Luke 3-8

I really like the teachings and parables that Luke shares with us in chapter 6. One that really struck me the most was in verses 41-42. "And why beholdest thou the mote [splinter] that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest no the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own wyw? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye." I think that allot of us can realte this to how we judge others in the church. Sometime we might look at another person in church and be quick to judge on how they dress or act. But the very act of us judging them makes us at fault more because we are not being very christ like. How can we judge others when we are not perfect. This scripture is very blunt in calling us hypocrites when we judge because we should not be doing it. I also likehow it advices us to work on ourselves first instead of trying to fix others. I know that sometimes in church i can be very judgemental but i will try to think of how i can work on being a better and more optomistic person. 

Luke 1-2

The first two chapters of Luke focus on events before and after the birth of Jesus Christ. I really liked reading in chapter 1 about the begginings of John the baptist. His father Zacharias by the lineage of Levi had the Aaronic Priesthood. Because he had it he was able to pass it on to John the Baptist. This is an important principle that teaches us that Fathers who have the priesthood are able to transfer their priesthood to their children at the right time and age.

I also like how the spirit of the Holy Ghost is so strong that even a baby can be able to feel it. In verse 41, "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filed with the Holy Ghost." How neat is it to know that even in the womb we are able to discern of things that are good. We are so close to the pre-mortal life that that bond between  us and the spirit is still there. My goal for this week is to be able to listen to the promtings of the spirit like the baby in the womb of Elisabeth. 

Mark 6-10

I really like how Mark is a book where you can really see the reactions of people around Jesus when miracles are performed. I like how it makes the scriptures seem more realistic because you see the amazement or struggle that people have in believing what is happening in frint of thier eyes. I know that for me if someone did something out of the ordinary like a miracle or a magic trick it would be hard for me to grasp how it was done and have a hard time believing that it was true. However, I like that Jesus knows what to say when these things happen to calm his people and reassure them that he is is the son of god. I think that one of the major principles taugh in these chapters is the principle of always having constant faith. Chapter 6 really ties in with the principle of faith. After Jesus had fed the five-thousand with 5 loaves of bread and two fishes, he sent his diciples away on a ship to Bethsaida. He then sees them struggling against the wind and the current. His disciples see him walking in the water and fear that it is a ghost and are scared becuse they do not know whats going on. "But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out. For they all saw him, and where troubled." I dont think its wrong for them to feel scared. If I saw a man walking on water i think that the same through process would go through my mind too. I like how Jesus tells them, "Be of good cheer it is I, be not afraid." When he said this the wind and seas calmed and these people where amazed of what had just happened in front of them. The reason why they and us in the present day have such a hard time grasping the things of the Lord and the mysteries of the gospel is because, "For they Considered not the miracle of the loaves, for their heart was hardened, and JST says or did not understand." We just dont understand. Sometimes things are son grand and we just dont have the full perspective that we just need to have faith that these things are true. We have to keep and eternal perspective and believe that there are so many things out there that we have yet to still learn. I know that i lack the faith in believing in some things and i want to work this week on my faith in the many miracles Jesus performed. 

Mark 1-5

It is interesting to see the point of view that Mark has. In these first five chapters Mark is a little bit more general in the events that are happening at that time. He talks about Jesus being baptized by John and receiving of the Holy Ghost through a dove. Then he explains that after his baptism Jesus goes in to the wilderness and fasts for forty days and forty nights. Then he goes on and describes the many parables and miracles jesus performs. What I was able to learn was the principle and doctrine of having faith and not rely so much on the letter of the law. I like that in chapter 2 Jesus was able to show and act of comapassion towards a man who had an injured hand in the synagouge. The Pharacees believe that no one should work on sunday. Jesus is angered by their cold hearts and tells the man to give him his hand so that he can heal it. The Paharcees are angered because he broke the sabbath day but jesus tells them, "Is it lawfull to do good on the sabbath say, is it easier to save a life or to kill?" I like this verse because he shows them that even on sabbath days it is okay to do good. He also says, "The sabath was made for man, and not man for the sabath." This scripture teaches that sometimes we shouldnt focus so much on the letter of the law but what it is trying to make us become. I know that sometimes i take things to literal and treat them as a check mark to-do-lidt. What i need to learn is the meaning behind doctrines and learn to become better from them. I will try this week to learn more through the spirit. 

