When I think of Moses ascending Mount Sinai, I always envision him alone. So I've been struck recently by these descriptions of him ascending the mountain with other people: "And the Lord said unto him,... thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee" (Exodus 19:24)."And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the Lord, thou, and Aaron, Nadab,... Continue Reading →
“Sweep the Earth as with a Flood”
God explained to Enoch that a great flood would one day destroy the wicked, and only Enoch's great-grandson, Noah, and his family would be spared (Moses 7:32-38, 42-43). Enoch pleaded that this flooding might be a one-time event, never to be repeated. In response, God "covenanted with Enoch, and sware unto him with an oath, that... Continue Reading →
Shine Forth
The Hebrew word or (אוֹר) means light. When used as a verb, it means to be light or to become light. Speaking to a future generation of Israelites who would be gathered home, Isaiah said: Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.Isaiah 60:1 They could share light with... Continue Reading →
“None Shall Slumber”
In 1837, Thomas B. Marsh was concerned about the state of the Church. In Missouri, church members had been driven from their homes. In Ohio, many members and even church leaders were becoming disaffected. As president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Thomas must have felt a deep desire to help curb the chaos... Continue Reading →
Three Covenants
One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is for us to "know the covenants of the Lord" (Title Page). The Savior emphasized three of those covenants during His visit to the American continent, following His death and resurrection: Israel will be gathered: "Then will I gather them in from the four quarters of the earth;... Continue Reading →
Demonstration of the Spirit
In his first epistle to church members in Corinth, the apostle Paul emphasized that God's wisdom is greater than human wisdom and that therefore preaching the gospel is about connecting people to God's Spirit, not just convincing them of truths by eloquence and reasoning. "My speech and my preaching," he said, "was not with enticing... Continue Reading →
Spare Not
The Lord told Isaiah to preach the gospel whole-heartedly, holding nothing back. "Cry aloud," He said, "spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet" (Isaiah 58:1). In another passage, he instructs the children of Israel to prepare for massive growth and prosperity: Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the... Continue Reading →
Purse nor Scrip
It's good to be prepared and conscientious, but it's also important to make room for other people to serve. When Jesus called seventy missionaries and sent them out, two by two, to preach the gospel, He instructed them to travel lightly. "Carry neither purse, nor scrip," He said, "nor [extra pair of] shoes." He told... Continue Reading →
“A Portion of His Spirit”
When the sons of Mosiah and a small number of their friends embarked on a mission among their enemies, the Lamanites, they knew they couldn't accomplish their objectives alone. They would need God's help. To that end, they "searched the scriptures diligently" and "[gave] themselves to much prayer, and fasting." As a result, "they had... Continue Reading →
The Great Commission
After His death and resurrection, Jesus gave His disciples an expansive assignment, often called the Great Commission. He told them to preach the gospel to everyone in the world, and He promised to bless everyone who believed in Him. Here is the commission, as recorded by Matthew and by Mark: Matthew 28:19-20Mark 16:15-18Go ye therefore,... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 