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I'm happy to hear that the sociality that we enjoy in this life will continue. (D&C 129-132)
129:1-3 There is a lot of interesting doctrine in these chapters. We could spend a long time trying to fully understand it. First, we learn about different types of beings in heaven. “There are two kinds of beings in heaven, namely: Angels, who are resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones — For instance, Jesus said: Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Secondly: the spirits of just men made perfect, they who are not resu
Marci & Eric
Nov 1515 min read
We can feel gladness and joy in the middle of crisis. (D&C 125-128)
126:2 Many of us have callings that aren’t visible to large groups of people. It may be that we are a primary teacher or activities committee member or ward missionary or facilities manager. It could be that very few are even aware that we have our calling. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t a lot of work. In fact, your low-visibility calling could require a lot of effort and no one really knows. This verse is suggesting that the most important person is fully aware. The Lord
Marci & Eric
Nov 78 min read
Why do we need to perform ordinances in the temple? (D&C 124)
124:1 Why didn’t the Lord choose someone smarter than Joseph Smith? Why wouldn’t the Lord select a more educated man? Why not someone who was already a political or religious leader? Why, out of all the people of the world, did He choose a 14 year old, uneducated, poor boy in Palmyra? I’ve thought about this question and usually my answer is that he needed someone who was young and untainted by life. He needed to pour his “wine in new bottles.” Only a young, inexperienced per
Marci & Eric
Nov 110 min read
Challenges build our spiritual foundation and prepare us for something greater. (D&C 115-120)
115:5 When Marci and I built our home in the middle of the forest, the idea was that we would become hermits. We loved being in nature and the peace and quiet we find here. We thought we would stay up on the property and come down only a few times a month. We didn’t really think it through. In the year before we moved in, we decided to serve a church mission in Florida. This changed our perspective. After that, we began working for the church’s Missionary Department. We found
Marci & Eric
Oct 196 min read
Our challenges come at a pace that we can handle. (D&C 111-114)
111:1 There are many parts of my life that I could describe as “follies.” The dictionary defines folly as “lack of good sense; foolishness.” I’ve made some senseless decisions. I’ve had foolish priorities. I have been irresponsible. Many days have been filled with thoughtlessness where I haven’t considered what I’m doing and have wasted my time. It would be very comforting to hear the Lord say, “I, the Lord your God, am not displeased with your coming this journey, notwithsta
Marci & Eric
Oct 187 min read
What are the blessings of the temple? (D&C 109-110)
109:7 How do we help each other develop faith? There are a bunch of ways but this verse suggests a primarily two: diligent learning and...
Marci & Eric
Oct 611 min read
Christ lifts us but we must let him. (D&C 106-108)
106:3 We’ve had some changes recently in our financial situation. I’ve had to get back to working full time. Making money has become a...
Marci & Eric
Sep 307 min read
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12
102:17-21 The church conducts disciplinary councils. There are three purposes for these councils: To save the soul of the transgressor....
Marci & Eric
Sep 1519 min read
The temple is a place of instruction. (D&C 94-97)
9 4 :6 The Lord gave direction about how the temple should be built. “And it shall be dedicated unto the Lord from the foundation thereof...
Marci & Eric
Sep 48 min read
Knowing stuff makes us more powerful. (D&C 93)
93:1 God is no respecter of persons. He is willing to appear to anyone. “Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every...
Marci & Eric
Sep 29 min read
What are the four promises of the Word of Wisdom? (D&C 89-92)
89:2 The scriptures are written for our spiritual salvation. Their purpose is not for our temporal salvation. Earlier in the D&C, we...
Marci & Eric
Aug 2410 min read
In the Information Age, our testimonies should be built on STUDY and FAITH. (D&C 88)
88:3-4 “Wherefore, I now send upon you another Comforter, even upon you my friends, that it may abide in your hearts, even the Holy...
Marci & Eric
Aug 1623 min read
Trust is a vital part of the plan of salvation. (D&C 81-83)
81:3-4 The Lord appears to give an “if…then” statement through Joseph Smith to Frederick Williams (eventually). IF Frederick does certain...
Marci & Eric
Jul 276 min read
Jesus will lead us along. (D&C 77-80)
77:2 Section 77 is a little unique in that it’s a literal Q&A where Joseph is asking questions and the Lord is answering. Obviously, most...
