A Canaanite woman traveled to see Jesus, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.” She addressed Him by His title in Israel, “Son of David.” Saying nothing at first, he then set a context: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the House of Israel.” Perhaps realizing He was testing her, she worshiped him: “Lord help me.” When he replied, “It is not meet to take... Read more
“The ship was . . . tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.” As Jesus walked on the sea toward the boat, his disciples were frightened. “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid,” He assured them. Anxious for an adventure, Peter called out, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Peter started to walk toward the Savior. But looking down at the waves with fear, he started to go down. “Lord,... Read more
Jesus Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane is sacred to Christians all over the world. In 2018 I worked with a talented student, Joshua Barringer, to learn how church leaders have talked about Gethsemane. We found that these prophetic teachings have developed from 1859 to 2018 from minor mention to complex consideration of theological understanding. Study Details We searched the “LDS General Conference Corpus” to identify every time a church leader used the word Gethsemane. This corpus contains more than 10,000 talks... Read more
Fig trees were a common and popular food source in Christ’s Israel. The fruitbuds develop before the leaves appear, so approaching a fig tree with leaves, one would expect fruit.1 But Jesus came upon a fig tree with abundant, showy leaves and no fruit. Like so many of the Savior’s significant symbols, the fruitless fig tree became a profound lesson with many layers of meaning to be applied to different people in different ways. He “cursed” the fig tree that... Read more
Judas came to Christ with “a band of men and officers . . . with lanterns and torches and weapons” (John 18:). Jesus boldly stepped forward, identifying himself as the Jesus of Nazareth they sought. Concerned for his apostles, he challenged the mob: If therefore ye seek me, let these go their way. Peter, who had recently declared himself ready to follow the Savior to His death, rushed forward with his sword, “smote the high priest’s servant [Malchus], and cut off his right ear”... Read more
“Girls, let’s try something different,” the activity days leader suggested to her 9-11-year-olds. Gossip-giggling sessions are what girls that age just do. “Let’s try nice gossip. Choose the nicest things we know about people and gossip about those.” The girls’ gossip was louder and more giggly than ever. After leaving the room briefly, they came back shrieking with laughter. “We’ve been nice gossiping about you!” The leader almost cried at the funny/affectionate comments. Positive acceptance with mutual respect is how... Read more
As a newly minted first grader, I soon learned that in Virginia schools we had to stand each morning and repeat the Lord’s Prayer (yes, really!), along with other day starters. In a home without religion, the “big words” I learned did not include “hallowed” or “trespasses,” and I didn’t understand which “kingdom” was involved. I did not totally understand what we were saying or why we were saying it. To finish was my intent—real or otherwise. As an... Read more
Elder Gerrit W. Gong introduced the term “covenant belonging,” meaning “to belong with God and to walk with each other on His covenant path.” He explained that when we step out of our “worldly self,” “we find and become our best eternal self—free, alive, real—and define our most important relationships.”1 Is this group exclusive, expensive, or difficult to join? Using Paul’s words, “God forbid!” The Savior welcomes all with His infinite love. As we follow and love Him, we... Read more
When I was called as a mission president to Chile, I was thrilled because I had served my mission in Chile as a young man, though not in that particular mission. When I learned that my former mission was also getting a new president, I started to complain, “Why didn’t they send me back to my own mission? Couldn’t they see on the papers that I had served there?” Then I got rebuked in a big way. I felt like the... Read more
Abraham and his nephew Lot, with households and possessions, left Egypt for God’s promised land. They separated, as both needed extensive lands. Abraham let Lot choose. Attracted by abundant water and closeness to worldly Sodom, Lot pitched his tent facing Sodom. Abraham opened his tent toward the altar he built to sacrifice to God. Facing God or facing worldliness determined the earthly and eternal lives of these men—as it does for all. Facing God on the Land Lot built his... Read more
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