God communicates with us in many ways. King Nebuchadnezzar received messages in dreams. (See Daniel 2, Daniel 4.) His son Belshazzar received a more dramatic message in a way that he could not ignore. As he hosted a drunken feast and disrespectfully drank from the cups which had been used for sacred ordinances in the... Continue Reading →
Finding Grace
When Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, arrived in Bethlehem, they needed a way to obtain food. Ruth said, "Let me now go to the field, and glean [fallen grain] after him in whose sight I shall find grace" (Ruth 2:2). Even though the law required farmers to leave their extra grain for the poor, she... Continue Reading →
Heavenly Help
When Abraham sent his most senior servant on a difficult mission—to find a wife for his son Isaac—the servant had some concerns. But Abraham reassured him that he would not be alone: The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto... Continue Reading →
An Help, Meet for Him
After Lehi and his family left Jerusalem but before they began their journey to the promised land in earnest, the Lord told Lehi that his group was incomplete. He said "that it was not meet" for Lehi to "take his family into the wilderness alone; but that his sons should take daughters to wife" (1... Continue Reading →
Glory
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.Psalm 24:9-10 What is glory? The word appears 225 times in the King James Version of the Old Testament,... Continue Reading →
“My Time Is at Hand” – 3 Nephi 17:1
Near the end of the first day of the Savior's ministry on the American continent, He announced to the people that it would soon be time for Him to leave. "Behold, my time is at hand," He said, explaining that He was returning to His Father before going to visit another group of people (3... Continue Reading →
Sixteen Cities
After the destruction which coincided with the death of Jesus Christ, while the survivors sat in darkness and pondered what had happened, they heard the voice of the Savior. He listed sixteen cities that had been destroyed, and explained why this had happened. There is a lot of repetition in this passage, including a refrain... Continue Reading →
“Highly Favored” – Alma 9:20-24
Jesus said, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48). In 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation for the church in which the Lord taught the same principle: "For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive... Continue Reading →
Lost
Why is it so hard for us to admit when we are lost? For some reason, we find comfort and stability in knowing where we are. There is something unnerving about not knowing our location. And we certainly don't like other people suggesting that we are in that situation. To be lost is to be... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Affirm?
This is the second in a series of posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. In yesterday's post, I discussed what the Book of Mormon is. Today, I will discuss what the Book of Mormon affirms. The Book of Mormon affirms many truths. As I've pondered this question today, I've... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 