Monday, July 31, 2017

Simple Math

"the pure in heart, and the wise, and the noble, and the virtuous, shall seek counsel, and authority, and blessings constantly from under thy hand"
Doctrine & Covenants 122:2

1+2+2+2= 7,  perfection and completeness

Monday, July 17, 2017

Ibraining

Something that one can do in personal gospel study is to add something to a quote of message.  By extending the message or quote with your own insight and additional interpretation, it really causes one to think about a message and internalize it deeper into your mind, ibraining if you will- causes one to remember better the content:  for example, in ital-

Humility is the essence of repentance. Humility is selfless, not selfish. It doesn’t demand its own way or speak with moral superiority. Instead, humility answers softly, 2 and listens kindly for understanding, not vindication or uncontrollable, mouth-foaming anger in reeling, heated argument. Humility recognizes that no one can change someone else, but with faith, effort, and the help of God, we can undergo our own mighty change of heart. 3 Experiencing the mighty change of heart causes us to treat others, especially our spouses, with meekness. 4 Humility means that both husbands and wives seek to bless, help, and lift each other, putting the other first in every decision. Watch and learn: repentance and humility build happy marriages.
from Conference Message, LDS Bro Clayton



Saturday, July 1, 2017

Lining

Scripture chapter heading/themes  are highlighted at the beginning of each chapter in the LDS scriptures.  Using these chapter themes can be very useful in your consistent study time of them. Read a theme, and then draw a line from it to the beginning of the verse in the chapter.  You can also highlight that scripture for emphasis.




Thursday, June 22, 2017

Repeating Words

Moroni Chapter 10

In this chapter, Moroni uses this word eight times, "exhort".  I could list where they are mentioned, but I'll let you read them.

This type of teaching is of no significance.  Moroni is not only using the word to teach, but the word to teach symbolically. The pattern of eight (8) has a meaning of new, i.e. new creature, new life, a new way or beginning.

Ancient prophets used this method to heighten or increase the importance of the message to people. Such a method causes one to think deeper or to take more time with the presented passages. The presented theme has logic, or perhaps a formula to calculate.  Case in point, a star, a circle, numerous triangles.







Sunday, June 18, 2017

Random- Learned At Church

The old covenant of the Old Testament was mostly found to be honored by a list of duties to be checked off with satisfaction.  A higher covenant could not be honored by Moses and the children of Israel, so the old covenant remained.

Hence, a new covenant presented a honest, new, and heightened measure of faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, and combined an effort to obey his commandments.  This combination, if faithfully endured, and sincerely approached authethically- cleanses each of us through the Lord Jesus Christ and blesses us with his highest goodness and mercy.

The parable and the pharisee and the tax collector highlights this description above by the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
“I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every man that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:10–14.)
In answer to this parable, Jesus highlights the humility of one- a sinner, and the other- a prideful, justified Pharisee, who mocked the mission and new covenant presented by Jesus.

This type of teaching is so powerful.  It is a thoughtful and inner learning model that causes difficult choices for some, but promised blessing for another.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Hyrum

My study led me to learn of the reconciliation power of Hyrum Smith.  My times he used this skill in providing relief, rapprochement, and fence-mending of offended early church leaders.  The Lord firmed it up by declaring of him: "Blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith; for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me." D&C 124:15




Friday, June 9, 2017

A Great Story



And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

Exodus 14:21