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.