In this episode of Handmaidens, Harems & Heroines, Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson begins an inspiring journey through Psalms 1–48, exploring the beauty, poetry, and profound faith found in the Bible's greatest collection of sacred songs. The Book of Psalms contains 150 ancient Hebrew poems, prayers, and hymns that have comforted, strengthened, and inspired believers for thousands of years. More than a hymnbook, the Psalms give voice to the full range of human emotion—from sorrow and fear to gratitude, hope, and joyful praise—while continually pointing readers toward God's sovereignty, mercy, and unwavering faithfulness.Lynne examines the historical setting of these beloved psalms, the artistry of Hebrew poetry, and the voices behind many of these sacred compositions, including David and other inspired authors. She also highlights the women who appear within the Psalms and the feminine imagery used to teach profound truths about God's covenant relationship with His children. Through these poetic masterpieces, viewers will discover timeless lessons about prayer, worship, repentance, trust, and finding peace in every season of life.This episode also explores why the Psalms held such a central place in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Of all the books in the Old Testament, Jesus quoted or referred to the Psalms more than any other, drawing upon their powerful prophecies and testimony of the Messiah. As Lynne traces these connections, she reveals how the Psalms deepen our understanding of the Savior's mission and invite each of us to worship Him with greater faith and devotion.Join Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson as she uncovers the rich spiritual treasures of Psalms 1–48, helping modern readers discover why these inspired songs have become one of the most cherished and enduring books of scripture.Please leave a comment below with your thoughts and insights regarding this video, and please consider subscribing to this channel and visiting our website for more content like this: https://scripturecentral.org/*Donate to Scripture Central:https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/scripture-central/donations*Sign up for our email list:https://forms.aweber.com/form/87/2078810487.htm*Download our free scripture study tool, the ScripturePlus app: https://www.scriptureplus.org/

People at times criticize the Church, claiming it unreasonably restricts lifestyle and free choice. This point of view, while understandable, is truth turned upside-down. There is no freedom without choice and there is no choice without knowledge.

Agency is expanded, not restricted by knowledge of truth. The greater the knowledge, the broader the agency and the greater the freedom. One cannot, for example, choose an eternal family, to be sealed to one’s spouse and children without the knowledge of sealing ordinances, priesthood, and the Restoration. One cannot choose to live the law of chastity without understanding the law and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. Many people do not understand and, therefore, they are not free to choose.

The Lord reveals knowledge, line upon line, precept upon precept gently expanding agency commensurate with one’s capacity to understand and obey.

Only by gaining knowledge are people “placed in a state to act according to their wills.” Otherwise, there is no decision to be made, no choice, no agency, no freedom—only the bondage of ignorance.

Welcome to “Finding Christ in the Old Testament.” To view the resources connected with this episode, visit https://johnhiltoniii.com/findingchrist.

Please like and comment on this episode and subscribe @scripturecentralofficial so you can more easily see the rest of the videos and resources in this course.

Whether you're using this course for personal enrichment or to help with "Come, Follow Me," we hope it will be valuable in your studies.

Lynne's Handouts: https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/job-1?searchId=a8dd520af9cccb105ecead9705857c1e2d90a7fcec95388137b247b4cc8521c8-en-v=fadf3b9 In this episode of Handmaidens, Harems & Heroines, Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson explores the often-overlooked women of the book of Job, revealing powerful lessons about family, faith, loss, and God's abundant blessings. While the book is best known for Job's unwavering faith through immense suffering, Lynne highlights the important role of Job's daughters and what their story teaches about women's value in the Old Testament.

Before Job's trials, his three daughters regularly joined their seven brothers in joyful family feasts, demonstrating a close-knit family where the daughters were fully included in family life. Their happiness was tragically cut short when a great wind destroyed the eldest brother's house, claiming the lives of all ten children in one heartbreaking moment. Lynne discusses how this devastating loss deepens our understanding of Job's grief and steadfast trust in God despite unimaginable sorrow.

The episode also focuses on Job's remarkable restoration. After the Lord blessed Job once again, he became the father of three daughters—Jemima, Kezia, and Keren-happuch—whose beauty was renowned throughout the land. More significantly, Job granted his daughters an inheritance alongside their brothers, a rare and extraordinary act in the ancient biblical world. Lynne examines how this unusual decision reflects Job's righteousness, integrity, and generosity, while illustrating the abundant blessings God poured out upon him in the latter part of his life. Join Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson as she uncovers the rich historical, cultural, and spiritual insights surrounding the women of Job.

Discover how these faithful daughters illuminate themes of covenant family, equality before God, hope after tragedy, and the Lord's power to heal, restore, and bless those who remain faithful through life's greatest trials.

When someone leaves the Church, especially when many leave, people wonder, “What do they know that I don’t?” 

A better question to ask is “What do I know that they don’t?” 

Some claim Church culture is driving people away, that members feel unseen, disconnected, empty, unheard, unnourished, and unfulfilled by their involvement, and the solution they say is a transformation to a more open, inclusive, transparent, loving, and tolerant culture wherein more people can comfortably gather.

The ultimate question is not: “Do I fit in, feel loved, accepted, and comfortable?” The ultimate question is: “Is the Church true?”

None of this is to say we should stand idly by as people walk out the door with broken and lonely hearts thinking, “there is no place for me here.” But belief trumps doubt.  

If you view the church from the institutional perspective, then the arguments for leaving make sense. If you view it from the kingdom of God perspective, they fall apart.  

From the institutional point of view, reason would suggest leaving or stepping back if, as an institution, it does not meet your criteria, your expectations, and your judgment of what the Church should be. 

But if you see the Church as the kingdom of God on earth with sole authority to administer the ordinances of salvation to God’s children on both sides of the veil, endow them with power to engage in His work and thereby bring them back to Him, then you will stay come what may. 

Welcome to “Finding Christ in the Old Testament.” To view the resources connected with this episode, visit https://johnhiltoniii.com/findingchrist.

Please like and comment on this episode and subscribe @scripturecentralofficial so you can more easily see the rest of the videos and resources in this course.

Whether you're using this course for personal enrichment or to help with "Come, Follow Me," we hope it will be valuable in your studies.

Lynne's Handouts: https://scripturecentral.org/archive/books/book-chapter/esther-1?searchId=0eb3e36bfb24dcd9bb1d1bece1531216b59539a8fde17ee80224af0653c92aa3-en-v=fadf3b9

The book of Esther is one of the most inspiring stories of courage, faith, and divine providence in the Old Testament. In this episode of Handmaidens, Harems & Heroines, Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson explores the remarkable life of Esther, a young Jewish woman who rose from obscurity to become queen of the Persian Empire. Set within a culture where women were often treated as political possessions and valued primarily for their beauty, Esther's story reveals extraordinary strength, wisdom, and conviction. Lynne examines how Esther refused to let her identity be defined as merely a trophy wife and instead embraced her divine calling to protect her people. This episode also explores the difficult realities faced by women in the ancient Persian court, including the expectations placed upon queens and concubines, and contrasts Esther's faithful courage with the actions of Queen Vashti. Together, their stories shed light on the limited agency women often possessed while highlighting the remarkable ways faithful women exercised influence despite those constraints. A central focus of the discussion is Esther's invitation for the Jewish people to fast with her for three days before she risked her life by approaching the king uninvited. Lynne explains the spiritual significance of this collective fast and how Esther's unwavering faith in God gave her the courage to declare, "If I perish, I perish." Her willingness to sacrifice everything for her covenant people stands as one of scripture's greatest examples of faith, leadership, and trusting in God's unseen hand. Join Dr. Lynne Hilton Wilson as she uncovers the historical background, cultural context, and powerful gospel lessons found in the book of Esther, revealing why this courageous queen continues to inspire believers to stand for truth, defend God's people, and exercise faith in moments when the future seems uncertain.

Enduring to the end is about getting to the end.  It is about finishing.  

It is not gritting your teeth, gutting it out, biting the bullet, looking forward to a brighter, happier day, and it’s not just not smoking until you die.  It is to do whatever is necessary to receive and follow the Holy Ghost, building up the kingdom of God as an active, contributing member of the Church of Jesus Christ beginning in your home, making a difference and never, ever, ever quit.  

Enduring to the end is to stay the course and finish.  It is dogged faithfulness.  

Yesterday’s accomplishments, good deeds and triumphs should be remembered and cherished, but they are in the past.  Yesterday’s mistakes should be remembered long enough to not repeat them, but they are in the past.  Some people mistakenly live there, in the past either reliving, rethinking mistakes or coasting on past successes or labors.  

What you did in the past, good or bad is not nearly as important as what you do today. 

Welcome to “Finding Christ in the Old Testament.” To view the resources connected with this episode, visit https://johnhiltoniii.com/findingchrist.

Please like and comment on this episode and subscribe @scripturecentralofficial so you can more easily see the rest of the videos and resources in this course.

Whether you're using this course for personal enrichment or to help with "Come, Follow Me," we hope it will be valuable in your studies.