The Gospel Doctrine Class - beardall2000.com

1 The Gospel Doctrine ClassOld Testament - Lesson 18 Be Strong and of a Good CourageJoshua 1 6; Joshua 23 24A study of this lesson will encourage us to be strong and courageous in living the Gospel of Jesus Joseph Fielding Smith: "The priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Moses, and Elias (Elijah) gave the keys to Peter, James, and John, on the Mount when they were transfigured before "From that we understand why Elijah and Moses were preserved from death: because they had a mission to perform, and it had to be performed before the crucifixion of the Son of God, and it could not be done in the spirit.

2 They had to have tangible bodies. Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection; therefore if any former prophets had a work to perform preparatory to the mission of the Son of God, or to the dispensation of the meridian of times, it was essential that they be preserved to fulfill that mission in the flesh." (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:107, 110-111)Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "When we are humble enough to have basic faith, we can, like Nephi, trust the Lord when he gives us an errand, for he will also give us the necessary spiritual and logistical support.

3 " (Wherefore Ye Must Press Forward, p48)President George Albert Smith: "If the people who dwell on this earth were obedient to the loving advice of our Heavenly Father, that has been given through his servants down through the would have peace, prosperity and happiness. There is no way for us to enjoy the blessings of our Heavenly Father but by obedience to his counsel." (Sharing the Gospel With Others, p203)Elder Boyd K. Packer: "Shortly after I was called as a General Authority, I went to Elder Harold B.

4 Lee for counsel. He listened very carefully to my problem and suggested that I see President David O. McKay. President McKay counseled me as to the direction I should go. I was very willing to be obedient but saw no way possible for me to do as he counseled me to do. "I returned to Elder Lee and told him that I saw no way to move in the direction I was counseled to go. He said, 'the trouble is you want to see the end from the beginning.' I replied that I would like to see at least a step or two ahead. Then came the lesson of a lifetime: 'You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and showthe way before you'.

5 " ( The Edge of the Light, BYU Today, Mar1991, pp22-23)Elder Marvin J. Ashton: "Joshua reminds us of the importance ofmaking decisions promptly: 'Choose you this day whom ye willserve;..but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord'. Nottomorrow, not when we get ready, not when it is convenient--but'this day,' straightway, choose whom you will serve. He who invitesus to follow will always be out in front of us with His Spirit andinfluence setting the pace. He has charted and marked the course,opened the gates, and shown the way.

6 He has invited us to comeunto Him, and the best time to enjoy his companionship isstraightway. We can best get on the course and stay on the courseby doing as Jesus did--make a total commitment to do the will ofHis Father." (Ensign, May 1983, pp30-31)President Ezra Taft Benson: "Now during this critical period, andit is a critical period that we are passing through, I hope that wewill keep ever burning in our hearts the spirit of this great workwhich we represent. If we do so, we'll have no anxiety; we'll haveno fear; we'll not worry about the future because the Lord hasgiven us the assurance that if we live righteously, if we keep hiscommandments, if we humble ourselves before him, all will bewell.

7 I turn to two passages of scripture today which I'd like to read: "'.. Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither bethou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoeverthou goest.' (Joshua 1:9.) "This was the Lord's admonition to his son, Joshua, encouraginghim to trust in God. Joshua answered that admonition in counselto his people these words: "'.. choose you this day whom ye will serve; .. but as for meand my house, we will serve the Lord.' (Ibid., 24:15.) "Embodied in these two passages of scripture are the twoprincipal essentials for security and peace: first, trust in God; andsecond, a determination to keep the commandments, to serve theLord, to do that which is right.

8 Latter-day Saints who live accordingto these two admonitions - trust in God and keep thecommandments - have nothing to fear." (Conference Report, Oct1950, pp145-46)Next Week s Reading AssignmentJudges 2; Judges 4; Judges 6 7; Judges 13 16 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. (Joshua 24:14)Visit The Gospel Doctrine Class online at.