“Holiness to the Lord”: Why It Matters Today

The scripture block for April 27–May 3 (Exodus 35–40; Leviticus 1, 4, 16, 19) can feel, at first glance, highly procedural—filled with architectural details, ritual instructions, and laws that seem distant from modern life. But that reading would miss the central doctrinal thrust. These chapters are not primarily about ancient practices; they are about transformation. They answer a fundamental covenant question: How does God turn a people recently freed from bondage into a holy people prepared to live in His presence?

From Deliverance to Transformation

The Exodus from Egypt was only the beginning. Deliverance from physical captivity did not automatically produce spiritual holiness. The Lord’s stated objective was much higher: “Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). That is not a symbolic expectation—it is a covenantal requirement tied directly to entering God’s presence.

To accomplish this, the Lord established three interlocking systems:

1. Sacred Space (the tabernacle)
2. Sacred Practice (ordinances and sacrifice)
3. Sacred Living (commandments and covenant behavior)

Each of these was designed to orient Israel toward Jesus Christ, the only source of true holiness.

The Tabernacle: A Pattern for Returning to God

The tabernacle was more than a place of worship—it was a theological map. Its structure (outer courtyard, holy place, and Holy of Holies) represented increasing proximity to God’s presence . Movement through that space symbolized the spiritual journey of every disciple.

Every object inside the tabernacle reinforced this pattern:

• The altar of sacrifice taught that forgiveness requires atonement.
• The laver taught that spiritual cleansing is required before entering holy space.
• The candlestick symbolized divine light—ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
• The altar of incense represented prayer ascending to God.
• The veil represented separation from God—and the means of return through Christ.
• The ark of the covenant symbolized God’s throne and covenant relationship.

These were not random ritual elements; they were a symbolic curriculum pointing Israel toward the Savior. As your source material notes, the entire system was designed to teach “their journey through life and back to the presence of God” .

For Latter-day Saints, the connection is direct. The tabernacle is an ancient prototype of the temple. The same doctrinal logic applies: we move from the world toward God through covenants, ordinances, and the enabling power of Jesus Christ. The symbolism is not outdated—it is continuous.

Sacrifice: From the Offering to the Offerer

Leviticus can be difficult because of its emphasis on sacrifice. Yet this is where the doctrine becomes most explicit. Ancient sacrifices were not ends in themselves; they were types and shadows of Christ’s Atonement.

The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) illustrates this clearly:

• Blood was taken through the veil into the presence of God.
• A scapegoat symbolically carried away the sins of the people.

Both acts pointed forward to Jesus Christ, who would actually bear sin and open the way back to the Father. The text is explicit: these rituals taught that sin must be removed for God’s presence to remain among His people.

Importantly, sacrifice did not disappear—it evolved. After Christ’s Atonement, the focus shifted “from the offering to the offerer” . Today, disciples are commanded to offer “a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Nephi 9:20).

This is where the doctrine becomes personally relevant. Holiness is not achieved through external compliance alone. It requires internal surrender.

A Willing Heart: The Foundation of Covenant Living

Exodus 35–36 introduces a critical principle often overlooked: the Lord required offerings, but He emphasized willingness. The people gave “with a willing heart.”

This matters doctrinally. God is not building structures—He is shaping disciples. The tabernacle itself was constructed from consecrated offerings, symbolizing that holiness is built from voluntary devotion, not compulsion.

For a modern Latter-day Saint, this translates directly into:

• How we approach callings
• How we give time and resources
• How we engage in covenant responsibilities

The Lord is still asking for offerings—but they are expressed in agency-driven consecration.

Holiness in Daily Life: Leviticus 19

If Exodus teaches symbolic holiness, Leviticus 19 teaches applied holiness. The commandments in this chapter are strikingly practical:

• Care for the poor
• Honesty in dealings
• Respect for parents
• Moral discipline
• Love for neighbor

Holiness is not confined to sacred space. It is demonstrated in everyday behavior. This resolves a common misunderstanding: temple worship does not replace daily discipleship—it intensifies accountability for it.

