Of the many functions the Holy Ghost performs, the one he is known by is the Comforter. His role of comforting, however, is most prominent in the scriptural context of relieving distress, as when men “despise” and “reproach” you, or “shame” and “exclude” you from the congregation for being valiant in the testimony of the […]
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Question: The general consensus among Bible scholars is that the Book of Isaiah was written by two or more authors, but the scriptures say otherwise. How should one respond to that? Answer: Liberal scholars’ main arguments for assigning several authors to the Book of Isaiah are (1) that its three different historical settings—Israel before its
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In Isaiah’s Seven-Part Structure, ascent to a higher level is preceded by a temporary descent. That descent consists of the test or tests of loyalty that God orchestrates for each individual. It involves a period of suffering and humiliation that serves as a personal trial of one’s faith; however, this is but the prelude to
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“Hear me, you who know righteousness, O people in whose heart is my law: Do not fear the reproach of men; be undaunted by their ridicule. For the moth shall consume them like a garment; moths shall devour them like wool. But my righteousness shall endure forever, my salvation through endless generations.” (Isaiah 51:7–8) “Because
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Is anyone paying attention to the fact that so far we have received only “a lesser part of the things which he [Jesus] taught the people”—that since the prophet Joseph Smith we have been on trial to see if we will believe the things that have been extended to us (3 Nephi 26:6–11)? If not,
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Question: Jeremiah 23:5–6 says that the “righteous Branch” the Lord raises up to David is called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Doesn’t that prove this verse is referring to Jesus Christ? Answer: First, a correct translation of Hebrew yhvh tzidqeinu in Jeremiah 23:6 is “Jehovah is our righteousness.” As the Hebrew language possesses no capital letters,
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Linked ideas throughout the Book of Isaiah demonstrate how God’s people respond to his end-time servant’s message. Those who acknowledge the servant do as he does. As the servant keeps the terms of God’s covenant, so do they. When they live God’s law for its own sake, not for the sake of reward, God blesses
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“The path of the righteous is straight; you pave an undeviating course for the upright. In the very passage of your ordinances we anticipate you, O Jehovah; the soul’s desire is to contemplate your name. My soul yearns for you in the night; at daybreak my spirit within me seeks after you. For when your
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Given that end-time scriptures define the house of Israel as the Jews, Ten Tribes, and Lamanites, and Latter-day Saints as “the Gentiles” or “fulness of the Gentiles” (melo’ haggoyim), it is no surprise that millennial prophecies reserve the blessings of God’s covenants specifically for the house of Israel and those affiliated with them such as
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Question: I’m having difficulty sorting out which laws or terms of God’s covenants apply on different spiritual levels and how these covenants connect to one another. That includes the Ten Commandments, baptism, and temple covenants. Can you clarify? Answer: Of three major covenants God made with his people and with individuals—the Sinai, Davidic, and Abrahamic
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Have you wondered whether the Hebrew prophets wrote down revelations precisely as God gave them, or whether they added their own thoughts and ideas? Isaiah, for example, was a literary genius as well as an inspired prophet of God. His writings exhibit many layered literary devices. These mechanics of prophesying show an amazing deliberation in
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“This is to me as in the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would no more flood the earth. So I swear to have no more anger toward you, never again to rebuke you. For the mountains shall be removed and the hills collapse with shaking, but my charity toward
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