The Words of Christ

Matthew 24:36-51 , At the end of this chapter, the Savior is discoursing on the time of his Second Coming. This proceeds the three parables about the end of times: the virgins, the talents, and the sheep and goats. In JST-Matthew 1:39-40 , it talks of how the elect will see the signs of his coming, but that ultimately, no one knows when that day shall come except that we are told that it will come when we do not expect to see it. It will be "business as usual" until the day of His Coming. That is humbling because today is a day of "business as usual." And so what Christ is saying is that it will be a day, just like today, when He comes again.  Vs. 48 sums up the whole of it: "Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh."

Luke 11:14-26 ; Matthew 12:31-42 (see also Luke 12:9-10 ) There is a passage here that discusses blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and thanks to a Joseph Smith translation, I now understand the connection between that topic and the passages that discuss the effects of an unclean spirit going and coming from a man's house. So here is the doctrine-- Christ in several different places talks of the comparison between blasphemy against himself as compared with blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. For example: Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. ( Matthew 12:31-32 ) The Joseph Smith Translation on Luke 12, also clearly states the difference betw...

Mark 12 Here are a collection of videos that depict some of the exchanges between the Savior and those he encountered while teaching in the temple that final week before his suffering, death, and Resurrection. Render unto Caesar and unto God The Greatest Commandment The Widow's Mite

Matthew 13:1-23 The parable of the sower as taught in these verses I feel is fairly well known. What follows the Savior's initial instructions however is notably decisive in explaining the difference between the true disciples of Christ, and those who will casually pass by to listen, but with no intent to act on what is heard. There is much to study here, but what is curious about this passage is that I find there are distinct parallels between these fundamental teachings of Christ, and in the early recorded scriptural documents in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For example, compare Matthew 13:11 with Doctrine and Covenants 6:11-12

Matthew 9 I read through this passage of scriptures this past week while I was on vacation, and was much impressed by the need for organization that the Lord Jesus observed after doing his work for a small period of time and observing the great success that resulted. (see Matt 9:36-38 ) Indeed, Christ can do his own work, but in the sheer numbers of those who would believe, there must be organization. There must be other laborers called to the work, to do the works of Christ.

Matthew 25 I find myself contemplating this final chapter of the Savior's public ministry as recorded in the book of Matthew, the first of the four Gospels. As final remarks, I find it both moving and appropriate that the Savior here is recorded teaching in parables three very important concepts in relation to our final preparations for his Second Coming. In the previous chapter, the Savior had vividly detailed events leading up to His Second Coming, and now as as a parting sermon, He teaches 1) of being prepared personally and spiritually for His return, 2) of make good use of the individual blessings, gifts, talents, and abilities that each covenant member of the Kingdom of God would be given, and then finally 3) of caring for the poor and the needy.

Matthew 21:23-32 In other studies, I found myself studying this passage of scripture yesterday. Then this video, depicting the same verses, was released later in the afternoon. I now go back and revisit the same passage to add some personal insights. There is a tendency to discount and condemn the actions of the chief priests and elders as did the Lord, yet when I do it, it is without understanding or even consideration of why they were really being condemned. What is also interesting here, is that these chief priests and elders were probably those whose responsibility it was to oversee in the affairs of the temple. The father of John the Baptist was also a priest in the same temple, the only temple in all of Israel. Christ was brought and presented in this same temple as an infant of only 8 days old. So for the cheif priests and the elders of the people to come to Christ in the temple and to question his authority, perhaps was a justifiable action in their minds. The par...