Exploring the History and Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Exploring the History and Doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“Come, Follow Me” is the name of the scripture study program prepared by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each year emphasizes a different book of scriputre, with weekly readings and ideas for individual study, family study, and lessons in church classes. From time to time, I may write about my thoughts on the weekly study topics.
The story of 1 Kings tells of the reign of Solomon, the building of the temple, and the rise of idolatry resulting in the division of the kingdom. Although prophets continue to proclaim repentance, the prophets are rejected.
2 Samuel follows the rise of David as king over Israel, the covenant the Lord establishes with his house, and the consequences of David’s sin, which results in rebellion and division.
The story of Ruth tells of faithfulness and hope. Through the faith of a Moabite widow, God preserves the line that would lead to King David—and ultimately to Jesus Christ.
This summary of 1 Samuel shows the impact of a prophet, and follows the rise and fall of kings of Israel.
Most mornings, I start my day listening to the news while I exercise, then scrolling through headlines at breakfast. Almost every day, I’m met with…
Many prophets teach doctrine by referring to familiar stories. When we understand scripture stories—the people, places, and events—we gain deeper insight into doctrine and the prophetic message. Learning the stories prepares us to better understand the Old Testament and prophets like Isaiah.
Throughout history, prophets have pleaded with the Lord on behalf of His people in ways we rarely see. This post explores the quiet, unseen work prophets do for us—while emphasizing that our focus must always remain on Christ.
Before Samuel’s calling as a prophet, the word of the Lord was “precious,” or rare. But “precious” also means valuable. Is the word of the Lord rare or valuable in your life?
What does it mean to “fear God” in the Old Testament? It does not mean fright. The Hebrew scriptures reveal something deeper: reverence, honor, and devoted trust in a loving God.
