I half-heartedly apologize for this rambling post. At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to read the New Testament, along with Sunday School class. I have never done this before, so I was determined to prove myself capable of follow-through. As I read, I have been writing my thoughts in a notebook set aside for this purpose. Using the Internet, past conference addresses, commentary, prayer and personal discovery, I have discovered some wonderful (mind-blowing) doctrine that makes me anxious to open my scriptures every morning and complete this goal that has given me so much joy.

The following comes from my journal:

John Taylor heard Joseph say to the Twelve, “The Lord will feel after your heart strings, and will wrench them and twist them around, and you will have to learn to rely upon God and upon God alone.” Paul is such a good example of that. He suffered so much, but what does he say? “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

“Christ was perfect because He wanted to be. It is important to remember that Jesus was capable of sinning, that He could have succumbed, that the plan of life and salvation could have been foiled, but He remained true. He was perfect and sinless, not because He had to be, but rather because He clearly and determinedly wanted to be.” (Howard W. Hunter)

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16) This is one of the greatest promises in all of the New Testament.

In Col 4:6, Paul says that when we address the Saints, season with Salt. Salt was a symbol of the covenant in ancient times. Salt is also a preservative and enhances flavor. Christian conversation is to be tasteful and tasty (interesting to the hearer) and oriented toward the covenant. This is interesting to me. When we truly understand the gospel, it becomes very exciting. When we testify of what we know, and desire to share it, we ought to share that joy by means of an “interesting” way. Not flashy, but full of love, power, and excitement. So, why do High Counselors have the reputation of being dry speakers? Use SALT to season the gospel with rich text and testimony.

There are so many qualities of Jesus Christ to attain. It’s a wonder we get caught up in Satan’s desire to distract us (is it fear, laziness, lack of witness?):            (Col. 3:12-17)

Put on therefore:

• bowels of mercies
• kindness
• humbleness of mind
• meekness
• longsuffering
• forbearing one another (postponing repayment)
• forgiving one another
• put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness
• let the peace of God rule in your hearts
• be ye thankful
• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom
• teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
• sing with grace in your hearts to the Lord
• do all in the name of the Lord Jesus

Now for some controversial stuff. This is strictly my opinion…

It is very hard (so it seems) for wives to submit to their husbands, and for husbands to love their wives, with no bitterness. These two must be securely in place in order for children to obey their parents out of love and respect. In turn, both parents must not provoke their children to anger. (Eph. 5:21-33)

Paul continues to give direction to women (1 Tim 2):

V 11—“Women should learn in silence and subjection”—Direct words. It doesn’t mean we’re constricted and restrained, it means we willingly submit to the Priesthood (which is the power of God). In our Church, women teach powerfully, and valiantly, under the direction of the Priesthood.

V 12—“Not to usurp Authority”—There are women who simply want it all. I agree with Paul, that is not our place.

V 14—“Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression”—Adam was not going to transgress, being a letter of the law kind of guy. I like knowing that even though Eve DID fall for Satan’s lie, it was because God knew her heart and could depend on her following that trajectory. I do not believe women are SILENCED because they transgressed. That’s not what it says. I believe authority lies with the man and mothering lies with the woman. The two complete the whole. The Lord is depending on the both of us fulfilling our individual roles.

V 15—“She shall be saved in childbearing”—Woman’s role is to bear children. We cannot let ourselves get sidetracked from that responsibility. The young men who are afraid to marry are doing a great disservice to women who have this great desire. And Satan is working overtime. He has attacked women more than men, over the centuries, because he wants to stop mankind. He wasn’t thinking straight when he went to Eve to get her to eat the fruit though. It was a woman who bore the child that will ultimately destroy him.

Paul continues, in 1 Tim. 5, talking about the widows. Of course, the Church needs to care for the widows, but it is better that women are married, otherwise they become dependent on the Church. Paul is really getting after the men here. They first have a responsibility to marry a young woman, so she can have children. Then, since women often outlive their men, the Church can care for them.

Lois and Eunice are finally mentioned here in 2 Tim. All it tells us about them is that they were faithful. It is enough.

As I have studied the New Testament this year, I have paid particular attention to:

1.  The women and what they stood for, how they acted, who they followed, and why they may be mentioned in scripture. I have not been disappointed. Women have always been amazing!
2. Who was Jesus Christ? What was He like? Why did others believe? How was His Church-THEN-the same as His Church-NOW?
3. The boldness in which the people spoke. They were believers. The threat of death was their companion. Yet they spoke plainly.

Next year we study the Book of Mormon…

Painting of Paul the Apostle by Rembrandt