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Gospel Doctrine: Deathbed Repentance

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Perhaps one of the most misunderstood quotes in scripture comes in Luke 23:43. As Jesus hangs on the cross, a thief also hangs to his side, acknowledging that his punishment is just while the Savior has done no wrong. Jesus then answers, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” So many have taken to heart the possibility that a deathbed repentance will lead to eternal glory, but this is not so. According to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the aforementioned phrase meant that the Savior and the thief would be in the world of spirits that very day. At … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: “Thou That Destroyest the Temple…”

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As the Savior was tried in court, and later as He hung on the cross, His persecutors mocked Him with His earlier words. “Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,” they taunted, “Save thyself, and come down from the cross.” (Mark 15:29-30) Their choice of words was quite ironic. Earlier in His ministry, the Savior was asked to show a sign of His divinity. He responded, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) Note that He did not say that He would be the one to destroy the … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: Sorrow Turned to Joy

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As Christ prepares Himself to leave His disciples, He warns them of His impending death. He knows that they will view His crucifixion with pain and sorrow. And yet, he promises that “your sorrow shall be turned to joy” (John 16:20). Two thousand years later, we look at the atonement of Christ almost always from a joyful standpoint. After all, it was because He took our sins upon Him that we are able to return home. Similarly, we would not be able to be resurrected had He not first suffered death and then resurrection, and so we would not be … Continue reading →

The Symbolism of Baptism

Most of us can recall our baptism day. I remember wading into the warm water, how weightless I felt, and wondering why my dad was wearing white socks in the water. I remember the rush of water past my ears, and most of all, I remember the feeling I had afterward, of being clean and pure. As I’ve grown up and learned about all the filth in the world, I’ve often wished I could go back and get baptized all over again, so I can feel the way I did that day when I was eight. However, it’s not necessary … Continue reading →

Visiting Teaching Message: Practicing Holiness

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The second section of the Visiting Teaching message on practicing holiness truly touched my heart. Although there were several things that touched me in both quotes, I felt myself truly respond to Bonnie Parkin’s admonition that “holiness is a product of covenant living.” Throughout our spiritual walk with the church, we make covenants. First, we covenant when we are baptized to serve Christ and try to be like Him. Then we renew that covenant every Sunday when we take the sacrament; we restate our willingness to keep His commandments. When we go through the temple, we make several covenants, and … Continue reading →