Lesson 141

Commandments (Part 3)

“Lesson 141: Commandments (Part 3),” Old Testament Seminary Student Material (2018)


Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. Showing love and respect for the Lord, others, and the word of God helps you prepare to learn through the Holy Ghost.

Begin your study with prayer.

Have you ever learned something important by following someone’s example?

video icon Watch this video, which is about a Romanian young woman named Denisa. What did she notice her father doing? What did she learn from his example?

A Form

tithing slip

Have you ever filled out one of these forms?

Read paragraph 9.5 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Which commandments involve filling out a form like this?

The Lord’s Promise

Malachi

In paragraph 9.5 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document we read that God’s commandments include paying a full tithe. This key statement of doctrine is taught in Malachi 3:8–10. Consider marking this doctrinal mastery passage in a distinctive way so you can locate it more easily.

In Malachi 3 we read that the prophet Malachi spoke for the Lord to correct the Jews, who had strayed from Him. He commanded them to return to Him by following His commandments, including the commandment to pay tithes and offerings.

Read Malachi 3:8–10, looking for words that reveal how important the law of tithing is to the Lord.

What did you learn from this passage that shows the importance that the Lord places on the law of tithing?

What do the Lord’s promises to those who pay tithing teach you about Him?

The Law of Tithing

To understand the law of tithing and how tithing funds are used, read the following statements from the First Presidency and For the Strength of Youth.

“The simplest statement we know of is the statement of the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church should pay ‘one-tenth of all their interest annually’ [D&C 119:4], which is understood to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than this” (First Presidency letter, Mar. 19, 1970).

“A tithe is one-tenth of your income. …

“… Tithing is used to build temples and meetinghouses, translate and publish the scriptures, do missionary and family history work, and in other ways build God’s kingdom on earth” (For the Strength of Youth [booklet, 2011], 38).

What are some of the ways you have benefited from the sacrifice of members of the Church paying tithing?

Preparation for Eternal Life

In paragraph 9.1 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document we learn that commandments are the laws and requirements that God gives to help us progress and become like Him. Read the following statement by President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency, looking for ways the law of tithing helps us prepare for eternal life.

Henry B. Eyring

“There are at least three ways that paying a full tithe in this life prepares us to feel what we need to feel to receive the gift of eternal life.

“First, when we pay our tithes to the Church, our Heavenly Father pours out blessings upon us. Anyone who has consistently paid a full tithe knows that is true. The blessings are sometimes spiritual and sometimes temporal. They are given in the Lord’s time and according to what He knows is best for us. …

“Second, all of us who have paid a consistent full tithe feel greater confidence in asking God for what we and our families need. He has promised blessings even greater than we can receive when we have been faithful to our covenant to pay our tithes (see Malachi 3:10). …

“Third, those who pay tithing feel an increase in their love of God and of all God’s children. That increase of love comes from understanding how the Father uses the tithes we offer to bless people in this world and for eternity” (Henry B. Eyring, “The Blessings of Tithing,” Ensign, June 2011, 5).

writing icon 1. Answer the following questions:

  • How do you think paying a full tithe can help us prepare for eternal life?

  • How have you or someone you know experienced some of these blessings or other blessings from obeying the law of tithing?

Isaiah’s Instructions

youth pondering

In paragraph 9.5 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document, we also read that God’s commandments include fasting. Isaiah 58:6–7 is a doctrinal mastery passage, and it teaches about fasting. Consider marking this passage in a distinctive way so you can locate it more easily.

Remember that the Jews were fasting insincerely and without spiritual purpose and wondered why the Lord did not acknowledge their fasting. In response, Isaiah taught the people about proper fasting.

Read Isaiah 58:6–7, looking for what this passage teaches about the purposes of the commandment to fast.

Quiz 1

  1. According to Isaiah 58:6–7, what are the purposes of fasting? Select all that apply.

    1. Punish the wicked

    2. Overcome wickedness

    3. Relieve our own and others’ burdens

    4. Care for the poor and needy

A Proper Fast

congregation singing in church meeting

Although we can fast whenever we choose, the Church has designated one Sunday each month as a fast day. This is usually the first Sunday of each month. When we fast, we generally go without food and water for two consecutive meals in a 24-hour period, attend fast and testimony meeting, and give a generous fast offering. (see Handbook 2: Administering the Church [2010], 21.1.17). Read the following statement from True to the Faith, looking for how fasting with a purpose can increase the power of your fast.

“If you have a weakness or sin that you have struggled to overcome, you may need to fast and pray in order to receive the help or forgiveness you desire. … Fasting is one way of worshiping God and expressing gratitude to Him (see Luke 2:37; Alma 45:1). You can fast as you ask Heavenly Father to bless the sick or afflicted (see Matthew 17:14–21). Fasting may help you and those you love receive personal revelation and become converted to the truth (see Alma 5:46; 6:6). Through fasting you can gain strength to resist temptation (see Isaiah 58:6). You can fast as you strive to humble yourself before God and exercise faith in Jesus Christ (see Omni 1:26; Helaman 3:35). You may fast to receive guidance in sharing the gospel and magnifying Church callings (see Acts 13:2–3; Alma 17:3, 9; 3 Nephi 27:1–2). Fasting may accompany righteous sorrow or mourning (see Alma 28:4–6; 30:1–2)” (“Fasting and Fast Offerings,” True to the Faith (2004), 67).

writing icon 2. From what you learned in Isaiah 58:6–7 and the statement above, answer at least two of the following questions:

  • What “bands of wickedness” (Isaiah 58:6) do you want to have loosed?

  • What “heavy burdens” (Isaiah 58:6) would you like the Lord’s help to carry or overcome, for yourself or someone else?

  • What needs (physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual) could you help meet by fasting for someone you love and by paying a generous fast offering?

Deep Gratitude

video icon Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained one reason he wants to pay tithing and fast offerings. You can read the text of this video here: “Like a Watered Garden,” Ensign, Nov. 2001, 35.

You too can show your gratitude for the many blessings your Father in Heaven has given you. Commit now to pay tithes and offerings, and learn to recognize the abundant blessings you receive as you do so.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) b, c, d

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