Before the children of Israel were delivered, God taught them how to commemorate their deliverance. Before the Savior's sacrifice, He taught His disciples how to remember the event. Remembering is intentionally retaining things of enduring value.
Baptized with Fire
John the Baptist described the effect of the Holy Ghost with a striking metaphor: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. Matthew 3:11; see also Luke 3:16 As far as I know, that is the only place... Continue Reading →
From Their Sins
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 →
Justice
Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren explained how compassion sparked within her a yearning for justice: I rarely resonate with the image of Jesus as a judge. I gravitate to my hippie version of Jesus, with a flower tucked behind his ear. I'm drawn to his grace, his kindness, his beauty. But when I encounter those... Continue Reading →
My Fortress
Based on: Psalm 46 Core message: "God is our refuge...a very present help in time of trouble." He is not distant and detached. He is aware of us and willing to help.. Related Book of Mormon passages: Helaman 5:12, 2 Nephi 4:30
Quiet, but Piercing
As Elijah sat in a cave on Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai), he learned an important lesson about hearing God. Through the mouth of the cave, he witnessed three powerful and destructive natural forces: a "great and strong wind," an earthquake, and a fire. Elijah's observation was that the Lord was not in... Continue Reading →
The Voice of the People
When the prophet Samuel was old, he tried to appoint his sons to succeed him as leaders over Israel. But the Israelites were not willing to follow his sons, and they requested that he appoint a king. Samuel was troubled. He didn't think it wise to give one person that much power, and he thought... 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 →
Governed by the Law
"Let no man break the laws of the land," said the Lord in an 1831 revelation to Joseph Smith, "for he that keepeth the laws of God hath no need to break the laws of the land" (Doctrine and Covenants 58:21). Jesus taught the same principle during His earthly ministry, "Render...unto Caesar the things which... Continue Reading →
Mother Eve
Among the biblical characters Joseph F. Smith saw in his vision of the Redemption of the Dead, was "our glorious Mother Eve" (Doctrine and Covenants 138:39). In the Hebrew Bible, her name appears as Chavvah (חַוָּה), which means "life." She was given this name because she was "the mother of all living," or in other... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 