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The lesson manual invites the teacher to ask class members to silently consider these questions: “Am I paying tithing, giving to the poor, attending my meetings, and serving others for my own glory or for the glory of God? In all my actions, do I seek to draw closer to my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ?”

The Gospel Doctrine #21 manual objective is “to help class members recognize the signs that will precede the Savior’s Second Coming and to encourage members to prepare themselves for this great event.” Our Objective To highlight references to women in the Olivet Discourse. Commentary Jesus’ words about the destruction of the temple and the last days are found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. I will focus on the account in Mark 13.

When the parables found in Matthew 25 (Ten Virgins, Talents, and Sheep and Goats) are brought into conversation with each other a cohesive message emerges detailing how we can achieve exaltation. Covenant Making: The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13)

If we are suppose to be like Jesus, then how can we also be “the way, the truth, and the life”? This has been very personally for me recently as I am expecting– I am literally participating in the miracle of giving life to another being. However, no matter what your situation or gender, I think we can all be life-givers in a wide variety of ways.

Lesson #24 continues Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples in John 16, followed by what the manual calls the great intercessory prayer of John 17. This is also called the Farewell Prayer or High Priestly Prayer. In Chapter 16, Jesus explains the need for his imminent departure. Think–did he really have to leave?

Throughout my life, I have often been called stubborn. There are all sorts of titles people will assign to those of us who hate conforming to the expectations of others: Insubordinate. Uncooperative. Difficult. Uncompromising. Opinionated. Proud. Obstinate.

One of the most pivotal moments in the sacred history of the world is recounted in the gospel of John. Christ’s testimony of his mission to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, takes my breath away: “Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (John 18:37).

Each of the four accounts of Jesus’ resurrection contains different details and emphases (see Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20). But one thing that they have in common is that in all four accounts, the primary witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection are women.

In the first five chapters of Acts we see the apostle Peter transform into a prophet. He who, not long before, three times denied knowing Christ becomes a mighty witness.

To address the lesson manual’s question: “How does diversity among members enrich and strengthen the Church? How can we differ from each other and still be unified?”

Consider Peter, commissioned by Jesus at Galilee to establish the Church of Christ. Jesus didn’t use those words, “establish the church;” instead he said, “feed my lambs,” and “feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17). But in Acts 10, Peter sees in vision another kind of flock: Descending from heaven is an assortment of odd animals, and Peter is told “Rise, kill, and eat.”

How are churches established? Or how do wards and branches become strong in the faith? In these chapters, we catch a glimpse of the process. Keep in mind that the author of Acts is Luke the Evangelist, the same writer who gives such close attention to the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ ministry. So while the main character of these chapters might be said to be Paul, the great missionary of the early church, Luke’s history in Acts also details the contributions of many other me

Once I sat in a room with a friend right after she put her daughter to sleep with a story, and I asked her what stories the young girl liked best. My friend told me that her daughter liked very complicated stories, and that of every tale, she asked the same question: “Where’s da mama in this story?” because at two, she was young enough to know that a mother should be present, and old enough to know that she often wasn’t.

A friend recently told me that his favorite articles are the ones that are hard to read, because they challenge him. I felt that way, reading the passages for this lesson.

According to Paul, what are the purposes of the sacrament? Why is examining our worthiness an important part of the sacrament?