Talk:Jacob 2:1-3:14

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Verses 2:18-19: Riches and pride[edit]

On the question about riches, I think it is interesting that Jacob locates the cause of their pride (in verse 13) not in the fact that they became rich but that they became more rich than their brethren. This reminds me of the recent page by RobertC: User:RobertC/Equality, desert, and the poor. --Matthew Faulconer 08:37, 6 Jan 2006 (UTC)

Verses 2:23-35: Chastity[edit]

I'm not sure if this is working as I have tried to submit this a couple of times, but I teach gospel doctrine in the state penitentiary. Here is a document / handout I am giving to the men tomorrow. You are welcome to use it if you want. It is my steps to being chaste and honoring and serving your wife.

It is here:

www.thecorporatepitchman.com/LDS/StepsToPurityAndLovingYourWife.doc

Let me know if you do use it, if you would. You are welcome to share. You can email me at Davidrenjenkins(remove this part)@gmail.com

David


Here is the document, if you can't download it:

Brother Jenkins’ Recommendations for Chaste Living, and a Happy Marriage (The Pure Life)

1) Realize the power sexual impurity and the dishonor of women can have on your life. Realize that Satan is a master tempter and that he has ‘got your number’. If there is a way to tempt you (slowly or quickly) he WILL use it and drag you down to Hell. This is a real war and no global conflict is more real to the destruction of your soul than this. Battle lines are set. His generals and minions are ready (and remember, they know you!), and you are personally in their crosshairs and plans.

2) Your second worst enemy is yourself--self deception that will allow you to flirt with temptation. Telling yourself, “It’s okay to brush against the line as long as I don’t walk it,” or, “it’s okay just to stay in sight of the line. It reminds me of how well I am doing.” You must realize that your own self-deception is one of Satan’s greatest advantages over you. In that subtle way you are actually fighting for him to take over your soul. Even the very elect need to always be on the lookout for how they are deceiving themselves and allowing themselves (in deed or in thought), in even the most subtle of ways, to flirt with temptation and ‘labor in sin’ (Jacob 2:5).

3) You must desire purity, God, the Spirit, and spiritual things, more than the payoffs of sin. You must put off the natural man (Mosiah 3:19) until you truly only desire truth, honor, and that which God has for you. You need to hate not only the consequences of sin, but the payoffs also (pleasure in the moment, etc.) This is done by: a. Feasting on the scriptures and words of the living prophets. Do this in general daily or multiple times a day. Also study and become an expert on what the Lord has to say regarding the sins which so easily do beset you, personally. Arm yourself with the words of God regarding your particular weaknesses. b. Practice living pure daily. In other words take all you are learning into your life in every moment. In one moment, you may choose to avoid a room or situation where you may get some sort of temptation or hear some dirty conversation. In another moment, you may, for instance, have a chance to notice the ‘shape’ of a woman. Choose, in that moment, to completely look away, then rejoice at your triumph afterwards. It is a constant, moment to moment battle, and a way of life you are learning. You are dis-creating the old life--the old you--and being reborn to a spiritual purity that will bring happiness, peace, and exaltation. c. Pray constantly and have Heavenly Father teach you through divine connection of prayer. If you ask, the Lord will teach you and can change your heart to be like his, in how you think, see life, respond, and react. Come to ‘know Him’. d. Also, listen to good music often and go to the temple weekly if you can.

4) Never let your guard down. Satan can sideswipe you in any moment, and he will (especially when you feel like you have your weaknesses handled). He will make elaborate plans to have you hear a bit of conversation, or see a picture. It may be in a moment that you feel strongest. If your guard is down for an instant, even after years of pure living, Satan will throw a wrench, in his perfect moment, into your well-oiled gears. You must always be ready!

IF YOU ARE SINGLE 1) Live the pure life (see attached page). There is no reason to have any sexual thoughts whatsoever. Strengthen yourself daily. Be a stand for purity and the honor of women. Always be on the lookout for how Satan may be tempting you, or how you may be beginning to labor in sin whatsoever. 2) Only date women with your same high standards. 3) Never put yourself in a situation where you can be tempted. The situation of 2 people kissing alone, unrestrained, is Satan’s favorite battle ground to fight on. BE CAREFUL! He will choose this situation over any other, anytime, because he knows he can win, even with the most chaste of participants. Show her YOU stand for honor, and she is more important than that. Develop a friendship, and YOU set and keep solid boundaries. No matter how hard it may be, she will be grateful for your honoring of her. If you ever feel there is an inappropriate moment, flee! NEVER allow a moment to even begin to go too far. Remember, Rome fell in a day. You can fall in a single moment, if you don’t avoid it and are not ready with all the spiritual strength you can muster! 4) Double date as much as possible. Go on fun and spiritual dates. Always pray on food, and pray together, even asking the Lord to help you keep things appropriate. Maybe read scriptures together. Learn to know and love HER!

Note: Many women have deep issues regarding sex and have learned it is but a sad tool to use to get guys to like them. Teach women it is the last thing you want to take from them, even in marriage. You love them, and care for them more than sex. In this, they will feel truly honored, and when in a loving marriage, they will desire to share this most spiritual gift (Celestial communication) with you when they feel like it.

IF YOU ARE MARRIED 1) Seek for opportunities to show her she is more important to you than anything (including sex). Let her know, in no uncertain terms, that she is the most wonderful and special woman EVER. Learn to curb your desires, even in marriage to teach her this. I know of a couple that, before the wedding night he told her that they did not need to do anything on the wedding night if she did not want to. It turned out they did not do anything but snuggle that night, and it made all the difference in their marriage. She felt so honored, and she knew she was more important to him than anything. 2) She is now the only woman you can ever desire. Learn this, live this, and align yourself with this. There are no other women on the planet you can even notice. See past Satan’s lies, such as, “It doesn’t matter where you get your appetite as long as you come home for dinner.” Lock and purify your heart. 3) Be honest with her about any temptations or struggles you may have, (even in your very thoughts). This keeps you accountable and builds trust. Though it may be hard, she will be grateful. 4) Never control her in any way. It is but your job to serve her. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” (Eph 5:25) All Christ did was to serve the church and the people. So we must also love and serve our wives, daily. Men would like to think you can do one special thing and it counts for a whole month. Women don’t work like that. You get one ‘point’ each day. Tomorrow, you need to get another point. Special notes, flowers and acts. Find what is most important to her. For one woman it may be flowers or notes, for another it may be telling her how wonderful it is, for another doing the dishes. Also, financial security and hard work of their husbands are very important to women. 5) You will be happy if you learn to make this your life’s purpose and goal: That at the end of your life, your wife knows she was loved. Your single goal should be to be the best husband ever, NO MATTER what she does. That is unconditional love. NEVER trade your love.

Words she loves to hear: I love you! You are so incredible! How did I get so lucky? You’ve lost weight!