6: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Matthew 4, Luke 4-5) (2023)

Tammi 0:00

What is the difference between a need and a want? Now I remember the first time my parents tried to teach me this principle. And I thought what? is there a difference Well, in today's discussion of Matthew chapter four and Luke, chapters four through five address a need in our lives, and it's probably not what you would think of right away. Indeed, here is a reference from Doctrine and Covenants section 29 verse 39 that says, "The devil must tempt the children of men, or else they cannot be their own judges." I'm pretty sure I don't even know the smallest part want or need some of what this verse is talking about, but apparently that's the way it's meant to be, and today we're going to find out why.

Tammy 0:42

Welcome to the Sunday on Monday Study Group, an original Deseret Bookshelf Plus brought to you by LDS Living, where we do the weekly Come, Follow Me lesson and really dig in our scriptures together. I'm your hostess, Tammy Uzelac Hall. If you're new to our study group I just want to make sure you know how to use this podcast so follow the link in our description. He'll walk you through how best to use this podcast to boost your Come, Follow Me studies, as will my new friend Lexi Sprig. Hello Lexi. OK. She is the cutest FSY counselor ever. In fact, she used to be an EFY counselor with my daughter Anna and I met her at Harmons and she is gorgeous. lexi i love you Another amazing thing about our study group is that we have two friends of mine every week and it's always a little bit different and today is different. We have two seniors, they have been together before but they have never been together. So we have Charmaine Howell from Minnesota. Hello group.

Sharmaine Howell 1:30

They love it, like you always say Minnesota. That's me now. I love that.

Tammy 1:36

And then we have Diane Iman. Hello Sister.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:39

Hello Sister.

Tammy 1:41

Diane and I taught seminars together a long time ago when we were single.

Diane 1:46

We used to be real cute back then, Tam.

Tammy 1:49

we're still

Sharmaine Howell 1:50

I still think you're super cute, by the way.

Tammy 1:54

Slightly older and much grayer.

Sharmaine Howell 1:56

And both are still passionate about teaching the scriptures. So yes,

Diane 2:01

Here we go. So let's do it girl

Tammy 2:05

Oh, we're so excited. Let's have fun today. And there's a lot to talk about. So we didn't even have time to get to know each other properly. What ever. You just have to know that these women are amazing. Here it is. And if you want to learn more about them, you can read their bios and see their photos, which will be included in our Monday program notes at lds living.com/sunday. OK, just real quick. As a reminder, I mentioned this last week, but if you haven't heard last week's episode, please remember that we do not do a sequential study of Scripture. That is, we will not study Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; we do a harmonious study of the gospels and that's what Come, Follow Me does. So each week we learn something from Matthew and then something from Luke, but we're probably not going to cover all the chapters, just parts of it. So if you're reading Matthew 4 or Luke 4-5 and you say wait a minute, we haven't even covered those verses. There's a reason we'll come back to this later when we get to these specific stories from Jesus' life.

Tammy 2:55

So you just know that. Here is a new task for you. I always say take your writings and something to write with. But guess what I'm going to say now. Grab your scriptures, something to write with, and your copy of Jesus the Christ, and let's dive in. Okay, let's start with a really big question. And I asked these ladies in advance to think about it because I bet it changes often. So here is my question to both of you. Is there something specific that you do or have done when you want to feel close to God? Well, for those of you who are listening, I want you to write your answers very quickly before listening to what my guests have to say. Because I don't want your answers to be spoiled by theirs. So write it down, is there anything specific that you do or have done to feel close to God? And now ladies, tell me what's your answer?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 3:41

So one of the things that I have, I've been doing a few things lately. One of them drives into the gorge. I don't like driving in the mountains at all, it scares me to death

Sharmaine Howell 3:58

Sounds like a great thing to do then. I'm curious.

Tammy 4:02

Yes / Yes. Wow. Ah, why do you pray all the time, right? you are so scared

Dianne Gerdy Iman 4:07

Always braver. And for some reason, being in beautiful nature makes you feel closer to Heavenly Father. And then the other one, the bigger one, goes to the temple. And although the temple is not open, I just sit in my car on the temple grounds. You know, I was there at 10 o'clock at night. And just sitting in my car, in the pouring rain, just praying and crying and, you know, getting answers and feeling my cup full and being so much closer to my heavenly Father even though I'm not there.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 4:56

not in the temple

Dianne Gerdy Iman 4:57

Yes. You know, so when I'm at the temple, yes, definitely. But when it's closed I still feel it.

Sharmaine Howell 5:07

That was great. Um, I think mine, I sort of have two too. My first would be to pray out loud. I don't do this every day, I don't know why. But I pray a lot in my heart, in my head. But if I need to feel really close to God, I need to pray out loud. It makes me really present in the moment. And the other just breathed and meditated. It may sound weird, but I remember texting you about a month ago, Tammy. And it was after a podcast with Aliah,

One 5:48

oh Sim,

Sharmaine Howell 5:48

And she explained breathing and fear. And I thought she gave a brief definition of fear. And I was like, um, I'm scared. Impressed me like never before. But then, as she explained, as I breathed in and out the word Yaweh, I thought, Oh my God. So I started doing it every now and then when I felt that fear. And it really made me like the center again and back to the present. And so I become like, you know, if I need to feel closer to God, I need to be now, I need to be present. I can't be in the past. And I can't worry about the future. If I'm scared of them, I have to be in the present. And so, breathing, meditating, and praying out loud really brings me into present time. And then I feel like I can feel the Spirit best when I'm present. And at this moment. And the Spirit really speaks to me in those moments. So those are two things that I thought would really help me get closer to God, like in a moment, like an early warning, you know, like when I'm feeling, I'm feeling distant or I'm feeling like me need help now.

Tammy 7:01

yes thank you char You know, when you explained your answers, one of the things I liked was the common theme. You are both present, you are both actively doing something to feel closer to God. I want you to go with me to Matthew chapter four. Let's just look at two verses, verse one and two. And I want to show you why I asked this question, what it has to do with Jesus. So, Matthew 4:1,2. Let's start with verse one. And Diane, would you please read that to us?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 7:29

Yes. Hence Matthew 4:1 "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." Shall I do something?

Tammy 7:41

Yes. Please show us the footnote. Diane is the footnote queen. She really taught us that last year. I'm so happy. K, Diane, teach us the footnote here.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 7:50

OK. So what I do, I used to teach my seminary students, if you look at the bottom of the page, you see in chapter four, it's called 4b, and it's called JST, Matthew 4:1. So that's the Joseph Smith translation. So below that I circle the b and then underline J S T, Matthew 4:1 “to be with God”. So I circle the b and underline that, then I go to the back and then I color that. So when I read it and say, "So Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness," I see the colored b, so I know I have to look down So instead of saying "being tempted by the devil," I need to replace that with "being with God." So he went up into the wilderness to be with God. And when He has fasted 40 days and 40 nights, it will happen again. We go to the end of page 2c. Circle 2c, underline JST Matthew 4:2, then go back to c in verse 2. Circle the c and color it so it now reads "and after he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights and had conversed with God, he was hungry and was tempted by the devil."

