Question: I would love to hear more about the temple covenants. So many Christians use the New Testament to say that the veil of the temple was rent, so that access to God changed and the temple was no more to be used. Can you write more about why temples were not to be ended, […]
Second Question about Temple Covenants Read More »
Jesus refers to his servant again when giving Lehi’s descendants “a sign, that ye may know the time when these things shall be about to take place—that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion” (3 Nephi 21:1; cf. vv 8–11).
Zion Is Established among the House of Israel Read More »
“The sinners in Zion are struck with fear; the godless are in the grip of trembling: Who among us can live through the devouring fire? Who among us can abide eternal burning?” (Isaiah 33:14) “Because the women of Zion are haughty and put on airs, painting their eyes, ever flirting when they walk and clacking
The Lord’s Establishment of Zion Read More »
If “by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:16, 20), it may be time to take a look at what kinds of fruits we are yielding. Are we bringing forth “fruit meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8; Alma 13:13)—“fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom,” which, if not, “there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be
Fruitfulness and Unfruitfulness Read More »
Question: How do LDS temple covenants relate to biblical covenants such as the Sinai Covenant, Davidic Covenant, and Abrahamic Covenant that appear so prominently in the theology of Isaiah? Answer: While temple covenants are in the nature of individual covenants that Latter-day Saints make, the covenant made at baptism—in which we take upon ourselves the
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Isaiah’s Seven-Part Structure defines Babylon as a composite entity made up of individual entities of various kinds (Isaiah 13–23; 47). These consist of the nations of the world, aggressive world powers (like Assyria and its alliance), tyrants and oppressors, rulers and men of power, enemies and adversaries, proud kindred peoples, and the wicked of God’s
Babylon—A Worldwide Conglomerate Read More »
“Go forth out of Babylon, flee from Chaldea! Make this announcement with resounding voice; broadcast it to the end of the earth. Say, Jehovah has redeemed his servant Jacob. They thirsted not when he led them through arid places: he caused water to flow for them from the rock; he cleaved the rock and water
The Rise and Fall of Babylon Read More »
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
Descent before Ascent Read More »
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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