REL A 250 Final Questions

What is the meaning of the Savior’s repeated invitation to “Come unto Him”?

To learn of him and to build a relationship with him. We are the covenant people.

Knowledge of our forefathers. The gospel of Jesus Christ. Knowledge of our Redeemer and of his doctrine

What is the meaning of the word gospel?

Good news

What is the primary message delivered by angels of God?

The good news of the gospel and Jesus the Christ

What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?

The news that Jesus Christ was sent by God to draw all men unto himself

What is the meaning of the name Jesus Christ?

Anointed Savior of the world

What does it mean to have faith “on the name” of Jesus Christ?

To believe in him as the Son of Christ, to be saved in the kingdom of God

When do we take upon us the name of Christ?

During the sacred ordinances of the temple

What is the scriptural injunction given to the living Apostles upon the earth

To bear testimony of the reality, divinity, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His infinite and eternal Atonement, and His gospel

Have the Apostles seen the Savior

Some have and some have not

What is Kolob and what does it symbolize?

The star nearest to where God lives. In the scriptures stars symbolize people. Kolob may be a representation of Christ

Ultimately, how do we draw closer to God and Christ?

We enter the covenant path to create and keep promises with God. Let God prevail. It is through our covenants that let us draw closer to God.

What was decided upon in the Grand Council in Heaven before the foundation of the world?

It was decided that Jesus Christ would be our savior and redeem us from the natural man.

What were the major differences between Jehovah and Lucifer?

Jehovah lets God’s will prevail. He is merciful and prioritizes agency. Lucifer chose to restrict agency and was selfish in his desire for God’s glory. Jesus = advocate. Satan = accuser.

What constituted Lucifer’s rebellion?

Sought to destroy the agency of man and rebelled against the plan of God. Wanted to become the Only Begotten.

How did we overcome Satan in pre-mortality?

By and through Jesus Christ, through testimony, and through love

What did we do in premortal life?

We chose good over evil and were called/ordained.

What are two primary purposes in the design of creation?

All things denote there is a God… do witness that there is a Supreme Creator (to testify of Christ).

For us to be happy, for it to be used, to bring us joy

What is the ultimate and overarching purpose of all of God’s creations?

To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)

What is the Church’s official position on the theory of organic evolution?

The Church has no official position on the theory of evolution.

What do we know from revelation about the origin of Adam and Eve?

Created in the image of God, Adam and Eve were the first people on the earth, the literal offspring of Deity (God).

Why has the Lord not revealed more in relation to the theory of evolution?

Because it does not have to do with the salvation of the souls of mankind. One day we will know.

What is the covenant path?

Baptism, confirmation, priesthood ordination, temple endowment, temple sealing.

What is the covenant with God?

“A covenant is a sacred agreement between God and a person or group of people. God sets specific conditions, and He promises to bless us as we obey those conditions.”

What is the Abrahamic covenant?

Priesthood, innumerable posterity (the world would be blessed through them), promised land, Messiah would be born through his lineage. Covenant also applies to his posterity.

How do we know that we are the posterity of Abraham?

Our patriarchal blessings declare our Abrahamic lineage. But we are of literal blood lineage.

When do we enter into the Abrahamic covenant?

When you make a marriage covenant in the temple.

What is the level of commitment required of the Lord through our covenants?

“See that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength”

What is hesed?

A special kind of loyal and devoted love.

Why does the Lord teach with symbols?

To help us remember and never forget the principles which he teaches; to make a bigger impact and experience for us.

How do the symbolic furnishings of the ancient tabernacle testify of Christ?

What is the overall preparatory purpose of the tabernacles and the modern temple?

To help us prepare to meet God, covenant with Him, and gain power and knowledge.

What does the veil of the temple symbolize?

It symbolizes Jesus Christ, that only by and through Him can we be saved and gain exaltation in the highest kingdom of God.

How is it related to the temple garment?

The temple garment is to help us remember our covenants made in the temple and to rely on our Savior Jesus Christ.

