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Apr 3, 2024
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Eternal Family
REL 200C
Case Study #3
Before Class
Step 1:
Review the following required readings for Proclamation paragraph 3 and answer the questions below.
Talks:
Why Ordinances and Covenants Matter
– ChurchofJesusChrist.org
Why the Covenant Path
– Elder D. Todd Christofferson
With the Power of God and Great Glory
– Elder David A. Bednar
Questions (You will probably need 1-2 paragraphs to answer the questions sufficiently):
Explain how covenants and ordinances are different, and how they are interrelated.
Covenants are agreements or promises made between two parties, often between God and
individuals or a community. These agreements typically involve mutual obligations and
responsibilities. Ordinances are rituals by religious traditions. They are symbolic acts that show spiritual truths and serve as expressions of faith. Certain ordinances are seen as manifestations of covenants between individuals and God.
What becomes available to us through worthy covenant-making and participating in priesthood ordinances? (Provide at least 1 quote
and 1 scripture
in your response.)
“Thus, in the ordinances of the holy priesthood, the power of godliness is manifest in the lives of all who make and keep covenants with God.” - Elder David A. Bednar Through Covenant making and ordinances, we individuals often believe they gain access to blessings, guidance, and spiritual growth.
What is the next ordinance you will participate in? How could you make it a more sacred and meaningful experience? What is the next “saving” ordinance on the covenant path for you?
I’m unsure what my next ordinance will be. I think I’ll know through my connection with god when I should do an ordinance. When I do approach my next ordinance I will show reverence and keep it sacred. Step 2:
Read the following teaching of Elder Neil L. Andersen to help you respond to the prompts below.
Eternal Family
REL 200C
The Lord has long anticipated this important period of human history. He knows the end from the beginning. The Savior has assured us in our day, “Be of good cheer, and
do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.”
As we find our way in a world less attentive to the commandments of God, we will certainly be prayerful, but we need not be overly alarmed. The Lord will bless His Saints with the added spiritual power necessary to meet the challenges of our day.
Here is my major theme this morning: As evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory spiritual power for the righteous. As the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the Lord prepares the way for those who seek Him, offering them greater assurance, greater confirmation, and greater confidence in the spiritual direction they
are traveling. The gift of the Holy Ghost becomes a brighter light in the emerging twilight.
To understand better, think of these comparisons: If the world were growing more physically dark, He could give us enhanced night vision. If loud noises were constantly in our ears, He could give us a filtering mechanism to block the unwanted sound. If the race we were running was extended, He could give us increased lung and muscle capacity. If the exam we were taking was more difficult, He could quicken our minds—a blessing many here at BYU would like to receive.
My brothers and sisters, as evil increases in the world, there is a compensatory power, an additional spiritual endowment, a revelatory gift for the righteous.
This added blessing of spiritual power does not settle upon us just because we are part of this generation. It is willingly offered to us; it is eagerly put before us. But as with all spiritual gifts, it requires our desiring it, pursuing it, and living worthy of receiving it. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift?”
Faith is the muscle of spiritual knowledge and power. Faith is a spiritual gift of God, but it is developed and magnified as we eagerly pursue our journey of embracing and following the Savior.
Questions (You will probably need 1-2 paragraphs to answer the questions sufficiently):
1.
How would you define “compensatory power” considering the context in Elder Andersen’s teaching above?
Compensatory power refers to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We can receive strengths and blessings. We can progress spiritually and gain “Power” as we progress. It can compensate for human limitations and weaknesses, giving us strength. 2.
List at least three ways how what Nephi taught in 1 Nephi 14:12-14 is like Elder Andersen’s insight. (Provide the scriptural phrase
and verse number
for all three.)
Teaching
Scriptural Phrase
Verse Number
Prevalence of opposition and “I beheld that the great mother of 1 Nephi 14:13
Eternal Family
REL 200C
contention against the Church and its teachings.
abominations did gather together multitudes upon the face of all the earth”
Importance of maintaining faith and righteousness despite these challenges.
“beheld the church of the Lamb of God, and its numbers were few, because of the wickedness and abominations”
1 Nephi 14:12
Highlight the power and blessings that come to those who remain faithful to the teachings of the Lamb of God
“and they were armed with righteousness and with the power of God in great glory.”
1 Nephi 14:14
3.
How does one gain access to this “compensatory power” or “spiritual endowment”?
Accessing the "compensatory power" or "spiritual endowment" often involves a combination of personal effort, faith, and adherence to principles taught in religious teachings.
By actively seeking to align our lives with these principles and practices, we can cultivate a deeper connection to the divine and access the compensatory power and spiritual endowment promised by God. During and After Class
Step 3:
Complete one of the following
Case Studies by pondering the scenario and responding to the prompts for
that scenario.
Scenario Options:
Scenario A: Is Baptism (etc.) Really Necessary?
After graduating from BYU-Idaho you take a job that lands you and your new family in a lovely town in southern Florida. You love everything about your new job, including your energetic coworkers, many of whom you've learned are Evangelical Christians. Lately, now that they have gotten to know you, these coworkers have been regularly engaging you in playful religious banter and at times have even thoughtlessly mocked some of your beliefs. Recently they jokingly chided you for believing too much in "works" and too little in the "grace" of Jesus Christ. You protested that Jesus is central to your faith and you're surprised they didn't know that. They retorted that your church only pays lip service to Jesus but does not truly teach that salvation comes by grace through faith, as the Bible says it does.
Feeling a bit annoyed (but not letting it show), you ask them to explain what they mean. One of them named Rick says, "
Mormons believe that as long as they get baptized and keep all the Mormon rules they will be saved—that's called believing in salvation by works. But the Bible is clear that there is nothing that we can do to cause God to save us. Heck, not even baptism is essential.
