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1 Faith www.kevinhinckley.com

2 Cloudy days in tomorrowland Michael Wilcox, Pyramid of Faith

3 Heb 8:6; 9:11 What do we learn about Christ? A more excellent ministry Mediator of a better covenant Established better promises High priest of good things to come

4 High Priest of good things to come Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better. Moroni spoke of it in the Book of Mormon as “hope for a better world.” For emotional health and spiritual stamina, everyone needs to be able to look forward to some respite, to something pleasant and renewing and hopeful, whether that blessing be near at hand or still some distance ahead. It is enough just to know we can get there, that however measured or far away, there is the promise of “good things to come.” Jeffrey R Holland, Ensign, Nov 1999,36

5 Better promises My declaration is that this is precisely what the gospel of Jesus Christ offers us, especially in times of need. There is help There is happiness. There really is light at the end of the tunnel. It is the Light of the World, the Bright and morning Star, the “light that is endless, that can never be darkened”. To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His “more excellent ministry” with a future of “better promises.” He is your ‘high priest of good things to come.”

6 Hebrews = New Testament Leviticus= Old Testament Leviticus announces the Mosaic system, while Hebrews explains it.

7 Mosaic rituals done away in Christ’s atoning sacrifice The only scriptures they had were the Old Testament If we accept the truth that the law of Moses is no longer binding on Christians, what is the true value of the Old Testament? and how should it be interpreted?

8 Hebrews Hebrews appears to have been written, at least in part, to answer the question of how Christians were to view the Old Testament and the law of Moses. Christ and His gospel were to have precedence over the old law.

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10 What do you learn about Jesus Christ from Heb 1:1-10, 2:9-11,18? 1: 2,10He created the world, heir of all things 1: 3He is in the image of God the Father, His power upholds all things, He atoned for our sins 1: 4He is better than the angels 1: 5-6He is the Firstborn son of God the Father 1: 8,12His glory and power are eternal and unchanging 2:9Lower than the angels, condescended, tasted death 2:10Captain of our salvation 2:18He knows how to succour us

11 A little lower than the angels Why? Heb 2:9-10 Heb 2:16-18 Heb 4:15-16

12 Heb 2:10 Captain of our salvation Christ Our Pilot by Warner Sallman.Warner Sallman

13 Heb 2:10 Captain of our salvation Glenn L. Pace “Many of us take the blessings of the gospel for granted. It is as if we are passengers on the train of the Church, which has been moving forward gradually and methodically. Sometimes we have looked out the window and thought, ‘That looks kind of fun out there. This train is so restrictive.’ So we have jumped off and gone and played in the woods for a while. Sooner or later we find it isn’t as much fun as Lucifer makes it appear or we get critically injured, so we work our way back to the tracks and see the train ahead. With a determined sprint we catch up to it, breathlessly wipe the perspiration from our forehead, and thank the Lord for repentance.

14 “While on the train we can see the world and some of our own members outside laughing and having a great time. They taunt us and coax us to get off. Some throw logs and rocks on the tracks to try and derail it. Other members run alongside the tracks, and while they may never go play in the woods, they just can’t seem to get on the train. Others try to run ahead and too often take the wrong turn. “I would propose that the luxury of getting on and off the train as we please is fading. The speed of the train is increasing. The woods are getting much too dangerous, and the fog and darkness are moving in.” (“Spiritual Revival,” Ensign, Nov. 1992, 11–12) Heb 2:10 Captain of our salvation

15 Heb 2:18;4:15 He Understands “’We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.’ (Heb. 4:15) Because he ‘was in all points tempted like as we are,’ our Savior understands our situation, knows from his own personal experience what we struggle against, and can sympathize with us and have compassion on us. Thus, when I am tempted, I don't have to appeal to some distant entity who has never been in my shoes. I can take my problems to a high priest, Jesus, who can ‘be touched with the feeling of [my] infirmities’—because he has been where I am. I can share my problems with a compassionate God who knows from experience what I am talking about and understands from experience what I am going through. There may be certain aspects of his nature that the rest of us do not fully share, but there is no aspect of our human nature that he does not share. And that is good news.” (Stephen E. Robinson, Believing Christ: The Parable of the Bicycle and Other Good News [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1992], 115.)

