Welcome to August!
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August, Week 1
Day 1
Primary
1. Read Acts 22.
2. Paul had the courage to testify of the gospel and tell the story of his conversion, even when he was in captivity. What can we learn about having the courage to do what is right from Paul?
3. Watch the video “Paul Finishes His Mission.”
4. Listen to the song “Books in the New Testament.” Listen to the whole song.
Youth
1. Read Acts 22.
2. What was Paul like before he was converted and became a disciple of Jesus Christ? (Act 22:1-5) In what ways do you think Paul changed as a result of his conversion? As we obey the words of Jesus Christ, we can become fully converted.
3. Read the following statement by Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president, in which she explained the difference between having a testimony of the gospel and being truly converted to it:
True conversion is more than merely having a knowledge of gospel principles and implies even more than just having a testimony of those principles. It is possible to have a testimony of the gospel without living it. Being truly converted means we are acting upon what we believe. …
… Conversion comes as we act upon the righteous principles we learn in our homes and in the classroom. Conversion comes as we live pure and virtuous lives and enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost. (“Be Ye Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 76, 78)
4. Paul told his audience that after his conversion the Lord sent him away from Jerusalem to be a missionary among the Gentiles. The audience then proclaimed that Paul should be put to death. Paul was brought before the chief captain of the Roman army in Jerusalem, who decided that Paul should be scourged, or whipped, a punishment normally used to humiliate and obtain information from criminals. However, when the Roman officers learned that Paul was a Roman citizen, they decided not to scourge him because it was against Roman law to bind or scourge a Roman citizen who was “uncondemned.” They instead brought him before the Jewish governing council, the Sanhedrin.
5.The Apostle Paul had the courage to share his testimony of Jesus Christ even though there were severe consequences. President Thomas S. Monson taught that courage to do what is right, even if unpopular, is still required of disciples of Jesus Christ:
Courage comes in many forms. Wrote the Christian author Charles Swindoll: ‘Courage is not limited to the battlefield … or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are inner tests, like remaining faithful when no one’s looking, … like standing alone when you’re misunderstood.’ I would add that this inner courage also includes doing the right thing even though we may be afraid, defending our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and maintaining those beliefs even when threatened with a loss of friends or of social status. He who stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk becoming at times disapproved and unpopular. (“Be Strong and of a Good Courage,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 67)
6. Listen to the song “Books in the New Testament.” Listen to the whole song.
Day 2
Primary
1. Read Acts 23.
2. Because of his testimony, Paul was cast into prison. He was not alone there, however. Jesus came and comforted him, and told him to “be of good cheer.” What do you think it means to be of good cheer? Why should Paul be cheerful when he was in prison?
3. Watch the video “Be of Good Cheer.”
4. Listen to the song “The Holy Ghost.”
Youth
1. Read Acts 23.
2. Paul was arrested outside the temple in Jerusalem and brought before Jewish leaders. Then Paul was questioned by these Jewish leaders and imprisoned. What happened in Acts 23:11? What did the Lord tell Paul in prison?
3. The Lord knew Paul’s sacrifices and trials and was with Him. Will He do the same for me? Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency taught:
I testify you are beloved. The Lord knows how hard you are trying. You are making progress. Keep going. He sees all your hidden sacrifices and counts them to your good and the good of those you love. Your work is not in vain. You are not alone. His very name, Emmanuel, means “God with us.” He is surely with you. (Sharon Eubank, “Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 75–76)
4. Watch the video “Be of Good Cheer.”
Day 3
Primary
1. Read Acts 26.
2. Facing false accusations and physical mistreatment, Paul would not be silenced. Whether bound in chains or brought before leaders and kings, Paul faithfully shared his powerful witness of Jesus Christ and His gospel. How can we follow Paul’s example and courageously share our testimony of the Gospel?
3. Listen to the song “The Lord Gave Me a Temple.”
Youth
1. Read Acts 26.
2. After two years of imprisonment, Paul appeared before the new governor and demanded the opportunity to testify before Caesar. King Agrippa arranged to hear Paul’s witness before his journey to Rome. The people he spoke to had the power to condemn Paul to death. Yet he chose to boldly bear witness of Jesus Christ and “the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19) he had received.
3. Sharing our testimony with others does not need to be perfect and can take practice. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared the following.
