Additional Study Material - The Third Year of Jesus’ Public Ministry

The third year commences with a dramatic miracle—the feeding of five thousand. Because of this miracle, many of the Jews seek to make Jesus their king, but he refuses. He later tells the people that they have followed him, not because of his miracles, but because he has fed them. That is, not because they wished to obey his teachings, but for selfish, physical reasons. Jesus then delivers to them his great discourse on the Bread of Life, announcing openly that he is the messiah. With the miracle of the feeding of five thousand, it appears that Jesus reaches the highest point of his popularity with the masses.

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Additional Study Material - “He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me”

Jesus taught profound doctrine and worked mighty miracles according to the faith of the people of Galilee. From this spreading of the kingdom, he turned a second time to the town of his youth, offering to Nazareth a second chance to hear his truth and acknowledge his ministry, He testified of his divinity by marvelous works; but his compassion for mankind, which had been manifest so often among the believers of Galilee, found few ready, receiving hearts in Nazareth. Jesus left Nazareth and commenced another journey into Galilee.

He called, commissioned, and sent others to labor in the cause of truth with a statement of the greatest possible earthly honor and approval: “He that receiveth you receiveth me.” (Matthew 10:40.) Jesus led his church through authorized servants, holy men, who dispensed his power and his will to the saints and to the world. It was true for his servants then, it is true for his servants today as well—an everlasting principle.

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Additional Study Material - “He Spake Many Things unto Them in Parables”

The word parable is Greek in origin and means a setting side by side, a comparison. In parables divine truth is presented by comparison with material things. The Hebrew word, mashal, which parable is used to translate, has a wider significance, and is applied to the balanced metrical form in which teaching is conveyed in the poetical books of the Old Testament. See Matt. 13:35.

Most teachers, especially those in the Middle East, have used some form of parable in their instruction, but none so exclusively as Jesus at one period of His ministry. During part of the Galilean ministry the record states that “without a parable spake he not unto them” (Mark 4:34). From our Lord’s words (Matt. 13:13–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10) we learn the reason for this method. It was to veil the meaning. The parable conveys to the hearer religious truth exactly in proportion to his faith and intelligence; to the dull and uninspired it is a mere story, “seeing they see not,” while to the instructed and spiritual it reveals the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Thus it is that the parable exhibits the condition of all true knowledge. Only he who seeks finds.

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Additional Study Material - “Whosoever Shall Do the Will of the Father”

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

The question often arises why John would send his disciples to ask such a question of Jesus. Still months after the baptism of Jesus and after John’s repeated efforts to persuade them, John found some of his disciples still reluctant to detach themselves from him and to follow their true Master. It seems most consistent to identify John’s motive in sending the two disciples to Jesus as one of persuasion for them, rather than of reassurance for himself. The question they were to put to Jesus was for their edification, not for his own. John knew, as no one else knew, who Jesus was, and he had known it for a long time. He had had revelation from heaven to this effect: he had seen with his eyes, he had heard with his ears, and he had the testimony of the Holy Ghost. He even had received the ministry of angels while in the prison.

The most satisfactory answer seems to be that John sent his disciples to question Jesus about his identity so that they themselves would at long last realize the truth of what John had been testifying for these many months.

With that in mind, what is our answer to that question? And when we have our answer, what are we to do about it?

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Additional Study Material - “Be Ye Therefore Perfect”

Have you given much thought as to what your ultimate goal is? How does it make you feel when you read these words of Jesus: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”? (Matthew 5:48.) Your divine potential is to become like your Father in heaven, perfect and without sin.

Perfection is a word that causes different reactions from many people. Some people say, “Perfection? Why, that is impossible!” Others say, “Perfection? I get discouraged just thinking about it!”

Yet, would the Lord give us a commandment that was impossible for us to keep? And when he gives a commandment, doesn’t he, as Nephi said, prepare a way for us to accomplish what he commands? The Sermon on the Mount is the Lord’s blueprint for perfection.

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Day 181

Matthew 23; Matthew 24; Matthew 25

Jesus pronounces woes upon the scribes and Pharisees. They will be held responsible for killing the prophets. They will not escape the damnation of hell. Jesus foretells the doom of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. Great calamities will precede his Second Coming. He gives the parable of the fig tree. Jesus gives the parables of the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats.

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Additional Study Material - The Second Year of Jesus’ Public Ministry

The second year opened as Jesus came down from Galilee to attend the feast of the Passover at Jerusalem. While there he healed a man on the Sabbath day. So reactionary were the Jewish leaders to a healing on the Sabbath that they sought to kill Jesus. The plot against Jesus caused him to withdraw again to Galilee, where he called and ordained twelve men, whom he designated as apostles.

Some of the places and events and some of the highlights of the second phase of the Galilean ministry mentioned by the Gospel writers can be found here.

One of the remarkable spiritual experiences to which the disciples were privileged is described by the Master, himself: "Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you and ordained you,—that whatsoever ye should ask the Father in my name He may give it you." (John 15:16) Try to imagine if you can, being "called" by the Master and "ordained" under His hands. That these ordinations resulted in an endowment of power from on high as well as giving authority to act officially as the Lord’s representatives, is well attested by the miraculous events that followed, which made of them, "men different" because of that divine commission.

What is the distinction between a disciple and an apostle? Get some more of the answer - click here.

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Additional Study Material - “This is He of whom it is written”

Returning to Nazareth, the place of his boyhood and early manhood, Jesus astonished the townsmen with his bold testimony that he was the promised Messiah. Had his own community been spiritually perceptive, Jesus would have been accepted for who he was, the Son of the Eternal Father. But, blinded to eternal realities, they saw him only as “Joseph’s son.” They had heard of the miracles he had performed in Capernaum, and inwardly they thought, “Show us a miracle also that we might see that thou art the Christ.” Hadn’t Jesus himself declared that “no prophet is accepted in his own country”?

