get caught and receive prison sentences. Political leaders can be found to have the interest of lobbyists and others willing to give them money at the center of their heart, rather than what the people want that they are there to “serve”. All of these examples are not what Jesus taught.

2. Write a paragraph or two about a time when one of your Church leaders or someone in the scriptures served and led in the way Jesus Christ taught.

One of the more recent examples of someone who served and led in the way the Savior taught would be a former bishop that I had. I think of the countless hours that he spent ministering to the people in our area. One of the families in our area has a son who was wrongfully accused of a crime and given excessive time, so that the judge could appear in a better light. This bishop spent many hours trying to get the wrong righted, assisting this family in trying to get the son out of prison for the day to attend his father’s funeral, and countless hours lobbying for his freedom. He was involved in service projects and looking after elderly sisters in our area. Seeing to that people in our area, regardless of religious affiliation, had their needs met. This bishop is not a wealthy man, but would give of what he had (his home, time, energy, etc.) to those in need, not judging them either. Although he has since been released, he continues to advocate for those in dire need, attend court proceedings, and watching out for families in our area.

The Last Days of Jesus’ Mortal Mission - Key events that took place during the Savior’s final week of mortality.

Day 1	Jesus arrived at Jerusalem Secured a donkey and a colt, rode through the gate A great multitude placed palm branches in his way & greeted him with hosanna shout Went directly to temple, took note of what he saw Retired to Bethany for the night
Day 2	Went to the temple again in the morning Challenged the Jewish leadership Drove those who were trading and making money exchange from the outer court area Let them know temple is his house, a house of prayer Returned to Bethany in the evening
Day 3	Was challenged by the priests at the temple Related a series of parables (offending leaders of the Jews) Scribes & Pharisees challenge Him again Openly denounced them/condemned them as hypocrites From this point on He only taught the Twelve Jewish leaders consulted on how they might bring about his death Wanted it done before Passover to avoid a riot One of Jesus’ own disciples offered to betray him
Day 4	Spent outside the city (possibly @ Bethany)
Day 5	Jesus had Passover meal in a private home with Twelve Introduced new ordinance, sacrament Prophesied of his death Indicted who would betray him Offered intercessory prayer With the eleven (all but Judas) went to Gethsemane Took Peter, James, and John further into Garden Went off by himself to pray Asked for the cup to pass from him Suffered “the pain of all men” Bled from every pore Rejoined apostles Indicated betrayer at hand While speaking, armed band (led by Judas) seized him Was brought to an illegal trial that night
Day 6	Jewish leaders wanted to discredit Jesus before his people, arranged to have him charged with two crimes (blasphemy and sedition against the state) 1.Blasphemy, a capital offense, for saying he was the Son of God-unanimously convicted, but couldn’t carry out death penalty; only Roman governor could pronounce this. 2.Sedition against the state, political indictment, because he claimed to be king of Jews Pilate found Jesus guiltless of this charge, but the Jewish leaders incited the crowd to “destroy Jesus” Pilate gave in, Jesus was executed by crucifixion In the afternoon, he voluntarily gave up his spirit Before nightfall, his body was removed from the cross and buried in a sealed tomb by two disciples
Day 7 (Sabbath)	Jewish Sabbath His body remained in tomb His spirit ministered in the realm of departed spirits
Day of the Resurrection	On the first day of the week, Jesus emerged from the tomb, appearing to Mary

The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also

Luke 10:1–24. “The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also”

1. Review Luke 10:1–24. Based on these verses, write a summary of the Lord’s counsel and instructions He gave the seventy.

They were to go to every city and place, two by two, that the Lord himself would go. They were to carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes. They were to say “peace be unto this house” to the houses they went into. If the spirit was there, they would know it, if not it will come back to them. If they were received, they should eat the things placed before them. They should also heal the sick. If they weren’t received in that city, they were to dust off their feet. Those that hear the seventy, hear Him. They have power over Satan. Their names are written in heaven because of their faithful service. They were blessed to see and hear the things that they have; many wish they had that same opportunity.

