The Savior Taught About Future Events

	Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem  (JS-M 1:5-20	The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (JS-M 1:21-55)
Events to Occur	·         People claiming to be Christ (v.6) ·         They will afflict you, and you will be hated of all nations (v. 7) ·         People will be offended and hate one another (v. 8) ·         False prophets will deceive many (v. 9) ·         Love shall wax cold (v. 10) ·         Tribulation of the Jews (v. 18)	·         People claiming to be Christ, false prophets shall deceive many (v 21-22) ·         Wars and rumors of wars (v 23 & 28) ·         Nation will rise against nation, famines and earthquakes in diverse places (v 29) ·         Love of men will wax cold (v 30) ·         “The sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light and the stars from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be shaken” (v 33)
Promises to the Righteous	·         “He that remain steadfast and is not overcome, the same shall be saved (v. 11) ·         The elect shall be saved (v. 20)	·         “Whoso treasureth up my word shall not be deceived” (v 37) ·         The elect will know when He is near (v 39)

I know that many people, including myself, may get nervous or worried about the Second coming. It seems like a very scary part of life and I guess that is understandable. However, Christ promises that the righteous, those who are striving hard to live the gospel and keep their covenants and stay close to God, will be okay. The second coming does not have to be a scary situation, especially if we are doing what is right to the best of OUR ability. 

Paying Tribute to Caesar and to God

Throughout Jesus’ ministry the Jewish leaders attempted to “entangle” or trick the savior in some way. In Matthew 22:15-22 (same stories found in Mark 12:13-17 and Luke 20:20-26) the Pharisees attempted to sway Jesus with the Herodians there as well, they attempted to trick him by asking him the question “We know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man; for thour regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” I think the purpose of asking him this question was to see what side he would stand with. If he said that all should only pay tribute to God, they would have cause to put him in jail as he would be “treasonous” towards the Romans, but if he paid tribute to Caesar he would be denying God, and therefore the Jews would have reason to turn from him.

However, Christ answers them without falling prey to either of their traps.  After having them show him and tell him whose picture was on the penny (Matthew 22:20-21) Christ then basically tells them that in his temporal world, give to Ceasar the things which are his (the coin, laws of the land, etc) but at the same time, in your heart, give all that belong to God. (Matthew 22:21).

Not only did Christ answer their question, but he made very specific instructions. That we should follow the laws of the land and remain good citizens (I’m sure while the country is being righteous in it’s dealings with men) and yet that we must give our hearts and actions towards God and keep his commandments. We are made in the image of God, and therefore we can pay tribute to God by being like him and by acting in ways that he would deem worthy. As we strive to live the commandments and love our neighbors and our God with all that we can, we will be have the opportunity to gain more understanding and remain close to him.

In this world, many people try to sway us or trick us into saying things or incriminating ourselves. I know that sometimes people have been better at talking than I have and have attempted to make me look foolish. Sometimes they have succeeded. But I know through all these experiences that if I remain faithful to my Heavenly Father and strive to remain righteous, that he will give me understanding, and that I will learn and grow from these experiences, even if I’m never able to eloquently defend myself against those who can out-talk me. 

Parables Teach us Eternal Truths

In Luke Chapters 16-18 there are these parables found:

The Parable of the Unjust Steward

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

The Parable of the Unjust Judge

And The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican

This particular topic was hard for me because for some reason I struggled (and am still struggling) to fully understand what these parables were saying. However, while reading these parables I was struck the idea that the common theme that I personally was receiving was how and why it is important that we follow the gospel and the commands of God. It is so important in life that we learn to be like Christ. Christ gave all for us, even his own life, and he judged no one any less than another. He forgave and loved all and he taught that we should as well.  I think we forget that all too often when we get lost in our daily lives. I also understood that we should never assume that we are always right. I think that was meant for me because I don’t like to think I’m doing anything wrong (who does?). However, it is important to just assume you can always do better, because you can. No one perfect but we can learn more and more how to be if we trust in the Lord and let him teach us and guide us. 

The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also

The Seventy of the church are meant to be witnesses of Christ and to serve and teach. In Luke 10:1-24 Jesus gives instructions to his seventy to do these things. He tells them not to worry about their needs that they will be taken care of, and not to put man above God. He teaches that they should first and foremost teach others about Christ and Heavenly Father and the gospel.  He teaches that they should be courteous to those who receive them, and that those who receive them receive Christ.

Article of Faith 6 states that “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church.” In Luke 10 there are instances that reflect this. Not only do we have a Quorum of the Seventy but as followers of the gospel (as well as the responsibility of the Seventy) we also strive to labor and share the message of the gospel. The seventy specifically are specially protected in Luke 10:19 it says “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”  Our Seventy today follows and are blessed by the same blessings Christ gave his seventy at the beginning of the organization of the gospel.

Although given apostolic authority, The Seventy are not ordained Apostles; they devote their time fully to ministry and to teaching of Christ (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/gs/seventy?lang=eng)

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I am so grateful for the reorganization of the church in these latter days. It is another testament to me that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to see us return to him. He has provided a way for this to happen especially through the reorganization of the Church. I am so grateful for the Quorum of the Seventy and their obedience to serve and teach of Christ and of our Heavenly Father.