Divine Joy and Intercession

“And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvellous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.” – 3 Nephi 17:17

In the account recorded in 3 Nephi 17:17, the people of ancient America witnessed an unspeakable manifestation of divine love and power. As Jesus Christ prayed for them, they felt the ineffable joy that only comes from being in the presence of the Saviour and hearing His sacred words of intercession. The depth of their experience transcended mortal language and understanding, as they realised the marvellous nature of Christ’s love and the majesty of His relationship with His Father. This moment exemplifies the significant connection between heaven and earth that Christ offers to those who believe in Him. The passage also shows that no human language can adequately convey the magnitude of divine experiences, and no heart can fully comprehend the joy they inspire. This idea parallels the Apostle Paul’s testimony to the Corinthians: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Both passages reflect the limitations of human perception when faced with the divine and allude to the life changing power of Christ’s ministry. Through His Atonement and His continued intercession for us, we are promised access to blessings beyond anything we can ever imagine or describe.

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Bowing at the Feet of Christ

“And they did all, both they who had been healed and they who were whole, bow down at his [Jesus’] feet, and did worship him; and as many as could come for the multitude did kiss his feet, insomuch that they did bathe his feet with their tears.” – 3 Nephi 17:10

In 3 Nephi 17:10, we read of a moving scene where Jesus Christ, after healing the afflicted and blessing the multitudes, is met with an overwhelming display of love and reverence. The people, both those healed and those already whole, bowed at His feet in worship. So great was their gratitude that those who could reach Him kissed His feet, even bathing them with their tears. This beautiful moment captures the essence of true worship—an expression of deep humility, love, and recognition of the Saviour’s divine power.

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Worship Beyond Emotion Alone

In our journey to worship God, it is important to recognise that while emotions are a natural and beautiful part of our spiritual experience, they should not be the foundation of our faith. Emotion alone, although powerful in the moment, can be fleeting and unreliable when it comes to the challenges and trials of life. Our worship, therefore, must be rooted in something deeper—something that stands the test of time. That deeper foundation is knowledge of God’s word, a careful understanding of His commandments, and a deliberate effort to apply them in our lives. It is easy to get swept up in the feelings that accompany spiritual experiences—joy, peace, awe, and sometimes even tears. These emotions are not wrong; indeed, they can be manifestations of the Spirit. However, if our relationship with God is only based on these feelings, we may find ourselves faltering when those emotions fade or when life’s inevitable hardships arise. Faith built on emotion alone often struggles to endure.

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Forsaking the Natural Man

Reading:
Ephesians 4:17-32
Mosiah 3:19
St. Matthew 9:1-8
3 Nephi 17:7-9

In this talk I want to reflect upon the life-changing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures we have read invite us to contemplate the path that leads us from our fallen state to the glorious light of redemption and renewal in Christ. These passages from both the Bible and the Book of Mormon speak to us of the necessity of forsaking the “natural man,” embracing righteousness, and experiencing the mercy and healing power of the Saviour.

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Living the Word – 3 Nephi 12:20

Slowly read the verse, taking time to let the words settle in your heart.

“Therefore come unto me and be ye saved; for verily I say unto you, that except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (3 Nephi 12:20)
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Becoming Disciples in Word and Deed (3 Nephi 12)

I have always thought that chapter 12 of 3 Nephi is remarkable for its teachings on discipleship, humility, and spiritual transformation. Spoken by the Saviour himself during His visit to the people in the Americas, this chapter correlates closely with the Sermon on the Mount recorded in the New Testament but carries deep implications for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here, Christ articulates a path of discipleship through both action and inner transformation, one that calls not only for obedience but for embodying His divine attributes.

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Some Ideas for Scripture Marking

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠

The following are tips for marking the Standard Works for sighted people. Below this list I have provided some additional suggestions for blind or visually impaired readers.

Use a Colour-Coding System

Assign different colours for themes like faith, sin, commandments, or promises. This makes it easier to reference and quickly find verses based on your needs.

For example, you could use red for Christ’s words, green for promises, and blue for prayer or worship.

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The Blessing of Giving

I would like to reflect on the powerful words found in Acts 20:35: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. This scripture invites us to consider the essence of Christlike service. It calls us to go beyond mere contemplation and to immerse ourselves in the true spirit of giving.

In the Bible we read: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

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The Power and Purpose of God

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)

In this talk, I would like to discuss Isaiah 55:11 — a verse that places great emphasisis on the power and certainty of God’s word. It shows us how God’s word, characterised by its creative force, unwavering promises, and purpose-driven outcomes, stands firm throughout biblical history and in contemporary faith. In this brief talk, I will attempt to illustrate the fulfilment of God’s will through scriptural examples, particularly focusing on the mission of Jesus Christ. The primary goal is to encourage personal application by urging faith in the transforming power of the Scriptures, trust in God’s promises, and living a life in line with His divine purposes.
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Reflections on Revelation – Chapter 3

Introduction

The third chapter of the Book of Revelation continues the series of letters dictated by Jesus Christ to the Apostle John, directed to the seven churches of Asia Minor. This chapter contains the final three letters, addressed to the churches in Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each letter reveals Christ’s intimate knowledge of the spiritual condition of these congregations, offering both commendation and rebuke, exhortation and promise.

To Sardis, Christ issues a stark warning to a church that has a reputation for being alive but is, in reality, spiritually dead. To Philadelphia, He offers words of encouragement and reassurance, commending their faithfulness and promising protection and honour. Finally, to Laodicea, He delivers a severe critique of their lukewarm faith, urging them to repent and seek true spiritual wealth.

Through these letters, Jesus not only addresses the specific circumstances of these ancient churches but also provides timeless insights and admonitions applicable to believers throughout the ages. The messages we read challenge all Christians to reflect on their own spiritual state, to remain vigilant and faithful, and to hold fast to the promises of Christ.

Revelation 3:1-6: The Message to the Church in Sardis

Verse 1: “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” (KJV)

The church in Sardis is addressed by Christ, who is described as having the seven Spirits of God (a representation of the Holy Spirit in its fullness) and the seven stars (angels of the seven churches). This introduction emphasises Christ’s omniscience and authority. Despite their reputation for being alive, the church is spiritually dead, indicating a form of godliness without its power.
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