Gospel Doctrine Lesson 33: Ye are the Temple of God.

August 30, 2011    By: Matt W. @ 9:20 pm   Category: Sunday School Lessons

So my wife is taking a “mommy vacation” this weekend to see her new niece in far far away, and I am teaching Gospel Doctrine for her. I’m a bit nervous about it (because my wife is the greatest Gospel Teacher I have ever met, and I don’t want to mess it up for her), so once again am putting my lesson here for your thoughts and recommendations. It’s a power point, so I know that dings me for some of you, but hey, I may flip it over to prezi for church, if that makes it any less “corporate”…

Anyway, some fun facts from my lesson for those not inclined to look through the power point.

1. Paul compares us to temples in two different ways. The one quoted in the title of the lesson has nothing to do with Sexual Morality, but is an analogy related to the problem in Corinth of clicks being formed for each group taught by a different minister. The analogy is Christ is the foundation, The Ministers are the Builders, and when we are built up in the Gospel on the Foundation of Christ, we are not the Temple of Paul or Apollos, But we are the Temple of God. Paul even goes on to call for missionaries to not be self-deceived that they are building up Glory to themselves.

2. Paul was a tent maker, and worked for Priscilla and Aquila while he was in Corinth. How did I not know that?

3. Corinth is 1200 miles from Jerusalem, that’s like driving from Texas to either Coast.

4. The Athenians coined a slang term “Corinthianize” as a Euphemism for fornicate.

5. Paul promoted excommunication for a member who had Corinthianized with his father’s wife.

Church History Help- Eternal Marriage and Adoption

August 13, 2011    By: Matt W. @ 8:26 am   Category: PH/RS Lessons

Tomorrow, I am teaching Elder’s Quorum lesson #38 “Eternal Families”- and have decided, after reading Jonathan Stapley’s incredible article this week, to review the history thereof. Sadly, I don’t have Sam Brown’s accompanying article, so am relying on Gordon Irving’s earlier work for that piece of it.

Anyway, here is my simple timeline for my lesson (emphasis on my trying to keep it simple). Can anyone with access to Sam’s article, or with direct knowledge, help me out and make sure I don’t have any outdated concepts in my history. (like no adoptions before 1845 or the role of the concept of polygamy)
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Happiness in Life

August 7, 2011    By: Jacob J @ 12:55 pm   Category: Happiness

Which of these scriptures resonates more with you (and why)?

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual (Mosiah 2:14)

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)