"In the Beginning. . . " Ensign Article

Link to the article, Robert J. Woodford, “‘In the Beginning’: A Latter-day Perspective,” Ensign, Jan 1998, 12

President Eyring on Studying the Old Testament

Henry B. Eyring, “Studying and Teaching the Old Testament,” Ensign, Jan 2002, 30

From a talk to Church Educational System educators at Brigham Young University on 10 August 1999.

Four Suggestions for Studying and Teaching the Old Testament

Now let me give you the lessons I have learned from following the counsel of President Romney.
First, I would be more eager to be taught. I would listen to others, as if I believed the Spirit could teach me through their words. I would go to every class I could, expecting to learn from whoever was called to teach me. I would read and ponder the materials I was given. I would read the scriptures. I would plead in prayer to be taught from on high. Now there are practical limits to the time I could spend, but no limits on how determined to be taught I could be.
Second, I would think more often and more carefully about the Savior and His mission. So much of the Old Testament can be taught as dramatic stories, fascinating customs, and beautiful literary forms. But I will sense a greater happiness, a deeper appreciation when I study or teach of times when prophets spoke of Jehovah and when the people received the words and turned toward Him. I would sense sorrow when the people turned away from the promised Savior of mankind and toward misery. I can make you a promise if you do that: the Spirit will come and you will sense less of the sordid wickedness of the people, of their abominations, and more of the love of their God, who warned them against iniquity and idolatry, who begged them to come to Him, and who, even in their wickedness and misery, kept reaching after them.
Third, I would put more effort into coming to know prophets as personally as I could. I would read in the book of Abraham and the book of Moses not only for doctrines but to know their hearts. I would try to feel what Job felt and what Jeremiah felt. I would work and pray to know the character and the trials of the prophets. I can make you a promise because I have tried it. I have tried to be with Nephi at the end of his ministry. I read those chapters in 2 Nephi over and over. I did it to learn how to teach the Old Testament. But I got more. I came to love him as I had never done before. When I see him in some future time and place, he will see more affection in my eyes, and more admiration.
And last, I would more carefully invite the Holy Ghost as my companion. Others wouldn’t see much of what I do, since so much would be in private, but they would sense the change in me as the Spirit softened my nature. They would notice it in my being a little more patient, a little more interested in them, a little less likely to argue or belittle, a little more likely to smile. And they would notice not only that I seemed more happy but that they are more happy when they are around me. The Holy Ghost will teach us all things we should do to please God and thus take happiness with us.
I bless you that you might, in this year of studying and teaching the Old Testament, be drawn closer to Him. I bless you that you may have assurance that the Savior loves you and is concerned for you, that in the years ahead you may taste the sweet fruit of knowing that He appreciates your efforts to study and teach from the Old Testament.

Link to the entire talk

Edward J. Brandt, “Understanding the Old Testament: Keys to Resolving Difficult Questions,” Ensign, Sep 1980, 27

Prayerful Study

The most important ingredient in understanding the Old Testament is regular, prayerful study. Elder Bruce R. McConkie described the careful, fruitful study that brings growth: “We would like all Latter-day Saint[s] … to read all of the Standard Works, to ponder in their hearts the eternal truths that are found in them, and to get on their knees and ask the Lord in sincerity and in faith for understanding and comprehension and guidance. We would like each of you to read them, either by yourself, … or with your families, and not simply read the words but ponder and pray about their content so that there will come into your lives the desires for righteousness that grow out of the study of the pure, perfect word of God. We would like the Church to start drinking at the fountain—undiluted—the pure, perfect message that the Lord has given by the mouths of his prophets, the message found in the Standard Works of the Church. …
“... It is not reading alone; it is reading, pondering, and praying so that the Spirit of the Almighty gets involved in the study and gives understanding” (Ensign, Apr. 1975, pp. 70–71).
The Apostle Paul said that although the veil over “the reading of the old testament … is done away in Christ, … even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
“Nevertheless,” he said, “when [their hearts] shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away” (2 Cor. 3:14–16).
Although there are difficulties in understanding the Old Testament when we carefully study it in the spirit of its purpose, the record blesses our lives with testimony, teachings, insight, and examples of great worth.

The Fourth Watch

Wayne sent this to me in 2006.

God is a God of the Fourth Watch:

This is what James E. Talmage says in Jesus the Christ:

 Watches of the Night.-During the greater part of Old Testament time, the people of Israel divided the night into three watches, each of four hours, such a period being that of individual sentinel duty. Before the beginning of the Christian era, however, the Jews had adopted the Roman order of four night-watches, each lasting three hours. These were designated numerically, e.g. the fourth watch mentioned in the text (see Matt. 14:25), or as even, midnight, cock-crowing, and morning (see Mark 13:35). The fourth watch was the last of the three-hour periods between sunset and sunrise, or between 6 P.M. and 6 A.M. and therefore extended from 3 to 6 o'clock in the morning.

Mark 13

 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about ^afive thousand men.

  45 And straightway he (Jesus) constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

  46 And when he had ^asent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

  47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

  48 And he saw them ^atoiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea

**He saw them struggling! But he waited, until the fourth watch. THEN he came to them with his miracles, his love, his compassion. At times, he lets us TOIL in rowing...

Forgiveness

Tuesday - February 20, 2007 10:43 AM

I'm not sure if you've heard about the Bishop who lost his wife and 2 children to a drunk driver accident a few weeks ago. Erin told me about it, and I had thought it was sad and heartbreaking, but  basically forgot about it. Well, this morning one of the Seminary Teachers (Bro. Simpson) told us how his brother Jeff is in that Bishop's ward. The Bishop told him everything. He said that when he saw the other car coming, he knew it was it and that it would be over quickly. As he gained consciousness in his tipped-over car, he knew his wife and 2 kids hadn't made it. Immediately he said he felt a voice tell him "you must forgive" repeatedly over and over again. He said a few days later he was so tempted to just go after the boy and pursue the full measure of the law, but that he desisted from doing so following that prompted. He said he could feel the devil tempting him and trying to make him angry, but he held on.  Apparently the drunk driver (who by the way is alive and well, as with so many drunk-driver accidents) is a 17 year-old boy who is the son of another bishop. This boy's mom (wife of the other bishop) has a mother who is a close friend of the mother of the Bishop's wife who died. They were hugging very dearly during the funeral of that family. This situation has brought many many people to their knees and into  giving and receiving forgiveness. This Bishop's example has been tremendous. These wards have been greatly strengthened and this Bishop continues (!!) to be the Bishop.

Anyway, the Bishop told this Jeff that something happened between that Saturday night (of the accident) and that Sunday morning something amazing happened. The bishop didn't tell him what, but he will soon. Anyway, it was so interesting, but at the same time so tough!

Wish you a good day!

Wayne

Is this true?
Ya we had heard of it too...  In our sacrament meeting this past Sunday, a High Council spoke of it too for a couple of minutes...  He proceeded with explaining to us that when the Bishop was younger, he found him self in a hard situation as well.  He was driving at the age of 16-18 (one of those), and there were two young kids running on the street.  He could no swerve because of other situations around him, besides it happened too fast anyways.  He had clipped both of the kids and they died.  He was devastated and thought he just could not keep on going.  The Dad of the two kids had forgave him.  He had felt it so strong and knew that he was forgiven by the dad.  They are best friends till this day and talk daily.  Its pretty cool how it all works.
Saludos,
Jonathan