Prophesies of Zechariah

Like Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the people to continue rebuilding the temple. But he also challenged the people to rebuild their personal spiritual lives. Zechariah’s visions are both Messianic and apocalyptic. Zechariah’s prophecies about Jesus Christ in chapters 9–14 are quoted often in the four Gospels of the New Testament.

          In Zechariah 7:9-10 the Lord called his people to be kind to all people. They were to judge righteously, show mercy, and aid those who are widows, fatherless, poor, and strange. He calls the people to be better! The people chose to reject the Lord. Zechariah said they, "stopped their ears, that they should not hear." Their hearts were "adamant stone" keeping out the spirit of the Lord. Because of their denial of God, his wrath came upon them. 

                                               

          In Zechariah 9:9 he testifies of the Lord's humility saying that he will come to the people upon the back of an ass. In Matthew 21 this prophecy is fulfilled. The Lord had his disciples search for a donkey and her colt in the city before he entered so that he could ride in on them. The disciples then proclaimed, "Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass" (Matt. 21:5).  

          Zechariah prophesied of the coming of Jesus Christ, his first and his last. In 10:6–12 Zechariah tells us who will be gathered and remembered by the Lord. Israel was scattered and must be brought back together before the second coming of the Lord. This is a sign to the people that Christ will soon arrive. He specifically says that the house of Judah and the house of Joseph will he saved and brought to a place where they can expand.

          As the world prepares for the Second Coming the Lord will be gathering his elect. The Lord has prepared a way that his saints can draw strength from one another as the world faces many trials and tribulations. What I found interesting as I studying the gathering of Israel is that in Doctrine and Covenants it says that yes, the elect will be gathered so they can be relatively safe, but they are to be prepared before they gather. While they elect are gathered they will be able to prepare spiritually together for the time when the Lord comes. This gathering is important because it fulfills previous prophesies and it shows that the Lord’s time to reign is near. 

Understanding the Majesty of God

In Habakkuk chapter 1, the Lord shows the destruction and captivity of his people by the Chaldeans, a "bitter and hasty nation." Habakkuk was dismayed and aghast at the news. He was saddened by the iniquity that he beheld. He sees the people destruction and worries that the wicked will rule the earth with no righteous among them to guide those that wish to return to the Lord. 

      When it comes to understanding and obtaining the knowledge of the glory of the Lord we have to remember that when we study the scriptures we continuously learn more of Christ and our Heavenly Father. The scriptures are a testament of him, it says it on the cover. We cannot read the scripture and not see the Lord. 
      In Habakkuk 2:3-15 Habakkuk warns us what we shouldn't do but at the end of this set of scriptures he says in verse 14, "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." All we have to do to see the Lord's glory is to look outside, look to the person sitting next to you. You have been created through the power and glory of God! In order to not insult that Lord and his great creations we need to abstain from unrighteous living. We must spread the gospel because the Lord has commanded it. The knowledge that we receive through the scriptures has been given us so we can share it with those who do not have the light of this gospel. 
      Jacob 4:8 is a great reminder to us all that the Lord is many things. We will not know everything about him. The verse reads, "Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. How unsearchable are the depths of the mysteries of him; and it is impossible that man should find out all his ways. And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God." We can always learn more of Christ! It is one of the Articles of Faith, "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will YET reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God" [emphasis added]. The Lord knows that his people need constant guidance and so he offers it through his living prophets and through personal revelation. We may not know everything about the Lord but we can continuously learn about him and his gospel through reading our scriptures, listening to the prophets, and praying daily to commune with the Lord. When we are more familiar with him and his teachings we put ourselves in a place to learn more, to be given more. In Doctrine and Covenants 101:32-34 it says, "...In that day when the Lord shall come, he shall reveal all things - Things which have passes, and hidden things which no man knew... Things most precious, thing that are above, and things that are beneath, things that are in the earth, and upon the earth, and in heaven." We will never stop receiving information! Thirst for the knowledge and glory of the Lord! It will bring about incredible things! I know the Lord lives and that he reveals truths to us everyday if we are living reighteously and seeking out those truths. We truly can learn more of Christ through the scriptures and his prophets. If we look, we will find. 

I Am Someones's Savior

Choice 3: Obadiah. Saviors “up on Mount Zion”

Obadiah 1: 17 and 21, D&C 128: 5 and 15 are about doing the work for those who have come before us. We are the Saviors for our ancestors. Through us they can be brought forth in the first resurrection, clothed in glory! It is our duty and responsibility to serve them and do their work in the temple. This was the plan from the beginning. The Lord prepared this church to do this work in the Latter-days. 

