Understanding Saul (Who Became Paul) Helps us Love and Teach Much of the New Testament

(Note for choristers: song recommendations at the end.)

Paul is the author of a good chunk of the New Testament after the Four Gospels and Acts, of which he plays a big role. He authored many of the books because they are the epistles (letters) that he wrote to people in various areas, in order from his longest epistle (Romans) to his shortest epistle. In many cases, these were people that he wanted to talk to, but he wrote letters until a time that he could go visit them, since he couldn't easily or quickly travel to these different locations, and often, there was work to be done where he was already at, or it was dangerous for him to travel to certain areas.

When I think of Paul's epistles, I think of King Benjamen in the Book of Mormon, and how when he spoke from a tower, his words were written down so that those who were further and not within reach of his voice would be able to "hear" his message. I also think about General Conference today, and how the words from our prophet and leaders can be broadcast around the world, and also printed into the Ensign in multiple languages so that all can partake of these wonderful messages that teach and uplift. Back then, Paul had to write a letter (often with the help of a scribe), then send someone (often his scribe, it appears) to deliver the letter. 

I'm fascinated by a few aspects about Paul though. There were many men and women in the scriptures who willfully chose evil, and who did not change their ways before they died. For instance, Lot's wife, who left the evil city of Gomorrah, but looked back longingly and was turned into a pillar of salt. Then there's Saul (who became Paul), who the Lord saved to become a missionary for the gospel, and even went to extra efforts to save. Rather than letting him die a foolish man, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1), he speaks to Saul, saying "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" (Acts 9:4). After this experience, Saul is unable to see for three days. The Lord then sends Ananias to heal him. Ananias says, "Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to they saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name." (Acts 9:13-14). In other words, Ananias seems to be thinking, "Um, he's evil. He hates good. Are you sure you want to give him his sight back, and give him more opportunity to destroy followers of God?"

The Lord answers, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." (Acts 9:15-16)

This fascinates me. Why would the Lord save Saul and not Lot's wife? Was it because unlike Laman and Lemuel from the Book of Mormon (1 Nephi), the Lord knew that Paul would listen when given the opportunity to learn? (And in fact, the Lord did send angels to speak to Laman and Lemuel - and then they didn't listen.) (Jeffrey R. Holland has an excellent take on Lot's wife here, but that's a different topic, so click on the link if you want to read further.)

Also, how could Saul have been taught by Gamaliel but be so unlike Gamaliel in fairness? In Acts 22:3, it says that Paul was "brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel." Gamaliel was a respected Pharisee, a lawyer ("a doctor of the law"), and unlike some of the Pharisees in the scripture, he didn't seem to persecute others, but rather the opposite. In Acts 5:34-39, Gamaliel saves Peter and John from being stoned to death, not because he sides with Peter and John but because he reasons to the others that Peter and John are either fake, and their preachings will "come to naught," or they are of God, and, "if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God."(Acts 5:39). I love his reasoning here. If we could think the same way, how much fighting and anguish could we prevent in the world? 

If Gamaliel was so reasonable, why was Paul so seemingly vengeful, where he was actively looking for people to throw in jail?

In "Paul, Untiring Witness of Christ," from August 1999, David Rolph Seely and Jo Ann H. Seely share, "A zealous Pharisee, Saul saw it as his religious duty to protect Judaism from apostasy. Because the Pharisees considered Christianity a heretical sect of Judiasm, he viewed his persecution of Christians as an attempt to defend Judaism."

On the road to Damascus, Saul underwent a great change. From defending Judaism to realizing that he was still fighting for God but he was going about it in the wrong way, with the wrong doctrine. He mourned the decisions he had made that hurt innocent people and he loved passionately the children of God, which is all men. He wanted to save everyone, and he served a life-long mission after that experience on Damascus, trying to prepare people to return to the Kingdom of Heaven when they left this mortal world.

He was deeply mournful of his earlier bad works, and spent the rest of his life helping others through missionary work.

In 1 Corinthians 15:9-11, he calls himself the least of the apostles because, "I persecuted the church of God." He then goes on to say, "But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

In 2 Corinthians 2:4, he said, "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you."

When you understand that Paul was teaching something he was passionate about because he cared, and that what he was teaching was new for him and new for the people he taught - how does that change how you read Romans, Corinthians, and all of his other epistles? His language can still be tough to read at times but that context along strengthens the understanding of the topics and the gravity in which he focuses on themes like forgiveness, why our trials can be a blessing (2 Corinthians 1:37; 4:6-10, 17-18, 7:4-7), not judging others (Romans 14), and more.

Teaching Children Through Music
Share some of the background on Paul's story, then let children draw from some topic cards. Each card can contain a simple scripture and topic that Paul taught about - which can be associated with a song for children to sing in review.

Examples:

1 Corinthians 14:3 - Paul taught us to teach
Sing "Teach Me to Walk in the Light"

1 Corinthains 15:22 - In Christ, all are made alive
Sing "I Know My Father Lives"

1 Corinthians 15:40-42 - The Celestial Kingdom
Sing "I Lived in Heaven"

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 - Our trials can be a blessing
Sing "He Sent His Son"

2 Corinthians 2:10 - Forgive others
Sing "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus"