Topical Guide: A
Aaronic Preisthood
Includes the levitical priesthood (v. 1), or can be equated with the levitical priesthood (v. 6).
Has power to administer to "outward" ordinances.
Bishop holds the presidency of this priesthood.
Named after Aaron, to whom it was conferred.
Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood by John the Baptist.
Aaronic Priesthood discussed in comparison with the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Equal to or Containing the Levitical Priesthood
To some extent, the Aaronic Priesthood's being equal to the Levitical Priesthood implies the containing of the Levitical Priesthood. However, it is also an odd way to speak of things. One might also consider that the term Levitical Priesthood is equivalent to the term Aaronic priesthood, but can also more particularly refer to the priesthood as held and passed through the lineage of Levi.
Abel
Enoch 22:4-7
Abel, in the spirit world, cries out against Cain, who slew him.
Abomination of Desolations
at the time of the early Christian church
There will be a latter-day fulfilment.
Further mention of this "abomination that maketh desolate".
Abortion
Dallin H. Oaks, "Weightier Matters", Ensign, Jan. 2001, p. 13
"It is a crime next to murder itself to destroy and abort the fetus except for extreme reasons which would endanger the life of the mother."
"Thou shalt not ... kill, nor do anything like unto it."
Tadd R. Callister, "The Inevitable Apostasy", pp. 207-212
Early Christian opposition to abortion.
Footnote 341 of chapter 14 has a good noteworthy line of reasoning condemning abortion on biblical grounds.
Abraham
Grimm's Fairy Tales, "The Twin Brothers"
Similar to the story of Abraham and Lot in parts. They determine first that their substance is so great that they must part. Later one of the brothers is in trouble and the other discovering it, comes and rescues him along with others that were in the same trouble.
I wonder now at the dragon that ate all the young women in the town. Could this be related to the evils of Sodom?
Enoch 89:9-10
Abraham symbolicly represented in a dream of Enoch's.
Enoch 93:5
Enoch prophesies of Abraham and the house of Israel. "A man shall be elected ... his posterity shall become the plant of righteousness for evermore."
Jasher 24:17
Goes to study with Shem after the death of his wife.
The Abrahamic Covenant
Priesthood: "I will ... put upon thee the Priesthood."
Land: Abraham given Canaan. Sent as a minister first.
Posterity: "I will make thee a great nation."
Priesthood: "they shall bear ministry and priesthood unto all nations."
Salvation & Exaltation: Those who receive the gospel called after his name.
The covenant discussed between Abraham and the Lord.
vv. 7,9 - Covenant established with the seed of Abraham as well.
"And if ye be Christ's, then ye are Abraham's seed, and heirs ..."
By obtaining priesthood and magnifying callings, we will be made Abraham's seed.
Abuse
Priesthood authority withdrawn when used abusively.
Comments on proper use of authority.
Sarah E. Miller, "Hope & Healing in Recovering from Abuse", Ensign, September 2008, pp. 36-39
Adam
Grimm's Fairy Tales, "The Pink"
The young boy in this story, who has the power of wishing, is told "it is not good for you to be so much alone" and is told to wish for a young maiden to be his companion. (Though, this instruction is given by the antagonist.) The boy changes the antagonist's form (into a black dog's) and leaves to go find his father.
Enoch 85:3
Adam seen symbolicly in a dream of Enoch's.
Adam-ondi-Ahman
Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", pp. 122-123
Adam-ondi-Ahman noted during an expedition to lay claim to land for a city.
Adamic Language
Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p. 92
The Adamic ("pure") language will be restored during the millenium.
Addiction
Offers counsel; especially to those whose spouses are having trouble with addiction.
Adoption
"Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."
Adultery
"Thou shalt not commit adultery."
"whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
"Thou shalt not commit adultery ... nor do anything like unto it."
"He that looketh on a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the spirit, but shall deny the faith and fear"
Afflictions
When a woman's son is protected from danger by becoming trapped in a thorny bush, it provides cause for her to reflect on how we sometimes run about ignorantly and are often protected from great dangers by obstacles that might cause us great discomfort. As she was grateful that her son was trapped in the thorns rather than suffering greater harm, we too may have reason to be thankful for our trials and afflictions.
American Indians
Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p. 92
American Indians are a part of the house of Israel.
Ammonihah
Ammonihah's great wickedness.
Righteous removed from the city. (Now wholly wicked.)
Alma says this must be allowed to occur so that the Lord can exercise a just judgement.
Destruction of Ammonihah.
Lord waiting to smite city.
Stays his hand because of the prayers of the righteous
If the righteous are expelled, then he will no longer stay his hand.
The Angel Moroni
His visits to Joseph described.
Book of Mormon, Introduction
Glorified and resurrected being.
Visited 21/Sep/1823
Angels
Enoch 20
Enoch names a number of important angels.
Enoch 40:2-10
4 angels seen.
Enoch 54:6
Archangels shall punish the Watchers.
Enoch 79:6
Uriel, the archangel, showed Enoch a vision of the luminaries.
