Peter: A Fisher of Men

“His eyes had seen, his ears had heard, and his heart

had understood and accepted the wondrous

happenings of the days from the baptism of the Master

in the waters of Jordan to the ascension of his

Redeemer from the Mount of Olives.”

--Spencer W. Kimball

The apostle Peter has often times caught a lot of slack. When most people thing about Peter they think about his denials before the crucifixion of Christ. Most people tend to bring out the negatives about Peter. It is true that Peter had his mistakes, but who hasn’t? In a moment of weakness he might have denied knowing Christ, but do we know all the circumstances? I think not.

I believe that Peter was a great disciple and prophet.  It is my idea that if the Savior of the world picked him, then He was picking a great guy. When we say that we believe in Jesus Christ I think it is important to remember that we are also supporting and believing in the decisions he made. I don’t think that Christ would have willingly picked someone who wasn’t worthy to be around Him. Everyone has learning experiences and stumbling blocks in their path, but it is what they do with those stumbling blocks that make the people. Peter took the experiences he went through and allowed them to make him a better man. He learned from the mistakes and challenges and used them as a catalyst to do more.

I think something that I could take from Peter would be his faith and the way he bounced back. One of my favorite stories is when Peter walked on water. What great faith he had! How could people deny his faith? Most people would only remember the way he fell in the water, but I like to remember that he was able to walk on the water, if only for a while. When Peter denied the Savior he felt such remorse. It said he “wept bitterly.” He repented sincerely for what he had done. I don’t think anyone really knows how terrible Peter felt and how sincerely he repented.  I think that Peter is a wonderful example to me and to those all around the world. Peter took the experiences in his and made them into great experiences. He was the man he became because of all the things that he was able to endure. I think there can be a lot said knowing that Christ would leave the keys to Peter.

“When Christ chose this fisherman for his first and

chief apostle, he was taking no chances. He picked a

diamond in the rough—a diamond that would need to

be cut, trimmed, and polished by correction,

chastisement, and trials—but nevertheless a diamond

of real quality.”

--Spencer W. Kimball

He Will Not Leave Us

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”--John 14:18

I don’t think there are more comforting words anywhere in the Bible. This simple phrase has given me strength and hope in so many different times in my life.  It is so beautiful to know that our Savior made a way that we could be comforted and have Him with us, especially through the hardest times of our lives.

When Christ is about to the end of His life, He lets the disciples know that He will not leave them without comfort and hope. He teaches them about the Holy Ghost. He tells them that the Holy Ghost will be the spirit of truth to them and will comfort and abide with them. Christ told His disciples that the Holy Ghost would bring things to their remembrance that He had taught them. He would offer them peace.

The disciples were able to continue their missions after the Savior left because of the Holy Ghost. By bringing things to their remembrance and by helping them teach they were able to help many people. It is widely said that “the spirit converts. I think that this was the case with the disciples. If they wouldn’t have had the Holy Ghost, I don’t think a whole lot of work would have gotten done.

The Holy Ghost has been there in circumstances that I might not have even realized.  There are times when I know that the still small voice has directed me in the way that I should go. I cannot think of a personal experience where the Holy Ghost has done this amazingly great story, but I have a collection of small stories. Just in my everyday life I know that he is there directing me. When my grandparents were in a bad accident and I was miles and miles away I felt totally helpless. I wanted so badly to be nearer and be able to help them, just to see them. I remember calling the temple and having them put on the prayer roll. Immediately, I felt a calming come over me and reassured me that everything would be alright. I am very thankful for the Holy Ghost and the role he has played and continues to play in my life. I’m so very grateful for that amazing gift.

"Peace I leave unto you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." --John 14:27

"A Memorial of Her"

Towards the last days of our Savior, Jesus Christ, He would be the ultimate example and wash the feet of His disciples. Before this wonderful act took place, Jesus, Himself was anointed with very precious oil.

He was in the house of Simon Peter, the leper, and was sitting there to eat. A woman entered into the room and took out an alabaster box. Inside this box contained ointment of spikenard.  Spikenard was very expensive oil. In Mark 14:5, the disciples get a little mad and ask why it wasn’t sold. It is even mentioned that this particular oil “might have been sold for more than three hundred pence.” In that time three hundred pence was equivalent to a year's wages, such as the average agricultural worker received.

