Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Monday, June 29, 2015

Revelation 1

In the great revelation received by John, He tells us that the Savior -

"...sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John..."  (New Testament | Revelation 1:1)

Which message came -

"....from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."  (New Testament | Revelation 1:5 - 6)

Which suggests that those who receive the fulness of His atonement will be made kings and priests which also suggests kingdoms and priesthoods being then joint-heirs with Christ.

The messenger then shares an important truth -

"...he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."  "New Testament | Revelation 1:7)

Every eye and also them that peirced him would include the dead...the spirits of the dead then must be here on the earth.

 


Thursday, June 25, 2015

Jude

Jude did not mix words as he warned the faithful that -

"...there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."  (New Testament | Jude 1:4)

Much like -

"...Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities."  (New Testament | Jude 1:7 - 8)

Jude continues -

"But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them!"  (New Testament | Jude 1:10 - 11)

We see this much today as wicked society -

"...convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage."  (New Testament | Jude 1:15 - 16)

"How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit."  (New Testament | Jude 1:18 - 19)

All this influence comes from -

"...the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."  (New Testament | Jude 1:6)

In other words, the third of the hosts of heaven that followed Satan, were cast out, and never received a body of flesh and bones (spirit habitation)

To all of those in our day, Jude counsels -

"...ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."  (New Testament | Jude 1:20 - 23)

That as you take upon yourselves the name of Christ, always remembering Him, keeping the commandments, and  faithfully enduring to the end, He may -

"...present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,"  (New Testament | Jude 1:24)

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

1 John 5

One of the gifts of the Spirit we are taught is -

"...the beholding of angels and ministering spirits..."  (Book of Mormon | Moroni 10:14)

Of such, John taught -

"BELOVED, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..."  (New Testament | 1 John 4:1)

For -

"...every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."  (New Testament | 1 John 4:3)

John again reiterates concerning faith and obedience -

"WHOSOEVER believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."  (New Testament | 1 John 5:1 - 4)

John concludes -

"...we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."  (New Testament | 1 John 5:20)

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

1 John 1

As John writes the saints as many begin to fall away, makes it perfectly clear that repentance and obedience to the commandments and gospel of Jesus Christ is essential for eternal life for -

"...God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."  (New Testament | 1 John 1:5 - 10)

And of the plan of salvation -

"...he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."  (New Testament | 1 John 2:2 - 6)

John continues to teach -

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."  New Testament | 1 John 2:15 - 16)

For -

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."  (New Testament | 1 John 3:4 - 9)

If we repent and are obedient to the commandments and walk in the light, we are born of the Savior and become His sons and daughters because He is the Author and Finisher of our faith for -

"...what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."  New Testament | 1 John 3:1 - 3)

Monday, June 22, 2015

2 Peter 2

Just there are members of the Church that begin to promote false doctrines in the name of fairness and covetousness, it appears they had the same problem in the primitive Church as Peter writes -

"...there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies..."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:1)

"And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you..."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:2 - 3)

We see this being prevalent in our day.  Of such, Peter warns that they will -

"...bring upon themselves swift destruction."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:1)

Peter even teaches as the members begin to follow their own false teachings instead of the truth taught by priesthood leaders, he warns them of the willingness of the Lord to punish the wicked in the day of Noah and of Sodom and Gomorrha, even -

"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment..."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:4)

Of the rebellious that begin to teach their own doctrines, they are -

"...chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:10)

These are they -

"Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness..."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:15)

Even -

"...beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children..."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:14)

"For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 2:18 - 19)

For Peter knew -

"...there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts..."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 3:3)

These would be -

"...they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 3:16)

Thus Peter warns and pleads  -

"...seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 3:17 - 18)








Friday, June 19, 2015

2 Peter 1

Speaking, of our Father in Heaven, Peter teaches the saints -

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 1:3 - 4)

Some profound doctrine is taught here.  Our Father in Heaven has provided a plan, great promises, and sufficient power for us to attain eternal life with the attributes of godliness.  Thus he says that by following the plan, receiving saving ordinances, making sacred covenants, and keeping His commandments we may be partakers of the divine nature.

In that we are His offspring, we inherit, in a sense, a divine nature as a baby possesses the nature of its parents.  But in my mind, a partaker of divine nature would be becoming as He is or as Peter said, life and godliness.

Peter then provides the process to partake of this divine nature after escaping the lust and corruption of the world, he writes -

"...giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 1:5 - 8)

He summarizes this process and its outcome with -

"...brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure..."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 1:10)

In my mind, as we enter into ordinances and covenants, we are elected and called to obtain eternal life.  As we follow the process described by Peter, the day may come when this election and calling will be made sure by divine approval.  I believe this divine approval is called -

"...a more sure word of prophecy..."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 1:19)

How does Peter know this stuff?

