Day 201

  • Principle: Jesus Christ performed many miracles, some great and some small and simple.  
  • Book of Mormon Reading: Alma 36:25 - 37:10
    • Alma stresses to Helaman the importance of scripture.  And that small and simple things will be done by the Lord in preserving scripture.  M. Russell Ballard taught:

      • “We observe vast, sweeping world events; however, we must remember that the purposes of the Lord in our personal lives generally are fulfilled through the small and simple things and not the momentous and spectacular. …

        “Great and marvelous events seem to motivate us, but small things often do not hold our attention. Noting that the Liahona worked by faith, Alma stated, ‘Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means … [the people of Lehi] were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey’ (Alma 37:41).

        “Is our journey sometimes impeded when we forget the importance of small things? (see Alma 37:46). Do we realize that small events and choices determine the direction of our lives just as small helms determine the direction of great ships? (see James 3:4; D&C 123:16). …

        “… We need to have family and personal prayers; study the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon; hold family home evenings; follow the admonition of the Savior to love one another; and be thoughtful, kind, and gentle within the family. Through these and other similar small and simple things, we have the promise that our lives will be filled with peace and joy” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1990, 4, 8; or Ensign, May 1990, 6, 8).
         

  • Study Matthew 14: 21-33, Mark 6:33-52, Luke 9:11-17, and John 6:1-21.  This is the start of the third year of Christ’s ministry and near the end of his life.  In this last year the scriptures record 72 events that take place.  The first three you will study are about feeding the five thousand, Christ refusing to be king, and walking on the sea.  Below are some additional information to help you better understand this part of Christ’s life.
    • Two Hundred Penny worth of Bread, Mark 6:37
      • As used in the New Testament, the words penny and pennyworth mean the same thing. The coinage in use was that of Rome, and the penny, or denarius, was the chief Roman silver coin. It was worth about fifteen to seventeen of our cents. Two hundred pennyworth of bread would have cost approximately thirty-two dollars. (See Smith, A Dictionary of the Bible, rev. ed., s.v. “Penny, Pennyworth.”)
    • Fourth Watch, Matthew 14:25
      • Probably because of the influence of their Mediterranean neighbors, the Greeks and the Romans, the Jews in New Testament times divided the night into military watches instead of hours. Each watch represented the length of time a given sentinel remained on duty. The first watch commenced at 6:00 P.M. and ended at 9:00 P.M.; the second went from 9:00 P.M. to 12:00 midnight; the third from 12:00 to 3:00 A.M.; and the fourth watch was from 3:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. (See Smith, Dictionary, s.v. “Watches of night.”)
    • Walking on water and faith
      • “The comparison the Lord makes between the wavering soul and the wave of the sea driven with the winds and tossed has touched the lives of many. Most of us have seen the calm seas, and at other times the damage caused when the winds become intense and the waves rise and become powerful, destructive forces. A parallel can be drawn to the buffetings of Satan. When we are serene and on the Lord’s side, Satan’s influence is not felt; but when we cross over and are deceived by the winds of false doctrine, by the waves of man-made philosophies and sophistries, we can be drenched, submerged, and even drowned in the depths of disbelief, and the Spirit of the Lord driven completely from our lives. These deceived and wavering souls cannot, because of their incontinence, expect to receive anything of the Lord.” (Delbert L. Stapley in CR, Apr. 1970, p. 74.) 
  • Additional Study: