Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
The two great commandments help us focus on what matters most. As we love God, we put Him first in our lives. As we develop the power to love others, we can also seek to understand the power of love. This week we focus on love and start studying the last week of the Savior’s life with His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
Parable of the 10 Talents (Luke 19:12-21)
Elder James E. Talmage: “To anoint the head of a guest with ordinary oil was to do him honor; to anoint his feet also was to show unusual and signal regard; but the anointing of head and feet with spikenard, and in such abundance, was an act of reverential homage rarely rendered even to kings. Mary’s act was an expression of adoration; it was the fragrant outwelling of a heart overflowing with worship and affection” (Jesus the Christ, 512).
One denarius was the wage for one day's labor, so if Judas' estimate of the value of Mary's spikenard is correct, "three hundred denarii" (John 12:5) would have been someone's annual salary, equivalent to several tens of thousands of dollars today.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Only kings and conquerors received such an extraordinary token of respect as this. (2 Kings 9:13.) … Amid shouts of praise and pleas for salvation and deliverance, we see the disciples strewing our Lord’s course with palm branches in token of victory and triumph. This whole dramatic scene prefigures that yet future assembly when ‘a great multitude,’ which no man can number, … shall stand ‘before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands,’ crying with a loud voice, ‘Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.’ (Rev. 7:9-10.)” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. 1965-73, 1:578).
“Hosanna is a Hebrew word that ‘means “please save us” and is used in praise and supplication. … At the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the multitudes cried
“Hosanna” and spread palm branches for Jesus to ride upon, thus demonstrating their understanding that Jesus was the same Lord who had delivered Israel anciently (Ps. 118:25-26; Matt. 21:9, 15; Mark 11:9-10; John 12:13). These people recognized Christ as the long-awaited Messiah’ (Guide to the Scriptures, “Hosanna”; scriptures.lds.org). The phrase ‘all the city was moved’ (Matthew 21:10) suggests that Jesus’s triumphal entry was noised throughout the city and was known by many people” (New Testament Student Manual Church Educational System manual, 2014, 64-65).
President James E. Faust: “The Lord has provided many avenues by which we may receive [His] healing influence. I am grateful that the Lord has restored temple work to the earth. It is an important part of the work of salvation for both the living and the dead. Our temples provide a sanctuary where we may go to lay aside many of the anxieties of the world. Our temples are places of peace and tranquillity. In these hallowed sanctuaries God ‘healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’ (Ps. 147:3.)” (“Spiritual Healing,” Ensign, May 1992, 7).
Figs are an important food in the Middle East. The failure of fig trees is a national calamity, while their productivity is a token of peace and divine favor. The fig tree is one of the earliest to show its fruit buds, which appear before the leaves; thus a fig tree with leaves would be expected also to have fruit. The time when the leaves appear indicates that summer is near. The fig tree differs from most other fruit trees in that its fruit is green and inconspicuous, concealed among leaves until near the time of ripening. (See Bible Dictionary, “Fig tree.”)
Question: "Why don’t fig trees produce fruit?”
Question: "Why did Christ curse the fig tree?”
“Christian churches regard the question of authority — the divine right to preach, act in the name of God and direct the Lord’s church — in different ways. Some, like the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Coptic churches, emphasize a continuous line of authority from the early apostles. Some who broke away from those churches say they find authority in the inerrancy of the Bible. Others rely heavily on a sense of “calling” to the ministry. Latter-day Saints have a distinctive view of priesthood authority that helps define them.
“For Latter-day Saints, the restoration of priesthood authority in the first half of the 19th century was a literal act through angelic visitations from those who held the authority anciently. Divine authority was restored to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through a visitation of the resurrected John the Baptist in 1829 near Harmony (now Oakland), Pennsylvania, and sometime afterwards through the appearance of the resurrected ancient apostles Peter, James and John.
“Today, all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hold the priesthood trace their authority directly to these visitations and bestowal of the priesthood of God on Joseph Smith and early leaders of the Church. A person receiving the priesthood today customarily sits while a person who already holds the priesthood stands and places his hands on the recipient’s head and formally confers that authority.
