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Luke Luke 15-21 15-21

Luke 15-21. Luke 15 Is the Church a home for saints, or a hospital for sinners? 1.Lost sheep 2.10 pieces of silver 3.The Prodigal Son v. 7 “The heck with

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LukeLuke 15-2115-21

Luke 15Luke 15Is the Church a home for saints, or a hospital for Is the Church a home for saints, or a hospital for sinnerssinners??

1.1. Lost sheepLost sheep2.2. 10 pieces of silver10 pieces of silver3.3. The Prodigal SonThe Prodigal Son

v. 7 v. 7 ““The heck with the ’99’, go and get the oneThe heck with the ’99’, go and get the one!”!”

A precious promiseA precious promise!!

There is hope for parents of wayward children.There is hope for parents of wayward children.

Precious returnees…like the prodigal son, have come to Precious returnees…like the prodigal son, have come to their senses. Filled with tender resolve, they, too, need a their senses. Filled with tender resolve, they, too, need a warm welcome. Let us emulate the father of the prodigal warm welcome. Let us emulate the father of the prodigal son, who ran to greet his son while the son was still a son, who ran to greet his son while the son was still a great distance away, rather than waiting passively and great distance away, rather than waiting passively and then skeptically asking the son if he had merely come then skeptically asking the son if he had merely come home to pick up his things! (Neal A. Maxwell, home to pick up his things! (Neal A. Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, , November 1980, 14).November 1980, 14).

Regrettably we sometimes see an individual get Regrettably we sometimes see an individual get classified, and no matter how well he or she does classified, and no matter how well he or she does thereafter, it is difficult to get reclassified. It is sometimes thereafter, it is difficult to get reclassified. It is sometimes like the chicken whose comb gets bloodied; all the like the chicken whose comb gets bloodied; all the chickens then peck at it, making the situation even worse. chickens then peck at it, making the situation even worse. These “walking wounded” are all about us, and they These “walking wounded” are all about us, and they need someone else to help them bind up---not add to --- need someone else to help them bind up---not add to --- their wounds (Neal A. Maxwell, their wounds (Neal A. Maxwell, All These Things Shall Give All These Things Shall Give Thee ExperienceThee Experience, 76)., 76).

God is ever encouraging us God is ever encouraging us to regroup and try again. to regroup and try again. And there are no restrictive And there are no restrictive office hours for receiving office hours for receiving returning prodigals --- night returning prodigals --- night and day He awaits us! (Neal and day He awaits us! (Neal A. Maxwell, A. Maxwell, Men and Women Men and Women of Christof Christ, 28)., 28).

A Precious PromiseA Precious Promise!!

The Prophet Joseph Smith declared--- and he The Prophet Joseph Smith declared--- and he never taught a more comforting doctrine--- that never taught a more comforting doctrine--- that the eternal sealing's of faithful parents and the the eternal sealing's of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. or the life to come, they will return.

They will have to pay their debt to They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but and may tread a thorny path; but ifif it leads them at last, like the penitent it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God” (Orson F. the salvation of God” (Orson F. Whitney, C.R., April 1929, 110).Whitney, C.R., April 1929, 110).

Teach the law of eternal marriage to children. May all Teach the law of eternal marriage to children. May all Latter-day Saint fathers and mothers see to it that they Latter-day Saint fathers and mothers see to it that they teach their children the sacredness of the marriage teach their children the sacredness of the marriage covenant. Let them impress upon their children that in covenant. Let them impress upon their children that in no other way than by honoring the covenants of God, no other way than by honoring the covenants of God, among which the covenant of eternal marriage is one of among which the covenant of eternal marriage is one of the greatest and most mandatory, can they obtain the the greatest and most mandatory, can they obtain the blessings of eternal lives.blessings of eternal lives.

If they refuse to receive this ordinance and other If they refuse to receive this ordinance and other blessings of the house of God, then shall they be cut off blessings of the house of God, then shall they be cut off from these higher blessings. They shall wear no crown; from these higher blessings. They shall wear no crown; they shall have no rule and sway no scepter; they shall they shall have no rule and sway no scepter; they shall be denied the fullness of knowledge and power, be denied the fullness of knowledge and power, and and like the prodigal son, they may return again to their like the prodigal son, they may return again to their Father’s house, but it will be as servantsFather’s house, but it will be as servants,, not to inherit not to inherit as sonsas sons (Joseph Fielding Smith, (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of SalvationDoctrines of Salvation, , Vol. 2, 75).Vol. 2, 75).

