A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 40:22-26 Ezekiel 37:6-14 - This prophecy of Ezekiel is a key indicator of divine priority. These last few verses at the end of the chapter are a testimony of the reality and nature of the resurrection, and the consignments of the wicked and the righteous thereafter. What questions should I be asking about these verses? Continue in verse 26 tomorrow. There are a number of footnotes on "the death of the wicked," or that death which "pertains to the things of righteousness." So I have spent the morning studying this death of the wicked, by reading the footnotes on "death" as referenced in title of this post, or "an awful death of the wicked."  Doctrine and Covenants 29:41 truly illustrates the seriousness of that predicament. He first is talking about the spiritual death that came upon Adam when he was cast out of the Garden of Eden: ...wherein he became spiritually dead, which is the first death, even that same death which is ...

Alma 40:15-21 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/tg/resurrection?lang=eng The New Testament, after the Resurrection of Christ, is replete with testimony by the apostles of the reality of that very thing. I took a pause from this study to reflect over in John 6 . At least twice within that passage, the phrase "the resurrection of the just" had been added back into the passage in the Joseph Smith Translation. No man can come unto me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up in the resurrection of the just. ( JST - John 6:44 ) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up in the resurrection of the just at the last day. ( John 6:54 ) Why, among other doctrines, does the adversary or the world want to suppress...

Alma 40:11-14 Deep consideration of the realities articulated in these verses has brought a very strong spiritual confirmation to me this morning. This doctrine is familiar to me, both because of the numerous times that I have studied these verses before, but also because of the eternal realities that cause my soul to resonate with the Spirit of the Lord. Verse 11 , which I learned and memorized as a youth, especially rings deep and true. We are taken back to God after this amazing and terrible* mortal experience. And then there is a separation between wicked and righteous. In a realm dominated by the Light, there is a separation. It is also curious to note how the same Being, God, can induce such dramatically different responses in individuals based upon their choices. *I use terrible in the sense of "extremely unpleasant or disagreeable" or to illustrate the extreme hardships that are an inevitable part of this experience. --- In verses 12-14 , the states of the r...

Alma 40:1-10 I have in recent days been more engaged in the invitation of the Savior to ask, seek, and knock .  Alma demonstrates this process very vividly to his son, Corianton, as he goes on in this chapter to share his knowledge of the Resurrection. The Spirit of the Lord has impressed upon me this morning the phrase, "the time appointed"  which appears various times throughout this passage. In verse 10 , there is a footnote that leads to Acts 17:26 which reads: And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; There is a footnote here on the word "bounds" that goes to Job 14:5 which says in part "thou has appointed his bounds that he cannot pass." So what? What does this mean to me? To others? Here is where things get personal and so I now have my list of questions to take to the Lord in morning prayer. --- In verse ...

Alma 39:12-19 In verse 12 , Alma states that the Spirit of the Lord has said unto him, "Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction." He then commands his son to refrain from his iniquities, "in the fear of God." --- Alma goes on to command his son not to seek after riches. He then expounds to his son a few thought concerning the coming of Christ. --- I've now been with this passage of scripture for 3 or 4 days. Tomorrow, let's start with questions. Typically, when I'm stuck in a scripture study, I've asked the question: how does this point me towards Christ? I will start here tomorrow. I will also be asking additional questions based off of what I am reading. The ability to ask questions is an attribute of divinity, and is a teaching of Christ. Ask, and it shall given you. ( 3 Nephi 14:7 ) --- Going back to verse 12 , the very first thing that Alma says is that it is the Spirit of the...