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."  (New Testament | 2 Peter 1:21)

Thursday, June 18, 2015

1 Peter 5

As president of the early Church, Peter counseled priesthood leaders -

"THE elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 5:1 - 3)

In modern day, the Lord revealed much the same counsel -

"...the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
37 That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 121:36 - 37)

Thus priesthood leaders invite, not contrain, and set the proper example.  Peter also adds -

"...all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 5:5 - 6)

What great counsel for priesthood leaders.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

1 Peter 4

Peter, speaking of those that not have had the gospel preached to them or had not accepted the gospel comments -

"Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 4:4 - 5)

Which suggests that even these will have to stand before Christ whether they have received the blessing of the atonement or not.  In that His judgement will be fair, Peter adds -

"For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 4:6)

Thus is obvious, that the spirits of men after they leave this life will continue to have the gospel preached to them -

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 3:18 - 20)

It is apparent that after His death on the cross, the Savior brought the message of the gospel to the world of spirits.  In a great vision, President Joseph F. Smith had revealed -

"As I pondered over these things which are written, the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I saw the hosts of the dead, both small and great.
12 And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality;
13 And who had offered sacrifice in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of God, and had suffered tribulation in their Redeemer's name.
14 All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
15 I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand.
16 They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death.
17 Their sleeping dust was to be restored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone, and the sinews and the flesh upon them, the spirit and the body to be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fulness of joy.
18 While this vast multitude waited and conversed, rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death, the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful;
19 And there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance.
20 But unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh, his voice was not raised;
21 Neither did the rebellious who rejected the testimonies and the warnings of the ancient prophets behold his presence, nor look upon his face.
22 Where these were, darkness reigned, but among the righteous there was peace;
23 And the saints rejoiced in their redemption, and bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer from death and the chains of hell.
24 Their countenances shone, and the radiance from the presence of the Lord rested upon them, and they sang praises unto his holy name.
25 I marveled, for I understood that the Savior spent about three years in his ministry among the Jews and those of the house of Israel, endeavoring to teach them the everlasting gospel and call them unto repentance;
26 And yet, notwithstanding his mighty works, and miracles, and proclamation of the truth, in great power and authority, there were but few who hearkened to his voice, and rejoiced in his presence, and received salvation at his hands.
27 But his ministry among those who were dead was limited to the brief time intervening between the crucifixion and his resurrection;
28 And I wondered at the words of Peter—wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison, who sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah—and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time.
29 And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my understanding quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had rejected the truth, to teach them;
30 But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.
31 And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord and proclaim liberty to the captives who were bound, even unto all who would repent of their sins and receive the gospel.
32 Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets.
33 These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands,
34 And all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
35 And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross.
36 Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojourn in the world of spirits, instructing and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testified of him in the flesh;
37 That they might carry the message of redemption unto all the dead, unto whom he could not go personally, because of their rebellion and transgression, that they through the ministration of his servants might also hear his words."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 138:11 - 37)

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

1 Peter 2

Peter said of the saints -

"...ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 2:9)

Suggesting to me that the saints were to be examples to all men in conversation, conduct, honesty and good works that -

"...they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 2:12)

As the ancient Church's prophet and leader, Peter taught that all saints are subject to a righteous head or in other words priesthood leader, therefore -

"...ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 3:1)

"Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 3:6)

And then -

"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 3:7 - 12)

And -

"...sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 3:15)

As a "royal priesthood", husbands are to love their wives just as the Savior loves...a great obligation.

Monday, June 15, 2015

1 Peter 1

As the head, prophet, or president of the Church of Jesus Christ, Peter knew the great challenges, tribulations, and persecutions that the saints were being confronted with and would increase, first reminds them that they are the -

"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 1:2)

Of this election, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught -

"Every man who has a calling to minister to the inhabitants of the world was ordained to that very purpose in the Grand Council of heaven before this world was. I suppose I was ordained to this very office in that Grand Council."  (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 365.)

