I Will Declare What He Hath Done for My Soul

Abinadi and Pentecost

John W. Welch

Reexploring the Book of Mormon (1992)

Due to various literary and ritual connections, John W. Welch proposes that Abinadi may have been preaching against King Noah on the Israelite festival of Pentecost. For example, just as the Israelites would have studied the Ten Commandments during the festival of Shavuot or Pentecost, Abinadi expounds on the Ten Commandments in front of the court of King Noah.

2 Samuel 13–24: The Price of Sin: Tragedy in the House of David

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual, Genesis–2 Samuel: Religion 301 (2003)

David’s sin of murder led to a chain of misdeeds in his family and associates, notably by Amnon and Absalom. This chapter includes discussions of David’s sin and Absalom’s treachery, resulting in division in the kingdom and Absalom’s death. David’s cry over Absalom is a lament that is likely the source of the pain expressed in psalm 55. David expressed other joys and trials of his life throughout the psalms.

Preparing for Easter

Eric D. Huntsman

Latter-day Saint Seasonal Materials

Dr. Huntsman’s blog collates readings from the four Gospels for each day from Palm Sunday to Easter morning, along with commentary and suggested hymns for individual, family, or class worship.

The Psalm of Nephi: A Lyric Reading

Steven P. Sondrup

BYU Studies 21, no. 3 (1981)

One of the most beautiful passages in all of scripture is Nephi’s psalm in 2 Nephi 4, written shortly after Nephi’s father Lehi had died. The sensitive reading presented here unfolds the intent, emotion, and beauty of Nephi’s eloquent words.

How the Wise Men Became Kings

Eric D. Huntsman

Good Tidings of Great Joy: An Advent Celebration of the Savior's Birth, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Dec. 2013)

Eric Huntsman discusses the origins of the Magi, traditionally known as wise men or kings, in the biblical account of Matthew, exploring their gifts, possible royal status, and the historical and prophetic contexts that contributed to their depiction in Christian tradition.

How the Wise Men Became Kings

Eric D. Huntsman

Good Tidings of Great Joy: An Advent Celebration of the Savior's Birth, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Dec. 2013)

Eric Huntsman discusses the origins of the Magi, traditionally known as wise men or kings, in the biblical account of Matthew, exploring their gifts, possible royal status, and the historical and prophetic contexts that contributed to their depiction in Christian tradition.