46: “An High Priest of Good Things to Come” (Hebrews 7–13)

Segment 1

Scriptures:
Mosiah 4:29 (Prophets can’t tell us everything)
Hebrews 8:10 (The law in our mind and hearts)

Words of the General Authorities:
Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances. It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle. (Richard G. Scott, “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge”, October 1993 General Conference)

Links:
Gather in Christ Podcast with Andrea Lindsey
The Myth of Invisible Motherhood (Tiffanie E Browne, April 2018 Ensign)

Segment 2

Scriptures:
Hebrews 9:1-10 (Christ is our tabernacle)
Matthew 3:12 (Burn the field)
Moses 4:31 (Cherubim guarding the mercy seat)
2 Nephi 16:5-6 (Angels cleansing at the temple)
Luke 1:8-13 (Zacharias at the temple)
Matthew 27:45-51 (The veil of the temple is rent)
Hebrews 10:16-20 (Coming into the presence of the Lord)

Translations:
Yom Kippur = Day of atonement (Hebrew)
Rosh Hashanah = Head of the year (Hebrew)

Words of the General Authorities:
I know of no more important ability and no greater integrity for us to demonstrate than to walk that careful path—taking a moral stand according to what God has declared and the laws He has given but doing it compassionately, with understanding and great charity. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Conviction with Compassion”, July 2013 New Era, adapted from CES Devotional given on September 9, 2012)

Segment 3

Scriptures:
Hebrews 9:11 (High priest of good things to come)
Isaiah 54:13 (Great shall be the peace of thy children)

Christ is our High Priest Scripture Chain:
Hebrews 3:1
Hebrews 2:17
Hebrews 4:14-15
Hebrews 5:5
Hebrews 6:20
Hebrews 8:1
Hebrews 10:21

Words of the General Authorities:
To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His “more excellent ministry” with a future of “better promises.” He is your “high priest of good things to come.”

No, it is not without a recognition of life’s tempests but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God’s love and the Savior’s power to calm the storm. Always remember in that biblical story that He was out there on the water also, that He faced the worst of it right along with the newest and youngest and most fearful. Only one who has fought against those ominous waves is justified in telling us—as well as the sea—to “be still.”

He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed.

Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. Of that I personally attest. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “An High Priest of Good Things to Come”, October 1999 General Conference)

My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will. (Russell M. Nelson, “Let Us All Press On”, April 2018 General Conference)

Segment 4

Scriptures:
Hebrews 11 (Faith)
Alma 32:28 (Faith is like a seed)

Words of the General Authorities:
Do not minimize the faith you already have. It takes faith to join the Church and remain faithful. It takes faith to follow prophets rather than pundits and popular opinion. It takes faith to serve a mission during a pandemic. It takes faith to live a chaste life when the world shouts that God’s law of chastity is now outmoded. It takes faith to teach the gospel to children in a secular world. It takes faith to plead for the life of a loved one and even more faith to accept a disappointing answer. (Russell M. Nelson, “Christ Is Risen; Faith in Him Will Move Mountains”, April 2021 General Conference)

Real repentance must involve faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, faith that He can change us, faith that He can forgive us, and faith that He will help us avoid more mistakes. This kind of faith makes His Atonement effective in our lives. (Dale G. Renlund, “Repentance: A Joyful Choice”, November 2016 Ensign)

Quotes:
I love the Lectures on Faith. For me they carry a special spirit. They are a rich source of doctrinal treasures couched in clear and powerful language. One can drink as deeply from them as he has a mind to. I commend them to you. (Larry E. Dahl, “Authorship and History of the Lectures on Faith”)

Segment 5

Scriptures:
Hebrews 10:32-36 (Cast not away your confidence)

Words of the General Authorities:
Yes, there are cautions and considerations to make, but once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts…Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence.” Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you. 

“Fear ye not.” And when the second and third and fourth blows come, “fear ye not. … The Lord shall fight for you.” Cast not away therefore your confidence. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence”, From a BYU Devotional March 2, 1999)

To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle—and all will—I say, “Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. (Jeffrey R. Holland, “Behold Thy Mother”, October 2015 General Conference)

Segment 6

Scriptures:
Hebrews 12:6-7 (Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth)
Hebrews 12:11 (Being chastened can be hard)

Words of the General Authorities:
But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave. (Joseph Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Chapter 22: Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths)