“Be Ye Reconciled to God”
September 11–17
FAIR Faithful Resources for Come, Follow Me 2023 September 11–17. 2 Corinthians 1–7 “Be Ye Reconciled to God” Find answers to difficult questions to help you in your learning and teaching. Here is a collection of reliable resources to supplement your study of 2 Corinthians 1–7. FAIR Resources link to relevant questions which have been answered on the FAIR website. Under Church Resources you’ll find links to the different Come, Follow Me manuals, as well as other helpful links as applicable. Other Resources link to resources outside of FAIR that are trustworthy and helpful.
Main points to ponder
The lesson reminds us of the many trials that Paul faced in his life, and points out that Paul spoke often of the “purposes and blessings of tribulation.” As you ponder ways that your own trials can be a blessing, consider these resources:
- 2 Corinthians 1:3–7; 4:6–10, 17–18
- 2 Corinthians 7:4–7
- 2 Corinthians 4:6, 8
- Mosiah 24:13–17
- Henry B. Eyring, “Tested, Proved, and Polished”
- Gospel Topics, “Adversity”
How can you use this information to cheer your loved ones when they are going through challenging times?
Faithful Resources on the FAIR website:
- “I Have Said, ‘Ye are Gods’”: Concepts Conducive to the Early Christian Doctrine of Deification in Patristic Literature and the Underlying Strata of the Greek New Testament Text
- Salvation by Grace Alone?
- How to Build Resilient Faith
- RiseUp Podcast: Trying to Serve the Lord Without Offending the Devil
- Rejection of Priesthood Leaders as a Cause of the Great Apostasy
- Agency vs. Predestination
- The Corruption of Scripture in the Second Century
Resources on the Church website:
Come Follow Me for Individual Study: Come, Follow Me – For Individuals and Families
Come Follow Me for Sunday School: Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School
Come Follow Me for Primary: Come, Follow Me—For Primary
New Testament Videos: Reconciled to God, 2 Cor 5:17-21 , Repentance, 2 Cor 7:8-10
Faithful Resources from other reliable websites:
- Scripture Central, Lynn Hilton Wilson: 2 Corinthians 1-6: New Testament with Lynne Wilson
- Scripture Central, Taylor and Tyler: 2 Corinthians 1–7 | Sep 11 – Sep 17 | Come Follow Me Insights
- The Scriptures are Real, Kerry Muhlestein: Dan Belnap on Paul and Seeing Afar Off, 2 Corinthians 1-7 part 1 first episode, Dan Belnap on Love and Seeing Our Divine Nature, 2 Cor 1-7 part 2 second episode
- Follow Him, John Bytheway and Hank Smith: 2 Corinthians 1-7 Part 1 • Dr. Larry Nelson • Sept 11 – Sept 17, 2 Corinthians 1-7 Part 2 • Dr. Larry Nelson • Sept 11 – Sept 17
- Unshaken, Jared Halverson: Come Follow Me – 2 Corinthians 1-7 (part 1): Comfort in Affliction, Come Follow Me – 2 Corinthians 1-7 (part 2): Godly Sorrow
- Talking Scriptures, Bryce Dunford and Mike Day: Ep 219 | 2 Corinthians 1-7, Come Follow Me 2023
- Don’t Miss This, David Butler and Grace Freeman: Come Follow Me New Testament 2 Corinthians 1-7 (Sept. 11-17) Don’t Miss This
- BibleProject, 2 Corinthians
Dig Deeper
Be sure to listen to Jennifer Roach’s presentation for this week!
- General Conference Talks
- President Russell M. Nelson: The Power of Spiritual Momentum | Russell M. Nelson | April 2022 General Conference
- Kevin R. Duncan: The Healing Ointment of Forgiveness
- BYU Devotionals
Jeffrey R. Holland: “A Saint Through the Atonement of Christ the Lord” | BYU Speeches
Lesson Devotional
Craig Lindquist is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, happily married to Dianna for the past 46 years. By trade he is a cabinetmaker, actor, and writer. He lives in Henderson, Nevada, except when he travels to film or to work on the construction of temples.
Lesson devotionals are provided by the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation. Its mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ from 1833 to 1898. It seeks to make Wilford Woodruff’s records universally accessible to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. See wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.
“Be Ye Reconciled to God”
By Craig Lindquist
Yesterday, I sat helplessly by as my precious grandson wailed his little heart out. He had a terrible rash, and his sweet mother was doing all she could for him. It wasn’t enough. Even though the years of life have taught me that pain is inevitable, my heart still ached. Knowing that he had only recently left the bosom of his Heavenly Father, I wondered how much of this mortal life he understood before he left those celestial realms. I think we all can feel for my grandson, as most of us likewise still struggle to understand much of life.
We aren’t the only ones. Nephi struggled all of his life with challenges that would crush most men. His brother Jacob said they were a lonesome people, wanderers, and they mourned out their days (see Jacob 7:26). Even Moroni solemnly wrote, “I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not” (Mormon 8:5). The anguish in his soul is plainly evident and familiar to many of us.
