Nephi taught that God destroyed the Canaanites because of their wickedness but that He is fair to all of His children: "He that is righteous is favored of God." Rahab is a case in point. A harlot living in Jericho, she was delivered from destruction after demonstrating courageous faith in the God of the Israelites.
Infusing the Light of Christ into My Life
When Lamoni accepted the gospel, "the light of the glory of God ... infused ... joy into his soul." Sister Amy A. Wright has urged us to "infuse the Light of Jesus Christ into every corner of our lives." We do this by opening our hearts to Him and by testifying of His power to save.
A Crown of Eternal Life
God promised William E. McLellin "a crown of eternal life." Book of Mormon prophets similarly promised that the righteous will "sit down in the kingdom of God. These crowns and thrones aren't the exclusive purview of a few. God wants to give the gift of eternal life to all of His children.
“Aaron Hath Told Me”
The world rewards cynicism, but the Lord rewards trust. Lamoni's wife believed the words of Ammon with no other evidence. Lamoni's father prayed, "O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God." We invite His power into our lives when we trust Him.
Unto You / Unto Us
The angel told the shepherds that he had good news for everyone, but then he made it personal: "Unto you is born...a Saviour." The Atonement of Jesus Christ is both universal and personal. It is for everyone, but we receive His power one by one.
Rending That Veil
After descending from Sinai, Moses had to wear a veil or the children of Israel would not come near him. Are we sometimes similarly hesitant to approach God? Moroni urged us to "rend that veil" which covers our heart.
Women in the Gospels
Here are some lessons I have learned from women who knew Jesus: Mary, mother of Jesus: Ponder things in your heart. The Samaritan woman: Testify and invite. Mary, Martha's sister: Choose the good part. Mary Magdalene: Come to the tomb.
Anna, the Prophetess
Anna received a spiritual witness that Jesus was the Messiah, and she shared that testimony with others. Lamoni's wife did the same. Those who obtain and share a testimony of Jesus are prophets and prophetesses.
Noonday
What we see is heavily influenced by who we are. If we are filled with light, we can see more clearly, even in darkness. But if we are filled with darkness, external light may not be very helpful. That is the message of several passages in the book of Isaiah. In chapter 58, for example,... Continue Reading →
“Would God My Lord Were With the Prophet!”
She was a young Israelite woman, who had been captured by the Syrian army and was now a slave in the house of Naaman. She felt empathy toward her master, who was captain of the Syrian army but who was afflicted with leprosy. She said to Naaman's wife, "Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in... Continue Reading →