John wrote that we can become like God. "When he shall appear, we shall be like him," he wrote, "for we shall see him as he is." Then, he added, "[Everyone] that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" (1 John 3:2-3). Mormon described a similar future state for those... Continue Reading →
Every Word
As the children of Israel prepared to enter the promised land, Moses asked them to consider some of the lessons of their sojourn in the wilderness. One of those lessons came from the food they ate: manna, which mysteriously appeared every morning except the sabbath in sufficient portions to provide them with physical nourishment. (See... Continue Reading →
How to Worship
In an 1833 revelation to Joseph Smith, the Lord said: I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.Doctrine and Covenants 93:19, italics added Worship is an expression... Continue Reading →
Enlightened
God can not only reveal information to us; He can also help us improve our ability to acquire knowledge and to use it wisely. The prophet Mormon indicated that we already have these abilities: "The Spirit of Christ is given to every man [and woman], that he [or she] may know good from evil" (Moroni... Continue Reading →
“Ye Are Gods”
In one of the Psalms, after urging us to see other people as God sees them, the author (Asaph) makes the following startling assertion: I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.Psalm 82:6 Most people who believe in God would agree that we are His children. But the first half of the... Continue Reading →
Not Grudgingly
A generous person isn't just someone who gives a lot. It's someone who gives a lot because they want to. Moses taught the ancient Israelites not only to give to those in need, but to do so with the right attitude: If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within... Continue Reading →
The Father of Lights
Shortly after encouraging us to seek wisdom from God, James explains why He is the best source of truth: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.James 1:17 With the twin imagery of gifts and light, James emphasizes that God is the ultimate source of all... Continue Reading →
“A Knowledge of the Goodness of God” – Mosiah 4:5-6
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above," wrote James (James 1:17). "All things which are good cometh of God," said Mormon (Moroni 7:12). And after King Benjamin's people came to "a knowledge of the goodness of God," he told them that it was important for them to retain that awareness and remembrance on an ongoing basis (Mosiah 4:5-6, 11).... Continue Reading →
Peaceable Things
In December of 1830, the Lord promised Edward Partridge that he would receive the Holy Ghost, which would teach him "the peaceable things of the kingdom" (Doctrine and Covenants 36:2). The following month, He made the same promise to James Covill (Doctrine and Covenants 39:6), and a month after that, He extended the promise to... Continue Reading →
Elias
I've been thinking today about two Old Testament prophecies, both of which are associated with John the Baptist, but both of which have much broader applicability. Isaiah prophesied that, following the Babylonian captivity, there would be a voice in the wilderness, crying "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a... Continue Reading →
