Articles of Faith 10-13

Articles of Faith 1:10-13 – to be discussed May 6
NOTE: All suggestions to memorize the Articles of Faith are of course optional
Day 1: Read Articles of Faith 1:10; D&C 29:7-8; 1 Nephi 22:11-12; 3 Nephi 17:4; D&C 110:11
1. List five events prophesied in Articles of Faith 1:10. Which of these has already seen partial fulfillment?



2. Read D&C 29:7-8 and 1 Nephi 22:11-12. From these passages, how and why will Israel be gathered?



3. Read 3 Nephi 17:4; D&C 110:11. What is the difference between the gathering of Israel and the restoration of the lost Ten Tribes?



Day 2: Read D&C 43:23-35; D&C 45:64-71; Moses 7:18
4. In D&C 43:28, the Lord called on latter-day saints to labor in his vineyard “for the last time.” Why and how are we asked to labor?



5. Read D&C 45:64-71 and Moses 7:18. How is Zion described in these two passages?



6. From D&C 45:71, how will the righteous be gathered?



Day 3: Reread and memorize Articles of Faith 1:10; read Ether 13:1-6; Micah 4:5-7; Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 11:15 Bible Dictionary entry, “Paradise”
7. Read Ether 13:1-6. How and why will the New Jerusalem be built on the American continent?



8. Read Micah 4:5-7 and Zechariah 14:9. What kind of a King is Jesus? Over whom will He reign? Over whom does He now reign? (See also Revelation 11:15.)



9. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Paradise.” What does the word mean? What is a Paradisiacal glory? (See also Articles of Faith 1:10a.)



Day 4: Read and memorize Articles of Faith 11:1; read D&C 134:7; Alma 21:12-23
10. Is it a privilege or a right to exercise our agency in choosing how or if we worship Almighty God?





11. Read D&C 134:7. What did the Lord say government is obligated to provide its citizenry? In what way(s) should government be limited in regard to religious activity?



12. Read Alma 21:12-23. What “crime” had Aaron and his brethren committed? What political changes did King Lamoni make? What was the result?



Day 5: Read and memorize Articles of Faith 1:12; read D&C 58:20-22; D&C 98:4-12
13. Why should we be subject to secular leaders when we have covenanted to recognize Christ as our Head?



14. How might showing tolerance and respect toward government officials impact the church as a whole?



15. Read D&C 58:20-22 and D&C 98:4-12. What is our responsibility in obeying, honoring and sustaining the law? (See also Mosiah 29:17, 25-27.)



Day 6: Read Articles of Faith 1:13; Philippians 4:4-9
16. List the five things we should strive to BE and the one thing we are counseled to DO from the first part of Article of Faith 13.



17. How has your own or someone else’s benevolence or “doing good” affected your life?




18. Read Philippians 4:4-9. What is Paul’s promise to the Philippian saints if they heed this counsel?



Day 7: Read and memorize Articles of Faith 1:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
19. List the three verbs in Paul’s admonition, as outlined in Article of Faith 13. How are these three attitudes linked?



20. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. What specific gift or quality will help us endure all things?




21. How can we fill our lives with virtuous, lovely and praiseworthy thoughts and activities?

Articles of Faith 5-9

Articles of Faith 1:5-9 Study Guide – to be discussed May 6
NOTE: All suggestions to memorize the Articles of Faith are of course optional.
Day 1: Read Article of Faith 1:5; Hebrews 5:4; Alma 13:1-9; D&C 121:34-40
1. List ways in which the pattern for ordaining clergy in our church as outlined in Article of Faith 1:5 differs from procedures in other denominations. Can you think of any Biblical support for men calling themselves to the ministry?



2. Read Hebrews 5:4 and Alma 13:1-9. What qualifies a man to be called and ordained to the holy priesthood? From whom does authority come? (See also D&C 84:6-12.)



3. Read D&C 121:34-40. Once a man is called and ordained to preach the gospel, how might he lose that calling? What does the phrase mean to you “many are called but few are chosen”?



Day 2: Reread and memorize Article of Faith 5; read 1 Samuel 13:5-14; Acts 8:18-24; Moroni 3:1-4
4. Read the account of King Saul in 1 Samuel 13:5-14. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin in a day when only Levites were ordained to offer ritual sacrifice. Who called Saul to be king of Israel? Who called him to administer the ordinances of the priesthood? What did he lose?


5. Read Acts 8:18-24. Why did Simon seek the power of the priesthood? How did he think it might be obtained?



6. Read Moroni 3:1-4. How were priests and teachers ordained during Moroni’s day? By what power?



BONUS: Give an example of how you have recognized the Lord’s involvement in a church calling.


Day 3: Read and memorize Articles of Faith 1:6; read Ephesians 4:11-14
7. What is the Primitive church? Why might Joseph Smith include this distinction?



8. Read Ephesians 4:11-14. Why did the early church establish the offices listed in Article of Faith 1:6?



9. Read footnotes 6c and 6e for Articles of Faith 1:6. What is another name for a pastor? For an evangelist?


Day 4: Read and memorize Articles of Faith 1:7; read Mark 16:17-18; Acts 2:1-18
10. According to footnote 7a, from whom do the gifts listed originate?



