Gospel Talktrine

Selected verses from Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke chapter 2 read aloud by Mark Holt and set to music by Kendra Lowe Holt (as she will soon be known).

The Apocalypse of the Prophet John is often perceived to be so cryptic as to render it almost incomprehensible. We’ll unpack it, using well-understood metaphors from the Old Testament, and hopefully turn it into something that you can not only understand, but benefit from both scripturally and spiritually.

Both John and Jude wrote their epistles to help church members deal with those among them who were pretending piety, but who were in fact hypocrites. John’s remedy was to understand the words of Jesus and keep in touch with his Spirit, while Jude focused more on teaching why it is so important to recognize the signs of a follower of Jesus.

Peter encouraged the persecuted Roman saints by likening them to the ancient Israelites, and gave a powerful defense to some of the false doctrines of his day. He also referenced the Christ’s ministry to the spirits in prison, in a passage which would later inspire a powerful modern revelation, Doctrine and Covenants 138.

James teaches us not how to believe in Christ, but how, once we believe in Christ, to allow that belief to bring us to patience, and thereby to perfection.

A defining work on faith, an explanation of the purpose of the Temple, a road map to perfection, and a lesson on Priesthood. If not for the Epistle to the Hebrews, we would be much poorer in our understanding of eternal truth, and in our appreciation for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Paul taught the Hebrews the importance of Christ by comparing the old covenant to the new—an old type of commandment, an old type of atonement, and an old type of high priest, versus a new type of all three: Christ himself.

In his Pastoral Epistles, Paul teaches how to identify suitable church leaders, the nature and purpose of scripture, and reveals that his calling and election have been made sure. We also address four seeming contradictions in Paul’s writings some possible resolutions.

Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians are collections of teachings of comfort and wisdom, each linked to an Apostolic blessing which followed and illuminated it.

In a pair of Messianic poems, Paul explains the true meaning behind the condescension of Christ—what he intended, how only he was qualified, and what he accomplished for us. An understanding of the Hebrew Scriptures illuminates and informs the reading of these poems.

Paul taught the Ephesians why they would want to follow Christ, before teaching them how.

The Galatians had accepted Christ without ever being Jews, but some wanted to take on the obligations of the Law of Moses. Paul taught them this was akin to delivering themselves into slavery, after they had been made free, or even becoming servants in a royal household to which they were heirs.

Paul teaches some prideful Corinthians that a disciple of Christ will only be a true messenger insofar as he echoes the humility of Christ. To this end, God gave weaknesses to even the most faithful among us, and we should therefore be generous and compassionate with ourselves and with each other.

Hundreds of years before Paul’s ministry, Jeremiah and Ezekiel taught of a coming day when God would reveal a “new covenant,” when people would obey not out of law or duty, but out of familiarity with and love of the Lord. In his second epistle to them, Paul tells the Corinthians that day has finally come, and invites them into the reality and blessing of living a Christlike life.

Paul stresses the necessity, the logic, and the power of believing in the resurrection of Christ.

Paul explains the key that activates all of the differences in gifts and wisdom among followers of Christ—that of charity, the pure love of the Savior. He lets us know there is no room for division among those who would call themselves His children.

Paul cries over the backsliding saints in Corinth in much the way Christ cried over Jerusalem—with all the care of a tender parent who had striven to lead those he loved in the ways of righteousness and humility.

The Book of Romans is the tale of two seeds—the literal descendants of Abraham, who have rejected their Messiah, and the spiritual family who, though younger, receives the birthright.

Paul taught both the Jews and the Gentiles among the Roman Christians that they were equally in need of the grace of Christ, which they could only access by giving him their allegiance.

The story of Paul changes from one of outward missionary journeys to one of personal change. Paul has publicly persecuted Christians, and now he returns to Jerusalem to publicly repent, and to accept the consequences of proclaiming Christ, whatever they may be.

Paul’s missionary journeys take him throughout the Hellenistic world, and everywhere the pattern is the same: great success, followed by jealousy, hatred, lies, and violence by those who will not believe. What is Luke hoping to accomplish through these stories?

Peter’s vision of the vessel from heaven opens a new era in the Church of Christ, foretold for centuries: the extending of the Gospel to all nations. Paul is the quintessential missionary in this new mold, a Jew among Gentiles.

Through his stories of the martyrdom of Stephen and the conversion of Paul, Luke teaches the importance of hearing the living prophet, and the capacity of Jesus to turn even our worst faults into powerful strengths.

At the feast of Pentecost, God sent the Spirit not only as a Comforter, but as an agent of transformation, molding his people into one body, from which would flow the blessings of Abraham to all the world.

On the road to Emmaus, the resurrected Jesus to his mourning disciples in disguise, and taught them from the scriptures rather than revealing his identity. Why did he choose to testify of himself this way, and what scriptures might he have cited to help them see the necessity of his suffering, death, and resurrection?

We discuss the final events of the Gospels, and several important questions raised by the Biblical account of the resurrection, including “How does Jesus’ resurgence affect me?” and “How can I know I worship a living God?”

There were several categories of reaction to Jesus on the day of his crucifixion. Most were examples of people trying to deny their guilt, the blood guilt of causing suffering to the most innocent ever accused, the Savior of Mankind.

Jesus fulfills the promise of the prophet Jeremiah by instituting the New Covenant of the Sacrament, takes upon himself the sins of the world in the Garden, and is unrighteously judged by the Jewish elders.

Jesus gives his final briefing to his disciples, reminding them of four truths: 1) he could only send the Spirit to them if he dies and ascends to the Father, 2) they were to show their love through their obedience, as he had, 3) they should expect life to be difficult, even when (or especially when) they were following his path, and 4) he had made it possible for them to be one with him.

The final sermon of Jesus included both an urgency to watch, and an admonition to patience. How do we reconcile the need to think about the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord with our need to be aware of the daily suffering and needs of God’s children?

On Memorial Day, we commemorate our honored dead—those who sacrificed so that we might have life, safety, and freedom. For those reasons and many others, Jesus Christ is our Most Honored dead, and we can make every Sacrament and Temple session his memorial as well.

Part 2 of 2: By resorting to Isaiah, John makes it clear that Jesus received his greatest royalty and glory at the moment of his deepest suffering.

Part 1 of 2: The withering of the fig tree was Jesus’ announcement that the corrupt leaders of Judah had run out of time. There was a new king in town, God’s Anointed King.

As he wends his way to Jerusalem for his death and resurrection, Jesus heals, and teaches his final messages—including his challenge to the rich young ruler, his emphasis of the higher law of marriage, and his invitation to bring all children unto Him.

Jesus draws a stark contrast between the Pharisees who consider themselves the sole occupants of the Kingdom of God, and the lost sheep who will be rejoiced over in heaven. He also raises Lazarus from the dead, and in so doing, lays down his life for his friend.

In teaching that he was the Good Shepherd, Jesus was describing himself performing a role that the Scriptures reserve for God Himself. In this and several other ways, Jesus clearly testifies not only of his mission, but of his mercy, love, and power.

Jesus instructed Peter in the way to put off the natural man by expounding upon his most central teaching: unlimited forgiveness.

What were the forces surrounding Jesus in his final week? How did he show us the way to have faith, hope, and courage? What do Book of Mormon and modern prophets have to say about the resurrection? This episode was originally published March 30, 2018.

Matthew uses the Pharisees and Sadducees’ asking for a sign to teach a valuable lesson about trying to get God to follow our expectations.

When Jesus multiplied bread in the wilderness, he tied the experience of ancient Israel to the Sacrament, and pointed forward to a time when he would redeem them from the Fall.

The parable of the wheat and the tares, among others, explains our role in choosing a path between settling for our earthly lineage, or taking our royal place in the lineage of Christ.

Jesus told his apostles he was sent not to bring peace, but a sword. What does he mean by this, and how does it relate to the Messianic expectations of Jews under Roman rule?

When asked to think of Jesus, most people probably think of his miracles. But what do his miracles teach us, why are the stories about them told in the order they are, and is there some greater miracle underneath them all?

Jesus taught us how to pray, when to use judgment (and when to avoid it), the dangers of pride, and tied it all into his role as Redeemer of all creation.

The “Old Testament” is the covenant Yahweh instituted on Mt. Sinai, when he called Israel to be a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. The New Covenant is Jesus’ fulfillment and upgrade of this covenant, where he takes the kingdom of priests, and turns everything upside down.

Early in his ministry, Jesus comes into confrontation with important symbols of Jewish life. What we learn from these encounters highlights the difference between Heaven and Earth, Light and Darkness, between God and Man.

The story of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness could have come from only one source: the Lord Himself. This is Jesus’ account not only of his own temptation, but of how temptation will appear in our lives.

The baptism of Jesus is not just a symbol of Jesus’ death, but a fulfillment of many Old Testament events pointing toward the Messiah, and teaches lessons about God as Creator, as giver of mercy, as liberator, as guide, as personal Savior, and as God.

John chapter 1 is more than a simple story; it’s the decoder ring to the entire Gospel of John, which is revealed by John’s first chapter to be a carefully honed narrative, crafted and pruned to show only the most vital concepts and events to help us believe in Jesus and live through Him.

When we look at these treasured scriptures from a new perspective, a much more traumatic narrative emerges. And a much more comforting one.