During a Sunday lesson, our Bishop asked what scriptures we turn to when we need to find extra strength. During the next several weeks, I wondered which ones I would choose. I started reading through the verses I had marked in my scriptures over the years. I decided to make a list of the scriptures I had marked. As I created the list, I realized they could be grouped into various themes. This list has been something I turn to often as a way to study my scriptures.
My Ways Higher Than Your Ways – fear the Lord, not man (Theme)
1 Peter 5:7 Casting
all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (Why should this anxious load,
press down your weary mind?
Isaiah 55:8-9 For
my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the
Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Jacob 4:8,10 No
man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren,
despise not the revelations of God. Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel
the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know
that he counseleth in wisdom and in great mercy.
Mosiah 2:36 If ye
should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do
withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord that it may have no place in
you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered and
preserved—
Abraham 2:8 My
name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore, my hand
shall be over thee.
2 Nephi 9:20 O
how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not
anything save he knows it.
Alma 26:35 For he
has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things,
and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation.
Elder Bednar, 10/2013 We
also will remember the Lord’s declaration, “For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are
higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8–9
I testify that as we are
spiritually attentive and observant, we will be blessed with eyes that see more
clearly, ears that hear more consistently, and hearts that understand more
fully the significance and subtlety of His ways, His thoughts, and His
blessings in our lives.
Pres. Benson 10-1967 God does not have to justify all his
ways for the puny mind of man. If a man gets in tune with the Lord, he will
know that God's course of action is right, even though he may not know all the
reasons why.
“We must be willing
to place all that we have—not just our possessions (they may be the easiest
things of all to give up), but also our ambition and pride and stubbornness and
vanity—we must place it all on the altar of God, kneel there in silent
submission, and willingly walk away. “I believe what I am describing here is
the scriptural definition of a saint, one who will ‘yield to the enticings of
the Holy Spirit.’” Elder Holland, BYU Devotional
The Savior
D&C 32:3
(calling of missionaries) I am their advocate with the Father, and nothing
shall prevail against them.
2 Ne 25:26 We
talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of
Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to
what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
Mosiah 3:7 And
lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue,
even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood
cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and
the abominations of his people.
Alma 7:11-12 And
He shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every
kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon
him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.... And he will take upon him
their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the
flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people
according to their infirmities.
Alma 38: 8-9 And
never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive
a remission of my sins. There is no other way or means whereby man can be
saved, only in and through Christ, Behold, he is the life and the light of the
world.
Helaman 5:9 Yea,
remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only
through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that
he cometh to redeem the world.
Helaman 5:12 And
now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who
is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the
devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea,
when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no
power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because
of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation
whereon if men build they cannot fall.
3 Nephi 18:7 And
this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, which I have shown unto you. And it
shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye
do always remember me ye shall have my Spirit to be with you. …and this doth
witness to the father.
Ether 12:41 And
now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles
have written, that the grace of God the Father; and also the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you
forever.
Grace & the Strength
of the Lord All based on the Atonement
Theme: Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, he can ease
our burdens by strengthening us
Theme: When we know the strength of the Lord is the only
reason we made it, we will know of a surety the Lord helps his people and that
he is the only reason we can perform miracles.
Theme: The Lord gives us weakness so we have to be humble
and rely on His atonement
BURDENS: Mosiah
24:14-15 I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders,
that even you cannot feel them upon your backs; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and
that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their
afflictions. ...Yea the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up
their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to
all the will of the Lord.
THORNS 2 Corinthians
12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of
the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I
besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My
grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I
take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions,
in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
WEAKNESS Ether 12:27 And
if men come unto me I will show unto
them their weakness. I give unto men
weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men
that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and
have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
BURDENS: Alma 33:23
Plant this word in your hearts...nourish it by your faith...And then may God
grant unto you that your burdens may
be light, through the joy of his son. And even all this can ye do if ye will.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1 Ne 1:20 I,
Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all
those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty, even
unto the power of deliverance.
1 Ne 3:7 For I
know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he
shall prepare a way for them that they many accomplish the thing which he
commandeth them.
Strength of the Lord
Alma 26:12 In his
strength I can do all things; yea behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought
in this land...and this because of the power of his word which is in us.