Enoch 68:2-4
Michael and Raphael discuss the punishment of the Watchers.
Enoch 71:8-9,13
Thousands upon thousands of Angels seen in a vision.
Animal Sacrifice
When Lehi's sons return from Jerusalem, Lehi's family gives thanks and offers sacrifices.
Animals
Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p. 69-70
During Zion's Camp, Joseph Smith prevented the killing of 3 rattlesnakes and entreated his fellows to avoid killing animals, explaining that "men must become harmless before the brute creation, and when men lose their vicious dispositions and cease to destroy the animal race, the lion and the lamb can dwell together, and the sucking child can play with the serpent in safety."
The Anthon Transcript
Joseph Smith Jr. in Dean C. Jesse, ed., "The Papers of Joseph Smith", Vol. 1. p. 9
Antichrist
The beast, sign of the beast.
The Dead Sea Scrolls, 4Q246
Antichrists preceding Abomination of Desolations
False Christs of latter days.
Inasmuch as vv. 18-19 refer to Christ, vv. 20-22 describe how to ID a false Christ.
"Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come ... is that spirit of antichrist."
Antimormonism
"Don't let something you don't know shake your faith in something you do know."
Relates an experience of having received a list of Book of Mormon anachronisms from a friend, and how he eventually scratched every item off the list.
Stay true to what you know.
Apocrypha
Not necessary to translate.
Apostasy
Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", pp. 64-66
Joseph discusses the ubiquity of apostasy and the nature and behavior of apostates.
The Ark of the Covenant
Instructions for the Ark's construction.
Lord to speak from between the Cherubim and above the mercy seat.
The Ark to be kept in the Holy of Holies.
Blood of sin offerings is sprinkled on the mercy seat. The purpose of this is to make an atonement, reconciling the unclean, sinful congregation with the holy place.
Good encyclopedic discussion of the Ark of the Covenant.
Armageddon
Enoch 56:5-8
Armageddon described.
Nations gather together against "the land of [the lords] Elect ones".
"the city of my righteous ones shall be a hindrance"
The men of the armies attack each other.
The Articles of Faith
Two good stories illustrating the power and value of the Articles of Faith.
One on how opportunities were opened up in East Germany and another about how a little girl used them to share her testimony during a bus ride, leading to the conversion of a family.
Asher
The Dead Sea Scrolls, 4Q252, Col. 6
Blessing fom Jacob
Aspiring to Callings
Joseph Smith, compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith", p. 138
Joseph Smith warns, (in relation to his having directed the saints to settle a matter by means of a general conference, while he is in jail) that they should beware of an aspiring spirit "which spirit has oftentimes urged men forward to make foul speeches, and influence the church to reject milder counsels, and has eventually been the means of bringing much death and sorrow upon the Church."
Atonement
Amulek explains the atonement.
v.9 Atonement necessary.
v.10 Law of Moses does not atone and neither can we atone for each other.
v.12 All sin remains to be atoned for, therefore infinite atonement necessary.
v.15 Atonement enables mercy and repentance.
"through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved"
"[Christ] suffereth the pains of all men ... that the resurrection might pass upon all men ..."
Brief explanation of the Atonement and a good example of how it works even in extreme circumstances.
Gordon B. Hinckley, "Inspirational Thoughts", Ensign, September 2007, Subheading: "Divine Mission of Jesus Christ", "The Blessings of the Atonement"
Attending One's Own Ward
Bishop's authority limited to geographic boundaries. Exceptions generally come through first presidency.
Remember why we come to church.
Introduce yourself.
Serve.
Be prepared to participate.
Look for new faces.
Note
I had heard from a friend who was a stake clerk the not even a stake president can authorize the transfer of a member's records to a ward they do not reside within the boundaries of. This has been verified by my stake president who said that in cases where such an action is deemed necessary, the stake clears it through the area presidency. Thus, the member speaks with his or her bishop, the bishop speaks with the stake president, and the stake president speaks with the area president. I'm not sure how the area presidency handles such a request, but it may go as high as the first presidency considering what Elder Packer had to say in the citation above.
There are a number of reasons why it is important to attend one's own ward. First, the Lord desires his people to be one. We need to learn to be a united, Zion people. This can only happen if we learn to put our differences aside and work together rather than dividing with our fellow saints over our differences, picking and choosing who we will work with. The geographic boundaries of the wards are part of the Lords plan to teach his people to overcome their differences and become more united. Second, since a bishop's authority is limited geographically, if we do not attend our own wards and serve within them, we make it more difficult for him to fulfill his stewardship; we make it more difficult for him to help us and we make it more difficult for the Lord to help us. In effect, by estranging ourselves from our proper ward, we cut off one of the means the Lord has to bless us and help us grow.
Authority
Authority can only be given by those who have some authority.
Oliver Cowdery in Dean C. Jesse, Ed., "The Papers of Joseph Smith", p. 30
Description of lack of authority in his days and related thoughts.