Be Ye Reconciled To God

“Be Ye Reconciled To God”

Attention Activity

How many remember how you felt of 911?

How many remember what you expected from general conference in October after 911?

What did you expect to hear?

What did you hear?

Interesting this lesson falls on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. This message is much like the general conference addresses that followed the tragedys of 9/11.

The book of 2 Corinthians contains prophetic counsel that applies in our day. Paul’s teachings in this letter are similar to the teachings we often hear in general conference and they appear to be rather repetitive .

Elder Eyring observed, “When the words of prophets seem repetitive, that should rivet our attention [on them]” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 32; or Ensign, May 1997, 25). Encourage class members to receive the counsel in this lesson and “hold it close.”

What do we know about 2 Corinthians as a book?

The Setting

Paul wrote at least three letters to the Corinthian saints. The first apparently has been lost to us; we have copies of the second and third letters. These last two are known as First Corinthians and Second Corinthians, respectively. Second Corinthians is a follow-up letter to First Corinthians. It was from Macedonia, as evidence within the epistle itself suggests, that Paul wrote 2 Corinthians (2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:5–7; 9:2–4). Since Luke places Paul’s visit to Macedonia near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey, the letter was likely written in A.D. 57.

When the letter was completed, and there is good evidence to suggest that it was written in haste, Paul sent it with Titus on a return journey to Corinth. Titus was accompanied by two companions (2 Corinthians 8:18, 22), one of whom may have been Luke. Paul commends Titus and his party strongly to the Corinthians and urges them to make “proof” of their love and of Paul’s boasting in their behalf by making a generous contribution for the poor and sending it back with Titus (2 Corinthians 8:24; 9:5). Religion 211-212 Manual

2 Cor 10:10 Paul quotes what his enemies are saying about him.

10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. [ Paul is quoting what his enemies are saying about him. Paul makes note that he probably writes better than he speaks, In Part maybe due to his short stature 5 foot tall, large roman nose, sharp face, small black eyes, round sholder and whinning voice. Except when elevated - then it would resemble the roaring of a lion. ]

Becoming reconciled to God
Read and discuss 2 Corinthians 5:17–21.

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; [ What are the old things that pass away when we become a disciple? we loose our pride, we are more teachable as we relize that we do not know it all, our sins are removed, we are lost, ] behold, all things are become new. [ How do all things become new? well for one we have a new master, a new heart, a new way of life, a new relationship, they become new because they have a new spirit, we promise to become one in purpose, we are clean from sin, we have eternal destiny]

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, [ What does it mean to reconcil in this case? 1) Restore friendly relations between 2) Cause to coexist in harmony; make or show to be compatible. the word from which the original text was translated is "katallagh", which comes from katallassw, meaning to change thoroughly. so what is he teaching about the mission of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to be reconciled to God? Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “Reconciliation is the process of ransoming man from his state of sin and spiritual darkness and of restoring him to a state of harmony and unity with Deity. …Through his fall Adam brought spiritual death into the world; that is man was cast out of the presence of God and died as to things pertainint to righteousiness. ...Through the atonement - Christ brought spiritual ilfe into the world. Man, who was once carnal and evil, who lived after the manner of the flesh, becomes a new creature of the Holy Ghost; he is born again; and, even as a little child, he is alive in Christ” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1965–73], 2:422–23).] and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, [The word wit is an old English verb which literally means “to know” or “to find out.” When combined with the word to, the expression “to wit” usually means “that is” or “namely.” This is the use made of it here. However, the expression in 2 Corinthians 8:1, “we do you to wit of the grace of God,” means “we want you to know of the grace of God.”] that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, [ What is an ambassador? Ambassador is a person sent from one sovereign power to another; and is supposed to represent the person of the sovereign by whom he is deputed. Christ while on earth represented the person of the sovereign of the world; his apostles and their successors represent the person of Christ. ] as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. [ What then is required of us in order to reconcil ourselves to God?
Let's look at this letter from Paul to the saints in Corinth for some suggestions from Paul himself.]