The temple is where we are able to help other become holy and for us too, to become more like the Father. Through the covenants we make in the temple we are blessed and made better. This opportunity to draw closer to our Heavenly Father should not be passed by. I need to be better about serving the Lord and my ancestors, to be able to do their work for them. In the temple we are brought closer to the Lord and our forefathers. The temple is a house of God, a place of calm and clarity. When we are able to sacrifice our time to attend we are being delivered. 

The Scriptures: 
Obadiah 1:17 ¶But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s.

Doctrine and Covenants 128:5 You may think this order of things to be very particular; but let me tell you that it is only to answer the will of God, by conforming to the ordinance and preparation that the Lord ordained and prepared before the foundation of the world, for the salvation of the dead who should die without a knowledge of the gospel.

128:15 And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. 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.

Bible Dictionary 
Student Manual

 The Battle of Gog and Magog

Are we ready?

In Ezekiel 38 and 39 the Lord talks about a battle, Armageddon, that is to take place during the gathering of Israel. As the people gather the lands around them will be frightened of them and think they are there to take their land and precious things. The people of Gog, those against Israel, will come upon them with a very strong army, one with all of the best weaponry and with many men. The Lord describes this army as a "cloud to cover the land" (Ezekiel 38:16). 

The Lord will defend Israel in his wrath toward Gog and the land will shake, and the people of the Lord will be called to fight. When the people of Gog come to battle they will be smitten by the Lord as well as his people, they will not prevail over Israel. Ezekiel said that among those who side with Gog with be Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and Togarmah - he gives specific people but these lands are based on the ancient world and so we can't say exactly what nations or people will side with them when the war comes. What we do know is that it will happen. Satan will be leading people against those who follow the Lord and his Prophets. 

We need to prepare ourselves and our children for a day when our faith will be assaulted. Our job is to cling unto the Lord and become more like him so when we are faced with hardships we are able to be strong in our faith and the Lord will be able to intercede for his people.

Jeremiah's Lamentations

In Lamentations 1:1-11 Jeremiah is grieving for Jerusalem. He explains in different ways what it is that has happened to cause Jerusalem's down fall. He says, "How is she become tributary" in verse one. Jerusalem was once an important place with power under the Lord and now, it is trivial. "Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction" he says in verse three. He continues in verse four saying, "All her gates are desolate." The people are reduced to nothing now and the city is in ruins. "Her adversaries are chief, her enemies prosper." When the Lord was present within the walls, Jerusalem reigned, now that the people have succumbed to iniquity Jerusalem has lost her power. 

If we continue in Lamentations 1:12-22 we see similarities in these and the verses found in Mormon 6:17-22. In 12-22 Jeremiah is mourning the wickedness of Jerusalem and their destruction. In Mormon 6, Mormon is mourning the wickedness of the Nephites who have all been destroyed! The destruction of each people only come after their iniquity and many warnings to repent of them. 

Lamentations 2–5 explain the reason for the suffering and destruction of the kingdom of Judah. As they are suffering there is misery, sorrow, and destruction. They then try to trust in the Lord and repent. All of the suffering they endured was due to their iniquities. In Alma 41:10 it says, "Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness." This certainly applies to Jerusalem at this time. Their wickedness was only follow by misery and pain.

In Lamentations 5:15–22 we see a few things that it takes to be humble: we mourn our sins, we are broken-hearted, we recognize that the Lord is omnipotent and that we should trust in him always.  It is also important that we remember that the Lord has his own time table. We must diligently work to correct our mistakes.

Old Testament Destruction and Latter Day Hope

In Jeremiah 16:10-13 Jeremiah foretold that Jerusalem would be destroyed and Judah taken captive. As he prophesied of this he gave five reasons for their destruction, the people had forsaken the Lord, have created false idols, have worshiped those false idols, haven't kept the commandments, they put their faith in themselves, and do not listen to the Lord. 

Jeremiah also testifies what will happen as we prepare for the second coming. In 16:15-21 he tells us that the Lord will gather all of his people and there will be many that will preach the word of the Lord. He will also punish those who defiled his land. The preachers of the Lord will take his word to all the earth. They will find those who have not heard and tell them of his name and proclaim it unto them. These missionaries were described as fishers and hunters by the Lord because they are going to patiently and diligently search for those who need to hear the word of the Lord. They will testify of the Lord and his sacrifice for us. With the Lord we are able to have victory over the grave and be able to live with him for eternity. 