Election does not only take place in the pre-mortal existence.  Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote -

"To bring to pass the salvation of the greatest possible number of his spirit children, the Lord, in general, sends the most righteous and worthy spirits to earth through the lineage of Abraham and Jacob. This course is a manifestation of his grace or in other words his love, mercy, and condescension toward his children. This election to a chosen lineage is based on preexistent worthiness and is thus made ‘according to the foreknowledge of God.’ (1 Pet. 1: 2.) Those so grouped together during their mortal probation have more abundant opportunities to make and keep the covenants of salvation, a right which they earned by preexistent devotion to the cause of righteousness. As part of this election, Abraham and others of the noble and great spirits were chosen before they were born for the particular missions assigned them in this life.…( Abraham 3: 22– 24; Rom. 9.) Actually, if the full blessings of salvation are to follow, the doctrine of election must operate twice. First, righteous spirits are elected or chosen to come to mortality as heirs of special blessings. Then, they must be called and elected again in this life, an occurrence which takes place when they join the true Church. (D& C 53: 1.) Finally, in order to reap eternal salvation, they must press forward in obedient devotion to the truth until they make their ‘calling and election sure’ (2 Pet. 1), that is, are ‘sealed up unto eternal life.’ (D& C 131: 5.)"  (McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, pp. 216– 17.)

With these tribulations that would come, Peter counsels -

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
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..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 1:6 - 7)

"Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 1:9)

In my mind, Peter is pleading that the saints remain faithful and endure all this until the end that they may receive the promises -

"Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 1:10)

For those that take Paul's comment that we are saved by faith only, listen to Peter, Paul's senior -

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 1:13 - 16)

"Conversation" is this case means conduct for -

"...the word of the Lord endureth for ever..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 1:25)

Friday, June 12, 2015

James 5

It seems that both Paul and James wrote much the same counseling the saints to have faith, sufficient to endure to the end, in order to receive the promise.  Obviously, such faith and hope requires patience. Thus James counseled -

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain."  (New Testament | James 5:7)

Using that analogy, James continues -

"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."  (New Testament | James 5:8)

Thus the doctrine of Christ includes enduring to the end which requires the development of patience.  It is during period of temptations, afflictions, and suffering that we really begin to learn patience.  In addition, James counseled -

"Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience."  (New Testament | James 5:10)

There isn't much we can suffer or endure more than that of the Prophets of scripture.  Use them for an example for -

"Behold, we count them happy which endure..."  (New Testament | James 5:11)

James even called upon one example of the prophets -

"...Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."  (New Testament | James 5:11)

The Lord will keep His promises in we endure in faith and patience.






Thursday, June 11, 2015

James 2

As one might expect, Paul and James, both priesthood leaders, taught the doctrine of Christ with varying emphasis.  Though their teachings were true as the apostles today, you sometimes have to combine all the teachings to have a better understanding the doctrine and its requirements.

James also taught concerning faith and works in that they go hand in hand -

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."  (New Testament | James 1:3)

For -

"...be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."  (New Testament | James 1:22 - 25)

Of faith and works -

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."  (New Testament | James 1:27)

For -

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."  (New Testament | James 2:14 - 17)

Interesting enough, James explains -

"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?"  (New Testament | James 2:18 - 20)

Reasoning -

"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"  (New Testament | James 2:22)

Thus -

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."  (New Testament | James 2:24)

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Hebrews 13

After having taught the Jews the essential principle of faith, Paul concludes -

"LET brotherly love continue."  (New Testament | Hebrews 13:1)

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 13:2)

 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 13:5)

"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 13:7)

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 13:9)

 "...let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 13:15)

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 13:17)

"Pray for us [His priesthood leaders]..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 13:18)

These are great acts of faith.  In other words, summarizing -

"Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ... " (New Testament | Hebrews 13:21)

Tuesday, June 09, 2015

Hebrews 12

Paul counsels the Jewish saints -

"...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 12:1 - 2)

As we strive to repent and look to the Savior in faith in all patience, Paul teaches us that -

"...For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."  (New Testament | Hebrews 12:6 - 8)

The fact that the Lord chastens those He loves, Paul explains why, so we too may better understand -

"Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?"  (New Testament | Hebrews 12:9)

The truth is that our Father is Heaven is literally the Father of our spirits before we were born into mortality.

Paul continues to teach why and blessings of righteous chastisement -

"For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."  (New Testament | Hebrews 12:10 - 11)

And thus in turn, we are to -

"...lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 12:12 - 14)

The Prophet Joseph Smith translated the purpose of suffering and chastisement -

"JST Heb. 11:40 God having provided some better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect."  (New Testament:Hebrews 11:40)




Monday, June 08, 2015

Hebrew 11

Paul taught the Jews -

"NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  (New Testament | Hebrews 11:1)

Joseph Smith translated "substance" as "assurance".  Substance would suggest confidence and foundation, while assurance, in my mind, would add some sort of feelings or influence either for the Holy Ghost or ministering angels.  Either way, I think the definition is correct.  As I have written previously, I see faith as a principle of action and power for -

"...without faith it is impossible to please him..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 11:6)

As Paul continues to provide examples of faith, he suggests an interesting experience writing -

