A Study of the Book of Mormon

Ether 11 The main stream of this church is what keeps this church alive. It is the Spirit and Testimony of all those saints who heed to and enjoy the promptings of the Spirit.

Ether 10 It was back and forth, one king after another. Some ruled in righeousness; others were wicked. When the king was righteous, the nation was prosperous and industrial. When they were not as faithful, wars and robbers arose. Why? I believe, in part, because they were not faithful, so they had not the strength to combat evil. The world in which we live today is so diverse. Progress is hard to detect from failure because of the covers that are put. If our Heavenly Father already knows what we are going to do, why are we here? Elder Holland once said that we are a funny people. Our existence is like a football game that's already been won. The score's already over, we know which team has won, and we're still deciding which jersey we're going to put on! We're here to be proven. Abraham 3:25-26 . We are going through a testing period. He knows this already. It's a matter of agency. And there is a judgment. Without actions, we cannot be judged. Alma 12...

Ether 9 Vs. 3 ) The only way to avoid destruction was to completely choose the right. The King Omer was warned in a dream by the Lord.   Vs. 5-6 ) Meanwhile, the wicked were power hungry and rebelled against one another and killed each other. Akish had his father-in-law killed and later his son, and eventually his power hungry empire imploded on itself and after it had fallen, vs. 13 ) Omer returned and established his son Emer as King. Vs. 16 ) Under the reign of Emer, the Lord blessed the land. Ether 9:19 - In the Americas, they had elephants! Vs. 22 ) Emer is immortalized in history for having had seen the Savior. This one phrase tells us so much about his character. This explains success in his reign. Vs. 26 ) King Heth, great grandson on Emer, dethroned his father. And unlike kings before him, Heth did not protect the prophets when they came out to call the people to repentance. Vs. 30-35 ) The Lord sent them a plague and poisonous serpents.

Ether 8 Shule (king) begat Omer (king), who begat Jared , rebelled against dad and went to the land Heth with 1/2 of the people. Jared fought Omer and took him captive. Omer in captivity begat Esrom and Coriantum .   Esrom & Coriantumr fought Jared , their brother and regained the kingdom. Vs. 9 ) The Jaredies had a scriptural account, record of everything from the beginning of the creation. This record also talks of secret plans and combinations. (BT- I understand now why the later prophets kept these things secret.) Jared was sorrowful because of the loss of the kingdom, it was not godly sorrow.  The daughter of Jared.  Vs. 10 ) What did she want to be loved, she cared for her father, though corrupt, she dug up those secret combinations. Vs. 13-15 ) Secret combinations were administered which came from Cain & the old serpent. There's a line: there nothing new about doing bad. Only the devil would have us believe there is.  Vs. 23 ) This is why the ...

Ether 7 Vs. 5 - Captivity came quickly among the people. Within two generations, it happened. Jared's great-grandson revolted. I believe [that] to understand this chapter, we ust establish black and white, the good and the bad. (There were kings who ruled in righteousness, but did they have the scriptures? There is no mention of them, is there?) First there was Orihah , (righteous, walked humbly before the Lord - GOOD), who begat Kib (It doesn't say how Kib was, but his son rebelled against him), who begat Corihor (He rebelled against his father and brought him into captivity) and later Shule (He was born in captivity and rebelled against his brother [Corihor], restoring the kingdom to Kib [his father]. Kib then, because of his old age, gives it to Shule. He ruled in righteousness. Corihor [Shule's brother] repents of his sins, and received power in his brother's kingdom.). Corihor begat Noah . (He rebels: Noah and Cohor [brothers], these guys rebelled and gave bat...

Ether 6:12-30 Vs. 12 - Upon having arrived in the Promised Land, this people humbled themselves to the ground and gave thanks, a much different attitude than their children. -- In short, the Jaredites that first came to the Americas were a humble, righteous people. Because they were, they began to multiply and become strong. Vs. 22 - The people desired to have a king to lead them. Mahonri's first response is that this thing leadeth to captivity. -- ALmost all the sons of Mahonri and Jared understood this and wouldn't be responsible for the captivity of the people. But they were not completely united. One of Jared's sons consented to be king, Orihah. Vs. 28, 30 - How ever Orihah was not an evil man. He did reign in righteousness. He had humbled himself from before the Lord.

