Solutions to Life’s Challenges, as Found in the Scriptures- Philippians 1-4

How did Paul counsel the Philippians in resolving these common challenges? 

People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week- We all have a specific part to play in our Fathers' Plan. And, we all have supporting roles, made up of callings and tasks that allow us to humbly serve the Lord and fulfill these callings. Sometimes, our callings and tasks may seem daunting when we look at our calendars and our other responsibilities, (at least they can for me), and I think this is why I might “murmur” sometimes. Paul’s advice in Philippians gives me the opportunity to step back and take that breath I so often need, which keeps me from arguing and complaining:

• He taught that we should love and show compassion for one another; (Philippians 2:1)
• he taught that we should respect one another for we are of one mind, of one Spirit; (Philippians 2:2)
• he taught that we should not have disputations between one another; (Philippians 2: 3)
• and, he taught that we should “shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:15)

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- It’s funny how our children don’t want to take our advice on some of the things we’ve done, and insist on making the same silly mistakes, but would think that our testimony is sufficient for them. I often think, (and I know my husband does too), that I would love for our children to avoid some of the trials and pains of life, by living by our experiences. But, I also know that they must “work out their own salvation.” (Philippians 2:12) Believing in Jesus Christ is not enough. Growing our testimony and working out our own salvation is a lifelong commitment and we cannot sit idly by and expect it to happen on its’ own or for someone to do it for us. We must actively serve Him and continue to grow and learn. 

I was raised Catholic, and when I was a little girl, I remember my Granddad going to Mass on Christmas Eve and on Easter Sunday. That was it. So, I thought that when I got older, I would be able to go to church a couple of times a year and I’d be good. But it doesn’t work that way, does it? When I was eighteen, I stopped going to church. I believed in God and Jesus Christ and had my faith, but didn’t feel I needed to go to church. I also felt that something was missing in my life. Fast forward to today…I am now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and my husband and I are very active in our Ward. I read the scriptures daily, and I can feel the Spirit in my life, leading me, (leading us) to those whom He would have us serve. My life has changed and my testimony continues to grow as I work out my own salvation. 

This is something that we cannot do for someone else. 

An investigator is considering joining the Church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does- 

It is very hard for anyone to feel that they are feeling abandoned by a family member, but it would be much harder to feel abandoned by the Lord. As a recent convert, I knew that there were many in my family who might do exactly that, but I did not let that hinder my decision. Of course, it may have been easier for me because of my age, or because my husband and his family are all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who all supported me. On the other hand, I know that my sons, who are both return missionaries and my husband, all experienced investigators who fought this battle. This is a hard decision to make, but if we to the Spirit for guidance and the scriptures for answers, we will know what to do.  We have seen many: prophets, apostles, disciples, and missionaries, who have given up everything to follow the Savior, including Paul.

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)

How is this writing assignment an example of the principle taught in 2 Nephi 32:3? Each week, before I post to my blog, I pray that the Spirit will be with me to guide me and to speak through me so that I might teach and share my thoughts with others. If we listen to the words of the Spirit, we will learn what Christ wants us to know.

Live as Saints Should Live- Romans 12-16

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep : for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Romans 13:11)

What must we continue doing to work out our salvation?  To prepare for our salvation, we must commit to live by the commandments given us by our Savior, to live a life of righteousness. If we knowingly choose to disobey those commandments and fall away from our righteous ways, all that we have strived for is forgotten and we will not reach our eternal goal. (Ezekiel 3:20) 

We will be tested, tempted and tried throughout our mortal lives, and it will not always be easy to remain on the path of righteousness, but by staying true to the covenants we’ve made, and living by the commandments given us, we will endure and find ourselves in the presence of the Lord, when our work here is complete. We "shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” (D&C14:7)

Paul gave much counsel that leads to salvation. What did Paul teach in the following versus that would help lead to salvation? 

• Paul taught that we must give ourselves completely to the service of the Lord (Rom 12:1) 
• Paul taught that we do as our Father wills us (Rom 12:2) 
• Paul taught that we must love unconditionally and ward off evil (Rom 12:9) 
• Paul taught that we show charity to brothers and sisters (Rom 12:13) 
• Paul taught that we should be humble and not allow ourselves to become prideful (Rom 12:16) 
• Paul taught that if we show kindness to all, we will overcome evil (Rom 12:21) 
• Paul taught that we listen to our Prophets for they speak the words of the Father (Rom 13:1)
• Paul taught that we should not be afraid of those in authority, but to stay true to our convictions (Rom 13:3) 
• Paul taught that we must love one another (Rom 13:8) 
• Paul taught that we must obey and live by the commandments given us and to always “love thy neighbor as thyself" (Rom 13:9)

Points to Ponder: (Rom14:1-13; 15:1-3)

What cautions did Paul give about judging? Paul cautions that it is not for us to judge one another in any matter, subject, or action. We are servants of the Lord; we live for Him and we die for Him. (Romans 14:4-10) And, we will all stand before Him to be judged (Romans 14:12)

"Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13)

People may have different opinions and practices, but what is most important to remember? The most important to remember is to love and teach one another. We all have agency and we all have right to have our own views. Having different opinions and practices gives us opportunity to learn from and to teach one another. (Rom 15:1-2)

What additional insight comes from reading D&C 38:25-27? We are all equal in the Lord’s eyes. It matters not what we are wearing, or what car we are driving. What matters is that we are one in Christ. 

"I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27)

What term does Paul frequently use to refer to members of the Church in his day? (Rom15:25-26, 31; 16:2, 15) Paul referred to those he taught as “the saints,” just as we are today. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I found this comforting and edifying.*

*Personal note: As I’ve been studying and reading the scriptures of the New Testament  I am becoming more and more enlightened every week and my testimony grows stronger as my eyes are opened to the similarities between the practices from ancient times and those of today. As a child, I remember various “readings” shared during Catholic Mass, but I never had any deeper insight or scripture study. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more of the early teachings of our Saviors' Church.

Baptism- Romans 6

What must be done with sin before baptism can occur? 

Before we can be baptized unto Christ, we must humble ourselves and repent of our sins. In a talk given to missionaries at the Provo MTC in June 2000, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shares“... true repentance, repentance which shows our desire to be clean and renewed and whole, repentance that allows us to lay claim to the full blessings of the Atonement. Then comes baptism for the remission of sins." (Missionary Work and the Atonement)

What events from Christ’s life are symbolized in baptism? During baptism:

“We are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4)

"For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death , we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:5)

Considering this symbolism, why couldn’t someone be baptized by sprinkling? 

When we are fully immersed during baptism, we are symbolizing the death of our past life and leaving the sins behind. As we come out of the water, we are born again into a new spiritual life in devoted to serving our Lord. Baptism also symbolizes the death and resurrection of our Savior. (See Romans 6:3–6) ”Then shall he immerse him or her in the water, and come forth again out of the water“ (D&C 20:73–74)

What do these verses teach us about how we can maintain the “newness of life”? 

In answering this question, two scriptures stand out, "For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."(Romans 6:10-11) As we leave our past lives and sins behind and emerge from the waters from baptism as pure disciples of Christ, we must dedicate our mortal and eternal lives to serving our Savior and Father. To me, as I partake of the Sacrament each week, I renew my covenants so that I might carry that “newness of life” with me as I share His light with others.

According to Mosiah 3:19, what part of us would ideally die at baptism? 

During baptism, the part of us that is subservient to the natural man dies and we devote our lives to serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Mosiah 3:19)

How do we know who we serve and what is the true source of freedom? (Romans 6:14–23) On November 10, 2012, when I emerged from the waters of baptism, having left my past behind and knowing that my sins were forgiven through the Atonement, I felt much lighter and free from the bondage of mortal man. I hadn’t realized how much my past had been holding me back from my true purpose for being here. I know that there were things I needed to do to bring me to where I am today and choices I needed to make for God’s plan to bring my husband (my personal missionary) into my life. As I go forth, with my husband by my side, and we serve the Lord, we know where we are going and have our eternal goal in sight. "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness , and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:22-23)

Use the Spirit to Come to the Lord- 2 Corinthians 3-7; 12

What does the Spirit give us? “The spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6) 

In these few words, Paul encourages us to let the Spirit come into our hearts and breathe life into the scriptures. President Monson teaches, "The language of the Spirit comes to him who seeks with all his heart to know God and keep His divine commandments. Proficiency in this language permits one to breach barriers, overcome obstacles, and touch the human heart.” He goes on to say “... we turn from the narrow confinement of the letter of the law and seek the open vista of opportunity that the Spirit provides.” (President Thomas S. Monson, “The Spirit Giveth Life,” Ensign, June 1997)  We must not simply read the words that are written; but, we must ponder deeply and apply the doctrine and principles to our lives. We must “Use the Spirit to Come to the Lord.”

Knowing what the Spirit gives us, where where does death come? “For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

If the Spirit comes to those who keep the commandments, death comes when we knowingly choose to disobey the commandments. In the April 1987 General Conference, President Hinckley reminds us, “Each of us has a choice between right and wrong. But with that choice there inevitably will follow consequences. Those who choose to violate the commandments of God put themselves at great spiritual and physical jeopardy.” He also shared the words of Jacob, “Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-minded is life eternal” (2 Ne. 9:39)

What then is needed to bring the Spirit into our lives?

To bring the Spirit into, and keep the Spirit in our lives, we must give ourselves to Jesus Christ, live by the Commandments that we’ve been given, and stay true to our Covenants. And, we must be active disciples of Jesus Christ. This includes: daily prayer, reading the scriptures, partaking of the Sacrament, living a life of righteousness, magnifying our callings and serving others, living a wholesome, righteous life, and teaching and sharing the Gospel with others. He has promised that we will have the Spirit with us as long as we are faithful and worthy. (Mosiah 2:36-37)

How do the principles in the following scriptures bring us closer to God and give us more freedom from Satan? As I read these scriptures, I find a commonality- if we stay focused on what we know is right, why we are here, and on our eternal goals, we will distance ourselves from the grasp of Satan.

• If we have faith in God, the light of Christ will guide and protect us (2 Corinthians 4:6–10)
• If keep our sights on our eternal goals, we will stay true to our covenants and be able to return to our Father in Heaven (2 Corinthians 4:14–18)
• We are accountable for what we do as mortal beings, therefore, we should live in a state of constant repentance so that we might be worthy to stand before Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7–10)
• When are born again, in Christ, we leave behind what was and live anew with the light of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17–21)
• If we surround ourselves with other faithful believers, we will continue on the path of righteousness (2 Corinthians 6:14–17)
• If we truly sorry and ask forgiveness from the heart, we will be cleansed and our reward will be great (2 Corinthians 7:1, 9–10)
• If we are grateful in all things, even when we are going through troubled or trying times, we will be strengthened by the experience (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)