President Hinckley challenged us not to be the President Hinckley challenged us not to be the weak link in the chain of generations. Well, if weak link in the chain of generations. Well, if there’s a break in the chain, then the new there’s a break in the chain, then the new chain starts with you. And, as you forge your chain starts with you. And, as you forge your link in that chain, it will bless not only you, but link in that chain, it will bless not only you, but it will reach in both directions to strengthen it will reach in both directions to strengthen other links; so, it begins with you. We read the other links; so, it begins with you. We read the statement by the Prophet Joseph, and Orson statement by the Prophet Joseph, and Orson Whitney, and the elaborations by President Whitney, and the elaborations by President Packer, about the tentacles that will reach out Packer, about the tentacles that will reach out to wayward children. Some parents, I believe, to wayward children. Some parents, I believe, over interpret that to mean that if I’m faithful over interpret that to mean that if I’m faithful to my temple covenants then my children will to my temple covenants then my children will be okay. be okay. Well, that can’t be rightWell, that can’t be right; we believe ; we believe that men will be punished for their own sins, that men will be punished for their own sins, not for Adam’s transgressions. not for Adam’s transgressions.

And therefore you can’t be saved through the And therefore you can’t be saved through the faithfulness of your parentsfaithfulness of your parents. But the tentacles . But the tentacles that reach out because of the faithfulness of that reach out because of the faithfulness of parents in honoring temple covenants exert a parents in honoring temple covenants exert a spiritual pull and a tug on those wayward spiritual pull and a tug on those wayward children. Well, couldn’t that work the same children. Well, couldn’t that work the same way for children who are faithful to temple way for children who are faithful to temple covenants and the tentacles reach out to a covenants and the tentacles reach out to a mom and a dad who are not as faithful as they mom and a dad who are not as faithful as they need to be? So it will extend both ways and need to be? So it will extend both ways and they can help forge that chain of the they can help forge that chain of the generations, and help repair some of the generations, and help repair some of the broken links, regardless of the direction” (Elder broken links, regardless of the direction” (Elder David A. Bednar, CES Satellite Training David A. Bednar, CES Satellite Training Broadcast, Aug. 2011).Broadcast, Aug. 2011).

Let us in our ministry be nondiscriminatory in the Let us in our ministry be nondiscriminatory in the giving of commendation. True, he who is down-giving of commendation. True, he who is down-spirited needs to be lifted up. True, those who spirited needs to be lifted up. True, those who are fledglings in the faith may need extra are fledglings in the faith may need extra encouragement and deserved, specific praise. encouragement and deserved, specific praise. But meanwhile, let us not forget the often But meanwhile, let us not forget the often unnoticed, faithful veterans, lest, like the son who unnoticed, faithful veterans, lest, like the son who stayed loyally at home and saw the banquet and stayed loyally at home and saw the banquet and benefactions given to the prodigal son, the benefactions given to the prodigal son, the faithful wonder if they are truly appreciated. Let faithful wonder if they are truly appreciated. Let us not assume that another has no need of us not assume that another has no need of commendation. Let us give it even if the other commendation. Let us give it even if the other does not seem to need it, for we need to give does not seem to need it, for we need to give commendation in any event (Neal A. Maxwell, commendation in any event (Neal A. Maxwell, All All These Things Shall Give Thee ExperienceThese Things Shall Give Thee Experience, 89). , 89).

The Parable of the Rich Man and The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31Lazarus Luke 16:19-31

v.19v.19

Notice the rich man is not given a name and the poor Notice the rich man is not given a name and the poor man is honored with a nameman is honored with a name (the rich man was a (the rich man was a Pharisee).Pharisee).

Augustine (in Sermon xli) asks: “Seems He not to you to Augustine (in Sermon xli) asks: “Seems He not to you to have been reading from that book where he found the have been reading from that book where he found the name of the poor man written, but found not the name name of the poor man written, but found not the name of the rich. For that book is the of the rich. For that book is the Book of LifeBook of Life” (” (J.T.C.J.T.C. 449).449).

Of all our Lord’s recorded parables this is the only one Of all our Lord’s recorded parables this is the only one in which a personal name is applied to any of the in which a personal name is applied to any of the characterscharacters..

v. 31v. 31 “If they hear not Moses and the “If they hear not Moses and the Prophets”Prophets”

Two eternal truths taughtTwo eternal truths taught::

1.1. Deity chooses and sends its own agents Deity chooses and sends its own agents and witnesses.and witnesses.

2.2. Those who will not believe the prophets Those who will not believe the prophets and living oracles of their day, will not and living oracles of their day, will not believe even though they see miracles.believe even though they see miracles.