In whatever ways seem natural and normal to you, share with people why Jesus Christ and His Church are important to you. …
Understand that it’s not your job to convert people. That is the role of the Holy Ghost. Your role is to share what is in your heart and live consistent with your beliefs. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2019, 17)
4. President Harold B. Lee applied the words of King Agrippa to members of the Church who attempt to excuse themselves from keeping the commandments:
A good bishop made an interesting comment about what he called the saddest words that he knows of a man in high station. He read from the words in the days of the Apostle Paul when Paul before King Agrippa had borne his powerful testimony of his conversion. King Agrippa’s reply was, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.’ (Acts 26:28.) Then the bishop said, ‘The king knew the truth but he lacked the courage to do that which would be required. …
And then [the bishop] characterized some things that he discovered in his own ward in a short but powerful sermon. ‘In response to the Master, “Come … follow me” (Mark 10:21), some members almost,’ he said, ‘but not quite, say, “thou persuadest me almost to be honest but I need extra help to pass a test.” …
[The bishop continued,] ‘Almost thou persuadest me to keep the Sabbath day holy, but it’s fun to play ball on Sunday.
‘Almost thou persuadest me to love my neighbor, but he is a rascal; to be tolerant of others’ views, but they are dead wrong; … to go home teaching, but it’s so cold and damp outside tonight; to pay tithes and offerings, but we do need a new color TV. … Almost! Almost! Almost!’(in Conference Report, Apr. 1964, 23–24)
Day 4
Primary
1. Read Acts 27.
2. Paul traveled with other prisoners by boat toward Rome, under the custody of a Roman centurion (a Roman military officer who commanded 50 to 100 men). After sailing for many days, they stopped at a harbor on the island of Crete. As they were leaving the harbor, Paul warned those on the ship that they should not continue their journey. The centurion did not listen to Paul, and instead they were shipwrecked. We still have prophets that warn us of danger ahead today. When we listen to the warnings of a prophet, we can be protected.
3. Listen to the song “When I am Baptized.”
Youth
1. Read Acts 27.
2. Paul had been falsely charged with treason and imprisoned. Paul appealed his case to Caesar in Rome, which was his right as a Roman citizen. Paul traveled with other prisoners by boat toward Rome, under the custody of a Roman centurion (a Roman military officer who commanded 50 to 100 men). After sailing for many days, they stopped at a harbor on the island of Crete. As they were leaving the harbor, Paul warned those on the ship that they should not continue their journey.
3. What did Paul say would happen if they continued their journey? (Acts 27:9-10) In this case “the fast” probably referred to the Jewish holy day called the day of Atonement, which marked the beginning of the season during which it was generally regarded as unsafe to travel on the Mediterranean Sea because of violent storms.
4. Rather than heeding Paul’s warning, who did the centurion trust instead? (Acts 27:11-12) Why do you think it may have been easier for the centurion to believe the owner of the ship rather than Paul?
5. If we ignore the warnings and counsel of the Lord’s servants, then we put ourselves in danger. What dangers might people put themselves in by ignoring such warnings and counsel from the prophets?
6. On the 14th night of the storm, the crew cast four anchors into the sea to prevent the ship from crashing into rocks. The crew then went to the front of the ship and acted as though they were about to cast more anchors. However, they were actually planning to abandon the ship and flee in a small boat because they feared the ship would sink. Read Acts 27:31-32. What warning did Paul give the centurion this time? (The word “these” in the verse refers to the crew.) How did the centurion respond? Paul comforted the crew by prophesying that none of them would die. The crew tried to sail the ship toward Malta, but they crashed on an island. Still, everyone was able to escape.
8. If we heed the counsel and warnings of the Lord’s servants, then the Lord will fulfill His promises to us. If we heed the counsel and warnings of the Lord’s servants, then we can withstand the dangers that threaten us. Read the following statement by President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency:
Every time in my life when I have chosen to delay following inspired counsel or decided that I was an exception, I came to know that I had put myself in harm’s way. Every time that I have listened to the counsel of prophets, felt it confirmed in prayer, and then followed it, I have found that I moved toward safety. (“Finding Safety in Counsel,” Ensign, May 1997, 25)
Week 2
Day 1
Primary
1. Read Romans 1.
2. Paul taught that the gospel has the power to bring salvation to everyone who lives by faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel. (Remember the fourth Article of Faith? “First, faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ…”) It motivates us to obey the commandments. Paul had great faith. His faith in Jesus Christ and His gospel motivated him to share the truth with others.
