1st and 2nd 1st and 2nd PeterPeter

Written at a time when Nero was in Written at a time when Nero was in control and persecuting the Christians.control and persecuting the Christians.

– The Romans generally left all religions alone The Romans generally left all religions alone as long as they did not poise any conflict to as long as they did not poise any conflict to Rome. Rome.

– However, the divine commission was to However, the divine commission was to preach the gospel to the world, and that preach the gospel to the world, and that included Rome. included Rome.

– Under Nero, misunderstanding, hatred, and Under Nero, misunderstanding, hatred, and accusations toward the Saints in Rome and accusations toward the Saints in Rome and throughout the empire were actively throughout the empire were actively fostered.fostered.

The date of writing was some time before The date of writing was some time before the Neronian persecutions in A.D. 62 or the Neronian persecutions in A.D. 62 or 63. 63.

Peter was martyred during Nero’s reign.Peter was martyred during Nero’s reign.

Tradition has it that Peter felt inadequate Tradition has it that Peter felt inadequate to die like unto Jesus and therefore to die like unto Jesus and therefore requested to be crucified upside down requested to be crucified upside down (Josephus).(Josephus).

ThemeTheme: : Latter-day Saints have a Latter-day Saints have a responsibility to their dead!responsibility to their dead!

Though some scholars have challenged the Though some scholars have challenged the genuineness of this letter, the weight of genuineness of this letter, the weight of evidence favors Peter as the author. evidence favors Peter as the author.

Joseph Smith noted in a discussion on First Joseph Smith noted in a discussion on First Peter, “Peter, “Peter penned the most sublime Peter penned the most sublime language of any of the apostleslanguage of any of the apostles” (” (TeachingsTeachings, , 301) 301)

The Prophet Joseph frequently quoted Peter.The Prophet Joseph frequently quoted Peter.

1st Peter 1:1-71st Peter 1:1-7

““Who are the electWho are the elect?” ?” (D&C 29:7)(D&C 29:7)

1.1. Election of graceElection of grace2.2. Calling and Election Made SureCalling and Election Made Sure

1st Peter 1:91st Peter 1:9

““What is salvationWhat is salvation?”?”

““Salvation is nothing more nor less than Salvation is nothing more nor less than triumph over all enemies and putting triumph over all enemies and putting them under our feet. And when we them under our feet. And when we have power to put all enemies under our have power to put all enemies under our feet in this world, and a knowledge to feet in this world, and a knowledge to triumph over all evil spirits in the world triumph over all evil spirits in the world to come, then we are saved, as in the to come, then we are saved, as in the case of Jesus, who was to reign until He case of Jesus, who was to reign until He had put all enemies under His feet, and had put all enemies under His feet, and the last enemy was death” (the last enemy was death” (TeachingsTeachings, , 297).297).

11stst Peter 1:2 Peter 1:2

Who are the “Elect According to the Foreknowledge of GodWho are the “Elect According to the Foreknowledge of God?”?”

““To bring to pass the salvation of the greatest possible numbers of To bring to pass the salvation of the greatest possible numbers of his spirit children the Lord, in general, sends the most righteous his spirit children the Lord, in general, sends the most righteous and worthy spirits to earth through the lineage of Abraham and and worthy spirits to earth through the lineage of Abraham and Jacob. This course is a manifestation of his grace or in other words Jacob. This course is a manifestation of his grace or in other words his love, mercy and condescension toward his children.his love, mercy and condescension toward his children.

““This election to a chosen lineage is based on pre-existent This election to a chosen lineage is based on pre-existent worthiness and is thus made ‘according to the fore-knowledge of worthiness and is thus made ‘according to the fore-knowledge of God.” (1 Peter 1:2) Those so grouped together during their mortal God.” (1 Peter 1:2) Those so grouped together during their mortal probation have more abundant opportunities to make and keep probation have more abundant opportunities to make and keep the covenants of salvation, a right which they earned by pre-the covenants of salvation, a right which they earned by pre-existent devotion to the cause of righteousness. As part of this existent devotion to the cause of righteousness. As part of this election, Abraham and others of the noble and great spirits were election, Abraham and others of the noble and great spirits were chosen before they were born for the particular missions assigned chosen before they were born for the particular missions assigned them in this life (Abraham 3:22-24; Romans 9).them in this life (Abraham 3:22-24; Romans 9).