2. Articles of Faith 1:6 states, “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church.” Using the principles taught from Luke 10:1–2, 8–9, 17–20, write a paragraph that supports this Article of Faith.

The church is established today the same as it was when Christ was on the earth. The Seventy are ordained and still sent out, “as traveling minters”, to all the world to testify and help in the harvest. They use their priesthood today to heal the sick and call others unto repentance, warning them to do so soon. They also have power over Satan and are blessed for their faithful service.

3. Go to the Church’s scripture website and read the topic of “Seventy” in the Guide to the Scriptures. Describe in one or two sentences how the scriptures show the existence of this office in the priesthood.

The Seventy were mentioned in Luke 10, with more specific details found in Doctrine & Covenants 107. Their role is to testify, as special witnesses, to all the world; building up the Church and regulating the affairs in all nations. 

The Feeding of the Multitudes

 

The Feeding of the Multitudes

The Savior provided two similar miracles. As a summary of what took place, complete the following chart:

	Matthew 14:14-21	Matthew 15:32-38
How many people were present?	Multitude-About 5000 men, beside women and children	Multitude 4000 men, beside women and children
What did they need?	To eat	To eat
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet that need?	Five loaves & 2 fishes	7 loaves, few little fishes
What words or phrases describe the Savior's feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need?	Compassion	Compassion
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?	All were able to eat with 12 baskets remaining	They did all eat and had 7 baskets full of broken meat

In each story, the available food was insufficient to feed the multitude, yet with the help of the Lord the insufficiency was overcome. Read Romans 3:23 and ​explain in writing another way human effort is insufficient in receiving the glory of God.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Without the atonement, we can’t return to our Heavenly Father.

According to Ether 12:27, how does the Lord help us overcome this insufficiency?

We’re given weaknesses so that we may be humble. If we are humble and have faith, the weak things become strengths.

Miracles Are Evidence of Faith and God's Power

Matthew 8-9; Mark 2 Miracles Are Evidence of Faith and God's Power

Reference	Miracles of the Lord	Who Demonstrated Faith
Matthew 8:1-4	Healed the leper	Leper
Matthew 8:5-13	Servant healed of palsy	Centurion
Matthew 8:14-15	Healing of Peter’s mother-in-law from a fever	Jesus
Matthew 8:16	Cast out spirits of those possessed with devils	Christ
Matthew 8:23-27	Calmed the sea	Christ
Matthew 8:28-34	Devils cast out into swine	Christ
Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34	Woman with blood issue (hemorrhage) made whole	Woman
Matthew 9:27-31	Gave sight to 2 blind men	Blind men
Mark 2:1-12	Healed one sick of palsy	The 4 people that brought the man

Explain how it affects your faith to know that God has this kind of power.

With God nothing is impossible. So by reading of these miracles, it reminds me of who I need to turn to when I am in a situation that is beyond my control. This can be done through prayer as well as receiving a priesthood blessing. At the same time, I need to also realize that His will be done and accept that. Recently I was in a lot of pain. During this time, when medicine didn’t curb the discomfort, I turned to God in prayer. I pleaded for His help. I received a priesthood blessing, in which I was told my body would be made complete. As things turned out, I ended up needing to have my gallbladder removed. I was able to get the help that I needed (from the hospital) to get my pain under control and have the surgery. Since that time, my body has been able to compensate for the loss of my gallbladder and function as “normal”. To me this is an answer to my prayer, although not how I was hoping it would be answered.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Option 1 Choice 3