What is the law of justice?

Has received what they have deserved. Transgression deserves punishment.

What is the law of mercy?

Mercy is when one is merited greater than what he deserves.

Why does the plan of God require that there be laws and associated punishments?

Conscience, order, agency. It designates right and wrong and provides the test of mortality. Without punishment there is no reason to the law.

How does the Atonement of Christ satisfy both the law of justice and the law of mercy?

It does not ignore justice. It is the Savior willingly suffering for everyone’s sins and paying the price of justice. Mercy is given to all those who repent and are truly penitent.

In what other way is God simultaneously just and merciful?

What did the Jews believe about the coming Messiah?

He will be a mortal descendant of King David.

Gain sovereignty over the land of Israel.

Gather the Jews there from the four corners of the earth.

Restore them to full observance of [Mosaic] law.

Bring peace to the whole world.

What did Isaiah (and the Savior Himself) testify was one of the Messiah’s primary missions?

He came to heal us, to succor us.

Why does Isaiah describe Christ by saying that he had “no beauty”?

It means he appeared and lived just like any other man, and wasn't immediately recognizable as the Son of God.

When suffering for our sins, how was Christ intimately connected to us?

He would see us as He suffered for us.

What did Christ suffer for us?

Our pains, infirmities, weaknesses, temptations, and sins. Betrayal, insult, death.

What was the purpose of His suffering for our pains and sorrow in addition to our sins?

He experienced our deepest feelings to know HOW He could succor us. He knows my name and my face and my experiences that He may give me comfort.

What does the genealogy of Jesus teach us about Him?

He was heir of a heavenly throne and heir of an earthly throne.

What earthy title was rightly His?

King of the Jews.

What does it mean that Jesus is the “Only Begotten” Son of God?

“The son of God, after the manner of the flesh”. begotten means after the manner of flesh and blood, biologically begotten.

Why was Jesus Christ the only being capable of realizing the atoning sacrifice and resurrection?

Because of His mother Mary he was able to die, but because of His father God He was able to overcome death. Only He could do so.

What is the meaning of “the condescension of God”?

It means lowering himself to the level of his subjects. Coming from Godhood and status of creator, to a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, to his baptism, to his ministering and healing, to his death upon the cross.

What did Jesus teach about His own character through His self-introduction to the Nephites?

Follows the will of His Father. “I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me,” “I have glorified the Father,” “I have suffered the will of the Father.”

How did the Savior, even from the time of a young boy, balance self-confidence and submission?

Because it was His Father and His Father’s plan that He had total confidence and love in. His self-confidence comes from His submission. He knew exactly who He was!

What was the Savior’s repeated statement about what His mission was upon the earth?

It was because it was His Father’s will. He asked Jesus Christ to do these things.

What is President Nelson’s promise to those who are willing to “let God prevail” in their lives?

“You will experience for yourselves that our God is a God of miracles.”

What are the two reasons we need a church organized by the Savior?

To provide divine authority to perform ordinances for salvation

To achieve needful things that cannot be accomplished by individuals or smaller groups.

What are the keys of the priesthood?

They are held by priesthood brethren who can grant authority/permission to others to have access to and use the priesthood.

What is the sealing power and who holds it?

The sealing power seals all priesthood ordinances done on the Earth in Heaven. The only one who holds the active sealing keys is the Prophet of God, the President of the Church.

What is one of the major purposes of the gifts of the Spirit?

To help the Savior do his work. That each may contribute, and do what couldn't be done alone.

What responsibility toward other members of the church do we accept at baptism?

To create a community of belonging. “Mourn with those that mourn” To help others and to be helped.

What is truth?

Things as they are, as they were, and as they are to come. It is of God.

What is the ultimate source of truth?

The ultimate source of truth is God; Jesus Christ.

How do we receive truth?

We receive truth by acting, by following the doctrine.

What is “moral relativism”?

The idea that people have their own truth. “My truth”, which changes and morphs over time. But truth does not change.

