Ask Elder

Percolating the Dew of Heaven

What is the meaning of the word Gethseme?

Gethseme is a garden at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Its name means “oil press.” It is the place of agony, the location where Jesus prayed immediately prior to his crucifixion. Trees in the garden are some of the oldest on earth dating back thousands years and planted from the same parent plant and…

What is the Decalogue stone?

The Decalogue Stone is a large stone (80 tons) located in Los Lunas, New Mexico in America with an ancient Paelo-Hebrew inscription of the Ten Commandments.

What are the other books spoken of by Nephi (1 Nephi 13:39)?

This passage talks about other books that come from the Gentiles unto the ‘remnant of Nephi’s brethren’ and the purpose of these records which is stated as ‘convincing’ both Gentiles and the remnant of Nephi’s brethren.

Why is olive oil used for priesthood blessings?

Anciently, oil pressed from olives was considered the cleanest, clearest, brightest-burning, longest-lasting of all animal and vegetable oils. It was also the purest of oils and was thus appropriate for holy anointings. Joseph Fielding Smith has written, “We find through all the prophetic writings that olive trees and olive oil are emblems of sacredness and…

What is the chronological order of the Books in the New Testament?

It is very difficult to assess the exact chronology of the compilation of works in the New Testament. Many of the documents selected for compilation did not give dates nor can authorship be fully assured. There have been many scholarly attempts to bring temporal order to the New Testaments works, here is one such starting…

What is the name of God?

Elohim Elohim, is the first reference found in Genesis. El meaning deity which is pluralized with -im, giving “The Gods.” Yahweh (YHVH or YHWH) Yahweh or Jehovah is the name used by ancient Israel for God. It is known as the true name of God. It is often written abbreviated and without vowels. Adonai Out of respect…