Author: David
-
What was happening in Cincinnati?
And in that place (Cincinnati from verse 30) they shall lift up their voices unto God against that people … a people who are well-nigh ripened for destruction. Doctrine & Covenants 61:31 Looking at the history of Cincinnati I wonder if there was something related to slavery and the abolitionist movement that was drawing the…
-
An alternate reality
Before the people of Limhi were delivered from bondage the Lord softened the hearts of their enemies after they humbled themselves to ease the burdens from their backs. I suspect that could have happened more quickly if they had humbled themselves before they tried and failed to free themselves through force of arms. Having attached…
-
Unto what were ye ordained?
I think it’s valuable, especially when we feel rudderless, to ask what we have been ordained to do. When we understand our role we should focus on that and not try to take over things the Lord has reserved to Himself or ordained others to do. If you behold a spirit manifested that you cannot…
-
Popular sidetracks
We can see here how people can get an idea and elevate it to a doctrine. Two clear examples here are celibacy and vegetarianism. Celibacy has a place (outside of marriage) but it should not be pushed as a lifelong aspirational lifestyle. Similarly vegetarianism (and veganism) have some merit from the standpoint of physiological health…
-
The way to preach
Let them lift up their voice and declare my word with loud voices, without wrath or doubting.{Proclaim} my word among the congregations of the wicked, not in haste, neither in wrath nor with strife. Doctrine & Covenants 60:7,14 The Lord does not need or want us to become demonstrative or performative or to be anxious…
-
Two good men
I am impressed by the strength of character demonstrated by Limhi in choosing to talk to the king of the Lamanites rather than kill him and also the strength of character of the king of the Lamanites in believing Limhi without time for evidence regarding who was responsible for the loss of the daughters of…
-
A balancing act
Do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance Doctrine & Covenants 59:15 How do we judge between “much laughter” and “a glad heart and a cheerful countenance”? I personally suspect that part of it is volume…
-
Alma repented
It is interesting to think about Alma’s repentance. It is covered here in a verse or two but Alma certainly took some time recording the words of Abinadi and searching the scriptures to come to know for himself the truth of the prophecies that Abinadi has testified about. I’m sure it also took months or…
-
In over their heads
The early saints were frequently instructed to do things that they had no idea how to do. It’s no wonder that Joseph was seeking direction constantly. Picking up and moving from their established homes was a daunting task but preparing a place to receive a large number of families while having free resources to call…
-
By the Spirit—with ground rules
Elders of the church are allowed to conduct all meetings as they feel guided by the Spirit but the Lord sets out some ground rules for various types of meetings. If a leader feels the spirit is telling them to do something contradictory to those rules it isn’t the Spirit of God. Also, do all…