When Lehi met with his family shortly before his death, he spoke to his son Joseph about two other people who shared his name, one of whom lived many years earlier and one of whom would live many years later. The first of these was Joseph the son of Jacob, who was sold into slavery... Continue Reading →
What Are “Gifts and Callings of God?”
Near the end of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Moroni provides a mini-handbook for how to administer the church. Among other things, he explains how priesthood authority is given, how to bless the sacrament, and how to conduct church meetings. In his discussion of priesthood authority, he uses the phrase "gifts and callings:" And... Continue Reading →
The Gifts and Callings of God – Moroni 3:4
4 And after this manner did they ordain priests and teachers, according to the gifts and callings of God unto men; and they ordained them by the power of the Holy Ghost, which was in them. (Moroni 3:4) A gift is something of value which is received without being earned. When it appears in the... Continue Reading →
He Consecrated All Their Priests and All Their Teachers – Mosiah 23:16-18
16 And now, Alma was their high priest, he being the founder of their church. 17 And it came to pass that none received authority to preach or to teach except it were by him from God. Therefore he consecrated all their priests and all their teachers; and none were consecrated except they were just... Continue Reading →
He Departed into the Wilderness – 1 Nephi 2:2-4
2 And it came to pass that the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness. 3 And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him. 4 And it came... Continue Reading →
Then I Said, I Have Labored in Vain – 1 Nephi 21:4-5
4 Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught and in vain; surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. 5 And now, saith the Lord—that formed me from the womb that I should be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him—though... Continue Reading →
Lessons from the Writings of Nephi
As I've studied the writings of Nephi over the past 7 weeks, I've learned the following principles: Callings When we receive an assignment from our Heavenly Father, we need to take full responsibility for fulfilling that assignment. However, we need to be aware that He is willing to help us fulfill that assignment. He has... Continue Reading →
The Lord God Will Consecrate My Prayers – 2 Nephi 33:4
4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth... Continue Reading →
I Have Not Required It of Them – 1 Nephi 3:5
5 And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord. (1 Nephi 3:5) A core message of Nephi's writings is that we can do difficult things when the Lord... Continue Reading →
The Gift of His Calling – Moroni 7:2
2 And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time.(Moroni 7:2)How often do we think... Continue Reading →