Choice 2: Matthew 21–22. Jesus Was Rejected by the Jewish Leaders

I decided on Choice 2 because I realized that I didn’t understand many of the parables and this gave me the opportunity to ponder on what really made the difference and why the Jewish Leaders treated Christ and what Christ opinion was on these instances.  

Unit One

Choice 2: Matthew 21–22. Jesus Was Rejected by the Jewish Leaders

Review Matthew 21–22. Make a written comparison of how the Jewish leaders of Jesus’s day were like each of the following:

• The fig tree in Matthew 21:17–20


• The Jewish leaders here are like the fig tree by not having any more fruit and that came and actually starts to fall from this point to govern of the Roman church and other believes that have it slowly wither away.
• The second son in Matthew 21:28–32


• Here is another great example of how the Jewish leadership is like the second son. They answer and say that they will do the will of the Lord but then when it came to helping those in need or teaching the gospel they kept to themselves and would not do what they said they would.
• The husbandmen in Matthew 21:33–41


• The husband men here are like many of the servants of God as they went to the Jewish leadership were mocked and even killed for it and when the “lord” sent his son they not only beat him but made sure to kill him. This was done so that they were seen as better. This definitely happened with the Jewish leadership as they did beat those that followed Christ and when he came they killed Christ for what he believed and was the son of the true Lord, just as those in the parable.
• The wedding guests and the man without the wedding garment in Matthew 22:1–14


• The Jewish leaders are like the wedding guest as they first took light and did not listen to the servants that where telling them about the wedding feast or Christ gospel. They also continue to be like them as they get to the point of beating and even killing the servants sent to give them the message. They are like the man without the wedding garment because they believe that they will make it into the wedding feast but in reality they do not have that calling or have worked for it but in reality when that day comes they will be shocked to find out that they in reality have not done the work necessary to have the true “wedding garment.”

Choice 1: Luke 10:1–24. “The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also”

I have always loved the organization of the Church and decided that this was a perfect time to take a moment and reflect on part of that with the roles Christ gave to the seventy in his time and how similar they are to the roles of seventy today!

Unit One

Topic Choices (Choose One)

Choice 1: Luke 10:1–24. “The Lord Appointed Other Seventy Also”

1. Review Luke 10:1–24. Based on these verses, write a summary of the Lord’s counsel and instructions He gave the seventy.
1. The Lord commanded seventy to go forth to share the gospel with people in the surrounding lands. He sent them out by twos. He ordered them to go forth without any money or script to what they were going to do but to trust in the Lord that they would provide and be watched after. Then he said as people let them in to bless their home and let them remain until they leave that city eating and drinking as they give. Then to go forth and heal their sick and let them know that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. If they are cast out and find not a home then go to and dust off their shoes leaving the entire city with them and it would be better than Sodom. He also gives them power of the devils to cast them out and to not boast or rejoice that the spirits are subject to them but because they have a place in heaven.
2. Articles of Faith 1:6 states, “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church.” Using the principles taught from Luke 10:1–2, 8–9, 17–20, write a paragraph that supports this Article of Faith.
1. This was actually the reason I choose this topic. I have always known that there were seventy called but it is a surprise to me how their callings are so similar just like it called in verses 1-2, Seventy are called to go over all the surrounding land of the entire world and teach about the restored gospel. They are also called to stand and proclaim the gospel and that the kingdom of heaven is here on the earth, performing miracles and testifying of the divinity of the gospel just as in verses 8-9. We know that they are also given extra power to watch over and help the saints in these parts and have a testimony that their names can be written in Heaven. In this we seem very much that the primitive church, or the church organized during Christ time is still followed today by the men of the church that are called to hold those positions today.
3. Go to the Church’s scripture website and read the topic of “Seventy” in the Guide to the Scriptures. Describe in one or two sentences how the scriptures show the existence of this office in the priesthood.
1. The scriptures shown here show that this calling has been around since Christ time and that it was and is ordained office of the Melchizedek Priesthood. We also know that they are called to the priesthood calling of sharing the gospel to all the world and being ordained with apostolic authority but not part of the Apostles.

Matthew 14:22–33. Walking on the Sea of Life

I picked this choice because it talks about something that I was catching on to and will explain as I go through this Topic.

Choice 3: Matthew 14:22–33. Walking on the Sea

1.   Review Matthew 14:22–33. Identify in writing what the reaction of the Apostles was when they first saw the Savior walking on the water toward them.

a.   The reaction of the Apostles when first seeing Christ was troubled not knowing what it was and then they cried out in fear for they thought it was a spirit coming out to meet them. Never before had they ever heard or even thought about someone walking on water. They were comforted as Christ let them know it was Him.

