Among a series of “woes” or covenant curses the Lord pronounces on his end-time people are the consequences of their vain attachments to the things of this world: “Woe to those drawn to sin by vain attachments, hitched to transgression like a trailer, who think, Let him quickly hasten his work so we may see […]
How the Vain Things of the World Hold Us Back Read More »
Isaiah’s prophecies address two kinds of end-time Israel: first, people like the Jews, who have more or less maintained their ethnic integrity through centuries of exile; second, people who have assimilated into the nations, who are now identified as Gentiles. We might refer to these as “ethnic Israel,” on the one hand, and “assimilated Israel,”
Two Woman Figures in the Book of Isaiah Read More »
Question: According to Isaiah, what is the end-time role of the queens of the Gentiles in relation to their husbands? Are these numbered among the 144,000 servants of God also? Answer: Two spiritual categories of kings and queens operate on Isaiah’s spiritual ladder. One is Isaiah’s equivalent of the 144,000 servants of God in the
Question about the Queens of the Gentiles’ Ministering Role Read More »
From Isaiah’s covenant theology, Malachi’s prophecy of the hearts of the fathers turning to the children and the hearts of the children turning to their fathers before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord—lest he should come and smite the earth with a curse (Malachi 4:5–6)—defines the formula for obtaining God’s
Isaiah’s Context of Malachi’s Prophecy of Fathers and Children Read More »
Built into Isaiah’s prophecy—and indeed into all scripture—are two different ways one may interpret them. The first is superficial, presumptive, and conceited. The second is in-depth, inquiring, and unassuming. That is one way God divides people—“rendering void the knowledge of their sages and the intelligence of their wise men insignificant” (Isaiah 29:14)—when the truth finally
Reading in Context—An Interpretive Principle Read More »
Question: I recently watched a podcast that claimed the servant Jesus speaks of in 3 Nephi 21:8–10 is the prophet Joseph Smith. Why can’t the prophet Joseph Smith be the servant in Isaiah 52:13–15 of whom Jesus is speaking? Answer: There are two identified as Jehovah’s (or Jesus’) servant in the Book of Isaiah: (1)
Question about Why Joseph Smith Is not the Servant Read More »
Paul and Silas’ missionary experience with the Jews in the synagogue at Berea reveals a telling contrast between the early saints who searched the scriptures daily to determine what God was saying in his Word and those who remained content to listen to the brethren’s preaching: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in
The Shift from Searching the Scriptures to Heeding the Pulpit Read More »
Nephi sees that “because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine”—which “pervert the right way of the Lord”—the endtime Gentiles “have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by
Following Jesus Christ, Not a Man Read More »
Question: Who are the saints and covenant people of the Lord mentioned in 1 Nephi 14:14, on whom the power of the Lamb descends, and has that happened yet as some have announced over the pulpit? Answer: The scripture you are referencing says, “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the power of
Question about the Power of God Descending Read More »
A dear friend received three signs of the end-time from Elder Neal A. Maxwell before his death more than twenty years ago, which I cite here with my friend’s permission: First, there will occur division in the nation followed by division in the church. Second, a power in the Middle East will gain the capacity
Three Signs of the End-Time Read More »
The era of righteousness and peace that followed Jesus’ visit to the Nephites forms a type of Jesus’ universal millennial reign. The organization of the church that he instituted among the Nephites foreshadows the millennial organization of the kingdom of God on the earth. In that sense, the “gospel of the kingdom” that would be
Restoring the Kingdom to Israel Read More »
Question: Can you explain the current armed conflict between Palestinians and Israelis from an Israeli perspective and how that possibly relates to latter-day scriptures? Answer: When I lived in Israel five years, the last two as an Israeli citizen, I was informed that it takes two years’ living in Israel to understand this conflict that
Question about the Palestinian–Israeli Conflict Read More »
