Study 2 Peter 1:1-4 – 1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them
that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of
Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his
divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and
godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of
the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
lust.
And
the institute student manual commentary for 2 Peter 1:4-8
– 4 Whereby are given unto us
exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of
the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
lust. 5 And beside this, giving all
diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to
temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness
charity. 8 For if these things be in
you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful
in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“What
Does It Mean to Be ‘Partakers of the Divine nature’?” (p. 423).
Peter himself said it is escaping “the corruption that
is in the world through lust.” (vs. 4.)
President David O. McKay, commenting on verse 4, said
it means “to rise above the temporal, the sensual, and partake of the divine
Spirit of God.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1961, p. 90.)
President Ezra Taft Benson shared: “The virtues
outlined by Peter are part of the divine nature, or the Savior’s character.
These are the virtues we are to emulate if we would be more like Him” (in
Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 59; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 45).
Write a statement describing what you can do
to more effectively escape “the corruption that is in the world” and partake of
divine nature.
One way to escape the corruption in the world is to
not engage in that corruption. We often speak of “being in the world but not of
the world.” Do we really know what that entails? Since the people of the Lord’s
Church are defined as the “pure in heart,” those who make up the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must be free from worldly practices and
indulgences. Thus, this means me. Do not get me wrong, not everything in this
world is evil or bad. There are quite a few good things. There are many people
who are not members of the LDS church whom I admire greatly and are very close
friends have very high standards and live righteously, I even call them family.
I think the biggest challenge is living in the “world.” The concern is not
where I live, but how I live. Being obedient to the covenants and commandments
to which I made when I was baptized and made at the Temple will bring me
eternal happiness, this I must remember. I also must remember to never
apologize for living the standards of the Church.
Read
2 Peter 1:5-7 – 5
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue
knowledge; 6 And to knowledge
temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness charity.
And
compare the attributes of divine nature Peter mentioned with those listed in
Doctrine and Covenants 4:5-7 – 5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the
glory of God, qualify him for the work. 6
Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness,
godliness, charity, humility, diligence. 7
Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
Then
describe a particular activity, action, or conduct you could do to further
develop each attribute listed from 2 Peter 1:5-7:
Faith
–
there are several things that can help to further develop faith. Study and read
the scriptures on a daily basis, turn to them for answers when you are having
issues. The Lord has said to “pray always,” so do not just say morning and
evening prayers and over your meals. Pray when the spirit prompts you to pray.
Attend your Church meetings and perform your callings.
Virtue
– to be virtuous is to use conduct that is becoming one who is Christ like. Use
good language and manners, even when you are alone. Always choose from the best
of books, movies and other entertainment. Show the best of virtue through your
actions toward others.
Knowledge
– continually develop your knowledge by “feasting upon the words of Christ.” (
2 Nephi 32:3} Continue to educate yourself by choosing the best books to read,
and if you can, continue your higher education. You can develop knowledge by
seeking “out of the best books words of wisdom” and to “seek learning, even by
study and also by faith.” (D&C 88:118)
Temperance
– developing self-control and self-discipline to do not lose my temper. To be
as level headed and calm as I can be, even in the face of adversity.
Patience
–
with experience comes patience, which is also a virtue. This is something that
comes with time and continues to grow.
Godliness
– by continuing to keep the covenants I have made at my baptism, at the Temple,
and every Sunday when I partake of the Sacrament, I will keep myself close to
our Heavenly Father.
Kindness
– we can develop kindness by doing service to others, by helping those around
us, even those who are strangers. We show our love for our Father in Heaven
when we treat another as we would treat Him.
Charity
– by helping those around us, we develop compassion, the type of compassion
that Christ felt for us. We begin to understand in some small way His love.
Read
2 Peter 1:8-12 – 8
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall
neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is
blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his
old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather,
brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do
these things, ye shall never fall: 11
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in
remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the
present truth.
Several
times in these verses Peter used the term “these things.” “These things” are
the attributes listed in verse 5-7. Explain in writing what Peter said he would
do with “these things.” What did Peter say would happen to those who develop
these attributes in abundance?
Peter covenanted that he would not be negligent in
reminding the saints of these divine attributes. As Saints we must remember
that according to the Bible Dictionary, when you look up the word grace, you
will find that “divine means of help or strength” and “enabling power.” We have
the power to change and partake of the divine nature as long as we are humble
and rely upon our Heavenly Father’s grace. There is a difference between those
who do not have the godly attributes, as in 2 Peter 1:9, and those who the
absolute effort to show those attributes (2 Peter 1:10}. One this that we have
to remember is that we cannot get discouraged if we do not attain these
attributes all at once, blessings come at Heavenly Father’s will.
Read John 17:3 – And this is life eternal, that they might know
thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
And 3 Nephi 27:27 – And know ye that
aye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall
give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be?
Verily I say unto you, even as I am.
Then,
write a paragraph describing the relationship between possessing these
attributes and knowing the Lord. Why it is so important to develop these
attributes?