3. Listen to the song “Books in the New Testament.” Make sure you can sing it through Romans!
4. There is a verse in this chapter that used to be a scripture mastery verse. (Romans 1:16) If you want, you can listen to the song for it and memorize it!
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Youth
1. Read Romans 1.
2. The book of Romans is an epistle (or letter) that Paul wrote to the Saints in Rome near the end of his missionary journeys. Rome—the capital of the Roman Empire—was saturated with worldly philosophies and was a difficult place to preach and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to the Roman Saints to strengthen their faith, prepare them for his arrival, clarify and defend his teachings, and promote unity between Jewish and Gentile members of the Church.
3. At one time or another, we will all need to stand up for what we believe. Addressing the Saints living in Rome, Paul declared that he was “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” His eagerness to share the message of the gospel was proof.
4. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
I know that some of us are more outgoing than others. That’s okay. The Lord makes it possible for each of us, in our own way, to invite others to come and see and come and help. Then God will do His saving work, and they will come and stay.
May I suggest five things anyone can do to participate in the Savior’s great commission to help gather Israel.
1. Draw close to God.
2. Fill your heart with love for others.
3. Strive to walk the path of discipleship.
4. Share what is in your heart.
5. Trust the Lord to work His miracles.
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Sharing the Gospel in Normal and Natural Ways,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org)
6. Listen to the song “Books in the New Testament.” Make sure you can sing it through Romans!
7. There is a verse in this chapter that used to be a scripture mastery verse. (Romans 1:16) If you want, you can listen to the song for it and memorize it!
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Day 2
Primary
1. Read Romans 2:1-24 and Romans 3:10-26.
2. Paul wanted the Romans to understand that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ and His grace. What has the Savior done for us that we cannot do for ourselves? Because of His atonement, we are able to repent of our sins and be forgiven, something that can allow us to come and live with Heavenly Father again when we leave our earthly life.
3. Listen to the song “The Holy Ghost.”
Youth
1. Read Romans 2:1-24 and Romans 3:10-26.
2. Paul loved the Roman Saints and wanted to help them be unified through their faith in Jesus Christ. Both Jewish and Gentile converts needed help understanding their reliance on Jesus Christ and how to receive the blessings of His Atonement. Church members in Paul’s day came from different cultures and backgrounds. One thing they all had in common, however, was that they had sinned and therefore were unworthy to enter God’s presence. What did Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son do so that all people can overcome the barrier that prevents us from returning to God’s presence?
3. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, spoke of this barrier.
Because we have all “sinned, and come short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23] and because “there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God”[1 Nephi 15:34], every one of us is unworthy to return to God’s presence.
Even if we were to serve God with our whole souls, it is not enough, for we would still be “unprofitable servants” [Mosiah 2:21]. We cannot earn our way into heaven; the demands of justice stand as a barrier, which we are powerless to overcome on our own.
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 108)
4.Elder Uchtdorf also taught how the Atonement of Jesus Christ can change how we see our sins and imperfections:
The Savior’s infinite Atonement completely changes the way we may view our transgressions and imperfections. Instead of dwelling on them and feeling irredeemable or hopeless, we can learn from them and feel hopeful. The cleansing gift of repentance allows us to leave our sins behind and emerge a new creature.
Because of Jesus Christ, our failures do not have to define us. They can refine us. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “God among Us,” Liahona, May 2021, 8–9)
5. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about the word justification:
Because of ‘the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice,’ Jesus Christ can satisfy or ‘answer the ends of the law’ on our behalf. Pardon comes by the grace of Him who has satisfied the demands of justice by His own suffering. … He removes our condemnation without removing the law. We are pardoned and placed in a condition of righteousness with Him. We become, like Him, without sin. We are sustained and protected by the law, by justice. We are, in a word, justified.
Thus, we may appropriately speak of one who is justified as pardoned, without sin, or guiltless. (“Justification and Sanctification,” Ensign, June 2001, 20)
Day 3
Primary
1. Read Romans 5.
2. Some of the saints in Rome thought that they would be saved because of the way they kept the law of Moses. Paul tried to remind them that although keeping the commandments is important, it is only through the atonement of Jesus Christ that we can be saved.
3. Listen to the song “The Lord Gave Me a Temple.”
Youth
1. Read Romans 5.
2. imagine that your are dying of thirst in a desert and that there is a bottle of water on top of a nearby hill. Which of the following will save you: (a) your belief that the water can save you, (b) your effort to get to the water and drink it, or (c) the water itself? 
3. Some of the Jewish Saints in Rome overemphasized the importance of their own efforts and of the law of Moses in being justified. Paul tried to correct the misunderstanding that existed in his day by reminding the Jews about the ancient patriarch Abraham, whom many Jews saw as being justified. To discredit the idea that only those who were keeping the law of Moses could receive the blessings of being faithful, Paul taught that Abraham had received the blessings of his faithfulness before he began following the law. Abraham continued being faithful after covenanting with God. In this way, Abraham became the father of all the faithful, whether Gentiles or Jews.
4. We are justified by faith and works through grace. Grace refers to the blessings, mercy, help, and strength available to us because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency said:
The prophet Nephi made an important contribution to our understanding of God’s grace when he declared, ‘We labor diligently … to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do’ [2 Nephi 25:23].
However, I wonder if sometimes we misinterpret the phrase ‘after all we can do.’ We must understand that ‘after’ does not equal ‘because.’
We are not saved ‘because’ of all that we can do. Have any of us done all that we can do? Does God wait until we’ve expended every effort before He will intervene in our lives with His saving grace? …
I am certain Nephi knew that the Savior’s grace allows and enables us to overcome sin [see 2 Nephi 4:19–35; Alma 34:31]. This is why Nephi labored so diligently to persuade his children and brethren ‘to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God’ [2 Nephi 25:23]. (“The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 110)
Day 4
Primary
1. Today read Romans 6.
2. Paul taught that baptism symbolizes the death and Resurrection of Christ. It also symbolizes being raised up to “walk in newness of life.” We renew our commitment to walk in newness of life every time we partake of the sacrament. When we are baptized, it is like we become a new person!
3. Listen to the song “When I am Baptized.”
Youth
1. Today read Romans 6.
2. Yielding ourselves to God is not easy. But Jesus Christ promises that as we let our old, sinful selves die, He will give us new life, changing our natures to become more like Him. Paul taught that through the ordinance of baptism, we can receive the Savior’s transforming power to help us “walk in newness of life” ( Romans 6:4).
3. According to Romans 6:3–8, what does descending into, being buried under, and coming forth out of the water in baptism represent for us? President Russell M. Nelson taught:
Essential ordinances of the gospel symbolize the Atonement. Baptism by immersion is symbolic of the death, burial, and Resurrection of the Redeemer. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Atonement,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 35)
4. Just as Jesus Christ “died unto sin once” (verse 10), we are baptized only once for a remission of our sins. However, each week we can renew our commitment to “walk in newness of life” (verse 4) by partaking of the sacrament. How does this weekly ordinance help you show your love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
5. What are some ways I can change? Sister Becky Craven, former Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, taught:
In return for His priceless payment for each of us, the Lord asks us for a change of heart. The change He requests from us is not for His benefit but for ours. …
After hearing the words spoken by King Benjamin, his people cried out, declaring that their hearts had changed, saying, “Because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, … we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” [Mosiah 5:2]. The scriptures do not say that they immediately became perfect; rather, their desire to change compelled them to action. Their change of heart meant putting off the natural man or woman and yielding to the Spirit as they strove to become more like Jesus Christ. (Becky Craven, “Keep the Change,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 58)
Week 3
Day 1
Primary
1. Read Romans 8.
2. Think about a king who wants his sons and daughters to rule in his kingdom someday. Heavenly Father is like a king, and we are His heirs – his royal sons and daughters. An “heir” is someone who inherits, or receives, what his or her parents have. Heavenly Father’s plan makes it possible for us to become like Him and inherit all that He has.
3. Why is it important to remember that we are children of Heavenly Father and born to someday be like Him? How does this truth affect the choices we make here on earth?