Alma 31:38 And he
also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save
it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ.
Alma 56:56 They
had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have
fought with such miraculous strength.
Alma 58:10-11 We
did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and
deliver us out of the hands of our enemies.
·
The Lord our God did visit us with assurances
that he would deliver us
·
He did speak peace to our souls
·
Did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us
that we should hope for our deliverance.
Helaman 4:13 and
because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own
strength, they were left in their own strength.
Ether 6:12 And
they did land upon the shore of the promised land...they bowed themselves down
upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did
shed tears of joy before the Lord,
because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them.
1 Peter 1:7 That
the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory
at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
“Not one of that
company ever apostatized or left the Church, because everyone of us came
through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted
with him in our extremities. The price we paid to become acquainted with God
was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the
Martin Handcart Company.”
Faith, Hope & Charity - Connection
3 Nephi 7:18 They
were angry with him, even because he had greater power than they, for it were
not possible that they could disbelieve his words, for so great was his faith
on the Lord Jesus Christ that angels did minister unto him daily.
Ether 12:4
Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world,
yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh
an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always
abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.
Ether 12:6 And
now, I Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto
the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore,
dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial
of your faith.
Ether 12:19 And
there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came,
who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the
things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad.
Ether 12:36 I
prayed unto the Lord that we would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity.
Moroni 7:41-42 Hope:
And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have
hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be
raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to
the promise. Wherefore, if a man
have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.
Moroni 7:43-44 Behold
I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek and lowly
of heart. If a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of
the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he
have not charity he is nothing.
Moroni 7:45 And
charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up,
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth in
the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,
endureth all things.
Moroni 7:46-47 If
ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth, Wherefore,
cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail –
But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is
found possessed of it at the last day, is shall be well with him.
Moroni 7:48
Wherefore, by beloved brethren, pray unto the father with all the energy of
heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all wo
are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of
God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him.
Moroni 8:26 And
the remission of sins bringeth meekness and lowliness of heart; and because of
meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which
Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence
unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with
God.
Conversion (a pattern)
2 Nephi 4:31-32
Wilt thou make me that I man shake at the appearance of sin? ...that I may be
strict in the plain road!
2 Nephi 31:20
Where ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect
brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men, Wherefore, if ye shall
press forward feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold,
thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
Omni 1 :26 I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy
One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption.
Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him. [Elder
Bednar quotes this then says: But earnestly
coming unto Him and
giving our whole souls as an offering requires much more than merely knowing.
Conversion requires all of our heart, all of our might, and all of our mind and
strength (see D&C 4:2).]
Mosiah 3:19 For
the natural man is an enemy to God and has been from the fall of Adam and will
be forever and ever unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and
putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ
the Lord and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of
love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon
him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Mosiah 5:2,4 We
know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent,
which has wrought a might change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but
to do good continually. And it is the faith which we have had on the things
which our king has spoken that has brought us to this great knowledge.
Mosiah 5:15 I
would that ye should be steadfast and immovable always abounding in good works,
that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought
to heaven.
Mosiah 18:8-10 As
ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and are willing to be called his
people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to morn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that
stand in need of comfort, and stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all
things, and in all places... what have you against being baptized in the name
of the Lord as a witness before him...that he may pour out his Spirit more
abundantly upon you?
Alma 5:14 Have ye
spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances?
Have ye experienced this might change in your hearts?
(For
more on the pattern found in these four scriptures, see Elder Russell M.
Nelson's talk, "Jesus Christ—the Master
Healer.”)
Alma 7:15 Lay
aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to
destruction.
Helaman 15:7 –8 [Elder Bednar: Samuel the Lamanite identified five
basic elements in becoming converted unto the Lord: (1) believing in the
teachings and prophecies of the holy prophets as they are recorded in the
scriptures, (2) exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, (3) repenting, (4)
experiencing a mighty change of heart, and (5) becoming “firm and steadfast in
the faith.” This is the pattern that leads to conversion.]
3 Nephi 9:20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken
heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a
contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as
the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion,
were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.
Be Converted that I May Heal You (The connection between conversion and being healed)
3 Nephi 9:13 O
all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not
now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal
you?
Isaiah 6:10 lest
they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their
heart, and convert, and be healed.
