Prophecies of the life and mission of Jesus Christ

Psalm 22

‘Psalm 22 is an outcry of anguish. The first line was spoken by Jesus on the cross; other parts of the psalm seem also to have anticipated his suffering.’ (Andrew C Skinner and D Kelly Ogden, Verse by Verse, The Old Testament)

The Creation of Heaven and Earth

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God

‘I am sure the general image of space flight is one of impressive machines and billowing flames and the precision of high technology. That is not incorrect. But for me, there were also many special, personal, private feelings. Some of them were fun. Living in weightlessness is delightful. The Peter Pan ability to float to any corner of the laboratory and perch like a sparrow on the slightest protrusion made me feel as though I was living my little boy dreams.

Some of my personal feelings were very spiritual. To look down on the earth from space is absolutely incredible. I knew ahead of time just exactly what I was going to see. I was intellectually prepared, but I was not prepared emotionally for what I saw. The world is very large. I knew that. But to see this huge, magnificent sphere slowly rotating beneath me was overwhelming. I have no ability to describe what it was really like, and no photographic emulsion can even start to do it justice. The visibility, of course, was excellent. But I was amazed at the intensity of the colors. I estimated that there were twenty shades of intense blue as the earth’s atmosphere changes from the gray of the curved horizon into the incredible black void of space. And when you look at an archipelago of islands, there are hundreds of shades of blue and green and yellow tan that are just beyond description.

The first time I had a minute to stop and just look at the earth, the absolute beauty of the scene brought tears to my eyes. In weightlessness tears do not just quietly roll down your cheeks. They stay in front of your eyeballs and get bigger and bigger and in a few moments you feel like a guppy looking up through the surface of the aquarium.

Now, try to imagine what it was like for me to have that scene in front of me and then have the fragments of half a dozen scriptures pop into my mind. “The heavens declare the glory of God.” ( Ps. 19:1 ) If you have seen the heavens, you have “seen God moving in his majesty and power.”  (D&C 88:47) I am sure you can imagine the closeness I felt to my Father in Heaven as I looked down at one of His beautiful creations. I was really stirred by an increased awareness of what He did for us as the Creator of our earth. That was one of the most moving experiences of my life.’ (Don Lind, General Conference, October 1985)

Psalm 104:24     O Lord, how manifold are thy works

‘ In this verse there are three propositions:

• The works of the Lord are multitudinous and varied.
• They are so constructed as to show the most consummate wisdom in their design, and in the end for which they are formed.
• They are all God’s property, and should be used only in reference to the end for which they were created.

All abuse and waste of God’s creatures are spoil and robbery on the property of the Creator. ‘ (Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible)

The Savior’s Mercy, Forgiveness, and Love

Psalm 78:38      And did not stir up all his wrath

‘Though they often grieved his Spirit, and rebelled against him, yet he seldom punished them; and when he did chastise them, it was as a tender and merciful Father. He did not stir up all his wrath – the punishment was much less than the iniquity deserved.’ (Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible)

Psalm 100:4-5 The blessings of worship

‘My brothers and sisters, spiritual experiences have less to do with what is happening around us and everything to do with what is happening within our hearts. It is my witness that true worship will transform ordinary Church meetings into extraordinary spiritual feasts. It will enrich our lives, broaden our understanding, and strengthen our testimonies. For as we incline our hearts to God, like the ancient Psalmist, we “enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: [we are] thankful unto him, and bless his name.

“For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”  ^{Psalm 100:4–5}

Through sincere and heartfelt worship, we blossom and mature in hope, faith, and charity. And through that process, we gather heavenly light into our souls that infuses our lives with divine meaning, abiding peace, and everlasting joy.

That is the blessing of worship in our lives. ‘ (Dean M Davies, General Conference, October 2016)

The Scriptures

Psalm 19:7-11 The law of the Lord is perfect

‘Now if I may be enlightened by the same Spirit that rested upon him who wrote these words, I would like to indicate the great compelling necessity, the overwhelming obligation, that rests upon us as members of this great latter-day kingdom, to come to a knowledge of the law of the Lord, to know the doctrines of the gospel, to understand the principles, requirements, and ordinances which we must comply with in order to be heirs of salvation in the Lord’s kingdom.

We believe and advocate that every member of this Church should have a testimony of the divinity of the work; that he should know for himself, independent of any other person, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that salvation is in him; that Joseph Smith is the agent and instrument through whom the knowledge of salvation has come again in our day; and that the mantle of the Prophet rests upon President David O. McKay at this time. By first gaining a testimony and then by being valiant in testimony, we can be heirs of salvation.

But no man can have a testimony of this work until he begins to get a knowledge of the gospel. A testimony is based on knowledge; first a man must learn about God and his laws, and then by obedience to these laws he will gain a testimony.’ (Bruce R McConkie, General Conference, October 1959)

Psalm 119:97       O how love I thy law

‘This is one of the strongest marks of a gracious and pious heart, cast in the mould of obedience. Such love the precepts of Christ: in his commandments they delight; and this delight is shown by their making them frequent subjects of their meditation.’ (Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible)

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

‘God’s word, then, is the light for our path, the iron rod or railing to which we can cling. It provides the limiting lines that we must not cross if we are to reach our destination.

Through daily study of the scriptures and the words of the modern-day prophets, we can keep our values in line with the will of our Heavenly Father. ‘ (Joseph B Wirthlin, General Conference, October 1994)

The Temple

Psalm 5:7 As for me, I will come into thy house