In this lesson we discussed the epistles of Peter and how his teachings about divine nature and patience through trial can be applied today.

1. “A Chosen
Generation”GD NT Lesson 43: 1 & 2 Peter, Jude

5. Introduction
ATOT: Compare cutting ripe apples to finding the rotten
apple in the basement. The seeds were identical and had
the same potential.
When Heavenly Father sees us - he sees far beyond the
flesh. He sees the orchard we are intended to become.
How does our divine potential influence the way we live and
look at our circumstances?
The epistles of Peter and Jude help us live worthily as
children of God and inspire us to see our true potential

6. Who was Peter?
Remembering Peter
Where did he begin?
What did he see?
What was his role?
How would his
perspective on Christ
be distinct?

7. History
Most likely written from “Babylon” (Rome)
Nero’s persecutions began around 64 A.D. The
epistles were probably written between 62 & 64
A.D.
Written to the ‘elect of God”
Written in preparation for the coming trials

8. Live in faith and holiness as a
chosen generation
1 Peter 1:3-4
What is a lively hope? Where does it come from? Footnote
b.
How is our inheritance incorruptible?
1 Peter 1:18-21
Redeemed = to purchase back, rescue
ATOT: The gold commercials on TV, why is it so valued
above all other stocks?

9. Live in faith and holiness as a
chosen generation
1 Peter 1:7-9
Why is faith more precious than gold?
Why does it need to be ‘tried with fire’?
What is the ultimate purpose of our faith?
‘end of your faith’ - means goal or outcome
1 Peter 2:9
‘peculiar’ = special possession, treasured
Who is the ‘chosen generation?’

10. Bruce R. McConkie
…defined a chosen generation as
“not those living in a particular period
or age, but … the house of Israel both
anciently, in the meridian of time, and
now in these latter-days. … [It
includes] faithful members of the
Church who have taken upon
themselves the name of Christ and
been adopted into his family”
(Doctrinal New Testament
Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73],
3:294).
What is our responsibility as the
chosen generation? Matthew 5:16

11. Follow the Savior’s example in
enduring trials and persecution
1 Peter 2:19-20
‘buffeted’ = struck with fists
What’s the difference between struggles brought on by our own faults
and struggles brought on through no fault of our own?
ATOT: Sam cleaning Vi’s room after she had dumped all her clothes
on the floor. He paid the price for her mistakes. I appreciated his
sacrifice all the more.
1 Peter 2:21-24
How did Peter’s first hand account affect his testimony?
‘stripes’ = bruises, cuts and welts created after Roman scourging

12. Follow the Savior’s example in
enduring trials and persecution
Think of the kindest, most Christ-like person you have known.
ATOT: Melissa H. in Ohio, Mindy H. in Utah
Now think of the biggest trial they endured?
Why is true kindness linked with overcoming unfair struggle?
If we know they are connected, why do we push back when struggles hit
us?
1 Peter 3:14-17
How should we respond in such circumstances?
‘an answer’ = apologia = defense
1 Peter 4:12-14, how can we rejoice in our reproach?

13. Partake of the divine nature and strive
to make your calling and election made
sure
2 Peter 1:4-7, attributes of divine nature (how do they build on each other?)
Faith > Virtue (obedience) > Knowledge >
How does obedience build knowledge?
Temperance (self-control) >
President Ezra Taft Benson taught, 'When we put God first, all other things fall into their
proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern our claims of affection,
the demands of our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.’"
Patience > Godliness
Camille Fronk Olsen taught, [With godly patience] we forget about checking our
preconceived agenda for life while losing ourselves in helping others progress along the
trail. This patient response grows out of a willingness to have patience first with God...We
don't know all that he has in store for us, but we are at peace knowing that it will be vastly
superior to our myopically designed plan. Such patience ripens into eternal perspective."

14. Partake of the divine nature and strive
to make your calling and election made
sure
Godliness (eternal sight) > brotherly kindness >
When we see as he does, our instinct to help and serve becomes automatic
Charity (pure love of Christ)
Camille Fronk Olson, "The progression from brotherly kindness to charity is
not a giant leap...[But] Peter teaches us that we cannot simply jump to
charity. Charity is given only after we receive the perfecting influence from
all the other virtues...Paul taught that without charity any of the other
attributes can become self-serving or self-lauditory, 'as sounding brass or a
tinkling cymbal.’ With God's gift of charity, the Lord stretches, strengthens
and solidifies all the other virtues he has given to us.”
JST, Mark 8:37–38, whosoever shall be willing to lose his life for my sake…

15. Partake of the divine nature and strive
to make your calling and election made
sure
2 Peter 1:10
What does it mean to make your calling and
election sure?
To receive from the lord the issuance or
promise of exaltation in the celestial kingdom.
D&C 131:5
Joseph Smith received his D&C 132:49

16. Joseph Smith
“After a person has faith in Christ, repents
of his sins, and is baptized for the
remission of his sins and receives the Holy
Ghost (by the laying on of hands), … then
let him continue to humble himself before
God, hungering and thirsting after
righteousness, and living by every word of
God, and the Lord will soon say unto him,
Son, thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord
has thoroughly proved him, and finds that
the man is determined to serve Him at all
hazards, then the man will find his calling
and his election made sure” (Teachings of
the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph
Fielding Smith [1976], 150).

17. Conclusion
What does our divine nature compel us to do?
Rosemary Wixom: Discovering the Divinity Within (General
Women’s Session Oct 2015)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, “God sent you here to
prepare for a future greater than anything you can
imagine.”9 That future, a day at a time, comes alive when
you do more than just exist; it comes alive when you live
your life to fill the measure of your creation. This invites
the Lord into your life, and you begin to let His will
become yours.

18. Rosemary Wixom
“Because you are His child, He knows
who you can become. He knows your
fears and your dreams. He relishes
your potential. He waits for you to come
to Him in prayer. Because you are His
child, you not only need Him, but He
also needs you. Those sitting around
you right now in this meeting need you.
The world needs you, and your divine
nature allows you to be His trusted
disciple to all His children. Once we
begin to see the divinity in ourselves,
we can see it in others.”

19. Jeffrey R. Holland
“Don’t give up. … Don’t
you quit. You keep
walking. You keep trying.
There is help and
happiness ahead. … It
will be all right in the end.
Trust God and believe in
good things to come.”10