Matthew 13:15
Lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal
them.
D&C 112:13 And
after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel
after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks
against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them.
Sanctification
Mosiah 4:2 They
had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the
earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply
the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and
our hearts may be purified; for we
believe in Jesus Christ.
Mosiah 4:11 If ye
have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins,
which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye
should ... always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own
nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy
creatures, and humble yourselves even in
the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing
steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the
mouth of the angel. And behold, I say
unto you that if ye do this ye shall
always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a
remission of your sins; and ye shall
grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the
knowledge of that which is just and true.
Alma 13:11-12 And
were sanctified and their garments
were washed white through the blood of the Lamb. Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and
spotless before God, could not look upon
sin save it were with abhorrence.
Helaman 3:34-35 And
they were lifted up in pride, even to the persecution of many of their
brethren. Now this was a great evil, which did cause the more humble part of
the people to suffer great persecutions, and to wade through much affliction.
Nevertheless, they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in
their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ unto the filling
their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the
sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification
cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.
3 Nephi 24:3
(Malachi 3) And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall
purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer
unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
3 Nephi 27:20
Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception
of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
Moroni 10:32-33
Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all
ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God
with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you,
that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye
are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ,
and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified
in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ,
which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye
become holy, without spot.
The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead. He is a
personage of spirit and bears witness of all truth. In the scriptures, the Holy
Ghost is referred to as the Comforter, a teacher, and a revelator.
Additionally, the Holy Ghost is a sanctifier who cleanses and burns dross and
evil out of human souls as though by fire.
In the process of coming unto the Savior and spiritual
rebirth, receiving the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost in our lives creates
the possibility of an ongoing cleansing of our soul from sin. By the
sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost as our constant companion, we can always
retain a remission of our sins.
Personal Revelation/Prayer
Alma 33:11 Prayer
of Zenos: And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I
will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart
of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my
statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
1 Nephi 4:6-7 And
I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless,
I went forth...
1 Nephi 18:1-3
And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the
timbers of the ship. Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner
which was learned by men. And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did
pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.
1 Nephi 19:23 I
did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.
2 Nephi 32:3,9
for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. Ye
must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform anything unto the
Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of
Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance
may be for the welfare of thy soul.
Alma 7:23 I would
that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated...asking
for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always
returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.
Alma 8:10 Alma
labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would
pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city [Ammonihah]; that he
would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance. Nevertheless, they hardened their
hearts.
Alma 12:9 It is
given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless, they are laid under
a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of
his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed
and diligence which they give unto him.
Helaman 5:30, 44
When they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder,
neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as
if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul.
Helaman 5:43-45 They
saw that they were encircled about, yea every soul, by a pillar of fire... and they
were filled with that joy which is
unspeakable and full of glory. And behold, the Holy Spirit of God did come
down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if
with fire, and they could speak forth marvelous words. And it came to pass that
there came a voice unto them, yea, a
pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper...
3 Nephi 11:3, 5 and
it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and
notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the
center...yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts
to burn. And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their
ears to hear it.
Mormon 1:2 I
perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe.
Mormon 9:21,27-28
Whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father
in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all,
even unto the ends of the earth... Ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what
thing soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing...come unto
the Lord with all your heart. Ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but
ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will
serve the true and living God.
Moroni 7:16 For
behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from
evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for everything which
inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the
power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is
of God.
Moroni 7:26 Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name,
which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be
done unto you.
Daniel 3: 16-18 Have
faith in the Savior, not in hoped for outcomes (see Daniel) Related
quotes
Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are
not careful to answer thee in this matter [we don’t need to discuss this
matter]. If it be so, our God whom we
serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver
us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O
king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou
hast set up.
Humility vs. Pride (See Preach My Gospel)
What does it mean to be humble?
2 Nephi 9:28–29 When they are learned they think they are wise, and they
hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know
of themselves. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of
God.
Mosiah 4:11–12 I would that
ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and
our own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy
creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the
name of the Lord daily.
Topical Guide, “Humility, Humble”
What blessings do you
receive when you humble yourself?
Mosiah 4:11–12 Humble
yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord
daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come. If ye do
this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always
retain a remission of your sins; and he shall grow in the knowledge of the
glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and
true.
