With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.Job 12:12 There are many reasons for us to love and respect Adam and Eve. As the first man and woman on the earth, they pioneered the way for us, learning by experience so many things which we take for granted.They made our mortal experience possible, making... Continue Reading →
Every Nation, Kindred, Tongue, and People
In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John repeatedly uses four words to convey the expansiveness of God's saving work: He sees heavenly beings worshipping Jesus Christ and acknowledging that He has redeemed them "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Revelation 5:9).He later sees a huge crowd, "of all nations, and kindreds,... 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 →
“His Judgments Are Just” – Mosiah 16:1
I wrote yesterday about Abinadi's commitment to the truth and his willingness to sacrifice convenience, status, and even his life for it. He maintained this integrity in spite of severe personal hardship because he was able to take the long view. As he told King Noah and his priests, "I finish my message; and then... Continue Reading →
“Swallowed Up in Christ” – Mosiah 16:8
I've been thinking today about Abinadi's testimony that "the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ" (Mosiah 16:8). Abinadi was likely familiar with Isaiah's prophecy that the Lord would one day "swallow up death in victory" (Isaiah 25:8). He knew that this passage referred to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of His resurrection,... Continue Reading →
The Arms of Mercy
All 26 verses of Psalm 136 end with the same phrase: "For his mercy endureth forever." Here is one of the verses from that psalm, which celebrates the Lord's power to deliver the children of Israel from captivity in Egypt: With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for... Continue Reading →
What Is the “Resurrection of Damnation?”
Early in His mortal ministry, Jesus taught a group of people about the authority the Father had given to Him, including the responsibility to judge us after we die: For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to... Continue Reading →
How Much Power Does the Devil Have?
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how to overcome temptation. A friend of mine asked me to consider the following question: How much power does the devil have over us? Does he have any power at all if we choose not to listen to him? It's a good question, and the Book of Mormon... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Add to Our Understanding of the Resurrection?
References to the resurrection appear only a couple of times in the Old Testament: Job testifies to his friends, "Though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:26). Ezekiel describes a vision in which dry bones (representing the house of Israel) are miraculously covered with sinews,... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Be Saved “In and Through” the Grace of God?
A friend pointed out to me today that the phrase "in and through" appears seven times in the Book of Mormon, always in reference to Jesus Christ. He wanted to know the significance of the phrase. Here are the seven passages: Lehi: "Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full... Continue Reading →