What is at the center of all truth?

Jesus Christ is the center of all truth. Accepting His truth will lead us to all truth.

What did Jesus do with His time?

Preached peace, did good, and healed.

What principles of ministering can we learn from the Savior?

Genuine; He meant every word and He wanted to minister. Love, compassion, break social barriers, teach simply, take the time, compassion, mercy

What two things are required for a miracle?

Faith, come unto him

What two lessons was Jesus teaching by His healing miracles?

He is the Son of God.

He can heal everything, including sin.

What are the greatest miracles?

Christ saved us. The atonement is the greatest miracle.

What specifically is the Savior asking that we remember about His body and His blood.

That he was with us. His sacrifice for us. His resurrected body. New covenant. That he shed his blood.

How are we blessed when we always have His Spirit to be with us.

We renew our baptismal covenants and the cleansing effects of it. Essentially, we receive and retain a remission of our sins.

What is the meaning of name Gethsemane

Olive press/oil press

What was required for Jesus sacrifice for sin to be accomplished and why?

It required the shedding of his blood, specifically his death.

What was the scourging endured by Jesus before the crucifixion?

Meaning he was whipped with leather that had metal and bone embedded in it. 39 times he was whipped.

What was the final suffering experienced by the Savior on the cross?

To feel what it was like to have the divine Spirit withdraw.

What were Jesus’ final words on the cross?

Father, it is finished. Thy will is done.

How did Jesus die?

He willingly gave up his life.

Along with redeeming us from sin and death, what is another significant purpose of theAtonement of Christ?

Do and become good.

What is the grace of Jesus Christ?

Be able to do good and be good.

What does the Bible Dictionary call this aspect of Christ’s grace?

Enabling power

What gives us increased access to the power of Jesus Christ?

Keeping and making covenants. Yolk with the savior.

What were the circumstances in the life of President Joseph F. Smith when he recieved D&C 138?

Lots of losses

World war 1

Spanish flu

Sorrow and depression

What did the Savior do while in the Spirit World?

Preached the gospel to the faithful.

Directed missionary work.

What role do you and I play in this work?

Temple work. We had premortal preparation.

What two verses of scripture are quoted in every one of the standard works of the Church?

Malachi 4: 5-6

What does Malachi mean that the wicked will be left with “neither root nor branch”?

He means that they wont be connected/sealed to their families. Not ancestors and not posterity.

Why would the earth have been “utterly wasted” if Elijah did not come?

There has to be a welding link in order to achieve exaltation.

What are the three identifiying characteristics of a good shepherd given by the Savior.

Gives his life for the sheep. Knows his sheep. The sheep know him.

What is His motivation to be the good shepherd?

Because he loves us.

What type of love does the Savior ask us to feel for Him?

Selfless, spiritual love. Hesed, agapas.

How does the Savior desire that we feed his sheep?

To literally feed, and to watch over as a shepherd would.

What is the church’s attitude toward racism?

“All are alike unto God”. Disdainful towards racist attitudes. It is offensive. No tolerance.

What is the church’s policy regarding LGBTQ+ members and individuals?

It is not a sin to be gay. It is not a sin to be transgender (expect for transition).

When Heavenly Father introduces His Only Begotten Son, what is the consistent invitation?

“Hear Him!”

What three sources of revelation are taught by both the example of Joseph Smith and the testimony of President Nelson?

Sciptures, temple, whisperings of the Holy Ghost.

What additional key source of revelation do we have that young Joseph Smith lacked?

Words of the living prophets.

Will personal revelation ever contradict prophetic revelation?

It never goes against what has already been revealed.

For whom should we expect to recieve revelation?

Ourselves, and those in our authorized stewardship.

What event did President Nelson call “a hinge point in the history of the Church”?

The dedication of the Rome temple.

What did Nephi prophesy would “descend upon” the latter-day Saints?

The power of the Lamb of God.

What is the latter-day work of the Father focused on?

To prepare people to make covenants.