Learning the Language of the Scriptures

A Pattern for Unlocking Scriptural Meaning:

The language of the scriptures can sometime be confusing. Here is a pattern to help unlock deeper scriptural meaning within the Standard Works:

1. Select a verse which you would like to understand on a deeper level

2. Choose words or phrases in the verse you would like to understand better

3. Search for those words or phrases in other verses of the Standard Works

4. Replace the words or phrases in the original verse with your newly discovered insights from other verses

Example #1:

Select a Verse: "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation" (Mark 3:29)

Choose Words or Phrases: "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation" (Mark 3:29)

Search for Words or Phrases: "Behold, I am God; Man of Holiness is my name; Man of Counsel is my name; and Endless and Eternal is my name, also" (Moses 7:35)

Replace the Words or Phrases: "But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of [God’s] damnation" (Mark 3:29)

The Pattern, as Demonstrated by the Lord in D&C 19:

6 Nevertheless, it is not written that there shall be no end to this torment, but it is written endless torment.

7 Again, it is written eternal damnation; wherefore it is more express than other scriptures, that it might work upon the hearts of the children of men, altogether for my name’s glory.

8 Wherefore, I will explain unto you this mystery, for it is meet unto you to know even as mine apostles.

9 I speak unto you that are chosen in this thing, even as one, that you may enter into my rest.

10 For, behold, the mystery of godliness, how great is it! For, behold, I am endless, and the punishment which is given from my hand is endless punishment, for Endless is my name. Wherefore—

11 Eternal punishment is God’s punishment.

12 Endless punishment is God’s punishment.

Example #2:

Select: "And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." (1 Nephi 15:24)

Choose: "And I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." (1 Nephi 15:24)

Search: "And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God" (Revelation 19:13)

Replace: "And I said unto them that it was [Jesus Christ]; and whoso would hearken unto [Jesus Christ], and would hold fast unto [Him], they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction." (1 Nephi 15:24)

Example #3:

Select/Choose: "Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved. (Ether 8:26)

Search:

"And because of the righteousness of his people, Satan has no power; wherefore, he cannot be loosed for the space of many years; for he hath no power over the hearts of the people, for they dwell in righteousness, and the Holy One of Israel reigneth." (1 Nephi 22:26)

"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men." (Alma 48:17)

"And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God; and also did his brother." (Alma 63:2)

"Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness." (Ether 12:28)

Replace: "Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that [they dwell in righteousness and are like unto Moroni] that they may be persuaded to [keep the commandments], that they may come unto [Jesus Christ] and be saved. (Ether 8:26)

Example #4:

Select/Choose: "But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God." (Alma 17:3)

Search:

"And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10)

"Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit. Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground." (D&C 8:1-3)

Replace: "But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had [the testimony of Jesus], and [the manifestation of the Spirit], and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God." (Alma 17:3)

Example #5:

Select/Choose: "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23)

Search: "And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain" (Alma 24:11)

Replace: "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after [we repent]." (2 Nephi 25:23)

Additional Facets

These unlocked deeper meanings are not the only true meanings of these verses. They are simply additional facets to the gems of truth found within the Standard Works.