Christ sort of rebuked them and told them to leave her alone.  He explains to them that she has done a good work to Him. He also brings them back down to earth when He tells them, “For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them: but me ye have not always.” (Mark 14:7) This silenced the disciples. Christ was trying to tell them something this woman already knew. While she had come to anoint Him to prepare for His burial, the disciples were preoccupied with the costly price of the spikenard and not on the act itself.

The Savior goes on to say about this woman, “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.” (Mark 14:9) She saw beyond the cost of the oil and knew the price of true love, devotion and sacrifice. She proved to the Savior that she was willing to do whatever was asked of her, and even what was not asked. She showed to the disciples what true discipleship looked like.

In our own lives there are things that we can be doing to show our love and adoration to Christ. While He is not here for us to anoint him with expensive oils, we can show our devotion in other ways. Simply by the way we live our lives we can prove our love and devotion to Him. I think the greatest way to show Christ how much we love Him is to do as He said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

The Second Coming

“And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” –Mark 13:37

         In preparing for the second coming, in Mark, Christ continually repeated two phrases; “take heed” and “watch.” Now, we must understand what “take heed” means. In the dictionary it states, “listen: listen and pay attention.” When Christ was speaking, He wasn’t messing around. He meant business. He was serious and wanted us to listen to Him and sincerely pay attention. He told us to “take heed,” of the deceivers that might try to deceive us. There will be those proclaiming to be Christ. There will also be those that will proclaim that there is no Christ at all. He also told us to “take heed” of the trials. We will be put through some trials, but we must pay attention and learn from them. If we curse them and don’t learn from them, we will not be preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ. Christ warns us that we will be cursed and even “beaten” for what we believe in. Christ also tells us to “take heed; behold, I have foretold you all things.” (Mark 13:23) Here He is telling us that we have the knowledge, we know the signs. We must take His words and apply them, learn from them and live them. Christ said, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33)

                When Christ was talking to the disciples about the second coming He related a story about the fig tree. He said, “…of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Then affectionately He added, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”(Matt. 24)

                In the Doctrine and Covenants section 87 verse 8 it reads, “Wherefore, stand ye in hold places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.”  He has also said about the second coming, “For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.” (D&C 45:57)

                It is clear that the second coming is nigh. We have the words of Christ and we know what we need to be doing. Among the many things that we must do, above all we need to continue to “take heed,” “watch” and “pray.” If we do so, the Lord will save us at the last day and we will not be afraid, but rejoice in His second coming.

“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear”

--D&C 38:30

The Widows Mite

“In the accounts kept by the recording angels, figured out according to the arithmetic of heaven, entries are made in terms of quality rather than of quantity, and values are determined on the basis of capability and intent. The rich gave much yet kept back more; the widow’s gift was her all. It was not the smallness of her offering that made is especially acceptable, but the spirit of sacrifice and devout intent with which she gave.”

 (Talmage, Jesus the Christ, pp. 561-62.)

When thinking about the Saviors words and those that followed his words, the Widow comes to mind. The Savior told that to inherit eternal life we must forsake all and follow him. The widow walked in and gave her mite, the only one she had. To onlookers it was a very small amount, almost too small. Compared to others that had given the Widow had only given a tiny amount. The Savior said that she gave more than them. How can that be? The widow gave everything she had. Those that had more, didn’t even compare to that. The prices they gave might have been higher, but the real amount of what they gave did not compare to that of the widow.

                Not only did this widow give everything, but she did it ungrudgingly. She had the desire to give her all. Compared to the young man that didn’t want to sell all his riches to Christ, she willingly gave it. To me this is a great example. Sometime we think that we don’t have enough money to compare to what someone else might give to the church. There are other ways that we might feel inadequate compared to what someone else is doing or giving. I think the most important thing to remember is that it doesn’t matter what someone else is giving or doing. We shouldn’t compare ourselves to someone else. If we can look inside ourselves and know that we are doing everything we can and giving our all, I think we can be happy with ourselves. Not caring what others are doing and just taking care of ourselves is the key. When we are giving everything we have to the Lord and we know that, we will be happy.

It is not about what we don’t have, but what we do have and what we do give.

“On the books of the heavenly accountants that widow’s contribution was entered as a magnificent gift, surpassing in worth the largess of kings. ‘For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.’”

(Talmage, Jesus the Christ, pp. 561-62.)