Alma 39:2-11 One impression that comes to me in prayer as I reflect on this rather hard passage of scripture is that Alma did his son no disservice by clearly stating where the offenses lay and explaining simply the challenges that his conduct had created. Neither is this a heat-of-the-moment exchange. --- It appears to be random and off-topic, but in my prayers this morning I'm reminded of an exchange I had briefly with an older couple about a year ago with my family at a Subway's shop in Sedalia, Missouri. The details of that conversation are not for this setting, but it reminds me that there are no chance encounters. --- Back to the passage at hand, Alma spells out the begin and the end of his son's departure from the paths of safety, expounding upon the consequences of both. This allows his son to clearly see how to make course correction.  This was important in his son's darkened state because it allowed him a path of escape into greater light. --- On an...

Alma 39:1 On family dynamics: Alma starts into his council towards his son, Corianton, by what appears to be a comparison to his older brother. This isn't a comparison though.  Rather this is guidance and a testimony of the power of "a good example". There is a footnote here that I will delve into deeper tomorrow. --- I have spent a small amount of time reviewing scripture that talk of example. I like how it is also equated with light, leadership, standard of righteousness, and pattern.  We are commanded to be an example of what we believe. In John 13 , the Savior says, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." Then two verses later, He adds " If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." The relationship between testimony and conversion is thus put into its proper place here. Why are we commanded to be an example of the believers? Why should we let our light shine before men that they can glorify...

 Alma 38:13-15 Three simple verses at the end of this chapter that teach me how to pray and be humble. It seems likes such a small set of instructions, especially compared to what Alma gave to Helaman, but I find the points that he chooses to emphasis here, extremely important in teaching prayer and one's proper attitude towards prayer. None of us really have the advantage before God. (That's not to say that he that keeps the commandments, and doeth the will of the Father, isn't approved of Him.) But there is this simple issue of humility that is required of all men when they approach the throne of the Almighty. Thus Alma counsels Shiblon: Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times. ( vs.14 ) Christ taught similarly: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a public...

Alma 38:7-12 Alma counsels Shiblon to "bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love." ( vs. 12 ) Not only is this a key insight to happy living, but this is a significant explanation as to why commandments, and why obedience matters. Being passionate about something is good, being driving and motivated to accomplish good works is important, but being filled with love, that is best. In yesterday's study, we established how spiritual knowledge is a gift of God. In today's readings though, there is agency front and center as Alma explains that "never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins." ( vs. 8 ) It strikes me as significant that though God's grace is a gift given, it means nothing to us until we actively turn to receive it. We still have to choose it. We have to want it. ---- Come back to verse 9 tomorrow. I read this verse, and I realized this is why I have pursued the path...

Alma 38:1-6 Here at the outset of Alma's remarks to his second son, Shiblon, there a couple of things that stand out to me: first ,  that Shiblon already was possessor of an intimate witness of God and that his father, Alma, was also aware of that personal testimony that his son possessed. ( see vs 4-5 ) Second , Alma doesn't take credit for the knowledge that he had obtained from God. Rather he says things like this: I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myself and it is the Spirit of God which is in me which maketh these things known unto me and also if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things.  Is all spiritual knowledge then a gift from God? What does Alma mean when he says that it is the Spirit of God which maketh these things known, contrasting that with knowledge that could have been obtained of one's self? What does that do for ownership of one's own testimony? This is again another great Gospel parad...

Alma 37:38-47 In these verses we learn that the Lord has the capacity to create instruments of curious workmanship beyond what men could create. With our modern technology, this seems hard to fathom. However, to create an instrument that works according to their faith in God, this, indeed, no man could do regardless of how intricate or detail it may become. I feel a slight rebuke in subsequent verses. Footnote on "shadow" has me considering Hebrews 8:5 and Mosiah 3:15 "...the words of Christ, if we follow their course, [shall] lead us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise." ( vs.46 ) ---- I've been in this particular set of scripture too long now. I will note though at the end of this study, that feeling that I have from these admonitions of Alma are along the lines of watch always, don't lose sight of the little things, don't give up, "look to God and live." The way is easy, but that doesn't give us licen...

