Gospel Talktrine

Using Isaiah as a backdrop, Jacob prophecies of the future scattering and gathering of Israel, and likens it to the death and resurrection of Christ.

Lehi makes a heartbreaking final request to Laman and Lemuel to repent, coupled with a matchless lesson on agency, the meaning of life, and the Plan of Salvation.

The journey of Lehi’s family through the wilderness was a pattern that God’s people had followed before and would follow again—that of exodus. The telling of the journey’s story to highlight the wickedness of those who opposed the prophet was also a pattern, one followed by Nephi, which would later be followed by Stephen and even Jesus himself.

The spirit shows Nephi the interpretation of his father's vision, and, as a result, Nephi teaches us far more about revelation itself than he ever did about the dream of Lehi.

Lehi’s dream is more than a simple allegory—it is a powerful parable with multiple layers describing the spiritual journey each of us travels, and that journey’s connection with the Creation, the story of Cain and Abel, the Exodus, the Atonement, and the New Creation.

The first chapters of the Book of Mormon contain important parallels with the Old Testament books of the same time period, powerful spiritual lessons, and a puzzling moral dilemma.

What can we learn from the introductory materials in the Book of Mormon, and in what sense is the Book of Mormon another “testament” of Christ?

I respond to your questions with my thoughts and opinions from the scriptures! Questions include: (1:41) Is it the offerer or the priest that kills the animal under the Law of Moses? (7:44) What is the significance of the horn that holds oil for temple anointings? (15:24) What is your favorite scripture? (31:20) What is poetry in the scriptures, and how can we recognize it? (38:18) Why do bad things happen to good people? (50:56) Have you ever considered writing for the TV Show “The Chosen?” (52:31) Is the Wisdom of God from Proverbs 8 a separate entity from God in Jewish belief?

John’s Apocalypse was not merely a description of the end of the world, but a symbolic representation of the world’s entire history as seen from a spiritual perspective. In short, it’s a summary of the entire plan of God. Therefore, it isn’t only useful to those near the end times; it’s useful to anyone who desires to continue the same spiritual battle engaged in by all of God’s followers since the beginning.

We discuss the three lessons that are at the top of our list this year about the meaning of Christmas. Bonus: a twenty-four-year-old Christmas message from President Russell M. Nelson!

Selected verses from Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke chapter 2 read aloud by Mark Holt and set to music by Kendra Lowe Holt (as she will soon be known).

The Apocalypse of the Prophet John is often perceived to be so cryptic as to render it almost incomprehensible. We’ll unpack it, using well-understood metaphors from the Old Testament, and hopefully turn it into something that you can not only understand, but benefit from both scripturally and spiritually.

Both John and Jude wrote their epistles to help church members deal with those among them who were pretending piety, but who were in fact hypocrites. John’s remedy was to understand the words of Jesus and keep in touch with his Spirit, while Jude focused more on teaching why it is so important to recognize the signs of a follower of Jesus.

Peter encouraged the persecuted Roman saints by likening them to the ancient Israelites, and gave a powerful defense to some of the false doctrines of his day. He also referenced the Christ’s ministry to the spirits in prison, in a passage which would later inspire a powerful modern revelation, Doctrine and Covenants 138.

James teaches us not how to believe in Christ, but how, once we believe in Christ, to allow that belief to bring us to patience, and thereby to perfection.

A defining work on faith, an explanation of the purpose of the Temple, a road map to perfection, and a lesson on Priesthood. If not for the Epistle to the Hebrews, we would be much poorer in our understanding of eternal truth, and in our appreciation for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Paul taught the Hebrews the importance of Christ by comparing the old covenant to the new—an old type of commandment, an old type of atonement, and an old type of high priest, versus a new type of all three: Christ himself.

In his Pastoral Epistles, Paul teaches how to identify suitable church leaders, the nature and purpose of scripture, and reveals that his calling and election have been made sure. We also address four seeming contradictions in Paul’s writings some possible resolutions.

Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians are collections of teachings of comfort and wisdom, each linked to an Apostolic blessing which followed and illuminated it.

In a pair of Messianic poems, Paul explains the true meaning behind the condescension of Christ—what he intended, how only he was qualified, and what he accomplished for us. An understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures illuminates and informs the reading of these poems.