Scripture Study

By Brother Jones

8 July 2010

Brother Jones has had an impressive political career and has served in the church in many capacities including in the DC temple presidency. He is an exemplary scriptorian and still admits that he wished he had spent more of his life gathering more of the lasting knowledge found in the scriptures. As he shared with us his love for the scriptures, it was enlightening to see how he broke down scripture stories phrase by phrase to learn about the Savior (he did this with the parable examples below). He encouraged us all to read, The Law of the Offerings, by Andrew Jukes.  This is the handout outline he shared with us:

“God has since the fall of man, at various periods dealt with man, in different degrees of intimacy, and, in a certain sense, also on different principles. Throughout all, He has had one purpose in view, to reveal what He is, and to show what man is.” (Andrew Jukes, The Law of the Offerings, p.22)

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” (2nd Peter 1:2)

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)

“. . . shewing by the scriptures Jesus was Christ.” (Acts 18:28)

“Study . . . the word of truth.” (2nd Timothy 2:15)

“For my soul delighteth in the scriptures and my heart pondereth them.” (2nd Nephi 4:15)

“I would that you should remember to search them diligently.” (Mosiah 1:7)

“He that hath the scriptures, let him search them . . . “ (3rd Nephi 10:14)

“I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy.” (D&C 11:13)

“And the Book of Mormon and the holy scriptures are given of me for your instruction; and the power of my Spirit quickeneth all things” (D&C 33:16)

“Now, what do we hear in the gospel which we have received? A voice of gladness! A voice of mercy from heaven; and a voice of truth (D&C 128:19)

“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Scriptures: Bible (Old Testament and New Testament); Book of Mormon; Doctrine & Covenants; Pearl of Great Price; Inspired Declarations of Prophets, Seers, and Revelators; Patriarchal Blessings; Personal Revelations; . . . Additional Scriptures Not Yet Revealed.

Purpose: To understand Good by studying His Son Jesus Christ. God is infinite/man is finite: (1) scheduled study (enhance spirituality/guidance/protection); (2) understand the evolution of mankind’s relationship to God (story line); (3) study a specific topic (use all the tools: JST, cross references, topical guide, gazetteer, pronunciation guide, dictionary/index, maps, commentaries, Church publications, and enlightened scholars); (4) answer specific questions; (5) teaching opportunity; (6) enhance insights (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).

Examples of Scriptural Study: --Spirit sent to Saul (I Samuel 16:14; 16:23; 18:10) – Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-17) – Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) – Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) – Ruth (Chapters 1-4)

Ways to Reduce your Grocery Bill

Using Coupons is just part of the big picture of saving money at the grocery store. Use what you have learned about couponing with these tips and you are well on your way to reducing your monthly grocery costs!

1. Plan meals in advance based on what is on sale and/or what you already have in food storage. Aim to make on trip to the grocery store per week. Several small trips add up fast!

2. Familiarize yourself with what is a good/ bad price. Make limits on what you are willing to spend on certain items. Sale prices are not always the same! Just because an items in on 'sale' doest' mean it's a good deal. (ie this week cucumbers are on 'sale' for .99 cents each, last week they were on sale for.69 cents each)

3. Scot up when items are a reasonable price. Even better if you have a coupon too!

4. Use store brand when possible.

5. Take advantage of rewards programs and rebate offers.

6. If you can, double check receipt or watch as items are rung up to make sure you are charged correctly. This actually does save money!

7. Make a savings goal. This can be a $ amount or a percentage of your current budget.

Couponing 101

1. the key to making coupons work is to find a method that works for you. No matter what method it may be... KEEP IT SIMPLE! I choose to clip my coupons from the newspaper; others would rather print from the internet. Either way, make sure it is easy enough to keep you clipping!

a. Try signing up for your store's weekly email so you can plan your list in advance. You can also qualify for additional sale items just by signing up.

b. Find a way of organizing coupons that makes sense to you. (categorize, alphabetize, date of expiration, etc.)

2. Become familiar with your store's sale policies.

a. Some stores don't require you to buy two items when the are buy one get one free. they will sell you on item for half price.

b. Some stores allow you to guy less than the sale quantity specified.

3. Use coupons when items are on sale! This is a big one!! Often coupons will correlate with store specials. (This is where the weekly email is really efficient!)
a. Take advantage of buy one get one free sale items with the coupons that require you to purchase 2 of an item.