Why didn’t Jesus perform a miracle in Nazareth? Have you ever wondered about the purpose of miracles?

  

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Day 180

Matthew 19; Matthew 20; Matthew 21; Matthew 22

Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce. Eternal life is for those who keep the commandments. The Twelve Apostles will judge the house of Israel. Jesus gives the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. He foretells his crucifixion and resurrection. He came to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus rides in triumph into Jerusalem. He cleanses the temple, curses the fig tree, and discusses authority. He gives the parables of the two sons and the wicked husbandmen. Jesus gives the parable of the marriage of the king’s son. Pay tribute to Cæsar and to God. Worldly marriages endure in this life only. The first commandment is to love the Lord. Jesus asks, What think ye of Christ?

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Additional Study Material - The First Year of Jesus’ Public Ministry

If the teaching of the masses is all you see in the ministry of Jesus, you will have missed its greater significance. You should also see something that is not so obvious at first glance—the Savior’s quiet training those who will lead His church. This will become apparent as you perceive the Galilean ministry as being divided into three phases of leadership training.

Find the greater significance. Click here.

In the days of Moses the Lord freed ancient Israel from bondage in Egypt. To commemorate this deliverance, they were commanded to keep the Feast of the Passover. All of the symbolism of the feast centered around these two events: that the angel of death passed over the houses and flocks of Israel, while slaying the firstborn among the men and beasts of the Egyptians; and that Jehovah was their deliverer.  The feast was to be eaten in haste; the sacrificial lamb was one without blemish, whose blood was shed, but whose bones were not broken; blood was sprinkled on the houses to be spared - all of which provided types and symbols for Messiah’s coming mortal sacrifice.

How are these events and Christ's command that we "must be born again" related?

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Day 179

Matthew 15; Matthew 16; Matthew 17; Matthew 18

The scribes and Pharisees contend against Jesus. He heals the daughter of a gentile woman. He feeds the four thousand. Jesus warns against the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Peter testifies that Jesus is the Christ and is promised the keys of the kingdom. Jesus foretells his death and resurrection. Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John on the mount. Jesus heals a lunatic, tells of his coming death, and pays taxes in a miraculous manner. Jesus explains how we are to treat our offending brethren. The Son of Man came to save that which was lost. All of the Twelve receive the keys of the kingdom. Jesus explains why we should forgive.

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Additional Study Material - “John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,… "

When the time arrived for Jesus to come to earth in the flesh, it was also time for the birth of one of the greatest prophets who ever lived—John the Baptist. Who can determine the importance and eternal significance of John’s mission in preparing the way for the Son of God? His task was not easy, for the covenant people of the Lord were in a state of apostasy. Little wonder he was described as a “voice … crying in the wilderness.” (Luke 3:4.) But John fulfilled his mission in a manner that would cause Jesus to say of him, “Among those that are born of woman there is not a greater prophet. …” (Luke 7:28.) Truly John is an example to us of what a witness of Christ should be.

What to learn more? Click on the link below:

“Behold the Lamb of God”

And here is a Sunday program that interest you:

Messiah: Behold The Lamb Of God

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Day 178

Matthew 12; Matthew 13; Matthew 14

Jesus proclaims himself Lord of the Sabbath and heals on the Sabbath day. He is accused of casting out devils through the power of Beelzebub. He speaks of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and says that an evil and adulterous generation seeks signs. Jesus explains why he teaches with parables. He gives the parables of the sower, the wheat and the tares, the grain of mustard seed, the leaven, the treasure hidden in the field, the pearl of great price, and the net cast into the sea. A prophet is not honored by his own people. John the Baptist is beheaded. Jesus feeds the five thousand and walks on the sea. Those who touch the hem of his garment are made whole.

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Additional Study Material - “What think ye of Christ? whose son is He?”

Consider the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth, take a moment to reflect deeply on these questions which Jesus asked the Pharisees: “What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?” (Matthew 22:42.) And as you reflect on these questions, remember Jesus’ own counsel to those who seek an answer: “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3.) And as the Prophet Joseph Smith stated: “If any man does not know God, and inquires what kind of being he is,—if he will search diligently his own heart—if the declaration of Jesus and the apostles be true, he will realize that he has not eternal life; for there can be eternal life on no other principle.”

Want to dig a little deeper? Click on the link below:

“The Son of the Eternal Father”

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Day 177

Matthew 9; Matthew 10; Matthew 11

Jesus forgives sins, heals a paralytic, and calls Matthew. Jesus eats with sinners, heals a woman who touches his garments, and raises Jairus’s daughter to life. He opens the eyes of the blind, casts out a devil, and preaches the gospel. Jesus instructs and empowers the Twelve Apostles and sends them forth to preach, minister, and heal the sick. Those who receive the Twelve receive the Lord. Jesus acclaims John as more than a prophet. The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum are rebuked for unbelief. The Son reveals the Father. The yoke of Christ is easy, and his burden is light.

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Additional Study Material - Who Is This Jesus Whom We Worship?

Wrote J. Reuben Clark, Jr., "Who is this Savior, this man that we worship? We rather localize him and think of him as more or less belonging to us, that he is our Savior and perhaps not known very much.

"I want to read you just a few words to begin with. I am going to read from the Book of Moses, from the first chapter, and I am going to begin with the 32nd verse. The speaker declared he was the 'Lord God Almighty, and Endless is my name … And by the word of my power, have I created them. …' "

Now read what else he and others have written. Click the links below:

1. The Great Jehovah Comes to Earth

2. The Promised Messiah

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Day 176

Matthew 6; Matthew 7; Matthew 8

Jesus continues the Sermon on the Mount. He teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer. They are commanded to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount. He commands, Judge not; ask of God; beware of false prophets. He promises salvation to those who do the will of the Father. Jesus heals a leper, cures the centurion’s servant and others, stills the tempest, and casts out devils. The devils enter a herd of swine.

