Quotes on Friendship C.S. Lewis, British scholar, author, and Christian apologist, declared: “To the ancients, friendship seemed the happiest and most fully human of all loves: the crown of life and the school of virtue. The modern world, in comparison, ignores it.” (Four Loves, p 87) King Solomon “The Wise” wrote: “A friend loveth at … Continue reading Sacred Friendship – David and Jonathan
One of the challenges of studying the scriptures, especially the Old Testament, is knowing which verses were meant to be interpreted literally and which verses were intended to be interpreted figuratively. Studying ancient literature, I learned that certain numbers were intended to be figurative, symbolic, or even magical. One key to spotting these figurative numbers is their repetition. Their too frequent use goes beyond mere coincidence. The Number “8” is … Continue reading The Number “8” in Scriptures Means “New Beginnings”
Introduction I attended the National Conference on Jewish Law for several years. The participants were devout Jewish law professors, rabbis, judges, lawyers, and one non-Jew -- me. On Saturday, I was taking notes on one of the lectures. The man seated to my right nudged me with his elbow and snapped, “It’s Shabbat.” In other … Continue reading Law of Noah (Telestial), Moses (Terrestrial), and Jesus (Celestial)
The Old Testament has a plethora of wonderful one-liners. These are short, profound and memorable statements. Each of these one-liners could be a motto or slogan to guide our lives. Each of these one-liners could be a sermon. Who is on the Lord side? Seek the Lord while he may be found Would God that … Continue reading Old Testament “One-liners”
Adam son of God, Jesus is last Adam (Rom 5:12-14; 1 Cor 15:45) Sacrificial lamb (unblemished innocent lamb) (Num 1) Noah Savior of mankind Baptism, cleansing of sin (Gen 6:13-22; 1 Pet 3:20-21) Isaac Only begotten son (Heb 11:17; John 3:16) Miraculous birth (Gen 17:15-19; Lk 1:34-35) Offered as sacrifice (Gen 22; Rom 8:32) Escaped … Continue reading Old Testament Symbols/Types of Jesus (List)
Symbolic and Figurative Use of Numbers One of the challenges of understanding the Bible is knowing which words and verses were meant to be interpreted literally and which verses were to be interpreted figuratively. When I studied ancient literature (Greek, Roman, Medieval English, Old Norse) I learned that certain colors, body parts, and numbers were … Continue reading Symbolic Numbers in the Bible: 7, 8, 40, 3 1/2?
"Sunday Sermon" (These quotes are taken from sermons, letter, and modern scriptures. We sometimes forget that the quotes in the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price are the words of Joseph Smith) Jesus Christ, The Savior and Redeemer The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles … Continue reading Joseph Smith – Favorite Quotes
"Sunday Sermon" In the 1600s, Protestant denominations came up with a succinct definition of God, summarizing classical Christian creeds. “God is without body, parts, or passions.” (See: “The Westminster Confession of Faith” (1646) (Anglican, Presbyterians), “The London Baptist Confessions” (1644, 1689), “The Savory Declaration” (1658) (Congregationalist), “Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion” (1571)) This Doctrine of … Continue reading “God is without body, parts, or passions.”
"Sunday Sermon" One of the most sacred and rare spiritual experiences is a personal visitation of the Lord. This is not to be confused with a "mere" dream, dream-vision, or vision. (See: previous article on dreams and visions). This is an actual visitation where the Lord is personally present. At least two dozen prophets, and others, … Continue reading Jesus Appears to Lorenzo Snow
"Sunday Sermon" “The more education people get, the less religious they become.” This is the consistent conclusion of multiple studies of diverse populations and countries. This decreasing faith is especially pronounced in secularized countries (Northwestern Europe) where religion is looked down upon as a crutch for the ignorant and weak-minded. “Religion is the opium of … Continue reading Educated People are Less Religious, Except Latter-day Saints
The London Edition 