The first chapter of Luke contains two psalms of praise, one offered by Mary (Luke 1:46-55) and the other by Zacharias (Luke 1:68-79). Mary's psalm is commonly known as the Magnificat, which is the first word in the Latin version of the text. Mary opens her psalm by proclaiming that her soul "magnifies" the Lord.... Continue Reading →
Sacrifice and Thanksgiving
The book of Jonah contains a poetic prayer which the prophet offered from the belly of the fish. In that prayer, he laments the blessings lost by those who turn away from God, and he vows to be faithful to the covenants he has made: They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will... Continue Reading →
O Be Joyful
Based on: Psalm 100 Core message: The gospel can bring pure joy into our lives if we will just get out of our own way and let it happen. Related Book of Mormon passages: 1 Nephi 1:15, 2 Nephi 9:3, 2 Nephi 11:8
“O, My Soul”
Based on: Psalm 103:1-5 Core message: We can praise God collectively, but the choice to participate is an individual one which we must each make. Related Book of Mormon passage: 2 Nephi 4:28, 30
“Wells…Which Thou Diggedst Not”
It's easy to take the good things in our lives for granted. Gratitude helps us stay humble and reminds us of our obligation bless the lives of others. At the end of Moses' life, as his people prepared to enter the promised land, he warned them not to forget the source of their blessings: When... Continue Reading →
The Song of the Sea: Gratitude Builds Faith
Many times in the Book of Mormon, people offer thanks and praise to God after receiving a blessing. For example: The family of Lehi "did rejoice exceedingly" and offered sacrifice to God when the sons returned safely from Jerusalem with the brass plates (1 Nephi 5:9-10). They did the same after the sons returned with... Continue Reading →
“All the Plenty Shall Be Forgotten”
When Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, he explained not only the events which the dreams foretold but also the effect of those events on the people. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten... Continue Reading →
Creation as Grace
King Benjamin wanted his people to recognize the extraordinary gifts they had received from God. It is impossible to be grateful enough, he said. God has given us far more than we can even adequately acknowledge: If you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created... Continue Reading →
Thanksgiving
Many of the psalms encourage us to express our gratitude to God. For example: "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:30)."Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms" (Psalm 95:2)."Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,... Continue Reading →
Thanksgiving
The prophet Amulek taught the poor among the Zoramites to be thankful. These people had approached Amulek and Alma specifically because they were oppressed. Not only were they poor, but they were also "despised of all men because their poverty." They had been excluded from the houses of worship which they had built with their... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 