Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
Philippians and Colossians are known as Paul's happy letters. He is upbeat and gives inspirational advice even though he is in prison in Rome. Paul writes on many topics, and four to look for in your study are the pursuit of truth, live/right, managing wisely, and leaving a legacy. Paul does discuss his desire to return to God. This may provide a possible discussion on suicide. The Church has a depth of resources on its website (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/get-help/suicide ). Paul concludes his letter to the Philippians with one of my favorite verses - “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I look forward to our study together.
Philippians 1:23-23 Cross References
Elder Dale G. Renlund: “There’s an old sectarian notion that suicide is a sin and that someone who commits suicide is banished to hell forever. That is totally false. I believe in the vast majority of cases, we’ll find that these individuals have lived heroic lives and that that suicide will not be a defining characteristic of their eternities” (“Understanding Suicide,” Gospel Library).
Bishop McMullin: “Although you have been going to school for a long time, much remains for you to learn. President Hinckley once observed, “None of us can assume that he has learned enough. As the door closes on one phase of life, it opens on another, where we must continue to pursue knowledge. Ours ought to be a ceaseless quest for the truth.” (BYU-Hawaii Commencement June 18, 1983)
Elder Ulisses Soares: “Seeking Christ in every thought and following Him with all our heart requires that we align our mind and desires with His. The scriptures refer to this alignment as “stand[ing] fast in the Lord” [ Philippians 4:1 ]. This course of action implies that we continually conduct our lives in harmony with the gospel of Christ and focus daily on everything that is good. Only then may we achieve “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” and which will “keep [our] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” [Philippians 4:7]. (“Seek Christ in Every Thought,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 82–83)
President Russell M. Nelson: “My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.
“When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. …
Just as the Savior offers peace that “passeth all understanding” [Philippians 4:7], He also offers an intensity, depth, and breadth of joy that defy human logic or mortal comprehension. For example, it doesn’t seem possible to feel joy when your child suffers with an incurable illness or when you lose your job or when your spouse betrays you. Yet that is precisely the joy the Savior offers. His joy is constant, assuring us that our “afflictions shall be but a small moment” [Doctrine and Covenants 121:7] and be consecrated to our gain [see 2 Nephi 2:2 ].(“Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 82).
President Dallin H. Oaks: “We must seek to be firmly rooted and converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Colossians 2:6–7). We achieve this conversion by praying, by scripture reading, by serving, and by regularly partaking of the sacrament to always have His Spirit to be with us. We must also seek that mighty change of heart (see Alma 5:12–14) that replaces evil desires and selfish concerns with the love of God and the desire to serve Him and His children. (“The Parable of the Sower,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 35)
Neal A. Maxwell: “Events and circumstances in the last days make it imperative for us as members of the Church to become more grounded, rooted, established, and settled (see Colossians 1:23 ; 2:7 ; 2 Peter 1:12). Jesus said to His disciples, “settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you” [Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 14:28 ]. If not so settled, the turbulence will be severe. If settled, we will not be “tossed to and fro” [ Ephesians 4:14 ], whether by rumors, false doctrines, or by the behavioral and intellectual fashions of the world. …
However, we cannot be thus settled in doing what Jesus has commanded unless we are first settled about Him. … Our task, therefore, is to “reconcile [ourselves] to the will of God, and not to the will of … the flesh” ( 2 Nephi 10:24). (“Overcome … Even As I Also Overcame,” Ensign or Liahona, May 1987, 70)
President Russell M. Nelson: “Now, my dear brothers and sisters, I bless you to be filled with the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. His peace is beyond all mortal understanding. I bless you with an increased desire and ability to obey the laws of God. I promise that as you do, you will be showered with blessings, including greater courage, increased personal revelation, sweeter harmony in your homes, and joy even amid uncertainty.” (“A New Normal,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 119)
Teaching Thoughts:
Philippians 1:23-23 Cross References
- Isaiah 53:3–5 – “Wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.”
- Alma 7:11–12 - “Suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.”
- Philippians 1:23–24 – “to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”
- Acts 16:28 - “We are all here” for you.
- Jude 1:22 - And of some have compassion, making a difference:
- John 14:27 – “My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
- Moroni 9:25–26 – “… may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up…”
Elder Dale G. Renlund: “There’s an old sectarian notion that suicide is a sin and that someone who commits suicide is banished to hell forever. That is totally false. I believe in the vast majority of cases, we’ll find that these individuals have lived heroic lives and that that suicide will not be a defining characteristic of their eternities” (“Understanding Suicide,” Gospel Library).
Bishop McMullin: “Although you have been going to school for a long time, much remains for you to learn. President Hinckley once observed, “None of us can assume that he has learned enough. As the door closes on one phase of life, it opens on another, where we must continue to pursue knowledge. Ours ought to be a ceaseless quest for the truth.” (BYU-Hawaii Commencement June 18, 1983)
Elder Ulisses Soares: “Seeking Christ in every thought and following Him with all our heart requires that we align our mind and desires with His. The scriptures refer to this alignment as “stand[ing] fast in the Lord” [ Philippians 4:1 ]. This course of action implies that we continually conduct our lives in harmony with the gospel of Christ and focus daily on everything that is good. Only then may we achieve “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” and which will “keep [our] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” [Philippians 4:7]. (“Seek Christ in Every Thought,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 82–83)
President Russell M. Nelson: “My dear brothers and sisters, the joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.
“When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy. …
Just as the Savior offers peace that “passeth all understanding” [Philippians 4:7], He also offers an intensity, depth, and breadth of joy that defy human logic or mortal comprehension. For example, it doesn’t seem possible to feel joy when your child suffers with an incurable illness or when you lose your job or when your spouse betrays you. Yet that is precisely the joy the Savior offers. His joy is constant, assuring us that our “afflictions shall be but a small moment” [Doctrine and Covenants 121:7] and be consecrated to our gain [see 2 Nephi 2:2 ].(“Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 82).
President Dallin H. Oaks: “We must seek to be firmly rooted and converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Colossians 2:6–7). We achieve this conversion by praying, by scripture reading, by serving, and by regularly partaking of the sacrament to always have His Spirit to be with us. We must also seek that mighty change of heart (see Alma 5:12–14) that replaces evil desires and selfish concerns with the love of God and the desire to serve Him and His children. (“The Parable of the Sower,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 35)
Neal A. Maxwell: “Events and circumstances in the last days make it imperative for us as members of the Church to become more grounded, rooted, established, and settled (see Colossians 1:23 ; 2:7 ; 2 Peter 1:12). Jesus said to His disciples, “settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you” [Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 14:28 ]. If not so settled, the turbulence will be severe. If settled, we will not be “tossed to and fro” [ Ephesians 4:14 ], whether by rumors, false doctrines, or by the behavioral and intellectual fashions of the world. …
However, we cannot be thus settled in doing what Jesus has commanded unless we are first settled about Him. … Our task, therefore, is to “reconcile [ourselves] to the will of God, and not to the will of … the flesh” ( 2 Nephi 10:24). (“Overcome … Even As I Also Overcame,” Ensign or Liahona, May 1987, 70)
President Russell M. Nelson: “Now, my dear brothers and sisters, I bless you to be filled with the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. His peace is beyond all mortal understanding. I bless you with an increased desire and ability to obey the laws of God. I promise that as you do, you will be showered with blessings, including greater courage, increased personal revelation, sweeter harmony in your homes, and joy even amid uncertainty.” (“A New Normal,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 119)
Teaching Thoughts:
- Possible discussion on suicide and learning of the depth of resources the Church provides (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/get-help/suicide ).
- Grouping scriptures into topics and inviting groups to study the scriptures and share with family/group (Pursuit of truth, Live / Right, Manage Wisely, Leave a Legacy)
- “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.