30 January 2014

Marriage in the Covenant


Rebekah at the well.
Choice 1: Genesis 24, 27:46, 28:1-2, 29:1-30. Marriage in the Covenant
Read Genesis 24:1-4 and describe in writing the concern Abraham had about his sons. Then read Deuteronomy 7:1-4; 1 Corinthians 11:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14; and the Points to Ponder section in the Institute Student Manual (pg. 90). What additional insights do you find that added to Abraham’s concern? What are the consequences of marrying outside the covenant? Why would these still be concerns today?
Abraham was concerned that he was going to die and that his eldest servant was going to find Isaac a wife that was of the Canaanites. Abraham wanted Isaac to marry one from his country and his kindred.
Abraham was justified in his concerns for his son, Isaac, to marry a woman of the Canaanites because in Deuteronomy it talks about how they will be destroyed and that they will make their son’s turn away from them so that they can serve other gods. In 1 Corinthians is talks about how the man and the woman are one, in God. In 2 Corinthians it talks about the importance of being unequally yoked with unbelievers and how they don’t belong together.
It’s important to marry within the covenant because that’s the entirety of the plan of salvation which is the whole purpose of this probationary state we’re in right now. When we are not married in the covenant how are we supposed to spend eternity with them? There are so many chances of things not working out due to difference in beliefs.

From Genesis 24:15-67, make a list of character traits Rebekah had that would be desirable in a wife or husband. Record the verse number where you found each attribute.
Virgin, vs. 16. Service oriented, vs. 18, 25. Submissive, vs. 58. Able, vs. 64. Conservative/proper, vs. 65.

What concern did Isaac and Rebekah have for Jacob in Genesis 27:46; 28:1-4?
The daughters of Heth were of a different people and kindred and so Rebekah was worried about Jacob marrying one of them.

Read Genesis 29:1-30. What was Jacob willing to do to marry Rachel? Write a paragraph discussing what you are willing to do to be worthy to marry within the covenant.
Jacob was willing to work for, from what I understand, about 21 years to be able to marry Rachel, the woman he loved.
I’m willing to sacrifice all to be worthy enough to marry within the covenant. Even before I was a member of the church I’ve always had pretty high standards and that has helped me in my conversion to the church. I’ve made it clear to myself what I want to accomplish (a covenant marriage) and how I can do that so I will continue along that path.

22 January 2014

Who Was Melchizedek?

 
The restoration of the Melchizedek priesthood to Joseph Smith.

~Read JST, Genesis 14:25-40; Alma 13:14-19; Doctrine and Covenants 84:14, 107:1-4; and the Institute Student Manual commentary for Genesis 14:18, “Who Was Melchizedek?” (pg. 67-68).

     Melchizedek was a righteous man of great faith that was approved of God and was ordained a high priest. He was called the Prince of peace and king of heaven by his people, or in other words he was called King of peace. He was a humble man that was king over the land of Salem and his people waxed strong in iniquity and abomination and had gone astray and were wicked. So, Melchizedek preached repentance to his people and he did establish peace in the land that he reigned in under his father. Abraham received the priesthood from Melchizedek. He was a great high priest (“none were greater”) so out of respect and reverence they named the high priesthood after Melchizedek. Melchizedek is a title meaning “king of righteousness.” He is often thought to be Shem, the son of Noah. A modern examiner researched to see is they could find out the truth but there is no sure evidence that proves he is or is not Shem, but he could very well or very well not be Shem.