A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post about healing a broken relationship. I focused particularly on the Savior's counsel in the Sermon on the Mount that we should take the initiative to be reconciled with other people before approaching God. He said to leave our gift at the altar and come back when... Continue Reading →
How Can I Heal a Broken Relationship?
In the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior taught an important principle: Our relationship with God is heavily influenced by our relationships with other people: Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way;... Continue Reading →
What Is A Contrite Spirit?
Contrite means "crushed." The English word descends from the Latin word contritus, which means literally "worn out" or "ground to pieces" ("contrite," Online Etymology Dictionary). When the word appears in the King James Version of the Bible, it is a translation of one of three different Hebrew words: dakka' (דַּכָּא), meaning crushed or pulverized (Psalm 34:18,... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Be “Baptized with Fire?”
John the Baptist testified of the mission of the Savior by telling the people that he was not worthy to carry the Savior's shoes. He said, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but...he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (Matthew 3:11). (See also Luke 3:16, JST John 1:28, Mark... Continue Reading →
How Does the Savior Invite Us to Come Unto Him?
I mentioned yesterday that the phrase "come unto Christ" appears only five times in the scriptures. In contrast, the Savior says "come unto me" 39 times in the scriptures: once in the Old Testament, six times in the New Testament, four times in the Doctrine and Covenants, and 28 times in the Book of Mormon.... Continue Reading →
Why Do the Scriptures Use the Phrase “Your Father, Which,” Instead of “Your Father, Who?”
Note: This is the third in a series of blog posts about the meaning behind unusual words or phrases in the Book of Mormon. Because Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon into King James English, biblical passages which appear in the Book of Mormon are often identical to the King James version of the... Continue Reading →
Whosoever Is Angry with His Brother – 3 Nephi 12:21-22
21 Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, and it is also written before you, that thou shalt not kill, and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment of God; 22 But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in... Continue Reading →
More Blessed Are They Who Shall Believe in Your Words – 3 Nephi 12:1-2
1 And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, saying:... Continue Reading →
I Would That Ye Should Be Perfect – 3 Nephi 12:48
48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect. (3 Nephi 12:48) During His visit to the American continent following His death and resurrection, Jesus delivered a sermon which included the Sermon on the Mount. Partway into that sermon, He tells us that... Continue Reading →
Let Your Light So Shine – 3 Nephi 12:14-16
14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are... Continue Reading →