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh."  (New Testament | Hebrews 11:4)

Their is little in Genesis where Paul would know these things but adds "by it he being dead yeat speaketh".  Of that, Joseph Smith explained -

"“How doth he yet speak? Why he magnified the Priesthood which was conferred upon him, and died a righteous man, and therefore has become an angel of God by receiving his body from the dead, holding still the keys of his dispensation; and was sent down from heaven unto Paul to minister consoling words, and to commit unto him a knowledge of the mysteries of godliness. And if this was not the case, I would ask, how did Paul know so much about Abel, and why should he talk about his speaking after he was dead? Hence, that he spoke after he was dead must be by being sent down out of heaven to administer.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected and arranged by Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1976], p. 168.)

This would suggest that Paul's assurance of hope may have increased with a visit from the ministering angel - Abel.

I would also that with faith we need patience as Paul teaches -

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."  (New Testament | Hebrews 10:36)

Friday, June 05, 2015

Hebrews 9

As Paul writes the Jew concerning the  law of Moses is fulfilled in Christ, he explains -

"...now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second."  (New Testament | Hebrews 8:6 - 7)

Adding -

"...he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 8:8 - 9)

For

"..he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."  (New Testament | Hebrews 8:13)

And comparing these old and new covenants, Paul reviews the purpose and symbolic nature of the "tabernacle" -

"...the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For there was a tabernacle made..."   (New Testament | Hebrews 9:1 - 2)

Paul then reviews all the symbolic practices of priesthood in this tabernacle, but -

"The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 9:8)

It was with the atonement of Jesus Christ that entry into the Holy of Holies or Celestial kingdom was made possible as -

"...the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom."  (New Testament | Mark 15:38)

Having now pierced the veil -

 "...he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."  (New Testament | Hebrews 9:15)

Thursday, June 04, 2015

Hebrews 6

Paul provided an interesting analogy as he wrote first -

"...we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."  (New Testament | Hebrews 6:11 - 12)

To me, Paul is suggesting that we pursue, in all diligence, to keep the commandments and serve the Lord  with a sustaining hope that His promises are secure for Paul then compares -

"For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."  (New Testament | Hebrews 6:13 - 15)

I believe Paul is teaching that the Lord Himself covenanted with Abraham the promise of a great, righteous posterity.  After a 100 years, Abraham could have lost all patience, hope, and faith.  But he didn't.  He endured and eventually at the least expected time, he obtained the promise of Isaac.

When we make covenants and receive the promise of the Lord, we must move forward in faith and the full assurance of hope that we shall obtain the promise.



Wednesday, June 03, 2015

Hebrews 5

In his writings to the Jews, Paul taught basic doctrine concerning priesthood authority and its importance.  Speaking of the Savior -

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."  (New Testament | Hebrews 5:8 - 10)

Thus Jesus Christ received His priesthood office and authority from the Father.  For those that may not understand why Paul spoke of the order of Melchisedec, in modern day we learn -

"Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 107:2 - 4)

Of those that hold this priesthood or have this priesthood authorityconferred upon them, Paul explained -

"FOR every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 5:1 - 2)

Those that hold the Melchizedek priesthood administer the ordinances, covenants and blessings of the gospel for -

"....this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:19 - 21)

And it is important to also understand, as Paul instructs -

"...no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."  (New Testament | Hebrews 5:4)

For -

"We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof."  (Pearl of Great Price | Articles of Faith 1:5)

I hold the Melchizedek priesthood and can trace my lineage of authority back to the Savior.


Tuesday, June 02, 2015

Hebrews 1

As Paul writes directly to the Jews, he provides some great truths that I feel many do not understand.  The first being that God -

"Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 1:2)

Christ is then a heir of all the Father has.  Christ also was the creator, thus He is Jehovah of the Old Testament. 

Also -

"Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 1:3)

It becomes apparent that the right hand then would be the fulfilling of all covenants.  Thus the right hand is the covenant hand.  We see this as the Savior taught -

"...he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left."  (New Testament | Matthew 25:32 - 33)

Thus those that keep their covenants will be on the right hand of God for -

"...he took on him the seed of Abraham.  (New Testament | Hebrews 2:16)

Or in other words, those that have faithfully kept the covenant of Abraham.  By keeping our covenants and satisfying the "doctrine of Christ", the promise is to them that the Savior -

"...crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 2:7 - 8)

Which is the same promise of the Father to the Son.  Thus we are joint heirs with Christ.

Finally, speaking of the atonement of Jesus Christ -

"For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."  (New Testament | Hebrews 2:18)

Much like the teachings of Alma of the Savior that  -

"...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.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind 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."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 7:11 - 12)