Woe unto You, … Hypocrites

Lesson 20: “Woe unto You, … Hypocrites” – Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 – 2 Nephi 10:5

Reading 2 – The Encyclopedia of Mormonism defines priestcraft in part as follows: The Book of Mormon says, "Priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the Welfare of Zion…. But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish" (2 Ne. 26:29, 31). Inherent in this definition is the concern that Church leaders must labor to build Zion into the hearts of the people, and not for their personal aggrandizement or reward. When leaders "make merchandise" of men's souls (2 Pet. 2:3), they turn religion into a business, and pride, materialism, and unrighteous dominion follow.

Reading 2A – Matthew 21:1-11

Reading 3 – Zechariah 9:9

Luke 19:38

Reading 4 – Luke 19:41,43-44

Reading 5 – Elder Bruce R. McConkie quotes bible scholar F. W. Farrar about the fate of Jerusalem 70 years after the crucifixion of Christ: "Titus [of Rome] had not originally wished to encompass the city, but he was forced, by the despair and obstinacy of the Jews, to surround it, first with a palisaded mound, and then, when [these fortifications] were destroyed, with a wall of masonry. He did not wish to sacrifice the Temple--nay, he made every possible effort to save it--but he was forced to leave it in ashes. He did not intend to be cruel to the inhabitants, but the deadly fanaticism of their opposition so extinguished all desire to spare them, that he undertook the task of well-nigh exterminating the race--of crucifying them by the hundreds, of exposing them in the amphitheatre by thousands, of selling them into slavery by myriads." (Mortal Messiah, 3:341-342)

Reading 6 – Matthew 21:28-32

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and bore record of me, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him; and ye, afterward, when ye had seen me, repented not, that ye might believe him. For he that believed not John concerning me, cannot believe me, except he first repent. And except ye repent, the preaching of John shall condemn you at the day of judgment (Matthew 21:32-34, JST).

Reading 7 – Matthew 31:33-41

Reading 8 – Matthew 22:15-21

James E. Talmage said of the response of the Lord, “Every human Soul is stamped with the image and superscription of God” (Jesus The Christ, 546, 547)

Reading 9 – Matthew 22:23-32

Reading 10 – Doctrine and Covenants 132:15-16,19

Matthew 22:34-40

Reading 11 – Elder Howard W. Hunter said: "He loves the Lord with all his heart who...is ready to give up, do, or suffer anything in order to please and glorify him. He loves God with all his soul...who is ready to give up life for his sake and to be deprived of the comforts of the world to glorify him. He loves God with all his strength who exerts all the powers of his body and soul in the service of God. He loves God with all his mind who applies himself only to know God and his will, who sees God in all things and acknowledges him in all ways." (CR, Apr 1965, p58)

Matthew 23:14

Matthew 23:23-28

As Ammon taught King Lamoni, God “looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.” (Alma 18:32.)

Reading 12 – Elder Dallin H. Oaks has written: “God judges us not only for our acts, but also for the desires of our hearts. He has said so again and again. This is a challenging reality, but it is not surprising. Agency and accountability are eternal principles. We exercise our free agency not only by what we do,but also by what we decide, or will, or desire. Restrictions on freedom can deprive us of the power to do, but no one can deprive us of the power towill or desire. Accountability must therefore reach and attach consequences to the desires of our hearts.” (The Desires of Our Hearts, Ensign, June, 1986)