John the Baptist described the effect of the Holy Ghost with a striking metaphor: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. Matthew 3:11; see also Luke 3:16 As far as I know, that is the only place... Continue Reading →
“My Beloved Son”
When our Father in Heaven has introduced Jesus Christ, He has consistently called Him, "my Beloved Son." We can follow this example by expressing love for our family members regularly.
He Will Save
At the end of his book, the prophet Zephaniah paints a picture of what it will be like for modern Israel to be gathered and delivered. Here is part of his description: The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love,... Continue Reading →
Thy Name, My Name
I spent the day yesterday serving with some people I haven’t seen in a long time. I was gratified when some of them who I don't know very well remembered my name (and when I remembered some of their names). Names are important. We like it when other people remember our names and when they... Continue Reading →
The Covenant Path
In April 2007, Sister Elaine S. Dalton used an expression which had never appeared in a general conference talk before. Quoting a recent article by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, she said: Beginning with our baptism, we make covenants as we follow this path to eternal life, and we stay on the path by keeping them....... Continue Reading →
Water, Spirit, and Blood
What does it take to be born again? When Jesus warned Nicodemus that we can't enter the kingdom of God without being reborn, He specified that we must be "born of water and of the Spirit" (John 3:3-5). We usually associate this instruction with the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, but is that sufficient? According... 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 →
Mighty to Save
Isaiah describes the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in the form of a dialogue between the people and the Savior. The people are caught off guard by His arrival and by His appearance. They ask, "Who is this that cometh from Edom [a country south of Israel with whom Israel had had significant conflict], with dyed garments from Bozrah [a... Continue Reading →
Anointed
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Isaiah 61:1 To anoint is to "smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony," and is often associated with a person taking on a significant... Continue Reading →
Willing
Yesterday, I wrote about King David's final sermon, in which he acknowledged God's power and glory. Earlier in that sermon, he had a message for his son, Solomon, who was to succeed him as king: And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 