2.   What did Peter’s response indicate about him?

a.   Peter’s response to the Savior is one of true faith. Peters asks Christ, that if it is him than let him walk out to meet Christ. Now this is amazing as Peter probably recognized that Christ had calmed the sea so why not allow Peter to walk upon it.

3.   According to Matthew 14:30, why did Peter begin to sink?

a.   When Peter saw the waves around him he began to fear and then began to sink. It was him being afraid as the waves stormed around them.

4.   What did Peter do when he began to sink? What word in the verses describes the expediency or the timing when Jesus responded to Peter’s request?

a.   Peter as he began to sink cries unto the Lord to help save him. Then Christ immediately stretched forth His hand. There was no wait it was an immediate response. So as to save Peter from the depths of the sea.

5.   Read Doctrine and Covenants 88:67. Write a paragraph describing what principle from this verse relates to what Peter did to successfully walk on the water. How can this same principle be applied to your life to assist you in walking over the storms of life?

a.   This verse is very interesting as it states that if our eyes be single to the glory of God than our bodies are filled with that light. We also know from other sections in the Doctrine and Covenants that light is truth. So we can know that here we are to believe that when our eye is single to the Glory of God our bodies are filled with truth. With this knowledge we can comprehend all things. So let’s go back to Peter as he walked out on the water. We need to realize that Peter had enough faith with his eye single to meet Christ that he was permitted to also walk on water. So can we, when life gives us challenges we can look toward Christ to lift give us power and knowledge over the things we are asked to do. We can also know that when our faith gets shaken by the storms around us, turn to the Savior and cry out save me and be comforted knowing he is right there with us. Not in a little but right there. He will not let us sink in the sea but will give us the help we need to get through life’s hard challenges.

Choice 3: Matthew 10; Mark 3:13-35; Luke 5:1-11. The Calling of the Twelve Apostles

Choice 3: Matthew 10; Mark 3:13-35; Luke 5:1-11. The Calling of the Twelve Apostles

1. Review Matthew 10:1-4 and Mark 3:13-19 and highlight the names of the original Twelve Apostles. Look up the names of three Apostles in the Bible Dictionary and write one sentence describing something you learned about each one you selected.
   1. Judas Iscariot was the only one of the twelve that was not from Galilee.
   2. Matthew means gift of god and was supposed to have really known the Old Testament as he witnessed Christ fulfilling the prophecies given about him.
   3. James was given the opportunity to be one of the three that went with Christ on a few different events and was later beheaded by Herod.
2. Read Acts 4:33; Doctrine and Covenants 107:23; and the entry for "Apostle" in the Bible Dictionary (p. 612). Then, write a definition for what an Apostle is.
   1. Apostle – one who is sent forth to testify as a special witness of Christ life, death, and resurrection to the entire world. They are ordained to do such and then they are to be the administrative power of the church.
3. Describe in writing how the Savior's teachings to His Apostles in Matthew 10:5-42 prepared them to be sent out to proclaim the gospel.
   1. During this course of instruction Christ starts by letting the apostles know what they are supposed to go and do. He instructs them to go forth and provide miracles for the people. AS they go about they are to instruct and uplift and to leave when others revile against them. Christ then prepares them for some of the hardships they are going to have to go through for the time after he leaves. Telling them about some of the hardships and trails they will be placed in. He then promises that everything will be for the profit of the gospel. That those who do listen will receive that righteous reward they deserve and the unrighteous their reward. This letting them know helped for when the things happened they knew that Christ knew and had already told them their reward. Thus they were given extra power to by that knowledge to go through their entire mission.
4. Read Luke 5:1-11. Explain in writing what you learn from the responses made by Peter, James, and John to the Savior's call. How could you apply their actions and examples in your own life?
   1. I feel like the response from Peter, James, and John is often how disciples start. I see them drop everything and go. In today’s world you also see that young men and woman drop everything and go. This was another example of the Savior’s call that those who know need to share. After they had witnessed the miracle they immediately recognized their sins and recognized the Savior and his power. So when he called for them to be fishers of men they answered without delay. In today’s world young men graduate and turn 18 and sisters when they are 19 leave everything to go share what they have come to find out is true. Many like Peter, James and John have seen a miracle of some sorts that have given them a witness of Christ and have them more than willing to when that time comes leave everything behind.