Scriptural Counsel

This week from the New Testament...

Here is a list of a couple of challenges that can arise in our lives and some counsel from Phillippians that can be used to help with these situations:

•  People sometimes argue and complain over petty matters in church meetings or throughout the week. In Phillippians 2:3 it says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” This, to me is saying that we need to remember each other in our lives and remember to put others first and not be selfish or put ourselves above one another. Reading on down to verse 14 it says, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” We should not complain or speak ill about anything.   

•  Many youth feel that their parents’ testimony is sufficient for them. Since they have good parents, they rely on them for all their spiritual strength. People who feel that they do not need their own testimonies have become dependent on someone else’s, and in the end at the day of judgment we will be accountable for our own actions and our own convictions. Phillippians 2:12 says, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Each person will be responsible for the knowledge they obtain and what they do with that knowledge. It is our job to follow Moroni’s counsel and learn for ourselves if the gospel is true.

• An investigator is considering joining the church, but his family will no longer associate with him if he does. Phillippians 3:8 says, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ”. This scripture perfectly states how we should have that person handle the situation. Knowing that we are doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord will bring us blessings throughout our lifetime, and if we could only get them to see that the Lord will help them through the tough times even if their family won’t then that is a success.

This assignment is applicable to 2 Nephi 32:3, because we have studied what we should do in life situations by turning to the Lord and reading His scripture.