16 Heb 2:10,18 He understands He never allowed godly power to insulate pain and affliction …Paul observed that he became ‘like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest’ (Hebrews 2:17). The refiner’s fire of human experience confirmed in his godly nature the tenderness of heart, the softness of soul, that made the Savior not only just but merciful, not only omnipotent but compassionate. As a result of his mortal experience, culminating in the Atonement, the Savior knows understands, and feels every human condition, every human woe, and every human loss. He can comfort as no other. He can lift burdens as no other. He can listen as no other.” (Tad Callister, Infinite Atonement, pp. 207-9)

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18 What is God’s rest? Heb 3-4 What did Paul explain about why some of the children of Israel in Moses’ time were unable to enter into God’s rest? (See Hebrews 3:7–11, Hebrews 3:16–19; Hebrews 4:1–2.)Hebrews 3:7–11 Hebrews 3:16–19 Hebrews 4:1–2

19 “What is the ‘rest of the Lord’? D&C 84:23–24; 3 Nephi 27:19 D&C 84:23–243 Nephi 27:19 TODAY: “’The rest here referred to is not physical rest, for there is no such thing as physical rest in the Church of Jesus Christ. Reference is made to the spiritual rest and peace which are born from a settled conviction of the truth in the minds of men. We may thus enter into the rest of the Lord today, by coming to an understanding of the truths of the gospel.’ (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, p. 126. See also p. 58.) ETERNALLY: “As a further extension, ‘The rest of the Lord, in eternity, is to inherit eternal life, to gain the fulness of the Lord’s glory. (D&C 84:24.)’ (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed., p. 633.)” (J. Lewis Taylor, “New Testament Backgrounds: Hebrews,” Ensign, Apr. 1976, 59)

20 God’s Rest today… The ancient prophets speak of ‘entering into God’s rest’; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive… The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into ‘God’s rest.” Joseph F Smith, Gospel Doctrine, 58

21 How can we help each other become worthy to enter into God’s rest? Heb 3:13-14Exhort each other daily, avoid sin, partake of Christ, steadfast to the end Heb 4:11Labour to enter, don’t fall into unbelief Alma 13:12-13Humble yourselves, repent Alma 13:16Look to Christ’s atonement

22 Heb 4:1-11 How can we enter into God’s rest in this life? From the prophet Joseph Smith we…learn that ‘God has…a time…appointed…when He will bring all His subjects, who have obeyed His voice and kept His commandments, into His celestial rest. This rest is of such perfection and glory, that man has need of a preparation before he can, according to the law of that kingdom, enter it and enjoy its blessings…God has given certain laws to the human family, which, if observed are sufficient to prepare them to inherit this rest.’ TPJS, 54

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24 Heb 5:1-4 What do we learn about the priesthood?

25 Line of Authority George Watkins Reynold Watkins Wayne H Watkins

26 What priesthood and why? Heb 5:5-6; 6:20; 7:11 Priesthood Law of Moses Aaronic, Levitical, lesser or preparatory (D&C 84:25-27) ChristMelchizedek

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28 Heb 8:5 What did the Lord tell Moses about worship in the tabernacle?

29 Heb 9 Mosaic ordinances

30 Hebrews 8:5 c eremonies in the tabernacle symbolized “heavenly things,” Ordinance in the tabernacle:What it symbolized: a. The priests offered animals as sacrifices to God (Hebrews 10:1– 4, Hebrews 10:11).Hebrews 10:1– 4Hebrews 10:11 Jesus offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:26–28; Hebrews 10:4–12).Hebrews 9:26–28Hebrews 10:4–12 b. The priests placed blood from the sacrificed animals on the altar to symbolize the cleansing and purification of the people (Hebrews 9:6–7, Hebrews 9:19– 23).Hebrews 9:6–7Hebrews 9:19– 23 Jesus’ blood, shed during the Atonement, cleanses and purifies us from sin (Hebrews 9:11–15).Hebrews 9:11–15 c. The high priest went through the veil into the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:1–7).Hebrews 9:1–7 Jesus, the great high priest, went through the veil into heaven itself (Hebrews 9:24).Hebrews 9:24

31 Heb 10:4,10, 19-20 A New and Living Way

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33 What is faith? Heb 11:1-3; Alma 32:21; Ether 12:6 How is faith more than belief?

