(Below is a list of questions and quotes that help me think about each verse as I read it. The numbers represent the verses in the chapter.)
God has established temples to teach us of his ways and to help us walk in His paths. We must be humble to repent of sin and receive forgiveness. Wickedness and worldliness bring the punishments of God. The proud will be humbled and will have to admit that only through the power of God can they be saved!
1-22. How is this chapter a sermon on the need to be humble rather than proud?
1. How often do you go to the house of the Lord? Do you go often enough that it could be said that you flow unto it? What blessings will come from the Lord's house in the last days?
3. Under the things that you learn in the temple. How does going to the temple help you become a better person, serve the Lord more fully, and strengthen your testimony and determination to live the gospel?
4. How desirable is Gods peace to you? What are you willing to sacrifice in order to obtain it?
5. How can you seek to walk in the light of The Lord? How can you walk in the light of the Lord if you have made poor choices? What do you need to do to get back on his well lit path? How do temples help us walk in the Lord's paths? How can you prepare yourself to enter the temple?
"As you appropriately seek for and apply unto the spirit of revelation, I promise you will ‘walk in the light of the Lord’ Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding and direct and protect you and your family.” -David A Bednar, GC, April 2011
"May you let the meaning and beauty and peace of the temple come into your everyday life more directly in order that the millennial day may come, that promised time when ...nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore... But shall walk in the light of The Lord." -Howard W Hunter, GC, October 1994
6. Who are the wise men and experts people turn to today instead of the prophets?
"The 'east' and the 'Philistines' and the 'children of strangers' refer to those idolatrous nations all around Israel. Israel often turned to their wicked neighbours for revelation rather than to the prophets of God in their own land." -Scripture Study for Latter-day Saint Families: The Book of Mormon [2003], p.65
7. How did the material possessions of the Israelites contribute to their wickedness? How important are the things of this world to you? What is your highest priority: God or the things of this world? Why are the implements of war indicators of wickedness? Do you harbor any warlike thoughts, feelings, or actions?
8. What sort of idols do people in our society, even in our neighborhood, worship today? How does putting objects or desires before God in our lives lead one down the path to ward apostasy? What can you do to actively guard against apostasy ever entering your own life? How does the company you keep influence your feelings toward God?
9. How important is it to you to be humble? Can the Lord forgive you if you are filled with pride which is to say if you are in opposition to him? Why does The attribute of humility breed our ability to repent of sin and receive forgiveness from the Lord?
10-11. How can an attitude of glorifying and praising God help one to be humble?
12. Why does The Lord expect and command us to be humble? How do you know if you are humble? What experiences have you had in your life that humbled you even to the dust? Have you retained that humility?
12. What is the day of The Lord?
"On an individual level, the day of The Lord may be the day we die and return to God or simply a time when we realize our circumstances are beyond our control and we need the Lord's help." -Book of Mormon Student Study Guide [2000], p. 46
19-21. How with the fear of The Lord and His glory and majesty affect the proud in that great day of His return? Why will the proud seek to hide in that day?
20-21. When the Savior comes again, what do you think the wicked will want to do with the material things they worshipped instead of The Lord?
22. Why trust in man? Why trust in the arm of flesh when God is truly powerful and only he can ultimately save you?
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