I've been thinking today about two Old Testament prophecies, both of which are associated with John the Baptist, but both of which have much broader applicability. Isaiah prophesied that, following the Babylonian captivity, there would be a voice in the wilderness, crying "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a... Continue Reading →
Expound and Exhort
I've been thinking today about two verbs that appear repeatedly in section 20 of the Doctrine and Covenants: "expound" and "exhort." Elders, priests, teachers, and deacons are all instructed to do both. (See Doctrine and Covenants 20:42, 46, 50, 59.) Several sections later, the Lord directs Emma Smith to "expound scriptures, and to exhort the... Continue Reading →
John the Baptist
The prophet Isaiah spoke of a prophet who would prepare the way for the coming of Jesus Christ: The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.Isaiah 40:3 After studying the brass plates, which contained the writings of Isaiah, and while living in the wilderness himself, the... Continue Reading →
Old Testament Scriptures Quoted by Moroni to Joseph Smith
When Moroni, the last author in the Book of Mormon, appeared to Joseph Smith on Sunday, September 21, 1823, he quoted a number of passages from the Old Testament, most of which also appear in the Book of Mormon. Here is a list of four of those passages, as recorded in Joseph Smith—History 1:36-41, with... Continue Reading →
“He Expounded Them” – 3 Nephi 23:6, 14; 24:1; 26:1, 3
To expound something is to explain it in detail (Oxford English Dictionary). During His ministry on the American continent, the Savior expounded the scriptures to the people. He expounded the words of Isaiah and Micah (3 Nephi 20-22; see 3 Nephi 23:6). He expounded the words of Malachi (3 Nephi 24:1). He identified connections and... Continue Reading →
“Offer unto the Lord an Offering in Righteousness” – 3 Nephi 24:3
During the Savior's visit to the American continent, He quoted two chapters from the Book of Malachi. The first passage of these chapters contains a prophecy that, before the Savior's Second Coming, He will refine and purify His people, so that they can "offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness" (3 Nephi 24:3, Malachi... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Tithing?
The Book of Mormon only mentions tithing twice, both times in conjunction with Old Testament scriptures. Alma mentions tithing in passing in his sermon about the priesthood. He introduces Melchizedek as the priest to whom Abraham paid tithes. Although he didn't elaborate on this incident, Alma did clarify that these "tithes" meant "one tenth part... Continue Reading →
Why Are Ordinances Important?
Yesterday, I wrote that to be ordained is to be set in order. An ordinance is the mechanism used to create order. It is an action that is formally prescribed by God which we perform to show our devotion to Him and draw closer to Him. The prophet Nephi urged his people to "keep the... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
Forty days after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, He met one last time with his apostles at the Mount of Olives. They asked him if the time had come for the gathering of Israel, to which He responded, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father... Continue Reading →
Why Does God Command Us to Pay Tithing?
The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Faith is trust, and it is manifest in our decisions. We make choices based on trust, and the tangible evidence that we have done the right thing follows later. The prophet Moroni taught, "Ye receive no witness until after the trial of... Continue Reading →
