Abraham experienced the kind of trials we could only imagine. And time after time he was reminded of future promises, while still having to go through more hard things. We are studying the trials of Abraham found in Genesis 12–17 and Abraham 1–2 today and how we can apply those experiences to persevere in our lives.
In December the Church announced an update in the general handbook concerning translations of the bible. So as our Come, Follow Me year of studying the Old Testament gets into swing we invited a couple of bible scholars to share their thoughts on what we can gain from different translations and how they can help us gain appreciation for the ancient context in which the bible was written. For those that are still a little bit afraid of the Old Testament, let this new guidance help you find scriptures that bring you closer to God.
God makes covenants to His people. Even when the people don’t want to hear His voice. In Genesis 6-11 and Moses 8 we have the stories of people that hear what God has to say and do the exact opposite from the Tower of Babel to the wickedness around Noah. But through it all God makes covenants, and those covenants are promises that we can lean on today even when the world around us seems as chaotic as when the flood rain was starting to come down.
We can learn about what our Zion should look like by modeling after Enoch’s Zion in Moses 7. Even if we might not walk exactly with God in this life, we can strive to be of one heart and one mind with those around us. Zion isn’t just the city we live in or the ward we go to, Zion is a condition of the heart and spirit. And creating a Zion people, starts with us.
Enoch was a prophet, he taught what was good. Music is important in developing and sharing testimonies. Today as we study the story of Enoch and his walk with God in Genesis 5 and Moses 6 we will do it through music. Hopefully these songs can bring you close to your Heavenly Father and bring to life the stories of the scriptures.
In Hebrew, Eden means delightful, luxurious, or dainty. But that does not mean there wasn’t conflict and opposition in Adam and Eve’s first home. We are studying the Fall found in Genesis 3–4 and Moses 4–5 with specific attention to how an understanding of the Hebrew words can shed new light on an age old story.
The first two chapters of Genesis, Abraham, and Moses contain different versions of the creation story. What can we learn from each and why would we need multiple perspectives? This week we are studying the weighty topic of the creation, a topic about which Russell M. Nelson once called members to “stretch our minds” to consider. And that’s exactly what we will do.
“The more we know these prophecies, the more we can step forward with courage and strength and do hard things and help gather Israel.”
1 Min Read
Moses 1 contains the greatest superlative we could be given. When Moses is struggling, the doctrine he learned that helped him overcome Satan was knowing that he is a child of God. When we say we are children of a loving Heavenly Father we mean that it is His greatest goal to be with us again. And that knowledge will carry through our whole study of the Old Testament narrative this year.
A verse from the Book of Mormon shows how hopeful this phrase truly is.
1 Min Read
This principle from 3 Nephi (and some help from my stopwatch) reveals an empowering truth.
3 Min Read
“Most of the best people who ever lived weren’t very famous either. Serve and grow, faithfully and quietly.”
3 Min Read
God wants us to live with joy, not guilt that we are not doing enough. Find peace by noticing the subtle signs of progress in your life.
5 Min Read
Alma's son Corianton pursued a harlot and had significant concerns about the gospel. What can we learn from what Alma chose to say to him?
4 Min Read
Did you know Alma chapters 30–35 were originally one chapter? Reading the text as one block reveals an important question (and inspiring answer).
4 Min Read
I’ve realized Amulek is poignant inspiration to anyone feeling like their life is falling apart even though they chose to do what was right.
3 Min Read
This summer, the Sunday on Monday podcast has decided to prove the scripture and see how we can truly “count it all joy.”
2 Min Read
Sometimes when you come across a very familiar verse, it can be easy to just gloss it over because you know it so well.
1 Min Read
In Mosiah 9, the Lamanites were trying to skip right to the easy part.
2 Min Read
This week’s “Come, Follow Me” nugget is more the size of a rock, but there is just so much that King Benjamin teaches in Mosiah 4.
2 Min Read
We know we are the spirit children of Heavenly Father, so how is it that we can also be the children of Christ? The answer is wonderfully ennobling.
2 Min Read
Our challenge today is not a lack of access, but a lack of attention.
2 Min Read
We love Enos for his heartfelt prayers. Here are a few details about how he prays you may’ve not noticed but that can help you in life.
4 Min Read
A debt paid? Understanding? Protection? Comfort? For any definition of the word “cover,” you can find a solution for it in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
2 Min Read
The journey back to God usually isn’t as simple as moving from point A to point B.