Marci & Eric
Jul 175 min read
What is heaven? (D&C 76)
76:7-10 How much true and lasting wisdom and understanding do we earn? Humans are discovering worldly scientific principles at an...
Marci & Eric
Jul 1314 min read
We are called to defend the church. (71-75)
71:1 In this verse, the Lord is giving Joseph Smith directions about WHAT to do and HOW to do it. “Behold, thus saith the Lord unto you...
Marci & Eric
Jul 410 min read
When we seek to "counsel in our own ways," we aren't disciples. (D&C 51-57)
51:1-2 How smart are we? Are we good at organizing churches? I don’t think we are. Consider what happened to the Jews and what they built...
Marci & Eric
Jun 1012 min read
Living the gospel shouldn't be a doctrine buffet. (D&C 49-50)
49:2 How much of the gospel do you like? Which principles do you most agree with? Which parts do not just not follow? Of course, all of...
Marci & Eric
May 319 min read
Prayer and thanksgiving can be protective armor. (D&C 46-48)
46:7 What are the benefits of being thankful? How good is it truly? Does being thankful simply make us more pleasant to be around or more...
Marci & Eric
May 117 min read
This life is custom-designed for our progression. We should make the most of it. (D&C 45)
45:2-4 What’s the problem with waiting to repent? The biggest problem is that this mortal life is the time to repent. We read in Alma...
Marci & Eric
May 710 min read
The mysteries of God don't need to remain mysteries. (D&C 41-44)
41:1 The gospel of Jesus Christ is taught in its most complete form in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We have modern...
Marci & Eric
Apr 2715 min read
What if a dollar had the same value as Monopoly money. Eventually, it does. (D&C 37-40)
37:1; 38:2 It’s hard to get away from our individual perspective on the events and conditions of our lives. We see things from one point...
Marci & Eric
Apr 2013 min read
We read the scriptures but do we heed them? (D&C 30-36)
30:1-2 Have you ever been chastened? Have you been chastened in front of others? Have you been chastened by the Lord himself? Has someone...
Marci & Eric
Apr 613 min read
What does it mean to be chosen? (D&C 29)
29:4-5 We believe that members of the church are “chosen.” But what does that mean? Does “chosen” mean “awesome” or “better than?” It, of...
Marci & Eric
Mar 3015 min read
The battle over your soul is more important than any other worldly battle in history. (D&C 27-28)
27:2 Why is remembering the past such a power influence on our present lives? I don’t know but consider remembering how: Your parents...
Marci & Eric
Mar 236 min read
This world offers so many great choices that we should definitely lay aside and "seek for the things of a better." (D&C 23-26)
23:1 What does it mean to be condemned? To me, to be condemned is to be damned. Condemnation seems more severe than punishment. There is...
Marci & Eric
Mar 168 min read
The truth of the Book of Mormon helps me know many other spiritual truths. (D&C 20-22)
(D&C 20-22) 20:5 Prophets are perfect right? Especially Joseph Smith since he was the first prophets of the restoration! Actually no....
Marci & Eric
Mar 913 min read
"Endless punishment" isn't about time. (D&C 19)
19:1 “I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord; yea, even I am he, the beginning and the end , the Redeemer of the world.“ Why is Christ the...
Marci & Eric
Mar 211 min read
At the end of our lives, what will be the thing that we did that will be of most worth? (D&C 18)
D&C 18:2-4 Do we need to continue to reevaluate what we know to be true? Do we need to relitigate our beliefs regularly? Do we need to...
Marci & Eric
Feb 2314 min read
What qualifies us to assist in this work? (D&C 12-17)
12 : 8 What does it take to contribute to the church in a significant way? What qualifications must I have? The Lord answers in verse...
Marci & Eric
Feb 169 min read
Who is the greatest ally we can have in this life? (D&C 10-11)
10:2 For those of us who have experienced life living close to the Spirit and, at other times, further away - this verse resonates. “And...
Marci & Eric
Feb 414 min read
How is it possible to think of Jesus in EVERY thought? (D&C 6-9)
6:1 The work of this church is a great and marvelous work. “A great and marvelous work is about to come forth unto the children of men.”...
Marci & Eric
Feb 113 min read
We can learn from good and bad examples. (D&C 3-5)
3:1-3 God is infallible. He is perfect. He doesn’t make mistakes. He doesn’t course-correct. He doesn’t need refinement. No mulligans or...
