April 29–May 5
John 7–10
“I Am the Good
Shepherd”
John 7:14–17
My Thoughts
In Christ’s day, like ours, some place education as the most
important means of gaining knowledge. Back then the most popular rabbis were
ones that had studied with the great ones and learned. Today how often do we
look for the letters that follow a person’s name to place value on what they
say.
In the Church it is great to see that even the most simple
of workman can have great spiritual knowledge. I had a great Bishop who was a
simple farmer, yet he knew how to talk with the Lord.
It is simple to know what is true, we must do what is
needed, pay the price to know and then ask.
“We acquire a testimony of the principles of the gospel by obediently trying to live them. … A testimony of the efficacy of prayer comes through humble and sincere prayer. A testimony of tithing comes by paying tithing” (“Lord, I Believe; Help ‑Thou Mine Unbelief,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2003, 22).
“I am grateful that I was brought up in a home where
Christian values were taught and observed, although without benefit of the
knowledge of the restoration of the gospel. Later, as I was invited to explore
the message of ‑e Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, each new
doctrine required deep consideration, often resulting in a change of lifestyle.
But those changes did not come about as a result of passive belief or mere
intellectual assent. The proof was in the doing, in the exercise of faith. As I
learned and tested gospel principles new
to me, I invariably found them to be true” (March 1995 Ensign)
David O. McKay
"That test is most sound. It is most philosophical. It
is the most simple test to give knowledge to an individual of which the human
mind can conceive. Doing a thing, introducing it into your very being, will
convince you whether it is good or whether it is bad. You may not be able to
convince me of that which you know, but you know it because you have lived it.
That is the test that the Savior gave to those men when they asked him how they
should know whether the doctrine was of God or whether it was of man."
(Conference Report, October 1966, Afternoon Meeting 136.)
Howard W. Hunter
"Do we hear the imperative in this declaration of the
Savior? 'If any man will do, . . . he will know!' John caught the significance
of this imperative and emphasized its meaning in his writings. He said, 'He
that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.'
(1 Jn. 2:6.)
"Merely saying, accepting, and believing are not
enough. They are incomplete until that which they imply is translated into the
dynamic action of daily living. This, then, is the finest source of personal
testimony. We know because we have experienced. We do not have to say, 'Brother
Jones says it is true, and I believe him.' We can say, 'I have lived this
principle in my own life, and I know through personal experience that it works.
I have felt its influence, tested its practical usefulness, and know that it is
good. I can testify of my own knowledge that it is a true principle.'"
(That We Might Have Joy [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1994], 133.)
Milton R. Hunter
"The Savior has proclaimed what we might regard as a
scientific pattern which must be followed if one attains a testimony and
retains it. First, he must have a strong desire to gain a testimony. Second, he
must study the holy scriptures prayerfully and with an open mind. You recall
that the Master declared: 'Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have
eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.' (John 5:39; D&C
1:37.) Third, a person must render obedience to God's commandments. Jesus made
this fact clear. He said: 'My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If
any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God,
or whether I speak of myself.' (John 7:16-17.) And fourth, he must pray to God
the Father in the name of Jesus Christ and sincerely ask for a testimony. By
doing these things a person receives a testimony that the restored gospel of
Jesus Christ is true." (Conference Report, October 1965, Afternoon Meeting
82.)
Henry B. Eyring
"...the effect of sincere prayer and of careful
scripture study is to always feel an urging to do things. You must tell them,
bearing testimony from your own experience, that they need to make a choice
simply to be obedient. Real spiritual sight comes to the heart softened by
obedience. It takes time, but it is the sure way to see. The Lord made that
clear, at least to you and to me, when he said: 'My doctrine is not mine, but
his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.' (John 7:16-17.)" (To
Draw Closer to God: A Collection of Discourses [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book
Co., 1997], 151 - 152.)How true is that with this Come Follow Me program. I see posts online of some who feel over whelmed and so inadequate in doing the study, yet I feel it is simply that we do more than we were before. We think more on the scriptures and questions asked.
