"Lesson 42: “Pure Religion”," New Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, (2002)
Patient
Prayerful
Swift to hear, Slow to Wrath
Doer of the Word
Purpose
To help class members understand the characteristics we should develop to live our religion more fully.
Preparation
- 1. Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:
- a. James 1:1–4; 5:10–11. James teaches that we should endure affliction patiently.
- b. James 1:5–7; 4:8. James teaches that we should pray to God in faith.
- c. James 1:19–20, 26; 3:2–18. James teaches that we should control our tongues and be “slow to wrath.”
- d. James 1:22–25, 27; 2:14–26; 4:17. James teaches that we should be “doers of the word,” showing our faith by our works.
- a. James 1:1–4; 5:10–11. James teaches that we should endure affliction patiently.
- 2. Additional Reading: Bible Dictionary, “James,” 709; “James, Epistle of,” 709–10.
Institute Manual : Section 11
JAMES
The weight of evidence indicates that the author of the letter of James is not the James who was the brother of John and a member of the presidency of the church with Peter and John. The author of the book of James was probably the brother of the Lord ( Galatians 1:19 ) and evidently was not fully converted to the Savior until after the resurrection ( John 7:5 ; 1 Corinthians 15:7 ). After his conversion he began to take a prominent position in church leadership ( Acts 15:4–34 ; 21:18, 19 ; Galatians 1:18, 19 ; 2:1–10 ). Because of this it is likely that he was made an apostle, perhaps even filling the quorum vacancy left when James, the son of Zebedee, was martyred ( Acts 12:1, 2 ). It is an interesting note on James’ humility that in his letter he does not call himself the brother of the Lord, but, rather, the servant of the Lord ( James 1:1 ). (For further information on the author of the epistle of James see reading 49–3.)
- 3. Suggestion for teaching: “Teach the reality of personal communication from and to God. Help each individual understand how to pray worthily and how to receive and recognize answers from God” (Richard G. Scott, “Four Fundamentals for Those Who Teach and Inspire Youth,” in CES Old Testament Symposium Speeches, 1987 [1987], 3).
Suggested Lesson Development
Attention Activity
As appropriate, use the following activity or one of your own to begin the lesson.
Write Pure religion on the chalkboard, and ask the following questions:
- • What does the word pure mean? (Answers may include real, genuine, complete, and perfect.) What does religion mean? (Answers may include the service and worship of God, a system of beliefs and practices, and a commitment or devotion to a particular way of life.)
- • How would you define pure religion?
Ask a class member to read James 1:27. Explain that this lesson discusses how we can apply James’s teachings to help us live a “pure religion” and be “undefiled before God.”
27 Pure areligion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To bvisit the cfatherless and dwidows in their eaffliction, and to keep himself funspotted from gthe hworld.
27 Pure areligion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To bvisit the cfatherless and dwidows in their eaffliction, and to keep himself funspotted from gthe hworld.
Scripture Discussion and Application
As you discuss the teachings in the book of James, list them on the chalkboard under the heading Pure religion. Discuss how each concept taught by James can help us live a pure religion.
Explain that the writer of the book of James is generally thought to be the brother of Jesus Christ. After Jesus was resurrected, James served as an Apostle and was an important leader in the early Church (Acts 12:17; 15:13–20).
1. We should endure affliction patiently.
Read and discuss James 1:1–4; 5:10–11.
- • What did James teach about facing trials of our faith? (See James 1:2–3 and footnote 2a, which shows that in the Joseph Smith Translation, the phrase divers temptations is changed to many afflictions.) How can trials help us develop patience? How are we blessed when we endure afflictions patiently? (See James 1:4; Romans 5:3–5; Alma 36:3.)
Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God” (quoted in Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 98).
2 By whom also we have access by afaith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
5 And ahope maketh not ashamed; because the blove of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Alma 36
3 And now, O my son Helamanatrust in God shall be supported in their btrials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be clifted up at the last day.
- • Whom did James mention as good examples of patience in affliction? (See James 5:10–11.) How have you seen latter-day prophets demonstrate this patience? How has their example helped you?
James 5
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an aexample of bsuffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them ahappy which bendure. Ye have heard of the patience of cJob, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very dpitiful, and of tender emercy.
