Obedience

Faith and all spiritual gifts are available to everyone who is willing to live for them. Many times we think just being a member of the Church will entitle us to all the Lord has promised. But each blessing requires obedience. The Lord declared, “When we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (D&C 130:21). We gain strength by living the commandments. (Mary Ellen Smoot, “Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord,” Ensign, Nov 1998, 89)

The Gift of Faith

One of the gifts God has promised to all who earnestly seek Him is faith. Elder Bruce R. McConkie explained: “Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God’s laws the greater will be the endowment of faith.” (Mary Ellen Smoot, “Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord,” Ensign, Nov 1998, 89)

Consequences

“…whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

How Firm a Foundation

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
(“How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns, no. 85)

How far is Heaven?

How far is Heaven? 
It’s not very far. 
When you live close to God, 
It’s right where you are.

-President Monson, How Firm a Foundation

Comparing and Contrasting Attitudes of Cain and Enoch

We must change our attitudes!
Enoch had attitudes that lead you step by step to dwell with God.
Cain had attitudes that lead you step by step to spiritual destruction.

Enoch:
Moses 7:59 -- He knew God
Moses 6:31 -- Willing to serve
Moses 6:43 -- Felt that all were his brothers/loved people
Moses 6:39 -- Walked with God
Moses 7:44 -- Wept for his brethren
Moses 7:18 -- all were one heart and one mind.
Dwell with God

Cain:
Moses 5:16 -- Harkened not/asked, "Who is the Lord that I should follow him?"
Moses 5:25 -- Rejected counsel
Moses 5:34 -- Didn't care about others "Am I my Brother's Keeper?"
Moses 5:33 -- Didn't take responsibility for his actions, after killing able says, "I'm free"
Moses 5:31 -- Murder and get gain, do things in secret, sin and get glory.
Moses 5:41 -- Shut out from presence of Lord
Spiritual Destruction

Draw stairs leading up and stairs leading down with a scripture reference under each step toward spiritual destruciton or dwelling with God. (Go in the order that they are listed. ex: you're not going to suddenly murder for gain, it will start with small things like rejecting counsel and not taking responsibility.) Ask class members to read each scripture and record on the corresponding step what that person's attitude was. To finish, compare and contrast both men and discuss choices and where they lead.