Micah; Nahum - “The Lord Shall Reign”

In regards to Israel and Samaria, Micah prophesied both of them would be punished and destroyed by God. Also, that the graven images and idols would be burned and molten down as part of this destruction because of the sin and blatant disobedience to the Lord.

All of these things would come to pass for the following reasons listed through out Micah 3-4.

• Wars and Iniquity
• Vain and prideful judgments for power and reward
• Prophets and Priests seek money
• Lost the purity of the gospel for gain

However, the Lord also promised in Micah 4 that Israel could have reason for hope if they were willing to turn their hearts and be obedient to the Lord. This is an example to the Latter-day Saints as these verses are meaningful to the faithful disciples of the gospel as to what they must do to receive such blessings

• Called to work
• Blessings of opportunity
• Missionary work

In Doctrine and Covenants 45:66–71 we learn that Zion will be strong and forthright. They will stand together and defend themselves against the world through the power and faith of Christ. No one will be able to threaten them or take them down because of the power that will come from their faith and endurance.

In fact, our ability to be obedient and faithful will help us become stronger and able to withstand the temptation to let our ideas crowd out the Lord and His spirit. We can see what is true revelation and will be blessed with inspiration as we allow ourselves to be guided towards our Father in Heaven.

During the second coming, we learn in Micah 5 that the Lord who once reigned on the earth will return to rule again, those that have lived here as well as those living, and to come.

He will do so because of the love that He has for all of us as our Ruler and Savior. He has compassion for all of God’s children and desires nothing more than for us to be worthy to receive celestial glory and eternal salvation.

We see this further in the study of Naham. We are reminded that the Lord is not only our Savior but he knows us personally. He has always been aware of us from our best moments to our most trying temptations. He is perfect and just and will never punish us for things we may not know. He is anxious to teach us so that we might know our Father in Heaven and qualify to live in His presence.

When we meet the Savior we will know it is He because of our earnest desire to be with Him. We will not be able to mistake His love and gracious mercy towards all mankind.

Obadiah - Saviors “up on Mount Zion”

The temple delivers the faithful through covenants and ordinances that prepare us to return to the presence of our Father in Heaven. Furthermore, it is through the work for the dead that provides salvation for all of God’s children and not just those living and able to visit the temple. We are the “saviors” today that enable those that have gone before the opportunity to receive the same ordinances required for eternal salvation. This is one reason that our worthiness and dedication to service in the temple are so importance. It is not only for our salvation but also literally for our families in a very eternal perspective. 

This is a pattern that has been established before our time on this earth and is an essential part of the Plan of Salvation. The Lord, Himself prepared a way for all of God’s children to not only learn of the gospel but to be blessed with the eternal blessings and protection that comes from its principles and ordinances. In Doctrine and Covenants 128:15 we read, “For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect.”

The temple represents the purity and salvation that is provided through the sacrifice made by our Savior on the earth. It is a sanctuary from the world and place where we can dwell in God’s presence and be taught what is necessary to guarantee our safe passage and entrance into the presence of our Father in Heaven for eternity.

Ezekiel 1–3 - Watchman for the Lord

Ezekiel saw in a vision from the Lord four living creatures, four wheels, and the glory of God on His throne.

Ezekiel was called to take the word of the Lord to the children of Israel and to remind them who they are and of their covenants with the Lord. 

The previous and current condition of the children of Israel would best be described as a stiff hearted and rebellious nation that had chosen to rebel against the Lord for many generations. What was once a dedicated and obedient group had become dark and sinful to the point that they had lost sight of all truth. 

The responsibilities of a watchman as called by the Lord include being prepared and willing to hear the words of the Lord and then warning others. They are to warn the wicked in order to save their lives. In fact, those that are called to warn others are also called with responsibility for the lives of those that they teach. If they chose not to warn man, they will be held accountable. 

The prophets and apostles are most recognized as being called to serve as watchman over the children of God. However, we must also remember our responsibility to share the gospel and stand as watchman. The Lord has called all those that have a testimony to stand as witnesses. The Lord has promised that all men and women will have a chance to accept or reject the gospel and we can chose to be a part of this or not. The Lord’s work will not be hindered in any way despite our imperfections.

President Ezra Taft Benson reminds us, 

“In the crisis through which we are now passing, we have been fully warned. This has brought forth some criticism. There are some of us who do not want to hear the message. It embarrasses us. The things which are threatening our lives, our welfare, our freedoms are the very things some of us have been condoning. Many do not want to be disturbed as they continue to enjoy their comfortable complacency.

The Church is founded on eternal truth. We do not compromise principle. We do not surrender our standards regardless of current trends or pressures. Our allegiance to truth as a church is unwavering. Speaking out against immoral or unjust actions has been the burden of prophets and disciples of God from time immemorial. It was for this very reason that many of them were persecuted. Nevertheless, it was their God-given task, as watchmen on the tower, to warn the people.”

Jeremiah 46, 50 - A Future Promise to Scattered Israel

Jeremiah 46:27–28; 50:17–20, 33–34, 41 

The promises that were given to scattered Israel begin with the promise that they will be saved from captivity. They will be gathered from all the corners of the earth and restored to their lands from those who took them captive. God will fulfill his promise to punish them for their sins but also all those who have fought against and sought to destroy them. The Lord will also please fro the children of Judah before God so that their sins may be forgiven. 