Why This Matters Today

For an LDS audience, the relevance is immediate and doctrinally central.

1. It clarifies the purpose of the temple.
The temple is not just a place for ordinances; it is part of the same divine pattern established in Exodus. It teaches how to return to God through Christ.

2. It reframes repentance.
Leviticus shows that atonement has always required intentional participation. Today, repentance is the lived expression of offering a broken heart.

3. It defines holiness as a process, not a status.
Israel was not instantly holy after leaving Egypt. Likewise, modern disciples are in a process of refinement. Holiness is developed through covenant fidelity over time.

4. It emphasizes Christ as the center.
Every symbol in the tabernacle and every act of sacrifice points to Jesus Christ. Without Him, the system collapses. With Him, it becomes transformative.

5. It reinforces covenant identity.
“Holiness to the Lord” was engraved on the high priest’s crown. Today, it is effectively engraved on the lives of covenant members. It defines who we are and how we live.

Conclusion

These chapters are not relics of an obsolete religious system. They are foundational texts that explain how God prepares His people to live in His presence. The tabernacle teaches the path. Sacrifice teaches the cost. The commandments teach the lifestyle.

For Latter-day Saints, the message is direct: leaving “Egypt” (sin, distraction, worldliness) is not enough. The objective is to become holy through Jesus Christ.

That doctrine is not ancient—it is urgent.

Labels: atonement, covenant, holiness, LDS temple, sacrifice, tabernacle

 Here is a clear visual representation of the ancient tabernacle from the time of Moses, showing its layout and key elements:

The Ancient Tabernacle (Wilderness Layout)

How to Read This Image

The structure is organized in increasing levels of holiness as one moves inward:

1. Outer Courtyard

• Altar of Sacrifice: Where offerings were made (symbol of Christ’s sacrifice)
• Laver (Basin): Used for washing (symbol of spiritual cleansing)

2. Holy Place (Tent Interior – First Room)

• Candlestick (Menorah): Represents divine light
• Table of Shewbread: Represents God’s provision and covenant
• Altar of Incense: Represents prayers ascending to God

3. Holy of Holies (Innermost Room)

• Ark of the Covenant: Symbol of God’s presence
• Separated by the veil, representing the boundary between God and man

Doctrinal Insight

This layout is not just architectural—it is theological. It visually teaches the progression:

• Sacrifice → Cleansing → Light → Prayer → Presence of God

For Latter-day Saints, this pattern directly parallels temple worship and the covenant path: moving from the world toward the presence of God through Jesus Christ.

Labels: atonement, covenant, holiness, sacrifice, tabernacle

“Thou Art the Christ”: 

Teaching Our Children to Believe, Belong, and Become

They brought their little children - by Walter Rane

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

Introduction:

In a world filled with distraction, doubt, and digital noise, Sister Amy A. Wright’s April 2025 General Conference message, “Thou Art the Christ,” reminds us that nothing matters more than teaching children to know, follow, and become like Jesus Christ. As First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, Sister Wright offers powerful insights on how belief, belonging, and becoming form the foundation of lifelong discipleship—and how we can help children walk that path with purpose and joy.

Summary of the Talk:

Sister Wright begins with a touching story about her son Eli, whose passion for law—and for the Lawgiver, Jesus Christ—grew from a young age. His courageous testimony of Christ in a secular law school interview, and the unexpected outcome, set the stage for the talk’s central message: children must be taught to believe in Jesus, belong to His Church, and become like Him.

1. Believe – Children need more than just stories about Christ; they need to see, hear, and feel His presence in their daily lives. Testimonies, sacred images, and experiences with the Holy Ghost help children truly know Jesus Christ.

