Scriptural Highlights

• Husbands' and wives' relationships with each other and with the Lord.
• The purpose of the sacrament.
• The importance of all spiritual gifts.
• The Resurrection and the degrees of glory.

Relationships: The Lord, Husbands & Wives

1. READ 1 CORINTHIANS 11:1-3, 11-12. Righteous relationships.
• WHAT RELATIONSHIPS DOES PAUL SPEAK OF IN THESE VERSES?
• Christ and his Father.
• Christ and husbands.
• Husbands and wives.
• WHY DO YOU THINK PAUL INCLUDED ALL OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS TOGETHER?
• As we consider our eternal possibilities, these relationships are the key.
• Our goal:  To become like Heavenly Father.  He has set the pattern.
• The Way:  It is through the resurrection and atonement Jesus Christ that we are able to come unto the Father and become like him.
• To become like him we must enter into a sacred marriage relationship.
• WHAT DOES PAUL SAY ABOUT THESE RELATIONSHIPS?
• Each relationship has a head.  Christ's head is the Father.  The head of the husband is Christ.  The head of the wife is the husband.  To call the husband head of the wife is not what would be considered politically correct in our day and age.
• To understand the term "head" as used by Paul we need to look at these relationships more closely.
• The Father presides.

    Along with Jesus Christ, we are the spiritual offspring of Heavenly Father.  He is our eternal parent.  He is completely devoted to bringing to pass our "immortality and eternal life."  As the "head" of our eternal home, Heavenly Father instructed us in the ways of eternal life and gave us our agency to choose.  There was no coercion to follow his plan.
    John 5:20:  "For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth."
• Jesus Christ is obedient to Heavenly Father.

    John 8:29:  "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."
     John 17:21-22: "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, [art] in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one."
     All that Christ did was in obedience to the Father and because of his great love for each of us.
• AS WE EXAMINE THE ROLE AND RELATIONSHIPS OF HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST, WHAT MIGHT THAT TEACH US ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIPS OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES?
• Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are totally unified in desire and purpose, "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  The ultimate goal of the marriage relationship should be no different.  Marriage partners highest ambition is to obtain eternal life for themselves and their children.  Unity is essential in obtaining this high destiny.  "I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine" (D&C 38:27).  How can this high goal be achieved if there is lack of unity or discord within the marriage relationship?

    President Marion G. Romney taught about the marriage relationship when he said, "[A husband and wife] should be one in harmony, respect, and mutual consideration.  Neither should plan or follow an independent course of action.  They should consult, pray, and decide together.  ...Remember that neither the wife nor the husband is the slave of the other.  Husbands and wives are equal partners" (Ensign, Mar 1978, p2 & p4)
• Jesus Christ was absolutely obedient to the will of the Father.  In a marriage relationship, we need to be obedient to Jesus Christ.  We need to do his will and keep his commandments.  Years ago I recall Elder LeGrand Richards talk about the time he proposed to his wife.  I don't recall the exact details, but when he proposed to his future wife, he indicated to her that before she accept his proposal she needed to realize that she would always be second in his life.  He went on to explain that his highest commitment would be to the Lord.  Certainly, a righteous marriage partner would desire this quality in their spouse, as did Sister Richards.

    Consider this statement from Stephen Covey: "When we love God and Christ first, we will love our spouse more, not less--with more true love, more wisdom, and more charity....  Divine-centeredness is the key to a celestial relationship.  If we are true and faithful to the covenants we make with the Lord, we will have the security, guidance, wisdom, and power to deal with problems in the marriage" (The Divine Center, pp90-91).

