"Be Ye Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only"

1.    Read James 1 and respond in writing to the following items:

·            What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?

In verse 5, we are directed to ask God for direction if we ever “lack wisdom.”  We are also told that God “giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”  Upbraideth is defined as to censure or reproach.  So, for me, it is encouraging to know that I’m not going to be disciplined for having a question or not understanding something and taking it to the Lord.  And not only will He answer us, but He will give to us liberally.  I always think of the scripture that talks about how God will pour out His blessings upon us, that there will not be room enough to receive it. 

·            How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?

James further defines “ask in faith” by adding “nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”  The imagery of that is pretty powerful.  The wind is something that cannot be seen, only felt; similar to Satan and temptation.  Yet the effects of wind are very much seen, especially in water.  Any body of water can be moved by the wind, even if it’s just a light breeze…there is still a ripple effect on the water.  But if we do not waver, if our faith is strong and build on a solid foundation, it doesn’t matter how strong the wind is blowing.  Our testimony cannot be shaken.

·            How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?

Matthew talks about how it is impossible to hold loyalty to two separate masters.  Our actions will either show love for one and contempt for the other.  There isn’t a way to be balanced or on the fence with who we serve.  1 King makes the comment that if God is who He says He is, we need to act and obey Him, instead of being stuck between two opinions.  These verses add to James 1:8 by explaining why a man who is double minded is unstable.  Trying to juggle between two ways of thinking and acting creates nothing but inconsistency and trouble for an individual. 

·            From James 1:13–15, 19–27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

-          Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath

-          Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word

-          Be doers of the word

-          looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer

-          Bridle our tongue

-          To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

·            Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22.

There are a few different people that came to mind when reading this question.  A friend followed a prompting to invite a newly baptized couple in our ward to Thanksgiving dinner.  I see sisters in my ward constantly volunteering to bring dinners to families in need.  There is one sister in particular who is always offering her assistance in any capacity needed.  She is usually the first to respond to a need in my ward.  I watch as friends follow direction and counsel they’ve received from church leaders.  I also have seen people close to me never stop trying to be better and to improve how they worship the Lord.

2.    Read the institute student manual commentary for James 1:5–6, “If Any of You Lack Wisdom” (p. 409). Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact ... upon mankind than any other” scripture.

I struggled to come up with a ‘list’ of reasons from the brief passage in the manual, but what I got out of it is that those verses were what influenced Joseph Smith to ask a very simple question that led to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The counsel and truth behind those words is so easily understood.  In the manual, Elder McConkie says that, at some point, every investigator of the church stands where Joseph Smith did.  Each individual must ask the Lord for themselves.  They must each take whatever questions they have to the Lord.  The same can be said of us.  Everyone that wishes to know God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, must seek truth from the source from which it is given.  There is no other way to know God than to seek Him out.  

Works of Righteousness

We are to remember to entertain strangers, “for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”  And for those “in bonds,” we are given similar counsel to remember them and to have compassion on them.   The overall idea that stood out to me is that no one is above anyone else.  It is our duty to love and care for each other.

About marriage, Paul’s commentary is simple.  “Marriage is honourable in all…” (Heb. 13:4)  Honorable is defined as “deserving of honor; of great renown, illustrious.”  When I really thought about it, Paul’s counsel is not surprising.  Marriage is such a key part of this gospel.  Marriage, for me, is one of the ways I have grown the most and learned the most, both about my Savior and myself.

The warnings given about covetousness are less direct.  Paul says, “Let our conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6)  So, going with the opposite of that, if we are covetous people, we will not have the Lord on our side to help us.  We will be forsaken and afraid more of man than of God.

“The same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” means that God is unchangeable.  Who He was yesterday is who He will always be in the future.  Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and our Heavenly Father are constant.  They will always be there for us if we make the decision to follow and choose Their divine path.

We are sanctified through the sacrifice of blood by our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

We are to respond to those who rule over us by “[Obeying] them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves…” (Heb. 13:17).  I found this counsel very interesting.  It’s not a new concept.  I knew we are supposed to obey the laws of the land, but this counsel is sometimes hard to swallow in today’s world.  I think this is something I need to work on; having more respect for the leaders of this country.

Paul asked that the people pray for him and the other leaders of the Church.  

2 Timothy 1:1–10. Paul’s Affection for Timothy

There were quite a few parallels in the counsel and expressions given by Paul and Mormon in their letters.  Paul and Mormon both said that they were mindful of the person they were writing to (Timothy and Moroni) in their prayers.  They also each expressed their desire that Heavenly Father would be mindful of them.  In Mormon’s counsel to Moroni, he reminds his son of his duty to serve God and to “labor diligently” among the Lamanites.  Paul doesn’t come outright and say that exact same thing to Timothy.  Rather, Paul reminds Timothy of the priesthood that Timothy holds.  To me, that is Paul telling Timothy to remember why he holds the priesthood…to serve his brothers and sisters and share the gift of that priesthood with all those around him. 

There are two aspects about 2 Timothy 1:5 that stand out to me…first, the great faith that came before Timothy.  Something that I am being reminded of this week is the legacy we leave behind as we go throughout this life and, pertaining to 2 Timothy 1:5, the heritage of faith that we come from.  In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if you are a convert to the church and the only/first member of your family.  There is still a vast and rich heritage of faith that has come before and is there for you to draw strength from.  The testimonies of the pioneers and their immeasurable faith is there for each of us to look back on and learn from and build upon.  

