THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER
Author and Audience:
The book of 1 Peter was addressed by the senior Apostle to Saints in five provinces in Asia Minor.
Historical Background:
In Peter’s day the Roman government displayed a general tolerance for all religions, including Christianity. The Church was under a divine commission to preach the gospel unto “all the world”, and it began by circulating the gospel message throughout the Roman Empire. Although the gospel was spread by peaceful means, the message proclaiming the coming of the risen Christ as the King of Kings was not a favorable message to the Roman monarchs.
In A.D. 64 a fire destroyed much of Rome. The emperor Nero was implicated in the tragedy despite his efforts to help those who became homeless because of it. In an effort to divert the blame, Nero pointed an accusing finger at the Christians. Soon the Saints throughout the empire were persecuted because of hatred and misunderstandings. This change from tolerance to hostility provoked great anxiety among the Saints. About the same time, Peter wrote to encourage the Saints in their sufferings and to remind them of the eternal reward for their faithfulness. Peter wrote this letter from “Babylon”, which probably means Rome.
Unique Features:
In this Epistle, Peter included some of the most revealing statements in the Bible about salvation for the dead.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “Peter penned the most sublime language of any of the apostles”. As you read 1 Peter look for this sublime language and the principles it teaches. Mark the passages that inspire you to change your life.
Chapter 1
• What purpose does an anchor serve?
• What kinds of anchors do we need in life?
The following are words of comfort from the Prophet Joseph Smith:
“Though the thunders might roll and lightnings flash, and earthquakes bellow, and war gather thick around, yet this hope and knowledge would support the soul in every hour of trial, trouble and tribulation”.
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 298)
• What is “this hope”?
Words that describe hope:
Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not. And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. Ether 12:4–6
• How does faith and belief in God give us a sure hope?
• What does Ether relate this kind of hope to?
Chapter 2
Chosen Royal Holy Peculiar
In your mind, select one word from above that you would most like
Heavenly Father to use to describe you.
Who selected “chosen”? Why?
Who selected “royal”? Why?
Who selected “holy”? Why?
Who selected “peculiar”? Why
Generally the word peculiar means different, strange, or odd.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9
• What do you think Peter meant by declaring that the Saints were to be “a
peculiar people”?
footnote defining the word peculiar:
purchased, preserved; note that in Ex. 19:5 the Hebrew word is segullah, meaning “special possession or property.”
• Why is “peculiar” a desirable title?
Elder Russell M. Nelson’s commented on this word:
“Thus we see that the scriptural term peculiar signifies ‘valued treasure,’ ‘made’ or ‘selected by God.’ For us to be identified by servants of the Lord as his peculiar people is a compliment of the highest order”. (in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 44; or Ensign, May 1995, 34)
• What must one do to own something?
The price that was paid for us to become God’s special possession:
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 1 Corinthians 7:23
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28
• Knowing that Jesus Christ paid such a high price for us to become peculiar, chosen,
royal, and holy, what must we do?
Chapters 3-4
The righteous are separated from the wicked in the spirit world.
But behold, these which thine eyes are upon shall perish in the floods; and behold, I will shut them up; a prison have I prepared for them. Moses 7:38
• What people perished “in the floods”?
• What was the “prison” they were to be shut in?
What did Jesus do while His body was in the tomb…
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
1 Peter 3:18–20
The account in Peter is an abbreviated version of the story. President Joseph F. Smith, the sixth President of the Church, received a vision of the event.
28 And I wondered at the words of Peter—wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison, who sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah—and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time.
29 And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;
30 But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to fall the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.
31 And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel.
32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
Doctrine and Covenants 138:28–32
• How was Jesus able to “preach to those spirits . . . in so short a time”?
For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 1 Peter 4:6
Comments by Elder Mark E. Petersen, who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, said:
“Jesus explained that he is God of both the living and the dead, and that, in fact, even the dead are alive unto him.
“However, he has but one gospel; and since both living and dead are alike unto him, both living and dead must be saved by the same gospel principles. The Lord is no respecter of persons”.