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, [ another translation based on the original text might be - He made him who knew no sin, (who was innocent,) a sin-offering for us. Adam Clarke] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Learning Proper Understanding Of And Overcoming Tribulation

PAUL KNOWS soMETHING OF TRIALS AND PERSECUTION AND USES THEM TO TEACH 2 Cor 11:23-10

23 Are they ministers of Christ? [ Who is he talking about here? Those who are trying to tear down Paul and his apostleship] (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [They showed charity as the law called for forty stripes of lashes with the whip and they only gave hime 39 each time. What Was It Like to Be Scourged by the Jews? In Deuteronomy 25:1–3, Moses set down the principle that a guilty man could be lashed forty times. The Jewish rabbis had reduced that to thirty-nine, lest there should be a miscount and he be whipped more than forty times. (Moses warned against exceeding that number, and so the extra caution.) By Paul’s time this had developed into a brutally painful punishment meted out with great precision. To anyone familiar with the Jewish scourging, Paul’s claim that he endured such punishment five times is an impressive claim indeed, for often the victim died under the lashing. Farrar has given us a detailed description of the practice. “Both of [the victim’s] hands were tied to . . . a stake a cubit and a half high. The public officer then tore down his robe until his breast was laid bare. The executioner stood on a stone behind the criminal. The scourge consisted of two thongs, one of which was composed of four strands of calf-skin, and one of two strands of ass’s-skin, which passed through a hole in a handle. . . . The prisoner bent to receive the blows, which were inflicted with one hand, but with all the force of the striker, thirteen on the breast, thirteen on the right, and thirteen on the left shoulder. While the punishment was going on, the chief judge read aloud [Deuteronomy 28:58, 59; 24:9; and Psalms 78:38, 39 which dealt with God’s commandments, the punishment for their nonobservance, and the Lord’s compassion on the sinner] . . . If the punishment was not over by the time that these three passages were read, they were again repeated, and so timed as to end exactly with the punishment itself. Meanwhile a second judge numbered the blows, and a third before each blow exclaimed ‘Hakkehu’ (strike him).” (Farrar, The Life and Works of St. Paul, pp. 715–16.) One cannot help but wonder why Paul would submit to these at the hands of the Jews when he claimed Roman citizenship on other occasions and escaped this dreadful punishment (Acts 22:24–29). Again we turn to Farrar for a possible answer. He says that once a person was so lashed, he was viewed as being fully restored, having paid completely any debt incurred by his wrongdoing. Then Farrar adds: “To have refused to undergo it by sheltering himself under the privilege of his Roman citizenship would have been to incur excommunication, and finally to have cut himself off from admission into the synagogue.” (Farrar, St. Paul, p. 717). As we saw from Acts, Paul’s typical missionary approach was to enter the synagogue and begin preaching. To be cut off from such access would have been a serious curtailment of his efforts. When one undergo such a flogging a second time, after suffering it once, one gets some idea of the extent of Paul’s commitment to Christ. Little wonder that he is peeved by the empty boasting and petty criticism of the false teachers at Corinth!]

25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, [Namely, at Lystra, Acts 14: 19] thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [ in some shipwreck not on record; the apostle had most likely saved himself by holding onto a plank, and was a whole day and night on the sea ]

26 In journeyings often, [as he went to different places in preaching the Gospel] in perils of waters, [ both on the sea as well as crossing dangerous rivers ] in perils of robbers, [Judea itself, and perhaps every other country, was grievously infested by bandits of this kind; and no doubt the apostle in his frequent peregrinations was often attacked, but, being poor and having nothing to lose, he passed unhurt, though not without great danger. ] in perils by mine own countrymen, [The Jews had the most rooted antipathy to him, because they considered him an apostate from the true faith, and also the means of perverting many others. There are several instances of this in the Acts; and a remarkable conspiracy against his life is related, Acts 23:12,] in perils by the heathen, [In the heathen providences while preaching as is noted in Acts] in perils in the city, [The different conduct or language designed by others to incie rebellion against him; particularly in Jerusalem, to which Ephesus and Damascus may be added. ] in perils in the wilderness, [crossing the wilderness as he went from city to city would have made him subject to cold, heat, wild beasts, hunger, thirst, and other dangers] in perils in the sea, [the dangers of the sea, the narrow seas in which he would have passed along the rough and dangerous coastlines] in perils among false brethren; [Those who joined the church, got close to him while acting as spies to bring insults and accusations upon him]

