Not just Gold; Not just Cedar

Everything was overlaid with gold. Walls, furnishings—so much beauty, so much effort. I can’t help but wonder where it all is now. Gold doesn’t fade or decay. I can’t help but wonder where it all is now. Gold doesn’t fade or decay. What became of it? Perhaps it was taken, piece by piece, over time.

And the wood—cedar.

I try to imagine the scent that must have filled that sacred space. Warm, rich, and unmistakable.

It takes me back to something small and personal.

My mother had a cedar chest. I loved opening it as a child, not just to see what was inside, but for the smell that greeted me every time. It felt like opening something treasured—something set apart.

I wonder if the temple felt like that.

A place filled with beauty. A place that invited you to pause. A place where even the air reminded you that you were somewhere sacred. A space that drew the heart upward. A place to be taught, to hear the voice of the Lord, to worship, pray, and commune.

And then I think—perhaps that was the point.

Not just gold.
Not just craftsmanship.
But peace.

 

Linger Longer AKA Ponder

As I begin reading the Book of Mormon in a slower, more meaningful way, I’m trying to really chew on the moments that cause me to pause.

This morning, as I read Joseph Smith’s testimony, one phrase stopped me. Moroni told him that the Book of Mormon contains “the fulness of the everlasting gospel,” delivered by the Savior to ancient inhabitants.

I sat with that for a minute.

Do I truly understand what the fulness of the gospel is?

For a moment, I felt a bit of panic—like I needed to go study everything all over again.

But then a quieter thought came: Wait… I’m already immersed in it.

Maybe it’s simpler than I make it.

The fulness of the gospel looks like this:

1. Faith in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ
2. Repentance
3. Baptism by immersion
4. Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost
5. Temple ordinances and eternal families

I believe this is the fulness. And yet, I also believe there is so much more revealed—especially through temple ordinances: eternal life, premortal existence, and everything in between. God is trusting us with this knowledge. That thought alone is amazing.

Another idea stayed with me.

Joseph Smith was told that great desolations—famine, sword, and pestilence—would come upon the earth in this generation. What exactly is a “generation”? Is it the same as a dispensation—like the dispensation of the fulness of times? Could it mean everything from Joseph Smith’s day to the return of Jesus Christ, that glorious moment when all will see Him?

Something to ponder.

And I love that word—ponder.

What does it really mean?

I think Joseph Smith shows us. After Moroni appeared to him three times, he couldn’t sleep. His mind was fixed on what he had experienced. His strength was gone.

I understand that.

I’ve had moments, touched by the Holy Ghost, where the experience felt so full that it left me physically drained. Awake. Still. Thinking.

Pondering.

I’m looking forward to reading the Book of Mormon again this year. I know I could read it in three months.

But this time, I don’t want to rush.

This time, I want to linger longer.

 

Temples That Dot the Earth: Then and Now

Today I studied 1 Kings 4–6 and found myself drawn into the greatness of Solomon’s reign. Scripture tells us his wisdom and influence spread throughout “all the earth.” I pause: What did “the earth” mean to the people of that time? Likely not the entire globe as we understand it today, but rather the known world surrounding Israel—the lands they had encountered, traded with, and heard about. Even so, Solomon’s reputation was remarkable.

One thing that stood out to me was the listing of Solomon’s leaders and officers. Having just participated in a Solemn Assembly during General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I couldn’t help but notice a similarity. In both ancient and modern times, the Lord’s work is organized, and leaders are named and sustained —  a quiet reminder that God is a God of order.

Solomon’s relationship with Hiram, king of Tyre, was another meaningful detail. Hiram had been a friend to David and rejoiced that Solomon now reigned. Because David had been a man of war, he was not able to build the temple. Solomon, in a time of peace, was given that sacred responsibility.

Through cooperation and covenant, Solomon and Hiram worked together. Hiram provided the cedar and skilled labor; Solomon provided payment and organization. The result was the beginning of something holy—a temple built to the Lord.

The description of the temple is breathtaking. Cedar and gold filled the structure, and notably, no iron tools were used at the building site. Everything was prepared beforehand. There is something deeply symbolic in that—quiet preparation, reverence, and intentionality in creating a sacred space. I can’t help but wish I could have seen it.

And yet, in many ways, we do see it.

