Romans 1
Chart 15-11: Paul, a Citizen of Three Worlds
John W. Welch, John F. Hall
Charting the New Testament (2002)
Summarizes Paul’s multicultural background as a Jew, Roman citizen, and Greek-trained individual.
May You Have Courage
Thomas S. Monson
General Conference (Apr. 2009)
The account of Esther tells of a brave young woman whose experience has stood through the ages as an example of the courage to stand for truth and righteousness. When Haman sent out the proclamation to destroy the Jews, Esther was at first reluctant, but with Mordecai’s help and with the fasting by many Jews, she became physically, emotionally, and spiritually prepared to face the king.
Scribes and Ancient Letters: Implications for the Pauline Epistles
Lincoln H. Blumell
How the New Testament Came to Be, Sidney B. Sperry Symposium 37 (2006)
An examination of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, focusing on their occasion, composition, and structure.
The Chronicles of Mary and Joseph: Part 1 of 4, an Angel Comes to Galilee
S. Kent Brown
The Testimony of Luke, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Dec. 2014)
The report of the angel’s visit also begins to unveil Mary’s notable qualities. In the first instance, she is not bowled over by the angel’s coming. Even in her youth, she maintains her presence of mind because she thinks of the right question to ask at the end of his message: “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” (Luke 1:34). Second, the angel’s words “highly favoured . . . [and] blessed” (Luke 1:28) clearly imply both heaven’s regard for this young woman and, just as important, Mary’s maturing respect for heavenly things. Third, she is thoughtful enough to sense an imperative in the angel’s words about Elisabeth that she should visit her older cousin: “thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son” (Luke 1:36). And she acts on that implied command. Last, her final words to the angel, “be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38), disclose her anticipation of the challenges ahead, including her fall from her society’s standard of uprightness when people dis
Romans 3
Paul and James on Faith and Works
Mark D. Ellison
Religious Educator 13, no. 3 (2012)
Examining a theological debate between Peter and Paul in Galatians 2, highlighting broader tensions in early Christianity.
The Faith of Christ
Gaye Strathearn
A Witness of the Restoration: Essays in Honor of Robert J. Matthews (2007)
Romans 5
BYU Easter Conference presentation
Eric D. Huntsman
BYU Easter Conference 2016 (2016)
Huntsman discusses how as Latter-day Saints have sometimes felt that other Christians emphasize the Cross too much, perhaps we have overcompensated by not emphasizing it enough.
Good Friday
Latter-day Saint Seasonal Materials (Mar. 2024)
Good Friday can be a tender and reflective time for individuals and families to pause and consider how Jesus, as our great high priest, offered himself as a sacrifice for us.
Why Should the Cross Be Meaningful to Latter-day Saints?
BYU New Testament Commentary website (Mar. 2016)
The events on the cross are an integral part of the Atonement. The cross, as the place of being “lifted up,” is a symbol of God’s great love for his children. We are asked to take up our cross as disciples of Christ. Jesus kept the signs of the Crucifixion on his resurrected body.
Romans 6
Naaman, Baptism, and Cleansing
Travis T. Anderson
Ensign 24, no. 1 (Jan. 1994)
The story of Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5) stands as a type and shadow of cleansing power of repentance and baptism. Note that, in Old Testament culture, if leprosy went into remission, the leper was considered cleansed, not healed.
Understanding Christian Baptism through the Book of Mormon
Noel B. Reynolds
BYU Studies Quarterly 51, no. 2 (2012)
Noel B. Reynolds explores the meaning of baptism through the lens of the Book of Mormon, emphasizing its significance as a covenant with God and an expression of repentance.
