Lists in the Scriptures

Have you ever noticed that there are many lists in the scriptures?

Probably the most famous list of all is the list of the ten commandments of God, given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The ten commandments are found in the Holy Bible in the Book of Exodus, chapter 20. They are also found in the Book of Mormon in the Book of Mosiah, chapter 13.

In the General Priesthood Meeting of the October 2015 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the living prophet and president of the church, Thomas S. Monson said, "My message to you tonight is straightforward. It is this: keep the commandments.

"God’s commandments are not given to frustrate us or to become obstacles to our happiness. Just the opposite is true. He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible. He has provided us with guidelines which, if we follow them, will see us safely through this often treacherous mortal journey."

I learned in my BYU-Idaho Pathway classes this week that lists are a grouping of items included or excluded for a purpose.

There are at least three types of lists in the scriptures. The three types of lists in the scriptures include things ordered by Chronology, Hierarchy or the steps in a Process.

When we come across a list in the scriptures, we should ask ourselves why each item is on the list. We should ask if the order of the items on the list is important.

A good example of this is the Fourth Article of Faith, which says, "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

The order of the items on this list is important. We must first have faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. By having faith in Him and His mercy and grace we will have a desire to repent of our sins. Once we have repented of our sins, we are then ready for baptism by someone who has authority. We are following Christ's example by being baptized by immersion by someone who has authority.

Once we have been baptized by immersion in the water by someone having the authority, we are ready to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This is one of the most important and precious gifts that our Heavenly Father can bestow upon us. But we have to take all of the other steps in the process before we an receive it.

What lists can you find in the scriptures and why are they important to you?