Quotes from David J. Ridges

We see one of the major principles of our welfare system today at work as Joseph distributes food supplies in Egypt. Rather than merely giving the grain out, which promotes waste, he still had the people pay for it, which helps eliminate waste and lack of appreciation

Sometimes we find ourselves thinking that since the call comes from the Lord, everything ought to work out smoothly, with every potential obstacle removed. We forget sometimes that life is a "schooling" provided for our growth and development, and that if every time we went on the Lord's errand, things were to go perfectly well because of the Lord's blessing, we would be deprived of much of our education. {re 1 Nephi 3:7}

And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. 29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Major Message Women can be given the gift of prophecy. Certainly, one of the most valuable uses of this gift, in addition to fulfilling callings in the Church, would be within the family, knowing by the power of the Spirit what the needs of family members are and will be. We understand that woman's intuition is a form of this gift of the Spirit.

The Atonement allows us to grow,

The Atonement allows us to grow, change, make mistakes, and recover. Consider this: Without practice, we could never grow to be more like Jesus. Practice requires that we make mistakes. The Atonement, therefore, provides the conditions for us to practice without fear of permanent failure since it can heal all things as we strive to become more like Jesus.

JEREMIAH IS A well-known prophet in the Old Testament. There are at least sixty-two prophecies given in his writings. The book of Jeremiah has almost twenty-two thousand words, making it somewhat longer than Isaiah, and making it the second longest book in the Old Testament (only Psalms is longer).

The thing that "chosen" does not imply is that God arbitrarily chooses some people over others to be saved.

Conference, April 1989.) You may wish to read his

For example, in the chiasmus used by Isaiah here in the first eight verses, the main message is found in verse 5, where he emphasizes that when a society collapses because of wickedness, everyone is persecuted and oppressed by everyone else.

15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight [nothing can be fixed]: and that which is wanting [lacking] cannot be numbered [counted]. Another interpretation of verse 15, above, might depict pessimism in dealing with people. It could be saying that people never learn their lessons, and that their foolishness seems to be infinite.

Faith is also a principle by which the powers of heaven are activated in our behalf, as illustrated by Moroni, next.

Major Message Bad attitudes and demands that the Lord give us what we want are unwise. The people had a bad and rebellious attitude. Rather than humbly requesting some meat to go with the manna, if it had been in harmony with the Lord's will, they demanded meat and complained loudly to Moses, as if he were the Lord. Their prideful and strident approach is answered by the Lord with a severe lesson.

change, make mistakes, and recover. Consider this: Without practice, we could never grow to be more like Jesus. Practice requires that we make mistakes. The Atonement, therefore, provides the conditions for us to practice without fear of permanent failure since it can heal all things as we strive to become more like Jesus.

wickedness does not promote rational thought. This is, in fact, a major message of the scriptures.

I say unto you, be one [live in harmony; be united in righteousness; avoid contention]; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.

THE BOOK OF Malachi was given about 430 BC (see Bible Dictionary, under "Malachi"). It is the last book of the Old Testament. After Malachi, there is about a 430 year gap in the Bible, until the New Testament.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

nurturing and teaching the infant Savior of the world.

thirty-three years as the Mortal Messiah.

The Child grew, and with growth there came to Him expansion of mind, development of faculties, and progression in power and understanding. (Jesus the Christ, 111)

ISAIAH "The Lord is salvation. Son of Amoz, a prophet in Jerusalem during 40 years, 740–701 BC He had great religious and political influence during the reign of Hezekiah, whose chief advisor he was. Tradition states that he was "sawn asunder" during the reign of Manasseh; for that reason he is often represented in art holding a saw.

Then said I, Lord, how long [will people be like this]? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate [in other words, as long as people are around],

2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH [Jesus Christ] is my strength and my song: he also is become my salvation.