I find the following outline to be helpful when studying Romans 8:12-39 1. Five Characteristics of a Saint – Romans 8:12-17 A. Romans 8:12-13 A Saint Puts to Death the Natural Man B. Romans 8:14 A Saint is led by the Spirit C. Romans 8:15-16 Adopted into the House ofContinue Reading

The seven statements that we have in the gospels that Jesus uttered from the cross provide us with many insights into the character of Jesus Christ. His attributes, attitude towards those around him and his desire to lift us up are inspiring. By studying how he handled affliction, how heContinue Reading

There is a purpose and a plan in all suffering When faced with adversity, we might ask Heavenly Father, “Why me?” But do we think to ask in times of bounteous blessings, “Why am I so blessed?”  Jesus’ comments in John 9:3 are not vague. His disciples ask why theContinue Reading

Tamma Durfee was the daughter of Edmund Durfee, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who was murdered by a mob near Nauvoo in November 1845. Edmund Durfee has always been someone I have been interested in, and I found that through this short 6 pageContinue Reading

I really like this talk by David L. Paulsen given in 1999. He addresses the theodicy, or  problem of evil as it is posed. This problem is called “the ultimate test of any theological system” (Harold Kushner, When Bad Things Happen to Good People, New York: Schocken Books, 1981, 6). Essentially PaulsenContinue Reading

I had the opportunity to read about the Savior’s teaching in Luke on wealth recently. In Luke 12 we read: Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, TheContinue Reading

John 19:25-26 Jesus instructs John to care for his mother I love this passage, for it shows the true nature of the Savior Jesus Christ. He loved his mother, and in his dying moments, he was concerned for her. He was a true man! I love what Elder Bednar saidContinue Reading

Brigham Young’s address to the Saints October 5, 1856 When Brigham Young heard that the many of the Saints who left with handcarts had left late in the season and that snows were coming early that year in 1856, he gave the following address to the Saints in General ConferenceContinue Reading