How can you recognize
pride in yourself?
Family & Parenting & Relationships
1 Nephi 18:1-3
And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the
timbers of the ship. Now I, Nephi, did not wok the timbers after the manner
which was learned by men. And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did
pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.
2 Nephi 25:28 I
have spoken plainly unto you that ye cannot misunderstand.
2 Nephi 33:4 I
know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people.
Jacob 2:8-9, 35 And
it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God,
yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul. And because of the strictness of
the word of God, which cometh down against you, many hearts died, pierced with
deep wounds.
Alma 4:18-20
[Alma] delivered the judgment-seat unto Nephihah. And this he did that he
himself might go forth among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word
of God unto them. Alma delivered up the judgment-seat to Nephihah, and confined
himself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of God.
Alma 6:6 They
should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in
behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God.
Alma 10:7 For he
[Alma] has fasted many days because of the sins of the people.
Alma 39:7 I would
not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your
good.
Alma 42:1,30 For
ye so try to suppose that it is injustice that the sinner should be consigned
to a state of misery. I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more.
Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by
denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy,
and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down
to the dust in humility.
Alma 46:40 But
not so much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many
plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to
which men were subject by the nature of the climate.
3 Nephi 11:29 He
that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is
the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with
anger, one with another.
3 Nephi 22:13 And
all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of
thy children.
3 Nephi 25:6 I
will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful
day of the Lord. And he shall turn [bind or seal J.S.] the heart of the fathers
to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come
and smite the earth with a curse.
Mormon 8:20
Behold what the scripture says – man shall not smite, neither shall he judge;
for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will
repay.
Moroni 8:2-3 My
beloved son, Moroni...I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually
praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he,
through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of
faith on his name to the end.
The Poor
A
few weeks ago we finished reading the Old Testament as a family. One of the
things that stood out to me was how often the Lord spoke of our responsibility
to care for the poor and needy. I think we often say to ourselves, "I
would definitely help the poor more if I had more money."
Few, if any, of the Lord’s
instructions are stated more often, or given more emphasis in the scriptures
than is the commandment that we members of his church take care of the poor.
2 Nephi 28:13
They rob the poor because of the fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of
their fine clothing;
Mosiah 4:26-27
For the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may
walk guiltless before God – I would that ye should impart of your substance to
the poor ... both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. And see
that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite
that a man should run faster than he has strength.
Alma 1:27, 30 And
they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had,
to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not
wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely. And they did not set their
hearts upon riches.
4 Nephi 1:3 And
they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor,
bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.
Mormon 8:36-37 I
know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few
only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the
wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and persecutions, and
all manner of iniquities. For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and
your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the
poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.
D&C 42:29–31 And
behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their
support … with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken. And inasmuch as ye
impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me.
D&C 52:40 Remember
… the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not
these things, the same is not my disciple.
D&C 56:16 Wo
unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your
riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of
visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the
summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!
Deuteronomy 15:11 For
the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying,
Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy,
in thy land.
Isaiah 3:15 What
mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor?
saith the Lord God of hosts.
Isaiah 58:6-9 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to
loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the
oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to
the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when
thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from
thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine
health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee;
then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer.
Matthew 25:34–40. Then
shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I
was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was
a stranger, and ye took me in, Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye
visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
D&C 42:39-40
For it shall come to pass, that which I spake by the mouths of my prophets
shall be fulfilled; for I will consecrate of the riches of those who embrace my
gospel among the Gentiles unto the poor of my people who are of the house of
Israel. And again, thou shalt not be proud in thy heart; let all thy garments be plain, and their beauty the beauty of the work
of thine own hands
See also:
President Dieter F.
Uchtdorf “Providing in the Lord’s Way”
President Henry B.
Eyring, “Is not this the Fast that I have Chosen?”
Satan’s Strategies & Effects
Mosiah 29:27 And
if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is
the time that the judgments of God will come upon you.
Alma
42:1,30 For ye so try to suppose that it is injustice that the sinner
should be consigned to a state of misery. I desire that ye should deny the
justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point
because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but
do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full
sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.
Alma 45:16 for
the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.