Today, temples dot the earth—a phrase used by prophets ancient and modern—and I feel grateful to live in a time when that promise is being fulfilled before our eyes. While different in design and detail, they serve the same eternal purpose: to be houses of the Lord. One detail that particularly struck me was the baptismal font in Solomon’s temple, resting on the backs of twelve oxen. That image feels familiar because we see it in our temples today. The symbolism is powerful—representing the twelve tribes of Israel and the strength of the Savior in carrying forward the work of salvation.

When the temple was completed, the ark of the covenant was placed in the Holy of Holies, and the Lord’s presence filled the temple as a cloud. I wondered how that compares to our temples today. While we may not see a physical cloud, there is undeniably a Spirit that fills dedicated temples. It is present in the building, on the grounds, and within the hearts of those who enter. It surrounds and settles—much like a cloud might.

Perhaps the closest parallel is found at the altars of the temple, where eternal families are created. These are places where heaven and earth meet, where covenants bind us to God and to each other.

I feel deeply grateful to live in a time when temples are spread across the world, with more continually being announced and built. Might we hear of more temples to be built today? Their purpose is clear: to gather the Lord’s family and help us become more like Him.

I am a witness that as we attend the temple more frequently, we draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Our hearts soften, our perspective shifts, and our desire to become like Jesus Christ grows stronger.

Disclosure - I'm Enjoying the Journey

 I am enjoying studying with the help of AI. Is this wrong? I don't know, but it is instructive. I know I'm engaged and looking hard for Jesus in the Old Testament. This is new for me. 

I have notes from my own questions that have cleared Chapters 1&2 up. I'm doing the reading. I'm asking the questions. Sometimes, I try to answer my questions. Sometimes I'm right. Sometimes I've missed the mark. All I know is I'm enjoying the journey. Here are my final thoughts this day as I questioned the players and their roles in 1 Kings 1-2:

• Adonijah represents someone who takes authority that was never given, much like Satan’s false claim to power. 
• Solomon is established through proper authority and anointing.
• Solomon’s initial mercy toward Adonijah shows a willingness to forgive, but that mercy is conditional on loyalty. When Adonijah later seeks Abishag as his wife. It’s clear he’s preparing to move in on the king. Abishag was a young woman called to keep King David warm in his old age. They were not married, but David cherished her.
• David’s final instructions to Solomon are not about revenge but about wisdom and establishing a stable kingdom. Those who had proven disloyal or dangerous were dealt with so that the kingdom could be secure.
• Shimei’s story shows that mercy does not remove accountability—when he breaks his oath, he faces consequences. He is killed even though his reason for leaving Jerusalem for a short period were legit.
• Through all of this, Solomon’s kingdom is established not just by power, but by order, covenant, and rightful authority.

2 Samuel 24 – Personal Notes (Trust, Mercy, and True Sacrifice)

What I learn from this chapter:

• Trusting in anything other than God leads to spiritual danger
• The Spirit can awaken me, even after I have made a mistake
• God’s justice is real, but His mercy can stop destruction
• A willing heart is part of consecration
• True sacrifice must cost something—it must be mine to give
• Jesus Christ is seen in both the mercy that stops judgment and the sacrifice that brings peace

I see now that this chapter is not just about David’s mistake, but about how God teaches, corrects, and shows mercy when I turn back to Him.

How did I come to this conclusion? At first, numbering Israel didn’t appear to me to be sinful. Then it became apparent that issue wasn’t the counting—it was what the counting represented. David began to place confidence in numbers and strength instead of trusting in God. Even Joab questioned him, asking why this brought him delight.

It took over nine months to complete the count. That gave David plenty of time to see the mistake in the counting. What had he done?

The Lord, through the prophet Gad, gave David three choices: 

1.     famine, 

2.     defeat by enemies, or 

3.     pestilence. 

Each one removed a different kind of security—food, protection, and health. David chose to fall into the hands of the Lord, trusting that God’s mercies are great. This is instructive: I must learn to trust God over anything else.

When the Lord stopped the destruction, you can see that mercy trumps judgment. David then took responsibility and said the people were like sheep and should not suffer for his mistake. This feels Christlike—offering himself in place of others.

David went to the threshing floor of Araunah to build an altar. Araunah showed great generosity and honor, offering the land, the oxen, and everything needed for the sacrifice. He seems like a man of stature and goodness, willing to give all he had. This reminds me of a willing heart—someone ready to consecrate everything to the Lord.