The Gathering of Israel

The gathering of Israel

In Isaiah 49:1-3 The Lord testifies of the Restoration of his gospel and of Joseph Smith. The Lord talks about a shaft that he has polished that has been prepared for the world and that shaft is the prophet Joseph Smith. Joseph will spread the word of the Lord to all those that he comes in contact with. He will not deny the Lord's teachings. 

When reading Isaiah 49:18-26 we read about how Israel will be gathered. The student manual says that the gathering of Israel will be so great that people will say that the way is "too strait for me," as said by Isaiah in the previous scriptures. For the past 100 years the church has grown exponentially and this is the cause for the crowding. Our number is growing and we need to prepare. 

Isaiah 49, 51, 54, 62 all focus on the gathering of Israel to prepare for the second coming of the Lord. We have ample knowledge to see that we will need to be gathered together for Jesus Christ's coming. 

The Second Coming

As I think about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ I'm both nervous and excited. I hope that I will be one that is about to survive the everlasting burnings and that I've been able to apply the atoning blood of Christ to my life. I'm never going to be perfect but I hope that I live in such a way that I'm able to please the Lord. In my mind the Lord will come to earth and cleanse it of those who have hardened their hearts. It's hard to imagine. But, Isaiah 33: 14-16 gives us hope. These verses teach us what it takes to survive the everlasting burnings. We need to be disciples of Christ, becoming more like him. We need to "walk righteously and speak uprightly." If we are following the commandments of the Lord we will be able to survive the Second Coming and enjoy exaltation after the resurrection. In these verses Isaiah tells us the steps to take. He says, “Walketh righteously,” which means we need to be following the commandments of the Lord. To “Speaketh uprightly" we should speak the truth and be honest in our dealings. Isaiah tells us “Despiseth the gain of oppressions." We need to be a just people toward our fellow man. We also must “Shaketh his hands from holding of bribes” which means to deal fairly with those around us. We should fall prey to those who want to persuade us to do otherwise. As a righteous people we need to shut out the evil in the wolrd around us and not dwell on it. In Isaiah's words, “Stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood.” Finally, he tells us to “Shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.” This goes along with the previous line. Our job is to be optimistic and not focus on the negatives of the world. 

The Book of Isaiah

As I study Isaiah I find things that I don't understand all of the time. Sometimes I'm confused and what the prophet said goes way over my head. While reading in the institute manual about the Book of Isaiah I've found a few helpful things to keep in mind while I read. First, I need to remember this, "Those who desire to understand Isaiah should learn of Christ and seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost." Sometimes when I read I forget to say a prayer to invite the spirit to teach to me and reveal some knowledge. If I want to understand what it is that Isaiah prophesied by the spirit I need to have the spirit with me as I study his words. Next, having the spirit with us in studying is a circular thing. If I want the spirit as I study, I need to study more. The more I know of the Lord's words and his life, the more I can have the spirit with me at all times. Studying takes the spirit to understand and the spirit comes through study! Lastly, In 3 Nephi 25:1 it says that Isaiah is hard to understand because Isaiah prophesies in the manner of the Jews. The institute manual gave great insight into what this meant. Isaiah preaches to his people using the Law of Moses as a reference. His goal is to get them to remember the covenants they made with the Lord according to that law. At the beginning of the Book of Isaiah he quotes the song of Moses. This so was instantly recognized by the people he was teaching at that time. We have to study the Law of Moses in order to better comprehend what it is that Isaiah is trying to teach us. It is so hard to put everything together when studying but if we ask for the spirit to guide us we can be led in the right directions and knowledge will flow through our minds. I know that the Lord allows us the spirit so that He can reveal His truths unto us. We have to be ready and willing to learn of our Heavenly Father and his teaching. 