The Purpose Of The Sacrament

1. READ 1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-29.  Partaking of the sacrament worthily.
• Many of the Saints in Corinth were not observing the purpose of the sacrament service.  Instead of focusing on the sacrament ordinance, they were contending with each other and eating and drinking to excess (see v18-22).
• WHAT IS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF SACRAMENT MEETING?
• 1 Corinthians 11:20: "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper."
• Joseph Smith Translation: "When ye come together into one place, is it not to eat the Lord's supper?"
• D&C 59:9: "And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day."
• Wilford Woodruff: "We meet upon the Sabbath day for the purpose of partaking of the sacrament, the emblems of the Lord's body and blood which were broken and shed for us, and also to give and receive instruction as we may be led by the Spirit of God."
• DO WE SOMETIMES COME TO SACRAMENT MEETING CAUGHT UP IN THE THINGS OF THE WORLD, AS WERE THESE CORINTHIANS?  ARE WE JUST PARTAKING OF BREAD AND WATER OR ARE THESE TRULY EMBLEMS OF THAT REPRESENT THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST AND OUR COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM?
• Jeffrey R. Holland:  "With so very much at stake, [the sacrament] should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is.  It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment.  It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions.  As such it should not be rushed.  It is not something to 'get over' so that the real purpose of a sacrament meeting can be pursued.  This is the real purpose of the meeting." (Ensign, Nov 1995, p68)
• David O. McKay: "The partaking of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper is one of the most sacred ordinances of the Church of Jesus Christ. Associated with it are principles fundamental in character building and essential to man's advancement and exaltation in the kingdom of God. Too few communicants attach to this simple though sublime rite the importance and significance that it merits. Unfortunately, the form of worship is frequently an outward—compliance without the true soul acknowledgment of its deep spiritual significance." (Gospel Ideals, p71)
• WHAT DID PAUL TEACH ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTAKING OF THE SACRAMENT WORTHILY?
• 1 Corinthians 11:27-29:  "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

     "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
     "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."
• WHY IS EXAMINING OUR WORTHINESS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE SACRAMENT?
• HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS ORDINANCE MORE MEANINGFUL IN OUR LIVES?

The Importance Of All Spiritual Gifts - Chapters 12-14

1. 1 Corinthians 12:1: "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant."
• Paul begins his discourse to the Corinthians on spiritual gifts.
• WHAT ARE SPIRITUAL GIFTS?
• Spiritual blessings or abilities given through the Holy Ghost.
• WHY DOES GOD GIVE SPIRITUAL GIFTS?
• "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (1 Corinthians 12:7).
• "...for the benefit of the children of God" (D&C 46:26).
• Bruce R. McConkie: "If the saints are to be saved, they must accept, understand, and experience the gifts of the Spirit. Since religion itself is of the Spirit, and deals with spiritual things, it can be received and known only by the power of the Spirit. Thus where the gifts of the Spirit are manifest, there is true religion; and where the gifts of the Spirit are not manifest, there true religion is not." (DNTC, 2:366)
2. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT? (see 1 Corinthinans 12:8-10)
• The word of wisdom or an endowment of wisdom.
• The word of knowledge.  "An endowment of knowledge, not random knowledge, not knowledge in general or as an abstract principle, but gospel knowledge, a knowledge of God and his laws" (DNTC, 2:370).
• Faith.
• Gifts of healing, "to heal men physically and spiritually, even as the Lord Jesus did during his mortal ministry" (DNTC, 2:370).
• The working of miracles.  This would seem to be a different gift than the gift of healing.  The performance of miracles as did Moses or Jesus.  These miracles may not be as dramatic as many of those recorded, but miracles nonetheless.
• Prophecy.  One may prophesy in behalf of those for whom he has stewardship.
• Discerning of spirits.
• Bruce R. McConkie: "The problem that most men have is to discern the spirits, so that they may know what is of God and what is not. The gift of discernment, that is the 'discerning of spirits,' is itself one of the gifts of the Spirit which comes from God." (Mormon Doctrine, p271)
• Bruce R. McConkie: "In its fullest manifestation the gift of the discerning of spirits is poured out upon presiding officials in God's kingdom; they have it given to them to discern all gifts and all spirits, lest any come among the saints and practice deception." (Mormon Doctrine, p197)
• Divers kinds of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. "And again, it is given to some to speak with tongues; And to another is given the interpretation of tongues" (D&C 46:24-25).
3. HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THESE GIFTS MANIFEST?
4. 1 Corinthians 12:11: "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
• According to Paul, we receive different gifts, but the source is the same, the Holy Spirit.
5. 1 Corinthians 12:12: "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ."
• Paul uses an interesting analogy in comparing the Church to the physical body.
• V14-16: "For the body is not one member, but many.  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?  And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?"
• WHAT IS PAUL SAYING?
• Within the Church we have a variety of people.  Our backgrounds are different.  We have different talents and different gifts.  All our necessary.
• READ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:25-31. Covet the best gifts.
6. WHAT DID PAUL TEACH IS THE GREATEST OF ALL SPIRITUAL GIFTS?
• READ 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-3. Without charity we are nothing.
• Bruce R. McConkie: "Above all the attributes of godliness and perfection, charity is the one most devoutly to be desired. Charity is more than love, far more; it is everlasting love, perfect love, the pure love of Christ which endureth forever. It is love so centered in righteousness that the possessor has no aim or desire except for the eternal welfare of his own soul and for the souls of those around him."
• WHAT ARE THE ATTRIBUTES OF CHARITY? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE THESE QUALITIES? (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
• Suffereth long.
• Kind.
• Envieth not.
• Vaunteth not itself.
• Is not puffed up.
• Doth not behave itself unseemly.
• Seeketh not her own.
• Is not easily provoked.
• Thinketh no evil.
• Rejoiceth not in iniquity.
• Rejoiceth in the truth.
• Beareth all things.
• Believeth all things.
• Hopeth all things.
• Endureth all things.
7. WHY IS CHARITY MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY OTHER SPIRITUAL GIFTS?
• As I review this list of qualities, I find it easiest to comprehend the meaning of these qualities when I put it into the context of parenthood.  These are the qualities of a good father or mother.  For instance, consider the term long suffering.  I don't think that the term means that we suffer pain or even mental anguish.  I see it more as patience with our children as they go through difficult times.  We never give up on them.