Tammy 9:25

Excellent Diane, thank you very much. Okay, so in verse one he went into the wilderness to have fellowship with God. So I asked what are some things you do to be with God? Well, we read verse two, and Diane taught us what Jesus did to be with God? What was he actively doing?

Sharmaine Howell 9:48

Well, they say he was fasting, but I also like that he went into the desert. Yes, I like both.

Tammy 9:54

To the right? Yes, he went into the desert and then fasted. I find it incredible to believe that he chose to be with God. Here's a really cool quote. And I like that again because it's from the New Testament commentary that I'm using. And I like how succinctly they express their experiences. And I'll read this, it says He went into the wilderness to commune with the infinite, to put off the things of the flesh, and by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, to prepare for his ministry. As we journey through this wilderness of life, may all mortals follow his example and do the same. Let us be filled daily, especially with scripture study and prayer. So when temptations come, which will be inevitable, they will have no power to overcome us because we are like our Spirit-filled example. Now I want you to look at this quote and tell me briefly what struck you about it.

Sharmaine Howell 10:54

I love that he said he was empowered by the Holy Spirit. Yes, tell me why it's so good. I mean that's exactly what we need. And it said, you know, through Scripture and through prayer, we can be filled with the Spirit. And it will make us stronger. Yes. if we need it And as we go through our wild lives, we need to be strengthened by it. And so we must take time to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And I mean that, I've never thought about it. Therefore, before he began to be filled, he went into the wilderness to be empowered. I love that.

Tammy 11:31

Shar, thanks for sharing this. And you are exactly right. I think I was the same. I had not thought about that. For me. I always thought fasting was the temptation or the ordeal. And he really did that to prepare himself to strengthen himself for what was about to happen. And so, in the next section, we'll find out if it actually worked.

Tammy 12:00

So let's talk about fasting. Tell me how do you feel when you fast? Because I have to tell you, I have a child in my family who was so hungry you can't even imagine. I mean, when she gets home from school, I'll know which food is first. Let's have a snack before we do anything else.

Sharmaine Howell 12:17

Oh yeah. I think for a long time I was so thankful. I was pregnant or breastfeeding. I had this fantastic excuse. And I thought I just can't, I wish so much I could. Yes. And I really didn't want power. And recently, maybe in the last six months, that's a terrible admission. But how did I really want to start fasting. Okay, my baby is five years old, bad bad, I should have admitted it publicly.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 12:47

My baby is 14 years old.

Sharmaine Howell 12:52

It's tough!

Dianne Gerdy Iman 12:52

I think if we really understand what the purpose of fasting is, then let's fast. And let me tell you that my testimony about fasting grew immensely as I studied these chapters. And you know how you have those moments in your life where, yeah, you, you have those aha moments, and then your life just goes, and you go, and things are great. And then you kind of get complacent. And then you have that aha moment again. That's exactly how I felt when I was studying. And I was like, oh, you know, here's the savior. And he's fasting to prepare for his ministry, you know, and I think if I have a purpose for my fasting, which I've been having lately while I'm going through, you know, different experiences, like I really have a purpose for my Fast. I want to fast. But if I don't, man, give me something.

Charmaine Howell 14:10

grain of life,

Dianne Gerdy Iman 14:12

To the right? Gimme gimme my Captain Crunch And I'll be fine.

Sharmaine Howell 14:17

I know I've always felt this was a horrible part of Jesus' life. When I was a child, he had to fast for 40 days. why did he do that? That was a terrible time in your life. Oh I feel so bad for

Tammy 14:32

such is the trial he had to overcome

Sharmaine Howell 14:36

Satan was responsible for everything.

Tammy 14:38

Satan gave him nothing to eat and made him fast. And we just read him, he made up his mind and his whole goal was to communicate with God. To the right? He didn't even know what was coming. He just went into the desert to get closer to his heavenly Father, and when I asked him that question in the beginning, my answer would have been the former. fast. But I'm not saying that because I'm so good and fasting all the time. Because if I do it really fast, I think all the angels on the other side of the veil will be like, okay guys, she's serious. All right, everyone gather. We really need to do something like me. She's not joking.

Sharmaine Howell 15:29

Yes, send her some nice bonus points. So she wants to do it again.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 15:34

She's serious. she needs something

Tammy 15:36

Yes, that's exactly me. So let's go to chapter four of Matthew. And I want you to tell me and Diane that you've read this, we kind of know, but tell me in the scriptures. What do we learn from this about how the Savior felt physically after the fast? What does that tell us?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 15:52

Verse two says he was hungry afterwards. Why? 40 days

Sharmaine Howell 16:03

I can imagine.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 16:04

Yes, as two meals. Let's go.

Tammy 16:08

I mean, you kind of think maybe Jesus just wasn't hungry anymore. And how, yes, Scripture tells us in the story. Oh no. He was hungry.

Sharmaine Howell 16:17

Yes. It makes you feel okay, I can understand that. he was a man he is normal He's right. He is as I would have been. Yes, instead of Oh, if you didn't say so. I thought: oh, that was an easy thing for him. He's half god. To the right? To the right.

Tammy 16:33

For those of us struggling with the Sunday fast, come on, oh he was hungry too. Oh look what he did. OK, he understands. Now. 40 is really wonderful. Highlight word 40. In verse two. We've talked about this before. And last year we did it. And I'm just going to remind us that in Hebrew here are some things. So it could be that he certainly fasted 40 days and 40 nights. Absolutely. Another interesting thing is that the number 40 in Hebrew actually means a symbol or a time of trial, trial or mourning. The number 40 can signify a time of trial, ordeal, or mourning.

Sharmaine Howell 17:14

That seems very appropriate to me. Because it was his probationary period. It was the time when he was trying to prepare for ministry, right. It is difficult for him to spend the time he needs to prepare for his ministry.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 17:33

Yes, he needed that power. To the right.

Tammy 17:38

And those 40 days, yes, they prepared him. And it was absolutely a time, and I thought it was an interesting probationary period. I looked up the word parole because I wasn't sure. I only know the condition. If you get out of jail, you're on probation. But I found that interesting. It says a critical examination and evaluation or submission, such an examination and evaluation, as a critical examination and evaluation. Wow what is he doing now from this point.

Sharmaine Howell 18:08

I love that

Tammy 18:10

Here the Redeemer says: All right, big breath. Here we go. I just got baptized, I'm 30 years old and something's about to happen. And boy did I do it. It began. Actually, let's go to verse three. So, after he finishes his fast, let's come in here, Shar, will you read verse three?

Sharmaine Howell 18:33

And the tempter came to him and said: If he is the son of God, command these stones to become bread.

Tammy 18:40

OK. Tell me, isn't that interesting? Why do you think this is Satan's first temptation? Bread?

Sharmaine Howell 18:48

Only he is hungry. The first thing you think of when you've finished your fast.

