The T w o Great Commandments D u r i n g our life on earth w e tend to seek our o w n self-interest. If this t e n d e n c y becomes our m a i n interest, w e can become self-centered a n d cease to care about other people or G o d . T h e t w o great c o m m a n d m e n t s — t o love G o d w i t h all our hearts a n d to love our neighbors as o u r s e l v e s — h e l p u s overcome this self-centeredness. W h e n w e learn to obey the w i l l of G o d a n d to serve others, w e can r i d o u r s e l v e s of self-centeredness. W e can become more like Jesus C h r i s t , our E x e m p l a r .
TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS Love God
Love your neighbor
Additional Study Self-centeredness is a strong tendency i n our lives: P s a l m 94:11; 2 T i m o t h y 3:1-4; 2 N e p h i 9:28-30 (p. 75);* M o r m o n 8:34-37 (p. 483) W e s h o u l d lay u p treasures i n h e a v e n : M a t t h e w 6:19-21, 24, 33; L u k e 12:15-21; Jacob 2:18-19 (p. 120) I n order to become more like G o d , w e m u s t love our f e l l o w m a n : J o h n 13:34; 1 C o r i n t h i a n s 13; 1 J o h n 4:4-11, 20-21; 2 N e p h i 26:30 (p. 103); M o r o n i 7:44-48 (p. 524) L o v e of G o d a n d love of others are the t w o greatest c o m m a n d m e n t s : M a t t h e w 22:35-40; R o m a n s 13:8-10; G a l a t i a n s 5:14; M o s i a h 2:17 (p. 148) * References to the Book of Mormon are followed by the page number where the pas,sage is found. All other references are to the Bible.
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Sacrifice Brings Blessings T o love a n d serve G o d m e a n s that w e m u s t sacrifice our o w n immediate interests. T h i s is a difficult test. T h r o u g h sacrifice w e s h o w that w e are w i l l i n g to put the things of G o d first i n our l i v e s . W e m a y not be a s k e d to sacrifice all things. B u t w e s h o u l d be sincerely w i l l i n g to give w h a t e v e r is r e q u i r e d . T h r o u g h sacrifice w e can k n o w the joy of g i v i n g a n d can feel the influence of the H o l y G h o s t g r o w i n g stronger i n our lives.
Additional Study W i l l i n g n e s s to sacrifice is essential to gaining eternal life: M a t t h e w 10:39; M a t t h e w 16:24-26; R o m a n s 8:18; P h i l i p p i a n s 3:8 T h e L o r d requires the sacrifice of a broken heart a n d a contrite spirit: L u k e 14:33; O m n i 1:26 (p. 142); 3 N e p h i 9:19-20 (p. 425)
The L a w of the Fast T h e l a w of the fast also helps u s put the things of G o d above our w o r l d l y cares a n d desires. T o fast means to go completely w i t h o u t food a n d d r i n k for a period of time (usually t w o meals). F a s t i n g helps us g r o w spiritually a n d brings us closer to G o d . It s h o u l d be accompanied by sincere p r a y e r for ourselves a n d others. T h r o u g h the l a w of the fast w e are also able to help those i n n e e d . W e contribute the m o n e y or food s a v e d by fasting to the C h u r c h for the care of the needy. T h u s , the l a w of the fast helps us become selfless, enables us to share i n the L o r d ' s w o r k , a n d helps us become more like h i m .
Additional Study T h e L o r d has described a n acceptable fast: I s a i a h 58:3-7; 3 N e p h i 13:16 (p. 434) W e receive m a n y blessings f r o m fasting: E z r a 8:23; P s a l m 35:13; I s a i a h 58:8-12; A l m a 5:46 (p. 221); H e l a m a n 3:35 ( p . 374) 2
The Law of Tithing A n o t h e r w a y that w e learn to put the things of G o d first i n our lives is to obey the l a w of tithing. G o d is the source of all w e have. H e asks us to return to h i m one-tenth of our income so that his w o r k can be carried o n . B y p a y i n g tithing w e can help i n the w o r k of the L o r d a n d also develop u n s e l f i s h n e s s . T h e L o r d , in t u r n , promises to bless us both s p i r i t u a l l y a n d temporally.
Additional Study I I
T i t h i n g is a sacred law of G o d : L e v i t i c u s 27:30; 2 C h r o n i c l e s 31:5; Malachi 3:8-12; 3 N e p h i 24:8-12 (p. 455)
What Can You Do to Develop Selflessness? 1. C o n t i n u e attending C h u r c h , reading a n d p r a y i n g about tbe Book of M o r m o n , a n d l i v i n g the c o m m a n d m e n t s . 2. Fast for two meals, a n d pray to k n o w w h e t h e r the message y o u have heard is true. 3. F l a n to begin p a y i n g tithing w h e n y o u become a member of T h e C h u r c h of Jesus C h r i s t of Latter-day Saints. 3
4. D u r i n g the coming w e e k , plan a n d carry out one activity in w h i c h y o u give help to someone in need. 5. A t t e n d w o r s h i p services of the C h u r c h w i t h a C h u r c h member. Address; Time: 6. T a k e part in the sixth discussion w i t h the missionaries. Next Appointment: Discussion 6 Baptismal Date:
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