4. Take advantage of double, triple ad super-double coupon specials (Harris Teeter)

5. Ask for a raincheck if a sale item is out of stock
a. Rainchecks don't expire - save your raincheck until you get a coupon to use with it.

6. Only clip what you normally buy - avoid the trap of buying something you don't need just because you have a coupon.

7. Use them for everything!

How to be 'Green'

Fun FREE things to do in Virginia

Playgrounds:

Accotink Park - 7500 Accotink Park Rd. Springfield, VA 22150
Clemyjontri Park - 6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101
Penrose Park - 2200 th St. South Arlingto, 22204
Fort Scott Park - 2800 S. Fort Scott Dr. Arlington, 22204
Alcova Heights - 901 South George Mason Dr. Arlington, VA 22204
Virginia Highlands Park - 1600 S. Hayes St. Arlington, VA 22202
Nina Park - 800 24th St. S. Arlington, VA 22202
Windmill Hill Park - 501 South Union St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Bon Air Park (rose garden) - 850 N. Lexington St., Arlington, VA 22205
Mosaic Park - 544 N. Pollard St. Arlington, VA 22203
Gravelly Point - By Reagan National Airport - there is no playground, but, there is a picnic area and bike/ walking path
Burke Lake Park - 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA 22039
Barcroft Park - 4200 S. Four Mile Dr. Arlington, VA 22206

Nature Centers:

Hidden Oaks - 7701 Royce St., Annendale, VA 22003
Huntley Meadows - 3701 Lockheed Blvd. Alexandria, VA 22360
Gulf Branch Nature Center - 3608 N. Military Rd, Arlington, VA 22207

Spray Parks:

Drew Park - 3514 22nd St. S. Arlington, VA 22204 (water doesn't turn on until 12pm)
Lyon Village Park - 1800 N. Highland St., Arlington, VA 22201
Hayes Park - 1516 N. Lincoln St., Arlington, VA 22201
Fairfax Corner - 4245 Summit Corner Dr., Fairfax, VA 22033

Farms:

Oxen Hill Farm - 6411 Ozwn Hill Rd., Oxen Hill, MD 20745
Frying Pan Farm - 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon, VA 20171
National Zoo - 3001 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (Zoo entry is free but, you have to pay for parking, about $8.00/ hr). If you are planning on going more then 3 times, you might want to consider buying a zoo pass. It ranges from $45.00 to $65.00.

Story Time:

Pottery Barnn Kids - Tuesdays at 11:00am-11:30am
Barns and Noble and Boarders - Story times are different for each location so call before you go
Library - call you rlocal library and find out the day and time they have for story time... they are all really good in this area.

Concerts:

Little Tot's Summer Fun Series - Every Wednesday at 10:30am at Fairfax Corner (4245 Summit Corner Dr., Fairfax) they have a different performer each time, and afterwards they can play in the fountain. It's a lot of fun! At the same area they have bands play there every friday night.

Jammin Java- Every day they have a different performer for kids. There is a fee of $5 per person. Visit www.jamminjava.com and click on weekday shows to see who is preforming on which day.

Farmers Markets:

Eastern Market - 7th St. and N. Carolina Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20003
Falls Church - 300 Park Ave., Falls Church, VA 22046
Old Town Alexandria - 301 King St. Alexandria, 22314
Arlington, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington

Movie Theaters:

Regal Family Film Festival - www.regmovies.com Starting at the end of June select Regal theaters are offering FREE movies on a first come first serve basis. G and PG movies will be playig, go to the website for times and schedules.

University Mall Movie Theaters: $2 every Tues. and $4 every other day. Go to website for the list of movies and times - www.universitymalltheaters.com

Bowling:

Kids bowl free - www.kidsbowlfree.com - sign up and kids will received 2 free bowling games a week throughout the summer. you do have to pay for their shoes, it's about $4 each pair.

Water Parks $:

Pirates Cove - Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton
Splash Down Water Park, Manassas
Water Works Water Park, Dale City

Pick your Own $:

Great Country Farms - www.greatcountryfarms.com
Ticonderoga Farms - www.ticonderoga.com
Homestead Farms - www.homestead-farm.net
Butler's Orchard - www.butlersorchard.com

Misc. Things:
Annual Pachyderm Parage, presented by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. In March sometime.

Web Sites:
www.freeindc.blogspot.com
www.parktakes.com
www.our-kids.com