4. Listen to the song “The Lord Gave Me a Temple.”
Youth
1. Read Romans 8.
2. “Our spirit”, meaning our spirit bodies, was created by Heavenly Father, making every person literally a spirit child of Heavenly Father. However, it is by making covenants with God through ordinances and then keeping those covenants that people are spiritually reborn, or adopted, as His sons and daughters in the gospel covenant. The companionship of the Holy Ghost indicates that such people are not only God’s spirit children by virtue of creation, but they are also His covenant children. If we are faithful covenant children of God, we can become joint-heirs with Jesus Christ of all Heavenly Father has.
3. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified of our divine heritage as children of God:
Your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And He knows what you can become through faith in Him. Because of this divine heritage you, along with all of your spiritual sisters and brothers, have full equality in His sight and are empowered through obedience to become a rightful heir in His eternal kingdom, an “[heir] of God, and joint-[heir] with Christ” [Romans 8:17]. Seek to comprehend the significance of these doctrines (“To Young Women,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 28)
4. The scriptures speak of us as ‘children of God’ in more than one sense (Romans 8:16). First, every human being is literally a beloved spirit child of Heavenly Father (see Malachi 2:10; Acts 17:29; Hebrews 12:9; ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World,’ Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129). Second, we are ‘reborn’ as children of God through a covenantal relationship when we manifest faith in Jesus Christ, repent, are baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost [and other ordinances].” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 348). Not only can the Spirit confirm that we are God’s covenant children, but it can also confirm to our spirits that we are literally beloved children of God and that we dwelt with Him before we were born.
4. Paul taught that the Atonement of Christ shows that ‘God [is] for us’ and is committed to us and our eternal well-being. Because God gave His Only Begotten Son for us, we can be assured that God will continue to work for our salvation and prepare us to be heirs of all He wants to give us. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland similarly exhorted members of the Church:
‘Considering the incomprehensible cost of the Crucifixion and Atonement, I promise you He is not going to turn His back on us now. … Brothers and sisters, whatever your distress, please don’t give up. (‘Broken Things to Mend,’ Ensign or Liahona, May 2006, 71)” (New Testament Student Manual [Church Educational System manual, 2014], 350)
Day 2
Primary
1. Read Romans 10.
2. Read Romans 10:17 again. As we hear the word of God and listen carefully to it, our faith will grow. What are ways that we hear the word of God in our daily or weekly lives?
3. Listen to the song “The Holy Ghost.”
Youth
1. Read Romans 10.
2. Although the Saints in Rome were often rejected by the Jews, we learn that Paul continued to love and respect the Jews and had concern for their salvation. He said that many Jews went about “to establish their own righteousness,” which meant that they were zealously striving to establish their own righteousness according to Jewish standards. They did not submit themselves to “the righteousness of God,” which was the gospel of Jesus Christ. They rejected the gospel that could have ultimately led them to true righteousness. The word end in Romans 10:4 can mean “conclusion” or “fulfillment,” or it can mean “an ultimate purpose or anticipated object.” The performances of the law of Moses anticipated the Savior and His Atonement, which represent the “end” of the law.
3. Some Christians have used Paul’s words in Romans 10:9 to claim that all a person must do to be saved is to verbally confess a belief in Jesus Christ. However, in other passages, Paul taught that repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and striving to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ are also essential.
4. President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency affirmed the requirements of salvation:
Relying upon the totality of Bible teachings and upon clarifications received through modern revelation, we testify that being cleansed from sin through Christ’s Atonement is conditioned upon the individual sinner’s faith, which must be manifested by obedience to the Lord’s command to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost (see Acts 2:37–38). ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee,’ Jesus taught, ‘Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God’ (John 3:5; see also Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37–38). Believers who have had this required rebirth at the hands of those having authority have already been saved from sin conditionally, but they will not be saved finally until they have completed their mortal probation with the required continuing repentance, faithfulness, service, and enduring to the end” (“Have You Been Saved?” Ensign, May 1998, 55).
5. Paul taught that hearing the word of God is essential to developing faith in Jesus Christ. This teaching helps us understand that attendance at Sabbath day and other Church meetings plays a vital role in the development of faith. Elder Robert D. Hales (1932–2017) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God’ [Romans 10:17]. … The first step to finding faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is to let His word — spoken by the mouth of His servants, the prophets — touch your heart. But it is not enough merely to let those words wash over you, as if they alone could transform you. We must do our part. Or as the Savior Himself said, ‘He that hath ears to hear, let him hear’ [Matthew 11:15]. In other words, hearing requires an active effort. … It means taking seriously what is taught, considering it carefully, studying it out in our minds. As the prophet Enos learned, it means letting others’ testimonies of the gospel ‘[sink] deep into [our] heart[s]’ [Enos 1:3]” (“Finding Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 72).
