As humanity grows increasingly hedonistic, unforeseen calamities take effect. There is no stopping them because that is God’s universal law: what goes around comes around. No mantras proclaiming a nation’s becoming great again can reverse its collective guilt without that nation’s wholesale return to the one who made that nation great in the first place. […]
Preaching the Gospel through Calamities Read More »
John’s prophecy in the Book of Revelation of three antichrist persons—the Beast, the Dragon, and the False Prophet—identifies the Dragon as “that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). A search of the scriptures, on the other hand, shows that Old Testament prophets traditionally identify the Dragon as
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Question: In my gospel doctrine class, I rarely find topics discussed that touch on censuring parts of the scriptures, especially ones that address members of the church in our day. When Moroni says, “Why have ye polluted the holy church of God?” shouldn’t that be a concern, so that by facing this issue we can
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Knowing that the time is coming, and is well-nigh at hand, when the Lord “will hasten my work” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:73)—when “he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness” (Romans 9:28; cf. Doctrine & Covenants 52:11; 84:97)—what do we suppose are the dynamics behind such an extraordinary event? If God is
The Intercessors—Hasteners of the Father’s Work Read More »
Question: Do we know who the wise men were who came from the east, bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem? Answer: Matthew alone tells the story of the wise men who came from the east or place of sunrise: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the
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As all that happens in the end-time has a type or pattern in the past, what will be the end-time equivalent of wise men from the east bringing precious gifts to Jesus as at his first coming? At his second coming, will there be kings bringing gifts or tribute to the King of Kings? As
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Since I’ve taken up studying Isaiah, “Jesus, Once of Humble Birth” has become a favorite hymn of mine. I noticed a few years ago that each line describes a “descent” phase in the Savior’s life, followed by a subsequent “ascent” phase: Jesus, once of humble birth, Now in glory comes to earth. Once he suffered
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Question: Why don’t we hear of persons that are translated in our day? It seems strange that there been translated beings in every dispensation except ours. Answer: By examining the backstories of translated beings in any dispensation and getting into the heart of what motivated them in their lives, we are able to measure at
Question about Why People Aren’t Being Translated in Our Day Read More »
If salvation is by grace, not works—made possible through Jesus’ atonement for humanity’s transgressions—then how do men attain exaltation? On a parallel: if “justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true,” and also “sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true,”
Salvation—not by Works, Exaltation—by Works? Read More »
Question: How are temple covenants “manifestations of the Davidic Covenant” as you have taught in your presentations? Answer: Without needing to name covenants Latter-day Saints make in the temple, we know that they set persons on a course of purification and sanctification designed to enable them to enter into the presence of the Lord. So
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Whenever we see mention of “the Father” in the scriptures, particularly in an end-time context, that may signal a transition from the usual interaction of his people with Jehovah/Jesus to the Father’s intervention among his covenant people on the highest spiritual levels. Particularly is that evident in the Father’s manifesting his power to bring about
The Father’s End-Time Intervention in His Children’s Affairs Read More »
Question: Does Isaiah teach anything about making one’s calling and election sure as the prophet Joseph Smith does, who quotes 2 Peter 1:10–11? What does making sure your calling and election mean? Answer: Although different gospel dispensations and historical periods reveal different ways prophets and apostles teach theological concepts, the doctrines themselves remain constant throughout
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