Before the children of Israel were delivered, God taught them how to commemorate their deliverance. Before the Savior's sacrifice, He taught His disciples how to remember the event. Remembering is intentionally retaining things of enduring value.
Matthew 26; Mark 14; John 13: “In Remembrance” (May 29-June 4)
I've learned the following principles from the Last Supper: 1. A defining characteristic of disciples of Christ is that they love and serve one another. 2. God knows us far better than we know ourselves. 3. The sacrament helps us to "always remember Him."
Trimming My Lamp
To "trim" a lamp is to prepare it to be lit. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, even the ten wise virgins had to trim their lamps when the bridegroom came. We need to not only build a reserve of oil but also trim our lamps so that we're ready to use them.
“Ye Visited Me”
Jesus taught that we should provide what others lack where possible: food for the hungry, clothing for the naked, etc. When we can't remove their challenges, such as when they are sick or in prison, we can visit them.
Faithful over a Few Things
God cares more about the way we fulfill our responsibilities than the scope of those responsibilities. In the Parable of the Talents, both servants who did well earned the leader's praise, even though one had five talents and the other only had two.
What Is the “Abomination of Desolation?”
Jesus instructed His disciples to stand in holy places when they see "the abomination of desolation." What does that mean? In this post, I trace that concept from its origins in the Old Testament through modern revelation to better understand its meaning
Burying My Talent
Loss aversion is the tendency to prioritize what we already have over what we can achieve. The unwise servant in the Parable of the Talents fell into this trap, missing opportunities to expand his resources because he was unwilling to take risks.
The Sheep and the Wayfaring Man
The hymn "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" elaborates on the types of service described in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. As we serve others and meet their needs, we are blessed immediately, and we become more prepared to return to God's presence.
Joseph Smith—Matthew 1; Matthew 24–25; Mark 12–13; Luke 21: “The Son of Man Shall Come” (May 22-28)
Jesus not only prophesied of troubled times preceding His return, He gave advice to those who would live during those times: 1. "Be not troubled." 2. "Stand in the holy place." 3. "Watch and pray."
Wedding Garments and Extra Oil
In two of Jesus's parables, people are punished harshly for seemingly minor infractions: dressing inappropriately or running out of supplies. Important events require careful preparation, so we must be particularly careful in our preparations to meet God.
Book of Mormon Study Notes 