Today I reviewed what I've written this month about the last three books of Moses and the first of the historical books in the Old Testament. Here are some concepts that have become clearer to me during that time: 1. We must worship in the Lord's way, and we must teach in a way that... Continue Reading →
“When Thou Sittest in Thine House”
Teaching doesn't just happen in a classroom. In fact, some of the most important teaching happens spontaneously, as a by-product of other activities. At the end of Moses' life, he delivered three discourses to the children of Israel in preparation for their entry into the promised land. Near the beginning of the second discourse, he... Continue Reading →
Performances and Ordinances
Even before rescuing the children of Israel from bondage, the Lord prescribed for them formal actions they should take each year to commemorate their deliverance. They should select a lamb, not just any lamb, but an unblemished male lamb in its first year. They should roast it with fire (not boil it) and eat it... Continue Reading →
Moses
When Pharaoh's daughter discovered a Hebrew baby floating in a small basket in the river, she decided to adopt him. The writer of Genesis explains that she named him Moses, or Mosheh (משֶׁה) because she "drew him out of the water" (Exodus 2:10). The Hebrew word mashah (מָשָׁה) means "to draw out" or "to pull... Continue Reading →
The Living Christ and the Book of Mormon
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles is a proclamation published by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 1 January 2000. The document speaks of the Savior's mission before birth, during His mortal ministry, and after His death and resurrection, including in our day. It also testifies that He... Continue Reading →
Walk in the Ordinances
As Brigham Young led thousands of church members into an unknown frontier, he received a revelation teaching them how to organize themselves for the journey. Near the beginning of that revelation is a concise statement encapsulating the standards of behavior expected of this group of travelers: And this shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of... Continue Reading →
“Mine Ordinances”
There is power in choosing to do things the Lord's way. After the children of Israel were rescued from slavery in Egypt, the Lord emphasized that He wanted them to worship Him according to His instructions, not according to the religious traditions of their former taskmasters nor of their future neighbors: After the doings of the land... Continue Reading →
The Work, the Sword, the Sickle, and the Prayer
In the first half of 1829, Joseph Smith received a number of revelations on behalf of other people. Four of those revelations begin almost identically, with a set of four biblical concepts, all of which also appear in the Book of Mormon. Why did those four concepts warrant such frequent repetition, and why did the... Continue Reading →
“Behold, I Am Jesus Christ” – 3 Nephi 9:15-18, 11:10-11
The way you introduce yourself says a lot about what is important to you and about your relationship with your audience. After the Savior's death in Jerusalem, He introduced Himself twice to a group of people on the American continent: while they sat in darkness and heard His voice, and again when He visited them... Continue Reading →
“All That We Could Do” – Alma 24:11, 15
Repentance is hard. Alma was redeemed by God only "after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death" (Mosiah 27:28). His friends, the sons of King Mosiah, "suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities" (Mosiah 28:4). And the Lamanites who were converted by their preaching had to endure "sore repentance" (Alma 27:23). No... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 