Earthly & Heavenly Rewards

In the Matthew chapter 19:16-30, Jesus tells us what we must do to inherit eternal life. A young man approaches Christ and asks Him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him basically the Ten Commandments to which the young man responds that he is already doing that. Christ then tells him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that though hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” (verse 21) It is quite clear that the young man does not do what Christ had told him. He walked away sad because he had many possessions. He obviously loved his possessions more than he loved Christ. Jesus goes on to tell us that if we give up everything and follow Him, He will bless us. He tells us that with God anything is possible.  He tells us that if we forsake all and follow him we will be judges of the twelve tribes of Israel, we will receive a hundredfold and the most important thing, we shall inherit eternal life.

                Peter asked the Lord, “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” Christ told him about being a judge, the hundredfold and eternal life. We can apply this in our own lives. There are things in our own lives that can get in the way of our eternal progression. Like the young man, it might be our possessions. It might be sinning. There is a huge list of downfalls that can grab hold of us. If we remain strong and put our faith in the Lord, He will not leave us. He will bless us for our faith and good works. I believe when Christ said, “With men this is impossible; but with God al things are possible.” (verse 26)

Parable of the Laborers 

The Hour Laborers were Hired	How much the man agreed to Pay	Hours Worked	How much they were actually paid
Early Morning	A penny a day	All day.	A penny.
3rd Hour	“Whatsoever is right I will give you.”	All day.	A penny.
6th Hour	“Whatsoever is right I will give you.”	Half a day.	A penny.
9th Hour	“Whatsoever is right I will give you.”	Quarter of the day.	A penny.
11th Hour	“Whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.”	One hour.	A penny.

“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called, but few chosen.” (Matt. 20:16)

From this parable of the laborers we can learn so much. The first thing to be learned is that we all have the same reward. Like the laborers all received we one penny, we all know what the Savior has for us if we forsake all and come unto Him. He has promised us all the same. The second thing that can be learned is that while others might have served longer, the ones that have served for a while will receive the same. This makes it where we are all equal, which is nice. Converts to the church can take this parable and find comfort in the fact that while they might not have been in the church as long as someone else, they can still have the same reward in heaven if they obey the words of Christ. For those that think this unfair I would say that if you think about it logically it does. The Savior would not punish someone for not being the church all their lives. They deserve the same as someone that has been in the church their whole lives. The Lord is no respecter of persons and He does not honor one more than the other. If we are all doing what we need to do and follow the words of the Savior it is only fair and just that we receive the same. 

Becoming a Disciple of Christ

“To become a disciple means a decisive and irrevocable turning to both God and neighbor. What follows from there is a journey which…never ends in this life, a journey of continually discovering new dimensions of loving God and neighbor.”

-David J. Bosch

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is no simple task. Many different things go into becoming a pure disciple of Christ. From reading in the New Testament, I have compiled a list of some of the qualities it takes to become a disciple of Christ.

–    Choose the Savior

–    Pray

–    Ask, Seek & Knock

–    Humility

–    Lay up treasures in heaven

–    Faith

–    Be prepared

–    Stay on the Strait

–    Forsake everything

–    Patience

–    Endure to the end

–    Partake of his salvation

–    Offer your souls

–    Fast

–    Become as a child

–    Total trust in Christ

Keeping this list in mind, it is clear that there are many things that is takes to be a disciple of Christ. One of the characteristics I could more apply in my life would be to have total trust in Christ. There are some things in my life that I do have total faith in Christ. Then there are times when I rely more in the arm of flesh. Sometimes I think that I need to take things into my own hands. I have this idea in my head that I can fix things on my own. I like being independent. When I have a problem, I want to fix it all on my own and have no one to help me. This idea goes for all aspects in my life. I will pray and fast, but I will not exercise the total faith and trust in my Savior that I know I should. This is definitely one area that I need to work on. I know that if I were to give everything to my Savior, and put my complete trust in Him, I would be surprised at the blessings I could receive.

To become a disciple of Christ is not easy. It takes a lot of forsaking ones self and world. We must give up everything, without resentment. We must want to become His disciples. He must have our heart, mind and spirit focused on the goal. Every aspect of our lives needs to be pointed toward Christ and His example. When we master all the above stated qualities, we then have to endure to the end.

“He never said it would be easy. He only said it be worth would it.”

Becoming as a Child

“Children are the epitome of innocence, they are the epitome of purity, they are the epitome of love, they are the epitome of hope and gladness in this difficult and troubled world. –Gordon B. Hinckley

(“Behold Your Little Ones,” Children’s Fireside Satellite Broadcast, January 23, 1994.)