34 What is Faith? Faith makes men sure and steadfast After the trial of your faith comes the witness Faith is evidence of things not seen Faith is related to hope Faith is related to belief Faith is the substance of things hoped for Faith is not a perfect knowledge Faith is not associated with doubt and fear Faith is not physical exertion. It is utilizing words Faith does not come by signs Faith is a principle of action in al intelligent beings Faith is maintained by personal righteousness Faith is power Gene R. Cook, BYU dev, 8Nov 1981

35 Faith Substance, Assurance, Evidence Reason, Experience, Authority Heb 11 Alma 30

36 We might diagram our present understanding of the principle of faith as follows:  Power Principle in God and Man The ability to work with and through the Holy Spirit  Assurance of Christ Testimony of Holy Ghost added to faith Faith in Christ Commitment to keep his commandments  Active Belief Commitment and action in response to the belief Belief Simplest level at which all begin

37 Heb 11 Examples… Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Sara Isaac Jacob Joseph Moses

38 By Faith (Hebrews 11) Faith caused Abel to offer up an acceptable sacrifice to God. Cain had little or no faith as demonstrated by his sacrifice (v4). By faith Enoch was translated. (v5). By faith Noah prepared an ark (v7) By faith Abraham went out to find the place of his inheritance (v8). By faith Sara was delivered a child when past age (v11). Abraham offered up Isaac believing that the Lord would deliver on his promises (v17). By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau (v20). By faith Isaac blessed the sons of Joseph (v21). By faith was Moses' life preserved (v23). By faith, Moses forsook Egypt (v27). By faith, Moses and Israel kept the Passover (v28). By faith they passed through the Red Sea (v29). By faith the walls of Jericho fell down (v30). By faith, the life of Rehab, the harlot, was preserved (v31).

39 Heb 11:33-35 Examples of faith JoshuaSubdued kingdomsJosh. 10:40-42 Melchizedek, AbrahamWrought righteousnessJST Gen. 14:26, Rom. 4:3 AbrahamObtained promisesRom. 4:3,13 Melchizedek, DanielStopped the mouths of lionsJST Gen. 14:26, Daniel 6 Melchizedek, Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-nego Quenched the violence of fireJST Gen. 14:26, Daniel 3 DavidEscaped the edge of the sword 1 Sam. 18:25-27 EnochOut of weakness were made strong Moses 6:31-32 DavidWaxed valiant in fight1 Sam. 17Moses, GideonTurned to flight the armies of aliens Ex. 14:23-28; Judges 7 Elijah and the widowWomen received their dead raised to life 1 Kings 17:17-24

40 Two kinds of faith… Elder Boyd K. Packer: “I recognize two kinds of faith. The first is the kind which is apparent in the world. It is the common denominator of most everything that goes on. It is the thing that lets us exist. It is the thing that gives us some hope of getting anything done. Everyone has it, some in a larger measure than others. The second kind of faith, remarkably rare, unusual to find, is the kind of faith that causes things to happen. Faith is a power as real as electricity except a thousand times more powerful. Now did you ever exercise faith—exercise it, practice it, you see, not just take it for granted? When you look at yourself, ask yourself how faithful are you? It is a first principle of the gospel according to the Lord. Is it a first principle in the gospel according to you?” (Your Articles of Faith, Brigham Young University Speeches of the Year [21 Mar. 1962], 8).

41 Faith Someone said long ago, when great events occur, there are three types of persons manifested: First, the one who doesn’t realize that anything great is happening; second, the one who realizes something is going on but doesn’t know what it is; and third, the one behind the scenes making it all happen.