     As we know, charity is the "pure love of Christ" (Moroni 7:47).  Christ is like his Father and it is He who we aspire to become like.  These are the qualities of a perfect Heavenly Father.  These are the qualities that He, and His Beloved Son, demonstrate in their dealings with their children.  And these are the qualities we should strive for as we seek to reach perfection.
8. HOW CAN WE DEVELOP GREATER CHARITY?
• Moroni 7:47-48: "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen."

The Resurrection & The Degrees Of Glory

1. 1 Corinthians 15:12:  "Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?"
• Apparently, some of the Corinthians argued that there was no resurrection of the dead.
• WHAT EVIDENCE DID PAUL PRESENT TO DISPEL THIS FALSE DOCTRINE THAT WAS CREEPING INTO THE CHURCH?
1 Corinthians 15:5-8:  "And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
    "After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
    "After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
    "And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."
2. READ 1 CORINTHIANS 15:20-23.  In Christ all shall be made alive.
• WHAT DID PAUL TEACH ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FALL OF ADAM AND THE RESURRECTION?
• The physical effects of the fall (death) are reversed through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, he being being "the firstfruits."  He rose from the dead breaking the chains that held spirits captive from their bodies, thus allowing eternal progression to continue.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:29:  "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all?  Why are they then baptized for the dead?"
• Paul continues his argument/testimony regarding the resurrection.  He asks why the Church is performing baptisms for the dead, if there is no resurrection.  If there is no resurrection, there is no eternal progression, and thus there would be no necessity for performing this sacred ordinance in behalf of the dead.
4. READ 1 CORINTHIANS 15:40-42.  Resurrected bodies to be raised up in varying degrees of glory.
• After Paul bears his testimony concerning the resurrection, he then writes of the eternal dwelling place of resurrected beings.

D&C 88:27-32: "For notwithstanding they die, they also shall rise again, a spiritual body.
    "They who are of a celestial spirit shall receive the same body which was a natural body; even ye shall receive your bodies, and your glory shall be that glory by which your bodies are quickened.
    "Ye who are quickened by a portion of the celestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
    "And they who are quickened by a portion of the terrestrial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
    "And also they who are quickened by a portion of the telestial glory shall then receive of the same, even a fulness.
    "And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive, because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received."
• Bruce R. McConkie:  "By one degree of obedience or another, all men, in this life, develop either celestial, terrestrial, or telestial bodies (or in the case of those destined to be sons of perdition, bodies of a baser sort). In the resurrection all men receive back again "the same body which was a natural body," whether it be celestial, terrestrial, or what have you. That body is then quickened by the glory attending its particular type, and the person receiving the body then goes automatically, as it were, to the kingdom of glory where that degree of glory is found." (DNTC, 1:196)

Summary

Paul taught the Corinthians important doctrines including  the importance of the marriage relationship, the sacrament, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection.  These doctrines are just as important in our day and our obedience to these principles will determine to what degree we will be resurrected.

Next Week

Lesson 35: 2 Corinthians