The Meaning of Gethsemane

Gethsemane is defined as "An instance or a place of great suffering". This makes quite a bit of sense given that Christ suffered the greatest suffering that any man has in the garden named Gethsemane. It is recounted in Matthew 26:36 that as Jesus approached the garden with his disciples he asked them to sit and watch while he went to pray. Did the disciples know what the savior was going to suffer? If they did not it made me wonder if the garden had taken the name Gethsemane before the savior had suffered there, or if the suffering defined the word Gethsemane. This helps us to understand why, perhaps, the disciples could fall asleep. If the garden was named after the suffering that occurred there then the disciples may have thought he was merely praying.

Leadership as Christ Taught Leadership to be

 1.      Christ teaches us about leadership (John 13:1-17, Luke 22:24-30, Mark 10:43-45)

a.       Jesus teaches us several things in these scriptures; namely: we must teach by example, the chiefest among us shall be the servants, and that which we do unto others is what they shall do.

b.      These principles are important to us as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints. The things Jesus taught us can have profound effects in family life, which is what our church tells us is one of the, if not the most, important things we have in this life. For our church to be run by the same principles as a healthy family we should feel lucky.

2.      As far an example from my life I have had many good bishops in my life, but none better than my most recent. He gave the most profound yet simple lessons in church. During the OT studies in the Bible he somehow managed to teach us how to incorporate those things into our lives. This incorporation didn’t come merely through his teaching though; it came through in the way he lived his life, the way he raised his family, and the way he treated those around him. I learned a lot about Christ-like teaching from just being near this man.

Preparing for the Second Coming

Three things that will help us be aware of the second coming
- Mark 13:9 - We must be strong in our faith or else we will be easily deceived 
- Mark 13:33 - Pray because no one knows when the second coming will happen besides God
- Mark 13:37 - Watch for His coming


Truths taught in scripture about the coming of Christ
Doctrine and Covenants 87:8
Stand in holy places. The day of the Lord will come quickly.


Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:32
The abomination of desolation will be fulfilled

Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:37
Treasure up the words of the Lord and ye shall not be deceived by false Christs


Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:46-50
Always be watching for the coming of Christ because no one can know when it is coming


Doctrine and Covenants 33:17
Remain prepared for the coming. Keep your candles full of oil and your wicks trimmed


Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57
Depend on the Holy Ghost for guidance, and trust in the word of the Lord

Parables of Jesus: Continued

The fig tree (Matthew 21:17-20)
- This parable is directly related to the Jewish leaders at the time of Jesus. When Jesus says that the tree will no longer bear fruit He is saying that they will not know Him. Jesus is saying that the signs of His coming will not be understood by the Jews.

The second son (Matthew 21:28-32)
-  This parable is talking mainly about the people who did not believe John the Baptist about Jesus' coming. When Jesus came preaching among the "publicans and harlots" and the Jews the publicans and harlots believed, while the Jews did not. It is important for us to be ready to believe, but not to be naive.

The husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-41)
- The meaning of this parable is humility in my opinion. When the husbandmen takes all that the Lord had given him as his own, and beat Jesus and kicked him out he was denying Christ. It is important in this life to be grateful to God for those things we have, and also to have an understanding of why those things have been given to us.

The wedding guests and the man without garment (Matthew 22:1-14)
- God calls each person to prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord. If we are not ready there is only sorrow for us. It is our duty to put on forgiveness, and take hold of the atonement in our lives.

Parables

Parable of The Unjust Steward - Luke 16:1-12 - This parable is teaching us that we must be cautious with those riches over which we are stewards; both the spiritual and the physical riches are ours to maintain.

Parable of The rich man and Lazarus - Luke 16:19-31 - There are many times in our lives when we will be presented with opportunities to help others. When these chances arise we must take them if we have the means. Those who are charitable shall receive the pure love of Christ and eternal life with Heavenly Father.


Parable of The Ten Lepers - Luke 17:11-19 - It is important for us to show our appreciation for the blessings in our lives.


Parable of The Unjust Judge - Luke 18:1-8 - The Lord is always willing to help his children when they ask for it. Faith cannot be based on miracles; rather, miracles are based on faith.


Parable of The Pharisee and the Publican - Luke 18:9-14 - Humility is found in the Spirit of the Law. We are commanded to love our neighbor, and humility is an important aspect of truly loving.

The Seventy: Appointed by Christ

1. What are the Seventy supposed to be, and what are they supposed to do?
- The seventy have been commanded to go into the city in pairs and preach the gospel. If the people accept the members of the seventy then they should stay and preach to the people of the city. The seventy are commanded to bless each house before they enter it. If the people of the city do not accept the members of the seventy then they are to leave the city, and tell the people, "the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you."

2. Luke 10 is current doctrine
- As members of the Church of Jesus we have other things that accompany the Bible and Book of Mormon. Namely we have the Articles of Faith, which are in the Pearl of Great Price. A of F 1:6 "We believe in the same organizations that existed in the primitive church." We still have the quorum of the seventy, and they still act in the same capacity as they did in the primitive church. 

3. The Seventy
- The quorum of the seventy is grounded in scripture. It is an office that exists based on doctrine in Luke, Doctrine and Covenants, and is supported further by the Pearl of Great Price.

Humility: "Becoming as Little Children"

We are like little children of God?
God is our father in heaven. We are his children in spirit and here on Earth we are supposed to be humble to our Lord and savior like a small child is to his father.

How will the Lord help us receive the blessings he has promised?
The Lord has promised us that even though we cannot bear all things that he will lead us along the way. He has promised us over and over that we can have the riches of eternity, and all he asks is that we become as little children.
Most of the time the blessings seem far away, distant and out of reach. I think that an eagerness to achieve those things is childlike as well. Children want what they want, and regardless of deterrents they will not change their minds. 


How do we become as little children?
We must be submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him. 
A lot of times we hear these things and they have become so typical to hear that we forget their true meaning. It is about a general attitude of humility, and being able to listen. To truly listen and comprehend we have to be able to listen and be willing to adhere to those things.