Matthew 18-20

I enjoyed reading these chapters about Jesus because we are able to learn how we can become more like him and Heavenly Father. I really liked the story of the rich man who came up to him and said, "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good master, what good thing shall I do, that i may have eternal life?... And he said unto him, Why callest though me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the comandments (Chapter 19:16-17). The rich man scoffs at hime and Jesus shares the analogy of the camel and the eye of a needle in verses 23-26. I really liked these verses and the example of this story because it teaches us that we not only must do the things that are correct, we must become them. Heavenly father doesnt send us here to accomplish a checklist, he sends us her to learn through our experiances and become like him. I also like that Joseph Smith was able to add on to verse 26, "But Jesus held their thoughts,, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but if they will forsake all their things for my sake, with God whatsoever things I speak are possible." We must be willing to become like god because then we will be in the right set of mind and not fixated on riches that we can be able to listen to his council and through him all things are possible. 

Matthew 15-17

In these chapters Jesus really tests the faith of his disciples. In Chapter 15 Jesus teaches not to speak vain words about others. He states in verse 11, "Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." I really like this scripture because it teaches us the importance of not to gossip. It is very common in our lives to want to gossip about people. This isnt right because these are words that will eventually hurt someones feelings. These are not christ like attributtes, they are of the devil. We must be very carefull in judging people and be understanding because most of the time we dont know whats going on in their lives. We must be loving and humble. I also like to relate this to false teachings of the gospel, verse 13, "But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavnely father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." With so many religions out there thinking that they are the true church, there will be a time when like the scripture said, they will be rooted up. Then will people know that our church is the true church.

I also like in Chapter 16, verse 25 how we are taught to be slefless and take a leap of faith. We must be willing to loose our lives in order to gain our lives. This basically means to give up our live to the church and be fully devoted. Then, will we be able to find our true selves.  These chapters have deep doctrine teachings that we must be able to "surrender" oursleves to. This week I will try to be a little selfless and dedicate my time towards the needs of others. 

Matthew 13-14

Mathew 13 & 14 are shor chapters to read, yet they are filled with so much wisdom. In these chapters Jesus Christ talks to the multitudes and his disciples in parables. We all know that parables is the way in which Jesus teaches. However, I looked up in the english dictionary the meaning of the word parable and it said that it is a short and simple story that illustrates a moral message. The desciples of Jesus Christ were confused as to the reason Jesus taught in this manner. These stories are easy to understand in a literal sense but only the faithfull are able to understand the deeper message. This is the reason Jesus taught in this manner. If he taught straight forward many would question him, but if he taught in parables he was able to sift out the loyal and faithfull. I was able to learn as i read these parables that they can be interpreted in so many ways. I think this is the reason why they are so simple so that they may customized according to what people are going through as they read them. I really liked how in Ch 13 Jesus shares the parable of the Sowing Man to the multitudes. Then later when he goes home he shared to his disciples the deep meaning of his story. Only tha faithfull are able to understand the true message of Jesus Christ. In this present day we have so many parables given to us. General Conference is the time of year when we can hear the prophet speak and if we are faithfull then we are able to understand the true message that thia man is inspired to say to us through Heavenly Father. My goal for this week is to be able to be more in tune with the spirit as we hear Elder L Tom Perry give us an inspired message during devotional. 

Matthew 5-7

As I read chapters 5-7 I was able to gain a new understanding how Jesus Christ wants us to live our lives. Before his time the law of Moses was followed. The law of Moses is very physical and black and white. Jesus Christ in these chapters wants to go away with the law of Moses and instill a more spiritual uplifting law. However he does not want to abolish it and i really like how he says in chapter 5 verse 17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." This is the reason why he is here to make changes for people to be worthy to return to Heavenly Fathers plan. The doctrine that is important in these chapters is the renovation of the commandments we must follow. Like my previous post from last class i think that a great principle is obedience. The disciples of Christ must also follow these commandments to demonstrate they are good examples. Then people will be able to follow in the path of righteousness. 

Matthew 8-12

This is one of my favorite sections in Matthew. The reason why I like this section is because you get to see all the miracles that Jesus Christ performs to the faithfull. I really like how in Chapte 8 verse 17 it says"...Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sickness." I think a great principle that is taught here is Charity and Selflesness. Jesus Christ did not have to perform any of these miracles. We are taugh to have faith and not rely on things that we hope to see to tell us that they are true. Jesus does this to show that he is full of love for his brothers and sisters and only wants to show charity and service unto them. I also liked that even though Jesus Christ is slef less he is also a just man. I like than in Chapter 10 verses 32-34, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not tha I am some to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword." This is a scripture with great impact and seriousness. Jesus Christ Loves us but he will only be understanding and loving as long as we are faithfull to him and our Hevenly Father. His purpose is to restore truth.  The doctrine that i learned is the doctrine of being faithfull servants of the lord and not seek so much as to have miracles or objective things that proof that the church is true but to believe and have faith. "But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign: and there shall be no sign be given to it, but the sign of the Prophet Jonas. I know that sometimes i question things and focus on the small things in the gospel but my goal is to just have faith and and keep and eternal perspective.