"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 →
Performances and Ordinances
Even before rescuing the children of Israel from bondage, the Lord prescribed for them formal actions they should take each year to commemorate their deliverance. They should select a lamb, not just any lamb, but an unblemished male lamb in its first year. They should roast it with fire (not boil it) and eat it... Continue Reading →
Abram and Lot: No Strife
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.Proverbs 17:14 As Abram and his nephew Lot returned from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, there was a dispute among their people. Instead of letting the issue fester, Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray... Continue Reading →
To Dwell Together in Unity
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.... Continue Reading →
The Healer
During the Savior's mortal ministry, He was known as a miraculous healer. And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them:Matthew 15:30 Jesus also healed unseen wounds. To the man who was paralyzed, He first said,... Continue Reading →
Walk in the Ordinances
As Brigham Young led thousands of church members into an unknown frontier, he received a revelation teaching them how to organize themselves for the journey. Near the beginning of that revelation is a concise statement encapsulating the standards of behavior expected of this group of travelers: And this shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of... Continue Reading →
Marriage
After God created Adam and Eve, He instituted a special relationship, which He characterized in this way: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.Genesis 2:24 Jesus emphasized the sacred nature of this relationship when He rebuked the Pharisees for asking a flippant question about divorce: Have ye not read,... Continue Reading →
In Their Stead
When Jesus was on the earth, He chose twelve apostles and commissioned them to help Him do His work. (See Matthew 10.) But following His resurrection and ascension, the apostles faced an administrative problem. One of their number, Judas Iscariot, had betrayed the Savior and had subsequently taken his own life. So they now numbered... Continue Reading →
“Hid up unto the Lord” – Mormon 1:2, 4:23, 5:12
We don't know much about Ammaron, the caretaker of the Nephite records who selected Mormon as his successor. We know that he was the brother of Amos, and therefore a descendant of Alma, who organized the church at the waters of Mormon about 450 years earlier. And we know that he was "constrained by the... Continue Reading →
“All Things Common” – 4 Nephi 1:4
The people who interacted with the resurrected Savior on the American continent lived together in unity for the rest of their lives. Their children and grandchildren followed their examples and enjoyed the blessings of a harmonious society. "There were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another." This... Continue Reading →