After specifying the name of the church and summarizing the core principles of the gospel for His twelve disciples, the Savior explained what He expected from them as leaders. "Ye know the things that ye must do in my church," He said; "for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also... Continue Reading →
“He Did Heal Them Every One” – 3 Nephi 17:9
After telling the people at the temple in Bountiful that it was time for Him to go, Jesus "cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them" (3 Nephi 17:5).... Continue Reading →
“Behold, I Am Jesus Christ” – 3 Nephi 9:15-18, 11:10-11
The way you introduce yourself says a lot about what is important to you and about your relationship with your audience. After the Savior's death in Jerusalem, He introduced Himself twice to a group of people on the American continent: while they sat in darkness and heard His voice, and again when He visited them... Continue Reading →
“My Sons [and My Daughters], Remember, Remember” – Helaman 5:6-12
This morning, I studied Helaman's words to his sons, Nephi and Lehi. His message is that he wants them to remember some important truths. In fact, he uses the word "remember" thirteen times in just seven verses. I studied these words because I have several children going off to college this week, one of them... Continue Reading →
Who Were Zenos and Zenock?
The authors of the Book of Mormon quoted a number of prophets who lived in Israel before Lehi's family left Jerusalem (about 600 B.C.). Some of those prophets, like Moses and Isaiah, also appear in the Bible. But others do not. Two of these prophets are Zenos and Zenock. Here's what we know about them:... Continue Reading →
“Shine Forth” – Alma 5:50
Moses instructed Aaron and his sons to bless the children of Israel using these words: The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. (Numbers 6:24-26) The image of the Lord "shining"... Continue Reading →
“Surely He Has Borne Our Griefs” – Mosiah 14:3-4
As Abinadi taught the wicked priests of King Noah, he quoted Isaiah 53 to emphasize that salvation is available to us only because of Jesus Christ. In this chapter, Isaiah called the Savior "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Then, he identified the source of those afflictions: "Surely he has borne our griefs,... Continue Reading →
“That Christ…May Seal You His” – Mosiah 5:15
After urging his people to take upon themselves the name of Christ, informing them that this is the name by which God will call them, and reminding them that they needed to serve Him in order to know Him, King Benjamin ended his final sermon by expressing his hope that the people would be "steadfast... Continue Reading →
“Blotted Out” – Mosiah 1:12, Mosiah 5:11
King Benjamin told his son Mosiah that he was going to give his people "a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression" (Mosiah 1:12). When the people gathered, Benjamin shared some things he had learned from an angel. Among the teachings of the angel was the importance of the name... Continue Reading →
“Take upon You the Name of Christ” – Mosiah 5:8
King Benjamin told his son Mosiah that he had two reasons to call the people together: to declare that Mosiah was now the king, and to give the people "a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression" (Mosiah 1:12). After the people heard his message about Jesus Christ, they repented... Continue Reading →