27 In weariness and painfulness, [ One needs to ask himself, if Paul did not have such a testimony how could he have gone thru so much tribulation? wandering as a vagabond, hungry and naked, yet constantly in an effort of teaching and trying to save those who were less fortunate than himself - those without the gospel.] in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [verses 24-33 (Compare 1 Nephi 20:10.)]

28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

29 Who is weak, [who in the middle of trials does not get beaten down, maybe discouraged] and I am not weak? who is offended, [those who have left the church - turned away] and I burn not? [ Paul trying to express his testimony, his zeal for the work to get them to change their ways.]

so what Did Paul know about suffering?

Do you think there is any relationship between the affliction that was heaped upon him, and the power of his ministry and the great wisdom that flowed from the pen of his experience?

PAUL PROVIDES THE QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR A GOOD MINISTER OF GOD 2 Cor 6:2-10

3 Giving no offence [ Do you find it interesting that Pauls starts by referring to offense? How many people do you personally know that have left the church becuse they were given to some sort of offense? Why is it important that we don't put our selves in a place or doing a thing that might offend? ] in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, [ What characteristics does Paul offer that we should develop as his ministers? Ask why each is important! ] in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, [Such straits and difficulties as were absolutely unavoidable and insurmountable. The word implies, being reduced to a narrow place, driven to a corner, hemmed in on every side, as the Israelites were at the Red Sea; the sea before them, Pharaoh and his host behind them, and Egyptian fortresses on either hand. God alone could bring them out of such difficulties, when their enemies themselves saw that the wilderness had shut them in. So was it often with the apostles; all human help failed, and their deliverance came from God alone. ]

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, [The agitations, or tossings as the consequences of their calling, they are obilged to flee from place to place in order to survive persecution] in labours, [That they labored with their own hands to provide the necessities for life] in watchings, [The many nights that they went without sleep or rest] in fastings; [Both thru voluntary that they might stay humble; and close to the spirit - as well as the involuntary fasting were they just did not have food during their labors]

6 By pureness, [with simple intention, with holiness] by knowledge, [of the Gospel and the understanding of the mysteries of God] by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, [Love without hypocrisy]

7 By the word of truth, [The true doctrines contained in the Gospel of Jesus Christ] by the power of God, [Called an set apart as his disciples, using the power of both the Holy Ghost and the power of the priesthood.] by the armour of righteousness [see Eph. 6: 13-17 Armour of God - consisting of the following pieces: the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. ] on the right hand and on the left,

8 By honour and dishonour, [ How does a disciple of God take on both honor and dishonor in fulfilling their calling? experiencing both honor and dishonor as a representative of Christ] by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, [without purse or script] yet making many rich; [ How does one so poor make others rich when they were poor? They taught them the knowledge of God. The purpose of life.] as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. [ How can one who has the gospel have nothing and yet have all things? ]

