This one hit me…
of Great Worth
Jun 17
Nephi quotes Isaiah 48 & 49 and then comments on them in 1 Nephi 22. He specifically talks about a ‘marvelous work’ among the Gentiles. We’ve heard the phrase “A Marvelous Work and a Wonder” before, but what is he specifically talking about?
4 And behold, there are many who are already lost from the knowledge of those who are at Jerusalem. Yea, the more part of all the atribes have been bled away; and they are cscattered to and fro upon the disles of the sea; and whither they are none of us knoweth, save that we know that they have been led away.
5 And since they have been led away, these things have been prophesied concerning them, and also concerning all those who shall hereafter be scattered and be confounded, because of the Holy One of Israel; for against him will they aharden their hearts; wherefore, they shall be scattered among all nations and shall be bhated of all men.
6 Nevertheless, after they shall be anursed by the bGentiles, and the Lord has lifted up his hand upon the Gentiles and set them up for a standard, and their cchildren have been carried in their arms, and their daughters have been carried upon their shoulders, behold these things of which are spoken are temporal; for thus are the covenants of the Lord with our fathers; and it meaneth us in the days to come, and also all our brethren who are of the house of Israel.
7 And it meaneth that the time cometh that after all the house of Israel have been scattered and confounded, that the Lord God will raise up a mighty nation among the aGentiles, yea, even upon the face of this land; (American Nation) and by them shall our seed be bscattered. (Scattering of Natives across North, Central, and South America)
8 And after our seed (Seed = Posterity) is scattered the Lord God will proceed to do a amarvelous work among the bGentiles, (Gentiles = us) which shall be of great cworth unto our seed; wherefore, it is likened unto their being nourished by the dGentiles and being carried in their arms and upon their shoulders.
9 And it shall also be of aworth unto the Gentiles; and not only unto the Gentiles but bunto all the chouse of Israel, unto the making known of the dcovenants of the Father of heaven unto Abraham, saying: In thy eseed shall all the kindreds of the earth be fblessed. (1 Nephi 22:4–9)
An Ensign to the Nations
Jun 13
The Prophet Isaiah prophesied that in the Last Days the Lord would set up an “Ensign to the Nations.” I’ve always wondered what this Ensign would be. I think the prophet Nephi knew what it was and he told us using plainness.
“And he will lift up an aensign to the nations from far, and will bhiss unto them from the cend of the earth: and, behold, they shall dcome with speed swiftly:” (Isa 5:26)
“And he shall set up an aensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” (Isa 11:12)
The Prophet Nephi was very interested in Isaiah’s words. I say “words” because understanding the Ensign requires an understanding of Nephi’s fascination with “words”. Read the rest of this entry »
The Bridge Builder
Feb 28
President Thomas S. Monson
First Counselor in the First Presidency
Jesus Christ . . . has built the bridges over which we must cross if we are to reach our heavenly home.
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Many years ago I read a book entitled The Way to the Western Sea, by David S. Lavender. It provides a fascinating account of the epic journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they led their famed expedition across the North American continent to discover an overland route to the Pacific Ocean.
Their trek was a nightmare of backbreaking toil, deep gorges which had to be crossed, and extensive travel by foot, carrying with them their supply-laden boats to find the next stream on which to make their way.
As I read of their experiences, I frequently mused, “If only there were modern bridges to span the gorges of the raging waters.” There came to my mind thoughts of magnificent bridges of our time which accomplish this task with ease: beautiful Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco fame; sturdy Sydney, Australia, Harbour Bridge; and others in many lands.
In reality, we are all travelers—even explorers of mortality. We do not have the benefit of previous personal experience. We must pass over steep precipices and turbulent waters in our own journey here on earth.
Elder W. Craig Zwick
Of the Seventy
If we will . . . walk hand in hand with Him in His paths, we will go forward with faith and never feel alone.
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In the eyes and hearts of many people in the world today, there is evidence of doubt, fear, and hopelessness. Much of the insecurity in the world has filtered into our homes and personal lives. No matter what our age or circumstance, we all have a need to know that we have power in the present and hope in the future.
Listen to the words of Mormon: “Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power?” (Mormon 5:23).
Hands are one of the symbolically expressive parts of the body. In Hebrew, yad, the most common word for “hand,” is also used metaphorically to mean power, strength, might (see William Wilson, Old Testament Word Studies [1978], 205). Thus, hands signify power and strength.
“My Words . . . Never Cease”
Feb 14
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
We invite all to inquire into the wonder of what God has said since biblical times and is saying even now.
President Monson, may I claim a moment of personal privilege?
As the first of the Brethren invited to speak following your singular message to the Church this morning, may I say something on behalf of all your Brethren of the General Authorities and indeed on behalf of all the Church.