Second, it is Timothy’s mother’s and grandmother’s faith that is noted.  Paul didn’t point out Timothy’s father or grandfather.  It was Timothy’s mother and grandmother.  For me, as a mother, this verse hit home.  I am reminded of the Stripling Warriors.  The impact that mothers have on their children is probably the most powerful in this mortal life.  When I went through the temple for the first time, as my mom walked me through the process, she made the comment with a tear in her eye that she was teaching me exactly how her mother had taught her when she went through the temple for the first time.  It’s such a small and simple thing, but the influence of mothers can change the world.  I definitely need to be more mindful of what legacy I’m leaving behind for my children.  I make so many mistakes in raising my children…I’m pretty sure they’re going to need years of therapy because of those mistakes…but I hope and pray that somewhere in the midst of my countless mistakes, I am teaching them about the Savior.  I hope that I am living my testimony every day so that they will never doubt in whom I believe and rely on for strength. 

Paul assured Timothy that “the spirit of fear” does not come from God.  I think that fear is synonymous with doubt, uncertainty, panic, worry, and disbelief.  These thoughts and feelings are tools that Satan uses to slowly (and sometimes not so slowly) eat away at our peace and confidence in the Lord.  In my life, learning that fear is not a tool my Heavenly Father uses to persuade me has been invaluable.  It hasn’t exactly made my life completely easy and free from all fear or worry.  But it has made it more possible for me to recognize that it is Satan trying to tear me down vs Heavenly Father trying to communicate with me.  There is great hope and peace and strength that comes from knowing that God has “…given us the spirit of...power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  In this life, there are storms and trials of all kinds that we must face.  Knowing the spirit of influence our loving and divine Heavenly Father uses can mean the difference between a life filled with fear and a life filled with joy and hope.

In 2 Timothy 1:15-18, Paul blesses the “house of Onesiphorus” with the Lord’s mercy because the house of Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul and “refreshed” him and cared for Paul.  When Paul was in Rome, Onesiphorus made a point of seeking Paul out.  Paul blessed Onesiphorus that he might find mercy in the Lord’s eyes.  As I consider Matt. 25:35-40, for me, I think making a point of serving those around me and taking the opportunities to help that come up, I might someday be worthy of the same blessing that Paul gave. 

After reading Matt. 11:29-30 and Jacob 1:8, the use of “chain” in 2 Tim. 1:16 seems to mean more along the lines of the burden that Paul is carrying.  Initially, I thought that “chain” meant the connection or association of Paul.  But after reading the other scriptures I think it really means more of the yoke or mantle that Paul carries.  This assignment has been really interesting because I’ve had to take a step back and look at how I feel and behave in regards to opportunities to serve and how I act towards those who are called of God to teach and fulfill callings in my ward and stake.  Do I respect and honor the priesthood that the men in my life hold to the best of my ability?  Do I look for the chance to serve in my ward?  Am I doing enough to honor and obey the covenants I have made?

Find Solutions in the Scriptures to Life’s Challenges

For each of the following common challenges, write the counsel from Philippians that you would use to resolve it:

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

As we attend church and participate in the activities there, when strife arises, we need to be sure to put those things aside and think of what Christ would do and how He would treat others.  Church, of all places, needs to be a refuge and a place of love and kindness and safety for the members of the congregation.  Philippians 2:2 says we need to “…be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”  We should love each other and let go of petty issues that we can be “of one mind.”

• 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]).

The youth in the church will not always live at home.  There will come a time that they move out and are left to rely on the light of their own testimony as they face adulthood.  In Philippians 2:12, we are counseled, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”  When it comes to our salvation, we cannot rely on anyone else.  The institute manual says, “The Church does not accept the doctrine that a mere murmured belief in Jesus Christ is all that is necessary…’Work out your salvation’ is an exhortation to demonstrate by activity, by thoughtful, obedient effort the reality of faith…To work out one’s salvation…is to perform daily, hourly, momentarily, if necessary, the immediate task or duty at hand, and to continue happily in such performance as the years come and go…” 

There’s a couple of young women that spend a lot of time at my house and church is something we talk about often.  Through talking with them, and what I remember when I was a teenager, I have seen the importance of having a personal and individual testimony of the living Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is this testimony that will get you through any trial you may face in this life. 

• 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).

This is a hard one…family is such an important aspect of life and the loss of their association would be devastating.  In a situation like this, one must consider the alternative.  If an individual has developed a testimony of Christ, and denies it, what are the consequences?  I have found that turning away from my faith has led to more devastation and heartache.  Losing your family would be extremely difficult. 

Philippians 3:13 says, “[reach] forth unto those things which are before.”  We must look forward with faith, trusting God to direct our paths.  Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  If we act on our faith, and rely on Christ, no matter what challenges we face, Christ will always give us the strength to endure, no matter how difficult or impossible they seem.  I have learned that obedience is always the better choice. 

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

2 Nephi 32:3 teaches that we should, “feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”  This writing assignment is an example of this principle because I was able to find answers to real answers and guidance to difficulties that I or someone I know has faced in this life.  The scriptures contain answers to all of life’s challenges.  As we turn to the words and truths written in the scriptures, we will be blessed to find the answers and peace that we are seeking.  We can and will be guided to do all things that our Father in Heaven would have us do.