A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 28 Not all missionary experiences end with happy endings. Earlier I had mentioned how Alma 26 was the unspoken homecoming address that seemed to mark the end of the missionary labors. However chapters 27 and 28 are the "rest of the story" that frequently gets overlooked. In fact, I have read this story many times and had completely disassociated the connection between the large-scale conversion of so many Lamanites and the war that resulted from this major social shift. The impact that this has had upon me this time has been jarring. So much good had been accomplished. So many Lamanites had been brought to the knowledge of the truth! Why was there such a large scale ramification? This causes me also to consider the Lord's preferred method of gathering in the last days: "one of a city, and two of a family," ( Jeremiah 3:14 ). Drop by precious drop, little by little Isreal is gathered. Oh how I ought to be more invested, more concerned with the ga...

2 Nephi 9:28-39 I don't know of anywhere else in the scriptures where a prophet lays out the designs of the adversary to destroy us, but this is exactly what Jacob does in these verses. I find in these verses applicable course correction and an appropriate understanding of sin so that I can repent and avoid the more serious sins. Perhaps I don't struggle with all the major sins listed here, but the tendency is there. For instance, I think of how easy it is to glide into auto-pilot in prayers, Sunday School lesson preparation, or participation in Church meetings. If the metaphorical soil of the soul is not tilled periodically and frequently, it becomes harder to learn and receive counsel. The uncircumcised, murderers, adulterers, idol-worshipers -- these all have they're consequences laid out in simple terms in these verses (see vs. 33-37 ). In being able to see the consequences of such actions, there is a strength in understanding the results of even allowing ourselves to t...