Ether 6:1-11 Vs. 3 - Double meaning. The Lord prepared stones fro the Jaredite boats that they might not cross the waters in darkness. The same happens for us. The Lord has given us light that we might not travel through this life in darkness. Vs. 5-8 - What a beautiful, spiritual parallel these verses are.  The waters can be compared to the world. While we must live and pass through this world, we do not need to be swallowed up in it.  The wind that pushed them along was the Power of God which if we let it will lead us to progress along the waters. The wind (the power of God) never did cease to blow. The vessels that protected them from the waters were their preparation, having had headed to the word or council of the Lord, they were protected from the waters or the world, though at times they did get swallowed up in them. Like the early latter-day Saints, at times they were swallowed up in afflictions, but the Lord always allowed them to come out on top, because they cr...

Ether 5 Vs. 1 - Moroni had written down all that is found in chapter 4 from memory. How clear was his intelligence, his recollection. Look at this! "I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate;" There was a part of the plates that was sealed up. Moroni just said he told us what is on them according to his memory. So it was a summary that we have. Of what though? It's also interesting to note that it was Moroni who sealed up that part of the Book of Mormon. So what we have now is literally what Mormon and Moroni  were commanded of the Lord to write. Vs. 4 - Is there no power in the Book of Mormon? Most definitely there is. By the power of this book will all the world be judged at the Last Day. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost all testify of the Book of Mormon.

Ether 4:8-19 Vs. 9 - Why does a loving older brother tell us these things as if to cause fear in our hearts? He can't deny what is true. Vs. 10 - If I don't believe the word of God, I believe not His disciples. Example - If I say I believe the words of Pres. Hinckley, I believe he is a prophet, but then if I don't hearken unto his counsel and fail to be obedient, I lie. Vs. 11 - Because I believe in God and I have received of his Spirit, I know and must bear record of these truths. Knowledge by the Spirit : This is Testimony. Ether 4:11 - "...For because of my Spirit, he shall know that these things are true..." 2 Nephi 32:5 - "...if Ye will enter into the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." 3 Nephi 16:6 (Words of Christ) "...the Holy Ghost, which witnesses unto them of me and of the Father." 1 Cor. 12 - "...no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Ether 4:...

Ether 4:1-7 Moroni is speaking in this chapter and talks of the abridgement of the plates of Ether. A strange thing however, for the record was kept disclosed until our dispensation, the fulness of times. The brother of Jard truly saw marvelous things. Greater things had never been shown to man like [than] what Mahonri saw. And that's just it! No [one] save the prophets knew about this until our day. It is common place knowledge for all latter-day Saints what only prophets knew back in Antiquity! And we didn't receive these records until we began to truly live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, repenting of our sins. Does the Lord not love us? Vs. 7 - The saints of the latter days will exercise the same faith that Mahonri did, and because of it we will become sanctified. And we will eventually see everything that he aw. The Spirit confirms this. ~WOW~ The Spirit tells you that these things are directed towards you!

Ether 3 Vs. 12 - The Lord asked Mahonri if he would believe all of His words, and Mahonri responds, "Yeah, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie." And because he said this the Lord showed Himself unto him. Vs. 13 - A lot is happening in this verse. The Lord shows Himself to Mahonri. Mahonri's salvation is made sure, "thou are redeemed from the fall." To still be alive in this life and to have that assurance, this is the trust that the Lord had in Mahonri as a servant and prophet. Vs. 14 - Mahonri learns of the divine nature of the Creator, the Savior, the Son and Father. Vs. 15 - The Lord says that He had never before shown himself unto His people because they did not believe as Mahonri did believe. Vs. 17-18 - The Lord was so kind and filled with so much love, this is why he came unto Mahonri, that he might know that He, Jesus, was God. So this became his knowledge. Vs. 21 - This is why the plates of Eth...

