Jesus promised that the Holy Ghost would teach us all things. Nephi and Moroni taught the same. What does that mean? 1. He is omniscient. 2. He can lead us to the next bit of knowledge we need. 3. He can help us in all aspects of our lives on any subject.
“In Spirit and in Truth”
Sacred times and places are important, and we benefit from treating them with reverence. But as Jesus taught the Samaritan woman, and as Alma and Amulek taught the Zoramites, the ultimate goal is communion with God.
“I Shall Be Healed”
As Jesus approached a paralyzed man lying near the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, He asked an unusual question: "Wilt thou be made whole?" (John 5:6). The answer seems obvious. People with physical ailments gathered at that pool specifically because they believed in its healing powers. But Jesus wanted to gauge the man's willingness and... Continue Reading →
The Spirit of Heaviness
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would replace negative things in our lives with positive ones: ashes with beauty, mourning with joy, and "the spirit of heaviness" with "the garment of praise" (Isaiah 61:3). The word "heaviness" is a translation of the Hebrew word kehah (כֵּהָ֣ה), which means literally dim or faint. Other English translations render... Continue Reading →
Cast Thy Burden Upon the Lord
Based on: Psalm 55 Core message: God will ease our burdens as we draw nearer to Him. Even if He doesn't take them away, He can make them seem light. Related Book of Mormon passages: Mosiah 24:14-15, Alma 33:23
Moses
When Pharaoh's daughter discovered a Hebrew baby floating in a small basket in the river, she decided to adopt him. The writer of Genesis explains that she named him Moses, or Mosheh (משֶׁה) because she "drew him out of the water" (Exodus 2:10). The Hebrew word mashah (מָשָׁה) means "to draw out" or "to pull... Continue Reading →
Because of Thy Son
Our Heavenly Father loves us and is eager to bless us because we are His children. He sent His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to make it possible for us to receive blessings we could receive in no other way. King David testified of God's love for us and acknowledged the role of the Savior in... Continue Reading →
How to Worship
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 →
The Brass Serpent and COVID-19
Moses and the Brass Serpent, by Judith Mehr There is a brief but dramatic story in the book of Numbers. The children of Israel are being bitten by poisonous snakes. Moses heals them by means of a small sculpture mounted on a pole: And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people... Continue Reading →
Prayers, Public and Private
As Alma and Amulek preached to the Zoramites, they characterized prayer as a ubiquitous part of a disciple's life. Alma quoted a passage written by the prophet Zenos, in which he spoke of praying in the wilderness, in his field, in his house, in his closet, in the midst of congregations, and after being cast... Continue Reading →