42 Faith is power Had it not been for the principle of faith the worlds would never have been framed, neither would man have been formed of the dust. It is the principle by which Jehovah works, and through which he exercises power over all temporal as well as eternal things. Take this principle or attribute – for it is an attribute – from the Deity, and he would cease to exist… Faith, then, is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things; by it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeable to the will of god. Without it there is no power, and without power there could be no creation or existence! Lectures on Faith, 16,24

43 Walk by faith Spencer W. Kimball “Remember that Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and others could not see clearly the end from the beginning. They also walked by faith and without sight…But know this, that just as undaunted faith has stopped the mouths of lions, made ineffective fiery flames, opened dry corridors through rivers and seas, protected against deluge and drought, and brought heavenly manifestations at the instance of prophets, so in each of our lives faith can heal the sick, bring comfort to those who mourn, strengthen resolve against temptation, relieve from the bondage of harmful habits, lend the strength to repent and change our lives, and lead to a sure knowledge of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Indomitable faith can help us live the commandments with a willing heart and thereby bring blessings unnumbered, with peace, perfection, and exaltation in the kingdom of God.” (Faith Precedes the Miracle [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972], 12.)

44 Heb 12:1-3 Why do you think Paul lists so many examples of faith?

45 The Race: A sprint or marathon? Neal A. Maxwell “Sometimes that which we are doing is correct enough but simply needs to be persisted in patiently, not for a minute or a moment but sometimes for years. Paul speaks of the marathon of life and of how we must ‘run with patience the race that is set before us’ (Heb. 12:1). Paul did not select the hundred-meter dash for his analogy!” (Cory H. Maxwell, ed., The Neal A. Maxwell Quote Book [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1997], 242.) “…we are to ‘run with patience the race that is set before us’ (Heb. 12:1), and it is a marathon, not a dash. When you and I are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we like our timetable better than God’s.” (“Endure It Well,” Ensign, May 1990, 34)

46 How do you exercise or use the power of your faith? Be believing Commit yourself Do your part Pray Expect Trials of your faith Expect the Lord to act Gene R Cook, BYU dev, 8 Nov 1981

47 Heb 12:3,15 Weary and faint? Root of bitterness springing up? Neal A. Maxwell “Having all been richly nourished by this general conference, it is fitting to focus prescriptively on the few in the Church who remain spiritually undernourished, including those who have grown weary and fainted in their minds. (See Heb. 12:3.) “A few of these few have had their faith scorched, such as by the circumstances of wrenching or unrelieved sickness, grinding economic pressures, loss of a loved one, or deep disappointment with a spouse or friend.

48 Weary and faint? Root of Bitterness? Adversity can increase faith or instead can cause the troubling roots of bitterness to spring up. (See Heb. 12:15.) A few have been overcome by the preoccupying cares of the world, those wearying, surface things of life. (See Matt. 13:6–7.) Emerson’s plea is surely appropriate: ‘Give me truths: for I am weary of the surfaces.’ (“Blight,” in The Complete Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, New York: Wm. H. Wise & Co., 1929, p. 874.) A few are fatigued by unconfessed sins. A few tire from milling about haltingly in the ‘valley of decision.’ (Joel 3:14; see also 1 Kgs. 18:21.) A few, foolishly focusing on something other than Jesus, the Sure and True Foundation, are drained by disappointment. (See Hel. 5:12.)

49 “Whatever the preceding causes, any fainting in our minds brings a loss of spiritual consciousness and, with this, the inclination to charge God foolishly. (See Job 1:22.)” Neal A Maxwell(“Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds,” Ensign, May 1991, 88)

50 Hebrews 12:5-11 How does faith in Christ help us ? Neal A. Maxwell “One’s life, therefore, cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free. President Wilford Woodruff counseled us all about the mercy that is inherent in some adversity: ‘The chastisements we have had from time to time have been for our good, and are essential to learn wisdom, and carry us through a school of experience we never could have passed through without.’ (In Journal of Discourses, 2:198.) “Therefore, how can you and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to say, ‘Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!’” (“Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds,” Ensign, May 1991, 88)