“The “Apostolic Keys” of priesthood authority today — by which is meant the right to direct the Church — are believed to be vested in the modern apostles in the same way that the ancient apostles had the authority to direct the early church.” (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/authority-in-the-church)
Elder David A. Bednar: “In ancient times, one of the most joyous occasions in Jewish life was a wedding celebration—an event that would span a week or even two. Such an event required extensive planning, and guests were informed far in advance, with a reminder sent on the opening day of the festivities. An invitation from a king to his subjects to a wedding such as this was essentially considered a command. Yet, many of the bidden guests in this parable did not come.[See James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ (1916), 536–40.]
“The refusal to attend the king’s feast was a deliberate [act of] rebellion against … royal authority and a personal indignity against both the reigning sovereign and his son. … The turning away by one man to his farm and by another to his [business interests]”[James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 537.] reflects their misguided priorities and total disregard of the king’s will.[See James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 537.]
“Elder James E. Talmage provides this instructive commentary about the significance of the man’s actions: “That the unrobed guest was guilty of neglect, intentional disrespect, or some more grievous offense, is plain from the context. The king at first was graciously considerate, inquiring only as to how the man had entered without a wedding garment. Had the guest been able to explain his exceptional appearance, or had he any reasonable excuse to offer, he surely would have spoken; but we are told that he remained speechless.” [James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 539–40.]
“The king’s judgment of the man is not based primarily upon the lack of a wedding garment—but that “he was, in fact, determined not to wear one. The man … desired the honor of attending the wedding feast, but … did not want to follow the custom of the king. He wanted to do things his own way. His lack of proper dress revealed his inner rebellion against the king and his instructions.” [Reid, “Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen,” 8.]
“Interestingly, Joseph Smith made the following adjustment to this verse from Matthew in his inspired translation of the Bible: “For many are called, but few are chosen; wherefore all do not have on the wedding garment.” [Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 22:14 (in Matthew 22:14 footnote b); emphasis added.]
“The invitation to the wedding feast and the choice to partake in the feast are related but different. The invitation is to all men and women. An individual may even accept the invitation and sit down at the feast—yet not be chosen to partake because he or she does not have the appropriate wedding garment of converting faith in the Lord Jesus and His divine grace. Thus, we have both God’s call and our individual response to that call, and many may be called but few chosen. [See Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (1993), 769–71.] (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/46bednar?lang=eng)
President Dallin H. Oaks: “How do we keep these divine commandments in a world where we are also subject to the laws of man? Fortunately, we have the Savior’s own example of how to balance His eternal laws with the practicalities of man-made laws. When adversaries sought to trap Him with a question about whether Jews should pay taxes to Rome, He pointed to the image of Caesar on their coins and declared, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s” (Luke 20:21 [See also Matthew 22:21 Mark 12:17)
“So, we are to follow the laws of men (render unto Caesar) to live peacefully under civil authority, and we follow the laws of God toward our eternal destination. But how do we do this—especially how do we learn to love our adversaries and our enemies?”
“The Savior’s reply that ‘in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage’ (Matthew 22:30; italics added) referred to the individuals in question, who were Sadducees, for the questioners said that ‘there were with us seven brethren’ (Matthew 22:25; italics added). For those who do not marry for eternity, marriage does not endure beyond this life (see D&C 132:15-17). In these latter days, the Lord revealed that marriage can be eternal only if it is entered into according to His law, performed by one who has authority, and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (see D&C 132:19).
“Another key to understanding the Savior’s words is to realize that when the Sadducees referred to the words of Moses (see Matthew 22:24), they were referring to what is sometimes termed ‘levirate marriage.’ According to the law of Moses, when a man died leaving his wife childless, his brother was supposed to marry the deceased man’s wife to provide for her and to raise up children for the deceased man (see Deuteronomy 25:5; Bible Dictionary, ‘Levirate marriage’)” (New Testament Student Manual Church Educational System manual, 2014, 66-67).
President Ezra Taft Benson: “To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is all-consuming and all-encompassing. It is no lukewarm endeavor. It is total commitment of our very being—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—to a love of the Lord.
“The breadth, depth, and height of this love of God extend into every facet of one’s life. Our desires, be they spiritual or temporal, should be rooted in a love of the Lord. Our thoughts and affections should be centered on the Lord. …
“Why did God put the first commandment first? Because He knew that if we truly loved Him we would want to keep all of His other commandments. …
“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 the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.
“We should put God ahead of everyone else in our lives. …
“We bless our fellowmen the most when we put the first commandment first.” (“The Great Commandment—Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988, 4-6; see also Mark 12:28-34)
President N. Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency explained that there are two kinds of hypocrisy: “Harry Emerson Fosdick observed that there are two kinds of hypocrisy: when we try to appear better than we are, and when we let ourselves appear worse than we are. We have been speaking of the kind of hypocrisy where people pretend to be more or better than they are. Too often, however, we see members of the Church who in their hearts know and believe, but through fear of public opinion fail to stand up and be counted. This kind of hypocrisy is as serious as the other.” (“Woe unto You … Hypocrites,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1970, 33).
Teaching Thoughts:
Parable of the 10 Talents (Luke 19:12-21)
- One “pound” is a weight and sum of money equal to 100 drachmae, or about 3 months wages.
- Equal amounts of money were given to each of ten trusted servants.
- Servants were to “Occupy” or “carry on” and use the money to promote their master’s interests during his absence.
- The citizens in the parable did not want the new king.
- The loyal servants work for their master in his absence.
- When he returned, he examined their work and rewarded each according to his diligence.
- The servants who did nothing with the talent was condemned and the money was taken away.
- God has given us, as trusted servants, “100 drachmae” and asked us to use it to “carry on” Christ’s interests during His absence.
- In some blessings, we are all equal. We are all given the Light of Christ and have our agency. All members of Christ’s Church have been given a spiritual gift.
- Christ is teaching that He would soon leave the world but reminded us that we are stewards and should live in a way so his kingdom will continue to grow.
- We know that Christ will return.
- How can we use what God has given us today to “Carry on” Christ’s interests?
Elder James E. Talmage: “To anoint the head of a guest with ordinary oil was to do him honor; to anoint his feet also was to show unusual and signal regard; but the anointing of head and feet with spikenard, and in such abundance, was an act of reverential homage rarely rendered even to kings. Mary’s act was an expression of adoration; it was the fragrant outwelling of a heart overflowing with worship and affection” (Jesus the Christ, 512).
One denarius was the wage for one day's labor, so if Judas' estimate of the value of Mary's spikenard is correct, "three hundred denarii" (John 12:5) would have been someone's annual salary, equivalent to several tens of thousands of dollars today.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: “Only kings and conquerors received such an extraordinary token of respect as this. (2 Kings 9:13.) … Amid shouts of praise and pleas for salvation and deliverance, we see the disciples strewing our Lord’s course with palm branches in token of victory and triumph. This whole dramatic scene prefigures that yet future assembly when ‘a great multitude,’ which no man can number, … shall stand ‘before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands,’ crying with a loud voice, ‘Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.’ (Rev. 7:9-10.)” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. 1965-73, 1:578).
“Hosanna is a Hebrew word that ‘means “please save us” and is used in praise and supplication. … At the Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the multitudes cried
“Hosanna” and spread palm branches for Jesus to ride upon, thus demonstrating their understanding that Jesus was the same Lord who had delivered Israel anciently (Ps. 118:25-26; Matt. 21:9, 15; Mark 11:9-10; John 12:13). These people recognized Christ as the long-awaited Messiah’ (Guide to the Scriptures, “Hosanna”; scriptures.lds.org). The phrase ‘all the city was moved’ (Matthew 21:10) suggests that Jesus’s triumphal entry was noised throughout the city and was known by many people” (New Testament Student Manual Church Educational System manual, 2014, 64-65).
President James E. Faust: “The Lord has provided many avenues by which we may receive [His] healing influence. I am grateful that the Lord has restored temple work to the earth. It is an important part of the work of salvation for both the living and the dead. Our temples provide a sanctuary where we may go to lay aside many of the anxieties of the world. Our temples are places of peace and tranquillity. In these hallowed sanctuaries God ‘healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’ (Ps. 147:3.)” (“Spiritual Healing,” Ensign, May 1992, 7).
Figs are an important food in the Middle East. The failure of fig trees is a national calamity, while their productivity is a token of peace and divine favor. The fig tree is one of the earliest to show its fruit buds, which appear before the leaves; thus a fig tree with leaves would be expected also to have fruit. The time when the leaves appear indicates that summer is near. The fig tree differs from most other fruit trees in that its fruit is green and inconspicuous, concealed among leaves until near the time of ripening. (See Bible Dictionary, “Fig tree.”)