11. Read Mark 16:17-18. In whose name are these gifts performed? Why is this important?

12. Read Acts 2:1-18. List gifts of the Spirit that were manifested on the day of Pentacost.



Day 5: Read and memorize Articles of Faith 1:8; read D&C 42:12; Moses 7:59-62; 1 Nephi 13:40; 1 Nephi 13:25-29; Ezekiel 37:15-20
13. Read D&C 42:12. Why do we need another witness of Christ in the Book of Mormon? (See also Moses 7:59-62 and 1 Nephi 13:40.)



14. Read 1 Nephi 13:25-29. Why were plain and precious truths taken away from the holy writ of the Bible?




15. Read Ezekiel 37:15-20. If the “stick of Ephraim” (or Joseph) indicates the Book of Mormon and the Bible represents Judah’s “stick” or book, who commanded the two should be read together?



Day 6: Read Articles of Faith 1:9; Moses 5:4-5; 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, Alma 5:44-47
16. Review Articles of Faith 1:5-8. How does Article of Faith 9 naturally follow the previous doctrines?



17. What has God revealed?



18. Read Moses 5:4-5, 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, and Alma 5:44-47. How can we receive revelation for ourselves? How do we receive it for the Church?



Day 7: Reread and memorize Articles of Faith 1:9; read Proverbs 29:18
19. How does the information in Articles of Faith 1:5 and 9 make us different from all other churches?




20. List “great and important things pertaining to the kingdom of God” that were revealed at our most recent General Conference.




21. Read Proverbs 29:18. Why is continuing revelation necessary in a living church?

Articles of Faith 1:1-4

Articles of Faith 1:1-4 Study Guide, to be discussed April 22
[Note: Suggestions on memorizing the Articles of Faith are of course optional!]
Day 1: Read Articles of Faith 1:1; Topical Guide entry, “God the Father – Elohim/Eloheim; Bible Dictionary entries, “Holiness” and “Holy Ghost”
1. Using the Topical Guide entry, “God the Father – Elohim/Eloheim,” give three examples from the New Testament that suggest the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are separate and distinct beings.



2. Timing yourself, write all the names of Jesus you can think of in 30 seconds.




3. Read the Bible Dictionary entries, “Holiness” and “Holy Ghost” (pp. 703-704 in your Bible Appendix). According to the entry on Holiness, what is the meaning of the adjective “holy”? From the entry on the Holy Ghost, list three sacred purposes of this third member of the Godhead.



Day 2: Re-read and memorize Articles of Faith 1:1; read D&C 130:22-23; Acts 17:28; Moses 2:26-29; Luke 24:36-40; JS-H 1:16-17; John 14:25-27
4. Read D&C 130:22-23. When and where was this revelation received? Read also Acts 17:28. Does the fact that the Father has a tangible body limit His power? How does this fact give you hope? peace?



5. Read Moses 2:26-27, Luke 24:36-40 and JS-H 1:16-17. How do we know Jesus has a tangible body?



6. Read John 14:25-27. As a personage of spirit, what advantage does the Holy Ghost have in fulfilling His specific mission on earth?



Day 3: Read and memorize Articles of Faith 1:2; read Romans 3:23-24; D&C 93:38-39; 2 Nephi 2:25-26; Moses 6:53-54
7. Why should we NOT be punished for Adam’s transgression?



8. Read Romans 3:23-24. Is anyone, other than Christ, free of sin? From D&C 93:38-39, what three things listed here cause us to sin?



9. Read 2 Nephi 2:25-26 and Moses 6:53-54. Why is punishment appropriate when we sin?



Day 4: Read Articles of Faith 1:3; Bible Dictionary entry, “Atonement”; Romans 5:8-11; Alma 7:10-14; Moses 5:6-8
10. How can we be saved from the effects of Adam’s fall and from our own personal sin?

11. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Atonement.” According to paragraph 2, what part of Christ’s atonement in unconditional? What part is conditional?



12. Read Romans 5:8-11 (with footnote 11a), Alma 7:10-14, Moses 5:6-8. Why was a sacrifice necessary to reconcile us to God?



Day 5: Re-read and memorize Articles of Faith 1:3; read 2 Nephi 9:19-23; Matthew 7:21-25
13. Read 2 Nephi 9:19-23. Upon what condition(s) do the effects of the atonement hinge?



14. Why is our obedience necessary? (See also Matthew 7:21-25.)



15. To what must we be obedient?



Day 6: Read Articles of Faith 1:4; 2 Peter 1:2-9; Hebrews 11:1; D&C 84:19-22; Moroni 7:40-43
16. What is the difference between a principle and an ordinance? (See also Hebrews 11:1 and D&C 84:19-22.)



17. Read 2 Peter 1:2-9. Why is faith in Christ the principal principle?



18. Read Moroni 7:40-43. How can we increase our faith and hope in Christ?



Day 7: Re-read and memorize Articles of Faith 1:4; read Helaman 15:7-8; 2 Nephi 31:5-12; 3 Nephi 27:12-21
19. Read Helaman 15:7-8. List steps to becoming firm and steadfast in the faith.



20. Read 2 Nephi 31:11-12 (extra credit: verses 5-12). What did the Father ask of us (v.11)? What promise and command did the Savior issue in v. 12?



21. Read 3 Nephi 27:12-21. List elements of the first four Articles of Faith as they appear in Christ’s teachings on His gospel in this passage of scripture.