Of the many privileges we have had in this historic conference, including participation in a solemn assembly in which we were able to stand and sustain you as prophet, seer, and revelator, I cannot help but feel that the most important privilege we have all had has been to witness personally the settling of the sacred, prophetic mantle upon your shoulders, almost as it were by the very hands of angels themselves. Those in attendance at last night’s general priesthood meeting and all who were present in the worldwide broadcast of this morning’s session have been eyewitness to this event. For all the participants, I express our gratitude for such a moment. I say that with love to President Monson and especially love to our Father in Heaven for the wonderful opportunity it has been to be “eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16), as the Apostle Peter once said.
Come Unto Christ
Feb 7
by Ezra Taft Benson
The major mission of the Book of Mormon, as recorded on its title page, is “to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.”
The honest seeker after truth can gain the testimony that Jesus is the Christ as he prayerfully ponders the inspired words of the Book of Mormon.
Over one-half of all the verses in the Book of Mormon refer to our Lord. Some form of Christ’s name is mentioned more frequently per verse in the Book of Mormon than even in the New Testament.
He is given over one hundred different names in the Book of Mormon. Those names have a particular significance in describing His divine nature.
Let us consider some of the attributes of our Lord, as found in the Book of Mormon, that show that Jesus is the Christ. Then let us confirm each of those attributes about Him with a brief quote from the Book of Mormon.
He is Alive: “The life of the world… a life which is endless.” (Mosiah 16:9.)
He is Constant: “The same yesterday, today, and forever.” (2 Nephi 27:23.)
Finding Joy in the Journey
Jan 31
President Thomas S. Monson
Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family.
My dear brothers and sisters, I am humbled as I stand before you this morning. I ask for your faith and prayers in my behalf as I speak about those things which have been on my mind and which I have felt impressed to share with you.
I begin by mentioning one of the most inevitable aspects of our lives here upon the earth, and that is change. At one time or another we’ve all heard some form of the familiar adage: “Nothing is as constant as change.”
Throughout our lives, we must deal with change. Some changes are welcome; some are not. There are changes in our lives which are sudden, such as the unexpected passing of a loved one, an unforeseen illness, the loss of a possession we treasure. But most of the changes take place subtly and slowly.
This conference marks 45 years since I was called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. As the junior member of the Twelve then, I looked up to 14 exceptional men, who were senior to me in the Twelve and the First Presidency. One by one, each of these men has returned home. When President Hinckley passed away eight months ago, I realized that I had become the senior Apostle. The changes over a period of 45 years that were incremental now seem monumental.
Come unto Him
Jan 24
Elder Neil L. Andersen
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
I do know with perfect and certain clarity through the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, the Beloved Son of God.
My dear brothers and sisters across the world, my knees are weak and my emotions close to the surface. I express my love for you and profoundly thank you for your sustaining vote. In so many dimensions, I feel inadequate and humbled.
I take solace that in one qualification for the holy apostleship where there can be no latitude extended, the Lord has deeply blessed me. I do know with perfect and certain clarity through the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, the Beloved Son of God.
There is no man with more love than President Thomas S. Monson. His warmth is as the sunshine at midday. Yet, as he extended to me this sacred call, you can imagine the overwhelming soberness I felt as the eyes of the prophet of God peered deeply into the chambers of my soul. Happily, you can also imagine the love I felt from the Lord and from His prophet as President Monson wrapped his long and loving arms around me. I love you, President Monson.
South Carolina Columbia Mission | Christlike Affirmations
I focus on Christ. I think and act in a Christlike manner. I immerse myself in the scriptures and feast on the words of Christ. I know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. I exercise faith. I visualize my prayers being answered and see myself reaching my goals. I love my fellowmen. I love the Lord and His Son, Jesus Christ. I like and appreciate myself. I look for qualities I like in all people. I smile and contact everyone I meet. I am trustworthy. I am totally obedient, dependable, honest, and worthy of the companionship of the Holy Spirit. I am prayerful. I begin and end each day with prayer. I seek inspiration from the spirit. My heart is full, drawn out in prayer continually. I am a challenging and testifying missionary. I testify with boldness at every opportunity. As to my strength, I am weak; but with God’s strength, I can do all things. I speak to everyone I meet about the Savior and the Restoration of His church. I am diligent. I press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. I have a sense of urgency in being about my Father’s business. I am excited about my work. I find, teach, and baptize. I am happy. My joy is full. I am a positive person. My thoughts are filled with gratitiude, virtue, hope, charity, and love. I love my mission, my companions, and all the people I meet. I savor every minute and make every minute and every hour count. I am committed. I always give my best effort to find, teach, and baptize. I am patient. I am persistant. I cannot bear that any human soul should perish. I am valiant in my testimony of Jesus.