Question: "Why don’t fig trees produce fruit?”
- The main reason fig trees do not produce fruit is a lack of sunlight.
- Could also be growing in unhealthy soil.
- Could be heavily infected with Fig Mosaic Virus.
- May be growing too quickly. “When a fruit tree is younger, it puts most of its energy into producing leaves and shoots. Until the plant becomes mature and slows down in the production of leaves and shoots, it will produce few to no fruit.
- Sources: (https://www.figboss.com/post/the-4-reasons-why-your-fig-tree-is-not-fruiting, https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2021/07/15/five-reasons-for-lack-of-fruiting-in-figs/)
Question: "Why did Christ curse the fig tree?”
- To teach about the importance of having faith in Christ.
- And to teach of the importance of prayer and forgiveness.
- Israel had often been symbolized as a fig tree in scripture (Isaiah 34:4, Jeremiah 24:1-8, Hosea 9:10, Luke 13:6-9). If Israel will reject and cures Christ, then their fate will like the fig tree and they will “dry from the roots up” (Mark 11:20).
- If your roots are not in Christ, you will spiritually dry up.”
- Even though the tree gave the outward appearance that it was healthy and growing, Christ knew it would not produce fruit.
- Israel today is also asked to bring forth fruit.
- “When ye pray, believe…” (Mark 11:24).
“Christian churches regard the question of authority — the divine right to preach, act in the name of God and direct the Lord’s church — in different ways. Some, like the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Coptic churches, emphasize a continuous line of authority from the early apostles. Some who broke away from those churches say they find authority in the inerrancy of the Bible. Others rely heavily on a sense of “calling” to the ministry. Latter-day Saints have a distinctive view of priesthood authority that helps define them.
“For Latter-day Saints, the restoration of priesthood authority in the first half of the 19th century was a literal act through angelic visitations from those who held the authority anciently. Divine authority was restored to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through a visitation of the resurrected John the Baptist in 1829 near Harmony (now Oakland), Pennsylvania, and sometime afterwards through the appearance of the resurrected ancient apostles Peter, James and John.
“Today, all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who hold the priesthood trace their authority directly to these visitations and bestowal of the priesthood of God on Joseph Smith and early leaders of the Church. A person receiving the priesthood today customarily sits while a person who already holds the priesthood stands and places his hands on the recipient’s head and formally confers that authority.
“The “Apostolic Keys” of priesthood authority today — by which is meant the right to direct the Church — are believed to be vested in the modern apostles in the same way that the ancient apostles had the authority to direct the early church.” (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/authority-in-the-church)
Elder David A. Bednar: “In ancient times, one of the most joyous occasions in Jewish life was a wedding celebration—an event that would span a week or even two. Such an event required extensive planning, and guests were informed far in advance, with a reminder sent on the opening day of the festivities. An invitation from a king to his subjects to a wedding such as this was essentially considered a command. Yet, many of the bidden guests in this parable did not come.[See James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ (1916), 536–40.]
“The refusal to attend the king’s feast was a deliberate [act of] rebellion against … royal authority and a personal indignity against both the reigning sovereign and his son. … The turning away by one man to his farm and by another to his [business interests]”[James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 537.] reflects their misguided priorities and total disregard of the king’s will.[See James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 537.]
“Elder James E. Talmage provides this instructive commentary about the significance of the man’s actions: “That the unrobed guest was guilty of neglect, intentional disrespect, or some more grievous offense, is plain from the context. The king at first was graciously considerate, inquiring only as to how the man had entered without a wedding garment. Had the guest been able to explain his exceptional appearance, or had he any reasonable excuse to offer, he surely would have spoken; but we are told that he remained speechless.” [James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, 539–40.]
“The king’s judgment of the man is not based primarily upon the lack of a wedding garment—but that “he was, in fact, determined not to wear one. The man … desired the honor of attending the wedding feast, but … did not want to follow the custom of the king. He wanted to do things his own way. His lack of proper dress revealed his inner rebellion against the king and his instructions.” [Reid, “Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen,” 8.]
