Student Choice Assignment #11: Great Truths in The Scriptures

Choice #1 (section 64):

Step 1: Use the LDS Scripture Citation Index (scriptures.byu.edu) to find inspiring and edifying teachings (two quotes each for a total of six) from General Authorities related to:

FORGIVENESS---64: 9–11

FORGIVING OTHERS: David E. Sorenson in 2003 April General Conference said, “This is not to say that forgiveness is easy. When someone has hurt us or those we care about, that pain can almost be overwhelming. It can feel as if the pain or the injustice is the most important thing in the world and that we have no choice but to seek vengeance. But Christ, the Prince of Peace, teaches us a better way. It can be very difficult to forgive someone the harm they’ve done us, but when we do, we open ourselves up to a better future. No longer does someone else’s wrongdoing control our course. When we forgive others, it frees us to choose how we will live our own lives. Forgiveness means that problems of the past no longer dictate our destinies, and we can focus on the future with God’s love in our hearts.

May the seeds of unforgivingness that haunted my neighbors never be allowed to take root in our homes. May we pray to our Heavenly Father to help us overcome foolish pride, resentment, and pettiness. May He help us to forgive and love, so we may be friends with our Savior, others, and ourselves. “Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Cor. 3:13) In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.”

FORGIVING OUR SPOUSES: Dallin H. Oaks in 2007 April General Conference said “Don’t treasure up past wrongs, reprocessing them again and again. In a marriage relationship, festering is destructive; forgiving is divine (see D&C 64:9-10). Plead for the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord to forgive wrongs (as President Faust has just taught us so beautifully), to overcome faults, and to strengthen relationships.

If you are already descending into the low state of marriage-in-name-only, please join hands, kneel together, and prayerfully plead for help and the healing power of the Atonement. Your humble and united pleadings will bring you closer to the Lord and to each other and will help you in the hard climb back to marital harmony.

Consider these observations of a wise bishop with extensive experience in counseling members with marriage problems. Speaking of those who eventually divorced, he said:

“Universally, every couple or individual said they recognized that divorce was not a good thing, but they all insisted that their situation was different.

“Universally, they focused on the fault of the spouse and attributed little responsibility to their own behavior. Communication had withered.

“Universally, they were looking back, not willing to leave the baggage of past behavior on the roadside and move on.

“Part of the time, serious sin was involved, but more often they had just ‘fallen out of love,’ saying, ‘He doesn’t satisfy my needs anymore,’ or, ‘She has changed.’

“All were worried about the effect on the children, but always the conclusion was ‘it’s worse for them to have us together and fighting.’ ”

In contrast, the couples who followed this bishop’s counsel and stayed together emerged with their marriages even stronger. That prospect began with their mutual commitment to keep the commandments, stay active in their Church attendance, scripture reading, and prayer, and to work on their own shortcomings. They “recognized the importance and power of the Atonement for their spouse and for themselves,” and “they were patient and would try again and again.” When the couples he counseled did these things, repenting and working to save their marriages, this bishop reported that “healing was achieved 100 percent of the time.”

• I loved both of these quotes because I had never quite thought about forgiveness in that way, especially when it comes to being married and about your spouse. Forgiveness is such a great eternal aspect that when used properly can create amazing and divine relationships between people.

WILLING AND OBEDIENT 64: 33–34 

President Howard W. Hunter in a 1979 April General Conference said: “It has always been encouraging to me that the Lord said it is the “willing and obedient [who] shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.” All of us can be willing and obedient. If the Lord had said the perfect shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days, I suppose some of us would be discouraged and give up.

The Prophet Joseph said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God.” (History of the Church, 5:134–35).

The place to begin is here. The time to start is now. The length of our stride need be but one step at a time. God, who has, “designed our happiness,” will lead us along even as little children, and we will by that process approach perfection.

None of us has attained perfection or the zenith of spiritual growth that is possible in mortality. Every person can and must make spiritual progress. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the divine plan for that spiritual growth eternally. It is more than a code of ethics. It is more than an ideal social order. It is more than positive thinking about self-improvement and determination. The gospel is the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ with his priesthood and sustenance and with the Holy Spirit. With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and obedience to his gospel, a step at a time improving as we go, pleading for strength, improving our attitudes and our ambitions, we will find ourselves successfully in the fold of the Good Shepherd. That will require discipline and training and exertion and strength. But as the Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phillip. 4:13)

President Gordon B. Hinckley in 1967 April General Conference said: “There is no better association than that with other young men and women of faith who recognize God as their Eternal Father and Jesus Christ as the living Savior of the world.