Doctrine and Covenants 110:11

In this verse we begin to see this prophesy coming to pass as several past prophets, including the Savior, appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to restore the keys necessary to begin the gathering and restore more parts of the gospel to the earth. Keys were restored to bring us the sealing powers of heaven as part of the gathering of Israel.

Since 1836, we have seen the missionary force strengthen and be sent to the corners of the earth. We have seen over time that more and more countries are opening their doors. Temples are being built across the world to administer and share the ordinances necessary for eternal salvation. Furthermore, the Church is building relationships with other faiths and sharing our values and coming together to fight for the safety and protection of all mankind.

Isaiah 55:8–11 - The Lord’s Thoughts and Ways

How is the message of these verses one of comfort? I find these messages to be comforting because it reminds me that the Lord is aware of me individually and that He has a plan for me. It reminds me that having “blind faith” is not actually “blind” it is having enough faith the I trust the Lord will always guide and direct me. It also teaches us that the Lord has a plan for all of His children and things will come to pass as needed in order to accomplish that which the Father sent Him to do. It allows us to come to Him in times of need and to seek out our own understanding.

How can we come to better understand God’s thoughts and ways? These scriptures teach us the importance of obedience and remembering that our ways are not the Lord’s ways. In order for us to better understand His thoughts and ways we must have a humble heart and true desire to learn. If we are caught up in our own thoughts and feelings we may block the Spirit and refuse the teachings of the Lord. We must also be willing to accept that which we don’t understand, knowing that one day we will. Sometimes we think that we deserve an answer or explanation before we are truly meant to receive that information. I think this is a trial of our faith and an opportunity to accept the joy that we can feel through obedience in those moments when we are waiting for the answers. 

Give an example of when you have observed a clear example of God’s ways being higher than man’s ways. This week has been a trying time for many of God’s children. However, it has been a true example of a time to trust in the Lord and accept that His ways are higher. The Lord inspired the policy changes that have been implemented by the Church. I personally felt that it was an action taken to help preserve the family that the Lord cherishes and fights for in all capacities. However, I know that this is a message that is hard for others to understand. It is easy to get caught up in the worldly idea of what is fair and just rather than what the Lord teaches us is fair and just. It is a trying time for many to have to decide whether to trust completely in the Lord and accept that there is a higher power in charge of this new policy and it is not the action of man.

Isaiah 30 - Israel Rejected the Seers

In whose wisdom did the children of Israel trust? The children of Israel always seemed to go in cycles. They would trust the Lord and then quickly turn from Him. They trusted in the flesh and in their own abilities and strengths. Giving no thought to where such blessings came from. They were also very caught up in the evils of the world. Money, pleasure, and greed are just to name a few. They created their own gods. They believed in the Pharaoh and his ways over that which they had been taught.

Who were they rejecting? Anytime we rely on our own strength or that of the worlds, we reject the Father. We reject the very core of who we are as children of God and our Savior’s atonement. Particularly in this case they were rejecting the prophets and anyone the Lord would send to them.

Describe the attitude that permeated the children of Israel at this time. They were extremely prideful and stubborn.

What did the people mean when they told the prophets to speak “smooth things”? They wanted the prophets to tell that they what they were doing was just and right. They wanted to feel comforted in their sins and to believe that their actions had no consequence. They didn’t want to hear what they were doing wrong. They didn’t want to feel guilt or shame.

What do these verses teach us about accepting and following the words of prophets? I think this reminds us of the importance of the messages that are given to us from the prophets. These men are called by the Lord and stand in His place as if He were here. If we reject them we are rejecting the Lord.

What principles in these verses would you use to help a friend understand why he or she should follow the living prophet today? I often try and remind others that the prophets called are not called specifically for the Church but for the entire world. We are all God’s children and the Lord intends for all God’s children to hear and learn of the gospel so that we can accept or reject those teachings. The words spoken by the prophets are for our day. They teach us what we need to know for today, in companion to the scriptures and revelation previously given, along with personal revelation. The prophets are hear to help encourage, teach, and warn us so that we can be adequately prepared for the return of the Lord.

Isaiah 5:26–30; 11:12; 18:1–7 - An Ensign to the Nation

Two themes that connect these hymns, “High on the Mountain Top” (Hymns, no. 5) and "He Will Lift Up an Ensign to the Nations" with the scriptures include building a temple and the spreading of the gospel.

This is significant because much of the gospel truths are taught within the temples and it is the place where the Lord may dwell with us on this earth. Temples provide a refuge from the world and increased understanding of His plan for us. It isn’t enough that the gospel is spread but that righteous followers may enter these temples and find the peace and protection needed to prepare them for eternal salvation.

I personally feel that receiving the gospel and choosing to follow Christ is a stepping-stone in preparation for the temple. No one is prepared to enter the temple the day after baptism. There is much to learn and experience in preparation for the covenants and knowledge we make and obtain within the temple walls.

He has promised that all of God’s children will hear this message and they will know His voice.  

This is the time when the Lord will be gathering from the four corners of the earth. He will be gathering all those that were dispersed and the outcasts. He will do so by sending forth, righteous missionaries and priesthood leaders to carry His message and to find those that are lost.

I think that when we consider the great work that will be done and the work that we are doing now, there is a lot to be done. There is no time to stand idly by and wait. The Lord will gather His people whether we are prepared or not, so why not take the time now to push forward the effort and to share what we know. There are so many wonderful opportunities in the world today for us to help spread the gospel as well as following the call to go to the temple.