Joseph Smith – Matthew 1:38-55 Study Guide – to be discussed February 25
Day 1: Read JS-M 1:38-40; D&C 35:15-18; D&C 45:36-40; Mark 13:32; Bible Dictionary entry, “Fig Tree”
1. What does the parable of the fig tree mean? (Use JS-M 1:38-39, D&C 35:15-18, D&C 45:36-40 and the Bible Dictionary entry, “Fig Tree.”)
2. Who will know and how will they know when the Second Coming is at hand? How does this give you hope?
3. Read Mark 13:32 with JS-M 1:40. What does Mark’s account add to your understanding of prior knowledge regarding the timing of the Second Coming?
Day 2: Read JS-M 1:41-43; D&C 39:20-24
4. Were the people in Noah’s day warned of the coming flood? What did they do with that information?
5. What does the Savior mean when he says the people in Noah’s day were “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage”? Does this mean we should stop doing these things?
6. Read D&C 39:20-24. List promises to the faithful from these verses.
Day 3: Read JS-M 1:44-46; Zechariah 13:6-9
7. How do missionaries today partially fulfill the prophecies related in JS-M 1:44-45?
8. Read Zechariah 13:6-9. What is the promise to the remnant of Israel who will be gathered at the last day?
9. List ways in which we can be watchful today.
Day 4: Read JS-M 1:47-48; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-9; BD entry, “Watches”
10. How will watching for the signs of the last days help us be ready for Christ’s coming?
11. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:4-9. Why won’t righteous individuals be surprised by the Second Coming?
12. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Watches.” List times for the three Hebrew watches of the night. Since we don’t know in which watch the Savior will come, what do we need to do to be prepared?
Day 5: Read JS-M 1:49-50; Psalm 24:3; Malachi 3:2
13. What question did the Lord pose in JS-M 1:49? How is this question similar to the questions in Psalm 24:3 and Malachi 3:2?
14. The phrase “meat in due season” means “food at the proper time” – and can relate to both physical and spiritual nourishment. How can we be this kind of servant?
15. What is the promise to good servants in JS-M 1:50?
Day 6: Read JS-M 1:51-54; D&C 84:36-38; D&C 121:29
16. How do you think a master might feel about a servant who is not diligent or trustworthy? How long would you employ such a servant?
17. What is the obvious difference between a “good” servant who feeds the household at the proper time (v.49) and the servant described in JS-M 1:52?
18. Read D&C 84:36-38. What does the Lord mean when He states that the good servant will be made “ruler over his household.” See also D&C 121:29.
Day 7: Read JS-M 1:55; Deuteronomy 18:16-19; Acts 3:22-23; Joseph Smith - History 1:40; D&C 29:7-11; Matthew 25 chapter heading
19. The “prophecy of Moses” referred to in JS-M 1:55 comes from Deuteronomy 18:16-19. Read the chapter heading for Deut. 18 plus verses 16-19, Acts 3:22-23 and JS-H 1:40. What is the warning to all who reject Christ’s words?
20. What is the difference between the end of the wicked (the world) and the end of the earth?
21. From the chapter heading to Matthew 25, list parables Christ taught his disciples directly after the discourse in JS-M (Matt. 24). How does each parable in Matthew 25 support the doctrine the Savior had just taught?