Tammy 18:54

I think it's so interesting because I never thought about there going to be three great temptations. And he fails with the first two, which we'll talk about in a moment. But he could have done it, but he's out of the gates. Eat. To the right.

Sharmaine Howell 19:05

Yes, I think it's because our flesh is weak. We hear this sentence, like, it's a weak part of our body, right? Yes. This is really difficult to master.

Incense 19:15

Yes, I totally agree. And I've been thinking about it all week. Why didn't he get something to eat quickly? He's about to pull it off. I would right? Yes, Satan, you can hold on for a second. I'll just get a piece of bread. And so we continue. And that was really interesting for me. And I read it in Jesus the Christ. So when you have your copy of Jesus the Christ, I want you to go to page 121. In Jesus the Christ, if you have the book, if you don't have the book and you have it online, you want to go to Jesus the Christ, Christ, chapter 10. And then you want to go to the section that says the temptation of Christ. And after you get to the Temptations of Christ, you find the paragraph that says "So," and that's the fifth paragraph, so scroll down to get the fifth paragraph. Now listen to this. I really loved that. OK, let's go. Diane, can you please read us why he didn't just turn them into bread?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 20:12

You bet. Furthermore, the superior power that Jesus possessed was not given to him for personal gratification, but to serve others. He would endure all the trials of mortality, another man so hungry he could not miraculously feed himself. And although such a person could be miraculously fed, the miraculous provision would have to be given and not provided by himself.

Tammy 20:44

It surprises me. As if the power he had been given was not for his personal gratification. Yes. You know, I was just thinking why would Jesus Saint Joseph when you can believe that Joseph died early in his life? Why didn't Jesus bring Joseph back to life? And then I get back to, like, none of his power because it was for his own personal gratification. If it was only in the service of others, why didn't he bring Joseph his father back to life? He brought many other people back to life. To the right?

Sharmaine Howell 21:21

This is so interesting.

Incense 21:23

Yes. As we talked about it and talked about what we're doing to get closer to our Heavenly Father, the fasting worked, it absolutely worked for Jesus. And he talked to the Lord and was ready to go. And I asked you both to think of a time in your life when you had an experience would you be willing to share where you needed to be close to God, you needed His help and that was it,

Sharmaine Howell 21:46

i can share I think I think the last time I was on the podcast I shared a little bit about how it was, it was tough when we first moved here and started and opened this Crumbl store. But I would take the extra risk of sounding like this is the worst decision we've ever made. I can tell another story about how hard it was. It's a blessing, we love it here. But it is difficult. Let's insert that real quick. But yes, it was very difficult. So we opened our first store the week before Christmas. And it was great. It was busy, it was everything we wanted. But us, that meant we were very busy. My husband and I were in the store, maybe 50 hours a week physically in the store and my husband about 80 hours a week where he worked from 5am to 1am. those super long hours because we had a whole new team to train all that stuff. And it was really hard. Then the Christmas holidays come along, my kids are out of school and we're still working so hard and my eldest son, um, you know, I'd wake up and wake him up and be like, hey mate I'll just go, we'll run real fast to the shop. I'll be back in two hours. You know, eight hours later I come back and I'm like, hello, I'm sorry I've been away for so long. And it was really, really hard. And I remember walking to and from the store. And, you know, tears, tears in my eyes, praying out loud. Heavenly Father, I need you. I need to feel close to you, I need to know that what we are doing is right, I need to know that my children also feel close to you, even when I'm not with them. And, you know, I remember one time my husband and I were in our store at 2 am wrapping cookie dough, just the two of us. And you know, we thought, will we get through this? Is what we're doing good? And then, you know, I gave a talk at a conference. And we listened. And we just had a prayer together like this, you know, the Spirit, that the Spirit would be with us and that God would be close to us. And that everything would be fine in our family, everything would be fine in this very difficult time that we were going through at that moment. And not to say everything was great at the moment because it wasn't the worst Christmas my kids have ever had. And we've had, you know, we haven't been together that much. And it was really hard. And we've pretty much worked through the whole thing. You know, gifts weren't a big deal this year. We weren't really prepared for that. And it didn't turn out the way I wanted. But I don't think that's always the point. I don't think God always says that. I'm sure I'll be close to you. And I will bless you so that everything works out. I don't think it works that way. But I felt close to God, even though it was difficult. And I felt strengthened by Him even though I had to leave my children. And I had to go a little further than I expected, and I think that strengthened my testimony that sometimes things don't always look the way we want them to, but that doesn't mean that God isn't with us.

Sharmaine Howell 24:16

It's a beautiful testimony and example, Shar. Thanks. Thanks. And you Diana?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 25:17

So on the last Fast Sunday when I was fasting I was really struggling with a problem and something with one of my children. And that's something I've struggled with for a long time. And while I was praying and really concentrating so much and pleading with Heavenly Father that maybe I would know how to help this child and even just through my own comfort from my Heavenly Father because I was feeling so alone. And I just needed to know, too, that he was aware of me and how hard I'm trying as a mother and as a wife. And I just wanted to feel it. Feel, you know, loved, I would probably say that too. And I felt kind of alone. And so I prayed and fasted and felt truly loved. But the next day I got on the phone with our dear missionary in case anyone is listening in the Arcadia California Mission. There my sweet Elder Iman speaks Spanish but he called and we had our little chat and while we were chatting he said oh mom I forgot to tell you I was thinking about something you said when the last time we visited I was in the shower. And I just had a few, a few verses that I thought, I really think you need to read. And he told me some verses from the Book of Mormon. And they were exactly what I needed to read. And they just know that our Heavenly Father knows us. And that he, he is aware of us. And that we are not alone. And we just have to keep going to him. And and He is there.

Tammy 27:40

He's here, thanks. And I know we're going through your heavy, heavy stuff. So thanks for sharing this. I want us all to listen and just think about what we are doing to communicate with God and how that is helping us in our lives. And if it's whatever, you know we've got almost Sunday ahead of us, it's next Sunday. And I want you to think about what your fast will be like. Is it something that will empower you the way you have? The Savior will use this upcoming fast to be empowered to do the work He sent you here to prepare you for, looking to the fast as a way to be empowered, not that Dish we always thought of. And I challenge you to really consider that so you can have stories like my friends'. And I like how you said, Shar, it's not gonna be like you think, and Diane, you know it's not gonna be like you think it's gonna be, but while you're in the thick of it, while you're in the middle of it, while you're in this are wilderness, we learn from Aliah, as long as we are in this wilderness we can be close to God, I can attest to that with certainty. Therefore, in the next section we will learn about the next two temptations that Satan has carefully chosen to use against the Savior.