Day 3
Primary
1. Today read Romans 12.
2. Have you ever had a hard time feeling unified (one, united, or whole) with other members of the Church? The Saints in Rome who lived during Paul’s time came from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. At times they had disagreements and tensions with each other. In response, Paul encouraged them to “be of the same mind one toward another” (Romans 12:16). No matter where people come from, what they look like, or how they live, we are all children of our Heavenly Father and should be working together to live in happiness.
3. Listen to the song “When I am Baptized.”
Youth
1. Today read Romans 12.
2. Have you ever had a hard time feeling unified with other members of the Church? The Saints in Rome who lived during Paul’s time came from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. At times they had disagreements and tensions with each other. In response, Paul encouraged them to “be of the same mind one toward another” (Romans 12:16).
3. What can we learn from the challenges the Church faced in Rome during Paul’s time? Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:
Our Church culture comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans is profound. …
… Paul admonishes the Jews and the Gentiles to keep the commandments and love one another and affirms that righteousness leads to salvation.
The culture of the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a Gentile culture or a Judaic culture. It is not determined by the color of one’s skin or where one lives. While we rejoice in distinctive cultures, we should leave behind aspects of those cultures that conflict with the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Quentin L. Cook, “Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 20–21)
4. What can happen as we make efforts to be unified members of the Savior’s Church? Elder Jorge T. Becerra of the Seventy taught:
In each ward and branch we need everyone — those who may be strong and those who are perhaps struggling. All are necessary to the vital edification of the entire “body of Christ.” I often wonder who we are missing in our various congregations that would strengthen us and make us whole. (Jorge T. Becerra, “Poor Little Ones,” Liahona, May 2021, 40)
5. Sister Sharon Eubank of the Relief Society General Presidency shared the following account:
In 1842, the Saints were working hard to build the Nauvoo Temple. After the founding of the Relief Society in March, the Prophet Joseph often came to their meetings to prepare them for the sacred, unifying covenants they would soon make in the temple.
On June 9, the Prophet “said he was going to preach mercy[.] Supposing that Jesus Christ and [the] angels should object to us on frivolous things, what would become of us? We must be merciful and overlook small things.” President Smith continued, “It grieves me that there is no fuller fellowship — if one member suffer all feel it — by union of feeling we obtain pow’r with God.” [“Minutes and Discourse, 9 June 1842,” 61, Joseph Smith Papers]
That small sentence struck me like lightning. By union of feeling we obtain power with God. This world isn’t what I want it to be. There are many things I want to influence and make better. And frankly, there is a lot of opposition to what I hope for, and sometimes I feel powerless. Lately, I have been asking myself searching questions: How can I understand people around me better? How will I create that “union of feeling” when all are so different? What power from God might I access if I am just a little bit more unified with others? (Sharon Eubank, “By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 55)
Day 4
Primary
1. Read Romans 14.
2. When we interact with others who make different choices than we do, we may be tempted to be judgmental. Paul’s counsel to the Romans can help us avoid such judgment.
3. Read Romans 14:10 and 13. What does Paul tell us about judging others? Why are we not supposed to judge what other people do?
Youth
1. Read Romans 14.
2. Some people have strong opinions about what others should and should not do. Paul taught that we should avoid quarreling about these opinions and making unrighteous judgment of each other. Read Romans 14:10 and 13. What does Paul tell us about judging others? Why are we not supposed to judge what other people do?
3. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated that rather than teaching specific rules in some matters, Church leaders and teachers teach doctrines and principles of the gospel. He then said the following:
Teachers … should generally forgo teaching specific rules or applications. For example, they would not teach any rules for determining what is a full tithing, and they would not provide a list of dos and don’ts for keeping the Sabbath day holy. Once a teacher has taught the doctrine and the associated principles from the scriptures and the living prophets, such specific applications or rules are generally the responsibility of individuals and families” (“Gospel Teaching,” Ensign, Nov. 1999, 79).
4. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency warned about the dangers of allowing individual amplifications of gospel principles to become expectations for others:
Sometimes, well-meaning amplifications of divine principles — many coming from uninspired sources — complicate matters further, diluting the purity of divine truth with man-made addenda. One person’s good idea—something that may work for him or her—takes root and becomes an expectation. And gradually, eternal principles can get lost within the labyrinth of ‘good ideas’” (“The Love of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 21).
Week 4
Day 1
Primary
1. Read 1 Corinthians 1.
2. Many people thought Paul’s teachings were foolish, but Paul explained that believing Christ’s gospel is true wisdom. Being wise means trusting in God’s wisdom. Why is it wise to believe what God teaches?
3. Listen to the song “Books in the New Testament.” Make sure you can sing it through 2 Corinthians (since it’s not possible to just sing 1 Corinthians.)
Youth
1. Read 1 Corinthians 1.
2. During his second missionary journey, Paul traveled to a city called Corinth, where he preached the gospel. Many people were baptized at that time. Later, while Paul was preaching in Ephesus, he learned that problems had arisen among Church members in Corinth because some of the converts were reverting to their past beliefs and practices of idol worship. Paul wrote to the Church members in Corinth to strengthen them and remind them of their commitment to serve the Lord.
3. According to 1 Corinthians 1:10, what does the Lord expect us to do as Church members? (The Lord expects us as Saints to be united and to eliminate divisions and contention.) What can we do as Church members to eliminate divisions and contention in our families? In our wards? What blessings can we receive from being united and eliminating contention?
4. During the time of Paul, many Greeks lived in Corinth. These Greeks placed a high value on philosophical ideas and worldly wisdom. Why might someone who values worldly philosophies find it difficult to accept the gospel?
5. When Paul spoke against ‘the wisdom of this world’ (1 Corinthians 1:20), he was referring to the flawed philosophical traditions of his day and not to the worthwhile pursuit of learning and education that the Lord encourages (see Matthew 22:37; 2 Nephi 9:29; D&C 88:78–80). Paul used the words wise and wisdom repeatedly in 1 Corinthians 1:17–25 to refer to worldly philosophies and those who supported them. Philosophical ideas were regularly the subject of public debates. Paul contrasted limited human wisdom with the powerful message of God’s crucified Son. Regardless of those who scoffed at the gospel, the Saints’ faith should not depend on ‘the wisdom of men, but … the power of God’ (1 Corinthians 2:5).
6. Listen to the song “Books in the New Testament.” Make sure you can sing it through 2 Corinthians (since it’s not possible to just sing 1 Corinthians.)
Day 2
Primary
1. Read 1 Corinthians 2.
2. Paul told the Saints in Corinth that he did not use the world’s wisdom to convince them of the gospel. He taught them by the Spirit so they would have faith in God. One of the Holy Ghost’s roles is to teach us truth, and listening to the Spirit can help us learn and understand the Gospel.
3. Listen to the song “The Holy Ghost.”
Youth
1. Read 1 Corinthians 2.
2. Paul told the Saints in Corinth that he did not use the world’s wisdom to convince them of the gospel. He taught them by the Spirit so they would have faith in God. Paul also told them that unbelievers cannot understand the mysteries of God.
3. Read the following account by President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
I sat on a plane next to a professed atheist who pressed his disbelief in God so urgently that I bore my testimony to him. ‘You are wrong,’ I said, ‘there is a God. I know He lives!’
He protested, ‘You don’t know. Nobody knows that! You can’t know it!’ When I would not yield, the atheist, who was an attorney, asked perhaps the ultimate question on the subject of testimony. ‘All right,’ he said in a sneering, condescending way, ‘you say you know. Tell me how you know.’
When I attempted to answer, even though I held advanced academic degrees, I was helpless to communicate. …
When I used the words Spirit and witness, the atheist responded, ‘I don’t know what you are talking about.’ The words prayer, discernment, and faith, were equally meaningless to him. ‘You see,’ he said, ‘you don’t really know. If you did, you would be able to tell me how you know.’
I … was at a loss as to what to do.