(in Conference Report, Apr. 1976, 20; or Ensign, May 1976, 15)
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, taught:
“In the case of the dead there must be vicarious work if they are to be judged according to men in the flesh, and in order to accomplish this they must be identified; hence the great genealogical program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was not established to satisfy the interests of a hobby, but to accomplish the eternal purposes of God”.
(in Conference Report, Apr. 1977, 96; or Ensign, May 1977, 65)
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith said:
“The Savior inaugurated this great work when he went and preached to the spirits held in prison, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh (or in other words, according to the principles of the gospel) and then live according to God in the spirit, through their repentance and acceptance of the mission of Jesus Christ who died for them”. (Doctrines of Salvation, 2:132–33)
• Why did Jesus bridge the gap and prepare a way for the gospel to be preached to
those in spirit prison?
• What does it mean to “be judged according to men in the flesh” and “live according
to God in the spirit”?
Because Heavenly Father loves us, He provided a plan of salvation so we can all learn about and accept His gospel message.
Chapter 5
Identify:
OUR DEAR YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN, we have great confidence in you. You are beloved sons and daughters of God and He is mindful of you. You have come to earth at a time of great opportunities and also of great challenges. The standards in this booklet will help you with the important choices you are making now and will yet make in the future. We promise that as you keep the covenants you have made and these standards, you will be blessed with the companionship of the Holy Ghost, your faith and testimony will grow stronger, and you will enjoy increasing happiness.
In all that you do, stay focused on the temple. In the temple you will receive the greatest of all the Lord’s blessings, including marriage for time and all eternity. Keeping the standards in this booklet will help you be worthy to attend the temple, where you can perform sacred ordinances for your ancestors now and make essential covenants for yourself in the future.
Our Father in Heaven has placed great trust in you. He has a work for you to do. Seek His guidance in prayer, and counsel with your parents and leaders. The decisions you make now will set the course for much of what will follow during your mortal life and throughout eternity.
We testify that God lives. It is our fervent prayer that you will remain steadfast and valiant throughout your lives and that you will trust in the Savior and His promises. As you do this, you will be an influence for good in helping to build the kingdom of God and prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Savior.
The First Presidency
• How does the First Presidency feel about the youth of the Church?
• Why do you think they took the time and effort to make this pamphlet available?
• What hope do they have for the youth?
• What can you do to help them realize this hope?
The scriptures reveal that Church leaders are to help prepare us for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed [tend, superintend] the flock [Church] of God which is among you, taking the oversight [overseeing, guarding, watching] thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre [priestcraft], but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples [examples] to the flock.
4 And when the chief aShepherd [Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd] shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory [exaltation] that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:1–4
What is meant by:
• “Feed the flock” (v. 2).
• Take “the oversight thereof” (v. 2).
• Be “ensamples to the flock” (v. 3).
• Why is it important to know who should be attending Seminary, Young Women’s or
Aaronic Priesthood quorum meetings?
A statement by President Gordon B. Hinckley:
“With the ever-increasing number of converts, we must make an increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with ‘the good word of God’. It is our duty and opportunity to provide these things”.
(in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 66; or Ensign, May 1997, 47)
The Lord and His Church need everyone, including the youth, to bring about God’s designs in the last days. Willingly obey the counsel given by faithful leaders of the Church from every dispensation.
THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER
Author and Audience:
The book of 2 Peter was addressed by Peter to the faithful Saints in Asia Minor.
Historical Background:
Peter probably wrote his second Epistle from Rome sometime between A.D. 64 and 67. Unlike his first letter, which helped the Saints deal with external persecution, his second letter addressed the internal apostasy that threatened the future of the Church. False prophets and teachers were spreading “damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them”.
Theme:
The dominant theme in this letter is how one comes to a knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The letter may be divided into three main sections. The first section teaches that we come to a knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ by becoming “partakers of the divine nature” and having our “calling and election made sure”. The second
section contrasts this true knowledge of Jesus Christ with the false knowledge and heresies perpetrated by apostates. The third section describes the hope that comes to those who acquire a true knowledge of the glorious return of the Lord to the earth, where the righteous will dwell. Peter wrote the letter to encourage the Saints to make their calling and election sure by faithfully living the gospel and growing in their knowledge of the Lord.