The Book of Isaiah goes through several different important themes. These themes are highlighted in the Book of Mormon as well as the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah stesses the importance of being righteous. The Lord can accept no unclean thing. We need to be perfected through our Savior. Because of Israel wickedness, they were scatted but Isaiah emphasizes that Israel will be reunited. Isaiah also focuses on the importance of having faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Christ is going to be the one who leads us to eternal life. When we know more of Him we are able to believe in His words and His ministry. The power of the Lord is astounding. We are able to see that His coming was prophesied and that He is just and merciful. The Lord lived and still lives. Isaiah also emphasizes that prophesies are made to be fulfilled. Every word spoken by the Lord will come to pass just as the prophets have said. Isaiah can be difficult but if we diligently study we can find the themes and central ideas of the book and apply them to our lives. I'm so grateful to know that I can be taught by the spirit when I invite the spirit into my heart. 

Seeing Life Clearly

Jerusalem, the Holy City. (Picture from LDS.org)

• The book of Ecclesiastes consists of reflections on the deepest problems of life.
• The author describes himself as son of David, king of Jerusalem.
• Ecclesiastes is written from the point of view of the world.
• Ecclesiastes should not be construed as theological pronouncements on life after death.

     In Ecclesiastes 1–2 the author seeks happiness but couldn’t find it. The author sought wisdom but in the wisdom only gained sorrow. (1:16-18)

He sought wine and no joy filled him. (2:3) He made himself a large comfortable home and yet, happiness was nowhere to be found. (2: 4)
He sought wealth and found the joy fleeting. (2:8-10)
He sought to work with his own hands and the happiness escaped him. (2:11) We need to seek the Lord first and He will give meaning to our daily lives.

     Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 talks about why the timing and order of our activities are so important. When it comes to order in our lives we have been given instruction as to when and in what order things should happen. We're baptized at eight, receive the priesthood at 12, teacher at 14, priest at 16, elder (usually) around 18. We are told to go on missions at 18, to serve the Lord and His children. We are commanded to marry and then have children. The first thing I thought of when reading about having order in our lives was parenthood. It is so important to be married before having children. Being married eliminates so many stressors and inconsistencies for children and yourself. At this time in my life, my early twenties, I feel that I am doing what the Lord would have me do. I'm finishing up my schooling, raising my young family, and holding fast to the gospel, trying to better comprehend the Lord's sacrifice for me. I'm trying to be a better companion to my spouse and to counsel with him and the Lord. Everything is a work in progress and I am nowhere near perfect. I need to always strive to be better and remember that we learn line upon line. 

     Ecclesiastes talks about how man shouldn't be alone because with the help of others we can be lifted up and warmed. I am lucky to have an amazing husband with whom I can face the trials of this life. We are able to lift up one another when either of us has fallen. I need to continually lift him up as he does me. 
     Chapter five goes on to talk about the riches we gain in this world. We are going to be blessed by the Lord when we live righteously but we need to remember that all that we have comes from the Lord. Without His hand in our lives we would not be granted what we have. It's easy to say that I have worked hard for what I've earned but it still belongs to the Lord. We need to thank Him daily for those blessings. 

     Ecclesiastes chapter twelve verse seven and thirteen through fourteen emphasizes what happens to us when we die, we are able to return to the Lord who created us. We are sent here on earth to keep the Lord's commandments and exercise our agency in doing so. We've been sent here to learn all that we can and continually praise the Lord through our decisions. When we keep our eyes on the glory of the Lord we can live full, righteous lives. 

Esther: Sacrificing for the Good of Others

    

Queen Esther (lds.org)

While I was talking to my husband about the story in Esther I couldn't help but think about Vashti and how she is always over looked. She was rebuffed by the king because her humility and lack of vanity, not wanting to parade in front of the King and his guests (Esther 1:11-12). She must have known that King Ahasuerus wouldn't take her refusal well and yet, she stuck to her morals and was strip of her title and material possessions. Mordecai was another great example. In Esther 3:2 he refused to bow to Haman because Mordecai knew that that kind of reverence should been reserved for the Lord. Haman was in a high position and could have probably killed Mordecai quickly had it not been for Esther, yet, he knew that he needed to be true to the commandments of the Lord and would not turn from them. Esther is of course the star of the show. Once Haman had sent out a decree to rid the country of Jews, Mordecai pleaded with Esther to talk to the king and get him to rescind the decree. She new that going before the king without being asked could mean the end of her life. So, what did she do? Esther turned to the Lord and fasted for his guidance and assistance in order to save her life and the lives of her people.

