Old Testament Wednesday

Scripture of the Day:

2 Kings 23:1-3

  1 And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.

  2 And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he ^aread in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord.

  3 ¶ And the king stood by a ^apillar, and made a ^bcovenant before the Lord, to ^cwalk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and alltheir soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

Historical Background:

Here is some historical background on King Josiah from the Bible Dictionary:

King of Judah, 641-610 B.C. (see 2 Kgs. 22 - 24; 2 Chr. 34 - 35). While still young, he made, under the guidance of Hilkiah, a thorough religious reformation, which extended to the northern tribes. He restored the temple, destroyed idolatrous images and the high places, put down the idolatrous priests, and celebrated a great Passover (2 Kgs. 23: 21-23). During this reformation a book of the law was found by Hilkiah (2 Kgs. 22: 8 f.; 2 Chr. 34: 15 f.). It made at once a great impression, and led to the centralizing of all sacrificial worship at Jerusalem and the abolition of local idolatrous sanctuaries in the war between Assyria and Egypt, and, though Pharaoh-Neco disclaimed enmity, Josiah met him in battle at Megiddo and was defeated and slain (2 Chr. 35: 20-25; see also 2 Kgs. 23: 29-30; Jer. 22: 10-12, 18; Zech. 12: 11).

Son of Zephaniah (Zech. 6: 10).

And the Guide to the Scriptures:

A righteous king of Judah from 641-610 B.C. (2 Kgs. 22-24; 2 Chr. 34-35). During his reign, the book of the law was found in the house of the Lord (2 Kgs. 22: 8-13).

Gospel Principles Outlined:

1) Seek out the scriptures, for they give great guidance for our lives.

2) Righteous leaders will restore the people to principles of salvation.

3) We should make personal covenants with the Lord based on what we are inspired to do from studying the gospel.

4) We cannot afford to let the scriptures out of our lives.

5) Help others to make and keep covenants.

What I Learned Today:

I was especially impressed by the king's desire to revolutionize his people based on the impact that the scriptures had on him.  We should allow the scriptures to guide and shape our lives so that we too can make saving covenants with the Lord.  We must consistently study and learn the gospel as contained in the scriptures.  It will bless us immeasurably.  The scriptures are one of our greatest tools in following the Savior.

Things I Will Implement:

I am excited to continue to improve the ways that I study the scriptures.  I also like the concept of making personal covenants with the Savior based on impressions we receive in our study.  I will try to implement that more in my life.

Doctrine and Covenants Tuesday

Scripture of the Day:

Doctrine and Covenants 109:54-58

  54 Have mercy, O Lord, upon all the ^anations of the earth; have mercy upon the rulers of our land; may those principles, which were so honorably and nobly defended, namely, the ^bConstitution of our land, by our fathers, be established forever.

  55 ^aRemember the kings, the princes, the nobles, and the great ones of the earth, and all people, and the churches, all the poor, the needy, and afflicted ones of the earth;

  56 That their hearts may be softened when thy servants shall go out from thy house, O Jehovah, to bear testimony of thy name; that their prejudices may give way before the ^atruth, and thy people may obtain favor in the sight of all;

  57 That all the ends of the earth may know that we, thy servants, have ^aheard thy voice, and that thou hast sent us;

  58 That from among all these, thy servants, the sons of Jacob, may gather out the righteous to build a holy ^acity to thy name, as thou hast commanded them.

Historical Background:

Section 109 of the Doctrine and Covenants is the dedicatory prayer of the Kirtland Temple as given to the Prophet Joseph Smith by revelation.  After of the sacrifice and struggle, the saints had completed their first temple and this dedication was a cause for much rejoicing in the face of much adversity.  Here is the entry on the Kirtland Temple from the Guide to the Scriptures-

The first temple built by the Church in modern times. The Saints built it in Kirtland, Ohio (United States of America), according to the Lord’s command (D&C 94: 3-9). One purpose was to provide a place where worthy Church members could receive spiritual power, authority, and enlightenment (D&C 109; 110). It was dedicated on 27 March 1836; the dedicatory prayer was given to the Prophet Joseph Smith by revelation (D&C 109). The Lord gave several important revelations and restored needed priesthood keys in this temple (D&C 110; 137). It was not used for the full temple ordinances given in temples today.

Also see the entry on Temples from the Guide to the Scriptures.

Gospel Principles Outlined:

1) We should pray for our political leaders, whomever they might be.

2) The Lord reveals the words of dedicatory prayers to the prophets.

3) The Lord is aware of the adversities of His people and will watch over them.

4) The temples are safe havens for the Savior's followers.

5) The Lord always prepares the way for the gospel to be shared throughout the world.

What I Learned Today:

I was touched by the fact that Joseph Smith was inspired to pray about the political leaders of his day.  We often lose sight of the great burden that they carry upon their shoulders and it is important that they receive our prayers even if they may have a different political perspective than we do.  Also, I find it interesting that the prayer emphasizes the role that political leaders can play in allowing the gospel to spread throughout the world.  We should be praying that their hearts will be softened towards the gospel so that they can allow the Church a better opportunities of sharing the blessings that we have with everyone.  What a blessing temples and prayer are!

Things I Will Implement:

I will improve the ways and frequency in which I pray for the leaders of my own country as well as the leaders of other countries as well.

Book of Mormon Monday

Scripture of the Day:

Mosiah 8:16-18

16 And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.

  17 But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.

  18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.