That association will give you strength. It will give you companionship. It will challenge your abilities. It will afford you opportunity for growth. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints there is office and responsibility for all.

I have seen backward men become giants as they served in the work of the Lord. The cause of Christ does not need critics; it needs workers. And to restate an old quotation, "Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't, you're right."

To those of this generation the Lord has said: ". . . be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

"Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind" (D&C 64:3-34

That, my young friends, is the substance of the matter: "the Lord requireth a heart and a willing mind."

• These quotes to me were amazing in that they truly reflected on how vital it is to have a willing heart and mind that is centered on doing the will of the Lord and the Lord’s work. I am getting engaged really soon and it has been amazing to see how much of a difference it has made in my life to have someone around me on a regular basis, that has this willing heart and mindto serve the Lord. It has helped us grow together and will continue to help us grow.

DEBT 64:27

Franklin D. Richards in 1996 October General Conference said “President Brigham Young repeatedly counseled the Saints to get out of debt and stay out of debt. Other Latter-day Prophets have given similar counsel. President Joseph F. Smith told the Saints, "Get out of debt and keep out of debt, and then you will be financially as well as spiritually free."

President Heber J. Grant said in one of his sermons, "If there is any one thing that will bring peace and contentment into the human heart, and into the family, it is to live within our means; and if there is one thing that is grinding, and discouraging and disheartening, it is to have debts and obligations that one cannot meet." (Relief Society Magazine, Vol. 19, page 302.)

One of the Relief Society lessons deals with this subject, and the appropriate title is "Don't Let Your Yearnings Exceed Your Earnings." This lesson is certainly in line with the injunctions of the Lord to his people. Today much unhappiness results from financial problems; they are a major factor in unhappy marriages, many of which result in divorce.

Brigham Young said in Volume 4 regarding the Constitution and debt: “I do not want to go away in debt to our enemies; for the Lord has told us not to go in debt to our enemies. If I can get the brethren to do as we want them to do, in a short time we will not owe a Gentile one half dollar. We never would have been in debt to our enemies, if I could have had my plans carried out. Some others have had their way; and I, with a few others, have had to stand and lift the load. If I could be permitted to have my way, I would always have the dollar on hand to buy my enemy, instead of owing him a dollar and having to be sold for it. I would always have a purse ready to buy those who are for sale, instead of being out of means at the sale. I would make every thousand dollars return two, whereas I cannot do that while letting others have their way.”

• Debt is always something that I have tried to avoid in my life and that my parents have always taught me since a young age. It was really great and interesting to know though that this has been a recurring thing the church since it was first reorganized and continues to be important today. I want to strive to be out of debt at all times and only acquire debt that is necessary such as for a house, schooling and in some cases a car. These quotes just strengthened my testimony of how vital it is to stay out of debt and the rewards that come as a result of it.

Student Choice Assignment #9: Who's Who in the Doctrine and Covenants

Choice #3 (section 52):

Who’s who in the Doctrine and Covenants? Look up ten names of people you are unfamiliar with that are mentioned in Section 52, and read a brief biography of them in Susan Easton Black’s Who’s Who in the Doctrine and Covenants (or a comparable resource available to you). What do you learn about their lives that helps you better appreciate the principles of the gospel as taught in the revelations? How are you like/unlike these people? What can you learn from their lives that will help you be a better disciple in your own?

1. Lyman Wight

2. John Corrill

3. Solomon Hancock

4. Thomas B. Marsh

5. Ezra Thayre

6. Isaac Morley

7. Ezra Booth

8. Harvey Whitlock

9. Simeon Carter

10. Edson Fuller

11. Jacob Scott

12. Levi W. Hancock

13. Zebedee Coltrin

14. Reynolds Cahoon

15. Wheeler Baldwin

16. William Carter

17. Selah J. Griffin

18. Newel Knight

19. Joseph Wakefield

20. Solomon Humphrey

21. Heman Basset

I went through and read all that was written on Section 52 in this link and was truly amazed at the men that were talked about in this Section. I learned so much more about the early missionary work of the church that I had never even heard of before! The things I learned from their lives that it was not an easy task that they faced in order to preach the gospel but many of them did it with happiness and a desire just to serve the Lord. This is something that I believe that all of us can do better at, is always having a desire to do the Lords will, no matter what he asks. I feel like I am alike these men in the aspect of that I have the desire to do what the Lord asks me to do no matter what it is. This is not something that I am perfect at yet but that I continue to strive for every day. I think that these people though had the kind of Faith that I want to have so badly in this life.