Alma 37:33-37 I love how in five verses Alma preaches the Gospel of Christ and the Plan of Salvation to his son, Helaman. I also love the connection between obedience to commandments and personal revelation through prayer.  Then at the end is the assurance that "if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." Verses 36 and 37 are were my heart has stayed this morning. It is a reminder at a time when I am really struggling with this very pattern, but I also know that there is no other way. So with a new day, my soul is a little more humble and calm, and I move forward, trusting that He will not lead me astray. --- So it's been a few morning since I started this study. This is the second morning now that I've come to the topic of Israel, its gathering and other related scriptures. This morning, however, the Lord wanted me to know specifically that the Gathering of Israel was long and abundantly prophesied of among the ancient prophets, especially ...

Alma 37:21-32 A preliminary review of these verses points out in my mind two things. Workers of darkness have their signs and wonders --secret oaths and hidden systems to accomplish their wickedness. This could have many modern parallels.  The works of righteousness are different in all things than that of darkness. --- If one does not pay close attention, we miss that these verses are expressly the words of the Lord concerning  darkness and wickedness. Christ is very interested in preserving the faithful even in the midst of darkness. So much so that he even prepares tools that will afford the righteous power to discern wickedness and bring those secret works of darkness out into the light. I am reminded of other adages as I review these verses, like "..it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men;" ( Doctrine and Covenants 3:3 ) I am also reminded of the real difference between wickedness and righteousness, light and darkness.

Alma 37:8-20 This set of scripture is speaking directly to me this morning. Here are the givens, I've been contemplating and sharing the nature of God's commandments. Initially, perhaps we have a tendency to think of commandments written in stone when we think on the commandments of God. Yet to the contrary, what I'm seeing here is fleshy commandments written on the heart, given by revelation. This is what is being asked of me to perform --the things that God has planted in my heart. O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land—but if ye keep not his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence. So I have some pretty clear instruction that has been given me, and yet I am vacillating about  the particulars of how to accomplish such instruction. Mostly because of what I perceive to be a financial limitation. --- Taking these verses to a layer of abstractio...

Alma 37:1-7 On my initial reading of these verses, I've spent a lot of time reviewing the footnotes found in verses 6 and 7 . On the word "small" I was brought Doctrine and Covenants 123:16-17 , which reads: You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.  I read last evening elsewhere about the power of a smile. And the Lord this morning seems to validating this thought, while also encouraging me on in my life's great (yet simple) mission. Action Item: smile and cheerful do all things that are in your power, and leave the rest to God. On a second day of study, my searches took me to contemplate the footnotes on "wise" purpose...

Alma 36:24-30 From the point of Alma's conversion moving forward, he states: I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. ( vs. 24 ) These verse actually summarize with testimony a lot of thoughts and feeling that I have experienced as of late. Alma's whole effort since the point of conversion forward had been to help others come to Christ, bringing them unto repentance and to experience the great joy that he had. His whole effort has been that others would be born of God and be filled with the Holy Ghost. These are the fruits of his labors and they were a source of great joy for him. This is reminiscent of the Savior's parable of the sower: those that received the good seed, bore fruit. (See Matthew 13:23 ) (I've made some personal notes on these verses elsewhere.) Again at the end of...

Alma 36:17-23 The first thing that catches my attention is the contrast between before and after; the bitter and the sweet; the despair verses the hope. Moments earlier, in the gall of bitterness, Alma says: Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God , to be judged of my deeds. ( vs. 15 ) Then as evidence of  this mighty change of heart, he says: Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there . ( vs. 22 ) One moment there is such fear and torment at the thought of being brought into the presence of God. In the next, Alma has a longing to be there singing praises to God. The natural question that follows is: What caused Alma to change internally? (It wasn't seeing an angel.) What about the act of having f...