Before possessing any of the attributes which our
Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ possess, we must prove ourselves
worthy. We must come to them with humble hearts and contrite spirits, having
repented of our sins and been baptized by the proper Priesthood authority. Upon
doing this, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, we can continue to work
on the attributes described. John wrote that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and
that “God is light” (1 John 1:5). We can strive to be these things, the light
of our Heavenly Father, and display His love. But also, He and Christ are
faith, hope, charity, righteousness, truth, virtue, temperance, patience, and
humility. These attributes and characteristics are added to us step by step, in
spiritual graces, we do not gain them all at once. Thus, the importance of
gaining these attributes is that with each little step, we are that much
closer, step by step to become like our Heavenly Father.
Read
2 Peter 1:10 – But chiefly them that walk after the
flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are
they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
Mosiah
26:20 – Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that
thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name,
and shalt gather together my sheep.
Doctrine
and Covenants 132:49 – For I am the Lord thy God, and will be with
thee even unto the bend of the world, and through all eternity; for verily I
seal upon you your exaltation, and prepare a throne for you in the kingdom of
my Father, with Abraham your father.
And
the institute student manual commentary for 2 Peter 1:10, “What Is Meant by
Having One’s Calling and Election Made Sure?” (p. 423)
Peter exhorted the Saints to “make your calling and
election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). He promised that those who do so “shall never
fall” and will receive “an entrance … into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord”
(2 Peter 1:10–11).
Teaching on this subject, Elder Bruce R. McConkie
explained: “To have one’s calling and election made sure is to be sealed up
unto eternal life; it is to have the unconditional guarantee of exaltation in
the highest heaven of the celestial world; it is to receive the assurance of godhood;
it is, in effect, to have the day of judgment advanced, so that an inheritance
of all the glory and honor of the Father’s kingdom is assured prior to the day
when the faithful actually enter into the divine presence to sit with Christ in
his throne, even as he is ‘set down’ with his ‘Father in his throne.’ (Rev.
3:21.)” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3:330–31).
The Prophet Joseph Smith further explained: “After a
person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the
remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands),
which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before
God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of
God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the
Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve
Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made
sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the
Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John, in
the 14th chapter” (in History of the Church, 3:380; see also John 14:16–18, 21,
23).
And “Must an Individual Be Married for
eternity to Have His Calling and Election Made Sure?” (p. 423).
“To have one’s calling and election made sure is to be
sealed up unto eternal life; it is to have the unconditional guarantee of
exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world; it is to receive the
assurance of godhood; it is, in effect, to have the day of judgment advanced,
so that an inheritance of all the glory and honor of the Father’s kingdom is
assured prior to the day when the faithful actually enter into the divine
presence to sit with Christ in his throne, even as he is ‘set down’ with his
‘Father in his throne.’ (Rev. 3:21.)” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:330–31.)
“… making one’s calling and election sure comes after
and grows out of celestial marriage. Eternal life does not and cannot exist for
a man or a woman alone, because in its very nature it consists of the
continuation of the family unit in eternity.” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:343.)
Describe
in writing what Peter exhorted the Saints to seek. What does it mean to make
your calling and election sure?
Peter is exhorting the Saints to seek divine nature,
do diligently seeking to develop a divine nature, we can receive blessings. To
be called is to be a member of the Church and kingdom of God on earth, it was
foreordained. I agreed to come here and take on certain responsibilities and
trusts. There are leaders of the Church who were foreordained to lead our
church. But, all of these blessings are not guaranteed. I have to live by the
attributes I have listed, and the covenants I have made at baptism and in the
Temple to make the election sure. To have this calling and election made sure,
I must be sealed up for eternal life, it is to have a guarantee of exaltation
in the highest heaven of the celestial world.
Read
2 Peter 1:20-21 – 20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. 21 For the prophecy
came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost.
JST
2 Pet. 1:20 – … no prophecy of the scriptures is given
of any private will of man.
And
the institute student manual commentary for 2 Peter 1:21, “How Does One
Correctly Interpret Scripture?” (p. 423).
“If prophets speak by the power of the Holy Ghost,
then the Holy Ghost is required to interpret correctly the teachings of holy
men. Therefore, those who do not possess the Spirit of God cannot comprehend
the things of God.” (Delbert L. Stapley in Conference Report, Oct. 1966, p.
113.)
The Joseph Smith Translation of 2 Peter 1:20 clarifies
that “no prophecy of the scriptures is given of any private will of man” (in 2
Peter 1:20, footnote a). Scripture is given by God to men through the Holy
Ghost; thus, true interpretations of scripture must come through the Holy
Ghost.
Write
a paragraph explaining what Peter taught about interpreting the scriptures. How
can you ensure that you interpret scriptures correctly? How have the teaching
of Church leaders or the guidance of the Spirit helped you understand a
particular scripture?
When it comes to the prophecy of the scriptures, there
is no private interpretation to be given. Only a man who is ordained of God,
who possesses the keys and the revelation comes directly from the Holy Ghost
may receive a revelation of the scriptures. Thus, only the President of the
Church, President Thomas S. Monson, the Presiding High Priest, is sustained as
Prophet, Seer, and Revelator for the Church, and he alone has the right to
receive revelations for the Church. The teachings of the Church leaders guide
me often, as I strive to continue my education, or to help my children as they
grow in this world. There are too many talks and wonderful spiritual advice to
just pinpoint one particular scripture as well. The best I have found is to
listen to the Spirit and follow the still small voice, you will not go wrong
when you do.