The Doctrine And Covenants
The Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. It also includes a few revelations given to other latter-day prophets following Joseph Smith. This book of scripture is unique because it is not a translation of ancient documents. It is a collection of revelations given by the Lord to His chosen prophets in the latter days.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said that the Doctrine and Covenants is âthe foundation of the Church in these last days, and a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to manâ .
What Is The Bible
Christians believe that the Bible is inspired by God, is without error, and does not misrepresent the facts. It is entirely trustworthy and is the final authority on everything it teaches. The Bible records the drama of redemption in the history of Israel and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As Christians we acknowledge both Jesus and Scripture as the Word of God. Christians should not focus solely on Jesus Christ and treat Scripture just like any other classic text. Nor should we focus primarily on the Bible as Gods divine inerrant Word and treat Jesus as simply a character in a small part of the texts.
Jesus is the central messageGod participating in human life, coming near to us, bringing his good news, expressing Gods love for us, dying as our substitute, rising as the victor over death, and building his church as a community of grace.
Jesus is not just the main character in one of many events in the story of Gods people. Jesus is the final revelation of Gods drama of redemption. Humanity sees God in full light in Jesus. Jesus is Gods ultimate word about human life, and the Bible is Gods word about Gods self-revelation through human life. This is what Christian theologians have been saying in various ways for 2,000 years.
Let God Worry About Your Needs
âWho among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life?â
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus asked his audience to look at the beauty and simplicity of creation around them. God clothes every flower in splendor and feeds the sparrows, even though flowers die quickly and sparrows are worth so little .
He wasnât downplaying the significance of the things we worry about. Jesus was reminding them that worrying doesnât change anything. Instead Jesus said to trust that God will meet our needsâthe proof of that is all around us. When you or someone you know is struggling to get by, remember that as much as God loves the plants and animals he has created, he died for us because he loves us , and we can trust him to provide for us.
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Matthew 1: 2: Jesus Relieves Our Anxieties
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
A University of Michigan study from March 31 indicated that since the onset of the pandemic, 50 percent of participants reported recurring anxiety. Nearly a third described symptoms matching clinical depression. It is no mystery why with U.S. unemployment claims approaching 20 percent and death counts delivered to us all daily by push notification, the natural human response is despair.
Perhaps your non-Christian colleague, coworker, friend, or family member needs to simply know that Jesus is a Savior who promises to ease the burden of life. I fear that those of us who are serious about theology , in an effort to avoid the dangers of the soft, watered-down American gospel of comfort and inclusivity, fall into an opposite extreme in which we neglect the tenderness and mercy of Christ. We forget to preach what Jonathan Edwards so often described as the excellencies and sweetness of Christ. Gods justice and wrath are real and must be fled, yet when we flee them, we find ourselves in the compassionate arms of the Good Shepherd. He does not even snuff out a smoldering wick or break a bruised reed, nor raise his voice in the streets . Jesus is near and available to all who are afflicted with fear, worry, and despond.
God Will Provide A Way Out
âNo temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.â
Sin often makes us feel as though weâre alone in our struggles. Shame lets us believe we are uniquely wicked for the temptations we face in our hearts and minds. But when Paul wrote to the church in Corinthâan ancient Greek city which had a reputation for depravityâhe told them their temptation was simply part of being human.
He also told them a secret about temptation: it will never be more than you can bear, and thereâs always a way out.
When youâre in the middle of being tempted to sin, it can feel like itâs inevitable that youâre going to mess up. But thatâs not the reality. Thereâs always a way out. It may not be easy. It might come with consequences. But if you look, itâs there, and you can overcome the temptation youâre facing.
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You Are Worth More Than Many Sparrows
âAre not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Donât be afraid you are worth more than many sparrows.â
Sparrowsâ lives were of so little value that each was worth less than a penny. In fact, the parallel passage from Matthewâs gospel tells us that two were sold for a penny, and so Luke is revealing here that if you purchased four, one was thrown in for free. But God knows every single sparrow, no matter how little value they hold to humans.
And you are worth more than many of them.
