What does it mean to be saved by Jesus Christ? Is it like receiving a presidential pardon, with the consequences of our actions eliminated by a legal authority? Or like amnesty, where we get a clean slate and a chance to start over? Both of these descriptions tell part of the story. But Jesus doesn't... Continue Reading →
He Will Save
At the end of his book, the prophet Zephaniah paints a picture of what it will be like for modern Israel to be gathered and delivered. Here is part of his description: The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love,... Continue Reading →
Fear Not
Is fear a choice? God told Abraham, Hagar, Isaac, and Jacob not to be afraid. (See Genesis 51:1, 21:17, 26:24, 46:3.) An angel gave the same direction to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and a group of shepherds in Bethlehem. (See Luke 1:13, 30, Matthew 1:20, Luke 2:10.) And the prophet Isaiah several times gives us the... Continue Reading →
How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling-place
Based on: Psalm 84 Core message: Holy places on earth can prepare us to return to God's presence. Related Book of Mormon passage: Mosiah 2:41
Acquainted with Grief
Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3, Mosiah 14:3) The word translated "sorrows" in this passage—makobot (מַכְאֹב֖וֹת)—means literally "pains," and the word translated "grief"—choli (חֱלִי)—means "sickness," so the passage is as much about physical suffering as it is about emotional anguish. Alma's reference to this passage... Continue Reading →
The Passover
The tenth and final plague which afflicted the Egyptians and which resulted in the liberation of the Israelites was the death of the oldest child in each family. Israelite families were spared, but only if they followed Moses' instruction to kill a lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood. The lamb had to be... Continue Reading →
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, He didn't introduce Himself as the Creator of the Universe or as the Father of all people. He didn't say where He lives or what He is trying to accomplish. Instead, He introduced Himself in terms of three of Moses's ancestors: I am the God of thy father, the God... Continue Reading →
The Living Christ and the Book of Mormon
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles is a proclamation published by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 1 January 2000. The document speaks of the Savior's mission before birth, during His mortal ministry, and after His death and resurrection, including in our day. It also testifies that He... Continue Reading →
Mighty to Save
Isaiah describes the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in the form of a dialogue between the people and the Savior. The people are caught off guard by His arrival and by His appearance. They ask, "Who is this that cometh from Edom [a country south of Israel with whom Israel had had significant conflict], with dyed garments from Bozrah [a... Continue Reading →
Integrity
The Hebrew word tom (תֹּם) means completeness, blamelessness, or innocence. The plural form—tummim (תֻּמִים)—represents part of a tool used by the high priest to receive revelation: the Urim and Thummim. In the King James Version of the Bible, tom and the feminine form tummah (תֻּמָּה) are often translated "integrity." That word, which is related to... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 