2. We should pray to God in faith.
Read and discuss James 1:5–7 and 4:8.
- • What counsel did James give to those who “lack wisdom”? (See James 1:5–6.) What will Heavenly Father do if we ask in faith? What experiences have you had with receiving answers to prayer?
- • How was the Prophet Joseph Smith influenced by the counsel in James 1:5? (See Joseph Smith—History 1:11–13.) What can we learn from his experience? How did Joseph’s decision to follow the counsel in James 1:5 affect us? (See Joseph Smith—History 1:14–20.)
President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Because the fourteen-year-old boy went out in the woods to pray, having read in the scriptures, … because he did live the revelations from on high, we have The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have all of the blessings that can make us the happiest people in the whole world, because a boy of fourteen went out into the woods to pray” (in Conference Report, Melbourne Australia Area Conference 1976, 23).
If you are teaching youth, testify that asking of God in faith and receiving wisdom are not limited by age or other circumstances. Joseph Smith was 14 years old when he put James’s words to the test and received the First Vision. He was 17 years old when the angel Moroni visited him and revealed where the golden plates were being safeguarded.
- • How did James describe those who pray without faith? (See James 1:6–7.) What can we do to strengthen our faith?
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| found at gospelmissionary.blogspot.com |
- • James taught, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). How does sincere prayer bring us closer to God?
3. We should control our tongues and be “slow to wrath.”
Discuss James 1:19–20, 26; 3:2–18. Invite class members to read selected verses aloud.
- • James taught that we should be “swift to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19). What experiences in your life have confirmed the wisdom of this counsel? How can we become better listeners and more thoughtful speakers? [My note: Don't take this to the extreme of being so afraid of saying the wrong thing that you never speak up.]
- • James also taught we should be “slow to wrath” (James 1:19). What are some consequences of speaking or acting in anger? What experiences in your life have confirmed the wisdom of James’s counsel? How can we overcome or control feelings of anger?
- http://mormonchannel.org/programs/for-the-youth-episode-15?lang=eng#d
http://lds.org/ensign/1971/06/be-slow-to-anger?lang=eng&query=anger -- Elder ElRay L. Christiansen
When Solomon declared: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Prov. 16:32), he knew that individual spiritual development cannot be realized without self-discipline.
To make decisions while infuriated is as unwise and foolish as it is for a captain to put out to sea in a raging storm. Only injury and wreckage result from wrathful moments.
The minds of children are like the sensitive plates of a photographer; they record every incident, good and bad. Our children may forget what is said, but they never forget that which they are made to feel.
Frustrations often offer us the means of progression, for by overcoming them harmoniously, we grow and become more Christlike.
http://lds.org/ensign/1971/06/be-slow-to-anger?lang=eng&query=anger -- Elder ElRay L. Christiansen
The one who cannot restrain their anger will wish undone, what their temper and irritation prompted them to do.
Horace Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/irritation.html#ixzz1cJocTIKI
The one who cannot restrain their anger will wish undone, what their temper and irritation prompted them to do.
Horace Read more: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/irritation.html#ixzz1cJocTIKI
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Bridling My Tongue Sculpture - Karen Fulk fineartamerica.com |
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| Link to President Wilson's talk to school boys |
- • James taught that we should bridle our tongues (James 1:26). What is the purpose of a horse’s bridle? (To guide and control the horse.) How can we apply James’s counsel to “bridle” our tongues? (See James 4:11. Answers could include by avoiding gossiping, lies, quarreling, swearing, and angry words. Instead, we should use our tongues to speak kind words, to speak truth, to pray, and to make peace.)
- • Read James 3:3–5. What did James compare the tongue to in these verses? (The bit on a horse’s bridle and the helm of a ship. You may want to explain that the bit is the steel part of the bridle that is inserted into the horse’s mouth.) What can we learn from these comparisons? How can learning to control our words help us control other aspects of our lives?
- • Read James 3:9–13. What did James teach in these verses about controlling our speech? (Discuss applications of this counsel with class members. For example, if any class members are priests, you might discuss the importance of keeping their speech pure during the week so they can worthily bless the sacrament on Sunday. A similar application could be made for those who teach the gospel.)
- • How can controlling our tongues help lead to peace? (See James 3:16–18.) Why is controlling our tongues an important part of pure religion?
