Selected verses from Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke chapter 2 read aloud by Mark Holt and set to music by Kendra Lowe Holt (as she will soon be known).

The Apocalypse of the Prophet John is often perceived to be so cryptic as to render it almost incomprehensible. We’ll unpack it, using well-understood metaphors from the Old Testament, and hopefully turn it into something that you can not only understand, but benefit from both scripturally and spiritually.

Both John and Jude wrote their epistles to help church members deal with those among them who were pretending piety, but who were in fact hypocrites. John’s remedy was to understand the words of Jesus and keep in touch with his Spirit, while Jude focused more on teaching why it is so important to recognize the signs of a follower of Jesus.

Peter encouraged the persecuted Roman saints by likening them to the ancient Israelites, and gave a powerful defense to some of the false doctrines of his day. He also referenced the Christ’s ministry to the spirits in prison, in a passage which would later inspire a powerful modern revelation, Doctrine and Covenants 138.

James teaches us not how to believe in Christ, but how, once we believe in Christ, to allow that belief to bring us to patience, and thereby to perfection.

A defining work on faith, an explanation of the purpose of the Temple, a road map to perfection, and a lesson on Priesthood. If not for the Epistle to the Hebrews, we would be much poorer in our understanding of eternal truth, and in our appreciation for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Paul taught the Hebrews the importance of Christ by comparing the old covenant to the new—an old type of commandment, an old type of atonement, and an old type of high priest, versus a new type of all three: Christ himself.

In his Pastoral Epistles, Paul teaches how to identify suitable church leaders, the nature and purpose of scripture, and reveals that his calling and election have been made sure. We also address four seeming contradictions in Paul’s writings some possible resolutions.

Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians are collections of teachings of comfort and wisdom, each linked to an Apostolic blessing which followed and illuminated it.

In a pair of Messianic poems, Paul explains the true meaning behind the condescension of Christ—what he intended, how only he was qualified, and what he accomplished for us. An understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures illuminates and informs the reading of these poems.