2 Peter 1-2 Divine Attributes

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.