Tammy 29:06

So do that, I want you to get three crayons, three different colors, because we're going to use them to mark the three temptations of Christ. And I like to color code things in my scriptures. So I want you in Matthew chapter four to put verses three and four in parentheses. This is the first. So put a number one here. And you can just put the word bread in verse three or emphasize bread. But that was a temptation of the flesh. So I just put meat in it and put a square around it, a meat temptation. Now put verses five, six, and seven in parentheses. This is the second temptation. And the name of the temptation for it is divine power, a temptation of divine power. And then the third temptation separates verses 8, 9, 10 and 11, that's the third temptation. And that temptation is called glory and honor. Okay, now each temptation is interesting because we read them when we read the first temptation of bread, but each temptation has a big old word that I want you to circle and highlight. And Satan uses that word almost as if he had the Redeemer second, guess who he is. Do you understand what the word satan was for Jesus?

Sharmaine Howell 30:32

And if?

Tammy 30:32

Yes, Shar, good job, so circle if it's verse three, circle if it's verse six. And then we have it again in verse nine. He says if you're the son of God, if you're the son of God, isn't that interesting? Why do you think he is doing this?

Sharmaine Howell 30:51

He wants us to always doubt who we are. Yes, he won't, he won't agree with Jesus that He is the Son of God. To the right? Then he will cast a little doubt on whether you really believe that you are that person.

Tammy 31:06

And isn't it interesting because Satan knows who he is? To the right? They had no veil. So he's very conscious. So, of course, he raises doubts in that person's mind. Well if it really is you, and let's see what you can do with that power, oh he's so smart

Sharmaine Howell 31:23

And does Jesus want to prove himself like you don't believe me? I'll prove it to you.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 31:28

To the right. It's the best thing that reminds us of who we really are. So we see the Savior teaching us who we are. And he says, you know, follow me. I will make you fishers of men. And we find out who we are.

Tammy 31:54

Absolutely. And he gets away with it too. I like, like the savior, what your reaction to him is. So let's go to the second temptation and let's exercise divine power. Verse five, there's your footnote, Diane, footnote 5, a very important footnote, that's such an important footnote. So you're going to want to bookmark this and look down because it says, Then the devil will take you to the holy city. OK, that never happened. The devil never, ever escorted or moved the savior. And below we have, then Jesus was brought into the holy city, and his spirit was set upon the pinnacle of the temple. Then the Spirit moves the Redeemer, not Satan, but Satan follows him. So it's interesting, the first place he goes is at the top of a temple. Well, the top of a temple, that is the outermost part or point of the temple. So he puts them there. And then he says, If you want to be God's Son, throw yourself in, because it's written, He'll give His... And it's interesting. He quotes Scripture here. That's it

Dianne Gerdy Iman 32:55

I love it.

Tammy 32:57

Talk to me, Diane.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 32:59

This is my favorite concept. And I think that's a good lesson for us. So Satan goes and tries to tempt, tempt the Savior. And the Redeemer said, okay, let me go back. And instead of, you know, just fighting with you, I'm going to come back with a Scripture, and that's how I'm going to teach you. And I was talking to one of my friends about it. And I said: You know how good is that? This is how we must be when faced with temptation. If someone tries to tempt us, why not teach them a scripture? How cool would that be? To the right? Why don't you come party with me this weekend? You know and do you? Well, you shouldn't, you know, but yeah, but I've really thought about it. And I thought about it growing up, I grew up in Boulder, Colorado. And we had two districts across our city. And so in my senior year we had about five church members. And I was a cheerleader. I was the only cheerleader in my squad who was a member of the Church. And you know, there were the soccer games, and then they went to the after party. And they would say, you know, Diane is coming with us. And I would say: no, you know, I don't do that. And they will say: Oh yes, that's right. You are Mormon. Not you. I think thats right. my church We don't think so. And I would say to my seminary students, you know, it was so great because I got to teach them, you know, I basically had to teach them the scriptures. To the right. And I would say to my seminary students, how hard is it for you, because you say that to anyone here in Utah? No, I'm sorry. I can't do that because it's against my religion and what do the other kids say? Well then? It also goes against my religion, what's your problem? You know? And I thought it's so hard for these kids right now, you know, it's the kids that live in Utah, but I love the way the Savior is doing it. He quoted the Scriptures. So everything is a teaching moment. But how cool is that? To the right? I love that. I love that. I love the Savior.

Sharmaine Howell 35:27

I love that. I think that's really interesting because in verse six Satan speaks. To the right?

Tammy 35:34

To the right. So Satan also knows the Scriptures.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 35:38

But not that. He doesn't use everything. To the right? Is not it? tam

Tammy 35:43

He uses part of it. Keep going Shar.

Sharmaine Howell 35:46

Well, that teaches us that satan uses partial truth against us with a little bit of lies and a little bit of distortion, right, he'll fool us with things that sound a lot like what we think we should hear, or, or thinking, or, you know, partial truth. That's one of Satan's tactics, I think.

Tammy 36:10

Yes, you are absolutely right. And he's trying to do that with the Savior.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 36:16

And the Savior keeps coming back to the truth. The full truth, as you said, is that he has a partial truth, which is why he is so attractive.

Tammy 36:25

So let's underline the Savior's answer in verse 7, underlined, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Okay, there is, there is your answer to that. So let's move on to the next temptation, the third. So again, in verse eight, the devil takes again, not the devil, but he climbed up a very high mountain and showed with him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. That is a glorious vision, what is shown to him is so interesting, the Savior has a vision. So he goes to the temple, he has an amazing sight. And again we have that when I give you everything. So Satan promises this to the Savior when he will fall down and worship me. And then let's underscore the Savior's answer. Therefore, get Satan. I also like the way Luke says it in Luke chapter four verse eight where it says get away from me Satan. So, off to the streets? It's the street, Mr. Exact. That's when I hit the road. So we have this answer right here, get behind me. And it's so fascinating to me. Because the lesson for me is that here the Savior is in good places in the temple and in a vision and Satan doesn't even care. Like he has no respect for places. He will come where he thinks he has the least chance of catching you. And so I just think that fasting, which the Savior did prior to this experience, allowed Him to say no to all of those things. As if it weren't suddenly, last minute, the savior as a boy, I wish I had fasted first or I wish I had prayed more than he did the work to be prepared for these three crazy temptations. To the right.

Tammy 36:25

OK, but it's interesting. It does not mean that Satan was with him during his fast. Said he came later, later. So, you know, there's a lesson we can learn from this, you know, when we try to give our whole heart to something, that's when we get the blessing of being protected, strengthened, and empowered by Satan. We put up the shield when we do these things. when we fast. It makes me want to fast now. You know, he's building the shield for him, and satan didn't come to him when he was fasting, he came after. I think that just teaches me something.

Tammy 38:58

Ah, I agree. I agree. Well, and then we have to go to Luke. So let's turn to Luke chapter four. Because in Luke chapter four is also the story of the temptations. But there's a verse in Luke chapter four that's not in Matthew, in Luke chapter four verse 13, after the temptations of Christ. Then we have verse 13, which is very interesting. I'll give us some cross references. Shar, would you please read this for us? Luke chapter four, verse 13.

Sharmaine Howell 39:24

And when the devil was done with all the temptation, he withdrew from him for a while.

