Prophecy
Fulfillment of Prophecy
As we edge ever nearer to the Lord’s Second Coming it becomes easier to see how prophecies might play out.
Two prophecies about events that have to take place before the Lord’s coming are the building of the New Jerusalem and the devastation that the descendants of Lehi will cause among the Gentiles. In the short report that Mormon left about the Savior’s appearance to the Nephites in third Nephi, the Savior warned us three times that Lehi’s children would lay waste the cities of the American nation, and destroy its transportation system.
Moroni and Calamity
On this 16th day of September 2023 I began my 23rd reading of the Doctrine and Covenants. In that first day of reading I discovered several things.
One, is that in the coming week, Thursday, five days from now, is a date that should be celebrated. September 21, 2023 will be the 200th anniversary of Moroni’s visit to Joseph Smith. On that evening 200 years ago Moroni appeared in Joseph’s bedroom in answer to Joseph’s fervent prayer asking for forgiveness of his sins.
Water and the Pacific Northwest
My second great grandfather, Thomas Condon, was the pioneer geologist of Oregon. He arrived in Oregon in 1853 and spent half a century exploring Oregon’s fossils and contemplating its ancient history.
Read MoreWhy Would You Repeat Yourself?
As patriarch of the stake I get the blessing of an assignment to go to each unit to speak in their sacrament meetings once a year. I enjoy the assignment. I have lots of new ideas that come to me on a regular basis, and would prefer to give a new and unique talk in each ward and branch. I would prefer to give a talk tailored specifically to that unit, but I know that I would end up repeating stories that I’d already used in previous talks. Therefore, I use the same talk in each unit all year long.
Read MoreProphecy and the Second Coming
These are troubling times. It would be easy to become anxious and disturbed if one did not have faith that God is in control, and that His plan, purposes, and prophecies are being carried out.
It is plain to those who are watching that the Lord’s Second Coming is drawing near. The signs are ever more abundant. My personal expectation is that the target date is 6 April 2034. That date will be the 2000th anniversary of the Savior’s resurrection. That date will be Easter, as well as the Passover. April 6th is very obviously an important, and significant, date to the Lord. That is why He decreed that the Church should be organized on that date.
He Plans Ahead, Doesn’t He?
Brother Baxter asked me to speak on my experiences as a patriarch, or on anything else that I wanted. Speaking just on my experiences might take me three minutes, so I’d like to expand the topic to include the gathering of Israel.
Read MoreWho Are the Ukrainians?
I have long been fascinated by statements in the scriptures indicating that the lost tribes of Israel are in “the north countries.” (Ether 13:11, D&C 110:11, D&C 133:26-32, Isa. 49:12, Jer. 3:18).
I worked in the Boise Temple with Steve Buss, who served as a co-mission president in Siberia. I asked him, “What do the patriarchal blessings say about those people?”
Imitating Isaiah
“A commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah,” the Lord said in 3 Nephi 23:1.
Isaiah’s words truly are great. They’re filled with prophecies, many of which will not be fully understood until their fulfillment. His words are also beautiful, and have a cadence unique to him. Many of his verses are couplets that state the same thing twice, but with different words. Could I write like Isaiah? Here is my attempt:
Children of the Evangelist
This morning in my study I found this:
“And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven, and abode with him.
Unique Experience?
It is nearly 5:00 A.M. I stood for some minutes in my dark living room contemplating the valley. The valley was in darkness but pockmarked with the lights of people’s yard lights and the lights of Haines. Nothing moved. No one was even out checking their calving cows. Everything is peaceful and still.
Read MoreThe Constitution By a Thread
A week ago I awoke with a series of thoughts that probably came through the Holy ghost. I don’t think that they were thoughts that I’d have generated on my own.
Read MoreFollow the Prophet
Listening to prophets and paying heed to their counsels can save us physically as well as spiritually.
Read MoreJames Eli Kerns
Nineteen years ago things were tough. I was serving in the stake presidency, our second son was serving a mission in England, our eldest son was back from his mission and was in college, finances were tight, my wife was caring for her bedridden mother, our eldest daughter and her husband were expecting their second baby, and we were expecting, too. This baby would be our 10th.
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