2 Peter 1-2

In 2 Peter 1:1-4, Peter counsels, “be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (verse 4). President David O. McKay further expounds upon this verse, “to rise above the temporal, the sensual, and partake of the divine Spirit of God.” So what must we do to be “partakers of the divine nature”? The answer to this question may vary on the individual. To me it means to stand in holy places. I firmly believe that our homes should be a place where the spirit can dwell. I also believe we can attend the temple on a regular basis to be reminded of what is “divine nature” and to be reminded of our covenants. I also think striving to have the Spirit all the time will assist in avoiding the corruption of the world. We cannot escape the corruption of the world, but I do believe we can choose to be part of something better.

Peter lists attributes of divine nature in verses 5 through 7: faith, virtue knowledge, temperance, patience, Godliness, kindness, and charity. I believe one action we can do on a daily basis to help strive for these attributes is to sincerely read and study our scriptures. I think this will invite the Spirit into our lives and help us to understand how to improve our actions. Through verses 8-12, Peter goes on to explain the consequences of having “these things” referring to the attributes, “ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. … ye shall never fall. …an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord (vs. 8,10,11). We are told in 3 Nephi 27:27 to be “even as I am” in reference to the Savior. By striving to have all of these attributes we are becoming more like Christ.

In verse 10 of chapter 1, Peter says, “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” The Institute Manual gives further light on what this means, “To have one’s calling and election made sure is to be sealed up unto eternal life; it is to have the unconditional guarantee of exaltation in the highest heaven of the celestial world; it is to receive the assurance of godhood; it is, in effect, to have the day of judgment advanced, so that an inheritance of all the glory and honor of the Father’s kingdom is assured prior to the day when the faithful actually enter into the divine presence to sit with Christ in his throne, even as he is ‘set down’ with his ‘Father in his throne” (McConkie). In order to “make one’s calling and election sure” a person must have a celestial marriage.

Next I want to talk about knowing how to interpret scriptures correctly. Delbert L. Stapley said, “If prophets speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, then the Holy Ghost is required to interpret correctly the teachings of holy men. Therefore, those who do not possess the Spirit of God cannot comprehend the things of God.” So we must seek interpretations from those who have the spirit with them and have the authority to interpret scripture.