111. Sought Out 112. "The Man That Feareth ... Shall Not Be Afraid" 113. Who Humbleth Himself 114. The Sea ... Fled 115. Not Unto Us 116. I Love the Lord 117. Praise the Lord, All Ye Nations 118. The Stone Which the Builders Refused 119. Thy Word Is a Lamp 120. I Am for Peace
How Did Book of Mormon Authors Use Psalms 1-50?
Book of Mormon authors followed the "performances and ordinances" of the law of Moses, but the psalms gave them a language for spiritual life. They used psalmic language to describe their internal spiritual experiences, to preach sermons, to explain events in their narratives, and to express gratitude and joy.
Psalms 21-30
21. The King Trusteth in the Lord 22. Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? 23. The Lord Is My Shepherd 24. Who Shall Ascend? 25. Teach Me Thy Paths 26. Examine Me 27. The Lord Is My Light 28. My Strength and My Shield 29. The Voice of the Lord 30. Joy Cometh in the Morning
The Lord Is My Shepherd
The book of Psalms demonstrates the language of prayer. These 150 worship songs express a range of emotions, from sorrow to praise. Book of Mormon prophets regularly use similar phraseology, especially in their own psalms. Like them, we can emulate psalmic language in our own prayers.
Hannah’s Psalm
After delivering her son to Eli the priest, Hannah offers a psalm of praise which might sound self-congratulatory. The Book of Mormon missionary Ammon helps us recognize that she is boasting in God, not in herself. In her psalm, Hannah distinguishes between those who rely upon God and those who try to go it alone.
We Are Well Able: Caleb and Joshua
Twelve scouts saw the same promised land. Ten saw walled cities and said, "We can't do it." Two saw milk and honey and said, "We are well able." When challenges come, recognize the positive signs, keep the negative in perspective, and trust that God can help you achieve worthy goals.
Ammon’s Dayenu
The Hebrew song Dayenu helps us to recognize the cumulative nature of God's blessings. It also helps us develop a greater contentment and a deeper sense of being loved, as we recognize that many of the blessings we receive are wonderful but not essential. Ammon echoes this pattern at the end of his fourteen-year mission.
A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving
The Lord advised the early Saints to offer prayers of "praise and thanksgiving." Thanksgiving is informed joy, with an awareness of its source. Praise is generalized gratitude, directed to the Giver of joy. The two are complementary. We can thank God for specific blessings and acknowledge Him as the ultimate Giver of all good gifts.
Don’t Pollute Your Inheritance
Church members in Missouri lost their homes because "they polluted their inheritances." So many of the blessings we enjoy are unearned — bequeathed to us by other people or by God. We "pollute" those gifts when we neglect them or use them in a way that is contrary to the intent of the giver.
“My Strange Act”
Isaiah prophesied that God would perform a "strange act." The Lord reiterated this prophecy in modern revelation. Scriptures teach that being in unfamiliar places and working with people from different backgrounds can unlock God's blessings. The Savior invites us all into one covenant family and urges church members to welcome new converts with open hearts.