There were many things that I learned from this and found, as things that can help me be a better disciple of Christ. These things are:

Faith, Courage, Love of the Lord more then themselves or their wants, willingness to do whatever was necessary to feel the spirit so that they could preach it to others, willingness to do whatever the Lord asks of them, no matter what the cost.

Student Choice Assignment #8: Signs of the Times

#2 Sections 45

What are the ten most significant signs you feel the Lord is giving his Saints in this revelation? Please explain, describe, and reference these signs in section 45. ​
 
1. D&C 45:17 “restoration of the scattered Israel”

·      All those who have been scattered will be gathered together again before Jesus Christ comes again.

2.  D&C 45:18 “behold this temple which is in Jerusalem, which ye call the house of God, and your enemies say that this house shall never fall.”

·      There shall be a temple built in Jerusalem before Christ comes again and our enemies will know how important and great of a place that it is.

3. D&C 45:24-25 “ 24 And this I have told you concerning Jerusalem; and when that day shall come, shall a remnant be scatter among all the nations;

25 But they shall be gathered again; but they shall reaming until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled."

• His children will be scattered but will then be gathered again in the last days.

4. D&C 45:26 “ and in that say shall be heard of ward and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.

·      This is full of a lot of signs. First that there will be wars are rumors of wars, much of which is already occurring today. Second, that the whole earth will be in commotion, which also is very evident in the world today. Lastly, Christ will not come until the earth is almost utterly destroyed.

5. D&C 45: 27 “And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound.”

·      This is something that I feel we see very often in the world right now where there are so many wicked people who do not seek for the well being of others and instead seek after their own well being.

6. D&C 45: 28 “And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, a light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness and it shall be the fullness of my gospel.”

·      The gospel will be spread to all people all over the world who have never had the chance to have knowledge of it such as in the Middle East.

7. D&C 45: 31 “they shall see an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall come over the land.”

·      There will be many more sicknesses and diseases that exist in the world. I think this is something that already is happening more readily every day. Every day they are finding new infections and disease that threaten to kill or do kill the people of the world; it is only going to get worse.

8. D&C 45: 33 “ And there shall be earthquakes also in divers places, and many desolations; yet men will harden their hearts against me, and they will take up the sword, one against another, and they will kill one another.”

·      This is also another one with lots of signs in it. First there shall be earthquakes in many different places in the world, which we see more and more of all the time, all over the world. Second, men hardening their hearts against Jesus Christ which happens all the time with people leaving the church and also with people not being willing to accept the gospel. Lastly, when they take up swords against each other and kill one another is also something that we see happening regularly these days with all of the wars going on in the world.

9. D&C 45: 32 “But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift their voices and curse God and die.”

·      This to me was really interesting to know that even in these hard times the disciples of the Lord will not stop preaching the word of the Lord. We though do not have reason to fear as long as we are righteous because we will be protected.

10. D&C 45: 42 “And before the day of the Lord shall come, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood and the stars fall from heaven.”

·      The sun will be darkened, the moon will turn to red and the stars will not longer be able to be seen.

What three main principles of the gospel does God emphasize and associate with these Second Coming signs that a disciple living during such turbulent times would be wise to give heed to?

1. D&C 45:35 “Be no troubled, for, when all these things ahll come to pass, ye may know the promises which have been made unto shall be fulfilled.”

·      Be not troubled because those who are righteous will receive the amazing blessings they have been promised.

2. D&C 45: 39 “And it shall come to apps that he that feareth me shall be looking forth fro the great day of the Lord to come, even for the signs of the coming of the Son of Man.”

·      Look for the signs and do not fear the coming of the Lord

3. D&C 45: 32 “But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved; but among the wicked, men shall lift their voices and curse God and die.”

·      Stand in Holy Places towards the Lord

Student Choice Assignment #7: Being a Disciple of Christ

Choice #2

What is the Lord’s definition of a disciple? (Section 41)

D&C 41:5 says “He that recieveth my law and doeth it, the same is my disciple; and he that saith he recieveith it and doeth it not, the same is not my disciple, and shall be cast out from among you.”

Based upon the standards that the Lord gives to the Church in the “law” Section (42), create twenty “Disciple Recommend Questions” which could be asked of someone claiming to be a disciple of Christ. 