It would be wrong to assume that those great men led charmed lives. Life was difficult for them, just as it is for us. They certainly had days when they felt estranged from God and needed to reconcile themselves with Him. Such is the way of our mortal probation. In speaking of this, Wilford Woodruff gave this counsel: “[We] complain because we meet with oppression, persecution, and affliction, yet I wish to say to my brethren and sisters that these things are the heritage of the Saints of God. . . . This has been the legacy of the Saints of God in every age, from Father Adam down to our own day. Those that live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. . . . It is necessary for a people who are destined to inherit the celestial kingdom to be a tried people.”1
What an interesting concept! Difficult days are our heritage as Saints of God. They are our legacy! Is this what the Lord meant when He said, “We will make an earth whereon these may dwell; And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them” (Abraham 3:24–25)? The answer is unequivocally yes! It is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we have the ability to reconcile our lives with Heavenly Father. When we find we have drifted away from the peace and joy we once had with God because of our sins, our challenges, or just the demanding schedules of life, we would do well to heed the Apostle Paul’s directive to “be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). But how can we do this? Perhaps the process is much like what my wife and I go through when we find there is a wall of hurt or anger between us. First, we remember that we love each other and how joyful life was without that wall. Then we do the humbling work necessary to erase the hurt that pushed us apart. When this is done with loving-kindness, the peace and joy we once knew returns. It is the same with our Heavenly Father and us. We remember; we repent. Then we smile and stay the course.
1 Discourse by Wilford Woodruff, December 10, 1882, The Wilford Woodruff Papers, p. 2, wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.
Chapter Summaries
2 Cor 1
1-11: Paul greets the Saints in Corinth, sharing that while all may experience trials, there is great hope and comfort available through Christ. Trials teach lessons, which are endured as we are strengthened by God and each other.
12-24: Paul is not able to visit the Corinthian saints as planned. He hopes they don’t see this as a sign of inconsistency, but that they will continue to trust in the message he previously shared. Even more important is to believe in the faithfulness of Jesus Christ and trust in His promises.
2 Cor 2
1-4: Paul refers to a previous visit when he had to address a serious problem. He reaffirms his love for them, after “reproving . . . with sharpness.”
5-11: Paul refers to a situation in which the Corinthian church needs to forgive a certain individual. Paul asks that they do, else Satan may take advantage of the situation and cause greater harm.
12-13: Paul refers to a visit he made to Troas.
14-17: Paul compares living the gospel and missionary efforts to a scent. To some it is a beautiful perfume that brings life, to others it is a bad smell that foretells death.
2 Cor 3
1-3: In response to a question about letters of recommendation, Paul asserts that the requested letters are what is written on the hearts of the Corinthian saints.
4-18: Paul compares the gospel of the Spirit filled New Covenant to the old one, received by Moses. As you have faith in Jesus, a veil that covers your heart and mind is removed.
2 Cor 4
1-6: Paul’s goal is to truthfully and openly shine the light of the Gospel message in a world that is too often shrouded in darkness.
7-18: Amidst many trials and suffering, Paul recognizes that he (and the Corinthian saints) are supported by God and have much to look forward to. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (v.17)
2 Cor 5
1-10: Our earthly bodies will soon become heavenly ones, but while we sojourn here on earth, we must walk by faith.
11-13: Because of the urgency of his mission, Paul admonishes the Corinthian saints to pay heed to his message, and not that of other preachers.
14-21: And that message is that Christ offers a new life to all; transformation through reconciliation to God.
2 Cor 6
1-13: Paul pleads with the Corinthian saints not to ignore the message he has shared with them. He recounts his hardships, to emphasize his hope that they will fully accept the Gospel.
14-18: Paul uses examples of extreme differences to show how difficult it can be to be married to an unbeliever. Alternatively, the importance of being “all in.”
2 Cor 7
1-4: Paul again pleads for the Corinthian saints to put aside differences they have with him and fully embrace the Gospel along with his assurance that they can.
5-12: Paul’s previous harshness towards them was in hope that they would reflect on their behavior, repent and make course corrections.
13-16: Paul continues to have confidence in them, especially after their warm welcome of Titus.
Faithful Resources, and Faithful Resources. Also, Faithful Resources therefore Faithful Resources. But without Faithful Resources you’ll need Faithful Resources; because Faithful Resources help. Twelve apostles give Faithful Resources, therefore Faithful Resources abound. Since Faithful Resources at Faithful Resources then Faithful Resources because Faithful. Resources at Faithful Resources as Faithful Resources are Faithful Resources therefore Faithful Resources. Again, Faithful Resources Faithful Resources Faithful Resources Faithful Resources Faithful Resources Faithful Resources Faithful Resources. Since Faithful Resources then Faithful Resources.