51 Hebrews 12:11 chastening…yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness Neal A. Maxwell “…Paul observed, ‘Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.’ (Heb. 12:11.) Such ‘peaceable fruit’ comes only in the appointed season thereof, after the blossoms and the buds. “Otherwise, if certain mortal experiences were cut short, it would be like pulling up a flower to see how the roots are doing. Put another way, too many anxious openings of the oven door, and the cake falls instead of rising. Moreover, enforced change usually does not last, while productive enduring can ingrain permanent change. (See Alma 32:13–16.)” (“Endure It Well,” Ensign, May 1990, 33)

52 Finally Think about your own challenges. Where are you, on your own personal ‘faith-o-meter?

53 Question Why are you at church? Does it matter? Does “faith” make a difference in what do daily? Heb 4:2

54 Heb 13:5 He will never leave us Chieko N. Okazaki “We have taken upon ourselves the name of Jesus and the way of the disciple. Our way will also lead to gardens of anguished prayer, to crosses, to tombs. At those times, we, like the apostles, must endure in faith and love. We must endure despite our pain, with our pain, in the depths of our pain, until the moment of the resurrection in us when we understand the greater purpose in the cross and the tomb. I testify to you that those moments of understanding and acceptance will come. “The loss of my beloved husband is the hardest thing that has ever happened to me. I am a triple cancer survivor. I have been near death three times from other causes. Those were testing times. Sometimes I thought I had been tested to the point of breaking. But none of them compares with the testing following Ed's death. There have been times when I literally could not turn the doorknob and leave the house without praying for strength and imploring the Lord for his Spirit to accompany me as I went out to perform my duties. All of us must face death—our own deaths and the deaths of loved ones. I feel that I am learning something about the way of the disciple that leads through the valley of the shadow of death, but even there—even there—I know I am following the Savior, and I can feel his hand upholding me and his voice promising me, ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Hebrews 13:5.) “May we all follow the Savior, even though the disciple's path is stony and shadowed. May we feel the presence of the Savior with us on that path, and may we sustain and support one another as we walk together.” (Aloha! [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], 101.)

55 Heb 13:8 The same today and forever “…there is no inconsistency in the gospel plan that Heavenly Father has given us. Indeed, Heavenly Father's house is a house of order. We are told it is the same yesterday, today and forever. (See Heb. 13:8.) “The instability and frustration of the world today is largely due to too many people who are straddling too many fences. To live one's life on a foundation of inconsistency is to live on shifting sands.” Robert L Simpson,(October 19, 1965, BYU Speeches of the Year, 1965, p. 5.)

56 President Hinckley If there is any one thing you and I need in this world it is faith, that dynamic, powerful, marvelous element by which, as Paul declared, the very worlds were framed Faith—the kind of faith that moves one to get on his knees and plead with the Lord and then get on his feet and go to work—is an asset beyond compare, even in the acquisition of secular knowledge. I do not minimize the need for study and labor. I would add to these faith and prayer, with the sacred promise that "God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost." (BYU Speeches of the Year, September 25, 1973, p. 109.) Question: How does faith aid in gaining secular knowledge?

57 Jesus was no ordinary man. But there were some who did not understand. They saw him working miracles, but some were still deceived. Why did they not believe? When His faith filled the fishnets; gave sight unto the blind; When they saw at His bidding even water turned to wine; When He offered all He had to them if they would but receive, Why did they not believe? Jesus was no ordinary man. The pow'r to bless and heal was in His hands. They saw him cleanse the leper They saw him heal the lame; They must have sensed divinity and known from whence He came, But understanding not His cause, They crucified the son of God, And even then they did not understand That Jesus was no ordinary man.

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59 Living in the premortal world, waiting to be born Finished with mortality, living in the spirit world A perfected resurrected being who has finished mortality A translated being, like John the Revelator Angels without Physical Bodies Angels with Physical Bodies

60 The Lectures on Faith, compiled under the direction of the Prophet Joseph Smith, declare that faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and the “foundation of all righteousness” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 1). They also teach that “faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings” (13). Hebrews 11–13 teaches us about faith and how it can become a principle of power in our lives.Hebrews 11–13

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62 Paul said that faith can help us during times of adversity or opposition (Hebrews 11:32–38). How has faith helped you deal with adversity? What other blessings have you (or someone you know) received by exercising faith in Jesus Christ?Hebrews 11:32–38

63 Heb 12:1-3 How does patience help us handle life’s challenges? How does looking unto Jesus Christ help us develop our faith? How does His example of faith, patience, and endurance affect how you feel about your trials and sufferings?