"I invite you to ponder what this can look like in the life of young children. Do they hear testimonies of Jesus Christ and His gospel? Do they see reverential, worshipful images of His ministry and godhood? Do they feel and recognize the Holy Ghost testifying of His reality and divinity? Do they know of His message and mission?"

2. Belong – Through covenantal belonging, such as baptism and Church membership, children are strengthened by sacred promises and community support. Parents and leaders play a vital role in preparing them for that path.

"How can we help children make and keep sacred covenants? In the Come, Follow Me manual, in appendix A and B, we find conversation starters and lessons that will empower families and support teachers and leaders in their sacred responsibility to prepare children for a lifetime on God’s covenant path."

3. Become – Children are not passive disciples. They are invited to act, to lead, to testify, and to grow into the likeness of Christ. We must guide them with love and give them opportunities to serve and shine.

"When we tell our children we love them, are we also telling them that their Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ love them? Our love may comfort and inspire, but Their love can sanctify, exalt, and heal."

Five Inspiring Quotes from the Talk:

1. “The archetype of morality I strive to pattern my life from is that of Jesus Christ.”

2. “We want our children to believe in Jesus Christ, belong to Jesus Christ and His Church through covenant, and strive to become like Jesus Christ.”

3. “As Jesus Christ becomes the focus of our lives, what we desire, and how we desire it, is forever altered.”

4. “Without Jesus Christ there is no power to change, no purpose to aspire to, and no reconciliation of the travails of life.”

5. “This Jesus … [is] a glorified, omnipotent, resurrected, exalted, worshipful, powerful Only Begotten Son of God, who is mighty to save.”

Conclusion and Suggestions for Follow-up:

Sister Wright’s message is a clarion call to parents, teachers, and leaders: start now. Don’t wait to help children develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. Begin with small but meaningful actions:

• Share your personal testimony of the Savior regularly.

• Display reverent images of Jesus in your home.

• Read from the scriptures as a family, focusing on His words and works.

• Use the Come, Follow Me manual (Appendices A and B) to create simple, Christ-centered lessons.

• Give children meaningful roles in family home evenings, sacrament talks, and service opportunities.

Let us teach our children not only about Christ but to truly know Him. In doing so, we fulfill our divine responsibility and give them the greatest gift possible: the Light of the World.

Keywords:

Jesus Christ, children, discipleship, covenant, faith

Hashtags:

#ThouArtTheChrist #ComeFollowMe #FaithInJesus #PrimaryPurpose #ChristCenteredHome

Reference:

Wright, A. A. (2025, April). Thou Art the Christ. General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/32wright?lang=eng 

Labels: children, covenant, discipleship, faith, Jesus Christ

Aaronic Priesthood and the Power of Young Men

Image created by chatGPT

By John Fisher (assisted by AI)

Introduction

In the April 2025 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Steven J. Lund, Young Men General President, offered a powerful testimony of the sacred authority and eternal significance of the Aaronic Priesthood. In his address, “Divine Authority, Sublime Young Men,” President Lund emphasized the spiritual strength, global impact, and sacred duties of young men who hold the Aaronic Priesthood. His message was rich in doctrine and deeply human in tone, grounded in stories that reveal the priesthood’s quiet but transformative power.

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Summary of the Talk

President Lund’s talk centered on the sacred calling and spiritual authority bestowed upon young men through the Aaronic Priesthood. He described how this divine conferral is not merely a rite of passage but a worldwide, time-spanning chain reaction that connects each young priesthood holder to Christ through John the Baptist, Joseph Smith, and Oliver Cowdery.

The Aaronic Priesthood is a preparatory priesthood, empowering young men to teach, administer ordinances, and act in God’s name in ways that bless others and prepare themselves for lifelong service. President Lund bore testimony that these roles—administering the sacrament, warning and inviting others to Christ, and serving their communities—are acts of spiritual power and love. Through two deeply moving stories, he illustrated how priesthood duties—performed with compassion, consistency, and conviction—can soften hearts, forge eternal bonds, and fulfill the Lord’s purposes.

