Help Is Coming

(25 Aug 2020) I am in a spirit of fasting and prayer this morning for an ecclesiastical matter, lending my assistance to our branch president in making a decision. However, the Lord has seen it fit to bless me with some additional help in personal family affairs at the same time, which have pretty much …

Zion Shall Be Redeemed

Isaiah 1 This introductory chapter illustrates quite vividly the issues at hand: Israel has departed from righteousness, and has sold herself for sin. There is also here both and invitation to return and also the hopeful prophecy that Zion will be redeemed. Righteousness herein is defined as: Learning to do well Seeking judgment Relieving the …

The Words of Isaiah

3 Nephi 20 In Christ’s ministry to the Nephites as recorded in 3 Nephi, there are three times (3 Nephi 16:17–20; 20:11-12; 23:1–3) where the Savior commends the words of Isaiah to our study, stating that these words shall all be fulfilled. Of all the prophets, Isaiah is the prophet that Christ points to as being …

I Am the Light

3 Nephi 18 (Note: There is a natural man repulsion to the doctrines found in this chapter. I feel that this is the adversary’s affront to some of the most important principles of the Gospel of Christ: Sacrament, Family Prayer, and Ministering. The reality is this chapter is a point of culmination in the Savior’s …

Through Christ Which Strengtheneth Me

Philippians 4:13 I was contemplating a similar phrase that was in my head, “through Christ who healeth me.” That is not scripture, but it was a more accurate description of my current state. But the actual scripture is richer in meaning. Footnotes take me to 1 Timothy and Alma 26: And I thank Christ Jesus …

The Eye Hath Not Seen, Neither Hath The Ear Heard, Before, So Great and Marvelous Things

3 Nephi 17 There is phrase in this chapter that has long left me puzzled as to its placement here. It is a lamentation of the House of Israel found in verse 14: And it came to pass that when they had knelt upon the ground, Jesus groaned within himself, and said: Father, I am …

On the Gathering and Other Sheep

3 Nephi 15:11-24; 16 Now in the second half of chapter 15, the Savior takes pains to say that this people (the Nephite people) were those that Christ said would hear his voice. He repeats this in such a way as to suggest that this was a literal statement of fact. Clarifying the point further, …

Him Will I Raise Up

3 Nephi 15:1-10 At the end of the first verse, the Savior gives the promise of being raised up. The footnotes, show that this promise was reiterated by prophets throughout the scriptures, especial in the Book of Mormon and strongly ties obedience to the commandments of the Lord with the first Resurrection. The next nine …