Historical Background:

Here is the summary from the Chapter Heading-

Ammon teaches the people of Limhi—He learns of the twenty-four Jaredite plates—Ancient records can be translated by seers—The gift of seership exceeds all others. About 121 B.C.

The people of Limhi had separated themselves from the main body of the Nephites and had been given land to use by the Lamanites.  After years of success and adversity, the people of Limhi were sought out by a group of the Nephites led by Ammon.  They were living in adversity and these verses are some of the teachings of Ammon.

Gospel Principles Outlined:

1) God gives power to man to do His will.

2) Prophets are seers and revelators.

3) Men in those positions have great power given them of God.

4) Prophets teach the people by "bringing hidden things to light."

5) The calling of prophets allows God to work great miracles amongst His children.

What I Learned Today:

Prophets provide a way of bringing truth to the children of God in a way that nothing else could provide.  It is very important for us to focus on gaining a testimony of the great power that comes through prophets and then trust in that testimony to follow the things that we are taught by the prophet.  This is not and must not be blind obedience.  We do not follow the prophet blindly; we follow the prophet because he has consistently led us to increased happiness and joy in this life.  We can trust that.

Things I Will Implement:

I will review the teachings of the prophet from the most recent General Conference and look for ways that I can follow the prophet in order to bring greater power and understanding into my life.

Pearl of Great Price Friday

Scripture of the Day:

Abraham 5:15-19

15 And the Gods caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; and he slept, and they took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in the stead thereof;

  16 And of the rib which the Gods had taken from man, formed they a ^awoman, and brought her unto the man.

  17 And Adam said: This was bone of my bones, and ^aflesh of my flesh; now she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man;

  18 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall ^acleave unto his wife, and they shall be ^bone flesh.

  19 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ^aashamed.

Historical Background:

Background on Adam-

See also Adam-ondi-Ahman; Archangel; Eden; Eve; Fall of Adam and Eve; Michael

The first man created on earth.

Adam is the father and patriarch of the human race on the earth. His transgression in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3; D&C 29: 40-42; Moses 4) caused him to “fall” and become mortal, a step necessary in order for mankind to progress on this earth (2 Ne. 2: 14-29; Alma 12: 21-26). Adam and Eve should therefore be honored for their role in making our eternal growth possible. Adam is the Ancient of Days and is also known as Michael (Dan. 7; D&C 27: 11; 107: 53-54; 116; 138: 38). He is the archangel and will come again to the earth as the patriarch of the human family, preparatory to the second coming of Jesus Christ (D&C 29: 26).

God created man in his own image, Gen. 1: 26-28 (Moses 2: 26-28; Abr. 4: 26-28). God gave man dominion over all things and commanded him to multiply and fill the earth, Gen. 1: 28-31 (Moses 2: 28-31; Abr. 4: 28-31). God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and forbade them to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Gen. 2: 7-9, 15-17 (Moses 3: 7-9, 15-17; Abr. 5: 7-13). Adam named every living creature, Gen. 2: 19-20 (Moses 3: 19-20; Abr. 5: 20-21). Adam and Eve were married by God, Gen. 2: 18-25 (Moses 3: 18-25; Abr. 5: 14-21). Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan, partook of the forbidden fruit, and were cast out of the Garden of Eden, Gen. 3 (Moses 4). Adam was 930 years old at his death, Gen. 5: 5 (Moses 6: 12). Adam was the first man, D&C 84: 16. Before his death Adam called his righteous posterity together at Adam-ondi-Ahman and blessed them, D&C 107: 53-57. Adam offered sacrifice, Moses 5: 4-8. Adam was baptized, received the Holy Ghost, and was ordained to the priesthood, Moses 6: 51-68.

Background on Book of Abraham-

The book of Abraham: Ancient records written by Abraham that came into the possession of the Church in 1835. The records and some mummies were discovered in Egyptian catacombs by Antonio Lebolo, who willed them to Michael Chandler. Chandler exhibited them in the United States in 1835. Some friends of Joseph Smith bought them from Chandler and gave them to the Prophet, who translated them. Some of these records are now found in the Pearl of Great Price.

Chapter 1 records Abraham’s experiences in Ur of the Chaldees, where wicked priests tried to sacrifice him. Chapter 2 tells of his journey to Canaan. The Lord appeared to him and made covenants with him. Chapter 3 records that Abraham saw the universe and perceived the relationships between heavenly bodies. Chapters 4-5 are another account of the Creation.

Gospel Principles Outlined:

1) Marriage is ordained of God.

2) Adam and Eve were married by God.

3) Unity is critical in marriage.

4) Gospel plan emphasizes the creation of family units.

5) We are blessed when we seek to build up our family relationships.

What I Learned Today:

I feel really blessed to have been recently married and I know how wonderful it is to be with someone with whom you feel "unified."  My wife does a great job of working together with me so that we can both improve and become more like the Savior.  I find it interesting that the marriage relationship is so important to God that it was one of the first things that He did during the creation.  One of the reasons that I believe that it is so important is because marriage is where we are able to be most like Our Father in Heaven in this life.  It is where we appropriately use the power to create life.  It is unfortunate that society has moved to a place the the power is disregarded and the act is emphasized as one of pleasure.  I am grateful for an understanding on the blessings that come through righteously following the Lord in my family life.

Things I Will Implement:

These verses are a great reminder to me of the ways I can work to be more unified with my wife.  I will focus on doing them.