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Illustrated Stories from the Talk

1. The Conversion of Alan
In one story, a group of young deacons began visiting elderly members of their ward, including Alan—a gruff, profane man who had resisted the gospel for years. Through acts of service, patience, and genuine friendship, the boys softened his heart. They invited him to quorum meetings, practiced missionary lessons with him, and prayed for him. When he became seriously ill, Alan asked for their help to stop smoking. Eventually, he desired baptism, but passed away before it could happen. One of "his boys" later baptized a proxy for him in the temple. The boys fulfilled every duty of their priesthood, from service to teaching to sacred ordinance.

2. The Grieving Bishop and the Sacrament
Another powerful account involved a bishop whose two-year-old daughter died the day before his son’s baptism. Despite his grief, he felt inspired to join his priests at the sacrament table the next morning and pronounce the sacrament prayers himself. The congregation, stunned by his strength, heard the sacramental covenant with new reverence and power. This act of priesthood in the face of sorrow became a spiritual anchor for both the bishop’s family and the ward.

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Quotes from the Talk

1. “There should be trumpets and crashing cymbals and blazing Roman candles. There should be parades!”

2. “This controlled chain reaction began with a ministering angel sent of God.”

3. “Deacons can be hard to hate, and Alan eventually began to love them.”

4. “Such serious expectations require serious preparation.”

5. “Words of eternal consequence. Words of ordinance. Words of covenant.”

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Open-Ended Questions for Discussion

1. How have you seen young men influence others through quiet acts of service in your community?

2. What does it mean to you that the Aaronic Priesthood connects holders directly to Jesus Christ through divine authority?

3. In what ways can we better support and prepare young priesthood holders for lifelong ministry?

4. How does the story of the bishop and the sacrament prayers deepen your understanding of the power of ordinances during times of grief?

5. How can priesthood holders be examples of “love unfeigned” in today’s world?

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Conclusion

President Lund’s talk is a stirring call to recognize and honor the divine authority held by young men around the world. Through their service, priesthood duties, and spiritual maturity, these young men prepare themselves to bless others and advance the gathering of Israel. Their roles are not symbolic—they are transformative. From snow-shoveling deacons to grief-stricken bishops, President Lund bore witness that priesthood power, when exercised with faith and compassion, brings the Spirit, changes lives, and fulfills eternal purposes.

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Keywords: Aaronic Priesthood, service, covenant, youth ministry, priesthood authority
#AaronicPriesthood #PriesthoodPower #YoungMenLeadership #LDSConference #GatheringIsrael

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Reference (APA style):
Lund, S. J. (2025, April). Divine authority, sublime young men. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/22lund

Labels: Aaronic Priesthood, covenant, priesthood authority, service, youth ministry

 

Labels: covenant, discernment, influence, leadership, spirituality, women

Question

This Saturday I get to give a talk on Baptism at the baptism of a friend. Do you have any suggestions of something I could say for her?
Thanks, Heather


Answer

This is my favorite scripture about baptism. The story is good, but more importantly it explains the commitments we make at baptism and renew when we take the sacrament. It also describes the Lord's promises to us.


See Mosiah 18:8-10 (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/mosiah/18)

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?


Baptism serves as a witness before Christ that
1. we desire to come into the fold of God (v. 8)
2. we want to be called his people (v. 8)
3. we are willing to bear each other's burdens (v. 8)
4. we are willing to mourn with those that mourn (v. 9)
5. we will comfort those who need comfort (v. 9)
6. we will stand as witnesses to God at all times in all things and places all our lives (v. 9)
7. we will serve him and (v. 10)
8. we will keep his commandments (v. 10)


In return God promises
1. that we will be redeemed (v. 9)
2. rise in the first resurrection (v. 9)
3. receive eternal life (v. 9)
4. and he will pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon us (v. 10)

Labels: Alma, baptism, commitment, covenant