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Additional Study Material - "I Am the Way"

During the next sixty days we'll be reading the New Testament which is a collection of inspired writings about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and other followers of Jesus Christ.

The four Gospels—the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are accounts of the life of Christ. They are not so much biographies as they are testimonies. They do not reveal a day-by-day story of the life of Jesus; rather, they tell who Jesus was, what He said, what He did, and why it was important.

The book of Acts records the history of the Church and the Apostles, especially Paul’s missionary travels, after Christ’s death. Paul’s letters give instruction to Church leaders and members. The other letters were written by other Apostles and give additional counsel to the early saints. The book of Revelation, which was written by the Apostle John, contains mostly prophecies pertaining to the last days.

Because of the structure of the New Testament attempting to read it as a chronology of the early Christian church would present a challenge that I am not prepared to meet independently. Therefore the reading and study of this book will be presented in two parallel groups of assignments. One, a reading of the New Testament from Matthew chapter one to Revelation chapter twenty-two; the other, a study course from the LDS Church Educational System, The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles. However, since the original intent of this blog was to present a schedule to accomplish the actual reading of the scriptures in a year's time, I would encourage you to do the former and if time permits then the latter, i.e., use the study material.

With that said, here is the first of the links to the study material: “I Am the Way”

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Day 175

Matthew 1; Matthew 2; Matthew 3; Matthew 4; Matthew 5

Christ is born of Mary. She conceives by the power of the Holy Ghost. Our Lord is named Jesus. The wise men are directed by a star to Jesus. Joseph takes the child to Egypt. Herod slays the children in Bethlehem. Jesus is taken to Nazareth to dwell. John the Baptist preaches in Judæa. Jesus is baptized, and the Father acclaims him as his Beloved Son. Jesus fasts forty days and is tempted. He begins his ministry, calls disciples, and heals the sick. Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount. Its teachings replace and transcend some aspects of the law of Moses. All are commanded to be perfect like their Father in Heaven.

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Alleluia

My introduction to this piece by Randall Thompson was as a member of my high school's a cappella choir my senior year. Although the sheetmusic has a piano accompaniment, it notes that it is for rehearsal only. And so after hours of memorizing our parts - eleven pages - and rehearsing for refinement, we performed it at choir festivals with great success.

The work was commissioned by Serge Koussevitzky, director of the Tanglewood Music Festival. Koussevitzky wanted a fanfare for voices to celebrate the opening of the new Berkshire Music Center and asked Thompson to contribute such a piece. Thompson took only five days to complete the composition during the first week of July 1940 and was premiered the following week, on July 8, at the opening of festival's new music center.

However, instead of the joyous work expected by Koussevitzky, Thompson produced a quiet and introspective piece. Troubled by the war in Europe and the recent fall of France, he felt that to write a festive piece would be inappropriate. Commenting on his composition, Thompson said that it is "a very sad piece. The word 'alleluia' has so many possible interpretations. The music in my particular 'Alleluia' cannot be made to sound joyous. It is a slow, sad piece, and...here it is comparable to the Book of Job, where it is written, 'The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.'"

Alleluia

Day 174

Zechariah 13; Zechariah 14; Malachi 1; Malachi 2; Malachi 3; Malachi 4

The Jews will gain forgiveness at the Second Coming. They will ask the Lord, What are these wounds in thine hands?. The remnant, tried and refined, will be his people. At his Second Coming, the Lord will fight for Israel. His feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives. He will be King over all the earth. Plagues will destroy the wicked. The Jews despise the Lord by offering polluted bread upon the altar and by sacrificing animals with blemishes. The Lord’s name will be great among the Gentiles. The priests are reproved for not keeping their covenants and not teaching the people. The Jews are condemned for dealing treacherously with one another and with their wives. The Lord’s messenger will prepare the way for the Second Coming. The Lord will sit in judgment. The people of Israel are commanded to pay tithes and offerings. They keep a book of remembrance. At the Second Coming, the proud and wicked will be burned as stubble. Elijah will return before that great and dreadful day.

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Day 173

Zechariah 6; Zechariah 7; Zechariah 8; Zechariah 9; Zechariah 10; Zechariah 11; Zechariah 12

Zechariah crowns Joshua, the high priest, in similitude of Christ, the Branch, who will come. Christ will be a priest upon his throne forever. The Lord reproves hypocrisy in fasts. He calls upon the people to show mercy and compassion and to live godly lives. In the last days, Jerusalem will be restored, Judah will be gathered, and the Lord will bless his people beyond anything in the past. Zechariah speaks as the Messiah. The Messiah will come, having salvation, lowly and riding upon an ass. He will free the prisoners from the pit. Judah and Ephraim are instruments of the Lord. Judah and Joseph will be scattered among the people in far countries. The Lord will hiss for them, gather them, and redeem them. Zechariah speaks about the Messiah. The Messiah will be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver. They will be cast to the potter in the house of the Lord. In the final great war, all nations will be engaged at Jerusalem, but the Lord will defend his people. Then the Jews will look upon the Lord, whom they crucified, and there will be great mourning.

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Day 172

Haggai 1; Haggai 2; Zechariah 1; Zechariah 2; Zechariah 3; Zechariah 4; Zechariah 5

Haggai exhorts the people to build the temple. Haggai speaks about the Messiah. The desire of all nations will come. The Lord will give peace in his temple. Zechariah calls upon Judah to repent. He is shown in vision that the cities of Judah and the temple will be rebuilt. In the last days, Judah will gather to Jerusalem. The people will come from the land of the north. The Lord will dwell among them. Zechariah speaks about the Messiah. The Branch will come. At the Second Coming, iniquity will be removed in one day. Zerubbabel will lay the foundation of and finish the house of the Lord, the temple of Zerubbabel. An angel reveals truths to Zechariah by the use of symbolism.

