A yoke is a wooden beam connecting two animals. It is associated with hard work and even bondage. But Jesus invites us to take His yoke, promising that it is easy. As we connect ourselves to Him through sacred covenants, we gain access to His power.
The Ordinances of the Sun, Moon, and Stars
We all interact with unreliable people. We are disappointed at times when someone fails to follow through on something they have agreed to do. If we're honest with ourselves, we can't be too hard on them, because we aren't perfectly reliable ourselves. We're all imperfect, falling short even when we do the best we can.... Continue Reading →
Hesed
Isaiah contrasted the temporary nature of this world with the permanence of God's love for us: The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10, 3 Nephi 22:10 The Hebrew word translated "kindness" in... Continue Reading →
“Look unto Abraham…and Sarah”
After reminding Israel that God has not abandoned them (Isaiah 50, 2 Nephi 7), the prophet Isaiah invites them to look back to their roots. "Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged" (Isaiah 51:1, 2 Nephi 8:1). Specifically, he wants them to look to their ancestors and remember... Continue Reading →
“They Have…Changed the Ordinance”
A disciple is a person who learns a discipline from someone who has already mastered it. You can't do that by simply memorizing facts or understanding concepts. A discipline is a set of habits and skills, and it requires practice. Self-directed learning is popular, and exploration has its place. But when you're trying to develop... Continue Reading →
Josiah and Benjamin
Today I've been thinking about the parallels between two kings: Josiah, who reigned over Judah just before the Babylonian captivity (640-609 BCE), and Benjamin, who reigned over the Nephites about 500 years later. Both kings led their people in a spiritual reawakening. Here are some of their common experiences: ExperienceJosiahBenjaminInspired by the scripturesWas horrified when... Continue Reading →
Permanent Promises
How long can you sustain a commitment? This may be one of the great challenges of mortality. Do you promise to do something one day, but change your mind later when you feel differently? Obviously, if you only do what you feel like doing at any given moment, you're unlikely to accomplish anything of any... Continue Reading →
Joshua and the Book of Mormon
This week, I reviewed the book of Joshua, summarizing the content of each chapter and identifying related Book of Mormon passages. The book can be divided into four parts: The children of Israel prepare to enter the promised land (chapters 1-5)With divine intervention, they conquer various cities in the land of Canaan (chapters 6-12)Land is... Continue Reading →
With One Voice
After Moses relayed to his people all of the laws which God had revealed to him on Mount Sinai, they responded "with one voice:" "All the words which the Lord hath said will we do" (Exodus 24:3). Years later, the people of King Benjamin responded to his final sermon with a longer declaration. Once again, we are... Continue Reading →
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, He didn't introduce Himself as the Creator of the Universe or as the Father of all people. He didn't say where He lives or what He is trying to accomplish. Instead, He introduced Himself in terms of three of Moses's ancestors: I am the God of thy father, the God... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 