Question: The short heavenly vision of Isaiah 6 is almost as difficult to understand as the entire book of Revelation. How might we interpret its symbolism?...
read moreElisha's request of Naaman to immerse himself seven times in the Jordan River in order to be healed and his "stretching himself" upon a child to raise him from the dead seem highly unusual. Was there any special meaning to Elisha's actions?...
read moreQuestion: Is there more to the "Spirit of Elijah" than the formal work of family history and temple ordinances for sealing? Summary: The keys restored by Elijah were not given simply to enable priesthood ordinances to be performed with authority. In the performance of family history work and sealing ordinances, estranged family members may be brought together through the love and forgiveness that should accompany that service....
read moreQuestion: Is there more to Psalm 23 than words of solace and comfort? Summary: In order to enter fully into the peace of Psalm 23, one must first journey through the distress of Psalm 22. This journey culminates in the joy of exaltation in the presence of God depicted in Psalm 24....
read moreQuestion: Why is the story of David and Bathsheba significant? Summary: Chapters 11 and 12 of 2 Samuel are among the treasures of scripture. There are several reasons for their importance....
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 21: Question: Within the short space of one chapter, the boy prophet Samuel speaks the phrase "Here am I" five times. Is there something more than meets the eye in his repeated reply? Summary: Yes, when spoken in a spirit of meekness in response to a call from the Lord, it is not a simple assertion of availability but rather of humility and moral readiness. ...
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 20: Question: How does the book of Ruth provide a model for marriage? Summary: According to an insightful presentation by Catholic Bible scholar Gary A. Anderson included in this week’s article, the book of Ruth establishes a model for marriage in three ways....
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 18: Question: Israel was commanded to “utterly destroy” the Canaanites and the book of Joshua later claimed that they had done so. Why do archaeological findings and other references in the Bible make it seem that this was not actually done? What does it mean to “utterly destroy”? And why would God command such a thing in the first place?...
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 16: Question: Have there been any latter-day parallels to Balaam's blessing? Summary: In 1898, Dr. John M. Reiner, a Roman Catholic scholar, in a talk given at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, described in striking terms the parallels he found between ancient and modern Israel. ...
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 14: The making of the golden calf is often presented as the height of Israel’s rejection of God and His law. But it was only one of several incidents of rebellion that occurred in the wilderness. Among all these provocations, which ones were the most serious?...
read moreQuestion: Hezekiah is known as being, after David, the greatest king in Israelite times. Are there any archaeological remains of his reign in Jerusalem?...
read moreQuestion: One of the most disturbing and incomprehensible accounts in the Old Testament concerns Elisha and the bears who mauled those who jeered at him? What should we make of this strange story?...
read moreQuestion: Why does “Holiness to the Lord” appear on LDS temples? Was the phrase used on buildings anciently? Summary: The Wikipedia article on LDS temples asserts that the phrase “Holiness to the Lord” was inscribed “on the Old Testament Temple of Solomon.” However, so far as we know, the phrase was never used as part of any ancient building. It is unique to modern temples....
read moreQuestion: Why is the story of David and Bathsheba significant? Summary: Chapters 11 and 12 of 2 Samuel are among the treasures of scripture. There are several reasons for their importance....
read moreQuestion: How does the story of David's loyalty to Saul apply in our day? Summary:The story of David's rise to power "is designed to demonstrate David's innocence of wrongdoing in his conflict with the house of Saul and to explain his dramatic ascent to the throne as a consequence of divine favor."...
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 21: Question: Within the short space of one chapter, the boy prophet Samuel speaks the phrase "Here am I" five times. Is there something more than meets the eye in his repeated reply? Summary: Yes, when spoken in a spirit of meekness in response to a call from the Lord, it is not a simple assertion of availability but rather of humility and moral readiness. ...
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 19: Question: The Bible account of Creation explains very little about the formation of the solar system or the biological origin of life. Archaeological evidence sometimes directly contradicts it, its laws of diet and purity seem irrelevant, and its prophecies are largely unintelligible. Why should I spend my time studying the Old Testament when I could be focusing my attention instead on up-to-date history and science or on the practical, ethical teachings of Jesus that teach us how we should live?...
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 17: Question: What are the most cited, recited, and misunderstood verses in Deuteronomy? Summary: Without any doubt Deuteronomy 6:4-5 best fits this description: 4. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might....
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 16: Though the importance of the need generally for all of us to "look to God and live" is easily apparent to modern readers, the specific choice of a brazen serpent on a pole as a symbol of Christ is difficult to understand. How does the brazen serpent symbolize Christ? And, in addition, does the symbolism of the temple shewbread relate in any way to the modern LDS sacrament?...
read moreAn Old Testament KnoWhy for Gospel Doctrine Lesson 14: “Ye Shall Be a Peculiar Treasure Unto Me” (Exodus 15-20; 32-34): Hugh W. Nibley and other LDS scholars have written at length about Egyptian temple rites. What similarities are there between Egyptian and Israelite temples?...
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