Christ has commanded us to be as a little child; meek, humble, submissive, patient,  full of love, forgiving, honest and willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon Him. Becoming as a little child is not an easy task and it requires work, but the Lord has promised us that He will help us. In Doctrine and Covenants, Section 78, verses 17 and 18 it reads:

“¹⁷ Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye  have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; ¹⁸ And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings there of are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.”

Here we see that Christ will lead us along. We do not have all the knowledge sufficient, but He does. We must come unto Him and allow Him to lead us along. We must be teachable and willing to learn at the hands of our Savior. It was so apparent that Jesus Christ loved the children. One of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon is 3 Nephi chapter 9. 

Christ comes to the Americas and tells them that they need to come unto Him as “a little child.” In chapter nine He takes the children, bless them, prayers over them, weeps and angels encircle them. Oh, to be one of those children. Christ has enabled a way for us to become as those children. Through His words and the words of His prophets we can become as a little child; meek, humble, submissive, patient, full of love, forgiving, honest and willing to submit to all things.

“I am A Child of God.”

“Lead me, guide me, walk beside me.

Help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do,

to live with Him someday.”

(Hymns, pg. 304)

Humanities

2. Describe a propaganda poster you could create to advocate some aspect of the BYU-Idaho Honor Code. Describe how it would appeal to the emotions of your audience to persuade them to do something that may not be what they would do naturally. Submit your design here. 

3. Find something in your apartment and make a cubist sketch of it. Reduce its forms to cones, spheres, and cylinders, and show it from several points of view simultaneously. Don’t stress over your ability to draw accurately. You may do this freehand, and then scan it or take picture of it and submit it. Or you may use the drawing tools of you favorite word processing program or drawing program and submit the file here.

Walking On Water

“Come. Be Not afraid”

-Mark 14

Picture yourself in the middle of the ocean and in the distance there is a man. Not just an ordinary man. A man that is walking on the water. What would be your first reaction?

                The disciples of Jesus Christ had this very experience. When they first saw Him, they thought He was some type of spirit and they were very afraid. Jesus answered them and said, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” (Matt. 14:27) Peter exercised great faith when he asked the Lord to, “bid me to come unto thee on the water.” (28) I often wonder what I would have done in that same situation; if I would have been afraid like the others or had the faith to venture out on the storm tossed waves to go unto Christ.  Christ answered Peter and told him to simply, “Come.”(29)

How wonderful it must have been to have Christ have the faith in Peter in that he would be able to come unto Him, and walk on the water.  Peter did not only have the faith to go out on the water, he had the faith to stay on the top of the water, for a time. Peter was distracted by the boisterous waves and wind and began to sink. It took just one moment and Peter looked away from Christ and he fell into the water. Peter cried out to Christ to “save him.” Immediately, Christ reached out His hand to him. How swift the Lord was to save Peter. He was there as soon as He was called upon.

                In Doctrine and Covenant section 88, verse 67 it reads:

“And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.”

Peter had a moment when he completely had his eye single to the glory of God. He was filled with that light and it comprehended all things. John had the faith to enable him to walk on water, because he had a firm foundation in the testimony of Jesus Christ. Peter’s mistake came when he took his eye off of Christ and let fear enter in. He regained his faith when he trusted that Christ could and would save him.  This very same principle can be applied to our everyday lives. If we have exercise the faith in Christ and keep our eye single to His glory, I think we would be surprised at what we could do. It is also important to remember that while we might not all be able to walk on water, if we try and put forth the effort, we cannot fall so deep that Christ won’t be there to lift us back up where we belong.  If we are doing what we need to be doing, if we are coming unto Him and trying our best to keep our eye single to His glory, He will meet us halfway. Christ does not want to see us drown. He doesn’t want to see us down. If we call upon Him, He will come. He will lift us out of the stormy waves and take us to safer ground. When we start to take our eyes off of Christ we get under our problems. All that Christ asks is that we step away from the darkness and come unto his light. The light that comprehendeth all the things. His saving light.  No such faith has been recorded in the history since than that of Peter. In the scriptures it does not clarify whether or not he lost faith in Christ or if it was a lack of faith in himself. Christ obviously had enough faith in Peter to beckon him to come. From this we can also learn that while we are exercising faith in our Savior, He is exercising faith in us. We also need to exercise that same faith in ourselves. If the Lord commands us to “come,” He will make it possible for us to do so. 

“For I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepares a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (Nephi 3:7) 

How wonderful it would be to know that my Savior and Redeemer would have enough faith in me to beckon me to come walk with Him on the water in the middle of a storm. I hope that one day I might be able to say, like Peter can also say,

“I walked today where Christ walked.”