This week’s lesson is on prayer. Below is a list of links taken from the main FAIR web site and the FAIR Wiki, which may help in discussing possible questions or issues that could potentially come up while studying this topic. Again, please note that by providing these resources we are not suggesting that they be included in any lessons taught. Rather, they are intended to be used as helps by the instructor or participating class members in case the issues do come up during class or personal study.
Lesson Aids
Gospel Principles Chapter 7: The Holy Ghost
Due to the number of questions that have been submitted through FAIR’s “Ask the Apologist” feature that have coincided with the lessons taught in Relief Society and priesthood quorums from the Gospel Principles manual so far this year, we are starting a series of blog posts that will address potential issues in each lesson. Please note that by providing these resources we are not suggesting that they be included in any lessons taught. Rather, they are intended to be used as helps by the instructor or participating class members in case the issues do come up during class.
The Holy Ghost Came to Adam and Eve
Depending on how far you get into Moses 5 (the entire chapter is listed under “Additional Scriptures”), several different issues could come up:
Procreation Before the Fall
Original Sin
Wayward Family Members
Sons of Perdition
The “curse of Cain” and “curse of Ham”
Attributes of the Holy Ghost
Who is the Holy Ghost? Has he or will he receive a physical body?
Divinity without a body
Joseph Smith/Office of the Holy Ghost
The Mission of the Holy Ghost
Testimony and doubt reconciliation
Burning in the bosom
Prayer as a means for determining truth
Please feel free to comment about any other potential issues I may have missed.
Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament
Lightning Strikes Twice: Review of Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament[1] by TB Spackman
In 2006, Deseret Book published Jesus Christ and the World of the New Testament to widespread approval.[2] Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament (or WOT), a sequel of sorts, has appeared recently, a few fortuitous months before the Gospel Doctrine calendar changes over to the Old Testament as the course of study. WOT is clearly meant to parallel World of the New Testament, from the title to the layout and organization. However, the Old Testament is not the New, and the three authors of WOT faced a much tougher assignment. [Read more…] about Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament
Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 35
This week: Lesson 35, “A Mission of Saving.”
Subjects covered: The rescue of the Martin and Willie handcart companies.
Potential issues:
There are no FAIR articles that deal directly with the Martin and Willie handcart rescue, but there others that cover issues that took place during the same time period, including:
- The Mormon Reformation of 1856–58.
- Articles regarding “blood atonement” and the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
If you can think of any other issues from this week’s lesson, please comment below so we can add more links.
PLEASE NOTE: This information is a preparatory resource for gospel doctrine teachers to help them formulate answers to questions that might arise during their class. It is not in any way a substitute for the Gospel Doctrine manual, nor should instructors make these topics the focus of class instruction. This information is provided with the understanding that it is an additional resource only.
Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 34
This week: Lesson 34, “Faith in Every Footstep” (D&C 136).
Subjects covered: The pioneer trek across the Great Plains to the Salt Lake Valley.
Potential issues:
If you can think of any other issues from this week’s lesson, please comment below so we can add more links.
PLEASE NOTE: This information is a preparatory resource for gospel doctrine teachers to help them formulate answers to questions that might arise during their class. It is not in any way a substitute for the Gospel Doctrine manual, nor should instructors make these topics the focus of class instruction. This information is provided with the understanding that it is an additional resource only.
Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 33
This week: Lesson 33, “President Brigham Young Leads the Saints.”
Subjects covered: Joseph Smith gave the keys to the Twelve Apostles, who then led the Church until Brigham Youn was sustained as President; the Saints received their temple ordinances before proceeding west.
Potential issues:
If you can think of any other issues from this week’s lesson, please comment below so we can add more links.
PLEASE NOTE: This information is a preparatory resource for gospel doctrine teachers to help them formulate answers to questions that might arise during their class. It is not in any way a substitute for the Gospel Doctrine manual, nor should instructors make these topics the focus of class instruction. This information is provided with the understanding that it is an additional resource only.
Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 32
This week: Lesson 32, “To Seal the Testimony” (D&C 135).
Subjects covered: The martyrdom of Joseph Smith.
Potential issues:
- Joseph fired a gun in Carthage Jail (related: The Church is hiding this fact).
- Martyrdom in Christian history.
- The Nauvoo Legion was supposed to rescue Joseph.
- Joseph and his companions drank wine the night before the martyrdom.
- The Council of Fifty / Joseph Smith anointed “king of the world”.
- Joseph’s Presidential candidacy.
- The Nauvoo Expositor.
- “Oh Lord, my God” was a Masonic distress call.
- Status of Joseph Smith in LDS belief (related: Joseph as subject of hymns).
- Joseph Smith is the Holy Ghost.
If you can think of any other issues from this week’s lesson, please comment below so we can add more links.
PLEASE NOTE: This information is a preparatory resource for gospel doctrine teachers to help them formulate answers to questions that might arise during their class. It is not in any way a substitute for the Gospel Doctrine manual, nor should instructors make these topics the focus of class instruction. This information is provided with the understanding that it is an additional resource only.
Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 31
Sorry this is a week late. I wrote it last week, but somehow neglected to click “Publish” and didn’t follow up to see if it had been posted.
This week: Lesson 31, “Sealed…for Time and for All Eternity” (D&C 131:1–4; 132:4–33).
Subjects covered: Eternal marriage; plural marriage.
Potential issues:
- Eternal marriage and Biblical statements on marriage.
- Jews and early Christians on marriage after death.
- Apostles married in early Church?
- Divorce not allowed except for fornication.
- Topical guide to articles on plural marriage.
If you can think of any other issues from this week’s lesson, please comment below so we can add more links.
PLEASE NOTE: This information is a preparatory resource for gospel doctrine teachers to help them formulate answers to questions that might arise during their class. It is not in any way a substitute for the Gospel Doctrine manual, nor should instructors make these topics the focus of class instruction. This information is provided with the understanding that it is an additional resource only.
Saints were excused from building a temple in Missouri
Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 30
This week: Lesson 30, “The Prisoners Shall Go Free” (D&C 2; 124:25–55; 127; 128; JS—H 1:36–39).
[Read more…] about Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 30
Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 29
This week: Lesson 29, “Building the Kingdom of God in Nauvoo, Illinois” (D&C 124:1–21, 87–90, 97–110; 126).
[Read more…] about Gospel Doctrine apologetics: D&C lesson 29
