The clothing Aaron wore in the ancient tabernacle had profound significance. God instructed Moses, "Thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2). This clothing reminded everyone, including Aaron himself, of his role in bringing the children of Israel closer to God. The articles of clothing included: A blue robe, with... Continue Reading →
Wise Hearted
To build the tabernacle, Moses needed all who were "willing hearted" to donate materials. (See Exodus 25:2, Exodus 35:5, 21-22, 29.) He also needed people who were "wise hearted" to donate labor. (See Exodus 28:3, Exodus 31:6, Exodus 35:10, 25, Exodus 36:1, 2, 8.) What does it mean to be wise hearted? You can tell... Continue Reading →
Unhewn
After delivering the Ten Commandments to Moses, the Lord provided a rather surprising instruction regarding formal worship: If thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.Exodus 20:25 Hewn stones are stones that have been cut or shaped.... Continue Reading →
Sanctified
In 1832, as missionaries returned from various parts of the United States to Kirtland, Ohio, Joseph Smith received a revelation about how to receive the power of God. Without God's power, the revelation taught, no one can see God's face and live. Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought... Continue Reading →
The Red Sea and Real Intent
There were chariots behind them, sand dunes on every side, and just a lot of water immediately ahead. He needed information all right—what to do—but it wasn’t a casual thing he was asking. In this case it was literally a matter of life and death.Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Case Not Away Therefore Your Confidence," Brigham... Continue Reading →
“Put Off Thy Shoes”
When God appeared to Moses "in the midst of a bush" on Mount Horeb, He said, "put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground" (Exodus 3:5). This action was a meaningful metaphor for the purity we seek as we approach God. By virtue of living in this world, we all pick... Continue Reading →
We Need Our Ancestors—and They Need Us
The word "fathers" appears 182 times in the Book of Mormon, usually meaning "ancestors." For example: On the title page, we read that one of the purposes of the book is "to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers."Lehi was delighted to find... 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 →
Endowed with Power
The Greek word enduo (ἐνδύω) means "to clothe." In the New Testament it is sometimes used literally (Mark 1:6: "John was clothed with camel's hair." ) and sometimes figuratively (Galatians 3:27: "As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.") In the King James Version of the Bible, the word... Continue Reading →
The Great Commission
After His death and resurrection, Jesus gave His disciples an expansive assignment, often called the Great Commission. He told them to preach the gospel to everyone in the world, and He promised to bless everyone who believed in Him. Here is the commission, as recorded by Matthew and by Mark: Matthew 28:19-20Mark 16:15-18Go ye therefore,... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 