Gospel Doctrine Lesson 2
Abraham 3 and Moses 4:1-4

“Thou Wast Chosen Before Thou Wast Born”

Vision of Abraham – Pre-Existence

► Vision
► Intelligence
► Foreordination
► Earth: Testing – Fulfilling the Measure of Our Creation

Vision

► Abraham 3:17 – “There is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take into His heart to do but what He will do it.”

► We must have Vision of who we are and what we can do (pg. 234)

► Vision without effort is daydreaming; effort without vision is drudgery; but vision coupled with effort will obtain the prize. (Pres. Monson)

Intelligence

► Abraham 3:22 Intelligence is an eternal attribute of God and His spirit-children

► “Intelligence includes more than raw IQ; . . . He who has intelligence, or the light of truth, will forsake completely “that evil one.” Neal A. Maxwell

► We must strive to magnify our intelligence. The intelligence we acquire on earth will rise with us in the resurrection and will be to our advantage in the hereafter (D&C 130:18-19)

Foreordination

► Abraham 3:23 Abraham was foreordained to his calling as were many others (D&C 138:56) – including you

► “Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the grand council of heaven before this world was” (Teachings of Joseph Smith pg. 365)

► When we read our patriarchal blessings, we come to know in a real sense the expectations and blessings we can look forward to if we are true and faithful.

Earth: Testing – Fulfilling the Measure of our Creation

► Abraham 3:24-25 The Earth was created for our dwelling and testing

► Every created thing has been made for a purpose; and everything that fills the measure of its creation is to be advanced in the scale of progression, be it an atom or a world; an animal or a man – the direct and literal offspring of Deity. (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, pg. 299)

► In this test we will have opposition in all things, be tempted by the devil, and be willing to submit to whatever the Father sees to inflict upon us. Sometimes it appears to be unfair.

► Neal A. Maxwell Quote, pg. 241-242

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Vision of Moses

► Moses 4:1 Satan – Avoiding Pride
President Benson on Pride (Ensign, May, 1989)

► Moses 4:2 Jesus –Obedience and Humility

Spiritual Transformation

The more we obey – the more we have the Spirit – the more direction we have in our lives – the more righteous we become – the greater capacity to serve and bless others – the more we can build up the kingdom of God – the greater the level of happiness – the more charity we possess – the more we will be like our Savior. (pg. 244)

Conclusion

► The Lesson of the Hands (pg. 242)