Acts 23-26 Paul is on Trial

How does this relate to our baptismal covenants? What is the most difficult part of this experience? Why? The Church has had a LOT of publicity in the last few years and much of it is not accurate or respectful The Church has had a LOT of publicity in the last few years - and much of it not accurate or respectful..... •What is the most difficult part of this experience? Why? •Why do you think some members might find it hard to defend the Church in a situation like that? How does this relate to our baptismal covenants? How does this relate to our baptismal covenants? Why do you think some members might find it hard to defend the Church in these situations?

Mosiah 18:8-9 Read Mosiah 18:8-9 Sometimes we think of this as just “the young women’s theme” but it is really part of the covenant we have all made at baptism.

The Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a disciple of Christ who took this admonition completely to heart! The Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of a disciple of Christ who took this admonition completely to heart!

Paul is put on Trial Do Readers Theater

What prevents people from fully accepting the truth when they hear it? Compare the reactions of the different leaders that heard Paul’s testimony - Festus, the Roman, and Agrippa, the Jew, to Paul’s testimony. What might prevent people today from fully accepting the truth when they hear it? Which one said “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian”?

Those who are spiritually out of tune with eternal truths simply cannot believe a humble testimony when they hear it Men who are spiritually out of tune with eternal truths simply cannot believe a humble testimony when they hear it. Joseph Smith described his personal dilemma in these words: Read Joseph Smith—History 1:24, 25 JS-Hist 1:24-25

•What was his attitude toward teaching the gospel •What did Paul teach? •How did he teach? •Who did he teach? •When did he teach? •What was his attitude toward teaching the gospel •What did Paul teach? •How did he teach? •Who did he teach? •When did he teach? •What was his attitude toward teaching the gospel

What does it mean to be Valiant? brave, courageous, valorous, intrepid, heroic, gallant, lionhearted, bold, fearless, daring, audacious; Synonyms: What can we learn from Paul about being valiant in our testimonies of Jesus Christ?

What does it mean to be Valiant? Being valiant in the testimony of Jesus surely includes keeping his commandments and serving him. But wouldn’t it also include bearing witness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer, to believers and non-believers alike? Elder Dallin H. Oaks: “What does it mean to be ‘valiant in the testimony of Jesus’? Surely this includes keeping his commandments and serving him. But wouldn’t it also include bearing witness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer, to believers and nonbelievers alike? As the Apostle Peter taught the Saints of his day, we should ‘sanctify the Lord God in [our] hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh [us] a reason of the hope that is in [us]’ (1 Peter 3:15)” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1990, 38; or Ensign, Nov. 1990, 31). We should be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us!

He was willing to give up life itself for his testimony. Are you “almost” persuaded? Many people with testimonies of the gospel do not commit their lives to Christ because they have persuaded themselves that it would be too difficult and costly to give up their friends, their habits, their comfortable way of life. Many people with testimonies of the gospel do not commit their lives to Christ because they have persuaded themselves that it would be too difficult and costly to give up their friends, their habits, their comfortable way of life. Yet Paul cared little for the possessions, the fashions, the opinions of men. He was willing to give up life itself for his testimony. Are you “almost persuaded”? (See Acts 26:28.) Yet Paul cared little for the possessions, the fashions, the opinions of men. He was willing to give up life itself for his testimony.

Ridicule Temptation Threats Paul lived in a day much like ours How can we be strong enough for our day? Paul lived in a day, much like our day, when it took great physical and moral courage to Stand as a Witness of Christ. Often we are confronted by people who try to turn us from our spiritual commitment. 1. They tempt us to sin. 2. Using ridicule or threats, they try to keep us from defending the kingdom and its laws. They try to get us to abandon or give up good works. Ridicule attacks the victim’s self-image. (For example, “You’re stupid! All scientists believe you are wrong!”) Often it is easier to recover from physical pain than from psychological damage or social rejection Sometimes there are implied threats of physical harm or economic - Loss of a job status if you don’t conform to a certain life-style or social reprisal - Exclusion from the group, and etc. Threats

Mormon Message for youth: The Wall 39 sec https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ6RNeU6wh0 Mormon Message for youth: The Wall 39 sec https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ6RN eU6wh0

What gives us the courage to Stand as a Witness at all times and in all places? Pray sincerely & often Have Charity Knowledge of & Relationship with God What is the source of courage to Stand as a Witness at all times, in all places? •Seeking a knowledge of, and relationship with, God leads to faith. •Pray sincerely and often for guidance. •Labor diligently for the kingdom. •Have charity. •Maintain personal purity so the Lord’s Spirit can be a constant source of inspiration. What do personal purity and obedience have to do with courage in declaring God’s message? A smoker, for example, cannot present the Word of Wisdom with the same conviction as a nonsmoker. Labor diligently in the Kingdom Maintain personal Purity

Mormon Message for youth: Hold onto the sacred http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUIhUjQ6UR4 Mormon Message for youth: Hold onto the sacred http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUIhUjQ 6UR4 1:19 min

Follow the Prophet Keep current with the counsel of the apostles & prophet & heed their counsel •Keep current with the counsel of the Brethren and obey it.

watch: Mormon Message for Youth: Stay in the boat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkLWL7y9CYA Mormon Message for youth: Stay in the Boat 4:57min https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkLWL 7y9CYA

If you do these things, the Lord will strengthen and we will be able to stand firm in our faith, in the face of opposition.

And standing as witnesses of Christ we will have the power to bear testimony of him in any situation, defend the gospel of Jesus Christ with power and be an influence for good.

Tomorrow: Acts 27-28 Paul is headed to Rome