In an 1833 revelation to Joseph Smith, the Lord said: I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.Doctrine and Covenants 93:19, italics added Worship is an expression... Continue Reading →
Declare Repentance
Both John Whitmer and his brother Peter asked God many times what they could do which would be of the greatest worth. His response to both of them was the same: The thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with... Continue Reading →
Ministering
Amulek gave up many things when he accepted the call to serve alongside Alma. He left behind "all his gold and silver, and his precious things." He also gave up relationships with friends and with family, including his own father. He was now homeless, so Alma "took him into his own house, and did administer... Continue Reading →
Zeezrom
When Amulek stepped forward to affirm the words of Alma in the city of Ammonihah, a number of people criticized him. One of them, a lawyer named Zeezrom, questioned him extensively. But Amulek's testimony made Zeezrom tremble and Alma's subsequent words convinced him "more and more of the power of God" (Alma 11:46, Alma 12:7).... Continue Reading →
What Is a Priest?
The Bible Dictionary explains that a priest is a mediator between his people and God. The priest fulfills this role by: Performing religious ceremonies (ordinances) Preaching the gospel Receiving revelation on behalf of the people, and Blessing the people in the name of the Lord At the beginning of the Book of Mormon, religious observance... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Minister?
In the Book of Mormon, the word "minister" is often a synonym for "teach." It also refers to other forms of service. A person who ministers is eager to serve "in an active practical way."
What Does It Mean to “Watch and Pray?”
Just after participating in the Last Supper, the Savior walked with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount of Olives. Telling His disciples, "Pray that ye enter not into temptation," He walked a little further, and knelt to pray (Luke 22:40-41, Mark 14:32-36, Matthew 26:36-39). Returning a little later, He... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Consecrate Something?
To consecrate something is to make it sacred, to set it apart for a holy purpose (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary). The opposite is to desecrate something, which means literally to "divest it of [its] sacred character," or to "treat it with sacrilege" (Online Etymology Dictionary). In the Book of Mormon, the word consecrate is used several ways: Priests... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn from the Prayers Recorded in the Book of Mormon?
Today, I reviewed all of the prayers I could find in the Book of Mormon. I specifically looked at actual prayers which are quoted word for word, not prayers which are merely mentioned, and not sample prayers given for teaching purposes. I also excluded very short statements directed to God, such as Enos's question,"Lord, how... Continue Reading →
Seeing a Great Check – Alma 15:17-18
17 Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom, seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at their sanctuaries to worship God before the altar, watching and praying continually, that... Continue Reading →