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Day 171

Nahum 1; Nahum 2; Nahum 3; Habakkuk 1; Habakkuk 2; Habakkuk 3; Zephaniah 1; Zephaniah 2; Zephaniah 3

Nahum speaks of the burning of the earth at the Second Coming and of the mercy and power of the Lord. Nineveh will be destroyed, which is a symbol of what will be in the latter days. The miserable downfall of Nineveh is foretold. When Habakkuk learns that the Lord will raise up the Chaldeans to overrun the land of Israel, he is troubled that the wicked can be thus employed. The Lord admonishes patience and promises that the just will live by faith. The earth will be filled with knowledge about God. Idols have no power. In his prayer Habakkuk trembles at the majesty of God. The destruction of Judah is symbolic of the Second Coming. It is the day of the Lord’s sacrifice, a day of wrath and trouble. Seek righteousness; seek meekness. Judgment will come upon the Philistines, the Moabites, the children of Ammon, the Ethiopians, and the Assyrians. At the Second Coming, all nations will assemble to battle. Men will have a pure language. The Lord will reign in their midst.

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Day 170

Micah 1; Micah 2; Micah 3; Micah 4; Micah 5; Micah 6; Micah 7

Micah prophesies the downfall of Samaria and Jerusalem. The destruction of Israel is lamented. The Lord will gather the remnant of Israel. Priests who teach for hire and prophets who divine for money bring a curse upon the people. In the last days, the temple will be built, Israel will gather to it, the millennial era will commence, and the Lord will reign in Zion. The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. In the last days, the remnant of Jacob will triumph gloriously over the Gentiles. In spite of all his goodness to them, the people have not served the Lord in spirit and in truth. They must act righteously, love mercy, and walk humbly before him. Though the people of Israel have rebelled, yet in the last days the Lord will have mercy on them. He will have compassion and pardon their iniquities.

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Day 169

Amos 8; Amos 9; Obadiah 1; Jonah 1; Jonah 2; Jonah 3; Jonah 4


Amos prophesies the downfall of Israel. There will be a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. Israel will be sifted among all nations. In the last days, the people of Israel will be gathered again into their own land, and it will become productive. Obadiah prophesies the downfall of Edom. Saviors will stand upon Mount Zion. Jonah is sent to call Nineveh to repentance. He flees on a ship, is cast into the sea, and is swallowed by a great fish. Jonah prays to the Lord, and the fish vomits him out on dry ground. Jonah prophesies the downfall of Nineveh. The people repent, and the city is saved. Jonah is displeased with the Lord for his mercy upon the people. The Lord rebukes him.

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Day 168

Amos 1; Amos 2; Amos 3; Amos 4; Amos 5; Amos 6; Amos 7

Amos shows the Lord’s judgments upon Syria, the Philistines, Tyre, Edom, and Ammon. The Lord will pour out judgments upon Moab, Judah, and Israel for their unrighteousness. The Lord reveals his secrets unto his servants the prophets. Because Israel rejects the prophets and follows evil, the nation is overwhelmed by an adversary. The Lord withholds rain, sends famine and pestilence, and destroys gardens and vineyards as judgments upon his people, yet they do not return unto the Lord. The people of Israel are exhorted to seek the Lord and do good so that they may live. Their sacrifices to false gods are abhorrent. Woe to them who are at ease in Zion. Israel will be plagued with desolation. Amos relates how he was called of God to be a prophet. He prophesies the captivity of Israel.

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God Will Not Be Mocked - Comments on Joel

"Prophets of the Lord were called to labor among people whose lives remained in spiritual darkness. Joel was one of these prophets called to minister to a people who refused to repent. His prophecies have a common theme with those of Isaiah, Jonah, Amos, and others: repent or face destruction.
"Joel is particularly significant to us because he prophesied of our day. On the night he visited Joseph Smith, Moroni quoted from Joel and said that the prophecies would shortly be fulfilled. (See Joseph Smith—History 1:41.) Joel is also a major source of information on the battle of Armageddon, one of the momentous events in the coming history of the world. So, although the book of Joel is a short work, it is full of valuable insights and information. They are applicable to us today, although they were written over twenty-five hundred years ago."

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on the Book of Joel in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link. 

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The Ministry of Hosea: A Call to Faithfulness - Comments on Hosea

"Have you ever given love and trust, or even made solemn covenants, and then been betrayed? Or have you ever been loved and trusted by someone but then, in weakness, betrayed that trust and damaged the relationship and thus know the yearning to be loved and trusted again?
"Read carefully Hosea’s description of God’s feelings toward those who have covenanted with Him and then betrayed the trust. Examine your own life for experiences that will help you understand Hosea’s message.
"During the time of Hosea, the Israelites were influenced heavily by the worship and ways of the Canaanites. The sophistication of the city-based Canaanite farmers who surrounded them, the fertility of their flocks and fields (apparently elicited from the gods and goddesses of fertility) attracted the Israelite farmers. The rites by which the people supplicated the gods of fertility were lewd, licentious, and immoral. Even though Israel had covenanted at Sinai to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation unto God, by the time of Hosea, God’s people had become deeply involved in the practices of their neighbors, whose way of life should have repelled them.
"Using the imagery of a marriage, the Lord, through Hosea, taught His people that though they had been unfaithful to Him, He would still not divorce them (cast them off) if they would but turn back to Him. Though Hosea speaks of a nation, the same principle holds true for individuals. Even those who have been grossly unfaithful to God can reestablish their relationship with Him if they will but turn back to Him with full purpose of heart."


This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on the Book of Hosea in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link. 

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Day 167

Hosea 10; Hosea 11; Hosea 12; Hosea 13; Hosea 14; Joel 1; Joel 2; Joel 3

Israel has plowed wickedness and reaped iniquity. Hosea calls upon Israel to seek the Lord. Israel, as a child, was called out of Egypt in similitude of our Lord, as a child, coming out of Egypt. But Ephraim turns away from the Lord. The Lord uses prophets, visions, and similitudes to guide his people, but they become rich and will not wait on the Lord. Ephraim provokes him most bitterly. Ephraim’s sins provoke the Lord. There is no Savior beside the Lord. He ransoms from the grave and redeems from death. In the last days, Ephraim will repent and return unto the Lord.

