It is important to read the scriptures, but more important to search, ponder, and pray until we understand what they are teaching about Jesus Christ. The Old Testament was written to testify of Christ and to prepare the world for his coming. It helps us understand that Jesus Christ was part of Heavenly Father's Plan from the Beginning. Much of the symbolism in the Old Testament is explained in the Book of Mormon. The prophecy in Isaiah 52 verse 7 is an example.
7¶How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
In Mosiah 12 the prophet Abinadi tells the people of King Noah that the Lord is angry because of their iniquity and abominations. This is a different Noah than the one with the arc. Abinadi predicts slavery, the death of their king, affliction, famine, pestilence, insects, the east wind , and complete destruction if they don't repent. The people are angry and claim they are good and their king is good. They take him to the king who puts him in prison. The king calls his priests to council and accuse Abinadi. One of the priests asks Abinadi:
• Mosiah 12: 20-24 … What meaneth the words which are written, and which have been taught by our fathers, saying: 21 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him bthat bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth:
Do you think they really wanted to know what this scripture meant? Or, were they saying, why are you prophesying all these terrible things? Why aren't you publishing peace and good tidings? "
Abinadi accuses priests of pretending to teach and to understand prophecy. He says in effect, "How come you have to ask me? You say you are teachers, what do you teach?
They answer, "We teach the Law of Moses."
"Then why don't you keep the 10 commandments?"
They don't like that and try to kill Abinadi but the Lord protects him. Abinadi tells them I haven't finished giving Lords message and I haven't answered your question. So he finishes giving them the 10 commandments and tells them yes they will be saved if they keep them. Then he explains that Law of Moses was preparation for the Messiah and symbolic of Christ but not enough to save men without Christ and his atonement. Abinadi then quotes Isaiah's prophesies about Christ and his suffering for our sins. He explains the resurrection and salvation that comes through Christ. Every righteous prophet who ever lived is a child of Christ.
Then he finally answers their question about the meaning of the Isaiah scripture. In Mosiah chapter15 starting in verse 14 He tells them that these prophets who taught about Christ are the ones who published peace and brought good tidings.
Here is what he says in Mosiah 15: verses 17-18
• Mosiah 15:17 -18 17And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever! 18And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the afeet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of bpeace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people;
Abinadi explains that Jesus Christ was part of Heavenly Father’s plan from the beginning. He explains the Resurrection of the dead. First the resurrection of the prophets and all who believed them and the resurrection of those who died before Christ came, in their ignorance not having salvation declared unto them. And little children also have eternal life.
Mosiah 16:8- 9 8But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. 9He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
This is the good news. It is important to read the book of Mormon and try to understand it.
The scriptures are about helping us live the Gospel.
Helping us have faith in Jesus Christ.
Helping us to repent of our sins, to change.
Helping us to desire to be baptized or to renew our baptismal covenants through partaking of the sacrament.
Keeping us in tune so that we can receive the Holy Ghost
And endure to the end.
The wicked priests of King Noah had the scriptures but they didn’t do them any good.
The Pharisees in the time of Jesus had the scriptures that recorded the words that Jesus spoke as Jehovah to old testament prophets, but they didn’t do them any good because they also had Jesus with them, and they weren’t paying attention to the words he was speaking directly to them.
In John 5:39-47 Jesus told the Pharisees to go ahead and -- 39¶ Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
He was telling them to search the scriptures, but he was also telling them to pay attention to what he was telling them now. In verse 36 of this same chapter he tells them. “the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the father hath sent me.”and in verse 38.. “and ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.”
Later in verses 46 and 47 Abinadi says,
• 46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Some people today have the scriptures, but it doesn’t do them any good unless they help them be closer to Christ and his gospel.
We need to be willing to hear and understand and believe not only the ancient scriptures, but also the modern ones and the words that he is giving to the prophets in our day.
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