"
"
Wait a minute
," you say, pondering that last statement. "
You guys don't believe baptism is necessary to be saved? Come on, that's all over the place in the Bible!
" "
Well,
" Rick continues undeterred, "
Baptism might be a nice outward ceremony to show your commitment to God (and we have nothing against people
who do this), but salvation by faith means we are saved when we believe in Christ. Salvation is a free gift from Christ to those who have faith in him—totally independent of our own works, righteousness, or ceremonial actions (like baptism).
"
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Eternal Family
REL 200C
Scenario A: Questions (You will probably need 1-2 paragraphs to answer the questions sufficiently):
1.
What are Rick's assumptions about baptism and by implication all other "ceremonial actions" (i.e., ordinances)? Why does he think this way (i.e., what is he basing these assumptions on)? Is his understanding of your beliefs accurate? Why do you think he views and frames his understanding of your beliefs the way he does?
Rick's framing of the church beliefs reflects common misconceptions about the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). He may view LDS beliefs through the lens of his own faith tradition, which tends to emphasize differences in doctrinal emphasis, particularly regarding the role of grace, faith, and works in salvation. Additionally, cultural biases or misunderstandings about LDS doctrine may contribute to his perception.
2.
What truths/premises from the scriptures, the Family Proclamation, and prophets do you understand that make you feel differently than these coworkers? Be specific and explain why you think and believe as you do.
My beliefs differ from those of my Evangelical Christian coworkers because they are shaped by a broader understanding of scripture, modern revelation, and prophetic guidance. While we share a belief in the centrality of Jesus Christ and His grace in the plan of salvation, LDS doctrine emphasizes the importance of ordinances, works, and ongoing spiritual progression as essential components of discipleship and eventual exaltation.
3.
What might you share with Rick to help him better understand (1) why you don't believe you earn
salvation through your righteous works, and yet (2) why you believe ordinances are necessary for
salvation?
I would emphasize that LDS doctrine teaches that ordinances are necessary for all individuals to progress towards exaltation and eternal life. While God is merciful and just, He has established laws and ordinances that govern the path to salvation, and obedience to these ordinances demonstrates our willingness to align our lives with His divine will.
Scenario B: The “LDS View of God”
You've noticed that your friend and FHE sister Becca has been drifting away from the Church over the last few months. She's been making a lot of excuses about why she hasn't been making it to FHE and Church lately. When you felt the moment was right, you confronted her about it and asked her what's really going on. "
Honestly,
" she said, "
I don't think I want to be a part of the Church anymore
." Feeling a bit stunned by this statement, you ask her to tell you more. Sensing your sincerity and believing you won't
judge her; Becca opens up to you.
"
The more I think of it, the more I just don't like the LDS view of God,
" Becca says. "
I mean he seems so obsessed with rules and empty rituals and ordinances.
"
"
Wait,
" you say. "
What do you mean by empty rituals and ordinances?
"
"
I mean, there are soooo many really good people in this world—people just as good (if not better) as any
LDS’s I've ever met—people who don't keep all the LDS rules and who haven't been baptized or married in the temple. And they are happy and fine.
"
Eternal Family
REL 200C
As you thoughtfully nod your head, Becca continues, "
I mean why would God separate two people who were in love and died, just because they didn’t go through with church rituals or ordinances? Doesn't that just seem so arbitrary? My own parents are perfect examples of what I'm talking about,
" she continues. "
They are completely in love. They have been totally committed and faithful to each other for 25 years now. And I know they really want their love and marriage to last forever. But according to our Church teachings, they can't. My dad doesn't believe the gospel. He's fine with letting my mom and us kids go to church and believe whatever we want, but he personally isn't interested at all. So, God won't let
us be a 'forever family' just because my dad won't receive the ordinances and keep the LDS rules. I just ...
don't like that view of God,
" she says. "
It seems wrong to me.
"
Scenario B: Questions (You will probably need 1-2 paragraphs to answer the questions sufficiently):
1.
What are Becca's assumptions about God, commandments, and ordinances? Explore possible ways she developed these assumptions.
Becca's assumptions about God, commandments, and ordinances reflect a perception that God is overly focused on rules and rituals, and that these ordinances are arbitrary and unnecessary for determining worthiness or eternal blessings. Becca's assumptions about God, commandments, and ordinances likely stem from a combination of personal experiences, cultural influences, and emotional responses to LDS teachings and practices
2.
What truths/premises from the scriptures, the Family Proclamation and prophets do you understand that make you feel differently than Becca about God, commandments, and ordinances? Be specific and explain why you think and believe as you do.
God is loving, merciful, and just. While He desires all of His children to accept and follow His gospel, He respects the agency of each individual and judges them according to their desires and actions. LDS doctrine affirms that God's plan of salvation is inclusive and extends the opportunity for salvation and exaltation to all of His children, both in this life and in the life to come.
3.
If Becca is open to hear your view of "the LDS God," what could you share with her about:
a.
how God's laws are not simply arbitrary, and
Obedience to God's commandments brings blessings and spiritual growth. God promises that as His children obey His laws, they will receive strength, guidance, and protection from Him. While the consequences of disobedience are real, God's mercy and grace are also extended to those who sincerely repent and seek forgiveness.
b.
why God requires ordinances and covenants to ensure eternal relationships?
eternal nature of family relationships and the importance of preserving and strengthening these relationships through ordinances and covenants. The sealing ordinance enables families to be bound together in love and unity throughout eternity, ensuring that familial relationships can endure beyond the grave and continue to progress and grow in the presence of God.
Eternal Family
REL 200C
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