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 →
Times and Seasons
When we truly have faith in God, we trust His timing. The author of the book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that many of our experiences occur on a schedule beyond our control: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a... Continue Reading →
Wheat and Tares
In one of the Savior's parables, a farmer plants wheat in his field. In the middle of the night when no one is watching, his enemy plants tares in the same field. A tare is "an injurious weed resembling wheat when young" (Oxford English Dictionary). When the farmer's servants realize what has happened, they ask... Continue Reading →
Endure in Faith
Persevering through hardship is an essential component of discipleship. Fifteen times in the Book of Mormon, we are promised that those who endure to the end will be saved and will receive eternal life (1 Nephi 13:37, 1 Nephi 22:31, 2 Nephi 9:24, 2 Nephi 31:15, 16, 20, 2 Nephi 33:4, Omni 1:26, Alma 32:13, 15,... Continue Reading →
Edify
How do you recognize God's influence in your life? How can you hear Him amongst the many other voices in the world? Here's how Alma described the impact of God's word: If ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed...it will begin to... Continue Reading →
“The Greatest of All the Gifts of God” – 3 Nephi 15:36
The central symbol in Lehi's dream was "a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy" (1 Nephi 8:10) After eating some of the fruit, his greatest desire after that was to help others experience that same joy, beginning with his own family. When one of Lehi's sons, Nephi, prayed to understand his father's dream, he experienced a... Continue Reading →
How Can I Recognize the Voice of the Lord?
In his first talk as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson pleaded with us to "increase [our] spiritual capacity to receive revelation" ("Revelation for the Church, Revelation for our Lives," General Conference, April 2018). Two years later, he said, "I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes... Continue Reading →
Fruit
In Alma's analogy of the seed, we plant the word of God in our hearts. As it starts to grow, we recognize that it is good, because it begins to enlarge our soul, enlighten our mind, and be delicious to us (Alma 32:28). This is a good sign, but it is not the final goal.... Continue Reading →
“Let Us Nourish It With Great Care” – Alma 32:37
Faith doesn't just happen. It requires positive action. Faith is not the suspension of disbelief. It is the intentional choice to believe. Alma used a number of active verbs to emphasize our role in developing faith. Here are a few examples: "Awake and arouse your faculties" (Alma 32:27). "Exercise a particle of faith" (Alma 32:27).... Continue Reading →
Sometimes… – Alma 32:13
Alma tells a group of poor Zoramites that it's a good thing they are excluded from the synagogues. Why? Because that unfair treatment has made them humble, and humility can prepare us to receive God's mercy (Alma 32:12-13). But Alma adds an important qualifier: "sometimes." Humility, particularly imposed humility, doesn't always lead to mercy and... Continue Reading →
