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There's a story in John 6 that I can't stop thinking about. It's often referred to as the Bread of Life discourse. A famous story, and a great one! But recently, I've been pondering how that story ends and what Jesus and Peter teach us about faith. It starts with the multitudes seeking Jesus, searching all around the Sea of Galilee before they finally found Him. Jesus said: John 6:26 - "Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." The multitude had been part of the 5,000 people who were fed miraculously in the beginning of John 6. They wanted more and said to Him: "What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. ​​ "32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. "34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. "35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." This seems to confuse them more. The conversation goes back and forth before Jesus reiterates those famous words: 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.​​​ 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." Stop for a moment and picture yourself sitting in that crowd. Jesus has just taught that unless you eat His flesh and drink His blood, you can't have eternal life. That sounds a lot like... ...cannibalism. Right? Can you picture hearing this for the first time? "My flesh is meat...my blood is drink indeed." In verse 60, the disciples said, "This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" Note: it was disciples who said that, not just random crowd members. Jesus' followers were struggling with His teaching. For us today, we can easily understand that He's referring, at least in part, to the emblems of the sacrament that He would introduce at the Last Supper, emblems which would represent His body and blood that He would shed for us. When we partake of those emblems, we remember Him and His sacrifice. We can have eternal life. Flesh and blood. Symbolic. Completely makes sense. At least now. But back then? You're standing in that crowd. Jesus hasn't introduced the sacrament yet. He's just asked you to eat His flesh and drink His blood. At best, it's disturbing. At worst, it's criminal. So here's the thought I can't leave alone. WHY? Why did Jesus teach the people that way? He could have explained exactly what He meant. But He didn't. Here's how John 6 continues: "61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? 62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not....​​​ 66 ¶ From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Some of His followers got up, walked away, and never returned. Why didn't He stop those disciples before they walked away and say, "Wait, wait, wait, this is what I meant." Maybe then they would have stayed. Instead, He turned to the apostles: "67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?" Can you hear the pain in that five-word question? He could have easily praised them and said, "Thank you for staying. Here's what I mean about my flesh and blood." He didn't do that. He let them sit with their questions and instead asked: "Will ye also go away?" WHAT IS FAITH? I believe Jesus lets us sit with our questions—sometimes for a while. Why? Perhaps faith requires us to trust Him when we don't fully understand. Will we walk away before we completely understand something--or worse, when we completely misunderstand something? Will we leave before we find answers? Some people are going through a "faith crisis" today. Some have questions or concerns that have not been answered. Sadly, too many today are walking away from their faith, maybe disturbed about the latest thing they've heard or read online, thinking: "This is an hard saying; who can hear it?" QUESTIONS TO PONDER: Why haven't we been given answers to some of the hard faith questions? Why doesn't archeology always match the scriptures? Why do some church history events seem disturbing? If answers have been given, why are they sometimes hard to find? Why does following Jesus take so much faith? Why do bad things happen to good people? If I choose to believe without the answers to questions, does that make me a blind follower? Yet maybe Jesus is asking us a different question in return: "Will ye also go away?" In other words, will you give up before I can teach you? Obviously, He doesn't want us to give up. But sometimes, maybe even often, He makes us wait. PETER'S EXAMPLE: Which is why I love Peter so much. When Jesus asked the apostles if they were also going to walk away, Peter said: 68 "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." from ldssotd.com/john-6-66-68 Peter didn't say, "Don't worry, Lord. I understand exactly what you meant." Because I don't think he did. At all. Instead, Peter held tight to what he did know. "Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." Did Jesus explain to him at that point? "Hey, Peter, this is what I meant when I said to eat my flesh and drink my blood." No. The Last Supper didn't happen until later. Peter's understanding probably came later. The Lord let Him sit in his lack of knowledge. And instead of walking away, Peter held on to what he did know and let that pull him through. THAT IS FAITH. Alma 32:21 says: "Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." There are those today who will tell you that you can't believe something until you have all the answers. In fact, I've had people tell ME that. BUT THAT'S JUST NOT HOW JESUS WORKS. And that's why Peter is my hero. I love Peter's pure faith. This is the same Peter who (right before this Bread of Life discourse) jumped out of a boat and walked to Christ on the water. This is the same Peter who (soon after this Bread of Life discourse) was promised the keys of the kingdom. No wonder why. When you don't have all the answers, be like Peter. Hold on to your faith.