Marci & Eric
Jan 2612 min read
Heavenly visitors often quote scripture. I guess we can just read the scriptures... (JSH 1:27-65)
1:28-29, 33 He was one of the greatest prophets the world has known, but he was still human. “ I was left to all kinds of temptations ;...
Marci & Eric
Jan 1910 min read
Joseph discovers opposition. (Joseph Smith History 1:1-26)
1:6 Is it possible to be a mean Christian? Yes and no. Yes. We have seen others, who claim to be Christian, be unkind. We see ourselves,...
Marci & Eric
Jan 1211 min read
Every decision has a consequence. (D&C 1)
1:10 All of our actions have consequences - both in the present and eternally. There is no action I take today that won’t have some...
Marci & Eric
Jan 59 min read
YM/YW Lesson 1/5/25
The Restoration Proclamation In April 2020, it marked the 200th anniversary of the restoration of Christ’s church on earth. The church...
Marci & Eric
Dec 28, 20243 min read
Moroni finishes strong. (Moroni 10)
10:3 Moroni is alone. He’s being hunted. He’ll be put to death. He’s wandering in the wilderness carrying golden plates. He understands...
Marci & Eric
Dec 18, 202410 min read
Moroni teaches us how to know good from evil. (Moroni 7-9)
7:1 It seems like, whenever the scriptures speak of “faith and hope,” there is always a third principle. In this first verse, the three...
Marci & Eric
Dec 14, 202416 min read
Moroni gives a lesson on faith and hope. Considering he was completely without friends and family the message is even more powerful. WITH LESSON (Ether 12-15)
12:2-4 Faith in Christ and hope for a better world are two factors that can elevate our lives more than any other force I can think of....
Marci & Eric
Nov 23, 202415 min read
The Lord wants us to do as much as possible before He steps in. He's maximizing our progression. (Ether 1-5)
1:43 In this chapter, we read of a few times that Jared asks his brother to pray to the Lord. We do read in verse 34 that the brother of...
Marci & Eric
Nov 14, 202411 min read
Mormon’s farewell address. (Mormon 7-9)
7:2-3 What matters in eternity? Is our membership in this church what truly matters? Well…of course it is a blessing to be a member of...
Marci & Eric
Nov 10, 202414 min read
If we rely on ourselves, we'll get blown around in a whirlwind. (Mormon 1-6)
1:2, 15 What does it take for a young person to grow up into a wise person? I think Ammaron knew. “And about the time that Ammaron hid up...
Marci & Eric
Nov 5, 202410 min read
Why are people who leave the church often antagonistic? (3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi)
27:1 President Nelson said, “In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter.” Of course I agree....
Marci & Eric
Oct 31, 202414 min read
Jesus taught about prayer by praying. (3 Nephi 17-19)
17:2-3 I teach photography. When I am teaching, I am constantly reading the room to see if they are understanding what I’m saying. You...
Marci & Eric
Oct 13, 202412 min read
Jesus taught everything we need to know. (3 Nephi 12-16)
12:1 Jesus chooses twelve men who received the “power and authority to baptize.” Jesus encourages the people to follow them. “Blessed are...
Marci & Eric
Oct 10, 202428 min read
After much prophecy, Jesus finally arrives. (3 Nephi 8-11)
8:24-25 In these two verses, there is a phrase that is repeated twice. Remember, this is during the three days of darkness when their...
Marci & Eric
Sep 28, 202410 min read
A nation can digress from righteousness to wickedness shockingly quickly. (3 Nephi 1-7)
1:9,16, 18 Those who weren’t believers had decided that they would murder those who believed that Christ should come. “Now it came to...
Marci & Eric
Sep 24, 202410 min read
What's the problem with procrastinating your repentance until the next life? (Helaman 13-16)
13:6 How complicated is Christ’s example? It is actually very simple. At its core, it is two key principles: Faith in the Lord Jesus...
Marci & Eric
Sep 8, 202413 min read
People often forget God when things are going well. Things have been going well for a while......(Helaman 7-12)
7:16 If someone is your enemy, how likely are you to listen to this person? It’s very unlikely that I can be influenced or persuaded by...
