After Abraham and his servants rescued his nephew Lot, they returned home, rejoicing in a successful mission. They were met by Melchizedek, King of Salem, who brought bread and wine and blessed Abraham. Grateful for his success, "Abraham paid [Melchizedek] tithes of all" (Genesis 14:20). A tithe is a tenth. (See Alma 13:15, Hebrews 11:1-10.)... Continue Reading →
“After the Order of His Son”
Alma taught that God ordains priests to operate "after the order of his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption" (Alma 13:1-2, 7). In other words, when we exercise the authority of the priesthood, we turn people toward the Savior. The... Continue Reading →
Rest
The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years before they were ready to enter the promised land. God was ready to help them enter that land long before they were ready to receive His assistance. One of the psalms quotes God looking back on that time: Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people... Continue Reading →
The Power of Godliness
In 1832, the Lord invited church members to receive priesthood ordinances, explaining that "the power of godliness is manifest" in them (Doctrine and Covenants 84:20). An ordinance is "a sacred, formal act or ceremony performed by the authority of the priesthood" (Gospel Topics, "Ordinances"). Some examples of ordinances are baptism, confirmation, the temple endowment, and... Continue Reading →
Premortal Life
We lived before we were born, and we chose to participate in this mortal experience. That knowledge gives perspective to our mortal journey. In a September 1830 revelation, the Lord shared with Joseph Smith the origin story of the devil and his followers: He rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part... Continue Reading →
“In Wisdom and Order” – Mosiah 4:27
After instructing his people to give generously in order to retain a remission of their sins, King Benjamin adds a warning: "See that all these things are done in wisdom and order." Don't try to do more than you can; don't try to give more than you have. That's neither productive nor sustainable. For example,... Continue Reading →
“The Time Is Past”
I've been thinking this week about a stern message the Lord gave to Oliver Cowdery in an 1829 revelation. Oliver had sought the gift to translate and had been given permission to try. When he failed, the Lord instructed him to resume his role as scribe. The problem, apparently, was that Oliver hadn't realized the... Continue Reading →
“They Shall Not Be Ashamed That Wait for Me”
Waiting doesn't come easy for human beings. We aren't naturally patient. But multiple times, the prophet Isaiah identifies waiting as a key component of discipleship. Here are some examples: "I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him" (Isaiah 8:17, 2 Nephi 18:17).... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon References in Moroni 6
Today as I studied Moroni 6, I found a number of phrases which referenced earlier passages in the Book of Mormon. Obviously, Moroni knew the Book of Mormon well. Still, I thought these references were striking, and I thought I'd share the connections I made today as I studied this chapter. Most of these phrases... Continue Reading →
Procrastination
Twice in the Book of Mormon, we are urged not to procrastinate. When Alma and Amulek teach the people of Ammonihah, Alma ends their joint sermon with a call to action: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh;... I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with... Continue Reading →