An angel told John that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The only way we can be sure that Jesus is our Savior is by direct, personal revelation from God. Therefore, the people who have that testimony are the people who receive revelation.
Abide in Your Calling
Paul urged the Corinthian saints to stay focused on their current callings and not to be distracted by opportunities that aren't currently theirs. It can be hard to maintain our focus, but we will find joy in doing what we have been called to do right now
Much People
It's easy to become discouraged when we try to share the gospel and encounter resistance. But God knows the hearts of His children, and He has repeatedly assured His representatives that He has "much people" who will be receptive to their message.
Faithful over a Few Things
God cares more about the way we fulfill our responsibilities than the scope of those responsibilities. In the Parable of the Talents, both servants who did well earned the leader's praise, even though one had five talents and the other only had two.
Servant Leadership
Jesus taught that leaders in God's kingdom do not place themselves above others. They focus on serving and ministering to those they lead. In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin and Ammon demonstrated this kind of leadership.
Letting Things Go
A major part of discipleship is letting things go. Jesus told his apostles what not to pack, how not to plan for speeches, and how to move on when treated badly. The principle is simple: find joy by focusing on the most important things.
“As One Having Authority”
Jesus "taught...as one having authority." What does that mean? His study of the scriptures had brought Him close to God, and His power as a teacher came from that closeness. Ammon and his brothers also "taught with power and authority" as did Abinadi.
Repentance and Resolutions
January is a good time to repent. Setting resolutions can be part of a pattern of change which can lead to incremental improvement throughout the year. Here are some of my resolutions for 2023.
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 →
Fasting with Purpose
I am impressed with the feelings and the desires which motivated Ezra and Nehemiah to fast. When Nehemiah learned firsthand of the state of Jerusalem—walls broken down, gates burned, and the people "in great affliction and reproach"—he was devastated. "When I heard this," he wrote, "I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I... Continue Reading →