1 Peter 1 and 2

1 Peter 1
Peter wrote this epistle from Rome around 65 A.D. While the New Testament does not call him a president of the church, Acts and the other epistles of the church make it clear that he the presiding leader of the church. Joseph Smith said that "Peter penned the most sublime language of any of the apostles."

With the resources of the restored gospel, the writings of Peter (and the other apostles) give the scriptures a far greater depth and breadth than what was previously understood. We get a greater view of the plan of salvation. We see how far reaching the mercy of Christ is, how the atonement wasn't just infinite in the direction of the future, but moved infinitely into the past to save souls who lived prior to the atonement. Terms such as "elect," "salvation," and "foreordained" are clearer and provide us with a better understanding of our relationship to the Father, his Son and the Holy Ghost.

In chapter 1, Peter explains how the natural course of the life of a saint takes us through afflictions and sufferings that will eventually lead to far greater glories if we endure them in the right way. And the right way is to be obedient, to "gird up our loins" (which to us means "roll up your sleeves and get to work"), and to be holy since our Father and the Savior are holy. Peter says that the trials of our faith are more precious than gold. The sufferings, temptations, and trials of this life are like grass that withers and dies, but the word of the Lord, his promises, and his salvation will endure forever. And unlike the things of this world, we can count on his word. The illusion to grass would have been meaningful to those in the middle east. In Israel, the grasses of spring come forth green and thick. But when the east wind comes, they dry, wither and die, sometimes this can happen the very next day.

1 Peter 2
The imagery in this chapter is beautiful. The use of stones would have been particularly meaningful to the saints. Everything was built of stone. So to say that Christ is the cornerstone is to say he is the stone that gives strength to the whole building. The focus of of all other stones in the building is pointed towards him. Like a well place stone, it can be a support or stumbling block when someone tries to kick against it.

Peter tells the members they are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and a peculiar people. The Hebrew and Greek translations for peculiar are similar and mean "valued property" or "special treasure."

Verses 21-25 are particularly beautiful. They point to how Christ was sinless, how he bore his sufferings with dignity. I think of how dignified he was when he was in the presence of Pilate.