Shortly after the Savior's death, a group of people in the Americas heard Him affirm that even though they had rejected His invitations many times before, He would continue to invite them to be gathered home: "How oft will I gather you," He assured them.
“From Darkness to Light”
Jesus came to bring light to those who walk in darkness. No wonder He told Paul that his mission was "to turn [people] from darkness to light." We all pass through periods of darkness, but we will receive the Savior's perfect light as we follow Him.
What Is the “Abomination of Desolation?”
Jesus instructed His disciples to stand in holy places when they see "the abomination of desolation." What does that mean? In this post, I trace that concept from its origins in the Old Testament through modern revelation to better understand its meaning
Women in the Gospels
Here are some lessons I have learned from women who knew Jesus: Mary, mother of Jesus: Ponder things in your heart. The Samaritan woman: Testify and invite. Mary, Martha's sister: Choose the good part. Mary Magdalene: Come to the tomb.
How to Love a Samaritan
We tend to develop rivalries with people similar to us. The Jews and the Samaritans, like the Nephites and the Lamanites, had much more in common than the things which divided them. Here are some ways to build bridges with our "Samaritans."
The Ordinances of the Sun, Moon, and Stars
We all interact with unreliable people. We are disappointed at times when someone fails to follow through on something they have agreed to do. If we're honest with ourselves, we can't be too hard on them, because we aren't perfectly reliable ourselves. We're all imperfect, falling short even when we do the best we can.... Continue Reading →
“I Shall Be Healed”
As Jesus approached a paralyzed man lying near the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, He asked an unusual question: "Wilt thou be made whole?" (John 5:6). The answer seems obvious. People with physical ailments gathered at that pool specifically because they believed in its healing powers. But Jesus wanted to gauge the man's willingness and... Continue Reading →
“A Sign Between Me and You”
One way God communicates with us is through signs. We may not see Him, but we recognize things that happen as evidence that He is mindful of us. On some occasions, those signs have been dramatic and unmistakeable, such as the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-12), or the signs of the Savior's birth and death... Continue Reading →
Nurture
The word "nurture" appears twice in the scriptures: once in the New Testament and once in the Book of Mormon. The apostle Paul wrote: Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.Ephesians 6:4 And the prophet Enos used the same phrase to describe his own upbringing: Behold, it... Continue Reading →
“Any of Them”
In his dedicatory prayer for the ancient temple in Jerusalem, Solomon raised a series of hypothetical situations, asking God for specific blessings in each of them. Here is one of those situations: When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and... Continue Reading →