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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) Section 93 answers deep theological questions about the nature of God and His children.
(01:41) One step at a time, grace for grace, we will make it to the Celestial Kingdom. As we improve and grow, the light we receive shows us more we need to do. Divine discontent is meant to motivate, not discourage.
(20:16) Don’t judge others. They may be more faithful to the light they have than we are to the light we have.
(22:21) The reciprocal nature of grace in the Greek charis – χάρις.
(26:17) Some early Christian theologians wrestled with the idea of an embodied God. How can God be everywhere and yet have a body? Our understanding of light and truth helps explain how both are possible.
(29:39) Different translations of John 1.1. The Logos can be understood as participatory.
(35:43) We were with the Father in the pre-earth council.
(37:49) Many trials await the Saints in Missouri in 1833. The timing of this revelation could be a gift of light to help them get through a difficult time.
(40:32) Is man inherently good or evil? Augustine’s view of the depravity of man became orthodoxy, but this section teaches something different.
(43:39) We all miss the mark (hamartia– the word translated as “sin”) and need to keep practicing. Our Heavenly Father is a God of do-overs and second chances. As we make covenants we are born again.
(47:45) Intelligence was not created nor made by God. This part of man has always existed and is independent.
(54:35) Truth is knowledge of things as they really are, as they were, and as they are to come. The Deification of man was taught in the texts of the Bible and understood by the early Christians.
(1:00:43) See people for who they are and what they have the potential to become.
(1:03:32) Bring up your children in light and truth. The Lord rebukes those who need to be more diligent and concerned at home, their primary responsibility.

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The post Ep 335 | D&C 93, Come Follow Me 2025 (August 25-31) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ Official Church Statement on the Word of Wisdom

→ Timestamps:
(00:00) The historical background to the Word of Wisdom.
(02:06) The Word of Wisdom as a binding law came in gradually in Church practice.
(07:44) The Word of Wisdom is for us today, in our time.
(09:08) It may be beneficial to not try to give explanations for the Word of Wisdom besides the reason the Lord gives.
(09:48) The President of the Church can state and define the requirements of the Word of Wisdom.
(14:05) Layer 1 is the connection between our physical body and our spiritual nourishment. Food, exercise, sleep, stress, and hormone management are critical aspects of the Word of Wisdom.
(24:31) Layer 2 is a warning against conspiring men in the last days. The Mahan principle is converting human life into property.
(35:59) Commentary on the questionable comma found in D&C 89.13.
(38:30) Section 90 is the further establishment of the First Presidency and their duties.
(40:15) The roots of the word oracle. One of the best ways to weather the storms of the last days is to hold the words of the first presidency in high esteem and not treat them lightly.
(46:16) The meaning of D&C 90.25, let your families be small.
(48:21) Vienna Jaques, a consecrated Saint.
(52:19) The Apocrypha can give light and background to the multifaceted nature of scripture.
(56:04) Hugh Nibley discusses 10 things that apocryphal texts have in common.
(1:03:33) Be a lively member!

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The post Ep 334 | D&C 89-92, Come Follow Me 2025 (August 18-24) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ A Short Video on Silence Before the Second Coming in 3 Nephi 10 and D&C 88

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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) The First and Second Comforter.
(04:33) The mosaic pictures of the Savior Jesus Christ.
(07:08) Synonyms for Jesus: light, life, law, and power.
(14:22) Through the power of His resurrection, Jesus is the quickener.
(21:28) Jesus is law. Law gives power and light everywhere in the universe. We are sanctified by obedience to law.
(24:17) Salvation is a gift. The law as a synonym for Jesus.
(26:42) God’s creations obey him. Mankind uses agency and falls short of obedience to God’s law.
(28:15) The earth “rolls upon her wings” in glory and majesty.
(32:37) Jesus cares about the individual. He tarried with the laborers in the field.
(41:00) The Lord gives a great and last promise.
(48:07) The Saints are encouraged to be instructed more perfectly, to seek out the best books, to search wisdom by study and by faith. Secular learning has a place in God’s kingdom.
(53:50) Jesus wants us to warn our neighbors about the change coming to the earth. The Second Coming is described.
(56:31) The history of the world is drenched in blood and warfare. The earth will bear her testimony before the Second Coming with great signs.
(1:01:04) The order of the glorious resurrection. Christ’s people who are alive when He comes will be caught up to meet Him and descend with Him. They who are in their graves will be resurrected to meet Him.
(1:04:13) The 5th trump is the angel proclaiming that “Every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.”
(1:07:41) The 6th trump is the angel proclaiming the end of Babylon’s reign. Zion is going to take the throne from Babylon.
(1:11:49) The 7th trump is the binding of Satan. The fight is over and the Savior’s Millennial reign will commence.
(1:15:06) The end of the Millennium will bring a time when Satan is loosed for a little season. The final battle between the forces of light and darkness will usher in the time of the celestial earth.
(1:18:33) The Lord calls for the School of the Prophets.

