President Russell M. Nelson

 As President Russell M. Nelson spoke on a world in commotion and the need of missionary work, he said - 

"His gospel is the only answer when many in the world are stunned with fear.3 This underscores the urgent need for us to follow the Lord’s instruction to His disciples to “go … into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” We have the sacred responsibility to share the power and peace of Jesus Christ with all who will listen and who will let God prevail in their lives.

Every person who has made covenants with God has promised to care about others and serve those in need. We can demonstrate faith in God and always be ready to respond to those who ask about “the hope that is in [us].”  Each of us has a role to play in the gathering of Israel."

Exodua 34

 We read in Exodus that - 

"...the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest."  (Exodus 34:1)

We learn thought that He clarified more with the Joseph Smith Translation - 

" And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two other tables of stone, like unto the first, and I will write upon them also, the words of the law, according as they were written at the first on the tables which thou brakest; but it shall not be according to the first, for I will take away the priesthood out of their midst; therefore my holy order, and the ordinances thereof, shall not go before them; for my presence shall not go up in their midst, lest I destroy them. 

2 But I will give unto them the law as at the first, but it shall be after the law of a carnal commandment; for I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my presence, into my rest, in the days of their pilgrimage. Therefore do as I have commanded thee, and be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me, in the top of the mount."  (JST 34:1-2). 

Probably the translators had no idea what this meant.

Exodus 32

 We learn again that salvation is an individual thing as Moses approaches the Lord concerning repentance - 

"And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

31 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written."  (Exodus 32:30–32)

But the Lord answers - 

"Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book."  (Exodus 32:33)

There is only One who can atone for our sins on the condition of repentance.

Exodus 24

 Where previously the children of Israel experienced fear in hearing the voice of the Lord, Moses selected   Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy more faithful elders to come to the mountain where -

"...they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.

11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink."  (Exodus 24:10–11)

Many Christians quote John where he wrote - 

"No man hath seen God at any time..."  (John 1:18)

But the Prophet Joseph Smith added - 

"...except he hath borne record of the Son; for except it is through him no man can be saved."  (John 1:18, JST)

Obviously, these elders saw Jehovah.

Exodus 21

 In my mind, as the law of Moses states - 

"...if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,

24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."  (Exodus 21:23–25)

It was trying to teach the doctrine of restitution as we strive for repentance.

Exodus 20

 I always thought the reasoning of the commandment to honor parents was interesting - 

"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."  (Exodus 20:12)

The promise of obedience was to the child.  I like the explanation of David R. Ridges - 

"The implication in the wording of this commandment is that if children do not bring honor to their parents and family, they will not last long in the promised land. This was indeed the case. It was only through the righteousness of the people that the Holy Land would remain theirs. When they turned to wickedness, they were no longer honoring their parents and were subsequently carried away captive and scattered by enemy nations. In a symbolic sense, if we have righteous parents and do not honor their righteous traditions and teachings, we will be drifting away from the standards of the gospel and thus will not remain in the land (the kingdom of God). 

Some children have a problem when it comes to keeping this commandment. How does one honor dishonorable parents? Perhaps the simplest answer is to differentiate between obeying and honoring, if the situation demands it. The best way to bring honor to our parents is to live honorably, even if it goes contrary to their desires for us. Obeying dishonorable requests, traditions, examples, and so forth is not what this commandment requires and does not bring honor to parents."  (Ridges, David J.. The Old Testament Made Easier - Part 2 (Kindle Locations 2012-2020). Cedar Fort, Inc.. Kindle Edition.)

Exodus 20

 One thought came to me this morning as I read - 

"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."  (Exodus 20:3)

In my mind, the Lord wasn't saying that we should have no other interests.  He was saying that God should be our first interest and that His will should have priority over all other interests.

Exodus 18

 As Jethro, father-in-law to Moses, and the High Priest of Midian counsels Moses on the principle of delegation, I was impressed with this humble instruction - 

"...The thing that thou doest is not good.

18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.

19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace."  (Exodus 18:17–23)

As he provides this wise counsel, he states, "If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so...", suggests to me that he acknowledge that it is his counsel but before moving forward, that he needs to confirm the this is the will of God.

Exodus 16

Concerning the initial gathering of Manna, we read of some Israelites with little faith and obedience that -

"Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them."  (Exodus 16:20)

Interesting enough, this seems to reflect of many members of the Church in our day.

Exodus 14

 As the Israelites feared their destruction - 

"...Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."  (Exodus 14:13–14)

With general conference beginning tomorrow, let us follow the prophet.