Ether 3 It's uplifting to listen to the way in which Mahonri humbly submits himself unto the Lord for answers to his prayers. Vs. 2 - "...because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires... O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people." Cross reference to Moses 1:10 : "Now for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed." (Interesting to note that I was guided by the Spirit to think of cross referencing that scripture before I looked at the footnotes.) Also in vs. 2 : Mahonri knew the commandment to pray unto the Lord. Where was this given, for in order for one to obey, they must receive the commandments? [Note for scripture study - looking for an example of some one with an amazing tool and then they use it for some sort of primitive purpose. It is the...

Ether 2 From the introduction of this chapter I learn that the account here in is of a man who talked with the Lord. I might want to note what brought him up to that point. Vs. 8 - To emphasize the importance of the promise land, the Lord swore in his wrath unto the brother of Jared that those that possess it shall only serve the true and  everlasting God or should be destroyed. Vs. 10 - The promises of the land are repeated and vs. 11 explains why -- that we might repent before we become ripe in iniquity. Vs. 12 - The key to keeping this a free land is to serve the only true and living God, Jesus Christ. In desiring to be visited of the Lord, I read vs. 14 . The Lord visited Mohonri to chastise him for not praying.  Vs. 16 - The Lord showed Mohonri how to build a boat. He gave them the exact instruction to create a ship in a style so unknown by man but that was superior to anything man could make. ...Could not the Lord lead you in your own pursuits of life, if you let hi...

Ether 1 Vs. 34 - We learn that Jared's brother was highly favored of the Lord, so he would pray unto the Lord and his prayers were answered. How was he able to do that? Was it a big secret? No, Jared's brother was righteous. He was diligent in prayer. Vs. 43 - The Lord says that He blessed the seed of the Brother of Jared because of his continual, long faithfulness in prayer.

Mormon 9 Vs. 6 - Cry for mercy and forgiveness. Here is a good description of a penitent soul: spotless, fair, and white. Vs. 7 - And to those that deny the gift of the Spirit: Knoweth not the gospel of Christ. He has not read the Scriptures (Even worse) If he has, he does not understand them.  God  does not change, never.  If God did change, He would not be a God of Miracles.  -Moroni then briefly describes the plan of God and then asks: "Has all this come to passs?" (The judgment obviously hasn't.) Vs. 22 - Another scripture about the role of the three disciples who should tarry. -Their commandment and commission is to preach the word of God/the Gospel unto every creature. It is a requirement of boldness. Vs. 23 - The importance of baptism; the requirement of belief for salvation.  Though the chapter is hard for me to understand (maybe because it is just that simple), this one thing I caught: that God doesn't work miracles among the children of men because...

Mormon 9 Moroni wanted to address all people. He starts this chapter with content for those who do not believe in Christ. His approach to non-believers is a little more direct than most. I suppose we must understand what a non-believer is. I started  off thinking it was some one who had never heard of Christ, like perhaps Hindus or Muslims.  No, that's not who it is. How many of them would believe in Christ if He was presented to them? A non-believer is someone who's heard of Christ, perhaps even read the Scriptures but chooses not to believe in Him. - Moroni  comes straight out in facts to prove them wrong. He brings up Judgment and the Resurrection.

Mormon 8 Starting in vs. 21 . As I got to this point and continued on through this chapter, I am impressed by the absoluteness of how things are, namely the ways of the Lord. What the Lord does is eternal. His work is eternal, and it shall be accomplished. Moroni understood this clearly. This was a knowledge and not only a hope. Vs. 23 - Moroni reinstates the commandment given by the Christ when he visited the Nephites. They both seem to want to tell us more by giving us this lead. Vs. 26 - The Book of Mormon shall come forth as a great miracle in a day when it will be said that miracles have ceased. Vs. 26-32 - Signs of the times that will be when the Book of Mormon will come forth. Shall be said that miracles are done away with Blood of the saints will cry unto their God, because of the works of darkness. Power of God shall be denied. Chuches become defiled and filled with pride. Leaders or churches will envy their followers. It shall be heard of fires, tempests, and vapors of smo...

