As he worked on his translation of the Bible, Joseph Smith sought guidance from the Lord many times about the meaning of specific passages. As he studied the book of Revelation, Joseph asked about the four beasts described in Revelation 4:6-9. These beasts each have 6 wings, reminiscent of the seraphim in Isaiah's vision (Isaiah... Continue Reading →
Seeing as We Are Seen
Self-awareness is incredibly elusive. After describing the spiritual gift of charity, the apostle Paul observed, "We see through a glass, darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12). The Greek word translated "glass" in this passage, esoptron (ἔσοπτρον), actually means a mirror, and a mirror made of metal, not of glass. These mirrors produced an image that was helpful... Continue Reading →
“Eye Hath Never Seen” – 3 Nephi 17:16
During the Savior's ministry on the American continent, He offered a prayer which was so sublime that it could not be written. The only record we have of this prayer is the testimony of those who experienced it firsthand: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we... Continue Reading →
“Strong Reasons”
When the Lord instructed Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to confront their critics in Kirtland, Ohio, He used a phrase from Isaiah to explain the approach they should take. "Let [your enemies] bring forth their strong reasons against the Lord," He said (Doctrine and Covenants 71:8). In other words, instead of bearing the full burden... Continue Reading →
“I Know” / “I Know Not”
Recognizing the boundaries of our knowledge is an important element of self-awareness and a prerequisite to wise decision-making. Nephi opens the Book of Mormon with a testimony of its truthfulness: I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.1... Continue Reading →
“In Part, but Not All”
In 1831, the Lord instructed Leman Copley, a recent convert, to return to his former congregation and share with them the truths he had learned in his new faith. The Lord described his former colleagues as being partly, but not fully, receptive: They desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they... Continue Reading →
The Perfect Day
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.Proverbs 4:18 Through the prophet Nephi, the Lord gave the following promise: "Unto him that receiveth I will give more" (2 Nephi 28:30). Alma taught the same principle in the city of Ammonihah: He that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word,... Continue Reading →
Wisdom and Knowledge – Moroni 10:9-10
Moroni begins his list of spiritual gifts with two which sound similar, but which he makes clear are not the same: For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom;And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;Moroni 10:9-10, italics added The apostle Paul made the... Continue Reading →
“In the Mouth of Three Witnesses” – Ether 5:4
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.Deuteronomy 19:15 (See also Deuteronomy 17:6.) One of the features of this mortal life is dealing... Continue Reading →
“That They May Shine Forth in Darkness” – Ether 3:4
Humans hate uncertainty. We want to be able to accurately predict the future. We want to be able to explain things that seem mysterious. We don't like being left in the dark. As the Jaredites prepared to embark on a journey of unknown duration across the ocean, the brother of Jared became concerned about two... Continue Reading →