• What did Joseph initially want to do when he found out Mary was with child? He was going to have his espousal annulled. 
• What did Joseph decide to do after the visit of the angel in his dream? What does this suggest about Joseph’s character? He decided to take Mary as his wife. That he was faithful and knew what he needed to do. It also showed that he had a great love for Mary.
• How many times in these chapters was Joseph guided by the Lord in a dream? What does this suggest about Joseph’s spiritual sensitivity? Joseph had two different dreams in those chapters. It suggests that he was living worthily of having those types of dreams to receive the direction and guidance that he did.
• Although Joseph was not the literal father of Jesus, he was a righteous man entrusted by Heavenly Father to be a guardian to His Son in mortality. Write about at least two qualities Joseph demonstrated that you think you could develop to help you prepare to be a good parent. The first quality he possessed is dedication. He put Mary’s needs above his own. He also was spiritually in-tune. He lived his life in such a way that he was worthy to receive revelation and insight for his future family.
• 2. How is Mary referred to in Luke 1:28? From the account in Luke 1:26–56, make a list of Mary’s qualities that you think distinguish her as one who would be “favoured” by God with the special mission of being the mother of the mortal Messiah. Write a paragraph about one of Mary’s qualities you want to develop more fully and what difference it would make in your life. 
• Mary is referred to as "highly favoured."
• Qualities she possessed: 
• Virgin 
• Blessed among women 
• Obedient, accepting of what she told to do 
• Faithful 
• Submissive (handmaiden)
• In tune w/Spirit 
• Humble 
• Came from a good, strong family 
• Obedience to the will of our Heavenly Father would be the quality that Mary had that I would want to develop more fully. I think this quality would help me be a better mom, wife, daughter, sister, and member of the church. So often I find myself fighting those things that I know I ought to be doing with feelings of self-doubt. I can also become defiant when I feel like I'm being told what to do. The only person that hurts is me, and it thwarts my progression. If I were more obedient in things of the gospel, I would also have more humility and faith which in turn would help me to receive more guidance from the Spirit.
• 3. Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38 contain genealogies of Jesus Christ. In the institute student manual, read the commentary for Matthew 1:17; Luke 3:23–28, “Jesus Descended from Kings” (p. 22). Write a statement about the possible significance of the genealogy of Jesus Christ and why the two accounts are slightly different. It gave the genealogy of Joseph, even though Jesus was not his son, Mary shared the same lineage, as they were cousins. Jesus had a rightful claim as he was of the blood of David, inheriting David's throne. The two accounts are slightly different because one goes in a legal successor to King David's throne order and the other is father to son genealogy even though Joseph was not Jesus's biological father. 
• 4. Write a paragraph explaining why it was necessary for Jesus Christ to have an immortal Father and a mortal mother. Because Christ was the son of God, giving him the power of immortality as well as a mortal mother, having the ability to die, it gave him the power over life and death. He needed to have both of those abilities in order to atone for our sins as well as overcome physical death, allowing us all to be resurrected. 
• 5. Study Luke 2:1–16 and complete the following assignments: 
• Write six questions that cover what you think are the most important details of the Savior’s birth. In parentheses after each question, write the correct answer and the verse where the answer can be found.
• 1. Why was Jesus laid in a manger? (because there was no room for them in the inns vs. 7)
• 2. Where was Christ born? (Bethlehem vs. 4 & 11) 
• 3. Who announced the birth? (an angel vs. 9-10) 
• 4. What was the baby Jesus wrapped in? (swaddling clothes vs 7, 12) 
• 5. Why did Mary and Joseph leave their home? (because he was of the house and lineage of David, so he needed to leave Nazareth and go to the city of David, to be taxed, vs. 4)
•  6. Who set out a decree that all should be taxed? (Caesar Augustus, vs. 1) 
•  List five phrases from Luke 2:1–16 that you think would be good titles for a talk about Jesus Christ at Christmastime. 
1. Fear not; …I bring you glad tidings of great joy 
2. For unto you is born this day… a Saviour 
3. Glory to God in the highest …
4. On earth peace, good will toward men.
5. And the glory of the Lord shone round about them