I Have Loved You, Saith the Lord

From the Hand of Jacob: A Ritual Analysis of Genesis 27

David E. Bokovoy

Studies in the Bible and Antiquity 1 (2009)

“Genesis 27 is a story that depicts a series of ancient ritual performances. The narrative recounts the time when Jacob, the son of Isaac, received his father’s blessing by means of an act of deception. As an account that contains explicit examples of performances designed to set the activities apart from other less sacred occurrences, the blessing story in Genesis 27 contains features of what scholars refer to as ‘ritualization’ in narrative. Ritualization can be defined as actions designed to distinguish and privilege what is being done in comparison to other, usually more commonplace, activities. Ritualization can assist those of a lesser status in accomplishing their objectives that stand in opposition to the desires of the powerful. When read as ritualization in narrative, Genesis 27 can be interpreted as an account that portrays the use of ancient temple and sacrificial imagery in order to secure a sacred blessing.”

The Temple According to 1 Enoch

George W. E. Nickelsburg

BYU Studies Quarterly 53, no. 1 (2014)

During the Second Temple period (516 BC to 70 AD), most Jews in Jerusalem worshipped at the Jerusalem temple. But a separate community at Qumran decried the lack of ritual purity in the activity at the Second Temple and saw their community as an ersatz for the temple. Literature at Qumran included 1 Enoch, a collection of five tractates composed in the Aramaic language between the fourth century BC and the turn of the era and ascribed to the ancient patriarch Enoch, the head of the seventh generation after creation (Gen. 5:18–24). Some of the tractates are concerned about a dysfunctional Jerusalem cult and resolve the problem of how to worship by looking forward to the approaching eschaton. Other sections of 1 Enoch tell that the real action is already taking place in the true temple, which is the heavenly temple. There, variously, God is enthroned, and the Son of Man is being prepared to enact divine judgment so that God’s will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. He

“The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord”: The Anatomy of an Expression

Dana M. Pike

BYU Studies 41, no. 2 (2002)

The Lord encourages and commands, “Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord” (D&C 133:10) because of the challenges associated with that day. If we study how the word “great” is used throughout the scriptures, it usually means extraordinary, not happy. The joy of the righteous at Jesus’ return will come not only from greeting Jesus but also from relief that they are delivered from the terrible events of the last days.

Jesus Teaches about Wealth (Mark 10:17–31)

Julie M. Smith

The Gospel according to Mark, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (May. 2019)

While the impulse to minimize Jesus’ teachings should generally be avoided, there is good reason to believe that the command to sell all was not meant to be a universal command but rather was unique to this man’s situation.

Luke 3:16, 17: John the Baptist Foretells Jesus’ Baptism

S. Kent Brown

The Testimony of Luke, BYU New Testament Commentary, excerpted on the BYU New Testament Commentary website (Jan. 2019)

Brown provides a verse-by-verse commentary on Luke 3:16–17, exploring the significance of John the Baptist’s words about Jesus's baptism.

Singular and Plural Address in the Scriptures

James R. Rasband

BYU Studies 41, no. 2 (2002)

The commandment to tithe is given to a group, and disciples have a collective responsibility. The message is not that individuals will necessarily receive financial rewards for tithe paying but that every individual has an obligation to the Lord and to his kingdom to pay tithing so that his people as a whole will prosper.

“Line upon Line”: Joseph Smith’s Growing Understanding of the Eternal Family

R. Devan Jensen, Michael A. Goodman, Barbara Morgan Gardner

Religious Educator 20, no. 1 (2019)

Like all of us, Joseph Smith grew little by little in his understanding of the gospel. This article details how his understanding of the eternal family grew throughout his lifetime, beginning with Malachi’s prophecies, the restoration of the sealing power in the Kirtland Temple, plural marriage, and proxy ordinances for the dead.

“The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord”: The Anatomy of an Expression

Dana M. Pike

BYU Studies 41, no. 2 (2002)

The Lord encourages and commands, “Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord” (D&C 133:10) because of the challenges associated with that day. If we study how the word “great” is used throughout the scriptures, it usually means extraordinary, not happy. The joy of the righteous at Jesus’ return will come not only from greeting Jesus but also from relief that they are delivered from the terrible events of the last days.

1 Kings 17 to 2 Kings 2: Elijah and Sealing Power of the Holy Priesthood

Church Educational System

Old Testament Student Manual: 1 Kings–Malachi, (1981) (2003)

A summary and commentary of these chapters with a map of Elijah’s journeys.

Elijah the Prophet

Howard W. Hunter

General Conference (Oct. 1971)

Elder Hunter reviews the life of Elijah and his role to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Elijah’s mission to bind people together leads to peace in families.

Elijah, LDS Sources and Ancient Sources

Franklin D. Day, R. J. Zvi Werblowdky,

Encyclopedia of Mormonism (1992)

“The main emphasis of Elijah’s prophetic ministry is the exclusive and pure worship of Yhwh, and uncompromising opposition to the Canaanite pagan cult of Baal. His activities account for his becoming in Jewish tradition the symbol of uncompromising religious zeal.”

Elijah’s Mission: His Keys, Powers, and Blessings from the Old Testament to the Latter Days

E. Dale LeBaron

Sperry Symposium Classics: The Old Testament (2005)

“Like two prophetic bookends, the last words of the Old Testament (Malachi 4:5–6) and the earliest revelation recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C 2) give prophetic promise of Elijah’s mission.” This prophecy is spoken of in the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and in Joseph Smith’s History.

Eternal Marriage and Family in the Old Testament

Michael A. Goodman

The Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament (2009)

Although the Old Testament may fail to teach marriage in the covenant didactically, the message is illustrated powerfully throughout the narrative. The examples of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob further reinforce the importance of marriage in the covenant. To understand the sacred literature of the Jews, it is essential to understand that Israel’s relationship to their God is seen as a marital relationship.

I Will Send You Elijah the Prophet

Kenneth L. Alford

You Shall Have My Word: Exploring the Text of the Doctrine and Covenants, Sidney B. Sperry Symposium 41 (2012)

Moroni’s message to Joseph Smith in 1823 prophesied that Elijah would return, which happened on April 3, 1836. This article looks at how Elijah would return, how John the Baptist was not Elijah, when Malachi’s prophecy would be fulfilled, and Elijah’s mission.

Joseph Smith and the Kirtland Temple, 1836

Steven C. Harper

Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer (2010)

The backstory of Doctrine and Covenants 88: “In response to section 88’s command for the Saints to build a house of God, call a solemn assembly in it, and present themselves there sanctified in order to enter the Lord’s presence, the Saints were obedient. They built the Kirtland Temple, the first in this last dispensation, and entered, both symbolically and literally, into the presence of the Lord.”

Planting Promises in the Hearts of the Children

Bruce C. Hafen

Ensign 24, no. 6 (Jun. 1994)

Honoring father and mother in the fullest sense of the fifth commandment not only brings eternal blessings to families but also builds enduring societies.

The Appearance of Elijah and Moses in the Kirtland Temple and the Jewish Passover

Stephen D. Ricks

BYU Studies 23, no. 4 (1983)

Moses and Elijah appeared in the Kirtland temple on Sunday, April 3, 1836, and some have believed this was the exact time of the Seder of Passover. Such exact correspondence is probably incorrect, but if one sees Passover as referring to the weeklong remembrance the fifteenth of Nisan, it would be correct to say that the heavenly visitors came during the Passover season.