Student Choice Assignment- The Ten Commandments

In Exodus 20:3-17 a list of the Ten Commadments includes:
The two great commandments are to: Love God and Love your neighbor
This is a list of the commandments included with what commandment associates with it:
1. Love no other gods before me- Love God
2. Do not worship idols such as statues and monuments- Love God
3. Do not take the Lord's name in vein- Love God
4. Keep the sabbath day holy- Love God
5. Honour thy father and thy mother- Love God
6. Do not kill- Love our neighbor
7. Do not commit adultery- Love God/ Love your neighbor
8. Do not steal- Love your neighbor
9. Do not bear false witness- Love your neighbor
10. Do not covet- Love your neighbor
I think three of the commandments that are most neglected by the world today is- keeping the sabbath day holy, committing adultery, and coveting. I think if the the world today would keep these commandments and follow the words of our Heavenly Father then we would live in a peaceful, loving, honest, successful, and righteous world. How wonderful would it be to live in a place where we wouldn't have to worry about our safety or wonder if our posessions would still be around when we leave them unattended? If more people were honest and truly loved God and loved their neighbors, I think we would have more peace of mind and put more trust in those around us. There is so many blessings that come from following the commandments and it truly would benefit everyone to do as the Lord has asked.

Student Choice Assignment

In this week's reading, I learned about the children of Israel and how they were symbolically saved by water and fire. We learn that being born of water and of the Spirit, water meaning the cleansing and purifing while fire is being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. So, symbolically, the children of Israel were baptized, being completely cleansed, purified and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We can all experience this wonderul opportunity because it is a blessing from the love and greatness of God. Baptism is of key importance to entering the kingdom of heaven and I am grateful for the testimony I have of its power of changing and replenshing lives.

Student Choice Assignment

In the Old Testament, reading through Genesis chapters 24-50 we learn about the story of Jacob and his son Joseph, who received the "coat of many colors." Jacob had twelve sons, and they were named: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Isaachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. In the story of Joseph, he was a very humble and obedient man and his brothers became envious of him, I think because of his righteous doings and the example he set for all those around him. Joseph's brothers were so negative toward him, that they even sold him into Egypt because of their anger and jealousy toward him. Although Joseph faced many trials and was betrayed by his brothers, he stayed faithful and did not show resentment and still loved and forgave them for what they had done to him. Joseph resembles a lot of Christ-like attributes because he was so quick to forgive and his heart was always full of love and gratitude toward his family and his Heavenly Father. He was merciful and compassionate, especially during those times when he had every right to be upset and hold grudges toward his brothers, but he didn't. Joseph's challenges are a lot like the challenges that we face in the world today. We experience a lot of competition and are always comparing ourselves to others. When this happens, we are easy to find fault in others and in ourselves and hold bitter feelings and jealousy. It's important to remember the example and the story of Joseph because even though we experience trials and adversity, we can still find the strength to be forgiving, loving, and understanding of those around us, even family. Love others as we love ourselves and do good unto them, even at times when it's hard to. The Lord loves us all perfectly and we should strive to treat others this way and to follow in the footsteps of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Student Choice Assignment- Who Was Melchizedek?

Melchizedek was a king in the land of Salem and although this land was filled with people who were wicked and sinful, Melchizedek remained faithful and obedient. According to the Doctrine and Covenants and the LDS church, there are two priesthoods, one being the Aaronic and the other the Melchizedek. The Melchizedek is the first and highest because it came from such a great and respectable high priest. In Alma 13:18 it reads, "But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father." This is such a great passage because we learn so much about the life of Melchizedek, even in such a short verse. He was a very righteous man and set an example for all those around him. It mentioned a lot about how he preached repentance and this is so important for all of us to remember. Even though we are not perfect and will sin and make mistakes, God allows us the opportunity to repent and be truly forgiven of our transgressions. It's such a powerful and wonderful blessing and I am so grateful that my Father in Heaven loves me and all of His children enough that He would send His son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins so, that we may be forgiven in all that we do. It is also true that men in the LDS faith can receive the Melchizedek priesthood which is so significant with our church. We receieve so many blessings through our priesthood holders and it truly is a blessing from God that we have such a power on this earth today.

Student Choice Assignment- A Tower to Reach Heaven

For this week's assignment I chose to discuss the tower of Babel. The purpose of building the tower was for the people to reach heaven because they wanted an almost easy way out. This angered the Lord because they were trying to cheat His plan and this was not what the Lord wanted or intended of us. He decided to scatter the people by creating different languages so, that those who wanted to build the tower could not communicate with one another to do so.

An example of this to me would be when a student decides to cheat on a test or assignment. This is not what the teacher wanted from the student and has given clear directions and instructions not to do so. However, some individuals disregard what they have been taught and also what they have been told and choose to do what will benefit them, but only temporarily. In the long-term they are only cheating themselves and are disrespecting themselves, others (teacher, classmates) and also Heavenly Father. He wants us to reach our full potential and we can only do this if we are honest, obedient and work toward the ending goal righteously and correctly.

This relates to the tower of Babel and reaching heaven because even though their intentions might have been good, their actions and desires were not. Just like cheating, we have the motivation to want to do well and receive a good score, but that's not the way to do it. In today's world it seems people are becoming more greedy and selfish and want things right away, instead of patiently waiting or working hard toward goals. People are focusing too much on the name they make for themselves and not enough on what the Lord thinks of them or truly wants for them. We can take upon the name of the Lord by obediently following his commandments and loving him enough to want to always strive to make Him happy and pleased with what we do and how we live our lives.

Divorce and Remarriage

In class this week we discussed divorce and remarriage and the effects each has. One of the questions asked was "How are boys affected more (negatively) by divorce? Some of the answers were that sons miss out on the fatherhood role model and they act more aggressive. There was a study done that said kids ages 12-15 who had experienced their parents getting divorced had fathers who lived 400 miles away. Some of these possible reasons were because of work, a new relationship, and wanting a new start, which usually comes from the mother. It also said that 70% of males re-married 2 yrs after a divorce and 70% of Americans said that they could've and should've saved their marriages. This is a powerful statement and I think if couples remembered why they fell in love with each other and worked through problems effectively and with compassion and understanding, then they would be more forgiving of one another and be able to keep a happy, healthy marriage.

Parenting

Our discussion this week was based on parenting and what their purposes are. We talked about refining parents so, that they can become more like God and come closer to divinity, and also that they are to protect and prepare children to survive and thrive in the world around them. I think it's also important to note that children need four things: courage, responsibility=respond to opportunities and challenges, choices and consequences, and cooperation and respect. I truly believe that parents and children learn and teach one another. It is important to create a family and a household where love, comfort, and respect are present. Where each member of the family feels open to communicate and has a sense of safety and most importantly, where the Spirit can be felt.