Even as Paul expressed gratitude for the love demonstrated by the Thessalonians, he urged them to "increase and abound in love." The same pattern appears in a sermon by Mormon. We can increase in love both by loving more people and by loving people more.
Sufficient and Abounding Grace
God's grace is sufficient to meet our needs. We can be settled and stable knowing this. His grace also abounds toward us. For what purpose? So that we can in turn abound in good works, sharing that grace with other people.
None Other Name
Peter taught that there is "none other name" by which we can be saved, except the name of Jesus Christ. When we use His name properly, and when we take His name upon ourselves, we receive His power.
“That They Might Know Thee”
Knowing, loving, and following God are more interconnected than we realize. We come to know Him as we serve Him. We love Him more when we keep His commandments. As our relationship with Him grows, we become more like Him, so that we can see Him as He is.
Thy Name, My Name
I spent the day yesterday serving with some people I haven’t seen in a long time. I was gratified when some of them who I don't know very well remembered my name (and when I remembered some of their names). Names are important. We like it when other people remember our names and when they... Continue Reading →
We Love Thy House
Based on: Psalm 26 Core message: We long to be in sacred spaces because we look forward to being in God's presence. Related Book of Mormon passages: 2 Nephi 12, 2 Nephi 19:2-3
Josiah and Benjamin
Today I've been thinking about the parallels between two kings: Josiah, who reigned over Judah just before the Babylonian captivity (640-609 BCE), and Benjamin, who reigned over the Nephites about 500 years later. Both kings led their people in a spiritual reawakening. Here are some of their common experiences: ExperienceJosiahBenjaminInspired by the scripturesWas horrified when... Continue Reading →
Permanent Promises
How long can you sustain a commitment? This may be one of the great challenges of mortality. Do you promise to do something one day, but change your mind later when you feel differently? Obviously, if you only do what you feel like doing at any given moment, you're unlikely to accomplish anything of any... Continue Reading →
Joshua and the Book of Mormon
This week, I reviewed the book of Joshua, summarizing the content of each chapter and identifying related Book of Mormon passages. The book can be divided into four parts: The children of Israel prepare to enter the promised land (chapters 1-5)With divine intervention, they conquer various cities in the land of Canaan (chapters 6-12)Land is... Continue Reading →
With One Voice
After Moses relayed to his people all of the laws which God had revealed to him on Mount Sinai, they responded "with one voice:" "All the words which the Lord hath said will we do" (Exodus 24:3). Years later, the people of King Benjamin responded to his final sermon with a longer declaration. Once again, we are... Continue Reading →