Sometimes we need to be reminded just how unequal our relationship with God is. King Benjamin taught that if we serve God with all of our souls for the rest of our lives, we would still be "unprofitable servants." God has already given us far more than we could ever hope to repay, and the... Continue Reading →
“There Shall Be a Place”
Does it matter where we worship? As the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years, they carried a portable sanctuary, called the Tabernacle. Their worship was undoubtedly affected in many ways by their transient state. But as they approached the promised land, God explained to them that some things would need to... Continue Reading →
“Holiness to the Lord”
The clothing Aaron wore in the ancient tabernacle had profound significance. God instructed Moses, "Thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2). This clothing reminded everyone, including Aaron himself, of his role in bringing the children of Israel closer to God. The articles of clothing included: A blue robe, with... Continue Reading →
Beth-El
As Jacob followed his parents' guidance and traveled to Padan-Aram, he stopped for the night at a place called Luz. While he slept, he had a spiritual dream in which he saw angels ascending and descending on a ladder. The Lord Himself stood at the top and reaffirmed to Jacob the promises He had made... Continue Reading →
The Fall and the Temple
By partaking of the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve introduced not only physical death but also spiritual death into the world: they were immediately separated from God's presence. He would no longer walk in their garden and have periodic face to face conversations with them. Alma said, "It was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed... 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 →
“The Pure in Heart…Shall See God”
King David asked the following soul-searching question: Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? Then, he provided the following answer: He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.Psalm 24:3-4 The Savior taught the same principle as one of the Beautitudes: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.Matthew... Continue Reading →
Endowed with Power
The Greek word enduo (ἐνδύω) means "to clothe." In the New Testament it is sometimes used literally (Mark 1:6: "John was clothed with camel's hair." ) and sometimes figuratively (Galatians 3:27: "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.") In the King James Version of the Bible, the word... Continue Reading →
Patterns
When the children of Israel constructed the tabernacle in the wilderness, they built it according to a pattern which the Lord revealed to Moses. "Look that thou make them after their pattern," the Lord said, "which was shewed thee in the mount" (Exodus 25:9, 40). The objects in the tabernacle, such as the candlestick, were also made "according... Continue Reading →
A House of Prayer
Through the prophet Isaiah, God made the following promise to all those who reverence sacred things: "Them I will bring unto my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer" (Isaiah 56:7). Years later, the prophet Jeremiah stood at the doorway to the temple and denounced the wickedness of the people, who... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 