““10 Lepers Healed10 Lepers Healed””Luke 17:11-19Luke 17:11-19

v. 14v. 14 ““Go show yourselves unto the PriestGo show yourselves unto the Priest” ”

For a leper in the day of his cleaning, the For a leper in the day of his cleaning, the prescribed means of obtaining permission to re-prescribed means of obtaining permission to re-enter society required him to show himself to enter society required him to show himself to the priest. It was a test of their faith!the priest. It was a test of their faith!

The 10 lepers were probably mixed nationalities. The 10 lepers were probably mixed nationalities.

The one who said thank you was a The one who said thank you was a SamaritanSamaritan (v. (v. 16).16).

Ten lepers were healed that day, but only Ten lepers were healed that day, but only one was made whole.one was made whole.

The Atonement is not just to cleanse, but to The Atonement is not just to cleanse, but to complete; not just to comfort, but to complete; not just to comfort, but to compensate; not just to liberate, but to lift.compensate; not just to liberate, but to lift.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks wrote, “The Savior Elder Dallin H. Oaks wrote, “The Savior does more than cleanse us from sin. He does more than cleanse us from sin. He also gives us new strength….To be also gives us new strength….To be admitted to His presence, we must be more admitted to His presence, we must be more than clean. We must also be changed” than clean. We must also be changed” ((With Full Purpose of HeartWith Full Purpose of Heart, 126-27)., 126-27).

Jesus’ fearlessness…was Jesus’ fearlessness…was accompanied by gentleness. When accompanied by gentleness. When He healed ten lepers and only one He healed ten lepers and only one returned to thank Him, He then returned to thank Him, He then asked, “But where are the nine?” asked, “But where are the nine?” There was no point in His lecturing There was no point in His lecturing the one --- as we so often do, giving the one --- as we so often do, giving the right lesson to the wrong the right lesson to the wrong audience --- instead of the other audience --- instead of the other nine. After all, the one did return! nine. After all, the one did return! (Neal A. Maxwell, (Neal A. Maxwell, Even As I AmEven As I Am, 84)., 84).

Luke 18:10-14Luke 18:10-14

Two men went to the temple to pray! Two men went to the temple to pray!

A Pharisee and a Publican.A Pharisee and a Publican.

Alma 31:13-23Alma 31:13-23, “the Rameumptum” , “the Rameumptum”

(My Seminary days)(My Seminary days)

Luke 19:1-10Luke 19:1-10

““Zacchaeus, I’m coming to dinner!”Zacchaeus, I’m coming to dinner!”

v. 10v. 10

For the Son of man is come to seek and For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost!to save that which was lost!

Luke 19:41-44Luke 19:41-44

““Abomination of DesolationAbomination of Desolation””

Fulfilled 37 years later in 70 A.D.Fulfilled 37 years later in 70 A.D.

Josephus, the Jewish historian said Josephus, the Jewish historian said that the proud Jews were certain that that the proud Jews were certain that their vaunted city could not be taken their vaunted city could not be taken because it was surrounded by high because it was surrounded by high walls on all sides. walls on all sides.

Titus, the Roman general set his army Titus, the Roman general set his army to work putting high mounds of dirt to work putting high mounds of dirt and tree trunks against the walls so and tree trunks against the walls so that entering the city became merely that entering the city became merely a matter of climbing up the mounds. a matter of climbing up the mounds. An enormous slaughter followed….An enormous slaughter followed….

When the banks were finished the When the banks were finished the Romans brought their machine against Romans brought their machine against the wall… A part of the wall was battered the wall… A part of the wall was battered down and certain of the towers yielded to down and certain of the towers yielded to the impression of the battering rams…the impression of the battering rams…

So the Romans became the masters of So the Romans became the masters of the walls. When they went into the city the walls. When they went into the city with their swords drawn, they slew those with their swords drawn, they slew those whom they overtook without mercy, and whom they overtook without mercy, and set fire to the houses whither the Jews set fire to the houses whither the Jews were fled, and burnt every soul in them, were fled, and burnt every soul in them, and laid waste a great many of the rest; and laid waste a great many of the rest;

……and when they were come to the and when they were come to the houses to plunder them, they found houses to plunder them, they found entire families of dead men, and the entire families of dead men, and the upper rooms full of dead corpses, upper rooms full of dead corpses, that is, of such as died by the that is, of such as died by the famine, they then stood in a horror famine, they then stood in a horror at this sight, and went out without at this sight, and went out without touching anything. However, those touching anything. However, those found alive were ran through without found alive were ran through without mercy (Flavius Josephus mercy (Flavius Josephus The Life and The Life and Works, Wars of the JewsWorks, Wars of the Jews, bk. 6 chap. , bk. 6 chap. 8, parts 4-5). 8, parts 4-5).