Call a solemn assembly and gather to the house of the Lord, for the day of the Lord is at hand. War and desolation will precede the Second Coming. The sun and the moon will be darkened. The Lord will pour out his Spirit upon all flesh. There will be dreams and visions. All nations will be at war. Multitudes will stand in the valley of decision as the Second Coming draws near. The Lord will dwell in Zion

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Day 166

Hosea 1; Hosea 2; Hosea 3; Hosea 4; Hosea 5;
Hosea 6; Hosea 7; Hosea 8; Hosea 9

Hosea and his family are a sign unto Israel. In the day of gathering, the people of Israel will become the sons of the living God. Worshiping false gods brings severe judgments upon Israel. In the last days, Israel will be reconciled to God and become his people. Israel will seek the Lord, return to the Lord, and receive of his goodness in the latter days. Israel loses all truth, mercy, and knowledge of God and goes whoring after false gods. The kingdoms of Judah and Israel will both fall because of their iniquities. Hosea calls Israel to return and serve the Lord. The mercy and knowledge of God are more important than ritualistic sacrifices. Israel is reproved for her many sins. Ephraim is mixed among the people. Both Israel and Judah have forsaken the Lord. The Lord has written the great things of his law to Ephraim. The people of Israel are taken into captivity for their sins. Ephraim will be a wanderer among the nations.

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Daniel: Prophet of God, Companion of Kings - Comments On Daniel

"Like many of his brethren the prophets, Daniel was prepared and raised up as a minister to kings and emperors. At the time that Nebuchadnezzar first carried the Jews captive into Babylon (about 605 B.C.), Daniel was chosen as one of the choicest Jewish youths to be taken to Babylon and trained for service in the king’s court. Because of his righteousness and sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit, he was greatly favored of God. The Lord blessed him with the gift of interpreting dreams and visions. This endowment soon made him an object of greater attention from the emperor, and he was raised to positions that enabled him to spend his life in service to the kings of the land. He became the Lord’s minister to those rulers. He was made chief of the wise men, chancellor of the equivalent of a national university, ruler of all the Hebrew captives, and, as governor of the province of Babylon, one of the chief rulers in both the Babylonian and Persian Empires. Though at times his life was endangered because of the jealousy of evil men, yet he lived so perfectly that the Lord continually protected and preserved him."


This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on the Book of Daniel in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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Day 165

Daniel 10; Daniel 11; Daniel 12

Daniel sees the Lord and others in a glorious vision. He is shown what is to be in the latter days. Daniel sees the successive kings and their wars, leagues, and conflicts that lead up to the Second Coming of Christ. In the last days, Michael will deliver Israel from their troubles. Daniel tells of the two resurrections. The wise will know the times and meanings of his visions.

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Day 164

Daniel 6; Daniel 7; Daniel 8; Daniel 9

Darius makes Daniel the first of his presidents. Daniel worships the Lord in defiance of a decree of Darius. He is cast into the den of lions. His faith saves him, and Darius decrees that all people are to revere the God of Daniel. Daniel sees four beasts representing the kingdoms of men. He sees the ancient of days (Adam) to whom the Son of Man (Christ) will come. The kingdom will be given to the Saints forever. Daniel sees in vision a ram (Media and Persia), a goat (Greece), four other kings, and then, in the last days, a fierce king who will destroy the holy people. This king will be broken when he stands up against the Prince of Princes. Daniel fasts, confesses, and prays for all Israel. Gabriel reveals the time of the coming of the Messiah, who will make reconciliation for iniquity. The Messiah will be cut off.

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Day 163

Daniel 3; Daniel 4; Daniel 5

Nebuchadnezzar creates a golden image and commands all men to worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego refuse and are cast into the fiery furnace. They are preserved and come out unharmed. Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great tree, describing the king’s fall and madness. The king learns that the Most High rules and sets the basest of men over earthly kingdoms. Belshazzar and his revelers drink from the vessels of the temple. A hand writes upon the wall, telling of Belshazzar’s downfall. Daniel interprets the words and reproves the king for pride and idolatry. That night Babylon is conquered.

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Prophecies of the Restoration: Comments On Ezekiel 25–48

"After the fall of Jerusalem, Ezekiel no longer spoke of God’s judgments on his contemporaries but of Israel’s redemption in the latter days. It was as though he had done all he could to stave off the destruction of his people, and when that was impossible and they were actually experiencing the suffering that captivity had imposed upon them, he turned their hearts to the future and the source of their ultimate hope in the Lord.
"So Saints of the latter days should be most enthusiastic about Ezekiel’s prophecies in chapters 25–48. Of Ezekiel’s twelve, precisely recorded visions, seven were given after the fall of Jerusalem and dealt with such events of the last days as the building of the great Jewish kingdom under a shepherd named David, the gathering of scattered Israel, the unification of all the tribes of Israel, the joining of the Bible and the Book of Mormon, the battle of Armageddon, and the building of a modern temple in Jerusalem. Truly, Ezekiel was a prophet of the Restoration."


This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Ezekiel chapters 25-48 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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Day 162

Ezekiel 47; Ezekiel 48; Daniel 1; Daniel 2

Waters issue from the house of the Lord and heal the Dead Sea. The Lord shows the borders of the land. The portions of land for the tribes are named. The gates of the city bear the names of the tribes. The name of the city will be The Lord Is There. Daniel and certain Hebrews are trained in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. They eat plain food and drink no wine. God gives them knowledge and wisdom beyond all others. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is revealed to Daniel. The king saw a great image, a stone cut from the mountain without hands destroyed the image, and the stone grew and filled the whole earth. The stone is the latter-day kingdom of God.

