The “Revelation Books” preceded what we now know as the Doctrine and Covenants. Thanks to these books, the path for publishing modern revelation was open. As the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith was given power by God to translate the golden plates… Continue reading
Although we might prefer our lives be as neat and cozy as a duck pond in a manicured garden, we must navigate the wilderness of uncertainty guided by the Spirit if we are to discover our personal promised lands. While hurrying home one October day, I was struck by the… Continue reading
We often feel like there’s no time for meaningful scripture study. Even when there is time, we may be lost as to how to make the most of it. Joseph Fielding McConkie—son of Bruce R. McConkie, grandson of Joseph Fielding Smith, and longtime professor of ancient scripture at BYU—tells of… Continue reading
The Apostle Paul can help us learn to teach more like the Savior taught. Members of the LDS Church have numberless opportunities to teach, whether it’s as missionaries, in Sunday School, at home, or with friends. In the Ensign article “The Apostle Paul as Master Teacher,” Frank F. Judd Jr. and John Hilton… Continue reading
Scholars at the Joseph Smith Papers propose what might have been included in the Book of Commandments if the printing office had not been destroyed by a mob. In July 1833, vigilantes razed William Phelps’s home where he was printing copies of Joseph Smith’s revelations that were then known as… Continue reading
Want to see copies of original characters from the gold plates up close? Thanks to The Joseph Smith Papers, you can. From the moment Joseph Smith received the gold plates in 1827, he constantly had to protect them. The angel Moroni gave him specific instructions to keep them safe—not only from… Continue reading
Scripture study can be challenging. But if we continue with faith, we will find strength and personal insight each time we read. More than just another item on a to-do list, effective scripture study can become a powerful skill that, with practice, can make daily study truly meaningful. As David… Continue reading
We are sometimes required to pass judgment on other people and on important decisions in our lives. These seven principles outline how we can make righteous judgments. In Matthew 7:1, Christ commands us not to judge. Through the Joseph Smith Translation, however, we see that not all judgment is bad.… Continue reading
If you don’t think of Genesis 1–2 when you read Alma 32, you’re missing powerful Creation imagery that emphasizes fundamental Christian teachings. The sermon on faith in Alma 32 is among the most iconic passages found in the Book of Mormon. In it we read that God’s word is a seed… Continue reading
Building on our strengths, recognizing our limitations, relying on the Savior, and receiving his grace can help us find strength in God. God consistently chooses the young, small, weak, and humble to do his work. In a Brigham Young University devotional, Bishop Gérald Caussé, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric,… Continue reading