64 Gospel Doctrine Complaint Dept?

65 From the mailbag… Kevin, In your experience have you ever come across someone, who in your estimation, has sought diligently to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon but never received one? Based on my reading of the scriptures I don't see that it is possible for an honest seeker of truth to be denied an experience with the Holy Ghost. That being the case, how do we understand those who say they've sought for a testimony but didn't receive a manifestation from the Holy Ghost?

66 Merrill Bateman In my early years I was confused by the fact that some individuals read the Book of Mormon, prayed about it, and received the witness promised, but others seemed to follow the same course but never received the witness. I have since learned that it is not God who is random but we mortals. Some individuals don’t believe they will receive a spiritual prompting even though they may pray. Others are not diligent in applying the truths they have been taught. An important lesson of life is to learn that the Father and the Son deliver on their promises. BYU Devotional, Jan 1997

67 Paul Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. assurance

68 Joseph Smith I might add numerous testimonies from the Scriptures that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the principle which prompts to action all intelligent beings, and that when 1) based upon the promises of the Lord, 2) unmixed with the theories of men, 3) and acted upon, it has never failed to bring knowledge and rest to the weary mind in that security which comes from a pure knowledge of God.

69 Joseph F. Smith "The ancient prophets speak of 'entering into God's rest'; what does it mean? To my mind, it means entering into the knowledge and love of God, having faith in his purpose and in his plan, to such an extent that we know we are right, and that we are not hunting for something else, we are not disturbed by every wind of doctrine, or by the cunning and craftiness of men who lie in wait to deceive. We know of the doctrine that it is of God, and we do not ask any questions of anybody about it; they are welcome to their opinions, to their ideas and to their vagaries. The man who has reached that degree of faith in God that all doubt and fear have been cast from him, he has entered into 'God's rest,‘ and he need not fear the vagaries of men, nor their cunning and craftiness, by which they seek to deceive and mislead him from the truth. I pray that we may all enter into God's rest—rest from doubt, from fear, from apprehension of danger, rest from the religious turmoil of the world..." (Gospel Doctrine, p58)

70 One man’s experience… I awoke early one morning to feel a very real presence in my bedroom. Although I could not identify who was there nor hear with my natural ears, I knew that I was supposed to learn something important. Clear words entered my mind. They told me: "Something terrible is happening. Tell [your daughter] that it must stop or she will suffer unmeasurable sorrow.“ I asked, "Will she know what it is about?“ "Yes.“ "Is it too late?“ "It is not too late.“ The message was relayed to the daughter, who called her father later that week to tell him not to worry. She had received a priesthood blessing and was visiting with her Church leaders. Some time later she told her father that she had been contemplating terminating her activity in the Church. She had become so disillusioned by disappointments and seemingly unfulfilled promises that her life was filled with confusion and numbness. Her trials were far from over, but by then she had the support of Church leaders, family members, and, most important, the Holy Ghost. TODD A. BRITSCH, Sept 1997 BYU Devotional

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72 Its central argument is the superiority of the Christian message to the Law of Moses. It does this in large part by arguing for the superiority of Christ's Melchizedek priesthood to the Aaronic priesthood of the Jewish temple. In making this argument, however, it provides a complex discussion of Christ's atonement set in the context of priesthood authority and temple ritual. Because of this priesthood- and temple-centric discussion, Hebrews is a key text for understanding the Restoration. It contains the most elaborate non-Restoration-scripture discussion of the two priesthoods, as well as their relationship to the temple. For this reason, it is a key text that Latter-day Saints seem to have -- unfortunately -- largely neglected.

73 Hebrews outlined The superiority of Christ Chap 1-2Christ over angels Chap 3-4Christ over Moses Chap 5-6Christ over the high priests Chap 7-8Christ over Melchizedek and Abraham Chap 9-10Christ over the temple and its burnt offerings Chap 11-13The blessings of Faith in Christ

74 How great thou art Jesus was no ordinary man


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