Archaeological digs have uncovered mosaics and prayers suggesting Samson as an important messianic prototype in ancient Galilee. Samson of the Old Testament is revered for his strength and wit in his endeavors to deliver Israel from the Philistines. But his affair with Delilah made the biblical judge a controversial character,… Continue reading
Joseph Smith’s 1832 account of the First Vision preserves personal and intimate details that are not recorded elsewhere. The only known account in Joseph Smith’s own handwriting of his early spiritual experiences—including the First Vision—are included in his 1832 personal history. This unique history can be read on The Joseph… Continue reading
Discover how the Relief Society was founded, how the organization’s name was decided, and how the early Church’s women became sisters. Within the large collection of documents called the Joseph Smith Papers, there is a precious treasure that is particularly significant to women of the Church: the Nauvoo Relief Society… Continue reading
Lesser-known accounts of Joseph Smith’s First Vision provide greater insight into the event and can strengthen your testimony. When Joseph Smith was 14 years old, God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in a grove of trees. Following this event, Joseph recorded his experience four times during his lifetime—each… Continue reading
Oliver Cowdery explains in a letter the true worth of the gold plates that were translated into the Book of Mormon. In 1827, Joseph Smith learned from an angel named Moroni that a record of ancient inhabitants of the Americans was hidden in a hill in Manchester, New York. He… Continue reading
The Book of Moses came to Joseph Smith as a revelation from God, eventually sparking the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. Why is it that only The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a book of scripture named after Moses? Doesn’t the world already have books of… Continue reading
How can we overcome our fear of the future and avoid looking longingly at the past? Elder Jeffrey R. Holland implores us to “Remember Lot’s Wife,” to avoid looking back, and to instead look toward the future with faith in the Lord. In a Brigham Young University devotional, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland… Continue reading
Though women are mentioned less frequently than men in the New Testament, they were very important to Christ and his ministry. Camille Fronk Olson, chair of the Department of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, explains little-known treasures about New Testament women in her article “They Ministered unto Him of… Continue reading
Just as we are blessed with knowledge of the past, ancient prophets were blessed with knowledge of the future. Joseph F. McConkie (1941–2013) was an emeritus professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University when he researched the connection between ancient prophets and Joseph Smith. Through revelation, ancient prophets learned… Continue reading
Learn how to reconcile your doubts about revelations from the Lord’s prophets. Revelation is often given in response to a certain question or situation. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland recounts how the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants, also known as the Lord’s Preface, was given after a man accused… Continue reading