If you're like me, you've heard it said many times that Isaiah is the most quoted prophet in scripture. Once you start looking for his words, it's not hard to see why. Isaiah prophesied extensively about the coming Messiah, the scattering and gathering of Israel, the restoration of the gospel, the latter days, and the Lord's dealings with his covenant people. He lived through the fall of the Northern Kingdom and foresaw the fall of Jerusalem. His words are quoted throughout the New Testament, Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine & Covenants. So where exactly is Isaiah quoted or paraphrased? The following list can be used as a reference: Isa. 1:9 Rom. 9:29 Isa. 2 2 Ne. 12 Isa. 3 2 Ne. 13 Isa. 4 2 Ne. 14 Isa. 5 2 Ne. 15 Isa. 6 2 Ne. 16 Isa. 6:3 Rev. 4:8 Isa. 6:9–10 Matt. 13:14–15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:39–40; Acts 28:26 Isa. 7 2 Ne. 17 (see also 2 Kgs. 16:5–20; 2 Chr. 28:16–27) Isa. 7:14 Matt. 1:23 Isa. 8 2 Ne. 18 Isa. 8:14 Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:8 Isa. 9 2 Ne. 19 Isa. 9:1–2 Matt. 4:15–16 Isa. 10 2 Ne. 20 Isa. 10:22 Rom. 9:27 Isa. 11 2 Ne. 21; JSH 1:40 (The Angel Moroni quoted this chapter to Joseph Smith) Isa. 11:1–5 see D&C 113:1–6 Isa. 11:4–9 2 Ne. 30:9, 11–15 Isa. 11:10 Rom. 15:12 Isa. 12 2 Ne. 22 Isa. 13 2 Ne. 23 Isa. 13:10 Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:24 Isa. 14 2 Ne. 24 Isa. 21:9 D&C 1:16 Isa. 22:13 1 Cor. 15:32; 2 Ne. 28:7 Isa. 25:8 1 Cor. 15:54–56; Rev. 7:17; 21:4 Isa. 28:13 2 Ne. 28:30 Isa. 28:16 Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:6 Isa. 29 2 Ne. 27 Isa. 29:10 Rom. 11:8 Isa. 29:13 Matt. 15:8–9; Mark 7:6–7 Isa. 29:14 1 Cor. 1:19; D&C 4:1; 6:1 Isa. 29:16 Rom. 9:20–21 Isa. 35:5–6 Matt. 11:5; Luke 7:22 Isa. 35:10 D&C 66:11; 109:39; 133:32–33 Isa. 36 see 2 Kgs. 18:13–22 and 2 Chr. 32:1–19 Isa. 37 see 2 Kgs. 19 and 2 Chr. 32:20–23 Isa. 38 see 2 Kgs. 20:1–11 and 2 Chr. 32:24–27 Isa. 39 see 2 Kgs. 20:12–19 Isa. 40:3–5 Matt. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4–6; John 1:23; D&C 65:1 Isa. 40:6–7 1 Pet. 1:24–25 Isa. 40:13–14 Rom. 11:34; 1 Cor. 2:16 Isa. 40:31 D&C 89:20 Isa. 42:1–4 Matt. 12:18–21 Isa. 42:20 Matt. 13:13–14 Isa. 45:23 Rom. 14:11 Isa. 48 1 Ne. 20 Isa. 49 1 Ne. 21 Isa. 49:6 Acts 13:47 Isa. 49:8 2 Cor. 6:2 Isa. 49:10 Rev. 7:16 Isa. 49:22–26 2 Ne. 6:6–7, 16–18 Isa. 50 2 Ne. 7 Isa. 51 2 Ne. 8 Isa. 52:1–3, 6–7, 11–15 3 Ne. 20:36–45 Isa. 52:1–8 see D&C 113:7–10 Isa. 52:7 Rom. 10:15 Isa. 52:7–10 Mosiah 12:21–24 Isa. 52:11 2 Cor. 6:17; D&C 38:42; 133:5 Isa. 52:12 D&C 49:27 Isa. 52:15 Rom. 15:21 Isa. 53 Mosiah 14 Isa. 53:1 John 12:38; Rom. 10:16 Isa. 53:4 Matt. 8:17; 1 Pet. 2:24 Isa. 53:3–5 see Mark 9:12 Isa. 53:6 1 Pet. 2:25 Isa. 53:7–8 Acts 8:32–33 Isa. 53:9 1 Pet. 2:22 Isa. 53:12 Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37; 1 Pet. 2:24; Heb. 9:28 Isa. 54:1 Gal. 4:27 Isa. 54 3 Ne. 22 Isa. 55:3 Acts 13:34 Isa. 56:7 Matt. 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46 Isa. 59:20 Rom. 11:26 Isa. 59:7–8 Rom. 3:15–17 Isa. 61:1–2 Luke 4:18–19 Isa. 62:11 Matt. 21:5 Isa. 64:1 D&C 133:40 Isa. 64:4 1 Cor. 2:9 Isa. 65:1–2 Rom. 10:20–21 Isa. 65:17 2 Pet. 3:13 Isa. 65:20–22 D&C 101:30 Isa. 66:1–2 Acts 7:49–50 Isa. 66:24 Mark 9:44 *There are many shorter examples that are also woven into our scriptures One powerful way to study Isaiah is to read how his words were applied by later prophets and leaders of God's kingdom. The Book of Mormon itself explains why Isaiah is so important. After quoting many of Isaiah's words, Nephi says: 2 Ne. 25:1 "Now I, Nephi, do speak somewhat concerning the words which I have written, which have been spoken by the mouth of Isaiah. For behold, Isaiah spake many things which were hard for many of my people to understand; for they know not concerning the manner of prophesying among the Jews. 2 For I, Nephi, have not taught them many things concerning the manner of the Jews; for their works were works of darkness, and their doings were doings of abominations. 3 Wherefore, I write unto my people, unto all those that shall receive hereafter these things which I write, that they may know the judgments of God, that they come upon all nations, according to the word which he hath spoken. 4 Wherefore, hearken, O my people, which are of the house of Israel, and give ear unto my words; for because the words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless they are plain unto all those that are filled with the spirit of prophecy. But I give unto you a prophecy, according to the spirit which is in me; wherefore I shall prophesy according to the plainness which hath been with me from the time that I came out from Jerusalem with my father; for behold, my soul delighteth in plainness unto my people, that they may learn. 