Bro. Maughan's New Testament Lesson Matt. 3-4; Feb.3, 2011 USU Logan Institute of Religion

2. JST Matthew 3: 43-46Compare Matt. 3:15–17(Jesus was baptized by John by immersion.) 43. And Jesus, answering, said unto him, Suffer me to be baptized of thee, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 44. And John went down into the water and baptized him. 45. And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and John saw, and lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon Jesus. 46. And lo, he heard a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye him. (JST | Matthew 3:40 - 46)

3. Sanctified by the Spirit 4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith. (Book of Mormon | Moroni 6:4)

4. bearing testimony The relationship between bearing testimony by the power of the Holy Ghost and the forgiveness of sins illustrates a glorious gospel truth. It is that whenever faithful saints gain the companionship of the Holy Spirit, they are clean and pure before the Lord, for the spirit will not dwell in an unclean tabernacle. Hence, they thereby receive a remission of those sins committed after baptism.

5. miracle of healing This same eternal verity is illustrated in the ordinance of administering to the sick. A faithful saint who is anointed with oil has the promise that “the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-15.) The reasoning of the ancient apostle James, in this instance, is that since the miracle of healing comes by the power of the Holy Ghost, the sick person is healed not only physically but spiritually, for the Spirit who comes to heal will not dwell in a spiritually unclean tabernacle. (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, Bruce R. McConkie, 4 Vols. [Salt Lake City Deseret Book Co., 1980], 3:40-41, note 1) (D&C 62:3; 61:34; James 5:14-15, D&C 82:1; Mosiah 4:26)

6. President Marion G. Romney, The Holy Ghost, Ensign (CR), May 1974, p.90 Receiving the Holy Ghost is the therapy which effects forgiveness and heals the sin-sick soul.

7. Holy Ghost is a cleansing and purifying agent Man can only become spotless and sanctified by reception of the Holy Ghost in his personal life. The Holy Ghost is a cleansing and purifying agent to all who receive it and are righteous. This means that sins and iniquity are spiritually burned out of the repentant person. He then receives a remission of sins, and his soul is sanctified and made clean for the Holy Ghost to abide in him. The cleansed person enjoys a newness of life and becomes a new creature in the spirit. (Delbert L. Stapley, CR Oct. 1966, p. 112) (Moroni 6:4)

8. “There is a direct relationship between daily prayer and scripture study and the number of promptings you can receive from the Lord.” (Gene R. Cook BYU Singles Stake Regional Conference, 2/25/96

9. The Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead...he teaches and testifies with divine power and clarity. His witnesses may go unheard or unheeded, forsaken or denied, but it is never misunderstood. “The Holy Ghost is a revelator” (TPJS, 328). That which is received of Him has a more powerful effect upon the soul than anything else received in any other way. A Millennium of experience through sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, and all powers of the universe combined cannot approach the sublime and complete experience of one brief moment under the influence of the Holy Ghost. (Keith Mcmullin)

10. An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection that is possessed by God himself. The gift of the Holy Ghost adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands, and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine tuned sympathies and joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness, and charity. It develops beauty of person and form, and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens and gives tone to the nerves.

11. In short, it is, as it were marrow to the bone and joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being. In the presence of such persons, one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of the sunbeam. Their very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy...(Parley P. Pratt, Key to Science of Theology, p.67)

14. JST, MATTHEW 4:1, 5–6, 8–9 (Jesus was led by the Spirit, not by Satan.) 1. THEN was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be with God.

15. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (New Testament | Matthew 4:2 - 3)

16. James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ p.129 5. The Devil's "If."-Note the later taunting use of that diabolical if as the Christ hung upon the cross. The rulers of the Jews, mocking the crucified Jesus in His agony said, "Let him save himself if he be the Christ." and us." (Luke 23:35-39.)

17. James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ p.129 And the soldier, reading the inscription at the head of the cross derided the dying God, saying: "If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself." And yet again, the unrepentant malefactor by His side cried out, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us." (Luke 23:35-39.) How literally did those railers and mockers quote the very words of their father the devil (see John 8:44).

18. JST Matt. 3:2 2. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, and had communed with God, he was afterwards an hungered, and was left to be tempted of the devil.

