"Studying and Teaching - Two By Two"

It is a good thing to have guided class participation in the study of the scriptures at Institute class. There is great diversity in this Stony Brook class as to length of time in the Church, knowledge of the scriptures and in experience in presenting before others. This class has been a good forum for all to share.

Here Tate and David study to present Matthew Chapter 24 - "The Second Coming" at our Tuesday night class. We were taught that this chapter covers prophecies for both biblical times and the last days. We learned that Joseph Smith - Matthew in the Pearl of Great Price is the inspired translation of Matthew 24 in the Bible. That's the one we discussed.



Melanie and Kristian were assigned Matthew 25 "Are You Ready" which discusses the parables of the Ten Virgins, the Parable of Talents and the Parable of the sheep and the goats. We learned that in all three of these parables, the Savior is talking symbolically of His Second Coming. Will we be ready?

Elder de Paula and I led the discussion of Matthew 26 - "My Time is at Hand" wherein the Passover is observed with the Twelve, the sacrament is instituted, an Hymn is sung, Gethsemane is described and Peter's denial is explained.

The Institute manual refers to a wonderful article by Elder Spencer W. Kimball (given first as a talk at BYU in 1971). Elder Kimball asks the reader to consider that Peter's denial was not a weakness, but rather an obedience to a request from the Savior "to deny knowing Him" that the first presidency and the apostles would be spared death to allow the Church to become established fully on earth.














Rob and Julie presented Matthew Chapter 27 - "The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ" in which we learned that Jesus was condemned of blasphemy. However, because this was not punishable by death, the claim was changed to treason under Roman law. We were told that, "We must never forget...that our Redeemer, the Son of God, gave himself a vicarious sacrifice for each of us."

Diana and Janae taught us the last chapter in Matthew 28 - "He is Risen." It was coincidental and appropriate that these two lovely young sisters shared with how it was two women who first greeted the risen Savior and were asked by Him to share the glorious news with others.

Mingling and learning took place over a bowl or two of homemade black bean chicken soup, cracked wheat bread and homemade chocolate marshmallow cookies. "Feeding" on many levels took place that evening.