In the Kirtland Temple dedicatory prayer, Joseph Smith repeatedly pled for mercy. A week later, the Savior promised to manifest Himself in mercy in His house. We find mercy in the temple through covenants which bind us to God, sealing ordinances which unite us with our families, and a deeper appreciation for our Father's plan.
His Mercy
Lehi and Mary both marveled at God's mercy in universal terms, even though they had experienced that mercy in personal ways. Moroni urged us to ponder God's mercy toward all as we prepare to pray. That helps us pray with more intent, sincerity and faith.
Mercy
1. God is merciful. 2. He extends "arms of mercy" toward us. 3. The Savior's bowels are filled with mercy because of what He suffered. 4. He earned the right to offer us mercy. We claim that mercy by repenting. 5. Mercy is central to God's plan for us.
“He Delighteth in Mercy”
Micah ends his book by testifying of God's love for His children: Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their... Continue Reading →
His Mercy Endureth Forever
When the ark of the covenant arrived in Jerusalem, the people gathered and King David delivered a psalm, which included the following words of praise: O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.1 Chronicles 16:34 Many years later, when the temple of Solomon was completed, the occasion was marked by music: singers, cymbals, psalteries,... Continue Reading →
Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
In the last general conference, Elder Dale G. Renlund encouraged us to follow this counsel from the prophet Micah in order to understand what more we can do to draw closer to God: What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?Micah 6:8 Alma gave a similar admonition to his... Continue Reading →
Just and Merciful
God is both just and merciful. Multiple Book of Mormon prophets testify of this, including Lehi (2 Nephi 2:12), Nephi (2 Nephi 11:5), Jacob (Jacob 4:10), King Benjamin (Mosiah 5:15), Alma (Alma 42:15), and Mormon (3 Nephi 26:5, Mormon 6:22). We ought to be just and merciful as well: See that you are merciful unto... Continue Reading →
The Arms of Mercy
All 26 verses of Psalm 136 end with the same phrase: "For his mercy endureth forever." Here is one of the verses from that psalm, which celebrates the Lord's power to deliver the children of Israel from captivity in Egypt: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for... Continue Reading →
Justice and Mercy
Today I've been pondering the relationship between two of God's attributes: justice and mercy. Multiple Book of Mormon prophets teach us that God is both just and merciful, including Lehi (2 Nephi 2:12), Nephi (2 Nephi 11:5), Jacob (Jacob 4:10), King Benjamin (Mosiah 5:15), Alma (Alma 42:15), and Mormon (3 Nephi 26:5, Mormon 6:22). It's... Continue Reading →
“Thine Anger Is Turned Away” – 2 Nephi 22:1
The following refrain appears five times in the book of Isaiah: For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. It appears in chapter 5, after the prophet pronounces six "woes" or warnings of evil practices which will bring painful consequences (2 Nephi 15:25, Isaiah 5:25). It appears... Continue Reading →