Jesus Christ is our mediator with the Father, and the author and finisher of our Faith! This book is a testimony of Jesus Christ given by Paul to the Hebrews wherein he describes many different doctrines in a comparative way to doctrines from the Law of Moses.  Through the use of comparison he relates the "New" doctrine taught by Christ to the "Old" doctrine as contained in the Law of Moses.

In Old Testament times a person could be justified/sanctified through obedience to the Laws and Ordinances of the Law of Moses.  This required a mediator between God and Man known as a Priest - "High Priest" who would offer for the people gifts and sacrifices.  Prophets were the mouthpiece of God and gave the word of God to the people.  In Hebrews Paul shows us that in their time this was done through Christ(Hebrews 1:1-6)  

This almost makes it sound like Jesus is completely different from us.  However, as we continue to read we see that, Paul teaches us that even though we are to worship him, and that he is heir of all things we are also one with him and can call him our Brother! (Heb 2;10-11)  It was his condescension to be made like unto us that he might succor us in our infirmities.(Heb 2:14, 17-18)

Paul Poetically Compares our "High Priest" Jesus Christ after the order of Melchesedic to the old "High Priests" under the law of Moses.  It is interesting as well that the Jews reverenced Moses almost beyond believe and yet, Paul shows the difference between Moses as a Servant and Jesus as an Heir(Heb 3:3-6).

Comparison of High Priest after order of Aaron and Jesus Christ our High Priest

Here is the Chiasmic form of the Comparison of a High Priest after the old law to Jesus under the new(Heb 5:1-10)
High Priest Ordained - Offers Gifts/Sacrifices for Sins (1)

Has Compassion on the people - because he himself is under sin (2-3)

Called of God Not of Himself (4)
Christ Called of God - begotten of the Father (5)

Called after the order of Melchisedec (6)

In the days of Flesh (7)

Offered up prayers - with tears unto God (7)
He was heard although he feared (7) (Math 26:39,42,44)

Though a Son (8)

Learned Obedience - By that he suffered (8)
Being Made Perfect (9) (D&C 19:15-19)

Became Author of Eternal Salvation (9)
Unto all them that obeyed him (9)

After the Order of Melchisedec (10)

Called of God (10)

A High Priest (10)
The Central theme of this poetic form is that - he was not perfect from the beginning, but was made flesh as are we, and being made perfect through the atonement became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him. What an awesome way and means to give emphasis to this concept to those that recognize it for what it is.

Do we miss "Truth" when it is plainly before us - do we neglect to study/ponder as we ought?

Often times we can miss many of the simple truths of the scriptures if we don't ponder/pray about them. Paul also speaks of this when he compares doctrines to "Milk" and "Meat".  

What is the Milk of the Gospel? What is the Meat? 

(Heb 5:11-14)
Many of us "ought" to be teachers of the gospel, and yet because of our negligence we have need to be "taught" what we should know!(D&C 84:54-58)
Are there doctrines that we find hard to accept?  Will there be in the future new doctrine revealed that are hard for us to accept? If so... Why?
Should we not strive to enter into the "Rest" of the Lord and accept his doctrines and obey them.  Thus gaining "Rest" in this world and eternal salvation in the world to come! (Heb 4:9-11,15-16)

How then are we to enter into this "Rest"?

 
Paul speaks now on how we are to avail ourselves of the atonement, not through belief alone, it being dead.  But rather through live active faith that brings forth works meet for salvation.  He gives examples from the beginning of the history of man even up until his time where people exercised their faith by being obedient to the commands of God and were victorious in this life.  Yet... many of them did not receive fully of the blessings and were required to have patience and wait for the reward to come!

What is Faith? How do we Grasp upon it as an "Anchor to our Souls!"?

It is what is hoped for via the "Evidence" of things we have not yet seen.  Usually we think of Evidence being something that has occured in the past and is used as proof for something to come.  In this case however, our faith is evidence for things we have Not Yet Seen The belief in what is yet to come!  Through this evidence/belief we have a sure hope wherein we we can take hold of the promises of God and thus have a full assurance and belief that what he has covenanted with us will be fullfilled! (Ether 12:3-4, Heb 6:18-19, Alma 13:27-30)

Examples of the past who exercised faith: (Heb 11)

Abel - Faith - gained witness his offering was accepted
Enoch - Translated - and before knowing that he was rightous
Noah - Warned of God, Saved Family Condemned the World
Abraham - Sought a better place - but knew not where he was going

Sought a better country - pilgrims on the earth - seeking 
Kingdom of God

Offered Issac - with firm belief God could rais him from the dead
For God's Promises were sure

Isaac - Blessed Jacob and Esau
Joseph - Blessed his sons
Moses - Hid three months - refused to be Egyptian
Whole List of people who 

Subdued Kingdoms, wrought righteousness, and obtained promises etc.
Many of whom were afflicted, stoned, tortured, wantered alone and lost
Were given great gifts and powers, yet did not obtain the City/Country of God they desired

And all These - Yet received not the reward?

All of these people although they gained a good report - and were greatly blessed received not the full promise.
We also learn that without us they shall not be made perfect. (Heb 11:39-40) Notice the inference to Temple work!

What is this promise that they did not obtain?

They did not until death - "Enter into the Rest of the Lord" for we learn that until the death of the testator their testament is not fully in force.(Heb 9:16-17)

Conclusion:

Hebrews 12:1-2
1. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I would leave my testimony with that of Paul that we must press forward with a brightness of hope and deny ourselves of all un-godliness and rely upon the

Grace

of him who is mighty to save, having a full assuredness that

we will be saved

in the kingdom of God. (Moroni 10:32-33)