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The post Ep 333 | D&C 88, Come Follow Me 2025 (August 11-17) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) The historical context. The first presidency clarifies the meaning of the “mighty and strong one.”
(04:44) Uzzah’s steadying of the ark and modern applications.
(08:08) David O. McKay’s quote concerning those who try to direct others while lacking authority.
(10:01) Getting your name in the book of the law of God.
(12:00) The parable of the wheat and the tares & Noah blindness.
(33:46) Being descendants of Abraham, lawful heirs according to the flesh, and statements from early church leaders relating to literal descendants.
(41:16) Prophecy that the Civil War is coming.
(43:14) Refuting criticism of the Prophet Joseph Smith: While D&C 87 was not canonized until 1876, it was published and distributed many years before the Civil War.
(46:25) The accuracy of D&C 87.
(50:21) The Nullification Crisis and other historical context to this prophecy in 1832.
(54:00) Joseph Smith sees war being poured out upon all nations causing death and misery of many souls. Wars of the oppressed rising up against who they see as their oppressors.
(57:47) Elder Joseph L. Wirthlin’s approach to D&C 87:4. “Slaves shall rise up against their masters.”
(58:58) Like those in the book of Helaman, we live in an environment where there are wars of the heart.
(1:05:07) Peace is in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Stand in holy places.

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The post Ep 332 | D&C 85-87, Come Follow Me 2025 (August 4-10) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) The historical context of Section 84.
(02:49) The purpose of the priesthood and its attendant blessings.
(10:49) One of the ways we claim the privileges of the priesthood is through the ordinances of the temple.
(23:44) The blessings of the priesthood are for everyone in the world. It is not necessary to hold an office in the priesthood to claim the blessings.
(30:01) Multiple ways to view Mount Zion, the mysteries of God, and Moses’ translation.
(33:49) The danger of neglecting the Book of Mormon.
(36:47) The offering of the Sons of Levi is clarified. A book containing the records of the family of Adam will be presented to God. We work toward getting everyone in the book.
(46:12) Difficulty with the prophecy regarding New York, Albany, and Boston. A deeper examination of this challenging text, with a forthright approach to the weaknesses of each interpretation.
(1:03:53) C.S. Lewis taught that there is great value in the struggle with difficult doctrines.
(1:06:26) We shall rejoice in the success of the Almighty by singing a new song.

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The post Ep 331 | D&C 84, Come Follow Me 2025 (July 28-August 3) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) Jesse Gause was a counselor to the Prophet who could no longer fulfill the assignment.
(02:48) Being part of a council requires that we share our perspective to assure proper decisions are made.
(11:38) The background of Section 82 is a quarrel between Saints in Ohio and Missouri. They are all trying to build Zion, but disagree on how it should be done.
(22:41) The relationship between light, truth, and obedience. Where much is given, much is required.
(26:19) If we sin again, do our former sins return? A discussion of ways to interpret D&C 82.7.
(30:06) Old habits can lead to old sins. The admonitions in D&C 82 relate to the Saints later in Ohio, Missouri, and Nauvoo.
(33:02) The Lord is bound when we do what He says, D&C 82.10.
(34:04) The Parable of the Unjust Steward as it relates to making friends with the mammon of unrighteousness. The words used in the original text can help in interpreting these verses.
(40:07) Section 83 may lead people to think that the church thinks men are more important than women. A discussion on the balance between patriarchal priesthood in the home and hierarchal priesthood in the Church.
(44:58) The order of operations in Church Welfare: Rely upon yourself, your family, and then the Bishop’s Storehouse.

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The post Ep 330 | D&C 81-83, Come Follow Me 2025 (July 21-27) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) An overview of the book of Revelation.
(01:46) A look at the types of apocalyptic texts, and how they are found in St. John’s apocalypse and the Book of Mormon.
(07:52) The historical evidence of Joseph’s visions places him in the apocalyptic tradition of ancient visionary prophets.
(11:46) The Book of Mormon helps us see the significance of Section 77, and how it is a restoration of truth.
(16:21) Nephi is shown the vision that John sees. Nephi is instructed to not write much of the vision because it is John’s assignment to do so.
(24:23) Each of the seven seals represents a portion of the earth’s history.
(25:47) Holding a book in his right hand, God knows the past, present, and future of the earth. He also knows your life story.
(35:21) If you will receive it, this is Elias. How Elias can be a composite figure.
(40:13) John eats a book which represents the gathering of Israel. We should do our part to bring others to Christ.
(49:40) The United Firm and its establishment. The celestial requirement is that we learn to see each other as equals, even though we are different.
(1:01:13) The establishment of Michael’s feet is explained in a temple context.
(1:06:48) Missionaries are called in sections 79 and 80.

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The post Ep 329 | D&C 77-80, Come Follow Me 2025 (July 14-20) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) An overview of D&C 76.
(17:34) Jesus Christ, redeemer of all worlds. Only those who reject Him will not receive a kingdom of glory.
(21:51) The Greek text of John 5 reveals a different reading, suggesting distinctions within the Resurrection.
(24:18) Those who reject Christ are seen in vision, including Lucifer and the sons of perdition. The Saints are encouraged to not be overcome by the Adversary.
(42:24) The Order of Melchizedek. Those who overcome by faith inherit all things. The early Christians discussed how Christ’s victory enabled man to become like God, or theosis.
(46:34) The terrestrial world is seen in vision.
(56:57) The telestial world is a glory that is beyond description.
(59:42) In the celestial world the saints see as we are seen and are known as we are known.
(1:02:39) The telestial world is seen again. We are invited to lay down the animal within us upon the altar of sacrifice.

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The post Ep 328 | D&C 76, Come Follow Me 2025 (July 7-13) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) The background and an overview of these sections.
(01:59) Fight darkness by spreading light. Truth will prevail.
(09:18) “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper” found in D&C 71.9 and Isaiah 54.17. This promise of invulnerability is associated with the temple and eternal blessings.
(19:04) David O. McKay reveals the priority of the stewardships we will need to account for with the Savior.
(27:59) The Joseph Smith Translation teaches us how to read The Bible. Joseph never felt it was completed. The translation process opened the door to revelation.
(35:13) Infant baptism in modern revelation, the Book of Mormon, and in ancient Christianity. Paul’s counsel to Saints who are married to unbelievers.
(44:14) Traditions are good, but can be very challenging if they are contrary to truth.
(53:54) Several missionaries are called in D&C 75 and given special promises. How this section applies in the lives of modern missionaries.
(57:21) Luke Johnson’s life experiences.
(59:09) Samuel Smith, Joseph Smith’s brother, one of the eight witnesses to the Book of Mormon.
(1:03:15) Simeon Carter and his experience meeting John Tanner.
(1:07:28) D&C 75:28 provides comfort for those who desire to serve a mission, but are are not able to serve.

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The post Ep 327 | D&C 71-75, Come Follow Me 2025 (June 30-July 6) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

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→ Timestamps:
(00:00) These sections were revealed at a special conference in November 1831. William E. McLellin endeavors to write a revelation of his own and fails.
(10:51) What are our expectations of revelatory experiences? Sometimes they are a still, small voice.
(15:00) Accepting and seeking to understand the scriptures invites more revelation in our lives. Absalom’s tomb and its inscription as a metaphor for coming to understand more from the scriptural text.
(22:31) The veil shall be rent and ye shall see me and know that I am.
(27:46) In the historical record, Joseph Smith explains how things happened in his visionary experiences. He describes seeing with spiritual eyes.
(33:39) David B. Haight’s account of revelation while pleading for help.
(38:42) A brief sketch of Orson Hyde and his mission to Israel.
(47:37) Descendants of Aaron have rights to the Bishopric. The Old Testament contains clues that there were debates regarding who had authority to be priests.
(51:27) Revelation to John Taylor about how God will reveal everything necessary for the rolling forth of His kingdom.
(53:02) We have a mighty stewardship to teach our children to have faith.
(58:32) Beware of temptation and take the extra precaution.
(1:02:53) The first scripture committee of the church, the Literary Firm. A general distrust of paid clergy was prevalent at the time, yet the “same is worthy of his hire.”
(1:08:41) The Lord’s storehouse as compared to the Bishop’s storehouse.

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The post Ep 326 | D&C 67-70, Come Follow Me 2025 (June 23-29) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.