There were chariots behind them, sand dunes on every side, and just a lot of water immediately ahead. He needed information all right—what to do—but it wasn’t a casual thing he was asking. In this case it was literally a matter of life and death.Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Case Not Away Therefore Your Confidence," Brigham... Continue Reading →
Wrestling
As Jacob prepared to meet his estranged brother the next day, he spent the night alone. The biblical record says that he wrestled with a man all night and persisted even when his thigh was knocked out of joint. At daybreak, he told the man he would not let him go until he received a... Continue Reading →
50, 45, 40, 30, 20, 10
Why would a perfect God allow imperfect people to influence His decisions? Surely He knows the best course of action, and surely He wants what is best for each of us. Why tarnish impeccable decisions by accommodating our preferences? This question has been on my mind today as I pondered an unusual exchange between God... Continue Reading →
Call Upon His Name
In Genesis 4 there is a potentially confusing passage. After reporting that Seth had a son named Enos, the author writes, "then began men to call upon the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26). Joseph Smith's revision of this passage adds a critical word: "Then began these men to call upon the name of the Lord," his version... Continue Reading →
Why?
When God showed Moses the earth and its inhabitants, Moses replied with a question: Tell me, I pray thee, why these things are so, and by what thou madest them?Moses 1:30 In response, God explained that this earth was created by His Only Begotten Son, that it is one of many worlds which He has... Continue Reading →
Poured Out
As Jacob traveled to Padan-aram to live with his uncle, he had a dream in which the Lord renewed the promise He had made to Jacob's father and grandfather. Waking the next morning, Jacob built a stone pillar and poured oil on it as a form of worship. (See Genesis 28:18.) Years later, after Jacob... Continue Reading →
Prayers, Public and Private
As Alma and Amulek preached to the Zoramites, they characterized prayer as a ubiquitous part of a disciple's life. Alma quoted a passage written by the prophet Zenos, in which he spoke of praying in the wilderness, in his field, in his house, in his closet, in the midst of congregations, and after being cast... Continue Reading →
Pray in Faith
Nephi believed that his prayers were heard and would be answered: For I pray continually for [my people] by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.2 Nephi 33:3 Jacob counseled his people to "pray unto [God]... Continue Reading →
“Pray Always” – 2 Nephi 32:9
Near the end of his writings, Nephi urged his readers to "pray always, and not faint." He went on to explain: Ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy... Continue Reading →
“Ask in Faith” – Enos 1:15
Many times in the Book of Mormon, we are promised that God will answer our prayers. An essential element of effective prayers is faith—the belief or confidence that God will answer us. The Lord promised Enos, "Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it"... Continue Reading →