5 Yea, and my soul delighteth in the words of Isaiah, for I came out from Jerusalem, and mine eyes hath beheld the things of the Jews, and I know that the Jews do understand the things of the prophets, and there is none other people that understand the things which were spoken unto the Jews like unto them, save it be that they are taught after the manner of the things of the Jews. 6 But behold, I, Nephi, have not taught my children after the manner of the Jews; but behold, I, of myself, have dwelt at Jerusalem, wherefore I know concerning the regions round about; and I have made mention unto my children concerning the judgments of God, which hath come to pass among the Jews, unto my children, according to all that which Isaiah hath spoken, and I do not write them. 7 But behold, I proceed with mine own prophecy, according to my plainness; in the which I know that no man can err; nevertheless, in the days that the prophecies of Isaiah shall be fulfilled men shall know of a surety, at the times when they shall come to pass. 8 Wherefore, they are of worth unto the children of men, and he that supposeth that they are not, unto them will I speak particularly, and confine the words unto mine own people; for I know that they shall be of great worth unto them in the last days; for in that day shall they understand them; wherefore, for their good have I written them." And the greatest endorsement of Isaiah comes from the Savior Himself. Not only did He quote Isaiah to proclaim Himself the Messiah in Nazareth (see Luke 4:16–21; Isa. 61:1–2), but He said this to the Nephites: 3 Ne. 23:1 "And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah. 2 For surely he spake as touching all things concerning my people which are of the house of Israel; therefore it must needs be that he must speak also to the Gentiles." Hope this helps as you jump into to studying the great words of Isaiah!

There are several fascinating clues in scripture and ancient tradition that suggest that Job may have been the descendant of both Esau and Ishmael. The clues come in Genesis 36, which gives the family tree of Esau and his wives. Jobab was a son of Zerah (Gen. 36:33), who was a son of Reuel (Gen. 36:13), who was a son of Esau & Mahalath-Bashemath who was Ishmael's daughter (Gen. 36:3). The Family Tree of Jobab looks like this: Ishmael > Mahalath-Bashemath (Gen. 36:3) Esau & Mahalath-Bashemath > Reuel > Zerah > Jobab It's this Jobab that is listed among the kings of Edom in Genesis 36. Many believe he is the same person as Job. Here are a few connections: Two of Job's friends are Eliphaz the Temanite who was a descendant of Esau, and Bildad the Shuhite who was a descendant of Abraham (see their Family Trees here) Job's story takes place in the Land of Uz, which is often connected to Edom, the land of Esau's descendants. The Book of Job never mentions the 12 Tribes of Israel, Law of Moses, the Exodus, Tabernacle, or the Priesthood. Yet Job is presented as a man who worships the one true God. This fits well with a descendant of Esau and Ishmael, but not a descendant of Jacob-Israel. Job is listed as very wealthy; Jobab as king of Edom would have also been wealthy Most interesting of all, at the end of the Book of Job in the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament dated to the 3rd century BC), Job is positively identified with Jobab, descendant of Esau. So was Job a descendant of Esau and Ishmael? This topic has been discussed for years by scholars and commentators alike. The evidence is worth exploring. What do you think?

Did you know that King David purchased the land for the Temple because of a plague? When King David took a census against the Lord’s command (see 2 Sam. 24; 1 Chr. 21), a devastating plague came upon Israel. In just three days, 70,000 Israelites from Dan to Beersheba died. But when the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem, the Lord stopped the plague right at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite (Canaanite). So David went to Araunah and offered to purchase the threshing floor. Araunah offered to give it to the mighty and powerful king for free, but David refused: “I will not sacrifice to the Lord burnt offerings which cost me nothing.” David paid for the land, built an altar, and the plague was stopped. Then David declared: “This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.” 1 Chr. 22:1 He immediately began making preparations for a temple to be built on that very spot. For 1,000 years, that threshing floor became the site of the Temple of the Lord. Today, we know the location as the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, on top of Mount Moriah. What began as a place where judgment was stopped became a place of worship, sacrifice, and covenant. The place where Jerusalem was spared became holy ground. Did you know?