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
Sojourners
God led Abraham to the land of Canaan and promised that his descendants would live there (Genesis 12:5-7). Because of a famine, Abraham temporarily "went down into Egypt to sojourn there" (Genesis 12:10), presaging a much longer relocation to Egypt which his descendants would later experience. When he returned to Canaan, Abraham put down roots... Continue Reading →
Establish a House
In 1832, the Lord gave church members the following counsel: Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;Doctrine and Covenants 88:119 I've been thinking today about... Continue Reading →
Holy Places
The prophet Isaiah foretold a time when every home would be a holy place: And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence.And there shall be a... Continue Reading →
Holy Places
As Jesus described the catastrophic events which would precede His Second Coming, He gave His disciples some advice: When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)Matthew 24:15 In a modern revelation, after prophesying of "a desolating sickness" which "shall cover the... Continue Reading →
That They Might Have Joy – 2 Nephi 2:25
25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. (2 Nephi 2:25) Heavenly Father wants us to be happy. That's the message I get from this verse. We were meant to be happy. Even something like the Fall of Adam and Eve, which appears to be a failure and... Continue Reading →
A Place of Refuge – 2 Nephi 14:6
6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and a covert from storm and from rain. (2 Nephi 14:6, Isaiah 4:6) It's not hard for me to relate to this verse today. As I think about the people who have been... Continue Reading →
Upon Every Dwelling Place – 2 Nephi 14:5
5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory of Zion shall be a defence.(2 Nephi 14:5, Isaiah 4:5)After Moses led the children of Israel out of slavery... Continue Reading →