Blessings From Scripture Study

The Book of Mormon gives us several of the blessings that can be had from regular scripture study. In reading these verses, we must keep in mind that the scriptures are often referred to as God's "word".

Power to overcome temptation.

1 Nephi 15:24

24And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.

Healing to the "wounded soul".

Jacob 2:8

8And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.

Greater hope and faith.

Jacob 4:6

6Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.

A release from the "pains of hell" (sin)

Alma 26:13

13Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?

Quotes of the Day: Emulation of the Savior

Elder Russell M. Nelson, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Surely the best evidence of our adoration of Jesus is our emulation of him”

(Russell M. Nelson, “Gratitude for the Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ,” in Brigham Young University 1997–98 Speeches [1998], 349).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

“Perfect worship is emulation”

(Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, 568).

Latter-Day Hymns: As Zion's Youth in Latter-Days

As Zion’s Youth in Latter Days, no. 256

1. As Zion’s youth in latter days,
We stand with valiant heart,
With promise shining in our eyes,
Resolved to do our part.
Upon a noble past we build;
The future fills our view.
We face the challenge of our day
And pledge we will be true.

2. The truths and values we embrace
Are mocked on ev’ry hand.
Yet as we listen and obey
We know we can withstand
The evils that would weaken us,
The sin that would destroy.
With faith, we hold the iron rod
And find in this our joy.

3. Thru test and trial we’ll have our fears,
But we will not despair.
We’re here to serve a righteous cause;
Truth gives us strength to dare.
We’ll love, and learn, and overcome;
We’ll sing a joyful song,
As Zion’s youth in latter days,
Triumphant, pure, and strong.

Text: Susan Evans McCloud, b. 1945. © 1985 IRI

Music: Irish melody; arr. © 1985 IRI

Book of Mormon Sampler: Alma 7:12

‎"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." Alma 7:12

Come Now, and Let Us Reason Together

Lately I have been thinking about some of the common beliefs of our day which differ from the teachings of the restored gospel. As I have reasoned them out in my mind, I have come to find even more reasons for believing the way I do. I would like to share some of this reasoning with you. I borrow the phrase from the Bible, "Come now, and let us reason together":

Can a man look upon God?

Many religions teach that we could never look upon God. In some cases this is because they believe He has no form, and as taught by the Nicene creed, is without body, parts or passions. But if we reason this out together, the question could be asked, "Can God not show Himself to us?" If God is God, he is omnipotent and can do anything. If he could not show himself to us, he would cease to be omnipotent. In fact, there are several scriptures that refer to people seeing him. I'm not sure if people use a different interpretation to explain these witnesses, but I think their testimonies are clear. But I think that because they do not fit in with the creeds of today, they are dismissed.

JACOB

30And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. Gen. 32:30

STEPHEN

55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the righthand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Acts 7:55, 56

JOSEPH SMITH

22And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

23For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

24That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. Doctrine and Covenants 76: 22-24

MOSES

4And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

5And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

6Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. Exodus 3:4-6

1The words of God, which he spake unto Moses at a time when Moses was caught up into an exceedingly high mountain,

2And he saw God face to face, and he talked with him, and the glory of God was upon Moses; therefore Moses could endure his presence. Moses 1:1-2

LEHI

(from The Book of Mormon)

8And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God. 1 Nephi 1:8

Does God have a body?

One of the most common beliefs today is that God does not have a body. Once again, this is a belief that was iterated in the Nicene creed, as well as other creeds. Anything pertaining to the flesh was looked upon as evil, so the writers felt that God must not be flesh.

If we reason this out, we must remember that Jesus Christ was resurrected. If there had been no resurrection, then all of us, after death, would remain spirit. If God is a spirit, then why should we not remain spirits too? Why was the resurrection so necessary?

In our religion we believe that God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost are three separate personages. God the Father, and Jesus Christ both have physical, glorified bodies. The Holy Ghost has not as yet received a body because it is imperative that his spirit be able to commune with our spirits so that he can lead us in to all truth. If we are to become more like God, we must also have a body, and must be resurrected after death.

But even those who don't believe that they are three separate beings must still believe that God has a body. Jesus was resurrected with his body, and we have the witness of the New Testament. If Jesus is God, then God has a body.

Another witness of these two truths is Job. Job testified that not only would he be resurrected, but he would see God. If he were to see him, God must have a body.

JOB

25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

We should also remember that we are children of God.

16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:16, 17

Nature shows us a pattern in this thing. Every offspring grows to be like it's parent. If God truly is our Father, then he must have a body like us.

And finally we have the Savior's witness on this subject:

39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Luke 24:39

I would like to write future posts that reason about other truths. I hope you will share your thoughts with me so that we can reason together!