STUDYING THE SCRIPTURES

Studying the Scriptures has never been a better experience for us than it is right now.

Next week’s Relief Society/Priesthood lesson #22 is about President Kimball's experience in receiving that great revelation on the Priesthood in 1978. Also in reading in Acts chapter 10-11 of Peter’s vision of the great sheet filled with all manner of beasts and being commanded by the angel to kill and eat the "unclean" beasts, how this prepared Peter for what was to happen next. The servants of Cornelius knocked on his door to come and teach the gospel to a Gentile who had received a vision of an angel telling him where he could find Peter. Then after he explained all this to the twelve how they accepted.

Acts 10: 13 "And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

One cannot help but compare Peter's experience with that of President Kimball's, the two events experienced by two presidents of the church in different epochs but with somewhat the same import and impact. It is not by coincidence that we just happened upon this reading. As we have noted in our missionary experiences of the last three and one half years, both on our mission in Nevada and now here in France, there ‘s an abundance of the Lords children of African origins accepting the gospel, both in the states, on the African continent, and, yes, especially even here in France.

Arnold was also reading John 16:19-23 a couple of days ago (in French) and read where the Savior in preparing his disciples for his coming atonement, told them that they would soon weep in great sorrow but that their sorrow would be turned to rejoicing. (paraphrased from his translation back into English.) Then he compared that, using the great insight that only the Savior could have had from the male perspective, to a woman in travail of childbirth passing through anguish and sorrow. Then after the child is born, all the pain is forgotten as it turns to her for joy of having brought forth a beautiful child. Arnold asked JoAnn if that is what it is like. Her reply was "Oh yes, with every child it is like that. If it weren't I would never have had the courage to have a second or third or fourth." As Arnold lay on my bed contemplating her answer and the Savior's wonderful insight, the spirit whispered to him that He was telling His disciples this not only for their sake but for His own, knowing what He was shortly to face in Gethsemane and on Golgotha. Then as Arnold was saying his personal prayers this morning, it also came to him that this insight expressed by our Savior was also meant just as much for His Father as for Himself. What a loving parent we have in our Heavenly Father who willingly gave His Only Begotten Son for us that we may return and live with Him.

Every day we get new insight into the mind and will of God and we have never enjoyed studying the scriptures more than now while in this mission.”