1. v. 11-14- Do you have the Spirit/have you received it?

2. v. 18-19- Do you obey the 5^th commandment of “thou shall not kill”

3. v. 20- Do you refrain from stealing?

4. v. 21- Do you refrain from lying to others?

5. v. 22-24- Do you cleave/look  unto your spouse and no one else?

6. v. 27- Do you avoid and refrain from speaking badly about others?

7. v. 29- Do you love the Lord enough to serve him and keep his commandments?

8. v. 30-34, 37-39- Do you give items that are to be consecrated to the Lord?

9. v. 40- Are you humble in all of your doings?

10. v. 41- Are you clean before God?

11. v. 42- Do you avoid being idle?

12. v. 43-44- Do you have faith in the timing of the Lord an the things he blesses you with?

13. v. 45- Do you love all of your fellow men, even those who are not righteous?

14. v. 52- Do you bear other infirmities/trials with them?

15. v. 53- Do you act within your stewardship and fulfill your callings in the church?

16. v. 54-55- Do you pay your tithes and offerings to the Lord?

17. v. 56-60- Do you apply and live the teachings of the scriptures in your daily life?

18. v. 61- Have you asked the Lord in prayer for answers and things that are righteous?

19. v. 75-87- Do you obey the ten commandments?

20 v. 88-92- Do you repent daily of the things you have done in your life so that you can come closer to the Lord?

When you have a question for each reference, conduct a personal interview asking yourself each of the questions. How well did you do? Which questions could you personally improve on? In a short paragraph, reflect on which of the “laws” in Section 42 are easiest for you to obey and which require more of an effort on your part. Why do you think those you chose are easier/harder for you?

I would say that the ones involving the 10 commandments are the easiest for me because I have been living them my entire life. It is not something that I have been taught or learned at an older age. For as long as I can remember, I can think of knowing and wanting to follow the 10 commandments that the Lord gave. I think the hardest ones for me though are repenting daily and having total and complete faith in the course of life that God has set for me. It is not that I do not repent regularly or that I don’t have a lot of faith but I know that these areas are not the easiest for me and I am not sure exactly why this is.

Student Choice Assignment #6: Gather to Ohio

Student Choice #3 Section 37-38

Section 37: This revelation was given eight months after the Church was officially organized. Since 6 April 1830, the Church had grown to about 200 Saints in the state of New York; missionary efforts had been extended westward to Kirtland, Ohio, and to the Lamanites primarily living on the borders of Missouri. Missionaries had been particularly successful in the Kirtland area, where they baptized about 127 people during the two or three weeks they spent there on their way to Missouri (HC 1:231). The Church continued to grow rapidly in that area after they departed. 

 

What teachings does God give in section 38 that would comfort, inspire, or challenge a Saint living in New York who is being commanded by the Lord to gather to Ohio? Please give at least four specific references and explanations.

1. D&C 38:2,7   “The same which knoweth all things, for all things are present before mine eyes…mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me.”
This would have been a very comforting statement to the Saints to know that God is among them and knoweth all things. He only wants what is best for them and will never leave them alone.

2. D&C 38:15-16 “Therefore, be ye strong from henceforth; fear not, for the kingdom is yours. And for your salvation I give unto you a commandment, for I have heard your prayers, and the poor have complained before me, and the rich have I made, and flesh is mine, and I am no respecter of persons.”
This would have been a challenge to the Saints to hear that they needed to be strong from now on no matter what the trial. I also believe it would have been a challenge and a comfort to know that if they were strong then they would be able to obtain the kingdom.

3. D&C 38:20 “And this shall be my covenant with you, ye shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inheritance of your children forever, while the earth shall stand, and ye shall possess it again in eternity, no more to pass away.”
I this was a comfort to know that if they were faithful and did as the Lord asked them to do them they would not only allow their children to be blessed but they would be blessed in the eternities. I think it also was a challenge for the saints to obey the laws and commandments God had given them to obey.

4. D&C 38:41 “And let your preaching be the warning voice, very man to his neighbor, in mildness and meekness.”
This would have been a call to inspire and of challenge because missionary work is a challenge especially when many of the early saints had not done a lot of missionary work. It was inspiriting though to know that they could share the gospel with those around them.

What questions could a Saint still have after receiving these two revelations (section 37–38)?

1. Why do we need to go to Ohio and why can’t we go somewhere else?
2. Why do we have to be persecuted so much?
3. What is going to happen once we move to Ohio?
4. How will we survive in Ohio when we will not know anyone?
5. What people should we share the gospel with?

Student Choice Assignment #5: Revelation

What five principles of revelation does the Hiram Page crisis in section 28 teach members of the church?

#1 There is only one person who has higher authority to receive true revelation. “no one shall be appointed to receive commandments and revelations in this church except my servant Joseph Smith, Jun.” (D&C 28:2-3)

#2 The only one who was allowed to receive this revelation is the one whom the Lord calls and not anyone else that believes they have been called.

#3 “you shall go unto the Lamanites and preach my gospel unto them; and inasmuch as they receive thy teachings thou shalt cause my church to be established among them” (D&C 28:8) Missionary work in the world will go forth no matter what happens and people will always preach the gospel.

#4 “And now, behold I say unto you that it is not revealed, and no man knoweth where the city Zion shall be built, but it shall be given here after. Behold, I say unto you that it shall be on the borders by the Lamanites.” (28:9) This shows in support that Hiram Page was not receiving revelation from the Lord that was not true. This also proves that the place of Zion had not yet been revealed.

#5 Revelation from the Lord through his prophet is the only way that modern day revelation can be obtained on the earth today. It is through the prophets that we can gain guidance and wisdom in our lives for today. (D&C 28)

What does section 28 teach you about the tension between personal revelation and agency with prophetic revelation and authority? Which is more important? Why?

Section 28 teaches me about the idea that personal revelation and agency when it comes to prophetic revelation is a very fine line that some people choose to draw. There are some that would think that their own personal revelation on subjects are more important or trump the teachings of the prophet and modern revelation. This though I believe should not be the case, prophetic revelation and authority is extremely important and it is vital that we as Saints listen to this revelation and follow it. The reason for this is because the prophet gets revelation for everyone on this earth and if we do not follow it then we will are not following the commandments that the Lord has set for us.

Student Choice Activity 4: An Elect Lady

10 attributes of an "elect lady" in section 25:

1. Comfort husband in affliction (25:5)
2. Give time to learning and reading much (25:8)
3. Lay aside things of the world (25:10)
4. Seek for things of a better world (25:10)
5. Lift up thy heart and rejoice (25:13)
6. "Cleave unto covenants" (25:13)
7. "Continue in the spirit of meekness" (25:14)
8. "Beware of pride" (25:14)
9. "Let they soul delight in thy husband and the glory which shall come upon him" (25:14)
10. Keep the commandments continually (25:14)

What do you know about Emma's life that matches well with the admonitions given to her in this revelation?

 The things I do know about Emma's life at this point matches so well with these admonitions because it was at this time and all during Emma's marriage to Joseph that there was much persecution that her and her family had to endure. This could not have been an easy task and as a result these admonitions could be a source of strength to her to know that if she does these things then everything, even despite the persecution would be just fine.
Along with this a great quote from President Joseph Fielding Smith says : “Emma Smith was human, possessing many of the characteristics which are found in most of us. Being the wife of the man whom the Almighty had blessed, she felt, as most women would have felt under like circumstances, that she was entitled to some special favors. It was difficult for her to understand why she could not view the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and other sacred things, which view had been given to special witnesses. At times this human thought caused her to murmur and ask the question of the Prophet why she was denied this privilege.” (Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:125.) This is another great reason that these admonitions match so well with Emma and the life she was leading and the life that she had ahead of her being married to the prophet Joseph Smith.

What in this list would be difficult for women of the world to understand, accept, or even appreciate?

I think that things that would be difficult for women of the world to understand, accept or appreciate is the idea of laying aside the things of the world and seeking for things of a better world. We live in a society that is so focused on things and having all the things that you want in life like nice cars, big house and expensive clothes. When really it is not those things that matter most in this life and in the life to come because we cannot take these things with us.

In what ways are women of the church different from women of the world?

There are many ways that women of the church are different from women of the world. One of the biggest things I feel like is different is the idea that women nurturing and raising their children. It says in The Family: A Proclamation to the World that, " Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children." (lds. org, The Family: A Proclamation to the World) This is not something that is even common in the world for the most part but is very common in the church. Another way women of the church are different from women of the world is that their focus in life in general is much different, women of the world focus on a career and themselves before they would think of having a family often times. Women of the church though are taught to of course get an education but that family and the gospel are of the highest importance in this life. 

Read Elder Neal A. Maxwell and Sister Julie B. Beck's message on the women of God and share your impressions and a meaningful quote from each talk. 