“Interestingly, Joseph Smith made the following adjustment to this verse from Matthew in his inspired translation of the Bible: “For many are called, but few are chosen; wherefore all do not have on the wedding garment.” [Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 22:14 (in Matthew 22:14 footnote b); emphasis added.]
“The invitation to the wedding feast and the choice to partake in the feast are related but different. The invitation is to all men and women. An individual may even accept the invitation and sit down at the feast—yet not be chosen to partake because he or she does not have the appropriate wedding garment of converting faith in the Lord Jesus and His divine grace. Thus, we have both God’s call and our individual response to that call, and many may be called but few chosen. [See Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (1993), 769–71.] (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/10/46bednar?lang=eng)
President Dallin H. Oaks: “How do we keep these divine commandments in a world where we are also subject to the laws of man? Fortunately, we have the Savior’s own example of how to balance His eternal laws with the practicalities of man-made laws. When adversaries sought to trap Him with a question about whether Jews should pay taxes to Rome, He pointed to the image of Caesar on their coins and declared, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar’s, and unto God the things which be God’s” (Luke 20:21 [See also Matthew 22:21 Mark 12:17)
“So, we are to follow the laws of men (render unto Caesar) to live peacefully under civil authority, and we follow the laws of God toward our eternal destination. But how do we do this—especially how do we learn to love our adversaries and our enemies?”
- The Savior’s teaching not to “contend with anger” is a good first step.
- Develop the power to love others.
- An even greater help in learning to love our adversaries and our enemies is to seek to understand the power of love.
- Knowing that we are all children of God gives us a divine vision of the worth of all others and the will and ability to rise above prejudice and racism. (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/17oaks?lang=eng)
“The Savior’s reply that ‘in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage’ (Matthew 22:30; italics added) referred to the individuals in question, who were Sadducees, for the questioners said that ‘there were with us seven brethren’ (Matthew 22:25; italics added). For those who do not marry for eternity, marriage does not endure beyond this life (see D&C 132:15-17). In these latter days, the Lord revealed that marriage can be eternal only if it is entered into according to His law, performed by one who has authority, and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise (see D&C 132:19).
“Another key to understanding the Savior’s words is to realize that when the Sadducees referred to the words of Moses (see Matthew 22:24), they were referring to what is sometimes termed ‘levirate marriage.’ According to the law of Moses, when a man died leaving his wife childless, his brother was supposed to marry the deceased man’s wife to provide for her and to raise up children for the deceased man (see Deuteronomy 25:5; Bible Dictionary, ‘Levirate marriage’)” (New Testament Student Manual Church Educational System manual, 2014, 66-67).
President Ezra Taft Benson: “To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is all-consuming and all-encompassing. It is no lukewarm endeavor. It is total commitment of our very being—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—to a love of the Lord.
“The breadth, depth, and height of this love of God extend into every facet of one’s life. Our desires, be they spiritual or temporal, should be rooted in a love of the Lord. Our thoughts and affections should be centered on the Lord. …
“Why did God put the first commandment first? Because He knew that if we truly loved Him we would want to keep all of His other commandments. …
“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 the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.
“We should put God ahead of everyone else in our lives. …
“We bless our fellowmen the most when we put the first commandment first.” (“The Great Commandment—Love the Lord,” Ensign, May 1988, 4-6; see also Mark 12:28-34)
President N. Eldon Tanner of the First Presidency explained that there are two kinds of hypocrisy: “Harry Emerson Fosdick observed that there are two kinds of hypocrisy: when we try to appear better than we are, and when we let ourselves appear worse than we are. We have been speaking of the kind of hypocrisy where people pretend to be more or better than they are. Too often, however, we see members of the Church who in their hearts know and believe, but through fear of public opinion fail to stand up and be counted. This kind of hypocrisy is as serious as the other.” (“Woe unto You … Hypocrites,” Improvement Era, Dec. 1970, 33).
Teaching Thoughts:
- How could the ‘crowd’ you are in effect your ability to ‘see’ Christ?
- What ‘tree’ might we need to climb to better ‘see’ Christ?
- Helping all know that they have received a ‘talent’ from God. It is not about the number of talents; it is how you use them.
- Develop the power to love others and “seek to understand the power of love.”
- Put God first in our lives.