But David refused to offer something that cost him nothing. He insisted on paying for it so the sacrifice would truly be his. This teaches me that real sacrifice must be personal. I cannot offer something that requires nothing from me and call it worship. True sacrifice costs something—it comes from the heart.

This place later becomes the site of the temple, connecting this moment to worship, sacrifice, and ultimately to Jesus Christ. The chapter begins with misplaced trust and ends with repentance, sacrifice, and mercy. 

Moroni 10 – An Invitation from a Faithful Witness

I set a goal to finish reading the Book of Mormon by Easter. I’ve reached that goal, and though I considered waiting, I felt moved to continue and read chapter 10.

These are Moroni’s final words before he seals up the record to come forth in our day. His counsel is clear, direct, and filled with love:

• Remember how merciful the Lord has been
• Ask God if these things are not true
• Do not deny the power of God—His power is real and is manifest according to our faith.
• Do not deny the gifts of God—they are many.

Among those gifts:

• Teaching by the Spirit—words of wisdom and knowledge
• Exceedingly great faith
• Healing by the Spirit
• Working mighty miracles
• Prophecy
• Beholding angels and ministering spirits
• Speaking with tongues
• Interpreting languages

These gifts come by the Spirit of Christ. Every good gift comes from Him. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. These gifts remain as long as the world stands—only unbelief causes them to cease.

We are taught to have faith, hope, and charity—and to lay hold upon every good gift.

My testimony has only grown. Today, in my season of life, I am learning more about the covenants I have made and the Atonement of Jesus Christ than ever before. We are loved. Oh, so loved!

I don’t fully understand why I was blessed to have the gospel in my life from the very first breath, but I am deeply grateful for parents who understood its value and chose to be covenant keepers. Because of them, I have been blessed beyond measure. I will be eternally grateful.

My testimony, written years ago, has only deepened: the Book of Mormon is true. I have no doubt. Yes, I know this through the Spirit, but I also know it from the “crumbs” the writers left for us to chew on and find the truth of it as it pertains to us personally. I pray with all my heart that my children and grandchildren will come to know this truth for themselves.

There is a unique Spirit that accompanies this book. I felt it more than 45 years ago when I had just begun to read from it. At that time, my world felt very dark. I hadn’t even formally asked if it was true yet—but one day I felt an unexpected happiness I could not explain. Soon I understood: it was the Spirit.

It was the first ray of light I had seen in years.

---

Closing Thought

Mormon shows us what happens when people lose order, mercy, and principle.
Moroni leaves us with something better—an invitation to remember, to ask, to believe, and to receive.

One ends in sorrow.
The other ends in hope. 

And the choice is ours. 

Mormon 9 – A Warning from a Collapsing People

 Mormon 9 – A Warning from a Collapsing People

Mormon’s letter to Moroni about their situation as they fight the Lamanites is heartbreaking. The wickedness of the people—on both sides—is grossly inhumane. In many ways, the same could be said of the world today… and it seems to happen so quickly. After just a few years, everything can change. Our own world at times feels like it is unraveling at a rapid pace.

The people Mormon describes are without order and without mercy. As I looked at the Topical Guide under “Order,” I noticed how often order is tied to organization—Church, family, government, law, and Zion. These structures help hold society together. Today, we can see strain on the family, government, and law. That makes it even more important that we do our part to maintain order in the Church and in Zion and in our families.

Mormon describes the people as being “without principle, and past feeling.” That phrase stands out. When people lose principle, might makes right. Whoever is strongest or most aggressive becomes dominant, regardless of truth or goodness. It reminds me of the childhood game “King of the Hill”—the goal is simply to get to the top and stay there, pushing everyone else down. Hold your ground against all challengers.

What motivated the people in these final chapters of the Nephites? Anger and revenge. They became so consumed with destroying their enemies that they lost sight of everything else. It’s as if they were going down with a sinking ship—and were determined to take everyone else with them.

Mormon writes that many have already deserted over to the Lamanites, and many more will. That is so  painfully familiar. Today, we see many—youth, parents, even long-time members—stepping away from their covenants and turning toward opposition. It is a difficult and sorrowful thing to witness.

Then comes the counsel: be faithful in Christ, and do not let these things grieve you. That feels like the instruction for us today. Let these words teach us. Learn from them—and do not repeat them.