2 Min Read
There is a segment in this week’s “Come, Follow Me” reading that captures the spirit of the “Visitors Welcome” signs found on every Latter-day Saint church building.
2 Min Read
Nephi writes like someone who intends for his words to be read, and 2 Nephi 25 is like he’s stretching his arm through the fourth wall to tell us what’s important.
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2 Nephi 18 talks about the Lord—and the temple—being a sanctuary. So how can we find that same peace in our busy lives today?
2 Min Read
“God has His hand in everything. Every page of the Book of Mormon is evidence of that.”
2 Min Read
Studying Jacob may help you see how both deep sorrow and anxiety can coexist with God’s goodness.
4 Min Read
Moses, Nephi, and Joseph Smith are all names on the page for us today. But their struggles and faith were real. And we can learn from their lessons.
2 Min Read
In the middle of Lehi’s message to Jacob, we get a small but powerful message that “all things must needs be a compound in one.”
2 Min Read
With Valentine’s Day coming up, we’ve chosen our favorite podcast episodes to help you find ideas to love others more deeply as the Savior would.
5 Min Read
Has the promise of prospering in the land led us to believe that if we keep the commandments, life will be easy?
5 Min Read
The moments in my life where the scriptures have come alive the most are in casual conversations with roommates or family. That’s when the application happens.
3 Min Read
When nothing else makes sense and you are confused by what you hear, start there. Start with knowing God loves you.
2 Min Read
“Falling down” at the feet of Jesus can become an instructive, beautiful, inspiring detail in Lehi’s vision of the tree of life.
4 Min Read
My ah-ha moment from this week’s reading came from one word found in the family conflict immediately preceding Lehi’s vision.
2 Min Read
There are many ways we can learn about God throughout our lives, two of which are through the scriptures and our family.
2 Min Read
Sometimes knowing leads to doing, and other times doing leads to knowing.
4 Min Read
A new year brings new resolutions and a new ‘Come, Follow Me’ curriculum. Let’s dive into our 2024 study of the Book of Mormon.
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The world is pretty different than it was in January 2020, but we are back to reading the Book of Mormon together and there are a few new perks for 'Sunday on Monday' podcast listeners.
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Busy week? Me too. LDS Living is here to catch you up and get you ready for discussions on Sunday. Here’s a nugget of wisdom from this week’s Come, Follow Me study of The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles.
2 Min Read
Don’t get too bogged down with the foreboding symbolism in Revelation. Instead, focus on finding Christ.
2 Min Read
One of the topics I appreciated the most—especially given our special focus on Christ this time of year—was a discussion on the dozens of varied names for the Savior we find in the Book of Revelation.
1 Min Read
The Old Testament can be read as a study manual to prepare for the Atonement of Christ. Jesus is everywhere to be found in the Old Testament narrative especially when you read with a keen eye to the original Hebrew. To start our Come, Follow Me study this year we are looking at how translations can give us more insight to covenants and our relationship with Christ.
We made it to the end of the year studying the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of questions and answers. At the beginning of 2025 we set out to A.S.K. (Always Seeking more Knowledge), so how did you do? Did you feel your relationship with Christ strengthen through receiving answers? We hope so, and we brought on a family of guests today to share some of their favorite Doctrine and Covenants scriptures that have brought them through times of good and times of trial. Happy Holidays from the Sunday on Monday podcast, and we’ll see you again for the Old Testament.
There have been six official proclamations in the 195 year history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and this year is the 30th anniversary of The Family: A Proclamation to the World. On today's episode we are talking with church historians about all six, what they meant for the saints at the time, and what it means when there is a proclamation issued. And even though some are almost 100 years old we will ask what eternal truths can be learned from their words.
In the very back of the Doctrine and Covenants you will find Official Declaration 1 and Official Declaration 2. Todays discussion will talk about what a declaration means and how they set the pattern for continuing revelation. As the ninth Article of Faith says: "We believe that [God] will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
This is an episode of jubilation, a real jubilee we are all invited to attend. So what are we celebrating? Doctrine and Covenants sections 137–138 answers that question and reminds us it is a celebration we won’t want to miss. The jubilee has its roots in Old Testament doctrine and has been going on for a very long time.
On June 27, 1844 Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith were shot in Carthage jail. A new section of the Doctrine and Covenants was added just in time for the 1844 publication including a memoriam to their martyrdom. What is now Section 135 has those words from the prophet’s friends announcing the death as a seal to the testimony of the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants.