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Courage

Stand Still, See, and Go Forward

Both Moses and Limhi urged their people to calm their fears, observe, and prepare to move forward in spite of apparently insurmountable obstacles. Sometimes we need to slow down enough to recognize God’s hand, so that we can move forward with renewed confidence.

Passover

Welcoming Elijah

During Passover, Jewish families open a door for the prophet Elijah. This practice is based on an Old Testament prophecy indicating that Elijah’s return would precede the arrival of the Messiah. Just as Jewish families invite Elijah to join their Passover celebration, we can all welcome his influence into our homes and hearts.

Atonement of Jesus Christ

The Four Cups

During the Seder service, four cups of wine are blessed and consumed. Each corresponds to a promise God made to Israel: removal of burdens, freedom, redemption, and divine acceptance. The third cup is associated with the sacrament, which we partake of every week to remember the Savior’s redeeming sacrifice.

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COME, FOLLOW ME

  • Stand Still, and See the Salvation of the Lord

    “Passage of the Jews through the Red Sea” (detail) by Ivan Aivazovsky

    The Title Page of the Book of Mormon tells us that one of its purposes is “to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers.” At the end of the book, Moroni exhorts us to “remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down” to our day (Moroni 10:3). So it’s not surprising that Book of Mormon prophets multiple times reference the miraculous events associated with Israel’s deliverance from captivity in Egypt, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna.

    As Nephi and his family camped near the Red Sea, he reminded his brothers of these miraculous events to bolster their faith:

    Now ye know that Moses was commanded of the Lord to do that great work; and ye know that by his word the waters of the Red Sea were divided hither and thither, and they passed through on dry ground.

    But ye know that the Egyptians were drowned in the Red Sea, who were the armies of Pharaoh.

    And ye also know that they were fed with manna in the wilderness.

    Yea, and ye also know that Moses, by his word according to the power of God which was in him, smote the rock, and there came forth water, that the children of Israel might quench their thirst.

    1 Nephi 17:26-29

    All of these events are described in this week’s reading: passing through the Red Sea in Exodus 14, the arrival of manna in Exodus 16, and water pouring from a rock in Exodus 17.

    President Russell M. Nelson testified:

    Every book of scripture demonstrates how willing the Lord is to intervene in the lives of those who believe in Him. He parted the Red Sea for Moses, helped Nephi retrieve the brass plates, and restored His Church through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Each of these miracles took time and may not have been exactly what those individuals originally requested from the Lord.

    In the same way, the Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, “doubting nothing.” Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith. I promise that you can experience for yourself that Jesus Christ “giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Few things will accelerate your spiritual momentum more than realizing the Lord is helping you to move a mountain in your life.

    “The Power of Spiritual Momentum,” April 2022 general conference

    This week, as we study Exodus 14-18, let’s remember what amazing things God did for prior generations and allow that memory to strengthen our faith that He will perform miracles in our lives as well.

FEATURED POSTS

  • A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions

    Book of Mormon authors made it clear how much they were leaving out as they wrote this “abridgment” of their history. Here’s a diagram showing how many words are dedicated to each of the 103 decades in the book.

  • Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Following His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ visited a group of people in the Americas. He taught them principles to help them deepen their discipleship, and He expanded their perspective by teaching them about God’s global, multigenerational work.

  • Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    In March, 2019, I studied 20 different names or titles of Jesus Christ which appear in the Book of Mormon. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the Book of Mormon and in the Bible.