Jesus Christ As Known in the Epistle to the Hebrews

The purpose of the Law of Moses was to point its adherents to the “great and last sacrifice” (Alma 34:13) of Jesus Christ. Its practices were instructive in that the priest would offer sacrifices continually for the sins of the people, once a year on the day of Atonement. The shedding of the blood of bulls and goats purified the “patterns of things in the heavens,” meaning the symbols of the portable tabernacle, “but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these” (Heb. 9:23). This means that the sacrifices accomplished under the Aaronic Priesthood were useful only for the “holy places made with hands,” (Heb. 9:24) which was the tabernacle itself. Since that tabernacle’s purpose was to be a shadow and symbol of the heavenly things to come, a greater sacrifice was needed that would not only allow the priest into the holy place of the tabernacle, but into the actual Holy Place for which that stood: even heaven itself. This is because “the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect” (Heb. 10:1). Again, the things of the tabernacle were only a representation of the heaven that they portrayed, meaning that a heavenly sacrifice would be required to produce the purification necessary for such a place of holiness. Not only this, but the great and last sacrifice would allow for the entrance into heaven of the high priest and all Israel, and would only be offered once instead of each year.

          Paul referred to Jesus Christ as the great high priest throughout the book of Hebrews. It is significant that the sacrificial practices of the Law of Moses were meant to teach the children of Israel about the great and last sacrifice that would be performed by Jesus Christ. The high priests in their sacrifices would first offer sacrifices for themselves so that they would be worthy to perform the other rites. Similarly, though Christ had no need for repentance, He showed through perfection his eligibility both to offer the sacrifice and to be the sacrifice, He being a lamb without blemish and without spot. The priest would take the blood of the sin offering into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat as a token of repentance for all Israel. So Christ entered beyond the veil and there intercedes between us and the Father. He also rent the veil, allowing not only the high priest entrance to the presence of the Father once a year, but all Israel and all covenant people at any time.

          Jesus Christ is significantly called the high priest of good things to come because His life was lived as a perfect example for us to follow with the promise that if we keep His commandments and obey our covenants, we will have the same blessings and inheritance that He enjoys, being made joint-heirs with Him. Also, His earthly service was always in token of the good things to come when He was gone and had accomplished His atonement and resurrection, sealing His testament with His blood and rendering the covenant efficacious. We too look for promises that are afar off are assured of their fulfillment through our faith in Christ. 

Paul and Mormon

What parallels are there in the counsel and expressions given by both Paul and Mormon?

Paul and Mormon both speak as fathers to their sons, though Timothy is more of a son in purpose than in reality. Both Paul and Mormon express that their sons have been in their prayers unceasingly, pleading that God will bless them and keep them in the right way.

Their next admonition is to be faithful and diligent in their work. For Timothy, Paul counsels him to stir up the gift which is in him by the laying on of hands. The footnotes included within the verse point to the work that Timothy has been called to fulfill, therefore likely referring to the priesthood and exercising power therein. Mormon, too, counsels his son to labor diligently, “for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness and rest our souls in the kingdom of God” (Moroni 9:6).

Lastly, Mormon urges his son to be faithful in Christ, counseling him to always remember the resurrection of Christ, that his fathers saw Him, and that they have hope through His atonement. Paul likewise counsels Timothy to not fear, but to have hope through the blessings of God.

·         Why do you think Paul noted Timothy’s grandmother’s and mother’s faith?

According to the footnote, Paul met Timothy’s mother who believed his preachings despite her husband not believing, which was probably a trial for her. Knowing that Timothy turned out to be a righteous man, given to preaching the Gospel, some of his faith undoubtedly came from his mother, much like the stripling warriors who did not doubt their mothers’ testimonies. I have seen that much of my faith is because of my mother and my grandmother. Paul certainly intended to comfort Timothy by alluding to the richness of his heritage.

·         What assurance did Paul give Timothy about “the spirit of fear”? How can this counsel and assurance help you in your life?

Paul counseled Timothy that God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. This assures me because there are so many things to be afraid of owing to the fact that we are imperfect and the way to return to God is not always clear. Though I may encounter difficulties and challenges, I can know that I need not fear, for God will help me through all things. 

Answers to Life's Questions from Phillipians

·         People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week (see Philippians 2:1–8, 14–15).

Christ set a perfect example in fulfilling the will of His Father in all things, never complaining or disputing. He even suffered death on the cross in humility, taking upon Himself the attitude of a servant of others. He thought of others before Himself and worked to help them even when He was experiencing the same or worse pain and suffering. While the Church organization is perfect, its members are not, and therefore there is a great need to strengthen one another instead of judging one another. We need to all adopt an attitude of serving others as a means of fostering unity and brotherhood that builds faith and invites the Spirit of the Lord.  Finally, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;…” (Phil. 2:14-15).

·         Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength (see Philippians 2:12–15 and institute student manual commentary for Philippians 2:12, “Work out Your Own Salvation with Fear and Trembling” [pp. 361–62]).

A testimony is an experienced witness of the truth which necessarily follows righteous obedience and prayerful searching. A youth who feels the Spirit’s whisperings of the truthfulness of the Gospel cannot be content in sitting idly by, for the Spirit invites and entices to do good, to love God, and to serve others. As a youth acts upon these feelings and promptings, the seed of the word of God grows according to his/her increased faith, bringing greater strength and power to accomplish more good, growing brighter and brighter until the perfect day. Working out one’s own salvation requires just that—work.

·         An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does (see Philippians 3:7–16; 4:13).

To know Christ, “and be found in him” (Philip. 3:9) is counted by Paul to be of greater worth than all things. Though he might have all else, these would be counted as dung compared to the “excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.” I was so moved by these scriptures. I have been striving also to “know him, and the power of his resurrection,” which necessarily accompanies “the fellowship of his sufferings.” Though I would lose all, I gain all through Christ.

·         How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3? 

The scriptures have answers to all of life’s questions. In whatever situation we are seeking to grow nearer to God, there are answers in His words. As I have been answering these simple questions, I have felt so much of His love in these simple words. To me, they are a testimony that He loves and cares for all of His children. He has provided the necessary guidelines, directions, and helps along the path to enable us to return to live with Him again. I feel that way every time I sincerely read the scriptures, for they are they which testify of Him. 

Romans 9-16

Salvation is “nearer.” We need to never turn from righteousness, for in the day that we leave it, it does not carry over to salvation. Keeping the commandments and enduring to the end are the requirements. I love this scripture because the converse is also true- in the day that we leave wickedness and repent, we cease to follow the course of that path and we receive God’s immediate help. The repentance process may not bring immediate fixes to the consequences of sin, but the promise is sure that we can be made clean, every whit.

Paul offers the following counsel for things that will help lead to salvation in Romans 12 and 13:

v.1: Present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God: a second by second living offering of our hearts to God’s will.

v. 2: Be ye transformed by the renewal of your mind: the world has so many things to say about who we really are. The messages confound and confuse the misdirected. Renewing my mind includes keeping my thoughts in tune with the Holy Ghost and treasuring up continually the doctrines of the Gospel. Being spiritually minded is crucial to enduring to the end, for it keeps my eye single to the glory of God and not the philosophies of man.

v. 9: Love the good and hate the bad.

v. 13: Care for the poor and needy.

v. 16: Treat everyone with love, whether they be rich or poor.

v. 21: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” The good things of the world will always overpower the evil things. If my life is full of God’s light, then there will be no room for darkness.

Romans 13:1- Submit to God’s will

v.3: Do good.

v. 8: Love one another

v.9: Obey the 10 commandments

What cautions does Paul give about judging?

1. Paul cautioned that judging is like a stumbling-block both for ourselves and for those of whom we judge. Stumbling-blocks in the scriptures often reference an obstacle in the way of progression. Judging therefore halts progression and keeps one from moving forward toward salvation.

People may have different opinions and practices, but what is most important to remember?

2. Every man practices his life differently, but as long as he lives for the Lord, the simple choices that do not relate to the commandments do not matter.

What insight comes from D&C 38:25-27?

3. The Lord esteems every man the same, and He wants us to look at each other in a similar manner. He wants us to be one with another, involving as complete a unity as the word “one” implies in the scriptures. If we cannot do so, we are not accepted by the Lord.

What word does Paul use frequently to refer to members of the Church in his day?

4. Paul frequently uses the word “saints” to refer to members of the Church in his day.

              The fact that Christ is both the Son of God and the son of David gives Him qualities uniquely formed to His mission. That he was the Son of God is obvious, in that He was the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, meaning that His body was both mortal from his mother Mary, and immortal from His Eternal Father. That he was the son of David is given through the lineage of his earthly father Joseph, who was the rightful heir to the throne of David. Christ was expected by many to offer political freedom because of such a lineage, as the Jews were then under Roman rule. He would have been authorized to do so, but His mission was much greater. As the Son of God, His kingdom was not of this world, and He sought much more for the spiritual freedoms that would help others gain eternal life.

                In Romans 1: 15-20, Paul was zealous and ready to preach the Gospel. He felt that it was the most important thing for him to do at the time, having been called and prepared to do so. I can show the same enthusiasm that I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ by living its principles wherever I am, no matter the circumstance, and no matter the consequences.

                In Romans 1: 21-32, Paul explains a number of sins, mainly giving reason the those who enact them do so for pleasure. By the statement that they worshiped and served the creature more than the creator, he means that they submitted to the desires of the flesh more than the desire to be obedient to God’s commandments.