President Harold B. Lee said: “I consider the Epistles of Peter among the finest writings we have in the New Testament. When I am wanting to pick up something that would give me some inspiring thoughts I have gone back to one of the Epistles of Peter”.
Chapter 1
• What do you most desire in school? in family life? in a career?
• In general, what must you do to accomplish your goals?
Peter spoke to the Saints regarding their desire to become like Heavenly Father. President David O. McKay, commenting on the phrase “partakers of the divine nature,” in 2 Peter 1:1–4, said:
“[Peter] realized what it means to be in touch with the spiritual, to rise above the temporal, the sensual, and partake of the divine Spirit of God”. (in Conference Report, Oct. 1961, 90)
Divine Nature
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 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. 2 Peter 1:5–8
• What are the eight attributes of divine nature?
Insight by President Ezra Taft Benson:
“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)
Becoming more Christ-like is an ongoing effort.
Learning more about Jesus Christ
will help us emulate the qualities of His divine nature.
Definition of grace in the Bible Dictionary includes:
“divine means of help or strength”
“enabling power.”
The power to change and to partake of the divine nature comes from our humble reliance on God’s grace.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. 2 Peter 1:9–10
We must not become discouraged if all of the attributes of devine nature do not come easily or quickly.
President Joseph Fielding Smith’s counsel on perfection:
“The Savior’s words in the Sermon on the Mount, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’ [Matthew 5:48], evidently have been by many misapplied or limited in their application. The Savior knew that mortal man could not reach the great goal of perfection like his Heavenly Father, but here in mortality is the place where that foundation should be laid. Then we should continue on from grace to grace, not only in this life but also in the eternities to come, and it is within the possibility of any faithful soul eventually to attain to that perfection”.
(Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:72)
Chapter 2
Apostasy: A turning away from the truth.
• Does this word apply to the past, present, or future? Why?
The Lord has warned us of ways we could be led away from the truth.
Satan uses the same methods of deception today as in Peter’s day.
The Church during Peter’s time was encountering apostasy. The Saints were being persecuted not only by non-Christians but also by some within the Church who had left the truth and rejected the Church leaders. These apostates were especially dangerous to new members with tender testimonies. We are not without similar enemies today.
President Gordon B. Hinckley stated:
“As surely as this is the work of the Lord, there will be opposition. There will be those, perhaps not a few, who with the sophistry of beguiling words and clever design will spread doubt and seek to undermine the foundation on which this cause is established. They will have their brief day in the sun. They may have for a brief season the plaudits of the doubters and the skeptics and the critics. But they will fade and be forgotten as have their kind in the past”.
(in Conference Report, Apr. 1994, 76; or Ensign, May 1994, 60)
Counsel of Elder Marvin J. Ashton:
“In our present day there are many who are sowing seeds of dissension and discord. With half truths and slander, they are endeavoring to lead members of the Church of Jesus Christ into apostasy. . . . Those who are firmly committed to living the gospel of Jesus Christ will not be confused, confounded, or led astray”.
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1983, 89; or Ensign, Nov. 1983, 63; see also Mosiah 23:14)
Living the gospel helps us recognize and avoid deceptive doctrines and practices.
Peter is speaking to members of the Church who know the gospel:
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
2 Peter 2:20–22
• Why are we worse off returning to sin after having repented?
Reinforcement of Peter’s teaching:
And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things. Alma 24:30
For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation. D&C 82:3
President Spencer W. Kimball’s caution:
“Having received the necessary saving ordinances—baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, temple ordinances and sealings—one must live the covenants made. He must endure in faith. No matter how brilliant was the service rendered by the bishop or stake president or other person, if he falters later in his life and fails to live righteously ‘to the end’ the good works he did all stand in jeopardy. In fact, one who serves and then falls away may be in the category spoken of by Peter, ‘the dog turning to his vomit or the sow returning to her wallowing in the mire.’”
(The Miracle of Forgiveness, 121)
• Since it is better never to have heard the gospel than to have heard it and then
return to our sins, why take the risk?
• What does the gospel offer that makes it worth the risk?
Chapter 3