Lesson #42--Bruce

OT # 42: “I Will Write It in Their Hearts”

re Jeremiah 31:32   “When the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt he offered them the fulness of the gospel [and] the Melchizedek Priesthood. But they broke not only the gospel covenant but also the Mosaic or lesser covenant … the preparatory gospel.” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah, 681, and A New

Witness for the Articles of Faith, 548; see also D&C 84:25-6).

re Jeremiah 7:24   “[I]f we are not drawing towards God … we are going from

         Him” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 72; see also 2 Nephi 28:30).

re Jeremiah 7:27

“The Lord’s mercy is always extended to those who repent. However, people who postpone repentance may find it increasingly difficult to repent.”(OTGDTM, 200.)

“The man with accumulated and un[repented] wrongs … may find all retreat cut off and his condition in the world hopeless … The daily practice, then, of seeking divine mercy and forgiveness as we go along, gives us power to escape evils.”

(President Joseph F. Smith; Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual [OTGDTM], 200.)

“It is just as easy to form good habits as it is to form evil ones” but “not easy to [change once] you have formed [them]”(Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith, Jul 1972 New Era).

re Jeremiah 29:8

“Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap an eternal destiny” (President David O. McKay, quoted

in The Miracle of Forgiveness, 115).

       “Behavior begins with belief”(Elder Boyd K. Packer, Oct 1986 General Conference).

“[You] have the responsibility to determine if there is any part of [your culture and traditions] that must be discarded…. That is not easily done. I have found how difficult it is as I work to overcome some of my own incorrect traditions…. Customs and traditions become an inherent part of us. They are not easy to evaluate objectively. Carefully study the scriptures and counsel of the prophets … Then evaluate each part of your life and make any adjustments needed … to set aside deeply held convictions or traditions that are not in harmony with the Lord’s plan.”                   (Elder Richard G. Scott, April 1998 General Conference.)

We must build “upon the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, for we cannot build upon error and ascend into . . . the kingdom of our God”

(President Joseph F. Smith, October 1917 General Conference).

re Jeremiah 31:33  “[W] e must live worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week…. This is how we will put His law in our inward parts, and it will be written in our hearts. It is how our iniquity will be forgiven. Of course, when we live worthy of the Holy Ghost, it will have required repentance, submission, and meekness. . . [T]hen the Holy Ghost … and forgiveness will come.” (Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, 2001, www.lds.org; also 2 Nephi 31:17; 3 Nephi 27:20.)

re Jeremiah 31:34  “God hath not revealed anything to Joseph, but what He will

make known unto the Twelve, and even the least Saint may know all things

as fast as he is able to bear them, for the day must come when no man need

say to his neighbor, Know ye the Lord; for all shall know Him … from the

least to the greatest.”  (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, 268.)

“Section 93[:1] teaches us the reality of the possibility for every worthy member of this Church” (Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, 2001, www.lds.org).

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Next Week (11/23):   O.T. #43. “Shepherds of Israel”

   (Old Testament Class Member Study Guide, 27)

In 597 B.C. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon carried into captivity many people from the kingdom of Judah. Among these captives was Ezekiel, whom the Lord called as a prophet five years later. Ezekiel ministered to his exiled people until 570 B.C.

Ezekiel’s writings include rebukes and promises that apply not only to the ancient kingdom of Judah but to all Israel, including Church members today. Although Jerusalem had been destroyed, Ezekiel foresaw a day when Israel would be gathered and restored.

Study Ezekiel 34; 18:21–32; Ezekiel 37:1–28

Who are the “shepherds of Israel” spoken of in Ezekiel 34?

In what ways can each of us be considered a shepherd of Israel?

Ezekiel 34:11–16) How is the Savior like a shepherd to us?

Ezekiel 18:31). What does it mean to “make… a new heart and a new spirit”?

How can we experience this change of heart?

In the prophecy recorded in Ezekiel 37:15–28, one of the things the stick of Judah represents is the Bible. One of the things the stick of Joseph represents is the Book of Mormon. What blessings have come from having the Book of Mormon in addition to the Bible?