GOD STANDS WITH US AND COMFORTS US IN OUR TRIBULATION 2 Cor 1:4-10

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, [ Does the Lord always comfort everyone in their trials? Does the Lord comfort everyone the same in their trials? Why some and not others? attitude, belief, ask for his help. "What does Malachi say the Lord is like? What are some of the fires that the Lord may allow to come to his people in order to purify and purge them? It is for God to declare the furnace, and the day and the time; and it is for man to submit and endure, for gold becomes gold by passing through fire and men may become what God has designed they become only by passing through trial. Now what is trial? You know of Abraham’s trial, and of the suffering strewn in the path of Joseph Smith, of which President Brigham Young recalled: Joseph could not have been perfected, though he had lived a thousand years, if he had received no persecution. If he had lived a thousand years, and led this people, and preached the Gospel without persecution, he would not have been perfected as well as he was at the age of thirty-nine years. You may calculate, when this people are called to go through scenes of affliction and suffering, are driven from their homes, and cast down, and scattered, and smitten, and peeled, the Almighty is rolling on his work with greater rapidity.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 351.)] that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, [ How can we help others receive comfort from God? Always be ready to share your testimony, to love and comfort others as that is what the Lord expects of us. What does Paul inform us that part gives a purpose to the spiritual comforts that we may have received - or what are we to do with the comforts that we have received? They are not for us alone but to be distributed just as with any of the gofts of God - to the help and benefit of others. ] by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. [ What is Paul trying to say here about the comfort he received during his trials? That he could stand as well, as firm, and as easy, in the heaviest trial, as in the lightest; because the consolation (comfort) was always proportioned to the trial and difficulty. Hence we learn, that he who is upheld in a slight trial need not fear a great one; for if he be faithful, his consolation shall abound, as his sufferings abound. Is it not as easy for a man to lift one hundred pounds' weight, as it is for an infant to lift a few ounces? The proportion of strength destroys the comparative difficulty. ]

6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, [ What part does affliction and trail play in our salvation? Peter makes interesting comment as well regarding trials - see 1 Peter 2:20 - We don't get any credit toward our salvation for trials caused by our own disobedience; just those that are placed upon us as disciples.] which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, [ know this ] knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, [ you will suffer ] so shall ye be also of the consolation. [ and you will be comforted ]

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, [referring to the events of Acts 19:19? To what part of his history the apostle refers we know not: some think it is to the Jews lying in wait to kill him, Acts xx. 3; others, to the insurrection raised against him by Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen, Acts xix. 23; others, to his fighting with beasts at Ephesus, 1 Cor. xv. 32, which they understand literally; and others think that there is a reference here to some persecution which is not recorded in any part of the apostle's history. ] that we were pressed out of measure, [ What do you suppose that he means by this statement? out of our comfort zone. What happened when we get out of our comfort zone? ] above strength, [Above our own strength? What happens to us we we are outside of our ability to fix the problem with our own strength? We realize that we must rely on the Lord - he is our only hope. When we understand that- that he is there with strength beyond measure, the power of our life grows.] insomuch that we despaired even of life:[ There is no part of Paul's history known to us which can justify these strong expressions, except his being stoned at Lystra; which if not what is here intended, the facts to which he refers are not on record - but in Acts 19:19 the Jews who returned to find Paul preaching had presumed that he had been killed when they stoned him. As Lystra was properly in Asia, unless he mean Asia Minor, so did this stoning at Lystra really take his life, so that his being raised was an effect of the miraculous power of God; he might be supposed to refer to this. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians was written after a time of great persecution when Paul and Timothy. What does one learn about himself during trails? What does one learn about life during trials? Why does the Lord allow us to endure trials? ]

9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

Elder Neal A. Maxwell assured us that Jesus Christ will help us through our afflictions:
“When we take Jesus’ yoke upon us, this admits us eventually to what Paul called the ‘fellowship of [Christ’s] sufferings’ (Philippians 3:10). Whether illness or aloneness, injustice or rejection, … our comparatively small-scale sufferings, if we are meek, will sink into the very marrow of the soul. We then better appreciate not only Jesus’ sufferings for us, but also His matchless character, moving us to greater adoration and even emulation.
“Alma revealed that Jesus knows how to succor us in the midst of our griefs and sicknesses precisely because Jesus has already borne our griefs and sicknesses (see Alma 7:11–12). He knows them firsthand; thus His empathy is earned. Of course, we do not comprehend it fully any more than we understand how He bore all mortal sins, but His Atonement remains the rescuing and reassuring reality” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1997, 13; or Ensign, May 1997, 12).

How have Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ helped you during adversity?

• • Paul told the Corinthians of the trials that he and many of the Saints endured because of their belief in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 6:4–5; 11:23–33). What characteristics did Paul teach that we should develop to help us endure trials?

DEVELOP A GOOD ATTITUDE DURING TRIALS 2 Cor 4:8-9

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; [ What charistic is Paul trying to bring out when he talks about being persecuted - but not forsaken? No matter how hard life seems, be of good cheer - have a good attitude.]

DEVELOP SPIRITUAL STRENGTH 2 Cor 4:16

16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, [While our bodies may get week, and get discouraged ] yet the inward man [make sure that your spirit stays strong - don't get discourage - hang in there] is renewed day by day. [and if you are faithful in doing that you will grow stronger every day that you endure. ]

What is Paul encouraging us to do from this verse?

SEE YOUR TRIALS FROM AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE AND BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TRIALS 2 Cor 4:17

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, [our mortal life Why is it helpful to see our trials from an eternal perspective? How can we learn to look at our trials from an eternal perspective? ] worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [ What does it mean to allow trials to work in you a more exceeding weight of glory? Do you allow trials to work in you a more exceeding weight of glory, as Paul said? What is the real purpose of this life? 1) To gain a body 2) See if we would keep his commandments when not in his presence 3) Become like him What role do trails have in becoming like him? Give us experience. May it be that some trials come to you because God has in his design to refine you and make you pure? Do you pray that God will take from you the very experiences and trials which he has designed to improve you? Do you submit to them (Mosiah 3:19) and learn from them, and trust them as having come from an all wise and loving Father?

READ D&C 58:2–4.

2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

Will you bear well your trials, and learn to examine them? For there will come a day when you will understand. President John Taylor, who bore in his body bullet wounds from the martyrdom at Carthage, and during whose administration the wrath of a belligerent nation rained down upon the Church with near devastating effect, taught: “It is necessary that we pass through certain ordeals in order that we may be purified. People sometimes do not comprehend these things. . . . “We have learned many things through suffering, we call it suffering; I call it a school of experience. . . . What are these things for? Why is it that good men should be tried? . . . that we may learn to place our dependence upon God, and trust in Him, and to observe his laws and keep his commandments. . . . I have never looked at these things in any other light than trials for the purpose of purifying the Saints of God, that they may be, as the Scriptures say, as gold that has been seven times purified by the fire. [See Psalms 12:6.]” (JD, 23:334–36.)]

TAKING PLEASURE IN YOUR AFLICTIONS 2 Cor 12:5-10

5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, [ What do you suppose Paul is talking about when he speaks of having a thorn in the flesh? What are some of the thorns in the flesh that Paul might be talking about here? 2 Cor 11:24-27 Paul has asked the Lord numerous times (see vs 8)to take this thorn from him; but never the less he remains diligent, presses forward in the work of the Lord and relizes that he gets his strength from the Lord. The original Hebrew word Paul uses here literally means “a Pale” (as in impaled) or “a stake.” It was used to refer to sharpened stakes, to surgical instruments, or to fishhooks. The very term suggests something that was extremely painful and troublesome to Paul. There have been endless debates on what such an infirmity might be, and the suggestions have included a bitter and shrewish wife who turned against Paul at his conversion, epilepsy, a serious eye affliction, malaria, and some spiritual weakness with which he was constantly troubled. There is no way of knowing from the present records what Paul meant. What we can be sure of is that each of us has weaknesses, spiritual as well as physical, which Satan will use to challenge us.

Elder Harold B. Lee said: “The Lord has told us in the scriptures that Satan is an enemy of all righteousness; because of that fact, those who are standing in high places in our Father’s kingdom will become the objects of his attacks. You may well expect, as the Apostle Paul understood, that you who preside in the various places in our Father’s kingdom will be subject to the devil’s onslaughts. “. . . sometimes there is given infirmity, difficulty, hardship upon you to try your souls; and the powers of Satan seem to be enrolled against you, watching and trying to break down your powers of resistance: but your weakness, through those infirmities, will give you the power of God that shall rest upon you even as the Apostle Paul was reconciled and comforted by the thought that through his trials the power of God might rest upon him.” (CR, Oct. 1949, 57.)] the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [ What does he mean by this comment? Could he be saying unless I would get caught up in pride? ]

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [ Why does the Lord not remove this weakness from Paul? Why does the Lord allow us to continue in our weakness? Why does the Lord give us weaknesses? The Book of Mormon says that the Lord gives us weakness that we may make them strengths.]

