One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to assure us that we belong, that because of "the covenants of the Lord," we "are not cast off forever." Jesus taught that we belong to the covenants God made with our ancestors, and that He will not forget us.
Developing Christlike Attributes
Peter listed a number of attributes that we should strive to develop with God's help: faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. The Book of Mormon provides insight into each of these Christlike attributes.
Psalm 22 and the Crucifixion
From the cross, Jesus cried out the first words of a psalm: "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" This cry of pain also carried a message of hope: The words of the psalm were being fulfilled, and the psalm itself promised that God had heard Him.
“I Will Not Abandon You as Orphans”
I was recently reflecting on John 14:18 and as I dug into other translations, I was captivated with the variety of terms used for “comfortless”. Considering the different translations together added depth of understanding and a new appreciation for this passage. King James Version: I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. New... Continue Reading →
“Smite the Shepherd”
Jesus quoted a passage from Zechariah to explain that His apostles would soon abandon Him, but He promised to meet them again n Galilee. When we are "scattered" in various ways, we can always be sure that God will gather us again.
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
“Tossed with Tempest”
Jesus remained calm during a tempest, and He asked His disciples why they had become so fearful. Lisa L. Harkness taught that faith is "gritty and resilient." It helps us stay calm even in tumultuous circumstances.
“With Everlasting Kindness”
Suboptimal circumstances can create glorious opportunities. When the kingdom of Israel was scattered by the Assyrians, it was a direct consequence of their disobedience to the commandments of God: They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and... Continue Reading →
Forsaken
King David opens the 22nd psalm with a desperate cry: My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?Psalm 22:1 By the end of the psalm, he reaffirms his conviction that God doesn't forget His children, but at first, we just hear his poignant cry of anguish. O... Continue Reading →
Spare Not
The Lord told Isaiah to preach the gospel whole-heartedly, holding nothing back. "Cry aloud," He said, "spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet" (Isaiah 58:1). In another passage, he instructs the children of Israel to prepare for massive growth and prosperity: Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the... Continue Reading →