Tammy 39:30

Oh, who can understand that? Yes, I had never noticed or considered Satan turning away from the Savior for a while. Well, here's a cross reference. Let's go to the 22nd chapter of Luke. And let's look at verse 28. And see what the Savior says about it. Luke chapter 22. Diane, can you read this for us?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 39:53

Yes, I'm coming.

Tammy 39:56

So this is the Savior and He has just instituted a sacrament and is about to enter Gethsemane. But first he talks to the apostles. And he tells them that in verse 28.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 40:07

Okay, so Luke 22, verse 28. You're the ones that stayed with me in my temptations.

Tammy 40:18

Isn't that fascinating? Which just didn't end there, which made it all the more human for me to think he was being constantly tempted for a while. OK. So all of this discussion brings us to the big "so what" question, and we always use it in the seminar when we need to understand the purpose and application of what we have just learned. In the next section we'll answer that, okay, so the Savior was tempted. And? We'll do that next.

Tammy 40:59

We just learned about the three temptations of Christ, and now comes the big question: so what, so why was he tempted? What do we need to know about your answer to the “so what?” question? And I want you to respond as if your child came up to you and said, what's up mom? So Jesus was tempted, huh? Why do we need to know?

Sharmaine Howell 41:16

Well, because he came to earth to experience all the things that we are going to experience so that he would know how to suffer and atone for them and feel it. So that's what I tell my, you know, my little kids when they come to see me, so he can identify with me.

Tammy 41:32

That's a very good answer. It's a great answer to the question So what? OK, let me ask you. Here she is, here's a real one. Okay, Diane, here's my question for you. Does Jesus really lift up his son?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 41:50

Jesus takes my child whole, He takes my child because He knows the temptations, because temptations came to Him. And he has Satan with him. And Satan made things attractive to him. And Satan didn't give up trying, Jesus Christ, he went and went on. And Jesus said come on, come on, come on. And he continued. So Jesus definitely understood.

Tammy 42:39

To the right. And Scripture teaches that we can resist temptation. He teaches us how to do it. Of course we can learn from his example.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 42:49

And we need that. And that is why we must have the Savior.

Tammy 42:53

I want you to turn to 2 Nephi 31. diane That's exactly how we want to talk about it, yes, he understands that he understands. And that's where I wanted to go in the beginning, until I read this lecture. And I'm reading this scripture, I think it's so cool. 2 Nephi, chapter 31. And let's read verses 15 and 16. And Diane, let's read that to ourselves.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 43:18

I go. 2 Nephi, chapter 31, verses 15 and 16. And I heard a voice of the Father saying, Yes, the words of my beloved are true and true. Those who endure to the end will be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, by this I know that unless a man endures to the end, following the example of the Son of the living God, there can be no salvation.

Tammy 43:51

Let's get back to what you just said like he took it, right? That's what? Yes, he was tempted in all sorts of fields. And he endured every temptation. One of my favorite talks by Elder Neal A Maxwell is called Bear Well. It's from April 1990. I strongly recommend everyone to read it. I took some excerpts from it that talk about the importance of resisting the temptations of Christ in our lives. And we're going to take turns reading some of them and then talking about them. So here's the first. Neal A. Maxwell says enduring temptation is one of the greatest challenges. Jesus endured the temptation but did not give in. Christ resisted because he did not yield to temptation. She and I tend to waste time and indulge in temptations to keep her entertained for a while even if we kick her out later, but to give temptations any mind can set the stage for later succumbing. Okay, here's what else he said. Shar, can you read this please?

Sharmaine Howell 44:55

So with perseverance comes the willingness to keep going, even when we're exhausted and prefer to stand by the side of the road.

Tammy 45:04

Someone felt that if you heard bone tired, tired, here's another. Without patient and gentle resistance, we will learn less, see less, feel less, and hear less. We who are egocentric and impatient have turned off much of our ability to receive. Diane, you will read this next.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 45:26

Sometimes spiritual obedience requires that we hold on lovingly, like a rebellious child, while others weep, letting go. Persevering can also mean letting go, when everything in us wants to hold on, like with a loved one who is destined to die. And that is section 42:48 of the Doctrine and Covenants. Patient endurance allows us to hold on to our faith in the Lord and our belief in His timing when we are tossed about by the tide of circumstance, even if in the fall we are somehow caught up in an apparent pull. We're carried on, though we're battered and hurt.

Tammy 46:14

Thank you, this idea of ​​perseverance, tell me how it speaks to you when it comes to temptation.

Sharmaine Howell 46:24

I think when I said in the first quote you're reading this, you know, we tend to waste time and get caught up in the temptation that says giving up doesn't last, right. Jesus Christ never yielded, he was continually tempted without yielding. So this is the hardest way. Never address it. To the right. So I, you know, sometimes I hear that, well, Jesus Christ never had to go through anything like that because he never experienced it. To the right? As if he had never given in to temptation. You have never experienced this before. But he tried never to give in.

Tammy 47:07

Oh, and this is important.

Charmaine Howell 47:10

To the right.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 47:11

I have a great quote from Elder Maxwell. And when you shared something about Elder Maxwell, I thought, Oh, is that it? Listen to this. I think it's so classic. He said that instead of rejecting temptations like Jesus did, it is important to pay attention to them, which brings about so many problems. And then Elder Maxwell goes on to say that my mission president always said that we cannot always keep an evil thought from entering our mind. But we shouldn't offer her a chair and ask her to sit down. Yes. Isn't that classic? But not us?

Sharmaine Howell 47:52

We entertain you.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 47:53

We do it. We just thought, ok, ok

Tammy 48:02

So this resistance to support it? Good. Oh dear God. OK. So let me end with this quote. Because that's probably my all-time favorite quote about temptation. And I shared that all along as a seminary teacher, and Shar agrees with what you just said, because I've been told by some students that I'd rather have a seminary teacher who has experienced all things than someone who has never had experience, 'Cause I know you got it And I thought: Why? Because I taught him the lesson, you know how Jesus Christ was tempted, he just wouldn't give in, and they say I'd rather, I'd rather have Jesus, who gave in, who understands everything, don't they? And then we read this quote from CS Lewis, Mere Christianity, it's so good. I can read? Nobody knows how bad he is until he tries hard to be good. There's a silly idea that good people don't know what temptation means. That's an obvious lie. Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. After all, you discover the strength of the German army fighting it, not giving up, you discover the strength of a wind by trying to fight it, not lie down. A man who gives in to temptation after five minutes just doesn't know what he'll be like an hour later. This is why, in a way, bad people know very little about evil. They lived a sheltered life and always gave in. We never discover the strength of the evil impulse within us until we try to fight it. And because he was the only man who never gave in to temptation, Christ is the only one who knows perfectly what temptation means. That's just an absolute realist.

Sharmaine Howell 49:44

That's so right. I love that. It really shows you how important fasting is. We stop to say I'll take care of my body. I won't eat X times, I'm in charge. And I won't give in, right? In this small way we can do that. Just don't give in to our feeling of hunger for a while.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 50:12

And what a great way to become like the savior too. You wanna be like the savior, okay, do what he did.

Tammy 50:18

You can fast, you can do this. I mean, that's what's important to me, what I learned as I prepared for it, because I thought, you know, his perseverance or 40 literal days of the time it took to learn the lesson, his Endurance, he just does that. And I was like, listen, we're all in our forties, right, all of us. And I've said it so many times, we're all in the middle of the desert, in our 40s, on this exam rehearsal, and he's doing it. So can we, and he will surely help us through all of this. And it's all about perseverance. And just crossing the desert we are in. And what I think is so cool is that this test, this test that goes back to Matthew chapter four verse one, is to help us get right with God. That's what God is all about, not being tempted by the devil.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 51:14

Let's write that down in our scriptures. Yes, that is the purpose of temptation to be with God.

Tammy 51:23

Yes. That is the purpose of all this for us.

Sharmaine Howell 51:26

Yes. And every time we go through one, we know what it's like to reach the end. And we know we can do it again.

Tammy 51:34

Absolutely, and now that we started right at the beginning of this whole episode, we need temptations, don't we? This is a necessity. And honestly I think it's a wish now that I know what it means to be with God. Might come. I can take it, I can take it right Ah, great discussion. That felt so good. Oh my god, I love that. Okay, well, in the next section we're going to talk about some examples of people who were in their forties and what the Savior did for them.

Tammy 52:13

So for this thread I kind of like doing that. Let's start by telling how the story ended. I love doing stuff like this. So let's turn to Luke chapter four. Okay, let's get to Luke. Here's what we're going to be now. See Luke chapter four. We will edit verse 16. We're going to read something that Jesus did first, and then we're going to read the reaction before telling all that He did. Here we go. Luke chapter four verse 16 and Shar read us verse 16.

Sharmaine Howell 52:41

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and, according to his custom, went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read.

Tammy 52:50

Okay, now let's go to verses 28 and 29. We're not going to read what he read yet, but we're going to see the reaction to what he read and said, Diane read verses 28 and 29.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 53:01

Correct, Luke 4:28-29. And all who were in the synagogue, hearing this, became filled with anger and got up, threw him out of the city, and brought him to the top of the mountain. Where their city was built so they could bring it down head on.

Tammy 53:23

What do you think they liked about what he said?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 53:25

You're crazy, arrest him.

Tammy 53:30

you are so crazy OK. Do you want to know what he said? Do you want to know what he read? Let's go. OK, let's go back. We are still in the fourth chapter of Luke. And let's go to verse 17. He says, and the book of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. So we know that Isaiah is Isaiah. So they bring him the book of Isaiah. And he opens it and starts reading, and here's what he reads, verse 18 and 19. So, Diane, you can read 18 and 19.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 53:57

You bet. Luke chapter four verses 18 and 19. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and sight to the blind, to deliver the oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Tammy 54:25

And that. He read that. And let's point that out, you can put Isaiah 61 verses one through two, that's what he read is Isaiah chapter 61. Verses one and two. And I just love it, uh, you know, I'm a visual person, and I just imagine he reads that and then looks at what's in verse 20 and he closes the book.

Sharmaine Howell 54:45

And he gave it to the minister and sat down. He's like Mic Drop.

Tammy 54:50

Okay, let me tell you a little bit about verses 18 and 19 and what some of these things mean and what Jews think they mean when they hear him say that. So here we have the anointed, we have this verse, The Spirit of the Lord has anointed me. So in Greek the word "anointed" is Christos, in Hebrew it's basically Messiah, Messiah. Hence both words mean the anointed one. He says: I was sent to the poor in spirit. You know it means those who need repentance, okay? The broken hearts not only physically but also emotionally where it means preaching liberation to the prisoners. Isaiah says: Open the prison. This is interesting because there isn't the exact Isaiah here. But this idea of ​​referring to prison work is in the spirit world, those who are awaiting the Savior's return. Then we have the restoration of sight to the blind, the physically and mentally blind. And then teach the acceptable year of the Lord as the acceptable year of the Lord. That is interesting. It is when salvation is offered to the souls of men. That's what this expression means. So he's done, he's teaching this, and the mic goes out, right? He sits. And then he says to everyone, it's verse 21, get this one out. And he began to say to them, Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your ears, and they will lose it because there is no way of fulfilling it. And then the Savior gives these two great examples of people in their forties who are in this time of trial and testing. He quotes stories from the Old Testament. So he says to them first in verse 24: Truly I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own land. He said well, you know, no prophet has accepted his own country, which implies that he is a prophet in some way. He really is the Messiah. But then he says, you know, the story in verse 25, you know, the story of the widow and Elijah, where she had nothing to eat. And he says he could have helped anyone who had nothing to eat. And the only person who believed was this woman. So she was the one who got the help. Then he goes on in verses 26 and 27 and says, Oh, there were many lepers in Israel. And the prophet could have helped all the lepers to be cleansed. But there was only one willing to listen and do as he said. And that was Naman. So he uses stories they are familiar with. He says: Yes, that's me. For example, I'm here to do this for you, to heal you, to help you, for those of you who are in your 40's in your temptations and haven't been. They were so angry that he even suggested throwing him out. That causes an uproar. My question is how accepting Jesus as the Messiah allows miracles in our lives, allowing Him to heal the brokenhearted, preach the gospel to the poor, give sight to the blind, and deliver the injured. Okay, when you think about it, let's read a quote from President Nelson and then talk about what faith in the Messiah can do for us. and Shar, can you read us this quote?

Sharmaine Howell 55:02

God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. Every book of Scripture shows how the Lord is willing to intervene in the lives of those who believe in Him. He parted the Red Sea for Moses, helped Nephi recover the brass plates, and restored his Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Each of these miracles took time and may not have been exactly what these people originally asked the Lord to perform. In the same way, if you believe in Him without doubting anything, do spiritual work to see miracles, the Lord will bless you with miracles.

Tammy 58:48

Thanks. Oh my god what if? Have you noticed that if it's there, yes, if you believe in it. So tell me about it? How does accepting Jesus make miracles possible in our lives?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 59:04

Shall we put the work in? Do we have the energy or the desire? You know, is it something we're going to prioritize? Or is life just kinda? Suppose we're too busy?

Sharmaine Howell 59:25

Or do we think you know that Jesus can be in someone else's life, but he can't be in mine? If I take him into my life, I better believe that he can work these miracles in me too.

Tammy 59:41

I find it so fascinating to have the Savior read the scriptures to them and show them what He can do for them. They cite examples, Old Testament stories they are familiar with, and get lost. You are so angry. There's no way you can do this for me. What are you talking about? Get out, not me, not me. And then yes her

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:00:04

It's like, yeah, only two people decided to put me on this.

Tammy 1:00:11

To the right. And I like that because the widow had to make a scone. And they had to dive in the gross and disgusting river seven times like you had to do the work.

Sharmaine Howell 1:00:24

The Prophet recently said do the spiritual work to get the testimony you need to get. We have to do the work. We must strive to be close to God, right? To have that Savior in our lives and give us those miracles. We can't just get on our knees and say please bless me with this miracle. Thank you and follow our path.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:00:47

Yes. Which I think we do so often. You know, yeah, I prayed with my family this morning. OK, let's go. We will pray again tonight. And everything will be fine.