9 And he said unto me, [The Lord said to him] My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, [ Do I take pleasure in my infirmities, my trails? What is wrong with me if I don't ? What principal does Paul understand that I do not? That trailis part of the plan, without the trail we cannot recome like him, our Father in Heaven that we want to understand and become like. Trail makes us rely on him even more, trail gives us empathy, understanding and wisdom. Does it appear from these passages that there was a connection between the intensity of Paul’s afflictions and the degree to which the power of Christ could rest upon him? Now what of you? For surely you have trials. Surely you are no stranger to affliction. Do you bring them upon yourself by disobedience or lack of wisdom? Read D&C 98:3.] in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

WE NEED TO HAVE GODLY soRROW FOR OUR SINS 2 Cor 7:8-10

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, [ After hearing that one of his epistles had “made [the Corinthians] sorry,” Paul rejoiced Why did Paul respond this way to the Corinthians’ sorrow? ] though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. [ If I made you sad, and you did something about it then it is really a good thing - and therefore I am happy ]

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance [ What does it mean to have “godly sorrow” for our sins? godly sorrow brings one great unrest until they feel the tender mercies of a pardon from the sin ] to salvation [ there is no salvation until one is fully repentant ] not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. [ What are some of the sorrows of the world? sorry for loss of possessions, lost friends, loss of power, loss of wealth, How do the sorrows of the world bring death? We for one stress causes a lot of damage to the body... What is the difference between godly sorrow and “the sorrow of the world”?]

Video presentation “Godly sorrow” .

Why is godly sorrow an important part of repentance?
President Spencer W. Kimball explained: “If one is sorry only because someone found out about his sin, his repentance is not complete. Godly sorrow causes one to want to repent, even though he has not been caught by others, and makes him determined to do right no matter what happens. This kind of sorrow brings righteousness and will work toward forgiveness” (Repentance Brings Forgiveness [pamphlet, 1984], 8).

WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO FORGIVE 2 Cor 2:4-11
Read and discuss 2 Corinthians 2:4–11.

4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart [ Pauls enemies were most likely trying to him seem uncaring, harsh, allof, authoritative man; who was better pleased with inflicting wounds than in healing them. But he vindicates himself from this charge by solemnly asserting that this was the most painful part of his office; and that the writing of his first epistle to them cost him much affliction and anguish of heart, and many tears. ] I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. [ What Does Paul Mean When He Says “That I May Not Overcharge You”? This verse and those that follow it provide an interesting insight into the love and compassion of Paul. We do not know whether the transgressor Paul refers to here is the fornicator mentioned in his first letter (1 Corinthians 5:1) or one of the false teachers in the church who had led a revolt against Paul and his teachings. But it is evident that the church has taken action against the men, and now Paul cautions them against withholding their love from him. In verse 5 he hastens to point out that he was upset with the news of this brother, not because his own feelings were hurt but because the man was doing damage to the entire church in Corinth. Now Paul encourages them to forgive and comfort this man so that he will not be lost from fellowship. (vss. 6–12). This attitude of firmness on adherence to church rules and procedure, but loving forgiveness when the transgressor shows true repentance and corrects the errant behavior, is a mark of the church of Jesus Christ today as well as in former times.]

[v6-11 are referring to the person cited in 1 Cor. 5:1 and encouraging the ecclesia to fellowship the individual and encourage him to repent, so that all of them might be obedient in all things.]

6 Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, [That is, the man has already suffered sufficiently. Here he gives a proof of his parental tenderness towards this great transgressor. He had been disowned by the Church; he had deeply repented; and now the apostle pleads for him. ] which was inflicted of many.

