Gabriel told Mary she was "highly favoured." Nephi recognized that he had been "highly favored" as he looked back on his life. That sense of receiving God's enabling power can sustain us through the difficulties and discouragements of life.
The Throne of God
Isaiah, Lehi, and John all saw God sitting on a throne, surrounded by heavenly beings who were praising Him. These visions can help us worship more reverently. We can be grateful for His supremacy and for His empowering influence in our lives.
Out of Much Affliction
Three principles from Paul about suffering: 1. God loves us and will comfort us when we suffer. 2. Suffering can result in growth and progression with God's help. 3. We can find joy when we suffer, particularly when we maintain an eternal perspective.
Repentance and Resolutions
January is a good time to repent. Setting resolutions can be part of a pattern of change which can lead to incremental improvement throughout the year. Here are some of my resolutions for 2023.
“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 →
Dreams and Visions
The prophet Joel foretold a time when people of all ages and economic statuses would receive revelation in abundance: I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my... Continue Reading →
If With All Your Hearts
God will answer your prayers. Jesus promised that in the Sermon on the Mount: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7, 3 Nephi 14:7). Moses taught the same principle to the children of Israel. After prophesying that they would one day turn away from... Continue Reading →
The Book of Psalms and the Book of Mormon
The brass plates which Lehi and his family carried from Jerusalem contained a lot of content which overlaps with the Old Testament. Nephi describes three categories of writings, which correspond with three of the four groupings of books in the Old Testament: "The five books of Moses" - The Law (Genesis through Deuteronomy)"A record of... Continue Reading →
O Be Joyful
Based on: Psalm 100 Core message: The gospel can bring pure joy into our lives if we will just get out of our own way and let it happen. Related Book of Mormon passages: 1 Nephi 1:15, 2 Nephi 9:3, 2 Nephi 11:8
Finding God in the Book of Esther
There is no mention of God in the book of Esther. None of His names appears in the book. The miraculous events of the book are shared with no attribution; it is up to the reader to recognize God's hand in these events. Perhaps this is appropriate for the story of a woman who had... Continue Reading →