1. From the Book of Mormon we
learn that “the natural man is an enemy to God” (Mosiah 3:19).
In this lesson, students are instructed that through repenting and exercising
faith in Jesus Christ,
we can overcome the natural man, be “born again,” and experience a mighty
change of heart. This change is necessary to enter the kingdom of God.
2. David A. Bednar, “The
Atonement and the Journey of Mortality,” Ensign, Apr.
2012;
3. D. Todd Christofferson, “Born Again,” Ensign , May
2008.
4. “You cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible!”
(ETBenson) Why ?
5. Alma 41:10–11 - Consequences of
wickedness. What are some deceptions that Satan uses? A “state of nature” is to
be “in a carnal state,” “in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of
iniquity,” and “without God in the world.” It is contrary to the nature of God, and the
“nature of God” is the “nature of happiness.”
6. Mosiah 16:2–5 How
did Abinadi use to describe humankind’s fallen state? How about “persists?”
7. Mosiah 3:19 -
how we can overcome our fallen state. What does it mean to “yield to the
enticings of the Holy Spirit”? As we follow the promptings of the Holy
Spirit and draw upon the power of the Atonement, we can put off the natural
man.
8. Mosiah 5:1–5
- "Please note that the conversion
described in [Mosiah 5]
is mighty, not minor—a spiritual rebirth and fundamental change of what we feel
and desire, what we think and do, and what we are. Indeed, the essence of the
gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change in our very
nature made possible through our reliance upon ‘the merits, and mercy, and
grace of the Holy Messiah’ (2 Nephi
2:8)” (DABednar, ”Ensign, May
2007, 20).
9. Mosiah 5:7-8
How does our relationship to Jesus Christ changes as we are born again? In what
way do we become the children of Jesus Christ?
10. Who in the Book of Mormon experienced a change in
their nature because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
10.Mosiah
27:24–26 - How did Alma describe this miraculous change? Only
by becoming new creatures in Christ can we inherit the kingdom of God.
11. “You may ask, Why doesn’t this mighty change
happen more quickly with me? You should remember that the remarkable examples
of King Benjamin’s people, Alma, and some others in scripture are just
that—remarkable and not typical. For most of us, the changes are more gradual
and occur over time. Being born again, unlike our physical birth, is more a
process than an event. And engaging in that process is the central purpose of
mortality.
“At the same time, let us not justify ourselves in a
casual effort. Let us not be content to retain some disposition to do evil. Let
us worthily partake of the sacrament each week
and continue to draw upon the Holy Spirit to root out the last vestiges of
impurity within us. I testify that as you continue in the path of spiritual
rebirth, the atoning grace of Jesus Christ will take away your sins and the
stain of those sins in you, temptations will lose their appeal, and through
Christ you will become holy, as He and our Father are holy” (DTChristofferson,)
12. “It is …
through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the Atonement
of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance
to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to
their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to
lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best
efforts” (Bible Dictionary, “Grace”).
13. Alma
5:14, 26–27 - What does humility have to do with this
process?
14. Ether 12:27 -If
we come unto Jesus Christ, then He will show us our weakness. If we are humble
and have faith in the Lord, then He will make weak things become strong unto
us.
15. “If you have problems in your life, don’t assume
there is something wrong with you. Struggling with those problems is at the
very core of life’s purpose. As we draw close to God, He will show us our
weaknesses and through them make us wiser, stronger. If you’re seeing more of
your weaknesses, that just might mean you’re moving nearer to God, not farther
away” ( Bruce C. Hafen, “The
Atonement: All for All,” Ensign, May 2004, 97).
Elijah F. Sheets, later the bishop of the Salt
Lake City Eighth Ward for forty-eight years (the longest tenure of any bishop
in Church history), is born in Charlestown, Pennsylvania. (May 22, 1821)
- 55 years ago today - Mar 22, 1961 --
Elder Lee proposed to the General Priesthood Committee overhauling the ward teaching program of the past, under the new title "Priesthood Correlation Program." Twelve to fourteen stakes would be selected as pilot programs. Pres. McKay suggested calling the men "Home Teachers," instead of "Priesthood watchmen" that Elder Lee suggested. This was approved. (7)
Elder Lee proposed to the General Priesthood Committee overhauling the ward teaching program of the past, under the new title "Priesthood Correlation Program." Twelve to fourteen stakes would be selected as pilot programs. Pres. McKay suggested calling the men "Home Teachers," instead of "Priesthood watchmen" that Elder Lee suggested. This was approved. (7)
