I thought today that I would share a few thoughts on the different books of scriptures that we study.The following thoughts come from Scriptures topics found on lds.org.
"When holy men of God
write or speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, their words "shall be
scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall
be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God
unto salvation" (D&C 68:4). The official, canonized
scriptures of the Church, often called the standard works, are the Bible, the
Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price."
"The Bible is a collection of Sacred writings containing God's revelations to man. These writings cover many centuries, from the time of Adam through the time when the Apostles of Jesus Christ lived. They were written by many prophets who lived at various times in the history of the world.
The Bible is divided into two sections: the Old testament and the New Testament. Many prophecies in the Old Testament foretell the coming of a Savior and Redeemer. The New Testament tells of the life of the Savior and Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ. It also tells of the establishing of His Church in that day. "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly." (Articles of Faith 1:8).( Gospel Principles - Chapter 10. Scriptures)
I love the teachings from the Bible. I love Genesis and the story of the creation. Further thoughts on the creation can also be found in The Pearl of Great Price, in the Book of Moses. I enjoy the stories of Adam and Eve and their posterity. Their experiences with earth and family life teach many lessons that can help us with our own circumstances.
Moses is one of my favorite prophets of the Old Testament. His life story and exodus from Egypt is profound. The miracles that are written there are faith inspiring.
The New Testament is my favorite part of the Holy Bible because it is the life and teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It records His birth, mortal ministry and most important of all His Atonement, Crucifixion and Resurrection. It concludes with the Ministry of his 12 Apostles.
When I read the life story of my great Redeemer, my heart is touched and my spirit uplifted.
When reading of His lonely walk to Gethsemane and his sacrifice for us on Golgotha; my deep love for Him increases. I know that He lives and loves us all and His one true desire is that we return to Him and our loving Heavenly Father.
The Savior said in Moses 1: 39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (The Pearl of Great Price, Moses 1:39) His invitation is "Come Follow Me."
Of all the Book of Scriptures; The Book of Mormon is my favorite. I truly love reading from it's pages. I have had many answers to my questions and uplifting teachings from the prophets of that time. The family stories have helped me raise my children. The profound teachings about our Savior have increased my faith in Him.
Here are some quotes from Scripture Topics as found on lds.org.
"The Book
of Mormon came forth in this dispensation by the will of the
Lord. It is a record of God’s dealings with the people who lived in the ancient
Americas. Prophets of the Lord engraved the original records on gold plates.
The Lord declared that the Book of Mormon contains “the fulness of the gospel
of Jesus Christ” (D&C 20:9; see also D&C 42:12).
The primary purpose of the Book
of Mormon is to convince all people “that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God,
manifesting himself unto all nations” (title page of the Book of Mormon). It
teaches that all people “must come unto him, or they cannot be saved” (1 Nephi 13:40). Joseph Smith said that the Book of
Mormon is “the keystone of our religion, and a man [will] get nearer to God by
abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (introduction to the Book of Mormon).
The Book of Mormon is another
witness for the truths taught in the Bible. It also restores “plain and
precious” truths that have been lost from the Bible through errors in
translation or “taken away” in attempts to “pervert the right ways of the Lord”
(see 1 Nephi 13:24-27, 38-41). The Bible and the Book of Mormon
“shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down
of contentions, and establishing peace” (2 Nephi 3:12)."
I have
many favorite scriptures that I have memorized from The Book of Mormon. I will
share just one as found in 2 Nephi 31: 20-21
20. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
21. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.
3 Nephi is my favorite section of the Book of Mormon because it tells of Jesus Christ's appearance in the America's to the Book of Mormon people after His resurrection. My all time favorite Chapter is 3 Nephi 17. In this chapter the Savior is teaching the people and then gathers their children and ministers unto them. I always shed tears when I read of this experience. Take a moment and read this account.
20. Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
21. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.
3 Nephi is my favorite section of the Book of Mormon because it tells of Jesus Christ's appearance in the America's to the Book of Mormon people after His resurrection. My all time favorite Chapter is 3 Nephi 17. In this chapter the Savior is teaching the people and then gathers their children and ministers unto them. I always shed tears when I read of this experience. Take a moment and read this account.
The Doctrine and Covenants~
"The
Doctrine and Covenants contains revelations given to the
Prophet Joseph Smith. It also includes a few revelations given to other
latter-day prophets following Joseph Smith. This book of scripture is unique
because it is not a translation of ancient documents. It is a collection of
revelations given by the Lord to His chosen prophets in the latter days."(Scripture
Topics as found on lds.org). Wonderful truths are found in the Doctrine and
Covenants. This powerful book of scripture was revealed and has wonderful
teachings to prepare us for the 2nd coming of the Lord.
The
Pearl of Great Price~
"The Pearl
of Great Price contains the book of Moses, the book of Abraham,
the Prophet Joseph Smith’s inspired translation of Matthew chapter 24, and some
writings of the Prophet Joseph."( Scripture Topics; lds.org.)
In the book of Moses, and the book of Abraham you will find more great teachings from these two prophets that were lost in the translations of the Bible.
The explanation of the creation in the book of Moses is astounding. The book of Abraham is enlightening. Again my testimony of all the prophets through the ages have increased my knowledge of where did we come from? why are we here? and where are we going?
( Scripture Topics; lds.org.)
The explanation of the creation in the book of Moses is astounding. The book of Abraham is enlightening. Again my testimony of all the prophets through the ages have increased my knowledge of where did we come from? why are we here? and where are we going?
( Scripture Topics; lds.org.)
Words of Our Living Prophets~
Today we have a living Prophet and 12 Apostles. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored exactly like Jesus Christ established His church in His day.
These humble servants of the Lord Jesus Christ receive revelation and direction from the Savior Himself for our world.Their inspired words come to us through our conferences twice a year and are found in the May and November issues of the Ensign Magazines.
"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal may great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God" (Articles of Faith 1:9).
I know that we have a living Prophet today. I love our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. Our Prophet and Apostles lead and guide this church. They help us stay centered in following Jesus Christ. Their uplifting messages give us hope and are preparing us for the return of our Savior Jesus Christ.
In closing my thoughts on this post; I want to wish a Happy Birthday to our beloved Prophet and President of our Church, Thomas S. Monson. He will turn 90 years old on August 21st.
I am grateful for him and his marvelous example. Although his health is failing due to age; he continues to be a strong directing force in our lives.
Happy 90th Birthday dearest President Monson!