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Day 161

Ezekiel 43; Ezekiel 44; Ezekiel 45; Ezekiel 46

The glory of God fills the temple—His throne is there, and he promises to dwell in the midst of Israel forever—Ezekiel sees the altar and the ordinances of the altar. The glory of the Lord fills the house of the Lord—No strangers may enter the sanctuary—The services of the priests in the temple are explained. Portions of land will be provided for the sanctuary and the dwellings of the priests—The people are to offer their sacrifices and oblations and keep their feasts. The ordinances of worship and of sacrifice are explained.

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Day 160

Ezekiel 39; Ezekiel 40; Ezekiel 41; Ezekiel 42

Gog and Magog will be destroyed. For seven years the people in the cities of Israel will burn the weapons of war. For seven months they will bury the dead. Then will come the supper of the great God and the continued gathering of Israel. A heavenly messenger shows Ezekiel in vision a city where the temple is located. Ezekiel is shown the form and size of the temple and its courts. Ezekiel sees the inner temple and the Holy of Holies, and he is shown their form and size. Ezekiel sees in the temple the chambers for the priests.

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Day 159

Ezekiel 34; Ezekiel 35; Ezekiel 36; Ezekiel 37; Ezekiel 38

The Lord reproves those shepherds who do not feed the flock. In the last days, the Lord will gather the lost sheep of Israel. The Messiah will be their Shepherd. The Lord will make his gospel covenant with them. Judgment will fall upon Mount Seir and all Idumea for their hatred of Israel. In the last days, all the house of Israel will be gathered to their own lands. The Lord will give them a new heart and a new spirit. They will have his gospel law. Israel will inherit the land in the Resurrection. The stick of Judah (the Bible) and the stick of Joseph (the Book of Mormon) will become one in the Lord’s hand. The children of Israel will be gathered and cleansed. David (the Messiah) will reign over them. They will receive the everlasting gospel covenant. The battle of Gog and Magog against Israel will usher in the Second Coming. The Lord will come amid war and pestilence, and all men will shake at his presence.

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Day 158

Ezekiel 30; Ezekiel 31; Ezekiel 32; Ezekiel 33

Egypt and its helpers will be made desolate by Babylon. Pharaoh’s glory and fall are compared to that of the Assyrians. Ezekiel laments for the fearful fall of Pharaoh and of Egypt. Watchmen who raise the warning voice save their own souls. Repentant sinners are saved. The righteous who turn to sin are damned. The people of Judah in Jerusalem are destroyed because of their sins.

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Day 157

Ezekiel 25; Ezekiel 26; Ezekiel 27; Ezekiel 28; Ezekiel 29

The Lord’s vengeance will fall on the Ammonites, on the Moabites and Edomites, and on the Philistines. Because she rejoiced in the sorrows and fall of Jerusalem, Tyre will be destroyed. Ezekiel laments the fall of Tyre and the loss of her riches and commerce. Tyre and Sidon will fall and be destroyed. The Lord will gather the people of Israel to their own land. They will then dwell safely. Egypt will be overthrown by Babylon. When Egypt rises again, it will be the basest of kingdoms.

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Ezekiel: Watchman Of Israel: Comments on Ezekiel 1–24

"Through Ezekiel, the Lord gave wayward and backsliding Israel a message of warning and reproof, of justice and judgment, of mercy and love that left no doubt of His indignation at their unrighteousness nor of His desire for their repentance. Ezekiel taught that all are responsible for their own actions and will be rewarded or punished according to the way they use the agency given them. He taught that no one can reject the Lord’s counsel and escape the judgments that invariably follow justice and that are intended to purge the soul of iniquity. He taught also that no one who repents and turns from his iniquities will lose the blessings of God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness."

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Ezekiel chapters 1–24 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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Day 156

Ezekiel 21; Ezekiel 22; Ezekiel 23; Ezekiel 24

Both the righteous and the wicked in Jerusalem will be slain. Babylon will draw a sharp and bright sword against Israel and will prevail. Ezekiel catalogs the sins of the people of Judah in Jerusalem. They will be scattered and destroyed for their iniquities. Two sisters, Samaria and Jerusalem, committed whoredoms by worshiping idols. Both are destroyed for their lewdness. The irrevocable judgment of Jerusalem is foretold. As a sign to the Jews, Ezekiel does not weep at his wife’s death.

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Day 155

Ezekiel 18; Ezekiel 19; Ezekiel 20

Men will be punished for their own sins. Sinners will die, and the righteous will save their souls. A righteous man who sins will be damned, and a sinner who repents will be saved. Ezekiel laments for Israel because she has been taken captive by other nations and has become like a vine planted in dry and thirsty ground. From the time of their deliverance from Egypt to the day of Ezekiel, the people of Israel have rebelled and failed to keep the commandments. In the last days, the Lord will gather Israel and restore his gospel covenant.

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Day 154

Ezekiel 14; Ezekiel 15; Ezekiel 16; Ezekiel 17

The Lord will not answer those who worship false gods and work iniquity. Ezekiel preaches repentance. The people would not be saved though Noah, Daniel, and Job ministered among them. Jerusalem, as a useless vine, will be burned. Jerusalem has become as a harlot, reveling in her idols and worshiping false gods. She has partaken of all the sins of Egypt and the nations round about, and she is rejected. Yet in the last days, the Lord will again establish his covenant with her. Ezekiel shows in a parable how Israel, while subject to Babylon, wrongfully sought help from Egypt. Yet the Lord will bring forth in the last days a goodly tree from the cedars of Lebanon.

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Day 153

Ezekiel 8; Ezekiel 9; Ezekiel 10; Ezekiel 11; Ezekiel 12; Ezekiel 13

Ezekiel sees in vision the wickedness and abominations of the people of Judah in Jerusalem. He sees idolatry practiced in the temple itself. Ezekiel sees the marking of the righteous and the slaughter of all others, beginning at the Lord’s sanctuary. He sees in vision, as before, the wheels, the cherubims, and the throne and the glory of God. He sees in vision the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Jews. He prophesies the latter-day gathering of Israel. Ezekiel makes himself a symbol of the scattering of the people of Judah from Jerusalem. He then prophesies their scattering among all nations. Ezekiel reproves false prophets, both male and female, who speak lies, to whom God has not spoken.