Marci & Eric
Sep 5, 202413 min read
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Marci & Eric
Jul 9, 202315 min read
Why do we want power? (Acts 6-9)
6:1-4 The early church experiences the challenges of operating any organization that is growing. It becomes more complicated. They find...
Marci & Eric
Jul 2, 202317 min read
Peter had to be on his own to become who he was meant to be. (Acts 1-5)
1:6-8 Because the world is in front of us, we care about the world. We almost can't help it. These apostles are not quite understanding...
Marci & Eric
Jun 26, 202312 min read
It can be hard to maintain faith when things don't go as expected. (Come Follow Me)
Matthew 28:19-20 Let's assume that the first thing that Jesus said after his resurrection was very, very important. We should consider...
Marci & Eric
Jun 21, 202319 min read
Jesus voluntarily sacrificed himself. (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19)
Matthew 27:3-7 It's nearly impossible to do something that can't be repented of. Christ's atonement is infinite. To suggest limits to his...
Marci & Eric
Jun 15, 20238 min read
What is truth? (Luke 22; John 18)
Luke 22:2 What motivates you? It looks like fear was driving the chief priests and scribes. "And the chief priests and scribes sought how...
Marci & Eric
Jun 11, 202317 min read
All of us are searching for peace. Jesus is the only source of peace that lasts. (John 14-17)
14:1-6 It's easy for people to feel lost. If a person doesn't know the purpose of his or her life, despair comes more easily. Also, if...
Marci & Eric
Jun 2, 202316 min read
Jesus suffered alone. (Matthew 26; Mark 14; John 13)
26:7-9 In this world, "something of value" is usually defined by how much money it is worth. For someone who loves money, value...
Marci & Eric
May 30, 202323 min read
Jesus confronts the Pharisees. (Matthew 21-23; Mark 11; Luke 19-20)
Matthew 21:19 Jesus didn't like any form of hypocrisy - in a man or in a tree. "And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and...
Marci & Eric
May 20, 202310 min read
There is little upside to comparing ourselves to others. (Matthew 19-20; Mark 10: Luke 18)
19:16-17 I love compliments. I love praise. It’s a problem. “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall...
Marci & Eric
May 10, 202322 min read
Jesus taught so much that I can't even think of a title... (Luke 12-17; John 11)
Luke 12:1-3 Hypocrisy is a problem. It's a bigger problem than we may realize. The definition of hypocrisy is: "the practice of claiming...
Marci & Eric
Apr 27, 202323 min read
People show you who they are by what they do. Jesus did. (John 7-10)
7:2-5 Jesus has an interesting family dynamic. "Now the Jews’ feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him,...
Marci & Eric
Apr 21, 202314 min read
The two great commandments are great. (Matthew 18; Luke 10)
18:1-4 I'm a children's photographer. I have spent a lot of time with all ages of children - from newborns to teenagers. I have developed...
Marci & Eric
Apr 15, 202312 min read
Jesus taught really, really well. (Matthew 15-17; Mark 7-9)
15:1-9 "Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the...
Marci & Eric
Apr 1, 202324 min read
There are no obstacles to being healed by Jesus. (Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 5-6)
Matthew 14:4-9 It's hard to say unpopular things. No one loves to be ridiculed because of something he or she said. Try posting something...
Marci & Eric
Mar 23, 202313 min read
Parables have purpose. (Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13)
13:10-11 Jesus is a genius. Of course we know that. One example of his wisdom is how he taught in parables. “And the disciples came, and...
Marci & Eric
Mar 13, 202313 min read
Life can be hard. Who needs a rest? Take Christ's yoke upon you. (Matthew 11-12, Luke 11)
Matthew 11:16-17 Jesus is good at simile. To take a complex concept and connect it to something that people can relate to is very...
Marci & Eric
Mar 5, 202317 min read
Life isn't about gaining independence, it's about learning to submit. (Matthew 9-10; Mark 5; Luke 9)
9:2 Can a group's faith affect the condition of someone? In this chapter, we read that those who carried the sick man had the faith...
Marci & Eric
Feb 26, 202319 min read
Critics find criticisms. (Matthew 8; Mark 2-4; Luke 7 )
Matthew 8:2 "And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." How did this...
Marci & Eric
Feb 21, 202314 min read
It's easy to care about the things of this world. (Matthew 6-7)
6:1-4 Why is giving for public recognition bad? Jesus explained. "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them:...
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