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, August 31, 2015

JC - Chapter 15

As the Pharisees gathered to accuse the Savior of breaking the law of the Sabbath, the Savior asked -

"...Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? "  (New Testament | Mark 3:4)

When we ponder what sign we want to give to the Lord that we are willing to keep the Sabbath day holy, I believe the Savior is suggesting that the Sabbath day is a day set aside to do good.  To -

"...lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees..."  (New Testament | Hebrews 12:12)

In my mind, that is doing good on the Sabbath.

Friday, August 28, 2015

JC - Chapter 15

In this chapter Elder Talmage teaches much concerning the Sabbath, including its beginnings, purpose, and the conditions in the day of the Savior.  One of the scriptures Elder Talmage mentioned was Ezekiel's explanation -

"Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them."  (Old Testament | Ezekiel 20:12)

The Lord told Moses much the same thing -

"Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you."  (Old Testament | Exodus 31:13)

As I ponder these two verses, it suggests to me that keeping the Sabbath day holy is a sign.  In my mind, it is a sign that we acknowledge the Lord and by doing so our sanctified or made clean or righteous.  I seems to me that the sign itself is left to or established by the worshipper.  Obviously, as we consider the signs that we are willing to show the Lord that we are willing to keep His Sabbath holy is between the worshipper and God, in other words, to be between man and God, both have to be in agreement.  Thus, the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit of Promise would establish the sign to be a covenant that we may be sanctified.

This would suggest to me at least that all the Pharisaic type does and don'ts are meaningless other than those commanded of God such as -

"Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;
10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 59:8 - 10)



Thursday, August 27, 2015

JC - Chapter 14

Mark records on one occasion -

"...in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."  (New Testament | Mark 1:35)

This short verse reveals great insight on the relationship between the Savior and His Father.  It also provides a great example for all men to follow.  It becomes clear to me that the Savior, even the Messiah, still sought guidance, support, and to follow the will of the Father.  To me this is quite instructive.

Something else caught my attention this morning as Elder Talmage was the story of the man with palsy that was forgiven of sins as well as healed.  Elder Talmage made this observation -

"The incident demands our further study. According to one of the accounts, the Lord’s first words to the afflicted one were: “Son, be of good cheer”; followed directly by the comforting and authoritative assurance: “Thy sins be forgiven thee.” The man was probably in a state of fear; he may have known that his ailment was the result of wicked indulgences; nevertheless, though he may have considered the possibility of hearing only condemnation for his transgression, he had faith to be brought. In this man’s condition there was plainly a close connection between his past sins and his present affliction; and in this particular his case is not unique, for we read that Christ admonished another, whom He healed, to sin no more lest a worse thing befall him.m We are not warranted, however, in assuming that all bodily ills are the result of culpable sin; and against such a conception stands the Lord’s combined instruction and rebuke to those who, in the case of a man born blind, asked who had sinned, the man or his parents to bring so grievous an affliction upon him, to which inquiry our Lord replied that the man’s blindness was due neither to his own sin nor to that of his parents. 

In many instances, however, disease is the direct result of individual sin. Whatever may have been the measure of past offense on the part of the man suffering from palsy, Christ recognized his repentance together with the faith that accompanied it, and it was the Lord’s rightful prerogative to decide upon the man’s fitness to receive remission of his sins and relief from his bodily affliction. The interrogative response of Jesus to the unuttered criticism of the scribes, Pharisees, and doctors, has been interpreted in many ways. He inquired which was easier, to say, “Thy sins be forgiven thee,” or to say, “Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk.” Is it not a rational explanation that, when spoken authoritatively by Him, the two expressions were of allied meaning? The circumstance should have been a sufficient demonstration to all who heard, that He, the Son of Man, claimed and possessed the right and the power to remit both physical and spiritual penalties, to heal the body of visible disease, and to purge the spirit of the no less real malady of sin. In the presence of people of all classes Jesus thus openly asserted His divinity, and affirmed the same by a miraculous manifestation of power."

What I derived herein was that sin can cause illness and disease, but illness and disease is not necessarily the consequence of sin or unfaithfulness in this or the previous life as Elder Talmage reminded of this teaching of the Savior -

"...as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him."    (New Testament | John 9:1 - 3)

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

JC - Chapter 13

In this chapter, in the early mission of the Savior, we see instances where Jesus declared His divinity being the Messiah.  First to the Samaritan woman at the well, He tells her -

"If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."  (New Testament | John 4:10)

And -

"...whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."  (New Testament | John 4:14)

After convincing her that He possessed great powers to know her past, she considers Him a prophet to which -

"The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."  (New Testament | John 4:25 - 26)

I find it interesting that as she returns to share this with her people, they also become believers.

Later, amongst his own Jewish neighbors in a synagogue, the Savior quotes Isaiah -

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord."  (New Testament | Luke 4:18 - 19)

To which after He sat down, He testifies to all listening ears -

"...This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears."  (New Testament | Luke 4:21)

Though He again declares He is the Messiah, these Jews did not take kindly to His expounding for -

"...when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.
30 But he passing through the midst of them went his way,"  (New Testament | Luke 4:28 - 30)

The same testimony, two different responses.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

JC - Chapter 12

As Nicodemus approached the Savior in the dark of night, we find the Savior teaching much of the pure doctrine of Christ where Nicodemus -

"...came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him."  New Testament | John 3:2)

To which the Savior taught -

"...Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  (New Testament | John 3:3)

Because Nicodemus did not quite understand, the Savior explained -

"...Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  (New Testament | John 3:5)

Obviously, Nicodemus had been highly trained in Jewish or Mosaic law and this was different and new to him.  So the Savior continued -

"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit."  (New Testament | John 3:7 - 8)

Nicodemus had been taught that just being the children of Abraham seemed to guarantee the privilege of entering the kingdom of God.  Now he is taught that this doctrin applies to all, not just the privileged Jews.  Confused, Nicodemus asks -

"...How can these things be?"  New Testament | John 3:9)

Then the Savior explains the truth -

"...Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
14 ¶ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 ¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 ¶ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."  (New Testament | John 3:10 - 21)

I love the comments of Elder Talmage concerning the pure doctrine of Christ taught that evening -

"The narrative of this interview between Nicodemus and the Christ constitutes one of our most instructive and precious scriptures relating to the absolute necessity of unreserved compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel, as the means indispensable to salvation. Faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, through whom alone men may gain eternal life; the forsaking of sin by resolute turning away from the gross darkness of evil to the saving light of righteousness; the unqualified requirement of a new birth through baptism in water, and this of necessity by the mode of immersion, since otherwise the figure of a birth would be meaningless; and the completion of the new birth through baptism by the Spirit—all these principles are taught herein in such simplicity and plainness as to make plausible no man’s excuse for ignorance."

We hear very little after that of Nicodemus other than he provided a small defense for the Savior before the cruxificion and would offer oils for his burial.  Elder Talmage tends to suggest that Nicodemus may have waffled to much to become a true disciple of the Lord.  In defense of Nicodemus, I am going to take a little different approach even though I have no evidence that Nicodemus ever joined the Church and became a faithful convert.

The night Nicodemus approached the Savior, there appears to be only the two of them present.  None of the other writers mention this experience.  Either the Savior told John or Nicodemus told John.  I wonder if at some later date, may have repented and been converted.  He easily could have told this experience to John years later.  No proof...just a thought.

Monday, August 24, 2015

JC - Chapter 10

In my mind, there is little mentioned of such a great prophet as John called the Baptist.  I think Elder Talmage's comments bring great insight -