7 so that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, [] and comfort him, [ What Does the Doctrine and Covenants teach us about what we should do after we chastise someone? D&C 121:43] lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. [ What is the message here? Why is it so important to show forth with more love and comfort? The sinner feels like they can never return, satan get more power in their life - they feel like a failure... The D&C says lest he esteem thee to be thy enemy. see verse 11]

8 Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. [ I beseech you to confirm, to ratify, by a public act of the Church, your love to him; give him the fullest proof that you do love him; by forgiving him and restoring him to his place in the Church. How are we as individuals to judge someone who has had church disipline take against them? We are not to judge! so what are we to do after the disipline has been taken? confirm our love How do we as members confirm our love to those who have repented? ]

9 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: [Note that Paul uses the word us - not him - meaning that Satan can use unforgiving nature against both the sinner and the saint. How does Satan use unforgiviness with the sinner? They feel that they are no good, nobody loves them, there is no way back... How does Satan use unforgiving against the saint? The saint judges the sinner - I am better than he..., the saint my shun the sinner; and miss out on productive relationships, the saint in essence develops a sense of pride.] for we are not ignorant of his devices. [ Or it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out many of the things that satan does, or the tricks he employs against us. What can we do to become more forgiving? ]

President Gordon B. Hinckley said:
“We see the need for [forgiveness] in the homes of the people, where tiny molehills of misunderstanding are fanned into mountains of argument. We see it among neighbors, where insignificant differences lead to undying bitterness. We see it in business associates who quarrel and refuse to compromise and forgive when, in most instances, if there were a willingness to sit down together and speak quietly one to another, the matter could be resolved to the blessing of all. Rather, they spend their days nurturing grudges and planning retribution. …
“If there be any who nurture in their hearts the poisonous brew of enmity toward another, I plead with you to ask the Lord for strength to forgive. This expression of desire will be of the very substance of your repentance. It may not be easy, and it may not come quickly. But if you will seek it with sincerity and cultivate it, it will come. …
“… There is no peace in reflecting on the pain of old wounds. There is peace only in repentance and forgiveness. This is the sweet peace of the Christ, who said, ‘blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.’ (Matt. 5:9.)” (“Of You It Is Required to Forgive,” Ensign, June 1991, 2, 5).
• • What can we do to become more forgiving?

SPIRITUAL MEN LOOK FOR THE ETERNAL THINGS NOT THE TEMPORAL THINGS 2 Cor 4:18

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, [our goal, our aim, the mark that we are trying to achieve is not for the things which are seen; or the things of the world. We are not seeking after the goods of the world - money, property, fame, power.] but at the things which are not seen: [Paul says he is seeking the things which are not seen as they are spiritual, and are invisible to the eye - they cannot be seen with the carnal eye; but the spiritual eye only. ] for the things which are seen are temporal; [They will eventually deterorate, rust, die, disolve, with time.] but the things which are not seen are eternal. [ What is he trying to say in this verse? This parallelism of seen and not seen with temporal and eternal things is a common theme for Paul, cp. Rom. 8:24, Col. 1:16, 1 Tim. 1:17. Heavenly things are eternal and they go unseen by mortals unless the Spirit reveals them. Eternal-things that are permanent; that can have no end; they are things which belong to God; holiness, happiness, and the endless communication and fruition of himself. ]

WE HELP OURSELVES AS WELL AS OUR LEADERS WHEN WE PRAY FOR THEM 2 Cor 1:11

11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, [Why is it important for us to pray for each other? How have the prayers of others blessed you or someone you know? How are we blessed when we pray for others? Paul expresses his knowledge that it is with the help of the saints thru their prayers that they have been blessed as well. Have you ever stopped to wonder what innumerable blessings do the prayers of the Saints draw down on for the benefit of the prophet? the apostles? The Bishop? ] that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Conclusion
Testify of the truths you have discussed. Encourage class members to remember and follow Paul’s counsel in 2 Corinthians. Summary of what Paul taught us in 2 Corinthians.

Become reconciled to God 2 Corinthians 5:17–21

PAUL UNDERSTANDS THE PURPOSE OF TRIALS - THEY MAKE HIM A BETTER MINISTER 2 Cor 11:23-10