Nuggets: For A Friend

I had a great conversation this last week with a dear friend and most of our two hour conversation was on church doctrine and the scriptures.  I love uplifting conversations and friends, but she asked that I gave my own scriptural glossary/break down. I have also included a couple other small thoughts that struck me this week while I was studying the scriptures.

Old Testament: I have found that the old testament is important in teaching the laws of the gospel, meaning the truths that God has taught yesterday, today and forever.  It is in the Old Testament that we learn a love for the prophets and the divine power they hold.  We learn of temples and priesthood power and the importance and power in covenant making.  Although there are not many accounts, there are also several accounts of women and their importance in history and in the gospel giving the reader, male and female alike attributes and mentors to look up to. It also importantly outlines the tribes of Israel and their calling, giving us the information we need, along with one's patriarchal blessing, to find the gifts and calling associated with our tribe.

Isaiah: I give Isaiah his own segment as his book truly stands out for many important reason.  Even the Lord himself quoted Isaiah in order to teach that Isaiah's prophecy of a Savior had indeed been fulfilled.  Isaiah is deep as it contains so much information, making it a doctrinal gold mine.  but to be very limiting in a description, Isaiah could best be classified as holding the plain and simple truths of Christ's doctrine as well as a very vivid and detail description of what to expect in the last days.  It outlines our role as saints in this dispensation, ushering in the millennium .

New Testament: is obvious in its design to teach of Christ's life, ministry and love.  My God is a loving God and that is easily found and seen in the New Testament.  Also, it teaches of disciples and what it takes to take upon us the name of Christ.

Revelations: I also give revelations its own spot in my breakdown as I think the information contained is very pertinent to us this day in age.  We are certainly within the time of the hastening and truly believe Christ's return will come very shortly.  Revelations gives us signs and ways in which to prepare ourselves, that like the ten virgins, we are the ones with oil in our lamps: ready to meet our bridegroom.

Book of Mormon:  Also teaches of a loving God.  The Book of Mormon, like the New Testament, teaches of Christ and of his doctrine and love.  Despite all the war and carnage historically depicted, the lessons taught are of love, forgiveness and redemption making it a very uplifting and feel good read.

Doctrine and Covenants: This is a historical and accurate account of the set up of the church and their functions and how it is to be run and function.  The Doctrine and Covenants goes into deeper aspects of the gospel.  It also deals and talks a great deal about the second coming and millennium as well, correlating an awful lot with Isaiah and the Isaiah chapters found in 2 Nephi.

Pearl of Great Price: The name depicts the truths found in this book.  On the surface it seems very simplistic and correlates closely to Genesis, but when asked how to best prepare for the temple, I always direct people to the Pearl of Great Price.

As I mentioned earlier I feel that all scripture is important to read, but if you are seeking your purpose and calling in life.  I suggest studying the last days and what your role as a disciple of Christ is by reading Isaiah, Revelations and the Doctrine and Covenants!

*

While I was reading Isaiah 61:3 the phrase "Trees or righteousness" stuck out to me, causing me to stop and ponder the imagery created within my mind.  I imagine a tall full tree, with boughs and limbs full of leaves, stretching ever upward toward the sky. And the though of the roots spreading out, digging deep and holding fast.
I remember the parable of the seeds thrown by the wayside that the Savior taught, and then explained later to apostles about how the plant that was thrown ion the rocks never to grow was the unbeliever. The seed that feel into the soil, but had no light, would grow, but not hold fast, like a person who joined the church, but did not dig their roots or their testimony in Christ and how the seed that feel into the soil and light was like a faithful disciple who would flourish and grow.
A tree of righteousness: holding fat to our nutrition, stabilizing ourselves as we stretch upward toward our Lord.
Also it is another reference or imagery of us being a part of the Lord's vineyard.

*

Isaiah 64:1-3

1 Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

 2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!

 3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.

The imagery of fire and burning that describes the Second Coming could actually be caused by the glory of Christ's person.
Elder Charles W. Penrose wrote, "He comes! With all the hosts of the righteous glorified.  The breath of his lips strikes death to the wicked.  His glory is a consuming fire.  The proud and the rebellious are as the stubble, they are burned and left neither root nor branch."
I had to stop and think about this and while I am not saying this is doctrine or this will be the case, it also makes sense as we are taught that sin and righteousness cannot abide in the same place and that sin cannot be allowed in the presence of our God. So since, Jesus having completed his mission on Earth, ascended to Heaven and Glory, it makes sense that his glory alone could be the fire that destroys the wicked.