REL225C_W05_ReflectionAndSynthesis
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Brigham Young University, Idaho *
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225C
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Religion
Date
Apr 3, 2024
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docx
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Uploaded by ProfessorSeaUrchin1562
Reflection and Synthesis Report
Name: Krystal Whitehead
Week #: 5
Instructions
In the table provided below, you will complete your reflection and synthesis responses for this week. Be sure to complete each Response section. When referencing scripture or other materials, only include a brief or abbreviated summary along with the citation as these cannot be included in the required word count. When you have completed the document, save it to your computer and follow the instructions in your course to submit the assignment to your instructor.
1.
Did you complete all the assigned reading for the week? [Yes X ⃝ or No ⃝]
2.
Article of Faith
Please identify the Article of Faith studied this week
Response: Article of Faith #4 - We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3.
Explanation of Key Events and
Scriptures
Demonstrate your comprehension of fundamental truths of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and your ability to use the scriptures to teach them. Be sure to include specific scripture references from the assigned readings
Scenario: Imagine you have been asked by a family member or friend to share what you believe about the truths and events you studied this week. Share in your own words several
insights as though you are really trying to teach someone. Include at least three scripture references to support the truths you teach (you may reference them, but there is no need to quote them). Share your testimony as you would when teaching someone. Your response will be evaluated by the following criteria:
1.
200–300 words in length
(please include your word count at the bottom of the section).
2.
Include at least 3 scripture references
.
Response: If we take a step back and look at the structure of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it becomes quite obvious that we believe what Article of Faith #4 describes. If you have ever taken or just listened to the missionary
discussions they teach these things and that they happen in this order.
If you don't have faith in Jesus Christ, then why would you believe you need to repent? You have to have faith in Him to repent because He is the one that made repentance possible. (2 Ne 25:23) Then once you have faith in Christ, it becomes easier to repent or at least to understand the need for it. After repentance comes the ordinances. In True to the Faith, it explains that “In the Church, an ordinance is a sacred, formal act performed by the authority of the priesthood.” It also explains that there are some ordinances that are necessary for us to live with Heavenly Father again. Baptism and Confirmation are that kind of ordinance. Baptism was such an important ordinance that even though he was free from sin, Jesus was baptized to show us the way. (Matt 3:13-17)
D&C 137 talks about how those who died before being able to receive these saving ordinances would have the opportunity to have them done by proxy through the temples of the earth. They would be given the chance to learn of Christ and choose to have faith in Him. Then their temple work could be done and recorded for them. (D&C 128:6-
9)
Word Count: 263 4. Synthesis: Personal Relevance and Application to the Real World
There are many serious challenges people encounter on a daily basis that are consequences
of living in a fallen world. The gospel truths taught in the Articles of Faith have tremendous power to help people find answers, rise above problems, or simply feel God's love and concern for them again.
Each week you will choose an issue (below) and think deeply about how the truths in that week’s Article of Faith can offer hope to those who are experiencing the problem. If you have another issue that particularly interests you, then choose your own:
abortion
abuse/bullying
addiction
depression
divorce
domestic violence
energy/environmental issues
violence
gambling
genocide
homosexuality
international terrorism
materialism
natural disasters
pornography
unemployment
poverty
racial strife/hatred
religious intolerance/persecution
threats to religious liberty
same-sex marriage
suicide
Scenario: Imagine you are speaking to someone who has experienced or has concerns about
the issue you have chosen. What would you share from the doctrine and fundamental truths that you have studied this past week to help that person? Include why you think these truths and doctrine are helpful and what they have meant to you. Be encouraging with the truths you know.
Write a response in at least 300-450 words
and list your word count at the end of your response.
5.
The world problem/issue I chose this week is:
Recognizing and accepting our divine nature and identity
Response: It may not seem obvious at first, but the 4th Article of Faith has a lot to do with our divine nature and identity. If we have faith in Christ, we know that we are Children of God. Realizing that we are children of God and have a divine inheritance, we will feel the desire to return to God which leads us to repentance, baptism, confirmation, and the rest of the saving ordinances. Ordinances help us remember who we are. When we participate in saving ordinances we make covenants with Heavenly Father which are double-ended promises. We promise to follow certain directions and He promises to bless
us for our obedience. Every time we remember our ordinances we remember who we are and why we made those promises.
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Now, there are times when we can remember our ordinances and forget to think about who we are. We can get to the point where we are just going through the motions without thinking about why we are doing them. Praying, reading our scriptures, going to church, and partaking of the Sacrament can all become a muscle memory activity. It is not a bad habit to have, but if you don’t think of why you are doing these things you are missing out on a big part of the process. Having a purpose behind our actions is like plugging in the appliance before turning it on. The purpose is what gives our actions energy. When we remember God we are able to put energy into our actions and have them mean something. Remembering God is one of the keys to life. Take the pride cycle for instance. You start at the top with “Righteousness and Prosperity” and then you fall to “Pride and Wickedness” which leads to “Destruction and Suffering” which brings about “Humility and Repentance” and that takes you back to “Righteousness and Prosperity”.
The cycle can be cut in half if we just remember God before we become too prideful. Then we are just going between
“Righteousness and Prosperity” and “Humility and Repentance”. While we are remembering God, we should also be remembering our relationship with Him and that will remind us that we are Children of God and He loves us and we have power over the devil and when we need more than our own strength we can call upon the Lord to add to our power to overcome our adversity. Whether that be by removing it, which is rare, or growing through it. Word Count: 413