Great are the words of Isaiah

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Word Associations. What’s the first word that comes to your mind? America Utah Temple Olympics Arrogant people Millennium Missionary work The Prophet Christmas Second Coming Satan Isaiah These are some of the themes in Isaiah. Why do so many people say Isaiah is boring or confusing?

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THREE WITNESSES

The small plates constitute 143 pages in the Book of Mormon. The writings of Nephi, Jacob and Isaiah make up 135 of those 143 pages!!! Why? What’s so great about their writings?

2 Nephi 11:1-8

I am suggesting that Nephi, Jacob , and Isaiah are three early types and shadows of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris—witnesses positioned right at the front of the book where Oliver, David, and Martin are positioned.

But Nephi, Jacob, and Isaiah bore a very special witness—they testified of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, he who would be the central, commanding, presiding figure throughout the Book of Mormon.

We could make a pretty obvious case that the primary purpose of the small plates was to preserve the testimony of these three witnesses. After all, their writing constitutes a full 135 pages of what is only a 145-page record. These three are who they are and saw what they saw and are positioned where they are in the book for a very “wise purpose” indeed.

It would be exciting if the 116 pages of manuscript turned up some day, but I would never trade them for the material in the small plates of Nephi. I love these “greater views” given through the grand prophetic sentinels who stand at the gate of the book as we now have it. ( Jeffrey R. Hol land, “‘For a Wise Purpose’,” Ensign , Jan 1996, 12)

WHAT ARE SOME SIMILARITIES BETWEEN

THE FOLLOWING OBJECTS?

WHAT ARE SOME SIMILARITIES BETWEEN

THE FOLLOWING OBJECTS?

WHAT ARE SOME SIMILARITIES BETWEEN

THE FOLLOWING OBJECTS?

WHAT ARE SOME SIMILARITIES BETWEEN

THE FOLLOWING OBJECTS?

WHAT ARE SOME SIMILARITIES BETWEEN

THE FOLLOWING OBJECTS?

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Look for:What is God going to establish in the last days?

How will it bless people’s lives?

The Mountain of the Lord

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How have temples helped you walk in the Lord’s

paths?

“These unique and wonderful buildings and their ordinances represent the ultimate in our worship. I urge our people everywhere, with all of the persuasiveness of which I am capable, to live worthy to hold a temple recommend, to secure one and regard it as a precious asset, and to make a greater effort to go to the house of the Lord and partake of the spirit and the blessings to be had therein” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Of Missions, Temples, and Stewardship,” Ensign,  Nov. 1995, 53).

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How do you prepare yourself to enter the temple?

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“Let us prepare every missionary to go to the temple worthily and to make that experience an even greater highlight than receiving the mission call.” (President Howard W. Hunter)

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What blessings have you seen from attending the temple?“I believe that the busy person can

solve his problems better and more quickly in the house of the Lord than anywhere else. A blessing will come to him, for at the most unexpected moments, in or out of the temple will come to him, as a revelation, the solution of the problems that vex his life. That is the gift that comes to those who enter the temple properly” (John A. Widtsoe, "Temple Worship," The Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine, Apr. 1921, 63–64).

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“I promise you that all who faithfully attend to temple work will be blessed beyond measure. Your families will draw closer to the Lord, unseen angels will watch over your loved ones when satanic forces tempt them. The veil will be thin and great spiritual experiences will distill upon this people.” (Vaughn J. Featherstone, Mt. Vernon Wash. St. Conf., June1985; found in Royden G. Derrick, Temples in the Last Days, [1988], 103).

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Jesus’ ministry was centered on the templeLuke 1:5-13, Luke 2:41-49. Jesus on the cross, focused on the temple: 1 Kings 8:54; Acts 3:1, Luke 23:44-46

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Entering the TempleWhy are temple doors on the east side of the temple?The last time you were absolutely clean? For me: May 14, 1983. August 21, 1994.

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The Temple Garment“The garment represents sacred covenants. It fosters modesty and becomes a shield and protection to the wearer. … The garment, covering the body, is a visual and tactile reminder of [covenants made in the temple]. For many Church members the garment has formed a barrier of protection when the wearer has been faced with temptation.” (Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple, 20, 23).

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What is an endowment?Literal definition: “To provide with a permanent or continual source of income” Jesus told his Apostles that they would be “endued with power from on high.”  Webster’s Dictionary (1828): “to put on, to furnish; to invest; to clothe.” Oxford English Dictionary: “to put on as a garment; to clothe or cover.”   Greek: “to clothe someone; literally, to sink into a garment” or “to take on characteristics and virtues of another.”

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Adam and EveLeviticus 1:3-4, 11.

The Sealing OrdinanceJune 11, 1998When did you receive the

Holy Ghost?When will you be sealed?

2 Nephi 12:12-17Stories

Astrid and Claudia SierraCarlos Menez’ call

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Great are the words of Isaiah

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