A major part of discipleship is letting things go. Jesus told his apostles what not to pack, how not to plan for speeches, and how to move on when treated badly. The principle is simple: find joy by focusing on the most important things.
Investing for the Future in Troubled Times
Jeremiah bought land. If you're wondering about the significance of that transaction, consider the following: Prophets since Moses had foretold the captivity of the children of Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem. Jeremiah had told the people clearly that this event was no longer in the distant future. It was going to happen to them... Continue Reading →
Out of the Dust
What do you do when you feel like you're not being heard or understood? In the middle of a prophecy about the restoration of the gospel, just before introducing the symbolism of a sealed book, the prophet Isaiah shared an image which became meaningful to the writers of the Book of Mormon: Thou shalt be... Continue Reading →
“Up, Make Us Gods”
Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.Isaiah 2:8, 2 Nephi 12:8 When Moses delayed coming down from Mount Sinai, the Israelites became restless. Turning to Moses' second in command, Aaron, they demanded that he create idols for them to worship, following the pattern... Continue Reading →
His Hands Were Steady
Not long after the children of Israel escaped from the Egyptian army through the Red Sea, they confronted a new enemy. In a place called Rephidim, they were attacked by the Amalekites. God told Moses to stand on the top of a hill and hold up his rod—the same rod that he had held over... Continue Reading →
Abram and Lot: No Strife
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.Proverbs 17:14 As Abram and his nephew Lot returned from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, there was a dispute among their people. Instead of letting the issue fester, Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray... 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 →
Anointed
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Isaiah 61:1 To anoint is to "smear or rub with oil, typically as part of a religious ceremony," and is often associated with a person taking on a significant... Continue Reading →
“Plead the Cause of the Poor and Needy”
Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord issued a clear warning to political leaders: Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!Isaiah 10:1-2, 2 Nephi... Continue Reading →
Widows and Orphans
In April 1832, the Lord provided specific instructions to the church on caring for those "who have lost their husbands or fathers." If they lack the resources to support themselves, the combined resources of the church—the Lord's storehouse—is available to them. "The storehouse shall be kept by the consecrations of the church," He said; "and widows and... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 