Holy Ghost

One of the most important things that Christ taught the disciples before He left was about the Holy Ghost.  This is important because since Christ was no longer going to be with them, He needed someone to be able to teach them the things that He needed them to know.  This is where the Comforter or Holy Ghost comes in.  The Holy Ghost comes in Christ’s name and teaches us the simple Truths of the gospel and helps us remember the things that we have already learned.  He reproves sin and encourages righteousness and will abide with us forever if we try out best to follow the commandments laid down by Christ.  His main purpose is to testify of Christ.  Because of this, any learning we do through the Holy Ghost is much more powerful and deep.  It has more conviction and power.  When we receive this conviction and power through the Truths we are presented with, it is then our duty to share those Truths with others.  This Comforter is also there for our protection (physical and spiritual).  He will guide us where we are supposed to go and the paths we are supposed to be walking.  If we just listen, then we will have power and confidence in our lives and where they are headed.

Listening to the Holy Ghost isn't always easy.  I know there are many times that I have felt a prompting but ignore it for some reason or another.  Sometimes I found out afterwards that I really should have followed it and it would have made my life or someone else’s life that much easier, but other times, I will never know what that prompting was for.  One of the greatest helps the Holy Ghost gives me is through my work in school and when I teach.  It truly is a source of comfort for those hard times and also has helped me learn to the best of my abilities and gives me ideas to best teach and help the people I am working with.  I don’t know how many times we have hit a wall in trying to understand/convey a concept and then suddenly a completely off the wall answer hits me that works!  It’s amazing to me that the Holy Ghost can help me overcome my limitations so I can be more effective in helping others.

Leadership

Many people have varying ideas of what leaders are and what they should do.  Christ's idea of leading is far different from what the world thinks a leader should be.  The world puts leaders on a pedestal way above those they are in charge of whereas the Lord was more personable and involved with his followers.  He genuinely cared for them and sought to put their needs first above His own.  Instead of putting His needs first and seeking to advance Himself, He focuses on the needs and respecting those that are beneath and in His charge.
Christ stressed the idea that none is greater than the other.  The master is not greater than the than the servants and the servants are not any greater than those they serve.  There is equality and we should work together to achieve similar goals.  We are all working towards eternal life and are helping each other along the way.  So while there is one that is directing and being in charge of activities, there is not one that is elevated above another in worth.  This is different from the worlds view where when a person is in a leadership position, they are above and better than everyone else.
Throughout my life, there have been many leaders that have influenced me and my decisions.  All of those leaders exemplify these qualities of service, love, and humility.  This makes me more willing to take correction from them and listen to what they have to say to me.  One of my favorite and influential leaders was someone who would take time out of her busy scheduled to help me or listen if I had a concern about life.  She never was judgmental and offered all the love and support she could while still allowing me to grow and make decisions myself.

Service

Luke 22:32- When you are converted then you will help lift and strengthen others.

One of my favorite quotes from Pres. Kimball is "One can hardly help another to the top of the hill without climbing there himself".  Many times we think that we have to finish working on ourselves before we can start helping others; (that whole put your oxygen mask on before you help others put theirs on).  I think there is some truth to that but I think more often than not, most of our growth and 'becoming' comes when we reach out and focus on others and serve.  I think that when Christ says 'converted', it is talking about the desire to do better, the desire to become more like Christ, not necessarily being an amazing/spectacular human.  That becoming and that true change into becoming as Christ is, comes when we reach out and strengthen others and give our all to serving them.

Events Leading up to the Second Coming

Christ taught his disciples about the events that would lead up to the Second Coming, the time when Christ would again return to the Earth and usher in the Millennium and the destruction of the Temple.  Following is a list of some of the events leading up to the greater events and promises that accompany them.

Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (JS-M 1:5-20)

1) Events to occur - Many will be deceived, people shall hate and offend one another, love shall wax cold, sorrows and tribulation

2) Promises to the righteous - Shall be saved if they remain faithful, their days shall be shortened

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ (JS-M 1:21-55)

1) Events to occur - Wars and rumors of wars, false prophets and false Christ's, the elect will be deceived, famine and earthquakes, gospel preached to the world, the righteous will be gathered, wicked will be destroyed and cut off from the presence of God,

2) Promises to the righteous s - All God's promises will be fulfilled, those that overcome shall be saved, treasure up His words and do not be deceived

Although there are some bad or scary things that are going to happen, there is hope.  We do not need to fear as the righteous will always be saved and protected.

The Last Week

Christ spent the last week of His life, doing all He could to lay down the ground work for the new Law that was to be instituted.  He also taught His apostles to prepare them for running the Church in His absence.

Day 1: Christ rode a donkey into Jerusalem.  He is greeted with shouts of Hosanna and rides on a path of palm leaves.
Day 2: Christ challenges the Jewish leaders and cleanses the temple of those defiling it.
Day 3: Christ returns to the temple and challenges the Jewish leaders and their teachings, offending them.  They plot His death.  He then spends time exclusively with the Twelve Apostles preparing them for His absence.
Day 4:  Christ spends time outside the city of Jerusalem in Bethany.
Day 5: There is a Passover where the Twelve are again instructed and the sacrament instituted.  He then suffers in the garden of Gethsemane for the sins of the world.  Judas betrays Him and Christ is taken to the Roman authorities to be tried.
Day 6: Christ is falsely charged with blasphemy and sedition.  He is ordered to be put to death by hanging on a cross.  Christ is crucified and after His death, His body is sealed in a tomb.
Day 7 (The Sabbath): Christ's body lays in the tomb but His spirit spends the time teaching in the Spirit world.
Day of the Resurrection: Christ is resurrected and returned to His body.  He appears to Mary and comforts her.

More on Parables

Here is a list of some of the stories and parables spoken of in Luke and the principles that can be gleaned from them:

• Luke 16: 1-12- The Parable of the Unjust Steward.  Be faithful and diligent in the things that you are entrusted with now and do not worry about the future.  If you are diligent then the Lord will make things right and will provide for your needs.

• Luke 16: 19-31- The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.  While here in this life, we need to accept the Truths we are presented with and do good unto others with the knowledge we are blessed with.

• Luke 17: 11-19- The 10 Lepers. Give thanks constantly unto God, our Heavenly Father, for the things He has given us and blessed us in our lives.

• Luke 18:1-8- The Parable of the Unjust Judge. The Savior is the ultimate Judge and we cannot and should not try to act in His place.  Pray always to Heavenly Father for guidance and understanding.

• Luke 19: 9-14- The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican.  Beware of self-righteousness and exalting oneself above God.  Those who are humble and respect and fear God will be given the reward of exaltation in the life to come.

Being a Disciple of Jesus Christ

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

• have and show others mercy 
• build a relationship with Christ through prayer and scriptures 
• seek the Kingdom of God above all things 
• look outward toward others and not inward to yourself 
• trust that God will watch over and protect you 
• serve others
• repent of all things and strive to be more like Him

 Ultimately, to become disciples of Christ, we are required to give of all we have and all we are to serving Him and keeping His commandments.
I feel like service to others and not thinking about yourself but always looking for that person in need is one of the most important aspect of becoming a disciple of Christ.  We were not sent down here to earth in isolation, but with others; to help lift and strengthen one another.  During General Conference April 2011, Pres. Eyring gave a talk (Opportunities to Do Good) about how we can go about searching for opportunities to do good to those around us. He encouraged each of us to pray daily to find someone that we can serve. This sacrifice allows us to grow and develop faith enough to become more like Christ in our actions and thoughts and be disciples of Him.

"He who only serves himself withers and dies.  He who serves others blossoms and grows." -Gordon B. Hinckley