My wife and I have found that it is great to just talk in
the car as we are driving somewhere of what we have read, our 11 year old over
hears and adds in where she can. We have also seen her bring up items later
that we discussed as driving.
Small and simple changes are what we need to do.
How has this
process helped you develop your testimony of the gospel?
My testimony is based on trying the doctrine-this is how I
know it to be true.
John 8:2–11
My Thoughts:
This story has always brought lots of questions to me.
1-
Last time I checked it takes two to commit
adultery. If She was caught in the very act why wasn’t the man? He was guilty
of stoning as well
2-
Could it have been that those that brought her
had sure knowledge of her actions since they had taken part?
3-
Jewish Law required 2 or more witnesses to come
forward and that the 1st accuser was to be the 1st person
to cast a stone. If they did not cast it then no one else could as well.
4-
I find that as Christ asked them if they were
without sin that the spirit worked on each of them, each knowing what they were
guilty of and also knowing that others around them knew the same about them. Basically
if someone cast a stone that would have opened them up to others pointing out
exactly what their sins were.
5-
It is dangerous to do this type of thing with a large
crowd that knows you and your “sins”
6-
Christ forgave instantly- based on her changing.
What Others Have
Said:
Dale E. Renlund “Surely, the Savior did not condone adultery. But He also did not condemn the woman. He encouraged her to reform her life. She was motivated to change because of His compassion and mercy. _e Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible attests to her resultant discipleship: ‘And the woman glorified God from that hour, and believed on his name’ [see John 8:11, footnote c]” (April 2017 General Conference).
Dale E. Renlund
“The Savior’s mortal
ministry was indeed characterized by love, compassion, and empathy. He did not
disdainfully walk the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea, flinching at the sight
of sinners. He did not dodge them in abject horror. No, He ate with them. He
helped and blessed, lifted and edified, and replaced fear and despair with hope
and joy. Like the true shepherd He is, He seeks us and finds us to offer relief
and hope. Understanding His compassion and love helps us exercise faith in
Him—to repent and be healed” (April 2017 General Conference).
Bruce R. McConkie
"[Jesus] was here dealing with men who themselves were
guilty, either actually or in their sin-laden hearts, of the same offense
charged against the woman; that is, they were in effect adulterers worthy of
death according to the terms of the very law they now sought to invoke against
the woman." (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [Salt Lake City:
Bookcraft, 1965-1973], 1: 451.)
Bruce R. Mcconkie
"This cunningly devised interrogatory was in no sense a
search for guidance, nor did it raise any point with reference to an infamous
act of adultery that needed a decision. Though it was the custom to consult
distinguished Rabbis in cases of doubt or difficulty, this was not such a case.
They knew, and everyone knew, that Moses decreed death for adulterers, both of
them, the man and the woman, and that the accuser's hand should cast the first
stone. This was not such a case. The guilty man was absent; the aggrieved
husband was lodging no charge; and no witnesses had been summoned, that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be established. Their purpose,
rather, as John expresses it, was to tempt him, 'that they might have to accuse
him.'
"The character of the conniving religionists is seen
perfectly in their callous use of the woman. 'To subject her to the superfluous
horror of this odious publicity-to drag her, fresh from the agony of detection,
into the sacred precincts of the Temple-to subject this unveiled, dishevelled,
terror-stricken woman to the cold and sensual curiosity of a malignant mob-to
make her, with total disregard to her own sufferings, the mere passive
instrument of their hatred against Jesus-and to do all this, not under the pressure
of moral indignation, but in order to gratify a calculating malice-showed on
their parts a cold, hard cynicism, a graceless, pitiless, barbarous brutality
of heart and conscience, which could not but prove, in every particular,
revolting and hateful to One who alone was infinitely tender, because He alone
was infinitely pure.'" (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4
vols. [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1979-1981], 3: 141.)
Victor L Ludlow
"We see Jesus' wisdom when he is confronted by Jewish
leaders who have discovered an adulterous woman. He knows that his enemies will
criticize any sentence he pronounces, so he wisely puts the burden of
responsibility on them, at the same time exhibiting a sensitive concern for the
woman's embarrassment. Whereas she had been the focal point of a public scandal
and trial, she was now able to quietly return home and, with the Savior's
encouragement, repent of her sins. (John 8:3-11.)" (Victor L. Ludlow,
"John: The Once and Future Witness," Ensign, Dec. 1991, 52-53)
Chieko N. Okazaki
"Think of the balm he poured on that woman's bruised
spirit! She was guilty as charged, and he acknowledged that by telling her to
leave her sins behind her. But he told her to go as a free woman into that new
life. He did not make her acknowledge her guilt. He did not humiliate her. He
did not rub her nose in it. Think of the empowerment with which she stepped
forward into that new life!
"This story about Jesus and the adulterous woman
teaches us about self-esteem based on having a personal, firsthand
understanding of the Savior and his charity, or pure love. Today we are
barraged by accusing voices. People seem to stand in line to condemn us. And if
the line gets short, we stand in it ourselves to make ourselves feel guilty. We
feel guilty for things we have done, for things we haven't done, for things we
did but did wrong, for doing too much, for doing too little, for doing things
at the wrong time, for doing things at the wrong place, for wearing the wrong
color of shoes when we did them-you name it! We're guilty!"What is the message of the gospel? Is it that we're weak, frail sinners? That Heavenly Father is disgusted and angry with us? That Jesus is sorry he died for us because it was a real waste of the Atonement? That all the angels have decided that giving us agency was a stupid thing to do? No! The message of the scriptures is that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Paul, in trying to make his Roman converts understand this, wrote this beautiful, powerful passage: 'If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect . . . Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Romans 8:31-39.)"Isn't that thrilling!" (Lighten Up! [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1993], 156 - 157.)
Dale G. Renlund
We get a glimpse
into our Heavenly Father’s character as we recognize the immense compassion He
has for sinners and appreciate the distinction He makes between sin and those
who sin. This glimpse helps us have a more “correct [understanding of] his
character, perfections, and attributes” and is foundational to exercising faith
in Him and in His Son, Jesus Christ. The Savior’s compassion in the face of our
imperfections draws us toward Him and motivates us in our repeated struggles to
repent and emulate Him. As we become more like Him, we learn to treat others as
He does, regardless of any outward characteristic or behavior.
The Savior’s mortal ministry was indeed characterized by
love, compassion, and empathy. He did not disdainfully walk the dusty roads of
Galilee and Judea, flinching at the sight of sinners. He did not dodge them in
abject horror. No, He ate with them. He helped and blessed, lifted and edified,
and replaced fear and despair with hope and joy. Like the true shepherd He is,
He seeks us and finds us to offer relief and hope. Understanding His compassion
and love helps us exercise faith in Him—to repent and be healed.
The Gospel of John records the effect of the Savior’s
empathy on a sinner. Scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in the very
act of adultery to the Savior... Surely, the Savior did not condone adultery.
But He also did not condemn the woman. He encouraged her to reform her life.
She was motivated to change because of His compassion and mercy. The Joseph
Smith Translation of the Bible attests to her resultant discipleship: “And the
woman glorified God from that hour, and believed on his name.” (Ensign, Nov.
2017, 29-30)
Gordon B. Hinckley
"Even those who transgress, we want you to know that we
love you. We cannot condone the sin, but we love the sinner." (Ensign,
Nov. 1995, 89)Forgiveness is hard to accept sometimes. Some have said ok God forgives me but then they never forgive themselves so that hinders their growth.
John 8:58–59
My Thoughts:
Christ was from the beginning. He has also had our best
interest in mind in whatever He chooses to do.“_at is, Christ is not only Alpha and Omega, he is Alpha through Omega — complete, abiding, permanent, unchanged. As well as being before and after us, Christ will, if we choose, be with us.... God has declared himself in the present tense. I am the Great I AM” (Ensign, September 1974).
"'Before Abraham was, I am.' This is confusing in
syntax as well as in meaning. The verse would more correctly be punctuated:
'Before Abraham, was I AM,' indicating that Jesus Christ was the great Jehovah,
the preexistent One, who was a God before Abraham was even born on the
earth." (Daniel H. Ludlow, A Companion to Your Study of the New Testament:
The Four Gospels [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 137.)
Robert J. Matthews
"There is no question that the message came through,
for the Pharisees asked, 'Art thou greater than our father Abraham?' (John
8:53.) Jesus replied, 'Abraham rejoiced to see my day.... Before Abraham was, I
am. [Or in other words, 'Yes, I am greater than Abraham; I am the Lord
Jehovah.'] Then they took up stones to cast at him.' (John 8:56-59.) That they
intended to stone him indicates they got the message that Jesus claimed to be
the Messiah, the Son of God, the great Jehovah. This was further certified at
the cross when passersby 'reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying .... If
thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross' (Matt. 27:39-40). And the
chief priests, scribes, and elders said, 'He trusted in God; let him deliver
him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God' (Matt.
27:41-43).
"There can be no doubt that Jesus was successful in
putting his point across to both Saint and sinner. They didn't always believe
him, but they knew what he said about himself." (Robert J. Matthews,
Behold the Messiah [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1994], 229.)
Why were the Jews
offended when Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am”?
It is easier to be offended than to admit you may have been
wrong about someone.We need to try to not be this way, avoid being so hard headed that we cannot accept what people truly are instead of what we think them to be.
John 9
My Thoughts:
Doing good on the Sabbath has never been wrong.We also do not understand why some families are given the challenges they are. It is very easy for us to say, “Well if they would only be more active their kids would not be turning out like they are” This is wrong.
Also I think that some special families do glorify God through their service to each other and through the seer simple joy they bring.
No two miracles are played out the same. I believe it depends on the people involved and how the Lord knows they need it to happen.
This miracle has lots of levels in it and I seem to find more each time I ponder on it. Some of those thoughts are below.
“How are the works of God manifest in these, our handicapped brothers and sisters? Surely they are manifested greatly in the loving care and attention given by parents, other family members, friends, and associates. The handicapped are not on trial. Those of us who live free of such limitations are the ones who are on trial…. The handiwork of God is manifest with respect to the handicapped in many ways. It is demonstrated in the miraculous way in which many individuals with mental and physical impediments are able to adjust and compensate for their limitations. Occasionally, other senses become more functional and substitute for the impaired senses in a remarkable way…. Many of the special ones are superior in many ways. They, too, are in a life of progression, and new things unfold for them each day as with us all. THey can be extraordinary in their faith and spirit. Some are able, through their prayers, to communicate with the infinite in a most remarkable way. Many have a pure faith in others and a powerful belief in God. They can give their spiritual strength to others around them…. Certainly, in the infinite mercy of God, those with physical and mental limitations will not remain so after the Resurrection. At this time, Alma says, “the spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame (Alma 11:43).” (GC 1984, Oct, p. 54)
Bruce R. McConkie
"Apparently the Jews had some understanding of the
doctrine of pre-existence. Among their righteous forbears it had been taught
plainly as a basic gospel truth. (Moses 3:4-9; 4:1-4; 6:51; Abra. 3:22-28.)
Such scriptures as were then available to them however, contained only passing
allusions to it. (Num. 16:22; Isa. 14:12-20; Jer. 1:5.) But it was a doctrine
implicit in the whole plan of salvation... Jesus' disciples-probably as a
direct result of his teachings-knew and believed that men were the spirit
children of God in pre-existence and that in such prior estate they were
subject to law and endowed with agency. Otherwise they never would have asked
nor would there have been any sense or reason to a question which is predicated
upon the assumption that men can sin before they are born into mortality."
(Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft,
1965-1973], 1: 480.)
Neal A. Maxwell
"There are clearly special cases of individuals in
mortality who have special limitations in life, which conditions we mortals
cannot now fully fathom. For all we now know, the seeming limitations may have
been an agreed-upon spur to achievement-a 'thorn in the flesh.' Like him who
was blind from birth, some come to bring glory to God (John 9:1-3). We must be
exceedingly careful about imputing either wrong causes or wrong rewards to all
in such circumstances. They are in the Lord's hands, and he loves them
perfectly. Indeed, some of those who have required much waiting upon in this
life may be waited upon again by the rest of us in the next world-but for the
highest of reasons." (Cory H. Maxwell, ed., The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book
[Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], 84.)
James E. Faust
"The challenge of having handicapped people is not new.
Many have questioned why some have such limitations. It was so in the time of
Jesus...How are the works of God manifested in these, our handicapped brothers
and sisters? Surely they are manifested greatly in the loving care and
attention given by parents, other family members, friends, and associates. The
handicapped are not on trial. Those of us who live free of such limitations are
the ones who are on trial. While those with handicaps cannot be measured in the
same way as others, many of the handicapped benefit immensely from each
accomplishment, no matter how small."The handiwork of God is manifested with respect to the handicapped in many ways. It is demonstrated in the miraculous ways in which many individuals with mental and physical impediments are able to adjust and compensate for their limitations. Occasionally, other senses become more functional and substitute for the impaired senses in a remarkable way. A young friend greatly retarded in speech and movement repaired a complicated clock although she had had no previous training or experience in watch or clock making.
"Many of the special ones are superior in many ways. They, too, are in a life of progression, and new things unfold for them each day as with us all. They can be extraordinary in their faith and spirit. Some are able, through prayer, to communicate with the infinite in a most remarkable way. Many have a pure faith in others and a powerful belief in God. They can give their spiritual strength to others around them.
"For those who are impaired, trying to cope with life is often like trying to reach the unreachable. But recall the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith: 'All the minds and spirits that God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 354.) Certainly, in the infinite mercy of God, those with physical and mental limitations will not remain so after the Resurrection. At that time, Alma says, 'the spirit and the body shall be reunited again in perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame.' ("Alma 11:43Alma 11:43.) Afflictions, like mortality, are temporary.
"Surely more sharing of the burden will contribute to
the emotional salvation of the person who is the primary caregiver. Just an
hour of help now and then would be appreciated. One mother of a child who is
handicapped said, 'I could never dream of going to Hawaii on a vacation; all I
can hope for is to have an evening away from home.'
"The Savior's teachings that handicaps are not
punishment for sin, either in the parents or in the handicapped, can also be
understood and applied in today's circumstances. How can it possibly be said
that an innocent child born with a special problem is being punished? Why
should parents who have kept themselves free from social disease, addicting
chemicals, and other debilitating substances that might affect their offspring
imagine that the birth of a disabled child is some form of divine disapproval?
Usually, both the parents are blameless. The Savior of the world reminds us
that God 'maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain
on the just and on the unjust.' (Matthew 5:45.)"May I express a word of gratitude and appreciation to those many who minister with such kindness and skill to our handicapped people. Special commendation belongs to parents and family members who have cared for their own children with special needs in the loving atmosphere of their own homes. The care of those who are diminished is a special service rendered to the Master himself, for 'inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.' (Matthew 25:40.)" (Reach Up for the Light [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1990], 88-90.)
Who are the “other
sheep” the Savior referred to in John 10:16?
Not only the people living in America but also the lost 10
tribes scattered where ever they were.Sometimes the lost sheep are sitting next to us at Church. They just don’t realize they are lost.
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