Take upon you my whole armor
Spiritual Warfare in the Last Days
“… Billions of the deceased and those yet to be born have their eyes on us… Each day we personally make many decisions showing the cause we support. The tactics which the enemy will use against us will vary from time to time. He will seek to exploit our weak spots so we must be alert to the devil’s devious designs.”
ETB Boise Institute Nov 20 1983
If we read Alma 43-63 and see how they prevailed in physical battle, we will learn how to prevail in spiritual battles..
Alma 43:19 – 22..
Difference in preparation. Nephites were in armor and the Lamanites were in a ’speedo swimsuit’..
They durst not come against the Nephites.. they were afraid.
D&C 27:15-18
- v5 – those attending, Moroni, Elias, John, Elijah, Joseph, Jacob, Issac, Abraham, Michael, Christ
thru v13. Christ will be presiding, and Adam will be conducting.
v14 -BRM says anybody that has made and kept significant covenants.
v15 thru v18 is how we prepare to be there..
Put on the Whole Armor of God
“We have four parts of the body that.. [are] most vulnerable to the powers of darkness. The loins, typifying virtue, chastity; the heart, typifying our conduct; our feet, our goals or objectives in life; and finally, our head, our thoughts…” Harold B Less, Speeches of the Year, BYU Nov 9 1954
Satan’s Purpose
“The single purpose of Lucifer is to oppose the Great Plan of Happiness, to corrupt the purest, most beautiful and appealing experiences of life: Romance, Love, Marriage and Parenthood.” Elder Boyd K. Packer CR Oct 1993, pp27-28
Loins –
Elder Cook quoting Mick Jagger “Our music is calculated to drive the kids to sex..”
in 1989.. Elder Cook was on a plane ride with Mick Jagger.
Number 1 track on the ‘bridges to babylon’ is ‘You’ll never make a Saint out of me..’
SLC tour sold out.
Reverence Invites Revelation
…The world grows increasingly noisy. Clothing and grooming and conduct are looser and sloppier and more disheveled. Raucous music, with obscene lyris blasted through amplifiers..these things are…This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless. The first order issued by a commander mounting a military invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer. Irreverence suits the purposes of the adversary by obstructing the delicate channels of revelation in both mind and spirit.
CR Oct 1991, pp 26-30 – Elder Packer
Alma 31:5
Power of the Word
“When individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow.”
Pres. ETB Ensign May 1986, p79. He never had a chance to give this talk.
Book of Mormon Reading
I feel certain that if, in our homes parents will read from the BOM prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to that counsel. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity — the pure love of Christ–will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.
Pres. Benson quoting Marion G. Romney CR APr 1986 p3.
Instead of just reading the BOM, try reading the Conference Report as well with your families.
Heart —
How do you change a heart?
Why study doctrine?
“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrine of the gospel will improve behavior more quickly than a study of behavior will improve behavior… That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.”
Elder Packer, CR Oct 1986, p20
References to Christ in the BOM
Number of verses in the Book of mormon — 6607
Number of references to Christ 3925
Some form of Christ’s name mentioned every 1.7 verses
Susan Easton Black, Ensign July 1978, p60
Christ’s name/reference every 2.5 verses in the New Testament.
Earning Spiritual Messages
For His own reasons, the Lord provides answers to some questions, with pieces placed here and there throughout the scriptures. We are to find them; we are to earn them. In th at way sacred things are hidden from the insincere.
Ensign 1983 november p17 Elder Packer
If you look carefully you can see types, symbols and shadows in the Old Testament of Christ.
The BOM: A typification of Christ 2 Nephi 11:4
BOM JC
coming forth declared by an Angel – Moroni coming forth declared by an Angel – Gabriel
came to restore in time of Apostasy came to restore in time of Apostasy
Laid away in a stone receptacle Laid away in a stone receptacle
Taken from receptacle by Joseph Smith Put into receptacle by Joseph of Arimathea
Came forth after stone was rolled away Came forth after stone was rolled away
Angel oversees coming forth from receptacle Angel oversees coming forth from receptacle
First one to see (Joseph) forbidden to touch First one to see (Mary) forbidden to touch
Attested to by the 12 witnesses Attested to by the 12 witnesses
The word of God The word of God
Teaches fullness of the gospel Teaches fullness of the gospel
Keystone of our religion Cornerstone of the Church.
page 747 of the bible dictionary.. the journey of the joseph is a type of journey similar to our journey
lamb, first born, without blemish, shed blood, no broken bones.
Slain on golgatha .. north of the temple mount.
Sheperds witness that Christ was the first born.
1 cori 10.. symbol of baptism.. pillar of fire is baptism of fire..
bethelem = house of bread.. mana from heaven.. christ comes from heaven.
EVERYTHING TESTIFIES OF CHRIST.
going through the river? joshua.. greek for jesus. need to rebaptise to enter into the holy land.
Joseph Smith. born at winter solstice when light entered.. killed at summer solstice when light leaves..
jonah 3 days in the whale.. 3 days in the tomb
Provo temple, cloud with a pillar in the middle.