Sister Beck's talk to me was truly amazing and very inspiring! Although I am not a mother yet and am not married yet either it really made me realize how vital it will be for me to be the kind of mother that she talks about because how I choose to structure my home and teach my children will shape the kind of people that they will become. What a huge responsibility this is and I want to do everything that I can to do it in the best way possible. I love the quote that says:
"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all." (Sister Beck)
I want to be able to have a home like this someday! :)

I also was truly amazed at Elder Maxwell's talk, it truly made me feel appreciated and loved in the great capacity and job I have ahead of me someday as a wife and mother. I could feel how much he loves the sisters of our church and it brought tears to my eyes to know how appreciated we really are. He said :
"We salute you, sisters, for the joy that is yours as you rejoice in a baby’s first smile and as you listen with eager ear to a child’s first day at school which bespeaks a special selflessness. Women, more quickly than others, will understand the possible dangers when the word self is militantly placed before other words like fulfillment. You rock a sobbing child without wondering if today’s world is passing you by, because you know you hold tomorrow tightly in your arms." (Elder Neal A. Maxwell)
I want more then anything to be able to be a mother like this that is so selfless and concerned about the well being of my family and those around me. This truly was another testimony to me of how important the role of motherhood and being a woman is and how precious a blessing it is to have the opportunity to have those roles!
I pray daily that I will be prepared to be the kind of women that Sister Beck and Elder Maxwell describe in their talks because I want nothing more then to have home where the spirit can reside and my family can grow in love, together.

Student Choice Activity 3: The Worth Of Souls is Great

“The worth of a soul is its capacity to become as God.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “The Service That Counts,” Ensign, November 1989, 45)

Find ten meaningful insights into the worth of a soul using the scripture index to find quotes from church leaders.

1. “This high value which the Lord puts upon the souls of men as made known in these modern scriptures, he also revealed to his ancient prophets. To impress upon their minds the worth of a human soul, he gave some of them a glimpse of the magnitude of his creations and then explained that they were but ancillary to the accomplishment of his purpose—“to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39) (Marion G. Romney October 1978, The Worth of Souls)

2. “Such is the worth of a soul. Surely it “is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10). They should be of like value in the sight of men. As God’s work and glory is to bring to pass the eternal life of man, so the desire, hope, and work of every man should be to obtain eternal life for himself. And not for himself only but also for his fellowmen; and it will be when he fully appreciates who and what he is—his nature, origin, destiny, and potentiality.” (Marion G. Romney October 1978, The Worth of Souls)

3. “When we see the effect one person can have on the lives of so many, it perhaps is no wonder that the Lord reminded us, “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” (D&C 18:10).

I pray we all might consider what we can do individually to assist those who will be the future great-grandparents, whether a little child, a teenager, or an adult, so that each will leave a righteous legacy of those who know and love the Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” (Harold G. Hillam, The Worth of Souls, October 2005)

4. “A worthy woman personifies the truly noble and worth while attributes of life. A faithful woman can become a devoted daughter of God—more concerned with being righteous than with being selfish, more anxious to exercise compassion than to exercise dominion, more committed to integrity than to notoriety. And she knows of her own infinite worth.” (Russell M. Nelson, Women-Of Infinite Worth, October 1989)

5. “God grant us the vision as leaders, teachers, and parents to put people first. Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. I add my personal witness. God lives. Jesus is the Christ. This is his church. This is his prophet. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.” (Paul H. Dunn, April 1973 Conference, The Worth of Souls is Great!)

6. “Each one of us has a soul to save. Each has the opportunity to obtain eternal life. Since our souls are so precious, we should leave no stone unturned in our effort to save them…The thing which is of most worth unto us is to be in the service of the Lord.

This means that we must not be blinded by the glitter of gold or the allurement of position or pleasure or even the false excitement of sin.

We must open our eyes to the fact that to serve God is the greatest career in the world.

To be saved in his presence is the greatest gift that can come to us, and to bring our family with us into the enjoyment of salvation will be the greatest achievement of our lives.” (Mark E. Peterson, What Will a Man Give?, Ensign Jan 1974)

7. In modern revelation we are told that only those who are devoted to God and his way of life will reach the celestial glory. Only those who go there may become like him.

All others, going to the lesser glories, will be restricted in that they may not become like him.

I ask you here today—where do you want to spend eternity? Where would you like your family to spend eternity?