““Actually, if the full blessings of salvation Actually, if the full blessings of salvation are to follow, the doctrine of election are to follow, the doctrine of election must operate twice. First, righteous must operate twice. First, righteous spirits are elected or chosen to come to spirits are elected or chosen to come to mortality as heirs of special blessings. mortality as heirs of special blessings. Then, they must be called and elected Then, they must be called and elected again in this life, an occurrence which again in this life, an occurrence which takes place when they join the true takes place when they join the true Church (D&C 53:1). Finally, in order to Church (D&C 53:1). Finally, in order to reap eternal salvation, they must press reap eternal salvation, they must press forward in obedient devotion to the truth forward in obedient devotion to the truth until they make their ‘calling and election until they make their ‘calling and election sure’ (2 Peter 1). That is, are ‘sealed up sure’ (2 Peter 1). That is, are ‘sealed up unto eternal life” (McConkie, unto eternal life” (McConkie, Mormon Mormon DoctrineDoctrine, 216-17)., 216-17).

1 Peter 1:131 Peter 1:13

““Gird up your loins” Gird up your loins”

NIVNIV == Prepare for actionPrepare for action!!

1 Peter 1:201 Peter 1:20

Foreordination before the foundation of the world!Foreordination before the foundation of the world!

1 Peter 2:1-31 Peter 2:1-3

Newborn babies desire the sincere milk of the word!Newborn babies desire the sincere milk of the word!

NIVNIV == desire more spiritual food!desire more spiritual food!

1 Peter 2:91 Peter 2:9

““A Chosen Generation,” “A Royal A Chosen Generation,” “A Royal Priesthood,” “A Holy NationPriesthood,” “A Holy Nation”” (Deut. 7:6). (Deut. 7:6).

Each of these titles used here by Peter is a title Each of these titles used here by Peter is a title formerly used to refer to the covenant people, formerly used to refer to the covenant people, the House of Israel! the House of Israel!

Now, start acting like itNow, start acting like it. .

You have been told how good you are for so You have been told how good you are for so long that you’re starting to believe it, and long that you’re starting to believe it, and forgetting what you did to get there (Pyper).forgetting what you did to get there (Pyper).

““Whenever the Lord has a people on Whenever the Lord has a people on earth he offers to make them a nation earth he offers to make them a nation of kings and priests, not a of kings and priests, not a congregation of lay members with a congregation of lay members with a priest or a minister at the head, but a priest or a minister at the head, but a whole Church in which every man is whole Church in which every man is his own minister, in which every man his own minister, in which every man stands as a king in his own right, stands as a king in his own right, reigning over his own family, reigning over his own family, kingdom. kingdom. The priesthood which The priesthood which makes a man a king and a priest is makes a man a king and a priest is thus a royal priesthoodthus a royal priesthood” (McConkie, ” (McConkie, DNTCDNTC, 3:294)., 3:294).

Christ is the king of all those kings who he calls his Christ is the king of all those kings who he calls his own, those who are made royal by virtue of holding and own, those who are made royal by virtue of holding and honoring his priesthood.honoring his priesthood.

1 Peter 2:131 Peter 2:13

Even Nero! Even Nero! (A of F #12)(A of F #12)

1 Peter 2:21-251 Peter 2:21-25 (Isaiah 53)(Isaiah 53)

1 Peter 3:151 Peter 3:15

““With meekness and fear”With meekness and fear”

Members of the church should be prepared at all times Members of the church should be prepared at all times to give their testimony “with meekness and fear to to give their testimony “with meekness and fear to every person who ask them”every person who ask them”

(J.S.T. 1 Peter 3:15, D&C 62:3).(J.S.T. 1 Peter 3:15, D&C 62:3).

1 Peter 3:18-201 Peter 3:18-20

What was the fate of the people who ignored What was the fate of the people who ignored Noah’s warningNoah’s warning??

““Too lateToo late! The terrestrial for them! It could ! The terrestrial for them! It could have been the celestial, and it could have been have been the celestial, and it could have been exaltation! But they procrastinated the day of exaltation! But they procrastinated the day of their preparation. The same lamentable cry of their preparation. The same lamentable cry of ‘too late!’ will apply to many of today’s church ‘too late!’ will apply to many of today’s church members who did not heed the warning but members who did not heed the warning but who proceeded, sometimes carelessly, who proceeded, sometimes carelessly, sometimes defiantly, to bind themselves sometimes defiantly, to bind themselves through mortality to those who could not or through mortality to those who could not or would not prepare for the blessings which were would not prepare for the blessings which were in reserve for them” (Spencer W. Kimball, in reserve for them” (Spencer W. Kimball, Miracle of ForgivenessMiracle of Forgiveness, 248-49)., 248-49).

The theology of truth about The theology of truth about man, life, and the universe man, life, and the universe does not depend for its validity does not depend for its validity on acceptance by many, or on acceptance by many, or even any. Only eight people even any. Only eight people were right about the weather in were right about the weather in Noah’s time when being right Noah’s time when being right really mattered (Neal A. really mattered (Neal A. Maxwell, Maxwell, Deposition of a Deposition of a DiscipleDisciple, 14)., 14).

The NIV has three interesting interpretations of The NIV has three interesting interpretations of the passagethe passage::

1.1. Some hold that in his pre-incarnate state Christ Some hold that in his pre-incarnate state Christ went and preached through Noah to the wicked went and preached through Noah to the wicked generation of that time.generation of that time.

2.2. Others argue that between his death and Others argue that between his death and resurrection Christ went to the prison where resurrection Christ went to the prison where fallen angels are incarcerated and there fallen angels are incarcerated and there preached to the angels who are said to have left preached to the angels who are said to have left their proper state and married human women their proper state and married human women during Noah’s time.during Noah’s time.

3.3. Others say that between death and resurrection Others say that between death and resurrection Christ went to the place of the dead and Christ went to the place of the dead and preached to the spirits of Noah’s wicked preached to the spirits of Noah’s wicked contemporaries.contemporaries.

1 Peter 4:11 Peter 4:1

How do you arm yourselves…. with How do you arm yourselves…. with the same mind?the same mind?

You gain the mind of Christ (1 Cor. You gain the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16), thereby thinking what he 2:16), thereby thinking what he thought, saying what he said, and thought, saying what he said, and doing what he did, which course of doing what he did, which course of life will stand as a defense against life will stand as a defense against the evils of the world” (McConkie, the evils of the world” (McConkie, DNTCDNTC, 3:315)., 3:315).

1 Peter 4:61 Peter 4:6

Is salvation for the dead intended for all Is salvation for the dead intended for all who did not accept the gospel in mortality?who did not accept the gospel in mortality?

““Salvation for the dead is Salvation for the dead is limited limited expressly expressly to those who do not have opportunity in this to those who do not have opportunity in this life to accept the gospel but who would life to accept the gospel but who would have taken the opportunity had it come to have taken the opportunity had it come to themthem” (” (TeachingsTeachings, 107). , 107).

D&C 137D&C 137

1 Peter 4:121 Peter 4:12 ““Fiery trialsFiery trials””

Probably refers to the Neronian Probably refers to the Neronian persecution against the Church. persecution against the Church. Every Saint, however, faces his own Every Saint, however, faces his own “fiery trials” as a part of his “fiery trials” as a part of his experiences in the second estate. experiences in the second estate. The greatest trials of life are The greatest trials of life are reserved for the saintsreserved for the saints. They are the . They are the ones whom the world hates. Will we ones whom the world hates. Will we serve the Lord at all hazards? serve the Lord at all hazards? (McConkie, (McConkie, DNTCDNTC, 3:318)., 3:318).

There are many who suffer so much more than the rest of There are many who suffer so much more than the rest of us: some go agonizingly; some go quickly; some are us: some go agonizingly; some go quickly; some are healed; some are given more time; some seem to linger. healed; some are given more time; some seem to linger. There are variations in our trials but no immunities. Thus, There are variations in our trials but no immunities. Thus, the scriptures cite the fiery furnace and fiery trials. Those the scriptures cite the fiery furnace and fiery trials. Those who emerge successfully from their varied and fiery who emerge successfully from their varied and fiery furnaces have experienced the grace of the Lord which furnaces have experienced the grace of the Lord which He says is sufficient. Even so, such, such emerging He says is sufficient. Even so, such, such emerging individuals do not rush to line up in front of another fiery individuals do not rush to line up in front of another fiery furnace in order to get an extra turn! However, since the furnace in order to get an extra turn! However, since the mortal school is of such short duration, our tutoring Lord mortal school is of such short duration, our tutoring Lord can be the Schoolmaster of the compressed curriculum can be the Schoolmaster of the compressed curriculum (Neal A. Maxwell, (Neal A. Maxwell, EnsignEnsign, May 1997, 11-12)., May 1997, 11-12).