Alma 36:6-16 As I study this dynamic exchange between Alma and an angel sent from the presence of God, I am reminded of Nephi's declaration about angels: Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. ( 2 Nephi 32:3 ) Therefore, we have the words of Christ writen here to Alma. There are two recorded statements here from the mouth of the angel. First, "Arise." ( vs. 8 ) Second, "If thou wilt of thyself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God." ( vs. 9 ) Alma says that the angel spake many other things unto him, but this first sentence was all that he heard. It struck him with such power as to completely overwhelm him. The power of the words of Christ, perfectly timed, penetrated and convicted Alma to the very core. The harrowing description of the state of Alma's soul is one of torment and horror. (see verses 12 -16 ) It is interesting to note that this was a self-conviction.

Alma 36:1-5 I'm working to put together the connection between being born again (spiritually reborn) and testimony, and I've think I've found it.  Spiritual knowledge, Alma doesn't take credit for the obtainment of spiritual knowledge. Rather he seems to regard it as a gift from God. ( see vs. 4-5 ) In these verse, Alma does verify that in order to obtain a knowledge of spiritual things, one must be born again. If I had not been born of God I should not have known these things. ( vs.5 ) Back in chapter 26, verse 21 & 22 , Ammon confirms this reality, that only those that have been spiritual born of God are those that are possessors of the knowledge that comes from God. This is also supported by what the Savior taught in John 3 . I finished this study over in Mosiah 4:13 . I have felt quite a bit of guilt in recent years with regards to my own children when I read the connection here between personal testimony and the family obligation to teach my children...

Alma 35:15-16 Two verses here at the end of a chapter give an interesting point of introspection in a prophet's life. Having been to every corner of the land, having had preached the gospel to every people, and then now observing that the general tendency of the people was to reject his works, Alma turns inward. The account states that Alma " caused that his sons should be gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness." In our modern vernacular, this sounds like Alma is administering patriarchal blessings to his sons. This hits me at a time when I am being charged to strengthen my own family's spiritual foundations and considering the boundaries which I should set to achieve such blessings. The final line in verse 16 reads says, "And we have an account of his commandments, which he gave unto them according to his own record." (emphasis added)

Alma 35:5-14 Through deceptive means, those who rejected the words of Christ taught by Alma and his brethren actively sought to punish those of their community who did believe. They were cast out of the land of the Zoramites and were then received in the land of Jershon among the Ammonites. There they were openly received "and it came to pass that Alma and his brethren did minister unto them." ( vs. 7 ) This is a simple verse but so profoundly significant to me, in light of recent changes to the Church's ministering efforts. In verse 8 and 9 , the chief ruler of the Zoramites appears to be the one who is most agitated by the conversion of many of the people of his community. It is he who goes so far as to demand that the Ammonites cease to minister to those who are being cast out of his land. But such demands fall on deaf ears especially when it's among a people who have first hand experience with being refugees themselves: And now the people of Ammon did not ...

Alma 35:1-4 I brought to consider "the Power of the Word." (I'm not quoting anything in particular here, but this phrase has popped into my mind as I've started this study this morning. One of Christ's many names or titles is the Word. Consider the following:  In the beginning was the gospel preached through the Son. And the gospel was the word, and the word was with the Son , and the Son was with God, and the Son was of God. ( JST John 1:1 ) In the previous chapter of Alma, Amulek gives this particular testimony: And we have beheld that the great question which is in your minds is whether the word be in the Son of God, or whether there shall be no Christ. And ye also beheld that my brother has proved unto you, in many instances, that the word is in Christ unto salvation . ( Alma 34:5-6 ) So if I go back to the beginning of Alma 35 , and I'm looking for the testimony of Christ, I find it by replacing the use of "word" with the name...

Alma 34:30-41 (This is for me. Don't take this lightly.) Verse 30 states: "...Seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance." Footnote on "fruit" takes me to Alma 13, a section on priesthood, which has weighed heavily upon my mind in the last day or two. In deed, the Spirit of the Lord has been upon me over the past week. Something has changed. ---- It has now been three days since I first started my study of these verses. Two nights ago, on a long drive into the big city, I finally took action on promptings to study the Priesthood. That study started with a review of verse 31, which reminded me: Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. In regards to my duty and ob...

