Isaiah prophesied that a virgin would bear a son and call him "Immanuel," which means "God with us." As Abinadi testified, God Himself came to earth. Jesus fulfilled that prophecy. We are not only walking toward God and Christ. We are walking with Them.
Numbered with the Transgressors
Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be "numbered among the transgressors." He did this in at least 4 ways: 1. He became mortal. 2. He spent time with sinners. 3. He was condemned and punished like a sinner. 4. He absorbed the consequences of our sins.
Them Which Sat with Him at Meat
King Herod and King Noah both made tragic mistakes because they feared the people around them. We can also fall into the trap of valuing other people's approval over God's approval. One key is to not let people pressure you to make decisions too quickly.
“What Shall We Do Unto the Queen?”
It is generally a good idea to check in with experienced and capable people before making a significant decision. They may help you look at the problem from different perspectives, and they may recommend options you hadn't thought of. Hearing from a variety of people can enrich your experience and help you make better decisions... Continue Reading →
Your Past Does Not Define You
I was struck this morning by something Elder S. Gifford Nielsen observed about Joshua: He was raised as a slave in Egypt. How did he become the successor of Moses, leading the children of Israel into the promised land? Certainly not by dwelling on his own weaknesses or lack of qualifications. Here is Elder Nielsen’s... Continue Reading →
“To Seal the Testimony”
Talk is cheap. It's easy to say something, and in many circumstances the speaker pays no price if their words are inaccurate. When we need more certainty that a person is telling the truth, we take formal steps to increase our confidence. For example, in court, we have witnesses swear an oath before they testify,... Continue Reading →
Stirred Up
What would possess a group of people to invade and occupy their own Capitol Building while their elected representatives were conducting official government business on their behalf? How could they convince themselves that this action was morally acceptable, or that it was even helpful to their cause? The troubling events this week in the United... Continue Reading →
Truth
Our relationship with the truth is a fundamental part of our moral character. The prophet Jacob defined "truth" as "things as they really are, and...things as they really will be"(Jacob 4:13). (See also Doctrine and Covenants 93:24.) The Lord revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith that "All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed... Continue Reading →
Martyrdom
A martyr is a witness. The word "martyr" appears three times in the King James version of the Bible. It is a translation of the Greek word martus (μάρτυς), which is translated many other places as "witness." Perhaps standing up for what is right always requires some courage, but when a person is willing to... Continue Reading →
“I Have Told You the Truth” – Mosiah 13:4, 7
It's not just about the message; it's also about the messenger. Alma was convinced of the truthfulness of the gospel when he heard Abinadi preach in King Noah's court. Abinadi's words were true, but he was persuasive not only because of his message. He was persuasive because of the personal sacrifice he was willing to... Continue Reading →