"The man was John, son of Zacharias, soon to be known as the Baptist. He had spent many years in the desert, apart from the abodes of men, years of preparation for his particular mission. He had been a student under the tutelage of divine teachers; and there in the wilderness of Judea the word of the Lord reached him; as in similar environment it had reached Moses and Elijah of old. Then was heard “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” It was the voice of the herald, the messenger who, as the prophets had said, should go before the Lord to prepare His way. The burden of his message was “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And to such as had faith in his words and professed repentance, confessing their sins, he administered baptism by immersion in water—proclaiming the while, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Neither the man nor his message could be ignored; his preaching was specific in promise to the repentant soul, and scathingly denunciatory to the hypocrite and the hardened sinner. Where Pharisees and Sadducees came to his baptism, prating of the law, the spirit of which they ceased not to transgress, and of the prophets, whom they dishonored, he denounced them as a generation of vipers, and demanded of them: “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” He brushed aside their oft-repeated boasts that they were the children of Abraham, saying, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” The ignoring of their claims to preferment as the children of Abraham was a strong rebuke, and a cause of sore affront alike to aristocratic Sadducee and rule-bound Pharisee. Judaism held that the posterity of Abraham had an assured place in the kingdom of the expected Messiah, and that no proselyte from among the Gentiles could possibly attain the rank and distinction of which the “children” were sure. John’s forceful assertion that God could raise up, from the stones on the river bank, children to Abraham, meant to those who heard that even the lowest of the human family might be preferred before themselves unless they repented and reformed. Their time of wordy profession had passed; fruits were demanded, not barren though leafy profusion; the ax was ready, aye, at the very root of the tree; and every tree that produced not good fruit was to be hewn down and cast into the fire.

The people were astonished; and many, seeing themselves in their actual condition of dereliction and sin, as John, with burning words laid bare their faults, cried out: “What shall we do then?”  His reply was directed against ceremonialism, which had caused spirituality to wither almost to death in the hearts of the people. Unselfish charity was demanded—“He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.” The publicans or tax-farmers and collectors, under whose unjust and unlawful exactions the people had suffered so long, came asking: “Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.” To the soldiers who asked what to do he replied: “Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.”

The spirit of his demands was that of a practical religion, the only religion of any possible worth—the religion of right living. With all his vigor, in spite of his brusqueness, notwithstanding his forceful assaults on the degenerate customs of the times, this John was no agitator against established institutions, no inciter of riot, no advocate of revolt, no promoter of rebellion. He did not assail the tax system but the extortions of the corrupt and avaricious publicans; he did not denounce the army, but the iniquities of the soldiers, many of whom had taken advantage of their position to bear false witness for the sake of gain and to enrich themselves by forcible seizure. He preached, what in the now current dispensation we call the first fundamental principles of the gospel—“the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,” comprising faith, which is vitalized belief, in God; genuine repentance, which comprises contrition for past offenses and a resolute determination to turn from sin; baptism by immersion in water at his hands as the hands of one having authority; and the higher baptism by fire or the bestowal of the Holy Ghost by an authority greater than that possessed by himself. His preaching was positive, and in many respects opposed to the conventions of the times; he made no appeal to the people through the medium of miraculous manifestations; and though many of his hearers attached themselves to him as disciples, he established no formal organization, nor did he attempt to form a cult. His demand for repentance was an individual call, as unto each acceptable applicant the rite of baptism was individually administered.

To the Jews, who were living in a state of expectancy, waiting for the long-predicted Messiah, the words of this strange prophet in the wilderness were fraught with deep portent. Could it be that he was the Christ? He spoke of One yet to come, mightier than himself, whose shoe-latchet he was not worthy to loosen One who would separate the people as the thresher, fan in hand, blew the chaff from the wheat; and, he added, that mightier One “will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.” In such wise did the predicted herald of the Lord deliver his message. Himself he would not exalt; his office, however, was sacred to him, and with its functions he brooked no interference from priest, Levite, or rabbi. He was no respecter of persons; sin he denounced, sinners he excoriated, whether in priestly vestments, peasant garb, or royal robes. All the claims the Baptist had made for himself and his mission were later confirmed and vindicated by the specific testimony of Christ.  John was the harbinger not alone of the kingdom but of the King; and to him the King in person came."

I believe this is sufficient this morning.

JC - Chapter 12

After the Savior had cleansed the temple of the money changers and merchants, He was confronted by Jewish leadership challenging Him -

"...What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?"  (New Testament | John 2:18)

To which the Savior answered concerning the sign -

"...Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."  (New Testament | John 2:19)

To which, John records they responded -

"...Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?"  (New Testament | John 2:20)

We are not privy to the entire discussion, but I believe these Jewish leaders knew exactly what He meant  for when they approached Pontius Pilate after the Savior's cruxificion, they said -

"...we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again."  (New Testament | Matthew 27:63)

I believe that in their conversation, they knew exactly what He meant.

