RelC 431 - Doctrines of the Gospel Final Exercise   Instructor: Dr. Marcus Helvécio T. A. Martins

Feel free to discuss these questions with your roommates, neighbors, and even myself; but keep in mind that the actual writing must be the result of individual work. Any detectable attempt to copy answers from other students will be considered a serious violation of the Honor Code and will subject the perpetrator(s) to appropriate disciplinary action.

Type your answers in order to turn them in later.  Limit you answers to no more than four good paragraphs per question, unless you absolutely need to write more. That will require you to be very specific in the exposition of your ideas.  Paraphrase any quotations you decide to use and add the reference so I'll know where you got it.

First Question  -  50 points
A full-time missionary who has been serving for about a year states he that hasn't been able to feel the spirit for quite some time. Recently he watched a Church movie and couldn't feel anything.  Is this missionary in some kind of trouble?  If so, how would you counsel him?

(Suggested Reading: Articles on the course website about the Holy Ghost and Revelation)

Second Question - 50 points
Why can't we find more information about Heavenly Mother?  Are the scriptures really male-centered, as some critics have affirmed?

(Suggested Reading: None.  But you must answer this question using only the scriptures)

Third Question  -  50 points

What is the purpose of the commandments? Do they exist merely to produce guilt in the minds of those who attend churches–and if so, how will they ever produce this guilt in the minds of those who do not attend churches?

(Suggested Reading: Alma 42:15-28 - D&C 88:33-43)

Fourth Question - 100 points

After the recent deaths of loved ones, an eight-year-old child once asked: "Why do people have to die? I wish Adam and Eve would have quickly eaten the fruit of life so that we could live happily forever ..."

How would you reply? Would humankind be better off if--after partaking of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil--Adam and Eve had also partaken of the fruit of life, thus making death impossible? Assume that this child is now an adult, and give three scripture-based reasons to justify your answer.

(Suggested Reading: 2 Nephi 2:16, 22-23; 26-27 - 2 Nephi 9:6-10 - Alma 42:5,11)

We will grade the exam together in our regular classroom on Monday, April 18, at 9:00am. At that time you will turn in your final exam so I can take a look at it and record your score.