A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 6 After Alma's pivotal discourse at Zarahemla, the record states that "he ordained priests and elders, by laying on his hands according to the order of God, to preside and watch over the church."( vs.1 ) Those who would repent became a part of the Church of God; those who would not repent and already belonged to the Church of God, had their names "blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous." ( vs.3 ) Thus is the work of the kingdom, to organize according to covenants, the righteous from the wicked, that the righteous might have a support structure in which to strengthen their faith and to perform greater works than they would otherwise be able to do for themselves. In the fifth verse of this chapter, after explaining this sorting of church members between the wicked and the righteous on conditions of their repentance, the author explains that everyone was permitted to come to church, regardless of their willingness to repen...

Mosiah 26:14-33 An important key to receiving revelation is given in verse 14 . Alma poured out his whole soul to God. Then he was blessed with open communication, and "the voice of the Lord came to him." How often do I get to the point that I am in open communion with God? How quick am I to forget the blessings that can freely flow from heaven? The feelings that I have felt as I have read through these verses are almost too tender to recount herein. There is a beautiful review of the core doctrines of the Gospel of Christ. There are important points also that sometimes get overlooked in basic gospel discussions, such as  the importance of covenants and taking upon us the name of Christ. Verse 23 has caught my attention this morning as being particularly curious and at the same time amazing. Verse 22 states that "And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive." Then the reason for such mercy and kindness: " For it is I that...

Mosiah 25:14-24 Churches are form of organization. They exist for a government of spiritual matters. Being that God is a God of order, it naturally follows that as man draws nearer to God that there would be a tendency to organize oneself into a church or an organized body of the followers of Christ. This selection details how it was that Alma organized a church (or seven churches) in the land of Zarahemla after their return. As a part of this organization, the people of Limhi, who had also returned to Zarahemla, are instructed and received into the kingdom of God by baptism. As Alma is instructing the people of Limhi, the scriptures here point out that Alma did teach them that "they should remember that it was the Lord that did deliver them." ( vs. 16 ) Upon being taught, Limhi and his people are desirous to be baptized. Baptism was both a matter of organizational procedure as a gateway into the kingdom of God, but also a matter of personal covenant and a witness of the indi...

Mosiah 3:13-19 The purpose of a prophet is to afford the people the opportunity to exercise faith in Jesus Christ, and repent so that they may receive a remission of their sins. Their teaching makes it as if Christ himself were there among the people where a prophet is found. ( see vs 13 ) The law of Moses was calculated to remind the people of God of the coming of Christ. Additionally, the Lord sent signs, wonders, types, and shadows of his coming. Also, he sent prophets to testify of Christ and his coming. Yet, what was not understood was that there was no salvation  in the laws, rites, and rituals associated with the law of Moses, but salvation was to come through the atonement of  Jesus Christ. (see vs 14-15 ) The focus of this chapter keeps coming back to Christ and his atoning blood. Christ's blood atoned for those who have ignorantly sinned ( vs 11 ). It is the atonement, not the law of Moses, through which salvation comes ( vs 15 ). Little children are redeemed from th...

2 Nephi 18:19-22 This final grouping of verses from this chapter contains another accusation against Israel for looking for answers elsewhere, rather than from God. Verse 19 condemns sooth-sayers, fortune tellers, wizards, those that seek to speak with the dead, etc. with this very simple question: "Should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead? " There is a footnote on this verse that leads to 1 Samuel 28:8-20 , which tells about the fall and demise of Saul, who in failed attempts to communicate with God turned to a woman who practiced sooth-saying, or in other words, wizardry and fortune-telling. The account would almost be humorous, if it wasn't so hopeless and uninspiring. The woman knew that Saul, who was king, had condemned and sought out to destroy those with familiar spirits and wizards. So Saul ,at this point where his kingdom is on the brink of takeover, under disguise and compelled by fear, comes to this woman to find answers. Sau...

1 Nephi 8:3 With the passing of President Hinckley, I've had opportunity to step back and have been reminded that this is the Church of Christ, not of President Hinckley, not of President Monson (who most likely will become his successor). It's really in the timing of little things by which this reminder comes. Little administrative things that point to Christ, instead of drawing attention to the current leadership. Lehi, too, found reasons to rejoice in the Lord--because of Nephi and Sam. I can hardly put into words this morning the reassurances that I feel that this is the Lord's work and that He is with this Church, and that this Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and its leadership are on course for His return, whenever that is.