A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 10:13-32 Immediately upon hearing the testimony of Amulek, some of those that were present saw an opportunity to profit financially from the situation. These were lawyers. The scriptures here detail the motives of those that sought to oppose Alma and Amulek. Despite being able to manipulate public perception of the Lord's chosen servants according to their training and craft, what these lawyers did not know and what they did not expect was that Amulek was able to discern their thoughts and reveal their wicked intentions.(see vs. 17 ) It is then recorded Amulek's response to his discernment of the lawyers' cunning devices and wickedness. What the people don't get yet is that Amulek's response is motivated by discernment. Rather they assume that he is bent on reviling against their written law. What I find intriguing is that Amulek doesn't start out giving irrefutable evidence of his ability to perceive their thoughts. This doesn't come until much later. ...

2 Nephi 19:8-21 What the remainder of this chapter is dealing with has to do with Israel's complete ignorance, or deliberate lack of faith, so that they might continue in their sinful ways. The reality that seems to be echoed in my mind is this simple truth: that the closer one gets to God and becoming like God, the harder it is, and more offensive to the Lord it is to back down, ignore, or turn away from Him. The Lord does not forget the execution of his covenants. So to those whom he has blessed with his Word, he judges according to that knowledge which is given them. Men will try to rebuild in the face of such condemnation from the Lord, as if the condemnation and chastisement of God were some minor inconvenience that they could just work around. "...The sycamores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars." ( vs. 10 ) Here are some thoughts as I contemplate these verses. I think on what wickedness there must be to incite the wrath of God. These verse include co...

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...