4. We should be “doers of the word,” showing our faith by our works.
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| lwf.org |
- • What does it mean to be “hearers only” of the word? (James 1:22). In what sense do “hearers only” deceive themselves? (See James 1:22–25; 4:17.) What are the blessings of being “doers of the word”?
- • What did James teach about the relationship between faith and works? (See James 2:14–26.) Why is faith dead without works? How do good works strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ?
- • What did James emphasize that we should do to live a pure religion? (See James 1:27 or remind class members of the attention activity.) Why do you think visiting and helping people in need is part of pure religion?
- • What can we do to stay “unspotted from the world”? (James 1:27; see D&C 59:9). How does attending church and partaking of the sacrament each week help us stay unspotted from the world?
D&C 59
9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself aunspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of bprayer and offer up thy csacraments upon my dholy day; Conclusion
Testify of the truth of James’s teachings. Emphasize that we can live our religion more purely by being patient in affliction, praying to God in faith, mastering ourselves, and doing good works.
Additional Teaching Ideas
The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use one or more of these ideas as part of the lesson.
1. Class member presentations
The week before this lesson is to be taught, ask five class members to each study a different chapter of James. At the beginning of class (just after the attention activity, if you use it), have these people share their insights into the chapters they studied.
2. Video presentation
Read James 1:27 and then show “The Body Is a Temple,” a six-minute video segment from New Testament Video Presentations (53914). Discuss what this video presentation teaches about keeping ourselves unspotted from the world.
3. Additional discussion of the book of James
- • In the Joseph Smith Translation of James 1:12, the word endureth is changed to resisteth (see footnote 12b). What is the difference between enduring temptation and resisting temptation? What are the promises to those who resist temptation? (See James 1:12; 4:7.)
- • What did James teach about judging others? (See James 2:1–9.) Why do some people judge others by their earthly positions or material possessions? How can we learn to look beyond the outward appearance and into people’s hearts, as God does? (See 1 Samuel 16:7; D&C 38:24–27.)
1 Samuel 16:7
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord aseeth not as bman seeth; for man looketh on the outward cappearance, but the dLord looketh on the eheart. D&C 38
26 For what man among you having twelve sons, and is no respecter of them, and they serve him obediently, and he saith unto the one: Be thou clothed in robes and sit thou here; and to the other: Be thou clothed in rags and sit thou there—and looketh upon his sons and saith I am ajust?
27 Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be aone; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
- • What did James teach about the effects of envy and lust? (See James 3:16; 4:1–6.) How can we overcome feelings of envy or lust? (See James 4:7–10.)
8 aDraw bnigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. cCleanse your hands, ye sinners; and dpurify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 aBe afflicted, and mourn, and bweep: let your laughter be turned to cmourning, and your joy to heaviness.
On the day my father died he kept wanting to wash his hands. His hands had to be clean. He was in the Alzheimer's unit at a care center, and it was not usual for him to be concerned with cleanliness. He took a nap that day and died peacefully in his sleep. He had done some wrong things in the past -- as we all do -- but he had been humble and sweet for so long, that I doubt he needed to worry much about cleansing his hands.
This verse eight also reminds me of Lady Macbeth (especially since I've seen that play recently twice) and her obsession after helping to murder King Duncan with washing her hands, with the invisible spots left on her hands which were really the spots on her soul.
Act 5, scene 1 "All the perfumes(45)
of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh,
oh!"
of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh,
oh!"
- • What did James teach about administering to the sick? (See James 5:14–15.) How have you been blessed or seen others be blessed by the healing power of the priesthood?
- • James emphasized the importance of helping people who “err from the truth” (James 5:19–20). How can we do this?
http://institute.lds.org/manuals/new-testament-institute-student-manual/nt-in-11-11-49.asp
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| http://institute.lds.org/content/images/manuals/nt-in/perfection.htm |
A Contradiction of Affliction?
When we look at affliction, we see it from two different angles.
1. When we look at our own afflictions, we can be grateful for the opportunity to built patience, understanding, and other qualities that bring us closer to God. We seek to endure well.
2. When we see the afflictions of others, we try to alleviate them whenever and however we have the ability to do so. We may bear testimony to others of the blessings of enduring well, but we do not require that others endure patiently. We just do what we can to help.
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