In 2 Corinthians, Paul told the saints in Corinth a little about the trials and sufferings he had on his missionary journeys. His message was one of hope, that trials are here to strengthen us: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed …. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment,...

Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, includes a theologically powerful defense of the bodily resurrection ( 1 Corinthians 15 ). Towards the end, he eloquently drew upon Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14 to express Christ’s triumph over death: Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory...

Paul’s instructions to the saints at Corinth covered a variety of topics. These included teachings on the nature of spiritual gifts and the body of Christ, that is, the collective body of members of the Church of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 12 contains Paul’s teachings on these two connected concepts. “Now concerning spiritual gifts,” Paul began in this chapter, “I would not have you ignorant...

When writing to the saints in Corinth, Paul strongly emphasized that there should “be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” ( 1 Corinthians 1:10 ). He tried to teach them that there should be no contentions among them, and that “Christ” should not be divided ( vv. 11, 13 ). The preaching of Christ should serve to unite them and...

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the wonderful news that our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ have not forgotten us. All of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but They have provided the way in which we can be redeemed from the misery of sin, overcome temptations and weaknesses, be sanctified, and find eternal life and joy in the Kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul taught that...

Joseph Smith claimed that in 1820 he beheld a vision of God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. This “First Vision” started Joseph Smith on a path that ultimately led to the Restoration of Jesus Christ’s church in the latter days. Four accounts of the First Vision were written or dictated by Joseph himself. Five other accounts come from what others remembered him saying about his vision...

When reading about Paul’s missionary travels in Acts, one is instantly confronted with a dizzying array of place names. Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia, Troas, Macedonia, Samothracia, Neapolis, and Philippi—and that’s just the first 12 verses of Acts 16! Clearly, Paul took seriously “the work whereunto [the Lord had] called [him]” ( Acts 13:1–3 ) and felt an urgency to spread the...

As recorded in Acts 10–15 , the leaders of the church of Jesus Christ shepherded early saints through tumultuous times. These chapters highlight how the early apostles faced such challenges as social upheaval, martyrdom and persecution, organizing missionary work, and “much disputing” among the leadership of the church that arose over unanswered doctrinal and procedural questions. The threads...

Acts 2 records Peter’s words to the gathered multitude on the day of Pentecost. After testifying that “God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” ( v. 36 ), the people he was addressing “were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter’s response to the crowd will probably sound familiar...

The good news that Jesus is risen from the dead is a message of light and joy for a dark and weary world. The testimony of New Testament witnesses confirms that he He lives and because He lives we may also have eternal life if we will follow Him. He was seen of Mary at the tomb, and angels declared His resurrection to other righteous women of faith (Mark 16:1–7; Luke 24:1–10; John 20:11–18). He...