When Jesus calmed the storm, His disciples exclaimed, "What manner of man is this?" On the American continent, He asked, "What manner of men ought ye to be?" Then He answered, "Even as I am." Peter also asked, "What manner of persons ought ye to be?"
How Did Jesus Use Questions?
In January 2023, I reviewed and categorized the 190 questions asked by the Savior, as recorded in the four Gospels and in 3 Nephi. Here's what I learned about the ways Jesus used questions.
The Fast That I Have Chosen
"What's the point of fasting?" ask the children of Israel in Isaiah 58. "Why are we torturing ourselves when God doesn't even notice?" In response, Isaiah contrasts the way they are currently fasting with the way God wants them to fast: Current "Ye find pleasure." You do whatever you want during the fast. "And exact all... Continue Reading →
Thy Name, My Name
I spent the day yesterday serving with some people I haven’t seen in a long time. I was gratified when some of them who I don't know very well remembered my name (and when I remembered some of their names). Names are important. We like it when other people remember our names and when they... Continue Reading →
Sanctified
In 1832, as missionaries returned from various parts of the United States to Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph Smith received a revelation about how to receive the power of God. Without God's power, the revelation taught, no one can see God's face and live. Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought... Continue Reading →
The Red Sea and Real Intent
There were chariots behind them, sand dunes on every side, and just a lot of water immediately ahead. He needed information all right—what to do—but it wasn’t a casual thing he was asking. In this case it was literally a matter of life and death.Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Case Not Away Therefore Your Confidence," Brigham... Continue Reading →
Hagar and the Hidden Well
Be'er Sheva is a city in southern Israel, with a population of about 200,000. It's so far south, in fact, that Old Testament authors spoke of the land of Israel extending "from Dan even to Beer-sheba." (See Judges 20:1, 1 Samuel 3:20, 2 Samuel 3:10, 2 Samuel 17:11, 2 Samuel 24:2, 15, 1 Kings 4:25, 1... Continue Reading →
Water, Spirit, and Blood
What does it take to be born again? When Jesus warned Nicodemus that we can't enter the kingdom of God without being reborn, He specified that we must be "born of water and of the Spirit" (John 3:3-5). We usually associate this instruction with the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, but is that sufficient? According... Continue Reading →
Call Upon His Name
In Genesis 4 there is a potentially confusing passage. After reporting that Seth had a son named Enos, the author writes, "then began men to call upon the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26). Joseph Smith's revision of this passage adds a critical word: "Then began these men to call upon the name of the Lord," his version... Continue Reading →
The Living Christ and the Book of Mormon
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles is a proclamation published by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 1 January 2000. The document speaks of the Savior's mission before birth, during His mortal ministry, and after His death and resurrection, including in our day. It also testifies that He... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 