Tammy 1:00:58

And it's as subtle as reading verses 28 and 29. They think I'd never be like this. I mean I wouldn't throw Jesus out. I wouldn't yell at him. To the right. I think sometimes I'm very, I do it subtle.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:01:10

Yes. casual. casual. Yes / Yes. We didn't even think about it.

Tammy 1:01:17

Yes, but I forget the miracles that happened.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:01:20

Yes. Yes, we forget the miracles that have happened.

Tammy 1:01:23

Yes, I will write this scripture of mine and I will not forget the miracles that have happened. And like I said, I'm not going to throw you out just like that.

Sharmaine Howell 1:01:34

Right, because we wouldn't do that. We wouldn't just say, oh hell no, that's ridiculous. To the right? But maybe we'd just say, oh, I'm just not thinking about that today. I'm just not going to do anything today. Oh well.

Tammy 1:01:50

what is a day Please?

Sharmaine Howell 1:01:52

Oh yeah. The story of my life.

Tammy 1:01:57

It's tough. That is hard?

Sharmaine Howell 1:01:59

Don't you forget the miracles he has worked in our own lives? Yes.

Tammy 1:02:04

Oh god, yes, in our own lives. And we've talked about that many times. And I'm going to bring that up again, because John Hilton, when we talk about faith lectures, I'll never forget that, because he said he asked us all to take a journal and call it our greatest hits. And every time something good happens in our life, every time we have a miracle or spiritual experience, we should write it down so we can remember our greatest achievements. And then share those stories. I think it's okay to share these stories. I think we must, because I think this is where the Savior tells stories of people who have experienced miracles. And for us it will encourage us. Oh, that's right, miracles still happen. Good thing. OK. Since he just spoke about spiritual work, in the next section we will learn more about what it means to do spiritual work and what the Savior taught it to be like

Tammy 1:03:03

If you were asked to do something immediately, what would that mean to you? What does the word mean immediately

Sharmaine Howell 1:03:11

At the moment. Get off my ass and do that. What else does it mean? At the moment?

Tammy 1:03:19

Have you ever said that to your child? You must do this immediately.

Sharmaine Howell 1:03:22

To the right. And that's why I say, this is no joke. At the moment. Yes.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:03:28

And then my son says, uh yeah, right away.

Tammy 1:03:32

To the right. It doesn't have the same meaning right off the bat, it doesn't fit right off the bat. Okay, what about that word? What if I tell you that you have to do this immediately

Sharmaine Howell 1:03:43

I would say the same, but on the straight and narrow path. I don't know. I don't know if it's different. Immediately? I don't use that word with my children. But maybe you know, catch them off guard and they might do it right away.

Tammy 1:03:59

Please do so and get in touch with us. I want to know how it worked for you. Yes, my dear, I want you to do this immediately, so immediately, without wasting any time. That's great.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:04:17

I'm trying that tonight.

Tammy 1:04:22

That means they can't say it in a second. i get it all the time No sorry. Immediately. I said just right. OK. So let's study these two words in a story found in Matthew chapter four verses 18-22. So let's go back to Matthew chapter four. And I'll read it, here we go. And Jesus, walking by the Sea of ​​Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting the net into the sea, for they were fishermen. Good, we know that. And verse 19. Diane read that to us.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:04:53

Everything's ok. Matthew chapter four verse 19. oh if you look at this there is a joseph smith translation good thing diane is here we will. love it if you choose me to read this it really makes my heart happy. Oh look at you So go to the small 'a' towards the bottom circle of 19a, underline JST Matthew 4:19, underline those words, then go back to verse 19 and circle the colored A. Let's read. So that's Matthew 4, verse 19 again. And he said to them, It is I of whom the prophets wrote. Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

Tammy 1:05:51

Great. Okay, so let's underline verse 19. What is the action the Savior asked of them?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:05:58

Follow me,

Tammy 1:06:00

Follow me very well, underline this, so let's turn the page. And let's see what their answer was, verses 20 and 22. Find those words, here we come in verse 20. And they immediately left their nets and followed him. Let's highlight 21 right away, he says, and coming out of there he saw two other brothers and James son of Zebedee and John his brother in a boat with Zebedee and his father mending their nets . And he called them, and they got out of the boat immediately, and their father followed them. So there is the word immediately immediately and immediately. Tell me why you think they reacted so quickly.

Sharmaine Howell 1:06:40

Somehow they knew how important he was and how important his work was. And you know, sometimes I read this and I wonder how they know that? You know, Jesus hadn't performed any miracles at that point. He basically told them, as far as we know, I'm the one the prophets wrote about. That was his testimony of him to her. Follow me. And I believe the Spirit testified to them that this was true. And that they knew they had to follow him and that being fishers of men, whatever that meant, was more important than being a fisherman.

Tammy 1:07:23

Oh I like how you said Shar. Especially since you can reference this story with Luke's account in Luke Chapter 5. they went ahead and cast their nets and suddenly the nets were full until they snapped and I have to wonder what came first and why didn't Matthew pick that up? Because for your shar point, did they follow immediately before the miracle or after? I don't know, I just think it's really interesting that Matthew's account is that they just got up and left, but Luke gives us a bit more detail on that.

Sharmaine Howell 1:07:41

They must have had such power, such testimony that came out of them.

Tammy 1:07:45

And I think what impresses me about this story is that it's all there. That's the story is that they came out of their nets and immediately abandoned ship. No questions. You will follow Jesus. business done.

Sharmaine Howell 1:07:59

I know the thought, the question that went through my head is you know what are the nets and ships that I'm on and I'm so busy I have to go? Why am I so busy that I should leave?

Tammy 1:08:43

Why do we have them all? I think for me it's about doing God's will and not mine. When I was single, you know, okay. i could do that But now I have children. And I really want it to be my will and not yours. Like I wanted my kids to do what I wanted him to do. Yes, and stay the way I want it. And I think I've learned from all of that. God, our heavenly parents are the best parents in the world. As if they simply gave us the choice. And they are there when we are willing and ready to return. But let go and just let God's will prevail. While they're in their desert, whatever that sounds like. that it will be good.

Sharmaine Howell 1:09:39

trust him.

Tammy 1:09:41

But I am the web. I think I'm the network, that's it. As if I wanted to be the children's network. And I just have to let my father go and follow Jesus. I'll make it right

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:09:52

To the right? Because what we have is good. But if we can cast our nets, what's out there is better. Yes. You know how we thought, you know, those prayers that we said before, oh heavenly Father, if only I could marry that person, please, please, please. I remember doing this. If I could marry this young man, please Heavenly Father, ask him to ask me. Yes. Wow, I'm so glad the kid didn't ask me out and I married Kyle. You know, and I think we know what's best for us. To the right? But the Lord knows what we need and what is best for us.