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The Babylonian Captivity: Comments on Jeremiah 20–52 & Lamentations

“Jeremiah, left behind in a desolate city by the Babylonian captors, asked some pointed questions. How did it happen that a city once full of people, visited by kings and queens of other nations, now lay desolate and empty? There was no echo of people calling in its streets. Anything of value now rested in other homes, in other temples. How could it happen? Indeed, why do great men and women—like great cities—fail to maintain their greatness and fall short of their destiny?
“Jeremiah had the answers to these questions. What he needed was someone to truly listen.
“This chapter surveys Jeremiah’s teachings and warnings to his people in the context of the impending Babylonian captivity. (See 2 Kings 24–25 .) But Jeremiah was not just a prophet of doom, although it may seem so in this lesson. Like Enoch (see Moses 7:41–69 ), Jeremiah was allowed to see the coming of the Savior and the restoration of God’s church and people in the latter days. (See chap. 25.)
“As you read Lamentations and the historical chapters of Jeremiah, observe the correlation between a nation’s righteousness and its long-term power, the correlation between a people’s leaders and the righteousness of the people, and the relationship between a prophet and God’s dealings with His children.”


This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Jeremiah chapters 20–52 & Lamentations in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link. 

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As Ye Sow, So Shall Ye Reap: Comments on Jeremiah 1–19

“It was Jeremiah’s privilege (or burden) to predict and then live through the fall of Judah to Babylon. One of the first things the Lord told Jeremiah was, 'I will hasten my word to perform it' ( Jeremiah 1:12 ). Jeremiah, like Mormon, was called to labor among a people for whom there was no hope because they refused to repent, and 'the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually' ( Mormon 2:15 ). Mormon, after witnessing the destruction of the Nephite nation, cried out for his people (see Mormon 6:17–19 ). Here was a righteous man, one of the best, lamenting over his people who were so blind, so foolish, so spiritually dead. Jeremiah, too, mourned his people’s wickedness. You may think of Jeremiah as a harsh man as you read his scorching denunciations of the Jewish people and the lives they were living, but he was not. His motivation, like Mormon’s, was love.
“A prophet does not select where and when he serves. God chooses when and to whom a prophet is sent. One may be an Enoch and build Zion, or a David O. McKay and preside over the Church in times of peace and prosperity. Another may be a Mormon or a Jeremiah and try in vain to save a rebellious and backsliding people. Each has his calling. Each has his time. Each has his lesson for you to learn. Look for Jeremiah’s lesson as you study this great prophet.”

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Jeremiah chapters 1-19 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link. 

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The Last Days and the Millennium: Comments on Isaiah 55–66

“Jesus said, 'Great are the words of Isaiah' (3 Nephi 23:1). That statement is true not only of Isaiah’s powers of expression but also of his ability to see into the future, to reveal things of future generations. Of particular interest are his revelations pertaining to our own time—the last days—and the great Millennium that will follow. Truly, as Jesus said, 'great are the words of Isaiah, for surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel' (3 Nephi 23:1–2).”

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Isaiah chapters 55-66 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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The Gathering of Israel and the Coming of the Messiah: Comments on Isaiah 48–54

“Nephi loved to quote Isaiah. Of the fifty-five chapters in his books, nineteen are from Isaiah, and he quoted parts of other chapters of Isaiah as well. Small wonder, then, that Nephi, rather than always mentioning Isaiah by name, referred to him simply as 'the prophet' (see 1 Nephi 19:24; 22:1–2; 2 Nephi 6:12, 14). He explained that he read Isaiah to his people so that he 'might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer' (1 Nephi 19:23).

“Isaiah 48–54 includes some of Isaiah’s greatest work. Six of the seven chapters, slightly changed in some instances, are found in the Book of Mormon; the other chapter, chapter 52, is scattered throughout the sacred record. The Book of Mormon is, therefore, our greatest help in understanding this part of Isaiah’s written work. ”

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Isaiah chapters 48-54 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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The God of Israel and the Nations: Comments on Isaiah 36–47

"This chapter deals with events in Judah during the reign of King Hezekiah that were the prelude to the Babylonian captivity. It treats the captivity period, including the hope for the promised Messiah. Isaiah dramatized the utter futility of trusting in man-made gods and revealed both Judah’s future deliverance from bondage and the destruction of the Babylon that had been Judah’s oppressor.

"Although some claim that Isaiah 40 and the chapters that follow were written by different authors, Isaiah merely shifted from a mix of prose and poetry to a more completely poetic style. These later chapters use his typical words and expressions. Further, his authorship is attested by modern revelation."

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Isaiah chapters 36-47 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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Prophecies of the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times: Comments on Isaiah 24–35

