RS / MP Lesson 16: “The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times”

Lesson 16 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. (Articles of Faith 6) The question is, what does this claim mean? It doesn’t mean that were we somehow to return to 1st-century Jerusalem...

Male Chastity

Most of the lessons posted on Keepa, when not meant for a mixed Sunday School class, have been lessons directed at women – I haven’t yet figured out why it is so difficult to find lessons aimed at men, whether it’s because they just weren’t written and published as often as women’s lessons, or...

'Inconvenient' service

Mormon Life says: All about honoring the priesthood. As a young man lies on an emergency room bed at 4 a.m., he knows he needs a priesthood blessing for what he believes is a gallstone attack. A friend's name passes through the young man's mind —...

RS/MP Lesson 15: “The Lord’s Covenant People” (Gospel Principles Manual)

A brief word about changes to this lesson with the newer edition of the manual, then on to more important matters. There is a number of subtle changes in this lesson, but most of them can be summarized under the heading of “getting rid of exclusivist language.” I think that is a good move....

Gospel Principles Lesson 15: The Lord's Covenant People

In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. May I extend a warm and sincere welcome to Elder Neil L. Andersen to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He is a worthy and welcome addition. On August 15, 2007, Peru suffered a massive earthquake that...

RS/MP Lesson 13: “The Priesthood” (Gospel Principles Manual)

This lesson provides a transition from discussing the basis of the plan of salvation to how the plan is fulfilled in our lives. We will discuss the priesthood this week and the organization of the priesthood next week. What is the priesthood? “The priesthood is the eternal power and authority...

RS/MP Lesson 11: “The Life of Christ” (Gospel Principles Manual)

Section One Notice how this lesson picks up where the previous left off: “The Life of Christ Was Predicted Long before His Birth.” Just two lessons prior, we discussed prophets, and this lesson begins by making the point that “all of the prophets from Adam to Christ testified that He would come.”...

The Magnificent Priesthood (Mormon Messages for Youth)

Aaronic Priesthood: Service will change lives

Counted among the most essential, momentous dates in human history is May 15, 1829. It was on that spring day that the Lord again began ordaining worthy men to act in His name and perform soul-saving ordinances that open the heavens. One-hundred-eighty-one years ago this month the resurrected...

Gospel Principles Lesson 11: The Life of Christ

Supplement from ''The Paths Jesus Walked'' by Thomas S. Monson In a very real sense, all can walk where Jesus walked when, with His words on our lips, His spirit in our hearts, and His teachings in our lives, we journey through mortality. On a chilly December day, we gathered in the Salt...

Gospel Principles Lesson 10: Scriptures

Supplement from ''My Words . . . Never Cease'' by Jeffrey R. Holland We invite all to inquire into the wonder of what God has said since biblical times and is saying even now. President Monson, may I claim a moment of personal privilege? As the first of the Brethren invited to speak...

RS/MP Lesson 10: “Scriptures” (Gospel Principles Manual)

So far as straightforward content goes, this lesson is extremely simple. That it was written for brand new converts is completely obvious, because it provides little more than basic summaries of each of the “books” in the standard works, followed by a word or two about studying scripture. For our...

RS/MP Lesson 9: “Prophets of God” (Gospel Princples Manual)

Quick comment on the organization of these lessons. We have just learned about the Holy Ghost and prayer in the last two lessons, will learn about prophets this week, and scriptures next week. This is the nuts and bolts of how we communicate with God and how God communicates with us. Probably...

RS/MP Lesson 7: “The Holy Ghost” (Gospel Princples Manual)

The first part of this lesson focuses on Moses 5:9. Chapter 5 starts with Adam and Eve being driven out of the Garden, then they begin to labor (v. 1), and to multiply and replenish the earth (vv. 2-3), and then to call upon the name of the Lord (v. 4), then to make offerings unto the Lord (v. 5)....

Gospel Principles Lesson #7: The Holy Ghost

Introduction –When I began student teaching, I was atrocious at classroom management. Fortunately, my supervising teacher would sit at her desk, which happened to be behind the overhead screen, and whisper suggestions to me. It helped dramatically to have real-time, specific, experienced wisdom...