Paul gave credit to God for every good thing he had accomplished or become. Benjamin, Alma, and Mormon likewise expressed gratitude for God's grace. We must not deny nor forget the power by which we are supported, delivered, and sanctified
Only by His Grace
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul testifies that we are justified only by God's grace. Lehi, Jacob, and Nephi taught the same principle. When we recognize that we need Him, we will seek to align ourselves with Him, so that we can receive His power.
Void of Offense
King Benjamin, Paul, and Joseph Smith all declared their adherence to conscience. Paul said that he "exercise[d] himself" to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. We can also be intentional about heeding our conscience.
“If Ye Love Me…”
When we love God, we want to follow His guidance. Obedience without love is not sustainable, but the good news is that as we keep God's commandments, our love for Him grows. This piece by Thomas Tallis is based on the words of Jesus at the Last Supper.
The Sheep and the Wayfaring Man
The hymn "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" elaborates on the types of service described in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. As we serve others and meet their needs, we are blessed immediately, and we become more prepared to return to God's presence.
Servant Leadership
Jesus taught that leaders in God's kingdom do not place themselves above others. They focus on serving and ministering to those they lead. In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin and Ammon demonstrated this kind of leadership.
The Zeal of Thine House
Jesus felt strongly about treating the temple with reverence. When He drove out the moneychangers, His apostles remembered the words of David, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." Our reverence for the temple reflects our reverence for God.
“Exact No More…”
John the Baptist answered the same question asked by three groups of people: "What shall we do." All three of his answers are based on the same underlying principle, a principle which King Benjamin also exemplified and taught: Don't take more than you should. Discipline yourself to not abuse the power you have.
Repentance and Resolutions
January is a good time to repent. Setting resolutions can be part of a pattern of change which can lead to incremental improvement throughout the year. Here are some of my resolutions for 2023.
“Consider Your Ways”
Sometimes we spend a lot of time and energy on activities which are not aligned with our goals and priorities. We can reduce that waste with a little self-reflection and self-discipline. "Consider your ways," said the prophet Haggai to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough;... Continue Reading →