Mormon 8 Moroni starts to write. Vs. 6 - Prophecy complete. Alma 45:10 Vs. 10 - After having had explained that only Lamanites and robbers remained in the land, he says this, "and there are none who know the true God..." that's quite the distinction! He did not say there were no saints (though I suppose a true saint does know God). This separation defines those that will make it to the Celestial Kingdom. Vs. 11 - The three disciples of Christ serve as teachers to the prophets and apostles, among other things. They ministered to Mormon and Moroni. (I'm sure their instruction is tremendously useful, insightful.) Vs. 14 - How interesting and yet how true it is. The Gold Plates, though made of gold, have no worth ($), because the Lord has said it... that no man will get gain from those plates. And so it is!

Mormon 6 Vs. 21 - A practical understanding of the Resurrection. Mormon mourns the loss of his people, and now he explains what will happen to them. Mormon saw the destruction of over 200,000+ of his people. There were all that remained. Mormon 7 This is Mormon's last chapter, his final words. From here on out, Mormon writes for the future. He knew what would eventually become of the Lamanites, so these verses he directs towards them. Things he wanted them to know: That they are of the House of Israel (so that they know the promises).  That they can only be saved through repentance.  That they must come to a knowledge of their father. (why?) That they must believe in Jesus Christ.  That they will be resurrected and brought before the judgment seat of Christ.

Mormon 5 Vs. 1 - He (Mormon) knew their fate. Yet I suppose it was his love for his own people that brought him to lead then one last time. These people looked to Mormon as a man of greatness, so much so that they believed he could deliver them from their afflictions. But they would not repent. At this point, 380 years after the sign [of Christ's birth], all where equal in this war. The Lord protected no one (save Mormon). Man for man. Vs. 14 - It appears that these records (the Book of Mormon) have a great role in bringing to pass the covenant that the Father made with the House of Israel. They (the records - the Book of Mormon) will persuade the Jews to believe in the Christ. Vs. 16 - "...and they are without Christ and God in the world;" So many today walk this same lonely road without light... why? Vs. 18 - The imagery is excellent. Such are those led captive by the devil's power. Some people in the world claim to enjoy this way of life, no direction, unpredic...

Mormon 4 This is a very sad chapter in the history of man. Vs. 4 - The Nephites provoked war and were consequently smitten. - They did not repent. They struggled for their own life without looking for help from the One that gave them life. The Gospel was there. The people rejected it. It is fact then that peace is brought through the Gospel plan.

Mormon 3 Vs. 12 - Mormon loved these people with a love like that of Christ, he literally overlooked their wickedness with the hope that if he led them they might repent. He constantly prayed for them. Here is the mystery. He says he prayed for them, but that it was without faith, because of the hardheatedness of the people. How could their hardness weaken Mormon's faith? Is that what's being said? Yes, that is right. Insight: Mormon 5:2 , "...I was without hope , for I knew the judgments of the Lord." -- Faith is not knowledge, it is a hope of things to come.  See Alma 32:34 , Faith is dormant because there is a perfect knowledge of this thing. What [was happening] with Mormon was he knew that the people had rejected repentance after being delivered from death, and they had sworn by things forbidden them. Mormon had also heard the voice of the Lord concerning these people. He had knowledge. Though his desire and prayer was that they be saved, there was no faith beh...

Mormon 2 (Interesting Observation - As I merely opened this book of scripture, the Spirit started to burn within my bosom.) Vs. 19 - Mormon, in a terrible state of sorrow for his people, still had a confidence/hope of his own salvation. How could Mormon be so sure [in] such a state of chaos that existed? He put all his trust in the Lord. He did as he was commanded. He was obedient to the Lord. He knew Ether 4:19 , "...Blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day..." The Name/Cause of Christ -Off the subject, but extremely important ! Last night at the wedding reception you overheard that here was a new member of a year in your presence, and you did nothing. You did no acknowledge her. You did not say "hi" to her. You did not talk about her conversion. You didn't give her support, encouragement to carry on. You can do so much more. Mormon 3 Mormon was a prominent figure among the people, so he had a great deal of respect among the people, I ...