Choice 1: Jeremiah 34–52. Prophecies Fulfilled, Jerusalem Destroyed

(a) Read 1 Nephi 1:4; Jeremiah 34:1–3 and refer to the Bible Dictionary chronology chart (pg. 639). Then answer the following questions:

• In what year of Zedekiah’s reign did Nephi begin his record?

The first year of the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah. 

• What did Nephi state was happening at this time in Jerusalem?

There were many prophets prophesying to the people that they must repent or the great city of Jerusalem will be destroyed. 

a.   What was Jeremiah commanded to declare unto Zedekiah?

That the Lord will give the city to the King of Babylon and will be burned with fire and that Zedekiah would be captured and brought to the King of Babylon.   

(c) Read Jeremiah 52:1–13 and the institute student manual commentary for Jeremiah 37–39, “A Prophet’s ‘Reward’” (pgs. 248–49). Describe in writing what took place. After reading Jeremiah 38:14–28; Jeremiah 39:1–7, write a description of the dialogue between Zedekiah and Jeremiah and the outcome that followed. What advice would you give Zedekiah?

Zedekiah became King after his wicked nephew.   Zedekiah wanted to destroy the Babylonian’s.  The Babylonians came against Jerusalem.  King Nebuchadnezzar pulled the Babylonians away for a time but they soon came back to fight Jerusalem.  Jeremiah’s enemies seized the opportunity to accuse him of joining the Chaldeans.  They asked for his life, but Zedekiah secretly let him go.  Zedekiah was met with a terrible fate.  Jeremiah was released and lived in Jerusalem as a free man. 

Zedekiah would not hearken to Jeremiah’s warnings.  Zedekiah wanted to keep these warnings a secret.  He did not want Jeremiah telling his people.  Jeremiah went to prison.  Zedekiah should of listened to Jeremiah’s warnings and in turn the Lord would have given him strength.    

Choice 5: Isaiah 63–65. The Second Coming and Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ

(a) Read Isaiah 63; 64:1–4; Doctrine and Covenants 133:45–53 and find answers to the following questions:

·         What did Isaiah see the Lord wearing? Red Garments

·         According to these scriptures, why will the Lord be attired in this way?  To represent the atonement; those who need to wash their sins away. 

·         What do we learn from these verses about the Atonement and Second Coming?  Christ is coming to save those who are righteous and to judge those who have sinned. 

·         What will the redeemed say when He comes?  D&C 133:52 says “And now the year of my redeemed is come; and they shall mention the loving kindness of their Lord, and all that he has bestowed upon them according to his goodness, and according to his loving kindness, forever and ever.”

·         What do these scriptures teach about the wicked during this period of time?  Judgment will come to them and they will be trampled in His fury (D&C 133:51)

(b) List what you learn about the Millennium from Isaiah 65:17–25 (making note of the Joseph Smith Translation change in Isaiah 65:20) and from Doctrine and Covenants 101:30–31. From what you listed, what would you most like to experience if you were to live during the Millennium? Why?

Everyone will live to be as old as a tree; which I think is a hundred years.  No one will labor in vain.  There will be no sickness or evil.  There will be peace upon the changed earth.  The former world will be forgotten.  Christ will be quick to answer their prayers.  There will be no more killing.  The wolf will lie with the lamb.  Everyone will live with peace for a time before final judgment.