Sunday, May 25, 2014

Lesson 04 - Student Choice Assignment

Student Choice Assignment - Choice #2 - Blog


A)
The book of Ecclesiastes consists of: Some of the deepest problems of life that are presented to one who is a thoughtful observer.
-       Son of David, King in Jerusalem
-       The point of view of the world
-       Theological pronouncements on the condition of the soul after death.

B)
1. The more wisdom we gain, the more sorrow that we have as well. (Eccl 1: 17-17)
2. He says to his heart, go enjoy pleasure, but this is vanity. (Eccl 2: 1)
3.  He had come to gain all manner of riches, joys, and pleasures. He found that everything he had was vain and had no profit or benefiting value. After he would go and leave this earth, he was wondering what would be left. (Eccl 2: 1-14)
4. We must work for things in life if we wish to receive them. We cannot take what we do not work for, otherwise this is “vanity and a great evil.” (Eccl 2: 21
5. We must also not work tirelessly to no end or true purpose, otherwise this is  vanity. (Eccl 2: 23)

C)  Timing is important in life in the things that we do. God has told us this throughout the scriptures. We must be patient and go with the timing that is best for us and for how God would have things play out. Sometimes things just need to take a little longer to develop, or maybe even happen faster than we think. In Mosiah 4:27, it talks about how a man should not run faster than he hath strength.  Sometimes we may not be ready until the proper timing has played out, till we become ready for a certain circumstance to take place. Heavenly Father knows far better than we do  and if we trust him and his timeline, things will happen much better than according to our own understanding. If we were to do some things to early on, things might fall apart in an endeavor or part of life we are working in or focusing on. Or if we were working on going to the temple for example, and we were unworthy or not ready; that would not be good at all. We would be hindering our spiritual progression by doing things we may not be supposed to be doing at a current time. There are many factors and reasons why timing is so important in many cases.

D) I like the principles of two better than one, and better is a poor and wise child than an old foolish king. It is always nice to work or be with someone else rather than just yourself. Not only can you get more work done and be more efficient, but you are also able to have someone else to spend time with.

To be a poor and wise child is better than an old foolish king. It’s better to seek after wisdom and meekness, and also kindness rather than being stuck in our ways, with no desire to learn, and only seeking riches of the world rather than anything of true everlasting value.

E)
1) We will return unto God
2) To fear God, and keep his commandments
3) It sums up all the things that God would have us do.


Step 3:

1)   How and what did you do to complete the assignment?
a.     I chose choice 2 and wrote a blog.
2)   Why did you decide to do the assignment you did?
a.     I wanted to learn more about Ecclesiastes.
3)   What do you think is the best thing about your assignment, and how could you improve it for next time?
a.     I like how all things can be applicable to things I am going through in my life. I can keep trying to think differently about the material that I am learning.

Monday, May 19, 2014

REL302 - Student Choice Assignment Choice 2


Queen Vashti – Queen Vashti  was one of the queens of King Ahasuerus. She had made a feast for the women in the house of the King. The King had called her that him and his cohorts could look at her beauty. She denied and the King was not pleased with that that she did not heed what he had commanded her to do. The King was then worried about all women not having respect for princes or husbands. Even still, she stood her ground and would not stand for it. She could have just followed along with what the King had commanded everyone else to do under his reign; but she diverted from the usual train of thinking. She was thinking for herself and not wanting to obey the King. This is a good example of how she stood her ground to not let her be devalued and treated with no respect.

Mordecai – Mordecai did not want to bow to Haman for what he is doing to the  people. Even though Mordecai knows the results of what happens if someone comes to the king if they are not called to come to him, that they will  be put to death unless the king reaches out to them with his scepter, he still did not bow to him. He lead a good example to not stand for those who trample on others.

Esther – Esther also was a really good example. She revealed all the evil doings and things that the King was planning to do in his plot. She came unto the King as well when people are put to death if they are not invited. She knew these things but stood up for what is right and exposed him.

These three people all had courage, persistence, and endurance to do the things that they did. With them, others began to follow and see that they did not need to stand for the goings on around them. They were examples to others.  I would definitely like to try to incorporate these attributes into my life. Sure things we do will probably not be life or death and as serious as like the stories of these people. Even still, we can learn from them and how their examples are ones that we should try to be like in standing up for what is right. If we stand up for the things that are right we will not only be blessed but things will be okay if we do. God wants us to stand up for what is right and stand up for our religion and the things that we believe.