The following passage appears in the books of both Micah and Isaiah: In the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let... Continue Reading →
The Mountain of the Lord’s House
Moses ascended a mountain to talk with the Lord. (See Exodus 19:20, Exodus 24:12, Exodus 34:4.) Elijah followed a similar pattern (1 Kings 19:8-9), as did Nephi (1 Nephi 11:1, 1 Nephi 17:7, 1 Nephi 18:3, 2 Nephi 4:25) and the brother of Jared (Ether 3:1). Jesus also "went up into a mountain apart to pray"... Continue Reading →
Hubris, Arrogance, and Haughtiness
Ezra Taft Benson said that pride manifests itself in different ways, which he called the "faces of pride." Some of the manifestations he identified were selfishness, contention, defensiveness, and unwillingness to repent. (See "Beware of Pride," General Conference, April 1989.) I've been thinking today about a few other manifestations of pride. These thoughts were prompted... Continue Reading →
We Love Thy House
Based on: Psalm 26 Core message: We long to be in sacred spaces because we look forward to being in God's presence. Related Book of Mormon passages: 2 Nephi 12, 2 Nephi 19:2-3
“Up, Make Us Gods”
Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.Isaiah 2:8, 2 Nephi 12:8 When Moses delayed coming down from Mount Sinai, the Israelites became restless. Turning to Moses' second in command, Aaron, they demanded that he create idols for them to worship, following the pattern... Continue Reading →
A Tower to Get to Heaven
Sometime after the Great Flood, the descendants of Noah were gathered in a place called Shinar, which later became known as Babylonia. They collectively resolved to build "a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven." They viewed this project as a way to avoid being "scattered abroad upon the face of the... Continue Reading →
“With the Voice Together Shall They Sing”
The Book of Mormon opens with music. In the opening scene, Lehi sees in a vision: God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God.1 Nephi 1:8 The prophet Isaiah associated singing with expressions of joy and gratitude. For example: "Sing, O heavens; and... Continue Reading →
Loftiness, Haughtiness (2 Nephi 12:11, 17, 2 Nephi 15:15-16)
lofty - proud, aloof, or self-important haughty - arrogantly superior and disdainful (Oxford English Dictionary) A recurrent theme in the writings of Isaiah is the impermanence of worldly power. Physical strength, wealth, and positions of authority are all transitory—any control or influence we derive from them will evaporate over time. Only God's power is permanent.... Continue Reading →
How Can the Words of Isaiah Bring Us Joy?
Nephi explained why he quoted so much from Isaiah: "My soul delighteth in his words." He introduced thirteen consecutive chapters of Isaiah by saying that he hoped the words would make us "lift up [our] hearts and rejoice for all men" (2 Nephi 11:2, 8). Immediately after, we begin to read, and we find phrases like... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Millennium?
A millennium is a period of a thousand years. The Millennium is a thousand-year period of peace following the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The apostle John foresaw a time when Satan would be bound for a thousand years. Jesus Christ and His followers would govern the earth during that time (Revelation 20:1-7). Isaiah foresaw... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 