Suffering is the sweat of salvation (Neal A. Maxwell, Suffering is the sweat of salvation (Neal A. Maxwell, A A Time To ChooseTime To Choose, 42)., 42).

2nd Peter:2nd Peter: ThemeTheme??

Three main sectionsThree main sections::

1.1. Explains how one comes to a knowledge of Explains how one comes to a knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ by becoming “a partaker our Lord Jesus Christ by becoming “a partaker of his divine nature” and having their “calling of his divine nature” and having their “calling and election made sure.”and election made sure.”

2.2. True knowledge of Christ is contrasted to false True knowledge of Christ is contrasted to false knowledge, heresies perpetrated by knowledge, heresies perpetrated by apostates.apostates.

3.3. True knowledge of the Lord brings: the True knowledge of the Lord brings: the promise of his glorious return to the earth.promise of his glorious return to the earth.

Elder McConkie says of chapter one, Elder McConkie says of chapter one, “Nowhere else in ancient writ do we find “Nowhere else in ancient writ do we find the door so frankly opened to a the door so frankly opened to a knowledge of the course men must knowledge of the course men must pursue to have their calling and election pursue to have their calling and election made suremade sure” (” (DNTCDNTC, 3:323). , 3:323).

It is clear from what Peter teaches that It is clear from what Peter teaches that knowing about God and knowing God are knowing about God and knowing God are not the same, and that a true knowledge not the same, and that a true knowledge of God requires that we become like him. of God requires that we become like him. Thus, the Saints are challenged to Thus, the Saints are challenged to become “partakers of the divine nature” become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4).(2 Peter 1:4).

““To have one’s calling and election made To have one’s calling and election made sure is to be sealed up unto eternal life; it is sure is to be sealed up unto eternal life; it is to have the unconditional guarantee of to have the unconditional guarantee of exaltation in the highest heaven of the exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world; it is to receive the assurance celestial world; it is to receive the assurance of Godhood; it is, in effect, to have the day of of Godhood; it is, in effect, to have the day of judgment advanced, so that an inheritance judgment advanced, so that an inheritance of all the glory and honor of the Father’s of all the glory and honor of the Father’s kingdom is assured prior to the day when kingdom is assured prior to the day when the faithful actually enter into the divine the faithful actually enter into the divine presence to sit with Christ in his throne, presence to sit with Christ in his throne, even as he is ‘set down’ with his ‘Father in even as he is ‘set down’ with his ‘Father in his throne’ (Rev. 3:21)” (McConkie, his throne’ (Rev. 3:21)” (McConkie, DNTCDNTC, , 3:330-31).3:330-31).

2 Peter 1:10, 192 Peter 1:10, 19

““Calling and Election Made Sure” Calling and Election Made Sure” (D&C 131:5)(D&C 131:5)

2 Peter 1:1-192 Peter 1:1-19

There are three grand secrets lying in this chapter,… There are three grand secrets lying in this chapter,… which no man can dig out, unless by the light of which no man can dig out, unless by the light of revelation, and which unlocks the whole chapter…revelation, and which unlocks the whole chapter…

1. 1. Knowledge is the power of salvation.Knowledge is the power of salvation.2. 2. Make your calling and election made sure.Make your calling and election made sure.3. 3. It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the It is one thing to be on the mount and hear the excellent excellent voice, etc., and another to hear the voice voice, etc., and another to hear the voice declare to you, declare to you, you have a part and lot in that you have a part and lot in that kingdom. kingdom.

((TeachingsTeachings, 304, 306), 304, 306)

2 Peter 2:1-22 Peter 2:1-2“heresies”“heresies”

An opinion or doctrine in An opinion or doctrine in conflict with established conflict with established religious beliefs (Webster religious beliefs (Webster Dictionary).Dictionary).

2 Peter 2:21-222 Peter 2:21-22 D&C 82:3D&C 82:3

2 Peter 3:82 Peter 3:8 1,000 days = 1 day1,000 days = 1 day