Meridian Magazine--Come Follow Me Latter-day Saint Podcast

We know that faith is a power stronger than electricity or lightning or the flooding of many waters. It is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things.  So, of course we seek how to develop it in ourselves. In Lectures on Faith, Joseph Smith teaches us: “Three things are necessary for any rational and intelligent being to exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.
“First, the idea that he actually exists:
“Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes;
“And thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which one is pursuing is according to His will.”

Maurine and I have been blessed to attend many temple dedications all over the world. There is nothing so joyful as seeing the Saints gather to see these beautiful Houses of the Lord dedicated and made available for the work of the dead and the living. No matter where we are or what language is spoken, the unifying feeling comes from the music that is sung both outside and inside the temple and the Spirit that follows. “High on the mountain top, A banner is unfurled, Ye nations now look up, it waves to all the world!” (Hymns, no. 5) a choir sings as the Prophet comes out of the building to set the coverstone and talk to the Saints. “We thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet to guide us in these latter days,” the Saints sing with all their hearts as tears are streaming down their faces. “On this day of joy and gladness, Lord, we praise thy holy name; In this sacred place of worship, We thy glories loud proclaim! Alleluia, Alleluia, Bright and clear our voices ring, Singing songs of exultation To our Maker, Lord, and King!” (Hymns, no. 64) You can all picture this, can’t you? Well, in order to understand more clearly our study of the Psalms, you have to realize the Psalms were mostly sung, and most of the time at the Temple in ancient times!

Today we begin study of the largest book in the Old Testament. Surprisingly, it is Psalms with 97 pages of moving poetry that particularly explores our inner journey in seeking to find God. These are prayers, prophecy, wisdom, exultations, laments and pleadings for relief. It is a very ancient book where we can find immense comfort today.

When we lead our tours to the Holy Land, we will inevitably pull out some humor from the Biblical sources, attempting to create memories of laughter in remote parts of the tour. Our Bible jokes are many and varied and of a quality that only a dad could appreciate. “Who is the great tennis player of the Bible? Of course, everyone knows it’s Joseph, because he served in Pharoah’s courts! And who was the great comedian of the Bible? It was Sampson. He brought the house down! And what kind of man was Boaz before he got married? Ruthless! … I’m waiting for all of you to finish laughing. And then we pull out the most obvious one: Who was the greatest doctor of the Bible? Some contend it was Job, because he had a lot of ‘patience.’ But most would agree it’s Moses because he delivered all the children of Israel! All humor aside, we know that the greatest physician in the Bible is the Savior Himself—the one who can heal each of us. This week we will see some of the ways that Job reminds us of Jesus and leads us to Him.

As a scholar said, “Once it happened that the crafty was taken in his own trap, the falsely condemned were saved, and the worthy were rewarded. It is not always so.” Perhaps [the] story [in Esther which we study today] has endured because it has given the comfort of hope to other oppressed people” [and demonstrates God in the details of our lives.] Although God is not expressly mentioned in the book of Esther, there appears to be evidence in it of the God whom Job describes, who can ‘set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.’”( Job 5:11-12 ). Ellis Rasmussen, Latter-day Saint Commentary on the Old Testament.