If you knew that by living the gospel you may have celestial glory rather than a lesser one, would it not be worth the effort to obtain it?...

Whether we realize it or not, we answer that question every day of our lives by what we think and say and do. Our actions demonstrate whether we are working toward becoming like God or the world. (Mark E. Peterson, What Will a Man Give?, Ensign Jan 1974)

8. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:10, 15)

Some may wonder how one soul could be worth the labor of a lifetime. We live in a world of temporal and transitory things. Many fail to understand the nature of man—that his soul is eternal! Man's soul is indeed worth a lifetime of effort to save.

One other thing—the saver of souls, together with him who is saved, shall be found in the kingdom of our Father.” (A. Theodore Tuttle, The Calling of the Seventy, Conference Report, October 1970)

9. “I can understand (at least within my limitations) what the Lord meant when he talked about the worth of souls in his sight. And I believe I may understand it more impressively and movingly today than I have ever understood it before.

May I read you some words with which all are familiar, and read them in context of what has been said?

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
"For behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him" (D&C 18:10-11) (Marion D. Hanks, October 1959, Conference Report)

10. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" (D&C 18:10). Of so much worth to God are the souls of men that he sent his Holy Son as his agent of redemption and of mercy and of happiness. Of so much worth are the souls of men to that Son that he gave his life on a cross that we all might enjoy the blessings of eternal life and lasting relationships with loved ones in the progressive, creative future with our Eternal Father that we envision and believe in.” (Marion D. Hanks, 1969 October, Conference Report)

What do you learn in these revelations that helps you better understand the worth of a soul in the eyes of the Lord?

I learned so much from doing this assignment. I was able to learn that no matter who the person is, that every single person on this earth or that ever has been on this earth is a child of God and has an infinite worth to our Father in Heaven. I always remember in Young Women’s saying the theme every week that included infinite worth. I never really understood what it meant but I think that as I have gotten older and especially after this assignment that God truly does love and cherish each and every one of us. Not only does he love us but also he wants us to be happy and has a plan for each of us as individuals. We each have individual qualities that make each of us different but Heavenly Father loves each of us no matter who we are or what we look like!

Describe five meaningful scriptures in these revelations that increase your understanding of the worth of a soul.

1. D&C 18:10 “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

Every single soul matters and is important in the sight of our Heavenly Father.

2. D&C 18:15 “And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!”

Each of our souls matters so much to the Lord that he believes that each and every soul is so vital to him and the bringing up of the kingdom of God.

3. Moses 1:39 “For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”

Our Heavenly Father shows us that we do have a great worth because he wants us to be able to gain eternal life and immortality.

4. D&C 25:3 “Behold, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou art an elect lady, whom I have called.”

A great way to better understand the D&C is to apply it to ourselves and as a result of this it shows me that our heavenly father loves us enough to forgive each of us for our sins. There is no way that we would not have infinite worth if we were not worthy of being forgiven of our sins and being called elect ladies.

5. D&C 24:8 “Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.”

Our Father in Heaven loves us enough to stand by us through all of our afflictions and trials and he does this for us because he loves us so much and wants us to return and live with him again.

Student Choice Activity 2: Cause and Effect

These 7 Sections of the D&C hold so many amazing cause an effect statements that at the time were meant for those in the early days of the church but could be easily applied to each of our lives today in these the Latter Days. Cause and effect is such an amazing thing about the gospel that can be applied to so many aspects of the gospel whether it be keeping the commandments, tithing or covenants we make with our heavenly father. To everything we do there is always an effect or consequence. There are 10 different If/Then statements that I chose to look into deeper and apply one of them to my life.


#1 6:5-If you will ask of me then you shall receive.
#2 6:5-If you will knock, it shall be opened unto you. (praying for something unto the Lord, then you will receive answers to your prayers.
#3 6:8-Even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire you shall be the means of doing good in this generation. (the things that you desire that are good unto the Lord such as sharing the gospel or serving others will be granted to you to help and do good to others)
#4 7:13-If thou wilt do good and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God...(if you remain faithful and endure to the end throughout your life, then you will have eternal life!)
#5 7:10/11- ask for things in faith and you will know the mysteries of God and according to your faith it shall be done. (Whatsoever answers you ask for in faith will be granted to you according to your faith.)
#6 9:8- When you study something out in your mind and ask God if it is right, and if it is right then we shall have a burning in your heart and know that it is right.
#7 11:12-Put your trust in that Spirit which leads you to do good, walk justly, humbly, judge righteously and your mind shall be enlightened and your heart will be filly with joy. (Have faith in the Lord and spirit of the Holy Ghost and live accordingly and you will be blessed with an enlightened mind and a lot of joy.)
#8 11:14- whatever thing you desire that is righteous, of the Lord, and ask for in faith, you shall receive.
#9 11:30- As many as receive God to them will be given the power to be the sons and daughters of God.
#10 12:9- Be humble, full of love, having faith, hope and charity, being temperate in all things, then the Lord will entrust his care in you. 