Friday, August 21, 2015

JC - Chapter 11

I know that many call the Miracle at Cana as the first miracle Jesus performed, as I read the story, I sense differently.  I'm sure that many feel this is the first miracle because John recorded -

"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."  (New Testament | John 2:11)

I believe this is the first miracle His disciples actually witnessed.  But my thoughts would be of that of the Savior's mother were she said -

"...They have no wine."  (New Testament | John 2:3)

Even instructing the servants -

"...Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."  (New Testament | John 2:5)

Which I sense was an intimation that she needed His divine help.  Obviously she wouldn't have suggested so if she had not witnessed previous miracles   There is little question in my mind as the Savior

"...grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."  (New Testament | Luke 2:40)

And -

"...increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."  (New Testament | Luke 2:52)


...He began to exercise this grace and power before his parents.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

JC - Chapter 9

I've noted before that after the birth the Savior, that Luke notes -

"...Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."  (New Testament | Luke 2:19)

Later, as Joseph and Mary return to Jerusalem to seek the 12-year-old Jesus, they - 

"...found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers."  (New Testament | Luke 2:46 - 47)

Luke records that Mary -

"...said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing."  (New Testament | Luke 2:48)

To which a loving Son, not with disrespect, reminded her -

"...How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"  (New Testament | Luke 2:49)

Obvious to me, Mary had taught Him well.  What I wanted to note was Luke recorded of the Savior -

"...he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart."  (New Testament | Luke 2:51)

Again, Luke tells us that Mary kept this to herself.  As Luke begins his record he shares where he received his writings -

"...as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses..."  (New Testament | Luke 1:2)

I believe Luke is telling us of the story of his birth and this experience at the temple came directly from the mouth of Mary.







Tuesday, August 18, 2015

JC - Chapter 8

Paul taught the divine rule -

"...In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."  (New Testament | 2 Corinthians 13:1)

This appears multiple times in the scriptures.  The birth of the Savior was no difference.  Upon His birth -

"...there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  (New Testament | Luke 2:8 - 12)

And then as witnesses to be -

"...they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child."  (New Testament | Luke 2:16 - 17)

And also -

"...when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)"  (New Testament | Luke 2:22 - 23)

And as they did -

"...there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."  (New Testament | Luke 2:25 - 32)

And also -

"...there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."  (New Testament | Luke 2:36 - 38)

The Lord always seems to provide two or three witnesses in every aspect of His work.

Monday, August 17, 2015

JC - Chapter 7

For my blog of the conception and birth of the Savior, I will note a couple of verses being the words of tje angel, Gabriel -

"...Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."  (New Testament | Luke 1:28)

And -

"...Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."  (New Testament | Luke 1:30 - 35)

In my mind, we learn several things with these words.  Obviously, Mary was a worthy and valiant women.  Mary was a descendant of King David and I'm sure every women in Judah that was a desendant of David thought that they could be, as prophecied, the mother of the Messiah.  Those thoughts must have entered Mary's mind at one time or another.

Last of all, the process was clear.  With Mary being the mother, the Messiah would literally be the Son of God.


Friday, August 14, 2015

JC - Chapter 6

In this chapter, Elder Talmage paints a great picture of the religious and political conditions, associations, and leadership at the time of Christ.  But what I found interesting was that this period was considered "the meridian of time".  Moses recorded of the days of Lamech -

"For they would not hearken unto his voice, nor believe on his Only Begotten Son, even him whom he declared should come in the meridian of time, who was prepared from before the foundation of the world."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:57)

Of the meridian of time, Elder Talmage explained -

"The term “meridian,” as commonly used, conveys the thought of a principal division of time or space;c thus we speak of the hours before the daily noon as ante-meridian (a.m.) and those after noon as post-meridian (p.m.). So the years and the centuries of human history are divided by the great event of the birth of Jesus Christ. The years preceding that epoch-making occurrence are now designated as time Before Christ (b.c.); while subsequent years are each specified as a certain Year of our Lord, or, as in the Latin tongue, Anno Domini (a.d.). Thus the world’s chronology has been adjusted and systematized with reference to the time of the Savior’s birth; and this method of reckoning is in use among all Christian nations. It is instructive to note that a similar system was adopted by the isolated branch of the house of Israel that had been brought from the land of Palestine to the western continent; for from the appearance of the promised sign among the people betokening the birth of Him who had been so abundantly predicted by their prophets, the Nephite reckoning of the years, starting with the departure of Lehi and his colony from Jerusalem, was superseded by the annals of the new era." 