Alma 34:18-29 Pray and do good. I read through these passages this morning, at first, without any resolve to realign my course. Even though I am familiar with this  passage, my life is not quite in harmony with what Amulek teaches here: On Prayer: First off, Christ is mighty to save. And if we had any question about that fact, or if we needed a refresher on the scope of Christ's magnificence, the footnote on "mighty" points to Hebrews 7:24-25 : "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." To be humbled and to continue in prayer onto him: There is no more pressing reminder from day to day than this one. Several statements that Amulek make point to praying over those things which sustain our livelihood. (Fields and flocks in their day.)  Pray for our family (household), morni...

Alma 34:1-17 Amulek picks up the baton in this chapter as a second witness to the people of the Zoramites. In the first seven verses he is summarizing what had already been shared by Alma. I appreciate this approach to teaching that is often employed by master teachers which helps me to understand the significance of what others have taught. Then in verse 8 , Amulek adds his testimony. Amulek talks of Christ both taking upon him the transgressions of his people, and atoning for the sins of the world. Why this distinction? The footnotes on transgression point to Redeemer. There is a distinction between those that want Christ to be their God, and those who do not. The reality is that Christ atoned for the sins of the world. Everyone. But only those who will accept him as their God does the real redemption come. The door is always opened. But only those who will walk through it and claim the Lord's redeeming help, to them is revealed the full scope of his redemptive power. It...

Alma 33:18-23 This is the second time that this theme is repeated in the Book of Mormon. Nephi was the first to mention it back in 1 Nephi 17:40-41 . The idea of over-complicating truth is one of the main ideas that I get from this. Many would not believe that looking on the brazen serpent that Moses lifted up because it was too simple a thing to believe in. (The account in Numbers 21 does not point out that there were those who did not believe, and consequently died because of their disbelief.) Alma points out that the reason that some of the Israelites perished was because they would not believe. Then he asked the Zoramites if they would choose to be healed by just looking, would they not do so quickly. But as he continues to inquire of them, I come to realize that Alma isn't saying: it worked for them, wouldn't that be neat if that were available to us? NO! What Alma is saying is: this type was available to them to help them understand how easy it was to be healed. Th...

 Alma 33:15-17 Now as a second witness of the Son of God, Alma turns to the words of Zenock in quoting this simple verse: For behold, he said: Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son. ( vs. 16 ) There is a footnote on the word "will". The people will not understand the mercies of the Lord bestowed upon them because of the Son. That footnote leads to a very interesting discussion in 2 Peter 3 on the long-suffering of the Lord.

Alma 33:3-14 Now upon exhorting the people to search the scriptures, Alma then turns to an unknown prophet by all modern accounts by the name of Zenos to answer the group's question: how were they to have faith? Not only does Alma use these verses to teach faith in the Son of God, he does it by also teaching the people how to pray, which was also an answer to an earlier question found at the beginning of chapter 32 . Considering verse 11 : And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity ; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions , for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son. (emphasis added) Why would it be required of us to have afflictions in order that the Lord would hear us? Or why does the prophet Zenos say that Lord did hear him because of his afflictions? This seems like a strange statement, almost suggesting that...

Alma 33:1-2 I appreciate this chapter in the Book of Mormon. Alma is a master teacher and the way that he sets the stage in chapter 32 for what happens here in chapter 33 impresses me. This chapter is also fun (to me) because Alma pulls two prophetic references of which there is no record found anywhere else in our modern verse of the scriptures which so perfectly address their present circumstances. (This reminds me of missionaries I knew when I served many years ago who could do the same thing.) The question is put to Alma at the beginning of this chapter of whether they should believe in one God or how the people should begin to exercise their faith. Alma then sets the stage in verse 2 to use the scriptures to support his teaching. ...Behold, ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues. But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures ; if ye suppose...