19. In Quiet Desperation C. S. Lewis observed: "When a man turns to Christ and seems to be getting on pretty well (in the sense that some of his bad habits are now corrected), he often feels that it would now be natural if things went fairly smoothly. When troubles come along-illnesses, money troubles, new kinds of temptation-he is disappointed.

20. In Quiet Desperation These things, he feels, might have been necessary to rouse him and make him repent in his bad old days; but why now? Because God is forcing him on up, to a higher level: putting him into situations where he will have to be very much braver, or more patient, or more loving, than he ever dreamed of before.

21. In Quiet Desperation It seems to us all unnecessary: but that is because we have not yet not the slightest notion of the tremendous thing He means to make of us." (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 174.)

22. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Soon after his baptism Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wild, uncultivated wilderness. There he remained for forty days and nights, preparing himself for the formal ministry which was then to begin. The greatest task ever to be accomplished in this world lay before him, and he needed divine strength.

23. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Throughout these days in the wilderness he chose to fast, that his mortal body might be completely subjected to the divine influence of his Fathers Spirit.

24. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 When Jesus had completed the fast of forty days and had communed with God, he was, in this hungry and physically weakened state, left to be tempted of the devil. That, too, was to be part of his preparation.

25. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Such a time is always the tempters moment when we are emotionally or physically spent, when we are weary, vulnerable, and least prepared to resist the insidious suggestions he makes. This was an hour of danger the kind of moment in which many men fall and succumb to the subtle allurement of the devil.

26. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Satan’s first temptation was to entice Jesus to satisfy his craving for food, that most basic, physical, biological need. It was a temptation of the senses, an appeal to appetite, and in many ways the most common and most dangerous of the devils allurements. If thou be the Son of God, he said, command that these stones be made bread. (Matt. 4:3.)

27. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 During the long weeks of seclusion, the Savior had been sustained by the exaltation of spirit that would naturally accompany such meditation, prayer, and communion with the heavens. In such a devoted spirit, bodily appetites were subdued and superceded, but now the demands of the flesh were inevitable.

28. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Satan was not simply tempting Jesus to eat. Had he suggested, Go down out of this wilderness and obtain food from the bread maker, there would have been no temptation because undoubtedly Jesus intended to eat at the close of his fast. Satans temptation was to have him eat in a spectacular wayusing his divine powers for selfish purposes.

29. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 The temptation was in the invitation to turn stones into bread miraculously, instantaneously, without waiting or postponing physical gratification. His reply to the tempter was crystal clear: It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matt. 4:4.)

30. Matt. 3:3 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

31. The Savior overcame temptation by quoting scripture… Duet. 8:2-3,18-19 Duet. 6:16 Ex. 34:14

32. Matt. 4:5 5. Then Jesus was taken up into the holy city, and the Spirit setteth him on the pinnacle of the temple,

33. JST, MATTHEW 4:1, 5–6, 8–9 (Jesus was led by the Spirit, not by Satan.) 6. Then the devil came unto him and said, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

34. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Then followed the second temptation. Realizing that he had utterly failed in his attempt to induce Jesus to use his divine powers for personal, physical gratification and having seen Jesus defer totally to the will and spirit of his Fathers sustenance, Satan went to the other extreme and tempted Jesus to wantonly throw himself upon the Fathers protection.

35. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 He took Jesus into the Holy City, to the pinnacle of the temple overlooking the spacious courts and people below, and quoted scripture:

36. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. (Matt. 4:6; see also Ps. 91:11-12.)

37. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 There lurked in this appeal from Satan another temptation of the human side of mortal naturethe temptation to perform some dazzling feat, some astounding exploit which might bring crowds of amazed and attentive onlookers. Surely leaping from the dizzy heights of the temple turret and landing in the courtyard unhurt would be such a feat.

38. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 This would be public recognition that Jesus was a superior being and did have a message from on high. It would be a sign and a wonder, the fame of which would spread like wildfire throughout all Judaea and cause many to believe that the Messiah had indeed come. But faith is to precede the miracle; miracles are not to precede the faith.

39. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Jesus, of course, answered scripture for scripture by replying, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. (Matt. 4:7; see also Deut. 6:16.) Once more the purposes of Satan were thwarted and Christ became the victor.

40. 8. And again, Jesus was in the Spirit, and it taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9. And the devil came unto him again, and said, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

41. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 In his third temptation, the devil casts away all subtlety and scripture and all deviousness and disguise. Now he staked everything on a blunt, bold proposition. From a high mountain he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of themthe cities, the fields, the flocks, the herds, and everything nature could offer.

42. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Though they were not his to give, Satan offered them all to Jesus to him who had lived as a modest village carpenter.

43. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17

44. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 With wealth, splendor, and earthly glory spread before them, Satan said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Matt. 4:9.) In a final ploy Satan was falling back on one of his false but fundamental propositions, one which resulted in his leading one-third of the hosts from heaven and continues to direct his miserable efforts against the children of men here on earth.

45. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 It is the proposition that everyone has a price, that material things finally matter most, that ultimately you can buy anything in this world for money.

46. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Jesus knew that if he were faithful to his Father and obedient to every commandment, he would inherit all that [the] Father hath (D&C 84:38)and so would any other son or daughter of God. The surest way to lose the blessings of time or eternity is to accept them on Satan’s terms.

47. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Lucifer seemed to have forgotten that this was the Man who would later preach, For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

48. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37.)

49. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 In power and dignity, Jesus commanded, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matt. 4:10.)

50. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 Anguished and defeated Satan turned and went away. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, Luke adds, he departed from him for a season. (Luke 4:13.) Matthew tells us that angels came and ministered unto him. (Matt. 4:11.)

51. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 If he had been stripped of the faculty to sin, he would have been stripped of his very agency. It was he who had come to safeguard and ensure the agency of man. He had to retain the capacity and ability to sin had he willed so to do. As Paul wrote, Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered (Heb. 5:8);

52. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 and he was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). He was perfect and sinless, not because he had to be, but rather because he clearly and determinedly wanted to be. As the Doctrine and Covenants records, He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them. (D&C 20:22.)

53. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 What about us? We live in a world of temptation temptation that seems more real and oppressively rampant than any since the days of Noah. Are we remaining faithful in such a world? Every individual in this church should ask himself, Am I living so that I am keeping unspotted from the evils of the world?

54. Elder Howard W. Hunter, The Temptations of Christ, Ensign (CR), November 1976, p.17 In speaking of the three temptations that came to Jesus, a former President of the Church made this statement concerning them: Classify them, and you will find that under one of those three nearly every given temptation that makes you and me spotted, ever so little maybe, comes to us as

55. 3 Types of Temptaion… (1) a temptation of the appetite; (2) a yielding to the pride and fashion and vanity of those alienated from the things of God; or (3) a gratifying of the passion, or a desire for the riches of the world, or power among men. And then he said: Now, when do temptations come? (David O. McKay, Conference Report, Oct. 1911, p. 59.)

56. Moses 1:12-23 The Nature of the Satan JSH 1:14-15 Gen. 15:12-13 2 Thes.2:3, 4 Rev. 20:3 Rev. 12:7-12 Isa. 14:12-17 DC 76:26-29

57. The Nature of Lucifer 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

58. 16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; 17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners? (Old Testament | Isaiah 14:12 - 17)

59. The Nature of Lucifer 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (New Testament | 2 Thessalonians2:3 - 4)

60. 7. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work, and he it is who now worketh, and Christ suffereth him to work, until the time is fulfilled that he shall be taken out of the way. 8. And then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. 9. Yea, the Lord, even Jesus, whose coming is not until after there cometh a falling away, by the working of Satan with all power, and signs and lying wonders, (JST | 2 Thessalonians2:7 - 9)

61. During the Millennium Revelation 20:1-3 (X-ref) 1 Nephi 22:24-26 “When Satan is bound in a single home—when Satan is bound in a single life—the Millennium has already begun in that home, in that life!” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.172)

62. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. (New Testament | Matthew 4:10 - 11)

63. JST, MATTHEW 4:11 (Jesus sent angels to minister to John the Baptist.) 11. And now Jesus knew that John was cast into prison, and he sent angels, and, behold, they came and ministered unto him (John). (JST | Matthew 4:Entry - 11)

65. The Key of the Ministering of Angels 2 Nephi 32:3; D&C 84:26, 42, 88; D&C 13; D&C109:22; Moroni 7:25 ; Hel. 5:48

66. 3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi32:1 - 3)

67. Ministering Angels Elder Jeffery R. Holland May I suggest to that one of the things we need to teach our students, and one of the things which will become more important in their lives the longer they live, is the reality of angels, their work and their ministry.