God knows you better than you know yourself . And while that might seem like a trivial piece of information, the point Jesus is making is this: God knows you so well that no one can harm a hair on your head without him knowing. You are so valuable to the God who created you that he has taken the time to become intimately familiar with every detail about you.
Looking for even more encouraging bible verses to uplift those around you? Check out our blog post: 20 Bible Verses About Strength.
Comforting Bible Verses About Love
Love is the last thing we feel when we are discouraged. Loving others and loving ourselves is the most difficult thing when we are in the middle of a storm. But, Scripture reminds us that God is love and that we are called to love others. May these encouraging Bible verses remind you that you are a child of God who is loved with an everlasting love!
“Love is patient and kind love does not envy or boast it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way it is not irritable or resentful it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away as for tongues, they will cease as for knowledge, it will pass away.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” 1 John 4:16
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8
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Bible Memory Verses For Sunday School
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Memorizing Bible verses can be a fun part of a journey of faith, even when you start with the youngest Sunday School attendees. These 100 memory verses are sorted so that they start with more simple verses and grow gradually more complex. Enjoy planting some of these beloved verses into the hearts of your Sunday School class.
For I Know The Plans I Have For You
ââFor I know the plans I have for you,â declares the Lord, âplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.ââ
This is one of the most popular verses in all of Scripture, and youâll find it on countless pieces of Christian merchandise because of its encouraging message. But before we cling to these words, itâs important to reflect on where they come from.When Jeremiah shared these words with the Israelites, they were facing one of the bleakest periods in ancient Jewish history: the Babylonian exile. King Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Godâs temple and took many of the Jews as captives, forcing them to live among the Babylonians and embrace Babylonian culture. This period lasted 70 years, and most of the people who heard these words likely didnât live to experience the fulfillment of Godâs promise.
This is not a promise that soon your troubles will be over and God will make you successful and happy. Itâs a promise that God is not the origin of our pain and that, in the end, Godâs plan will work out for good .
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The Purpose Of Scripture
Scripture is not intended as a moral guide book or a collection of propositions to believe. Its purpose is to reveal Gods plan and purposes throughout human history. According to the Apostle Paul, All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work . Among the most important objectives, Scripture is able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus .
Bible Passages That Help Us Persevere
When life feels dark or the way ahead is unclear, Gods Word remains a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Here, ten women reflect on Scripture passages that have strengthened and encouraged them during difficult times.
Jo Saxton
Jo Saxton on Matthew 14:22-36
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus .
As a child, I loved this passage. It resonated strongly with me when I realized COVID-19 would change our lives. The rise of the pandemic was like watching a storm brewing: Relatives around the world shared their stories, school was canceled, and my work was canceled or postponed. I read this passage multiple times a day for over a week.
When Peter stepped out of the boat before the storm was still, he walked on the words Jesus said to him. I am challenged to walk on Jesus words to me amid lifes storms, even if they dont make sense. God not only speaks to us through the storms of life, but he also meets with us and speaks to us in the heart of the storm, when were at the end of ourselves and all hope is gone.
As a child, I was stunned by the power of God. Now, this passage reminds me of Gods tender kindness, the extraordinary lengths he went to for his friends in need, and how he transformed their lives. Jesus takes time to heal the crowd even though initially hed avoided the crowd to get some rest. Would I go to extraordinary lengths so my friends could encounter peace, hope, and love?
Jen Wilkin
Jen Wilkin on Psalm 139
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Archaeological And Historical Research
Biblical archaeology is the archaeology that relates to and sheds light upon the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian Greek Scriptures . It is used to help determine the lifestyle and practices of people living in biblical times. There are a wide range of interpretations in the field of biblical archaeology. One broad division includes biblical maximalism which generally takes the view that most of the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible is based on history although it is presented through the religious viewpoint of its time. It is considered to be the opposite of biblical minimalism which considers the Bible to be a purely post-exilic composition. Even among those scholars who adhere to biblical minimalism, the Bible is a historical document containing first-hand information on the Hellenistic and Roman eras, and there is universal scholarly consensus that the events of the 6th century BCE Babylonian captivity have a basis in history.
The Pearl Of Great Price
The Pearl of Great Price contains the book of Moses, the book of Abraham, the Prophet Joseph Smithâs inspired translation of Matthew chapter 24, and some writings of the Prophet Joseph.
The book of Moses is a small excerpt from Joseph Smithâs inspired translation of the Bible. It is a more complete record of Mosesâs writings at the beginning of the book of Genesis in the Old Testament. It contains many doctrines and teachings that were lost from the Bible and gives additional information about the plan of salvation, the creation of the earth, and the Lordâs dealings with Adam and Enoch.
The book of Abraham is a translation of ancient records written on papyrus that came into the possession of the Church in 1835. The Prophet Joseph Smith translated the records by revelation. This book contains truths about the premortal Council in Heaven, the creation of the earth, the nature of God, and the priesthood.
Joseph SmithâMatthew is an excerpt from Joseph Smithâs inspired revision of the Bible and adds to our knowledge of the Saviorâs teachings about His Second Coming.
The writings of Joseph Smith in the Pearl of Great Price include:
Joseph SmithâHistory, which is an excerpt from the Prophetâs history of the Church. It is a narrative of the events leading to the restoration of the Church, including the First Vision, the visits of Moroni to the Prophet Joseph, the obtaining of the gold plates, and the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.
Record Your Impressions
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Do Not Be Anxious About Anything
âDo not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.â
Anxiety disorders affect almost 20 percent of the U.S. population every year. We have a lot to be anxious about. The Bible doesnât tell us not to be anxious because the things youâre anxious about donât matter. Rather, it offers a solution to the anxiety we experience in the moment: if youâre worried about something, bring it to God. Pray, and ask God to help you with your worry.Notice that God isnât just giving us âpeace.â Itâs the peace of God. When we bring our anxieties to God, we get to experience the same peace that God has, a peace that âtranscends all understandingâ and doesnât make sense in our circumstances. God protects your heart from the worries Satan wants you to be consumed by.
Development Of The Christian Canons
Development of the Old Testament canonDevelopment of the New Testament canonSt. Jerome in his StudyJeromeLatinVulgate
The Old Testament canon entered into Christian use in the Greek Septuagint translations and original books, and their differing lists of texts. In addition to the Septuagint, Christianity subsequently added various writings that would become the New Testament. Somewhat different lists of accepted works continued to develop in antiquity. In the 4th century a series of synods produced a list of texts equal to the 39, 46, 51, or 54-book canon of the Old Testament and to the 27-book canon of the New Testament that would be subsequently used to today, most notably the Synod of Hippo in 393 CE. Also c. 400, Jerome produced a definitive Latin edition of the Bible , the canon of which, at the insistence of the Pope, was in accord with the earlier Synods. With the benefit of hindsight, it can be said that this process effectively set the New Testament canon, although there are examples of other canonical lists in use after this time.
The New Testament writers assumed the inspiration of the Old Testament, probably earliest stated in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God”.
Some denominations have additional canonical holy scriptures beyond the Bible, including the standard works of the Latter Day Saints movement and Divine Principle in the Unification Church.
Ethiopian Orthodox canon
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What Kind Of Language Is Being Used
In addition to identifying an authors purpose and knowing something about the literary form and conventions they are using, part of interpretation is understanding how an author uses language. Some of our human communication is fairly straightforward, but much of it relies on the hearers drawing inferences that are not made explicit by the sum total of the definitions of the words.
Also, much of our language use is figurative in some way, or is not meant to be taken literally. Think back to high school English class and all those vocabulary words you had to learn: simile, metaphor, hyperbole, euphemism, synecdoche, litote, idiomatic expression. The Bible has examples of all of these kinds of figures of speech.
To further complicate things, words themselves can have figurative senses. In Greek the primary sense of poimen is shepherd, someone who cares for sheep. The secondary, figurative sense is the leader of a church. When Jesus says I am the Good Shepherd in John 10:14, he is using the primary sense of shepherd in a metaphor that speaks figuratively about his love for his people. In Ephesians 4:11, Paul lists some roles in the church that include shepherd , but using that word does not mean we should interpret the passage figuratively it is a very straightforward list.