The Flight of the Prisoners, by Jacques Joseph Tissot "In the ninth year of Hoshea," writes the author of 2 Kings, "the king of Assyria ... carried Israel away into Assyria." Then, in an extended editorial note similar to Helaman 12, the author explains what led to this tragedy. For so it was, that the... Continue Reading →
Chariots of Fire
In two stories from Elisha's life, chariots of fire are present, representing God's power. In both cases, the issue wasn't their presence but the ability of people to perceive them. We are surrounded by divine power, and as we overcome our blindness with God's help, we can receive that power and light more fully.
Windows in Heaven
God's ability to bless us is unlimited. Our ability to receive those blessings is often the limiting factor. Elisha instructed three kings to dig ditches and a widow to pour oil into as many vessels as she could find. These small acts of obedience didn't create the blessings, but they created room to receive them.
Small Things and Great
Naaman wanted to be healed but envisioned it as a dramatic event. His servants had to help him humble himself and take the simple steps Elisha prescribed. Alma explained that God works through small means. He can make great things happen when we do very small things in obedience to Him.
Resurrections, Temporary and Permanent
Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, and Nephi all raised people from the dead by the power of God. Temporary resurrections help us understand that death is not final and that God has power over it. They also help us understand the Savior's permanent resurrection.
Multiplying Bread
Elijah and Elisha miraculously expanded food supplies. So did the Savior, as recorded in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon. We can learn two lessons from these miracles: (1) God can provide for our needs, and (2) just as the Savior can provide physical food, He is the source of our spiritual sustenance.
Elijah’s Mantle and Prophetic Succession
When Elijah ascended into heaven, he left behind his mantle (cloak). Elisha used it to perform a miracle, and his fellow believers recognized that Elijah's authority now rested on Elisha's shoulders. As Alma later taught his people, we should exercise our agency to learn for ourselves whom God has called to teach and lead us.
There Is a Prophet in Israel
Miracles work by faith, and if you exercise faith, you will see miracles. Elisha is a good example of this principle. Not only did he perform many miracles, but some of them parallel the miracles of Jesus. In most cases, we see someone exercising faith before the miracle occurs.
The Sealing Power – Part 2
Both the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon contain a prophecy by Malachi that Elijah will come to turn parents' and children's hearts toward one another. The same power by which Elijah closed and opened the heavens can plant ancient promises in the hearts of children, connecting them with their ancestors and with God.
The Sealing Power – Part 1
Elijah decreed a drought in Israel. How did he do this? The Book of Mormon explains that before the prophet Nephi did something similar, God conferred on him the authority to seal or loose the heavens. God expressed confidence that Nephi would use this power according to His will.