Helaman 6:30
Behold, it is he who is the author of all sin. And behold, he doth carry on his
works of darkness and secret murder, and doth hand down their plots, and their
oaths, and their covenants, and their plans of awful wickedness, from
generation to generation according to as he can get hold upon the hearts of the
children of men.
Helaman 7:5
Condemning the righteous because of their righteousness; letting the guilty go
unpunished because of their money.
Helaman 12:2-3
Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in
the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold...;
sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies;
softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against
them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his
people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget
the Lord their God – yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly
great prosperity. And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people
with ... they will not remember him.
Mormon 5:18 But
now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the
wind, or as a vessel is tossed about upon the waves, without sail or anchor, or
without anything wherewith to steer her; and even as she is, so are they.
Mormon 8:27, 31
And it shall come in a day when the blood of the saints shall cry unto the
Lord, because of secret combinations and the works of darkness. When there
shall be many who say, Do this, or do that, and it mattereth not, for the Lord
will uphold such at the last day.
Ether 8:23-25
Wherefore, O ye Gentiles... suffer not that these murderous combinations shall
get above you, which are built up to get power and gain. Wherefore, the Lord
commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall
awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination
which shall be among you. For whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the
freedom of all lands.
Moroni 7:12, 17
That which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and
fightest against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do
that which is evil continually. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil,
and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know
with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the
devil work, for he persuadeth no man to
do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject
themselves unto him.
See also:
Lessons from the War Chapters
Alma 48:7-9 While
Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the
other hand had been:
·
preparing the minds of the people to be faithful
unto the Lord their God.
·
Strengthening the armies of the Nephites,
·
Erecting small forts, or places of resort;
throwing up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and also building
walls of stone round about their cities
·
In their weakest fortifications he did place the
greater number of men
Alma 49:8 To
their uttermost astonishment, they were prepared for them, in a manner which
never had been known among the children of Lehi.
Alma 59:9 Moroni
had supposed that there should be men sent to the city of Nephihah, to the
assistance of the people to maintain that city, and knowing that it was easier
to keep the city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it
from them, he supposed that they would easily maintain that city. [Easier to
maintain than to regain—health, car, spirituality.]
Alma 61:15 Come
unto me speedily with a few of your men, and leave the remainder in the charge
of Lehi and Teancum; give unto them power to conduct the war in that part of
the land according to the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom
which is in them.
Final Come unto Christ Pleas from Book of Mormon Writers
Lehi:
2 Nephi 2:6-8 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy
Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for
sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and
a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the
inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the
merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.
2 Nephi 2:26-30 And the
Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men
from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have
become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to
be acted upon...And now, my sons, I
would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great
commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life,
according to the will of his Holy Spirit; And not choose eternal death,
according to the will of the flesh... I have spoken these few words unto you
all, my sons, in the last days of my probation; and I have chosen the good
part, according to the words of the prophet. And I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your
souls. Amen.
Nephi:
2 Nephi: 31:13 Wherefore, my
beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow
the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception
before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the
Father that ye are willing to take upon
you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your
Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye
receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy
Ghost.
2 Nephi 31:21 And now, behold,
my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there
is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in
the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the
only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
which is one God, without end. Amen.
2 Nephi 33:9-10 9 I
also have charity for the Gentiles. But behold, for none of these can I hope except they shall be reconciled unto Christ...And
now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in
Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye
shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words
of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they
should do good.
Jacob: not
really any, but his last chapter is about Sherem the Anti-Christ
Enos: And
I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the
power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the
word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all
my days and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.
And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my
Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my
mortal shall put on immortality and shall stand before him; then shall I see
his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed,
there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.
Amaleki:
Omni 1:25-26 I shall deliver up these plates unto him, exhorting all men to
come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in
revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with
tongues, and in the gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are
good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that
which is evil cometh from the devil.
And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel,
and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto
him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in
fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be
saved.
Mormon 1:2,
4, 8 I deliver these records into the hands of my son; and it supposeth me that
he will witness the entire destruction of my people. But may God grant that he
may survive them, that he may write somewhat concerning them, and somewhat
concerning Christ, that perhaps some day it may profit them.
And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me,
because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that
many of them have been fulfilled;
My prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may
once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the redemption of Christ; that
they may once again be a delightsome people.
