1. God is merciful. 2. He extends "arms of mercy" toward us. 3. The Savior's bowels are filled with mercy because of what He suffered. 4. He earned the right to offer us mercy. We claim that mercy by repenting. 5. Mercy is central to God's plan for us.
“A Little Child Shall Lead Them”
In the middle of a prophecy about the Millenium, Isaiah inserted a fascinating phrase: "and a little child shall lead them." Elder Boyd K. Packer said that this phrase has meaning for us today. We can learn much from children, if we are willing to listen.
Unto You / Unto Us
The angel told the shepherds that he had good news for everyone, but then he made it personal: "Unto you is born...a Saviour." The Atonement of Jesus Christ is both universal and personal. It is for everyone, but we receive His power one by one.
Wisdom and Foolishness
Our perception of wisdom is not very reliable. We may overestimate other people's understanding and our own. The key is humility. Jacob and Paul counseled us to become fools before God. We need to recognize what we lack and be willing to learn from Him.
With One Accord
The phrase "with one accord" appears 11 times in the book of Acts. It means to be united by a common purpose. As we strive to follow the Savior and to prepare for His return, we can find unity in our shared goals and desires.
Behold Thy Son! Behold Thy Mother!
As He hung on the cross, Jesus told His mother and the apostle John to "behold" one another. Later, He told a group of Nephites and Lamanites to "behold" their children. When we behold someone, we understand them better and can serve and support them.
“Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me”
We can learn several lessons from Jesus' admonition to suffer little children to come unto Him: 1. Encourage children in their efforts to grow closer to God. 2. Prioritize time with children. 3. When we are with children, give them our full attention.
The Mouths of Babes
Children can be more receptive to spiritual learning than adults for at least three reasons: 1. They are less self-conscious. 2. They are more aware of their vulnerability. 3. They have a natural curiosity. We can emulate children as we seek revelation.
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
“I Will Heal Thee”
Hezekiah was very ill. The prophet, Isaiah, visited him and told him that he would not recover. He was going to die. But Hezekiah wasn't willing to accept that answer. Laying on his bed, he turned toward the wall and offered the following heartfelt prayer: "I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked... Continue Reading →