     A few attributes that we can learn from these two women, Vashti and Esther, and Mordecai are humility, selfless service, and obedience to the commandments of the Lord no matter the consequence. I think one of the best ways to develop all of these attributes is to study the lives of our prophets, ancient, deceased, and living. If we look to their example and the example of the Lord we can know how to develop these talents and apply them in our lives. Think of President Monson and his willingness to serve the widows in his ward, his willingness as a young man to serve his uncle who could not walk. President Monson is just one example of selfless service. I need to be able to put others before myself in order to create humility, selflessness, and obedience.

Trust the Prophet

      In 2 Kings 6 the King of Syria tries to take the life of Elisha but he is protected by the Lord and his hosts. Syria at this time has surrounded Samaria and was trying to take the city by starving them. The King of Israel, Jehoram, would not except the blame of the troubles upon his people so he decided to blame the prophet Elisha. When a servant was sent to capture Elisha the servant said, "Behold, this evil is of the Lord; what should I wait for the Lord any longer?"

      Elisha was the one that was able to help the inhabitants with the help of the Lord but instead Jehoram blamed the prophet for his people's hardships. As a teacher I think this could certainly happen to me. I've been talking with colleagues and at times they've had parents come in and say "What are you doing with my son? You are supposed to be teaching him, why is he failing?" In most instances when this happens the teacher is trying their best to teach the student but the student may not be participating. It's difficult to help those who don't want it. But, if we pray daily for guidance and assistance from the Lord we can receive inspiration on how to help those students. Is Doctrine and Covenants 109:22 it says, "And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;" We can teach with the spirit if we are continually asking for it. We don't have to be teaching a student, we can be trying to teach those around us, people we meet day to day. The Lord will bless us in our righteous desires.

      In 2 Kings 7 Elisha testifies of freedom from the famine and the Syrians then two lepers discover that the Syrians had fled their tents in haste. They fled because , "The Lord had made the host of Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host [...]" (2 Kings 6:6). This chapter is showing us how the Lord will fight our battles and help his people. He uses the prophet Elisha to testify of things that are to come. We need to trust the prophet to lead us on a righteous path. In D&C 98:37 it says,"And I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children’s battles, and their children’s children’s, until they had avenged themselves on all their enemies, to the third and fourth generation." I would use this verse to emphasize that the Lord will help us through generations as long as they are upholding their faith in the Lord. He says in the next verse, 38, that the battle is a testimony to their enemies. 

      In Alma 36:3 it reads, "And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." When we trust in the prophet we are also trusting in the Lord. The prophet is a mouth piece of the Lord and reveals the Lord's plan to us. If we but listen to their counsel we can be lifted out of our trials, supported through them. We have been counseled so much in the last 20 years to build food storage, to build our savings. There is going to be a day when we are gathered and we will need those things. What the Lord prophesies will come to pass. We may not know when but we know it will happen. 

      I would close with this verse, Luke 13:33, the Lord said, "Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem." The Lord has promised us that we will continue to have a prophet on the earth when the church was restored. We will have the guidance of the Lord for the rest of our lives we just need to take advantage of that guidance. God loves us and knows what we need in order to make it back to Him. If we use the resources and blessings that He's given us we can have eternal life. 

“A Still Small Voice”

1 Kings 19:1–18. “A Still Small Voice”

     In 1 Kings 18 Elijah slays the prophets of Baal. When Jezebel is told of these happenings by Ahab, Jezebel seeks to slay Elijah. IN order to escape Jezebel's wrath Elijah flees into the wilderness around Beer-sheba. While he is in hiding the Lord sends a messenger to provide him with food. The Lord comes to him multiple times asking him "What doest thou here, Elijah?"  Elijah answers the Lord and laments on his rash behavior when he killed the prophets of Baal. Shortly after, Elijah experiences an earthquake, strong winds, and fire. In all of these things Elijah was unable to hear the Lord, Elijah could not find Him. Until, finally he heard a still, small voice. Revelation isn't going to be a huge, flowery moment. It is going to be something personal that we can only realize when we are still and focused on the Lord. 

      In Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 it says, "I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost." Then, in Luke 24: 31 it asks, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" Finally, in Acts 2:37 it reads, "They were pricked in their heart." The Lord sends us revelation through the Holy Ghost. With that spirit we are able to feel the change touch our hearts and then we are able to open our minds to that revelation. Revelation is something that is personal to us. We have to be ready to listen in order to have that feeling of peace and confirmation from the Lord. It is very unlikely that we will have an angel of the Lord come to us in a dream or otherwise and tell us what we are to do. The Lord has confirmed us after baptism to receive the Holy Ghost for the purpose of individual revelation and guidance.