Thursday, August 13, 2015

JC - Chapter 5

In this chapter, Elder Talmage referenced multiple Old Testament scriptures and prophecies concerning the coming of Christ in the meridian of time.  For my blog this morning, I would like to reference or touch on three.  After Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden -

"...Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.

6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
7 And then the angel spake, saying: This thing is a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father, which is full of grace and truth.
8 Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.
9 And in that day the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam, which beareth record of the Father and the Son, saying: I am the Only Begotten of the Father from the beginning, henceforth and forever, that as thou hast fallen thou mayest be redeemed, and all mankind, even as many as will."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 5:5 - 9)

Obviously, the "Only Begotten of the Father" was yet to come.  The blood sacrifices of Adam to Moses and sacrifices associated with the law of Moses all looked forward to this event.

Lehi also prophesied -

"...even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.
5 And he also spake concerning the prophets, how great a number had testified of these things, concerning this Messiah, of whom he had spoken, or this Redeemer of the world.
6 Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 10:4 - 6)

And finally, the blessing of Jacob to Judah -

"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come..."  (Old Testament | Genesis 49:10)

It was only the tribe of Judah that remained intact as the Savior was born in this lineage.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

JC - Chapter 4

Elder Talmage writes -

"We claim scriptural authority for the assertion that Jesus Christ was and is God the Creator, the God who revealed Himself to Adam, Enoch, and all the antediluvial patriarchs and prophets down to Noah; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the God of Israel as a united people, and the God of Ephraim and Judah after the disruption of the Hebrew nation; the God who made Himself known to the prophets from Moses to Malachi; the God of the Old Testament record; and the God of the Nephites. We affirm that Jesus Christ was and is Jehovah, the Eternal One."

He then explains -

"The scriptures specify three personages in the Godhead; (1) God the Eternal Father, (2) His Son Jesus Christ, and (3) the Holy Ghost. These constitute the Holy Trinity, comprising three physically separate and distinct individuals, who together constitute the presiding council of the heavens."

Some of those scriptural evidences include -

".And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness..."  (Old Testament | Genesis 1:26)

And later He declares -

"And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us..."  (Old Testament | Genesis 3:22)

It appears herein that there are a least two involved in the creation.  In modern scripture we note at least two of them -

"And I, God, said unto mine Only Begotten, which was with me from the beginning: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and it was so...:  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 2:26)

I believe there must have been others as God said -

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."  (Old Testament | Genesis 1:27)

That would suggest to me that there also was a female participant.

Explaining that Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten, and Jehovah of the Old Testament, John also wrote -

"IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men."  (New Testament | John 1:1 - 4)

In Modern day we better understand the title of Word as The Father declares -

"...by the word of my power, have I created them, which is mine Only Begotten Son, who is full of grace and truth."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 1:32)

In my mind, "word of my power" suggests that the Father authorized the Son.  Paul also taught of the Father and the Savior -

"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."  (New Testament | 1 Corinthians 8:6)

Who -

"...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)

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him..."  (New Testament | Colossians 1:16)

Talmage provides sound scriptural evidence.  Obviously, the "trinity" doctrines do not work.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

JC - Chapter 3

As one ponders this chapter, the more one appreciates the Savior, His atonement, and His willingness to do the will of the Father -

"For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."  (New Testament | John 6:38)

"I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."  (New Testament | John 5:30)

I note He was willing and only one worthy to make a covenant and take the book (plan of salvation) from the Father as John saw (Revelation 5).

Elder Talmage testified that the Savior was the only being capable to satisfy the requirements of redemption -

"1—As the one and only sinless Man;
2—As the Only Begotten of the Father and therefore the only Being born to earth possessing in their fulness the attributes of both Godhood and manhood;
3—As the One who had been chosen in the heavens and foreordained to this service."

Elder Talmage provides much scriptural references concerning the power of redemption to overcome physical death (for all) and spiritual death (unable to return to the presence of God"  I will only include one that I feel most revealing and truthful -

"...for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.
6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.
7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.
8 O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.
9 And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness.
10 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.
11 And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.
12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.
13 O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect."  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:5 - 13)


Monday, August 10, 2015

JC - Chapter 2

James E. Talmage states -

"We affirm, on the authority of Holy Scripture, that the Being who is known among men as Jesus of Nazareth, and by all who acknowledge His Godhood as Jesus the Christ, existed with the Father prior to birth in the flesh; and that in the preexistent state He was chosen and ordained to be the one and only Savior and Redeemer of the human race. Foreordination implies and comprises preexistence as an essential condition; therefore scriptures bearing upon the one are germane to the other..."

He then proceeds to provide such scriptural evidence.  I will mention a few -

"...behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning..."  (Pearl of Great Price | Moses 4:2)

"IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  (New Testament | John 1:1 - 3)

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."  (New Testament | John 1:14)

"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you..."  (New Testament | 1 Peter 1:19 - 20)

"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began..."  (New Testament | 2 Timothy 1:9)

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."  (New Testament | John 6:38)

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven..."  (New Testament | John 6:51)

"What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?"  (New Testament | John 6:62)

"...O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."  (New Testament | John 17:5)

And there is much more.  There is much more evidence that we also were with God in a pre-mortal existence.

Wednesday, August 05, 2015

JC - Chapter 1

Having just completed the Bible, I am opting to read and blog the book "Jesus the Christ" by James E. Talmage. I'm not sure exactly how I will blog being it a book not scripture, but we will see.

In the introduction to this book, Elder Talmage states -

"...In this undertaking we are to be guided by the light of both ancient and modern scriptures..."

Where the footnote states -

"c The Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price constitute the standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These will be cited alike as Scriptures in the following pages, for such they are."

I agree in that much of my scripture blogs over the years are those great books.

With his introduction he also explains -

As we proceed with our study, we shall find that among the specific teachings of the Church respecting the Christ are these: (1) The unity and continuity of His mission in all ages—this of necessity involving the verity of His preexistence and foreordination. (2) The fact of His antemortal Godship. (3) The actuality of His birth in the flesh as the natural issue of divine and mortal parentage. (4) The reality of His death and physical Resurrection, as a result of which the power of death shall be eventually overcome. (5) The literalness of the Atonement wrought by Him, including the absolute requirement of individual compliance with the laws and ordinances of His gospel as the means by which salvation may be attained. (6) The restoration of His Priesthood and the reestablishment of His Church in the current age, which is verily the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times. (7) The certainty of His return to earth in the near future, with power and great glory, to reign in Person and bodily presence as Lord and King."

"Antemortal" means before birth.

Tuesday, August 04, 2015

Revelation 22

After John had seen the destruction and final state of the wicked, he is given a marvelous vision of the final state of the righteous where he shares -

"...I saw a new heaven and a new earth..." (New Testament | Revelation 21:1)

And -

"...I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (New Testament | Revelation 21:2)

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." (New Testament | Revelation 21:3)

And of the righteous -

"...God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain..." (New Testament | Revelation 21:4)

"...I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (New Testament | Revelation 21:6 - 7)

And then proceeds to describe the beauty and conditions of the "holy city". In addition -

"...he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month..." (New Testament | Revelation 22:1 - 2)

In reading that, one should follow up on Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. John was also told -

"...my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (New Testament | Revelation 22:12)

And -

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (New Testament | Revelation 22:14)

As John concludes his vision, it is made clear that works and keeping the commandments are essential to those that enter in the city for -

"...let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (New Testament | Revelation 22:17)

Monday, August 03, 2015

Revelation 20

In John's revelation, we learn the potential of man as we read -

"...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. "  (New Testament | Revelation 1:5 - 6)

Also -

"...they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."  (New Testament | Revelation 5:9 - 10)

Obviously, to become a king, one must have a kingdom, a throne, and must reign for -

"...I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."  (New Testament | Revelation 20:4)

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."  (New Testament | Revelation 20:6)

But even though we are promised to be joint-heirs with Christ, this revelation made perfectly clear -

"...he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."  (New Testament | Revelation 19:16)

I feel I should add that even Christ -

"...had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself."  (New Testament | Revelation 19:12)