Faith, Hope, Turning Weaknesses to Strength, Consequences of Rejecting Prophets
Ether 12 - Faith in Jesus Christ can lead to miracles.
READ Hebrews 11:1 – “Now
faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence (proof) of things not
seen.”
READ Alma 32:21 – “…faith is
not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope
for things which are not seen, which are true.”
READ Mark 9:24 – “…Lord, I
believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
??? Given these scriptures,
how would you define faith in Jesus Christ for yourself?
??? What are some synonyms of
faith? [Trust, confidence, hope, assurance]
??? How can you increase your
faith? (write on chalkboard)
President Nelson offered
five suggestions to improve our faith:
“First, study. Become an
engaged learner. Immerse yourself in the scriptures to understand better
Christ’s mission and ministry. Know the doctrine of Christ so that you
understand its power for your life. Internalize the truth that the Atonement of
Jesus Christ applies to you. He took upon Himself your misery, your mistakes,
your weakness, and your sins. He paid the compensatory price and provided the
power for you to move every mountain you will ever face. You obtain that power
with your faith, trust, and willingness to follow Him.”
“Second, choose
to believe in Jesus Christ. If you have doubts about God the Father and His
Beloved Son or the validity of the Restoration or the veracity of Joseph
Smith’s divine calling as a prophet, choose to believe11 and stay faithful.
Take your questions to the Lord and to other faithful sources.”
“Third, act
in faith. What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write
about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.”
“Fourth, partake
of sacred ordinances worthily. Ordinances unlock the power of God for your
life.”
“And
fifth, ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, for
help.”
Increased faith takes work.
??? What do you think
President Spencer W. Kimball meant we he wrote, “Faith precedes the miracle?”
??? Would you share how you
have experienced a miracle from the Lord?
1. President and
Sister Nelson held conferences in 4 Polynesian countries during heavy rain. 2. I was the first to receive my
Ph.D. in my graduate class while serving in a demanding calling and having a
young family.
??? Do miracles always come in
the way and when you wanted them to? Give examples?
Video: Observation,
Reason, Faith and Revelation – Elder Dale G. Renlund
Ether 12:1–9, 28, 32 Jesus Christ gives us “a more
excellent hope.”
READ Ether 12: 4 “Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might
with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of
God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which
would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led
to glorify God.”
??? Should we have hope for a
better world? [In my lifetime
crimes such as murder have decreased. In
my understanding the millennium will be a better world.]
??? How are faith and hope
related? [They seem to interact with each
other.]
??? In what ways is hope like
an anchor?
READ Moroni 7:41 “And what is
it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope
through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised
unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the
promise.”
??? Do you have hope in
eternal life for you and your loved ones? (not to be answered aloud) [The next
time you go on an endowment session in the temple, reflect on the last words
you say prior to going into the Celestial Room.]
??? In what ways does Jesus
Christ give us “a more excellent hope.”
President Jeffrey R. Holland –
“I echo the sentiment of a
beautiful young returned sister missionary who said to us in Johannesburg just
a few months ago, “[We] did not come this far only to come this far.” …
“Paraphrasing one of the most inspiring valedictories ever recorded in scripture,
I say with the prophet Nephi and that young sister:” … ““My beloved brethren
[and sisters], after ye have [received these first fruits of the Restoration],
I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay. … “… Ye must press
forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope,
and a love of God and of all men. … If ye shall[,] … saith the Father: Ye shall
have eternal life.” (2 Nephi 31:19-20; General Conference, April 2020)
Elder Patrick
Kearon, “Even as the storms of
life in an often-troubled world pound upon us, we can cultivate a growing and
abiding sense of joy and inner peace because of our hope in Christ.” — “Welcome
to the Church of Joy,” General Conference, October 2024
Ether 12:23–29 – Jesus Christ can turn my weakness into
strength.
Divide the class into 8 small
groups. Ask each group to discuss the scripture they receive and then choose
one person to give a very brief summary, less than one minute summary.
Ether (Ether
12:23-29)
Enoch (Moses
6:31–34; 7:13)
Moses (Exodus
4:10–12; 14:31)
Gideon (Judges
6:12–16; 8:22–23)
Peter (Luke
5:8–10; 22:55–62; Acts 4:13–21)
Moroni (Ether
12:23–29)
Joseph Smith
(Joseph Smith—Hist. 1:28; Doctrine and Covenants 35:17; 135:3)
Gospel Topics –
Grace Online library >
Scriptures > Guide to the
Scriptures
> Grace
???Does this only work for
prophets? ??? How has the Lord turned a weakness of yours into a strength.” [Public speaking with notes but not
writing it all out.]
Ether 13:13–22; 14–15 Rejecting the Lord’s prophets puts
me in spiritual danger.
This is the story of the
whole Book of Mormon, what happens when the people reject the message of the
living prophet(s)?
??? What is our living prophet
telling us today?