President Packer then felt inspired to ask the man sitting next to him on the plane what salt tastes like. He continued:
After several attempts, of course, he could not do it. He could not convey, in words alone, so ordinary an experience as tasting salt. I bore testimony to him once again and said, ‘I know there is a God. You ridiculed that testimony and said that if I did know, I would be able to tell you exactly how I know. My friend, spiritually speaking, I have tasted salt. I am no more able to convey to you in words how this knowledge has come than you are to tell me what salt tastes like. But I say to you again, there is a God! He does live! And just because you don’t know, don’t try to tell me that I don’t know, for I do!’
As we parted, I heard him mutter, ‘I don’t need your religion for a crutch! I don’t need it.’
From that experience forward, I have never been embarrassed or ashamed that I could not explain in words alone everything I know spiritually. (“The Candle of the Lord,” 52)
4. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
The Lord’s prescribed methods of acquiring sacred knowledge are very different from the methods used by those who acquire learning exclusively by study. For example, a frequent technique of scholarship is debate or adversarial discussion, a method with which I have had considerable personal experience. But the Lord has instructed us in ancient and modern scriptures that we should not contend over the points of his doctrine. (See 3 Ne. 11:28–30; D&C 10:63.) … Gospel truths and testimony are received from the Holy Ghost through reverent personal study and quiet contemplation. (“Alternate Voices,” Ensign, May 1989, 29)
Day 3
Primary
1. Read 1 Corinthians 3.
2. Right now you are laying the foundation for your testimony. We can build a strong foundation by basing it on Jesus Christ.
3. Listen to the song “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man.” Why is it important for a house to be built on a strong foundation? What happens when a house is built on an unstable foundation? The house is like our testimonies. If we build our testimony on something unstable, it is easier for it to be “washed away” later. By building our faith on Jesus Christ, we can build a strong testimony that can withstand the “rains and floods” of life.
4. Listen to the song “When I am Baptized.”
Youth
1. Read 1 Corinthians 3.
2. Imagine that a friend signs up to take an advanced math class, like calculus, but has not taken the earlier courses, like basic algebra. How successful do you think your friend will be in the advanced math class? Why? Why is it necessary to understand the basic ideas of a subject before you can master the more advanced concepts? Read 1 Corinthians 1-3. What analogy did Paul use to tell the saints there that they were not ready for more advanced gospel truths?
3. The Saints in Corinth were not unified and that some of them included pagan (ungodly) beliefs and practices in their observance of the gospel. Paul used several metaphors to teach these Saints the importance of being unified, to correct false beliefs and practices, and to strengthen their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul also compared his missionary efforts to planting seeds. What can this comparison teach us about sharing the gospel?
4. While we can help others learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is through the power of the Holy Ghost that people are converted. In order for people to receive the Holy Ghost and be converted, they must do their part by exercising faith and following God’s commandments.
Day 4
Primary
1. Read 1 Corinthians 6.
2. There is a Doctrinal Mastery scripture in this chapter! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are abought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
3. What do you think it means when it says that your body is a temple? If our bodies are like temples, how should we treat our bodies? Understanding that our bodies are gifts from Heavenly Father will help us keep our bodies sacred, even when we are tempted to do otherwise.
4. Listen to the song “The Lord Gave Me a Temple.”
Youth
1. Read 1 Corinthians 6.
2. There is a Doctrinal Mastery scripture in this chapter! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are abought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
3. Ancient Corinth had a reputation for immorality, and many Corinthians promoted the idea that our bodies were made for pleasure. Paul corrected that view by teaching that our bodies were created to accomplish the Lord’s purposes.
4. 1 Corinthians 14-17 explains that those who join the Church become one with Christ as spiritual “members” of His body. Paul also explained that sexual immorality is incompatible with a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ. What did Paul compare our bodies to? What is the difference between a temple and any other building? Our bodies are temples of God in which the Spirit can dwell. How can understanding that our bodies are temples influence how we treat our bodies and the bodies of others?
5. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles gave additional insights about how understanding this truth can influence how we treat our bodies.
Acknowledging these truths [from 1 Corinthians 6:19–20] … , we would certainly not deface our body, as with tattoos; or debilitate it, as with drugs; or defile it, as with fornication, adultery, or immodesty. … As our body is the instrument of our spirit, it is vital that we care for it as best we can. We should consecrate its powers to serve and further the work of Christ. (“Reflections on a Consecrated Life,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 17)