Their Journeys through the Wilderness as a metaphor for our Journey through Life
1 Nephi 16:16,28 And
we did follow the directions of the ball, which led us in the more fertile
parts of the wilderness. I Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball,
that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did
give unto them.
1 Nephi 17:13 I
will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before
you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye
shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye
shall know that it is by me that ye are led.
1 Nephi 18: 1-3
And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work the
timbers of the ship. Now I, Nephi, did not work the timbers after the manner
which was learned by men. And I, Nephi, did go into mount oft, and I did pray
oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things.
Ether 2:5-6 And
it came to pass that the Lord commanded them that they should go forth into the
wilderness, yea, into that quarter where
there never had man been. And it came to pass that the Lord did go before
them, and did talk with them as he stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel. And it came to pass
that they did travel in the wilderness, and did build barges, in which they did
cross many waters, being directed
continually by the hand of the Lord.
Ether 2:24-25 For
behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves
shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths
of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains
and the floods have I sent forth. And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep
save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have
gone forth, and the floods which shall come.
Ether 3:2-3 O
Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now
behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness
before thee; O Lord, thou hast given us
a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.
Ether 6:5 And it
came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow
upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land.
Ether 6:7-8 And it came to pass that when they were
buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them; therefore, when
they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top
of the waters. And it came to pass that
the wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land while they were
upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind.
Wandering in the Wilderness due to Iniquity – i.e., if we are righteous, we won’t have to wander through life, we can take a more direct course.
1 Nephi 17:4 And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea,
even eight years in the wilderness.
Alma 37:41-43 41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked
by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and
forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works
ceased, and they did not progress in
their journey; Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a
direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their
transgressions. And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these
things are not without a shadow.
Ether 3:3 Behold, O Lord,
thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for
these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast
been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger
from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this
raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the
rock.
Other
Elder Nelson: While we know of our mortal
problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray
to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly
healing can take place in His own way and time.
"Patience is a willingness, in a sense, to watch the unfolding purposes of God with a sense of wonder and awe, rather than pacing up and down within the cell of our circumstances." -Neal A. Maxwell
Pres. Benson:
Yes, men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He
can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their
joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift
their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort
their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life
in the service of God will find eternal life.
May I suggest you hold a personal interview with yourself on
occasion and review
That will help to identify the kinds of temptations we all may
face. If something needs to change in your life, then resolve to fix it.
Elder Eyring:
Now your impressions will not have
been quite like mine, but you have felt a tug, maybe many tugs, to be someone
better. And what sets those yearnings apart from all your daydreams is that
they were not about being richer, or smarter, or more attractive, but about being
better. I am sure you have had such moments, not just from my experience, but
because of what President David O. McKay once said. Listen very carefully:
“Man is a spiritual being, a soul,
and at some period of his life everyone is possessed with an irresistible
desire to know his relationship to the Infinite. … There is something within
him which urges him to rise above himself, to control his environment, to
master the body and all things physical and live in a higher and more beautiful
world” (True to the Faith: From the Sermons and Discourses of David O. McKay,
comp. Llewelyn R. McKay [1966], 244).
That pull upward is far beyond what
you would call a desire for self-improvement. When I felt it, I knew I was
being urged to live so far above myself that I could never do it on my own.
President McKay had it right. You feel an urging to rise above your natural
self. What you have felt is an urging from your Heavenly Father to accept this
invitation:
“Yea, come unto Christ, and be
perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny
yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and
strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be
perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can
in nowise deny the power of God.
“And again, if ye by the grace of
God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in
Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which
is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye
become holy, without spot” (Moroni 10:32–33).
That urge to rise above yourself is
a recognition of your need for the Atonement to work in your life, and your
need to be sure that it is working. After all you can do, after all your
effort, you need confidence that the Atonement is working for you and on you.
Elder Bednar from a 2007 CES Fireside
"Any honest seeker of truth,
regardless of educational background, can successfully employ these simple
approaches. You and I do not need sophisticated study aids and should not rely
extensively upon the spiritual knowledge of others. We simply need to have a
sincere desire to learn, the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the holy
scriptures, and an active and inquiring mind."