“Isaiah was not only a prophet but also a seer. 'A seer,' said Ammon, 'is greater than a prophet,' for a 'seer is a revelator and a prophet also' (Mosiah 8:15–16). Ammon continued: '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' (Mosiah 8:17).
“Isaiah was one of the mightiest seers of all time. Undoubtedly he was one of those the Prophet Joseph Smith had in mind when he said: 'Search the revelations of God; study the prophecies, and rejoice that God grants unto the world Seers and Prophets. They are they who saw the mysteries of godliness; they saw the flood before it came; they saw angels ascending and descending upon a ladder that reached from earth to heaven; they saw the stone cut out of the mountain, which filled the whole earth; they saw the son of God come from the regions of bliss and dwell with men on earth; they saw the deliverer come out of Zion, and turn away ungodliness from Jacob; they saw the glory of the Lord when he showed the transfiguration of the earth on the mount; they saw every mountain laid low and every valley exalted when the Lord was taking vengeance upon the wicked; they saw truth spring out of the earth, and righteousness look down from heaven in the last days, before the Lord came the second time to gather his elect; they saw the end of wickedness on earth, and the Sabbath of creation crowned with peace; they saw the end of the glorious thousand years, when Satan was loosed for a little season; they saw the day of judgment when all men received according to their works, and they saw the heaven and the earth flee away to make room for the city of God, when the righteous receive an inheritance in eternity. And, fellow sojourners upon earth, it is your privilege to purify yourselves and come up to the same glory, and see for yourselves, and know yourselves.' (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pp. 12–13.)
“A clear and dramatic shift in emphasis takes place in Isaiah 24 . There, Isaiah’s seership becomes profoundly evident as he looks forward in time to the final dispensation.
“When you consider the scope of Isaiah’s vision and its application for all generations of men, it is not surprising that Jesus Himself said, 'Great are the words of Isaiah' and commanded that we should 'search these things diligently' (3 Nephi 23:1).
“Did you notice Joseph Smith’s final statement in the quotation above? He said, 'It is your privilege to . . . see for yourselves, and know for yourselves' all the things the seers have seen. One way to do that is by carefully studying the writings of the seers. Strive to see what Isaiah saw as you study this very significant part of his words.”


This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Isaiah chapters 24–35 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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A Voice of Warning to the Wicked: Comments on Isaiah 13–23

"Isaiah 13–23 contains a collection of 'burdens' or pronouncements upon nations of Isaiah’s time. Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, Moab, Damascus (Syria), Egypt, and others all came under the prophet’s gloomy oracles of judgment. These chapters may seem like a vengeful series of pronouncements, but in context, these burdens provide significant insights into both the ancient and modern worlds.
"In Isaiah 14 the Lord condemned the wickedness of the house of Israel and prophesied that it would be brought into great judgments because of its evils. Generally these judgments were to be carried out by other nations. We could say: 'Granted that Israel was wicked, but even at her worst she was no worse than her heathen neighbors, and often was much better. Why should she be destroyed and the others escape?'
"The Lord showed through these burdens that the world too would be brought to judgment. Here, as in the previous chapters, Isaiah often used dualism to prophesy simultaneously to his own people and to us in modern times. Though chapters 13–23 were given to nine different nations, giving them notice that the divine timetable for their repentance had run out and that they were to reap the judgments of God, each nation was also a symbol of the modern world. You may feel a spirit of doom associated with the condition and future of Babylon and the other nations, but you should also realize that ancient Babylon with its evil and judgment was a shadow and a type of present-day Babylon, or the world. It is to present-day Babylon that Isaiah delivered the sharpest warnings."

This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Isaiah chapters 13-23 in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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The Establishment of Zion: Comments on Isaiah Chapters 1–12

"Has someone ever recommended a book to you? Did it make any difference who recommended it? Did the recommendation influence your feelings toward the book? Ponder the following recommendation given the writings of Isaiah: 'And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah.' (3 Nephi 23:1). This instruction was given by the Savior to the Nephites, but the commandment to 'search these things diligently' forms a challenge that continues for us today. Isaiah had a wide perspective of God’s workings with His children. He understood the power and principles of the Zion society and saw their application for his day and for the future. While strengthening the spiritual of his own day, he prophesied of the establishment of Zion for those who would be called to carry it out. The first part of his writings contains many references to this great event.


”The book of Isaiah is a compilation of the prophet’s writings, possibly even an abridgment of some of his work. Chapters 1 through 39 deal with the ministry of Isaiah, and chapters 40 through 66 with his visions and revelations of the future. Chronological order is not always adhered to; therefore each chapter should be examined carefully within its own historical context."


This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on first twelve chapters of Isaiah in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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• “Wisdom Is the Principal Thing; Therefore Get Wisdom” Comments on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes

"The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are sometimes called the 'wisdom literature.' The sages of the ancient Near East realized the superiority of wisdom over knowledge, for wisdom encompasses knowledge and includes understanding and moral conduct. One was not wise, regardless of his vast learning, if his actions did not comply with his righteous beliefs: 'Like all Hebrew intellectual virtues, wisdom . . . is intensely practical, not theoretical. Basically, wisdom is the art of being successful, of forming the correct plan to gain the desired results. Its seat is the heart, the centre of moral and intellectual decision [see 1 Kings 3:9, 12].' (J. D. Douglas, ed., The New Bible Dictionary, s.v. “wisdom.”)
“'The book of Proverbs in the Old Testament . . . is the best sample of Hebrew "Wisdom Literature" derived apparently from the experiences of the race, epitomized by wise men into brief rules for behavior. The book contains less material accredited to divine revelation and more attributed to human evaluations than the books by the Prophets. As to Solomon’s authorship of proverbs, he is said in I Kings 4:33 to have spoken thousands of them, covering all facets of the relationships of nature, man and God. Whether the extant proverbs in the Bible include all of them, and whether all that are attributed to him are really his would be difficult to tell now. In any case, Proverbs, chapters 1–9 are entitled "Proverbs of Solomon." They are largely in the form of advice from a father to his son, but include also some long poems about wisdom (e.g., chapter 8 , wherein "Wisdom" is personified, and seems to be not an abstraction, but a personality, a member of the Godhead). Chapters 10–22:16 are appropriately entitled "Proverbs of Solomon," for they contain only the formal pithy little poetic couplets that are by definition proverbs proper. From 22:17 to the end of chapter 24 there are a variety of longer admonishments and maxims on matters moral and social. Chapters 25 to 29 also constitute a unit called "Proverbs of Solomon." Chapter 30 is called "The Words of Agur," and chapter 31 "The Words of King Lemuel."'” (Ellis T. Rasmussen, An Introduction to the Old Testament and Its Teachings [1st ed., 1969], 2:45.)


This is the introduction to the notes and commentary on Proverbs and Ecclesiastes in the church educational system's institute course on the Old Testament. If you wish to read this, please click on this link.

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