Come Follow Me- Daily Dose

There are so many cool scriptures that Moroni quoted to Joseph Smith, but one of the most profound ones is the prophecy found in Isaiah 11. Today we will take a look at this prophecy and what it meant for the restoration of the gospel. 

I find it so interesting that, besides telling Joseph about the gold plates, the first thing that Moroni begins to teach Joseph is about Elijah, and the concept of family history work. I am sure that a lot of the significance  of Moroni's message went over Joseph's head at the time. But Moroni still began Joseph's tutelage with that great doctrine.  

Often times when asked what the purpose of this life is we are quick to think and respond, "To be tested!" Yes, that IS true, but what if there is more? Moroni taught Joseph Smith that without the coming of the priesthood by the hand of Elijah, AND the hearts of the children being turned to the fathers, the entire earth will be wasted. I truly believe that one of the reasons we are on the earth, i...

When Moroni told Joseph that there was a book made of gold plates that were buried, I wonder what he thought? In Joseph's day, it was all but unheard of that ancient records would be engraved on metal. I wonder if that struck him as odd. We know that several of his persecutors thought it was strange, in fact, that was one thing he was often harassed about. But just because we may not understand so...

When Moroni came to Joseph he told the boy prophet that there was a work for him to do. After the 1st vision it says that he went back to his regular vocation. I imagine that was hard, after such a glorious experience, knowing that God had a work for you to do, but not knowing the next step, I can imagine returning to regular life was difficult. I imagine the joy that Joseph must have felt as he r...

I have wondered so often about this verse in Joseph Smith History. Joseph feels the need to repent for being too jovial and light hearted. If those things are sins, I am in BIG trouble. Today we will talk a little bit about Joseph's feelings and how as soon as he turned to the Lord in repentance, the Lord was quick to forgive and pour out love!

The years following the first vision were not easy for the young Joseph Smith. He was mocked and reviled for speaking about what he saw. But his statement, "I knew it, and I knew that God knew it," can be a powerful lesson to us in the latter-days. Truth is truth, regardless of who believes it. 

Today we discuss the one moment that changed the world, that changed all understanding, that changed everything we know about who God is. Has that moment changed you?

Joseph teaches us so many great things about receiving personal revelation. The time involved, being determined to act, but I love the power that comes as Joseph determines to pray vocally. We are commanded to have a prayer in our heart always.  But Doctrine and Covenants 19:28 also tells us that we must "pray vocally." As we do, as we say the desires of our hearts out loud, there is an extra...

When Joseph went to the scriptures for clarity and understanding he didn't read a scripture that told him that the true church of Jesus Christ wasn't on the earth. He read a scripture that gave him his next step. And through the power of the Holy Ghost that accompanies the scriptures he was lead to do that which would ultimately give him his answer. They same is true for us. We can receive answers...

Often we think of Joseph's time of searching and confusion as a brief period in his life, when in fact, it was over 2 years. Why did the Lord let him sit lost in confusion for so long? The answer can be helpful for us to understand as we have moments in our lives when we feel lost and confused as well.  

Sometimes it is easy to think that God's involvement in the Restoration of the gospel began that spring morning in the upstate New York Grove in 1830. However, "God is in the details," and as we take a closer look we can see that God truly was preparing the restoration for centuries. 

In order to understand any type of history, I am truly believe that you have to look at the context of that history. To read and try to understand history through the lens of our modern day understanding would cheapen the things that we can learn from that history. Understanding what was happening in the church in 1838 can change the way we read verse 1 of Joseph Smith History. 

In the Bible we have the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Book of Mormon is given to us as Another Testament. But the Doctrine and Covenants is OUR Testament! And the best part about it is that our testament continues today! As prophets and apostles continue to receive revelation and as you and I receive personal revelation for our lives and our families, OUR testament continues!

The scriptures tell us that the Lord can't look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, but because of everything that I know about the nature of God, I believe wholeheartedly, that He will look upon the sinner with the greatest degree of mercy possible! 

As part of the restoration, the Lord often makes a point to say that He uses the weak and simple.  Certainly Joseph Smith was part of that, an unlearned school boy used to bring God's kingdom back to the earth. However, God also needs you and I in His great work. Often times we don't feel like enough. But never forget that we worship a God who is the great multiplier! He can take our weak and...

We live in a pretty unprecedented day and age. It would be strange to expect the prophets of the Old Testament to warn us about perils in our day that were completely unheard of in theirs.  Which is why I am so grateful that revelation is not a thing of the past. That we have modern day prophets and apostles who can warn of of the calamities in our day and guide us to safety.  

The Lord starts the Doctrine and Covenants by asking all people to hearken, but what does He want to tell us? Just a few verses later he says, "The voice of warning shall be unto all my people." One of the purposes of this great latter-day work is to warn the inhabitants of the Earth, to teach and testify to those without the good news. Without the stewardship and the little black nametag however,...

Hearken is the very first word of the Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord invites us right away to hear His voice and listen, but that is a pattern that is repeated throughout the entire book. It is an invitation that the Lord is still giving us today though His living Prophet. This year, as we study the Doctrine and Covenants we have the opportunity to become better acquainted with the voice of the...

It is pretty astonishing to think about the fact that the rest of the Christian world uses the Bible, which we love and revere, but that as members of the church we have 3 extra books of scripture. It is made clear in the title page of the Book of Mormon the purposes of it being brought forth. But what about the Doctrine and Covenants? What is the purpose? Why was it given and recorded and what wa...

I am so incredibly excited to jump into the Doctrine and Covenants this year. On today's podcast I play a portion of a talk by President Benson that kind of bridges the gap between the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants. He calls the Bok of Mormon the Keystone to our religion, but then he refers to the Doctrine and Covenants as the CAPSTONE of our religion and helps me understand why both b...

Today I wanted to share with you one of my favorite talks ever given at a First Presidency Christmas Devotional. This talk is from 2011, from President Monson, entitled, "Because He Came." I hope you enjoy!

Knowest thou the condescension of God? Nothing to me helps me think about Christ's great condescension more than thinking about the Savior as a helpless babe. The Savior, God and creator of this world chose to come to Earth as we all do, a tiny baby. Dependent on His mother for everything, He would go through this life experiencing pain, affliction, temptations and sickness all so He would know ho...

By looking at how Mary responds to the angel who teaches her about God's will for her life,  we can better understand what is expected as we strive to become true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Wise men (and women) still seek Him. The Wise men of the nativity story teach us 3 ways that we can continue to seek the Savior in our lives.