Don’t Sit on the Bench

As we study the gospel, specifically these books… It can be difficult to insight just by reading. For me, this was the case the last two weeks. Thus, I decided to look toward outside resources for this lesson. I found “Come Follow Up” on the BYU channel. Observe from outline, material, and viewing that these lessons were broken down and personalized.

  • Come Follow Up Minute 49:53
  • Amos 5. Seek ye me, and ye shall live.
  • This was during lots of bad things. We all have a story.
    • I lost a wife to cancer. A new life and new miracles. Patriarchal Blessing miracles.
    • I was impacted by a layoff. Changes led to Teaching.
    • I have a farm. But, any joy seems to always have an adversity. Pray for Josh.

Part 1 Hosea and Joel

Background

Book of Hosea, also spelled Osee, the first of 12 Old Testament books that bear the names of the Minor Prophets, considered as one book, The Twelve, in the Jewish canon. According to the superscription, Hosea began his prophetic activity during the reign of Jeroboam II (c. 786–746 BC). His prophetic announcements indicate that he was active until near the fall (721 BC) of the northern kingdom of Israel, the scene of his entire ministry. The text is quite corrupt and contains difficult problems of interpretation. Yahweh’s compassion for Israel, however, is generally the dominant theme. Having “played the harlot” with Canaanite rites and practices, Israel will surely experience Yahweh’s wrath, but not forever. Yahweh will welcome Israel like a husband who takes back an unfaithful wife. Britannica.com

Book of Joel, second of 12 Old Testament books that bear the names of the Minor Prophets. The Jewish canon lumps all together as The Twelve and divides Joel into four chapters; Christian versions combine chapters 2 and 3. The book relates nothing about Joel except his name and that of his father. An analysis of the text further indicates that Joel lived during the period of the Second Temple of Jerusalem (516 BC–AD 70), for his book reflects the liturgy then in use. Britannica.com

Theme 1: Blow Ye the Trumpet in Zion

What does “Blow Ye the Trumpet in Zion mean? Do you have an experience where you ended up forgiving, where for a time

Theme 2: I Will Pour Out My Spirit

How do you call upon the Lord? Does anyone have an experience where the Lord has poured out his spirit on you?

Part 2 Amos and Obadiah

Background

Amos, the first Hebrew prophet to have a biblical book named for him. He accurately foretold the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel (although he did not specify Assyria as the cause) and, as a prophet of doom, anticipated later Old Testament prophets. The little that is known about Amos’ life has been gleaned from his book, which was, in all likelihood, partly or wholly compiled by other hands. A native of Tekoa (now a ruin), 12 miles (19 km) south of Jerusalem, Amos flourished during the reigns of King Uzziah (c. 783–742 BC) of Judah (the southern kingdom) and King Jeroboam II (c. 786–746 BC) of Israel. By occupation, he was a shepherd; whether he was merely that or a man of some means is not certain. He actually preached for only a short time. Britannica.com

Book of Obadiah, also spelled Abdias, the fourth of 12 Old Testament books that bear the names of the Minor Prophets, in the Jewish canon treated as one book, The Twelve. Obadiah, with only one chapter consisting of 21 verses, is the shortest of all Old Testament books and purports to be a record of “the vision of Obadiah.” Nothing is known of the prophet except for his name, which means “servant of Yahweh.” In the book, Edom, a long-time enemy of Israel, is castigated for its refusal to help Israel repel foreigners who invaded and conquered Jerusalem. To many scholars this reference suggests a date of composition after the Babylonian conquest of 586 BC. Others, noting the anti-Edomite sentiments in II Kings 8:20–22, consider a date as early as the 9th century BC also probable. Britannica.com

Theme 1: The Lord Reveals Truth Through his Prophets

How do you hear Christ? Do you have an example of a pertinent revelation from the Prophet? Are we prophets in any way?

  • Amos 3:7
    • JST uses word “until he revealeth”. The prophets are supposed to give us “words of warning”. What are some words of warning? What will happen if we don’t hear the warning? What happened to Israel 600BC?
    • Minute 12:39 to 14:00

Theme 2: Caring for Those in Need

What does the phrase “Eyes to see” mean to you with regards to charity? How do we show charity to those around us?

Saviors on Mount Zion

Obadiah 1:21

  • Mount is a Holy Place
  • Zion is were people of God gather
  • Savior is a vicarious sacrifice
  • Lessons and Talks
    • Becoming Saviors on Mount Zion
      • “How are they to become saviors on Mount Zion? By building their temples, erecting their baptismal fonts, and going forth and receiving all the ordinances … in behalf of all their progenitors who are dead. (Teachings: Joseph Smith”
    • Becoming Saviors on Mount Zion
      • Through temple work, the Lord has made it possible for all who have died without a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ “to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129). In this lesson, students will learn how the spirit of Elijah motivates us to participate in family history work and to become “saviours … on mount Zion” (Obadiah 1:21).
    • 2004 October General Conference closing remarks by Gordon B Hinckley
      • Most of our temples could be much busier than they are. In this noisy, bustling, competitive world, what a privilege it is to have a sacred house where we may experience the sanctifying influence of the Spirit of the Lord. The element of selfishness crowds in upon us constantly. We need to overcome it, and there is no better way than to go to the house of the Lord and there serve in a vicarious relationship in behalf of those who are beyond the veil of death. What a remarkable thing this is. In most cases, we do not know those for whom we work. We expect no thanks. We have no assurance that they will accept that which we offer. But we go, and in that process we attain to a state that comes of no other effort. We literally become saviors on Mount Zion.* What does this mean? Just as our Redeemer gave His life as a vicarious sacrifice for all men, and in so doing became our Savior, even so we, in a small measure, when we engage in proxy work in the temple, become as saviors to those on the other side who have no means of advancing unless something is done in their behalf by those on earth. ( - The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn, David Bednar
      • The Spirit of Elijah foretold by Moroni in his initial instructions to Joseph Smith and “But what is the object of [the coming of Elijah]? or how is it to be fulfilled? The keys are to be delivered, the spirit of Elijah is to come, the Gospel to be established, the Saints of God gathered, Zion built up, and the Saints to come up as saviors on Mount Zion [see Obadiah 1:21].
      • Many of you may think family history work is to be performed primarily by older people. But I know of no age limit described in the scriptures or guidelines announced by Church leaders restricting this important service to mature adults. You are sons and daughters of God, children of the covenant, and builders of the kingdom. You need not wait until you reach an arbitrary age to fulfill your responsibility to assist in the work of salvation for the human family. Your fingers have been trained to text and tweet to accelerate and advance the work of the Lord—not just to communicate quickly with your friends. The skills and aptitude evident among many young people today are a preparation to contribute to the work of salvation.