68. Personal Ministering Angels Obviously I speak here not alone of the angel Moroni, but also of those more personal ministering angels who are with us and around us, empowered to help us, and who do exactly that. …

69. Perhaps more of us, including our students, could literally, or at least figuratively, behold the angels around us if we would but awaken from our stupor and hear the voice of the spirit as those angels try to speak…I believe we need to speak of and believe in and bear testimony to the ministry of angels more than we sometimes do. They constitute one of God’s great methods of witnessing through the veil” Jeffery R. Holland, A Standard to My People [address to Religious Educators at a symposium on the Book of Mormon, Brigham Young University,9 Aug. 1994],11-13

70. The Key of the Ministering of Angels 2 Nephi 32:3; D&C 84:26, 42, 88; D&C 13; D&C109:22; Moroni 7:25

71. 26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel; (Doctrine and Covenants | Section84:26)

73. 42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section84:42)

75. angels round about you… 88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section84:88)

77. keys of the ministering of angels… 1 UPON you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, (Doctrine and Covenants | Section13:1)

78. Doctrine and Covenants | Section109:22 22 And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, …and thine angels have charge over them;

80. The Ministering of Angels leads to Faith… 25 Wherefore, by the ministering of angels, and by every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ. (Book of Mormon | Moroni7:25)

81. He has actually given His Angels Charge Concerning us… “Now, this is the truth. We humble people, we who feel ourselves sometimes so worthless, so good-for-nothing; we are not so worthless as we think. There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon.

82. He has loved you for a long, long time… There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save and that He has not devised means to save.

83. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are children of God and that He has actually given His angels . . . charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping.”(Gospel Truths, comp. Jerreld L. Newquist, 2 vols., Salt Lake City:Deseret Book Co., 1974, 1:2. See also D&C 84:42,88; 109:22; 103:20.)

84. 8 And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon; 9 Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also; 10 Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them— (Doctrine and Covenants | Section20:8 - 10)

85. They Are Our Relatives and Friends When ministers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred, friends, and fellow-beings and fellow-servants….; It was such beings-holy beings if you please-who waited upon the Saviour and administered to him on the mount...In like manner our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters

86. and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine presence, messages of love, of warning, of reproof and instruction, to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh. (Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doctrine, pp. 435-437. See Helaman 5:48)

89. You write it down in your little black book that in the gospel of Jesus Christ, You have help! And you have it on both sides of the veil and you must never forget that one thing. When disappointment and discouragement strike and they will, you remember and never forget that if your eyes could be opened you would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye could see ridding at reckless speed to come to your protection. They will always be there these armies of heaven in defense of Abraham’s seed. I close with this promise from heaven. Verily, verily I say unto you, you are little children you have not as yet understood

90. how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands prepared for you. And you can’t bear all things now. Nevertheless be of good cheer for I will lead you along, I will go before your face, I will be on your right hand and on your left and mine angels round about you to bear you up. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours. And the riches of eternity are yours. Elder Jeffery R. Holland

91. Angels and the Sacrament Those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door of all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the Ministering of Angels. (Dallin H. Oaks, Oct. Conf. 1998)

92. Think of it, my dear young brethren, this priesthood which you hold carries with it the keys of the ministering of angels. That means, as I interpret it, that if you live worthy of the priesthood, you have a right to receive and enjoy the very power of heavenly beings to guide you and protect you, to bless you.

93. What boy, if he is thoughtful, would not welcome this remarkable blessing. (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign Nov. 1982, p. 45)

95. They know our feelings and thoughts…(see D&C 6:16) “When men are prepared, they are better off to go hence. …The spirit of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work; hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of spirits. Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained therewith? (Joseph Smith, Teachings, p. 326).