This lesson will cover 1st Peter in this segment, and 2nd Peter in the next segment.  Both parts will be released this week. This General Epistle was written from Rome around AD 64.  1 Peter 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers (believers who are exiles from society) scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (all in modern-day Turkey).”  The next verse is one that the LDS often refer to in conjunction with the doctrine of foreordination – meaning to them – that certain people have been chosen and foreordained in the preexistence or the pre-mortal life, to come to earth and carry out certain responsibilities in the Lord’s work here.  Joseph Smith taught, “Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was.  I suppose I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 365).  1 Peter 1:2 “Elect (chosen) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father (not from a pre-mortal life), through sanctification (made holy) of the Spirit, unto obedience (to the Royal Law of faith and love) and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ (referring to the high priest sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat): Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”  What this means is – that God planned beforehand in His mind – and predetermined each Christian’s salvation.  It is the Holy Spirit who makes God’s chosen sanctified – by setting them apart from sin and unbelief to faith and righteousness.  True salvation produces obedience to Christ.  The word for “foreknowledge” here in the Greek is “proginosko” – meaning – to know beforehand what will happen.  Peter tells us in Verse 2 that God has elected them based on his prog ginosko or prognostication – on His knowledge of things before they ever happen.  God is omniscient and knows every outcome.  He knew those who would believe on His Son and accept salvation – these were His elect.  Obviously, unlike Christ – we weren’t this way from birth.    Speaking of Jesus 1 Peter 1:19-21 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb (sacrificial lamb) without blemish and without spot (who was perfect):  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.  Who by him (Christ) do believe in God (the Father), that raised him up from the dead, and gave him (Christ) glory; that your faith and hope might be in God (the Father).” In other words, Jesus came to you and was glorified by the Father so that you could have truth and a correct understanding about God.  Because of our faith in Jesus Christ, who was raised and glorified, we are able to have faith in God.  Verses 22-23 “Seeing ye have purified (been saved) your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) unto unfeigned (genuine) love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently (deeply).  Being born again (spiritually regenerated), not of corruptible seed (not by mortal parents), but of incorruptible (by the Holy Spirit), by the word of God (who was Jesus), which liveth and abideth for ever.”  In Chapter 2, Peter will tell those saints who are born again – that as newborn babes they should, Verse 2 “desire the sincere milk of the word (the basic understanding of the gospel), that ye may grow thereby (become more spiritually mature).”  Those who do not nurture themselves with the word of God – reading the Bible often – will become malnourished and will weaken in their faith.     Peter will now compare Christ to a large, solid rock, or foundation upon which we can safely build.  Verse 4 “To whom coming (as you come to Christ), as unto a living stone (Christ the Rock of our Salvation – the chief cornerstone), disallowed indeed of men (who was rejected by the world), but chosen of God (God’s chosen Son), and precious.”