The Power of Language This week, we have been studying Genesis 6-11 and Moses 8. The stories of Noah and the Great Flood and the Tower of Babel are ones we are told as children. But they are not just children’s stories; they carry deeper meanings that are relevant to us in our time. I […]

Creating a Little Zion In Moses chapter 7, Enoch was tasked with creating Zion. As I read this chapter, I noticed that the nations of Enoch’s day were intent on destroying each other. This fear loomed over them constantly. In a way, it gave Enoch a way to reach the people in a way that

Can We See Afar Off? I want to preface my thoughts with this: Moses chapter 6 and Doctrine and Covenants section 93 are probably my favorite chapters in all of scripture for explaining our very existence. Abraham 3 is also right up there with them. They describe that we are eternal. They tell us who

Knowing and Choosing The story of the Fall of Adam and Eve contains so many lessons we can benefit from that I could go on for several weeks discussing them. Today, I want to focus on the idea that knowing is one thing, but acting on it is another. In the process of beguiling Eve,

Creation: Science, Metaphor, or Symbolism? In the past few weeks, I have been studying and pondering five accounts of the Creation story. Two are from the Bible, using the King James Version (KJV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSVue). Two from the Pearl of Great Price, found in the Books of Moses and Abraham.

God’s Glory and Our Identity Chapter 1 of the book of Moses in the Pearl of Great Price uses the theme of glory to illustrate the difference between encounters with God and Satan. Moses rebukes Satan because he has no glory, and darkness is what he perceives. However, the concept of glory and its functions

Back on Track It has been a few weeks since I posted a message. Between being extra busy, sick and lazy, along with less time on Sunday mornings before church, I paused writing. That does not mean that I have not been studying and thinking about the scriptures. In fact, I have been possibly more

Records, Reason, and Revelation After reading Section 128 of the Doctrine and Covenants, I observed how the Prophet Joseph Smith employed reason to lead to revelation concerning record-keeping. I encourage you to read the entire section on your own to see how I come to this conclusion. The first thing I want to do is

The Hidden Things of Darkness I didn’t intend for today’s message to have such an ominous heading, and it is not because this week is Halloween. Section 123 of the Doctrine and Covenants mentions it in the context of something much more sinister. It is about an evil spirit and the “fetters of hell”, and

God’s Plan B In Doctrine and Covenants 115-120, many of the revelations deal with planning for the establishment of the church in Missouri. The Lord commanded the Saints to build a temple in Far West, and even gave them a timeline for its completion. The methods for the financing of the temple were established, and