Week 6

Choice 1: The Institution of the Sacrament

The Savior instituted the Sacrament the night before He was crucified, near the time of the Passover celebration. Many centuries earlier, the feast of the Passover had been instituted to help the children of Israel remember when the destroying angel “passed over” their houses and delivered them from Egyptian bondage (see Exodus 12:21-28; 13:14-15). The blood of the unblemished Passover lamb that saved ancient Israel was a symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who redeemed all mankind. Review Matthew 26:26-29 and Luke 22:14-20. Then read the institute student manual introduction to chapter 23 (p. 160) and the commentary for “What Is the Relationship Between the Sacrament and the Atonement?” (pp. 161-62). Write responses to the following questions:

• What was the relationship between the Passover and the Atonement of Jesus Christ? The Passover, which freed the people of Israel from bondage using an unblemished lamb as a sacrifice, was a type of a savior. The sacrifice and passover supper were symbolic of an even greater event to come, the Atonement of Jesus. The Passover helped prepare people to look for the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, the final sacrifice, which freed us from death and sin.

• What is the relationship between the Sacrament and the Atonement of Jesus Christ? The sacrament is a reminder of the Atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The bread is a reminder of His body, the resurrection. The cup is a reminder of His blood spilt for us in agony to pay the price for sin.

• How does John 4:13-14; 6:48-53 add to an understanding of the symbolism of bread and water? That Christ Himself is the living bread and water, which symbolically is the sacrament. We eat His body and drink His blood and we covenant with Christ by partaking of the sacrament. We will never be thirsty or hungry again, because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Considering the Savior’s instructions in Luke 22:19 and 3 Nephi 18:7, why do you think we are commanded to partake of the Sacrament weekly? So that we can continue to remember Christ, focus on Him each week, and by doings so have His spirit to be with us.

How does Mosiah 5:13 apply to this idea? It says "how knoweth a man  the master whom he has not served?" My master is the Lord Jesus Christ. How can I follow Christ if I don’t do the things the Lord has commanded? How can I follow Him if I don’t partake of His sacrament and renew my baptismal covenants with Him. Partaking the sacrament regualary helps me to know the savior, it helps me to follow Him and focus on the savior. 

Carefully look at the additions and corrections in the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 26:26, 28 (see Matthew 26:26 footnote b, and Matthew 26:28 footnote a). Write responses to the following questions and tasks:

• What important truths do we gain from these verses of the Joseph Smith Translation? The sacrament bread is in remembrance of His body, not literally His body, and Christ gave His body as a ransom for us. The water is in remembrance of His blood. Which is shed for as many that believe on His name for the remission of sins. We are to do  the things the Lord has done and testify of Him unto the end.

• What does ransom mean? How does properly participating in the ordinance of the Sacrament ransom us? (See JST, Matthew 26:26) To be ransomed means to be released. By ransoming us the Lord has released us from death and sin. Preparing for the sacrament means we are striving to live worthy of it each day, we repent often and do our best to do better.  As we do that we gain spiritual strength and the adversary loses strength over us.

• Make a list of what you want to remember about the Savior the next time you partake of the Sacrament.

His time with the apostles.

Christ’s last week.

His time in Gethsemane
His time on the cross

His trial
His resurrection

My treatment of the Savior during the week.(my actions, thoughts, etc.)

Choice 2:The Savior’s Instructions about the Holy Ghost

1. As you study the following verses, make a list of what the Savior taught about (1) what the Holy Ghost does and (2) what disciples must do to receive the Holy Ghost:

o John 14:15–17-The disciples are to love the Lord and keep the commandments,  and the Holy Ghost will be a comfort to them that will abide with them forever. The holy Ghost, the spirit of truth, will dwell with and within the disciples.

o John 14:26–27-The Holy Ghost will teach the disciples all things, and remind them what the Savior has taught. The Holy Ghost will bring peace to the disciples. 

o John 15:26–27-The Holy Ghost will testify of Jesus Christ, just as the disciples are to bear witness of Jesus Christ. 

o John 16:7–8-The Holy Ghost will chastise the world of sin, the disciples are to allow the Savior to leave so the Holy Ghost may come.

o John 16:13–14-The Holy Ghost will lead the disciples into truth, he will show the disciples things to come. The Holy Ghost will glorify the Lord.

Disciples	Holy Ghost
Love the Lord.	Will comfort the disciples.
Keep  the commandments.	Abide forever with the disciples.
Bear witness of the Savior.	Will dwell with and within the disciples.
Understand the Savior has to leave.	Will teach the disciples everything.
	Remind the disciples of the Saviors teachings.
	Bring peace and happiness.
	Testify of Jesus Christ.
	Chastise the world of sin.
	Lead all into truth.
	Reveal things to come.
	Glorify God.
	Enlarges and expands our lives.
	Quickens intellectual faculties.
	Enlarges all natural passions and affections.
	Inspires, develops, the joys, and kindred feelings of our nature.
	Inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity.
	Develops beauty,
	Invigorates all faculties of physical and intellectual man.
	Strengthens the nerve.
	Gives life to the whole being.
	Special messenger.
	Carries out the will of the Father and the Son.
	Is to instruct and enlighten the minds of the obedient.
	Third member of the Godhead.
	Personage of spirit.
	Did not operate in the fullness among the Jews at the time of Christ.

  

2. Add to your list above as you study the following resources:Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “The Holy Ghost Brings Man to His Fullest Potential” (p. 168).
Institute student manual Points to Ponder, “As a Messenger of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost Teaches Faithful Members” (p. 168). Bible Dictionary, “Holy Ghost” (p. 704).

3. Review your list of what the Holy Ghost does. Then write responses to the following tasks:

o Describe how the Holy Ghost helped the Apostles fulfill their missions after the Savior’s death and resurrection.-The Holy Ghost gave the Apostles the strength to go forward teaching the gospel after the death of the Savior. It testified of the truth the Apostles taught. It helped them remember the things Christ taught the apostles. 

o Write a paragraph about a time when the Holy Ghost blessed you in one of the ways you listed above. Give an example of how the Holy Ghost has inspired you.

Years ago my children were playing outside as they often did. I was in the house working, when I received a thought to check the children. It took me a moment to recognize it, and I received the impression again.  I then got up and went out front to find the children playing inside the Suburban, with the ages of my small children they easily could have been trapped in the hot car. I am grateful to that simple little impression from the Holy Ghost.