Number 5 is one that really hit home to me especially lately. I was in a severe ATV accident with my brother a little over a month ago and since then my little brother has had to undergo over 8 surgeries and been in the hospital for weeks now. This has been a great trial of faith for my family and especially for me as I have not been able to be at home in Seattle while he is recovering. I have said countless prayers and gone to the temple often, asking that my brother will be healed and that everything will be okay with him. It has taken a lot of faith on my part and as a result of that faith I have received a great amount of peace and comfort regarding this subject. I know how true it is and I am so grateful for the faith and the chance we have to communicate with our Heavenly Father, it truly is a great blessing in each of our lives! 

What do some of these cause and effect scriptures reveal to you about the nature of God?
Some of these cause and effect scriptures reveal to me about the nature of God that he is a very loving God who wants his children to succeed and do well! He gives us so many opportunities to be given blessing for even the smallest things because he wants us to be happy and return and live with him again. I think this is something that all of these scriptures reflect as, if our Lord and Savior did not love us then he would not offer so many amazing blessings and opportunities to us in our lives.

Student Choice Activity 1: Section 3

Section 3 of the Doctrine and Covenants holds a lot of great things that our loving Heavenly Father wanted Joseph Smith to learn from his mistake of losing the 116 pages that can also apply to each of us in our daily lives. Previous to him writing this chapter Joseph Smith had given the 116 pages to his friend and supporter Martin Harris who in return broke the promise he made to both the Lord and Joseph Smith and so the 116 pages were stolen. While reading this chapter over again I really tried to put myself in Joseph's shoes and then be able to apply the lessons to my own life.

#1 "if he boars in his own strength, and sets naught the counsels of of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and carnal desires, he must fall" (verse 4) This really hit home to me in that we each must be willing to give up our free will and give that to the Lord and do as he asks. Often times I have found that it is tempting to be selfish and do what we think is best instead of what we have been counseled by the Lord to do. I know though that great blessings come as we give our will over to the Lord and do as he asks us to do in both the big and the little things.

#2 How vital it is to repent of our sins. Our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us so much that he sent his son to this earth to atone for all the sins that we commit in this life. The only way that we can use this great power though is through the repentance process. Something that I really applied to my own life from this is the great importance of daily repentance. 

#3 "you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and supported you against all the fiery darts of the adversary; he would have been with you in every time of trouble." (verse 8) Faith is something huge to me that I have been working on a lot lately and finding the peace in knowing that the Lord will support us in all the things we do, we just have to have faith in him and the plan that he has for each of us. Recently I was in a large ATV with my 18 year old brother and I fractured 4 bones in my face and my brother broke his femur. Since this occured 4 weeks ago today there have been many trials that my family has faced including: 6 surgeries between my brother and I, reinfection of my brothers leg twice, having to take my brother out of his first year of college and my brother being in the hospital for over 2 weeks now, to just name a few. The faith of my family through this trial never ceases to amaze me in that each of us know that the Lord is never far away and is blessing each of our lives through this trial. Faith is vital to each of our lives to know that we must trust in the Lord no matter what happens in our lives, even when it seems hard and unbearable.


#4 How important it is is to serve the Lord in all that we do. It could be in something small like smiling at someone in passing, or something big like following a prompting from the Lord to do something specific that he asks. No matter what it is that we feel inspired to do, it is vital that we find ways to serve the Lord in whatever capacity we can. "When you are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." Make an effort every day to find some way to serve someone else every day. It does not have to be a big thing but it could really make the difference in both your life and the person whom you are serving.


#5 Heavenly Father is a merciful and loving God. No matter what we have done in our lives he loves us enough to help us to fix what we have done so that we can become better people. He wants to give us every chance possible to follow his commandments and return and live with him again.


I really loved this lesson and being able to share it on the internet for others to see and look at. I know that this church is true with all my heart and I cannot wait to continue to learn more about the early church through this class and the study of the Doctrine and Covenants! :)