Tammy 1:10:42

Yes. And I want my kids on my ship. And I want them tangled in my hammock. And yet God says, No, I knew they would be where they are all the time. just let it go drop your net

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:10:55

Remember who's in charge?

Sharmaine Howell 1:10:56

Yes. And I find it interesting. He says follow me. Get out there, stop what you are doing, because what you are doing is a blessing in your life. But I want you to follow me so we can bless other people's lives.

Tammy 1:11:11

All right. Let's read this quote. This is Ezra Taft Benson. This is a classic Ezra Taft Benson quote, but it fits perfectly.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:11:21

I love it. Men and women who commit their lives to God will find that He can do much more with their lives than they can. He will deepen your joy, expand your vision, enliven your spirit, strengthen your muscles, lift your spirit, multiply your blessings, expand your possibilities, comfort your souls, uplift friends, and shed peace. Whoever loses his life in the service of God will find eternal life.

Tammy 1:11:57

Amen and eternal life comes later. Not now. So you gotta hold on, whatever it is, you're gonna take it. Cast your nets, get out of your boat, follow Jesus and endure all these things; the deserts we're in, right? Yes. Oh god that was amazing. Okay, I want everyone to write this in their journals, I want you to write down a goal right now of something you can do right away or right away this week to pursue. Something you can do to drop your net to get off your ship. So that he can do all of the things that we just read that Ezra Taft Benson taught, is there one thing you can do?

Sharmaine Howell 1:12:42

I just said one thing I can do is minister to my husband this week. I think it looks real. You know, when Jesus says follow me, it's not like that. It doesn't worry us about ourselves. It's about serving someone else.

Tammy 1:12:57

Yes. Oh great answer. Excellent. And it reminds me, as we read, that the power of Jesus was that he did nothing of his own accord.

Sharmaine Howell 1:13:06

To the right? We went back to where he was, I can't do that. And I won't do that. Because my power is not given for that.

Tammy 1:13:13

Although I'm really hungry. To the right. Would it make sense? Yes. Diane would you be willing to share?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:13:20

I think this week as I study the scriptures I will focus more on how to love people the way the Savior loves them. And I think that will teach me to be more like him. And how to bear it a little happier and how to become a better fisherman of men. So I'd say I'm going to study this week, I'll write that down, study. How to Love More Like the Savior. Yes.

Tammy 1:14:12

Big, big goals. You both. That was wonderful. Wow thank you very much. This is the end. This is our discussion. Her.

Sharmaine Howell 1:14:20

What's already over. That was fast.

Tammy 1:14:24

OK. Just take a minute and gather your thoughts. And I just want to know, is there anything that will be important to you today, anything that we studied or talked about that touched you, impressed you?

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:14:34

I have one and did I really write it? I know. So I wrote to myself how Jesus could resist Satan by quoting Scripture and that in order to cite Scripture He had to know Scripture and I figured I had to make sure that my family and I got as much as possible are in Scripture. And so we can call something when we need it. And, you know, I think just temptation would decide how you're going to react to a situation, even now. And I know when I was in high school it really helped when someone asked me to do something and I could say, no, I'm sorry because I made my choice when I was younger. So it was never a difficult decision.

Tammy 1:15:40

It's a great application. That's great. Diane, thank you Split?

Sharmaine Howell 1:15:44

I think mine would just be Jesus' example of fasting. I really love talking about that fast and how he fasted to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. And I think it's going to change, I hope it changes the way I'm fasting and fasting next week and this year to be strengthened by the things I'm going to be going through and have the strength that to endure temptations. And I think it gave me a good light to see fasting a little bit differently than not just saying a prayer and please bless it it will happen and it will be blessed in my life and please heal that person . There's so much more to fasting than I've realized lately and I love this example of Jesus and his fast and the strength he got from it and how afterwards he knew who he was and what his mission was. and he was willing to do that.

Tammy 1:16:48

Yes, I liked how our discussion kept coming back to fasting and fasting. This was a powerful lesson on fasting that was not even intended. Yeah, cool for me, each of you had one: Diane, when I asked you back then how you approached God and you said you drive in the mountains and hate driving and you hate driving in the to drive mountains.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:17:09

I'm a terrible driver

Tammy 1:17:11

You know, this made me think how you choose to do something you don't like doing to get closer to God, and it made me think, what's that got to do with me? And then it's connected again, how did we get to this in the end, what is my network? What is my ship I don't want to take off and leave because it's convenient and Diane are you willing to be uncomfortable to get closer to God and so it's kind of my thing what will I do? immediately i will write the word immediately on a sticky note and stick it on my bathroom mirror because i just want to be reminded of that. I'm willing to believe in Christ right now and yes right now, drop my net, get out of this boat and do something uncomfortable so everyone can get closer to Christ, and that could be this fast Sunday. You know I'll just call Come on, everyone knows I'm not good at fasting. I try so hard, but I commit to legitimate fasting.

Sharmaine Howell 1:18:08

You need to put the word on your fridge right away.

Tammy 1:18:13

Or the Oreos in my pantry

Sharmaine Howell 1:18:16

Go away immediately!

Tammy 1:18:18

Mom, why is there a logo all over the house? I don't know. I'll be mean because I'm hungry. OK, I'm Grouch. I `m hungry. Its so funny. You are the best, thank you. That was a wonderful discussion.

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:18:31

I love you girls!

Sharmaine Howell 1:18:34

Great, thank you Tammy.

Tammy 1:18:35

Thank you for coming. So prepared. i love you both

Dianne Gerdy Iman 1:18:38

I love you.

Sharmaine Howell 1:18:39

You too, see you later.

Tammy 1:18:41

Oh my god, that was so much fun. Okay, I can't wait to hear what you've learned. And this week, when we ask you a question on Instagram and Facebook, answer it. I want to know everything that impressed you as we studied these books of scripture. If you are not already a member of our discussion group on Facebook or Instagram, please do so. It's a great place to ask questions while you study for the week. I try to answer them and the whole community for Sunday on Monday answers the questions. It's really fun. And then on Saturday we'll do a post asking a question about that episode. Then you can access our Facebook and Instagram by going to the show notes for that episode at ldsliving.com/sundayonmonday and it's not a bad idea to go there because that's where we have the links to all the references we use and using a lot today, as well as a transcript of this entire thread is a very good glue and if you're wondering what it is I'll tell you now. It is the quote from CS Lewis that you must include in your writings. The Monday Sunday Study Group is an original Desert Bookshelf PLUS+ brought to you by LDS Living. It was written and presented by me, Tammy Uzelac Hall, and today Sharmaine Howe and Diane Gerdy Iman were our amazing study group participants and you can find more information about these friends at ldsliving.com/sundayonmonday. Our podcast is produced by Cole Wissinger and myself. It will be edited by Hailey Higham and recorded and mixed by Mix At Six Studios and executive produced by Erin Hallstrom. Thank you for being here, see you next week, and please remember that you really are God's darling.

Sharmaine Howell 1:20:08

Don't leave me on a cliffhanger

transcribed fromhttps://otter.ai