Temporal Marriage and the Resurrection

Temporal Marriage and the Resurrection

1. Review Mark 12:41-44 and the institute student manual commentary for Mark 12:41-44, “What was the significance of the Widow’s gift?” (pg. 148). Write an explanation of how the widow lived what the Savior taught in Mark 12:28-30.

The widow gave all that she had. Her offering was measured in quality rather than quantity, and by the spirit with which she gave. We learn many times throughout the scriptures that we are to give with a willing heart and serve with true intent, if not, it isn’t worth our service. The widow lived what the Savior taught by giving all that she had. Previously, a young man came to Christ and asked him what else he could do to gain salvation after he had already followed all the commandments. God told him to go away and sell all that he hath, but he could not. The widow here did just that by giving away all that she hath.

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2. Even though the widow gave less money than wealthier people gave, according to Mark 12:44, how much of what she had did she give? Write a paragraph describing what this teaches about what constitutes an acceptable offering to the Lord. How does 2 Nephi 25:23 apply to what the widow did?

By grace we are saved after all we can do. The widow gave all that she had and grace made up for the rest. God promises us that if we do our best, and come to him with a true and sincere heart and a contrite spirit that he will provide the rest. The atonement allows God to accept our meager offerings to make up for what we lack.

3. Write two or three sentences describing a way, aside from the donation of money, that you could better follow the widow’s example of sacrifice and obedience. 

It is easy to sometimes give of our time and resources because we are supposed to. One way that I could do better at following the widow’s example would be to be more involved in my visiting teaching. It is easy to complete my visits in order to get the numbers or check the task off my list, just as the priests gave their money freely because they were supposed to, but they didn’t really give of themselves. When I go visiting teaching if I go and give the lesson but do not personalize it or follow the spirit in how to best serve my sisters, then I am doing just as the priests did. We need to serve with our heart and be sensitive to the spirit.