Today was a great day in seminary. As the teens came into class this morning I had an obstacle sitting in the doorway. John came in first and walked around it but when Abbie came through the door he moved it so others could get by. I replaced it and the other students just walked around it. This was part of an object lesson. We discussed Luke 10 today. The first few verses are about the Lord calling the 70 and sending them out to preach the gospel. We talked about how this is a sign of the true church.

Then I told them a couple of stories. One was about a guy who had a motorcycle accident on the freeway and over 900 cars passed him by before someone stopped to help him. the other was a story about a Blue Max truck that seemed to show up when people were in trouble and when they would try to pay him he just told them to do a kindness for someone else. Long after the Blue Max retired there were others out doing his work.

I mentioned that there was an obstacle as they walked into the seminary classroom this morning and how most of them just walked around it as if it wasn't there. I read them the story of the Kings Highway and we related the obstacle to that story. I lifted the obstacle and there was a treasure box of treats which I gave to John because he was the only one who moved the box so others could get in the door easier. He shared it with everyone.
Then I explained that these stories were different but similar to a story we were going to discuss today. the Good Samaritan.

We Read through the story and as we did I asked them to see if they could understand the hidden meanings and fill in the handout. Then we discussed the story.

The traveler = each one of us.
Was going from Jerusalem (a very high city at 2600 feet above sea level) to Jericho (very low elevation at 1800 feet below sea level). So in a space of 15 miles, you drop down over 3400 feet. Jerusalem = the presence of God.
Jericho = earth. So our coming to earth was a pretty steep drop from the presence of God.
fell = our fallen condition when we come to earth.
among thieves = Satan’s angels who wish to do us wrong spiritually.
and they departed = Satan never sticks around when you need him; he leaves you half dead spiritually.
is wounded = by sin and temptation
and is left alone = aren’t we left alone in this world? We could die spiritually.
Priest = An Anorak priest, a priest after the order of Aaron. Can the Priesthood of Aaron alone save us? (No)
Levite = Levites administered the Law of Moses. Can the Law of Moses alone save us? (No, although the Jews at that time believed that the Aaronic Priesthood and the Law of Moses could save them.)
Samaritan = Jesus Christ. Samaritans were despised because they were half-breed…they were half holy and half Gentile. And the reason the Israelites despised them is because they claimed to be of the blood of Israel. Jesus Christ is a half-breed—half holy because God is his father, and half mortal because Mary is his Mother.
Bind wounds = Jesus heals us spiritually.
Pours oil on him = blood of Christ at the Atonement. Gethsemane means “oil press.” When you press olives in olive presses, the oil comes out red. We use oil to anoint people to heal them—His blood heals us.
Sets him on his beast = the man was so weak that he could not climb upon the beast on his own—he needed help. Jesus does for us what we can’t do for ourselves.
Pays what he owes = Jesus makes a payment for us. After we do all we can, he makes up the difference.
Pays again if needed = the atonement isn’t limited to one payment. It is an infinite and eternal Atonement.

Then we talked a bit about Mary and Martha. We read those verses in Luke 10 and I explained that Sheri Dew gave a talk about Mary and Martha and that Dallin Oaks gave a talk about Good, Better, Best and explained how these related to the scripture story of Mary and Martha.

Then I concluded by showing them an apple pie I had baked.
I asked Todd if he would like a piece of this pie? He was more than eager. So I grabbed a piece of pie with my hand and plop it into a napkin and handed it to Todd. Unsurprisingly he didn't want it any more? Then I said "Abbie I think you would really like a piece of pie" and she said "sure". So I cut the pie and served it on a glass plate. Then I asked, "Who would now like a piece of pie? After serving pie to everyone I asked, "What makes the difference? Does it matter how we serve?" All three of the stories we’ve discussed today have to do with service. And with all of them, it did make a big difference on how they served.
Then I read the following poem. Which I had made into a handout with a picture of the good Samaritan in the background

I expect to pass through this world but once.
Any good thing, therefore, that I can do
Or any kindness I can show
to any fellow human being,
Let me do it now.
Let me not defer nor neglect it;
For I shall not pass this way again.

Stephen Grellet