A Study of the Book of Mormon

Mosiah 18:8-10 I am working to commit this well know passage of scripture to memory. What follows are some of the thoughts and impressions that have come to me in the process of so doing. This verse is frequently quoted out of context as the definitive definition of why we are baptized. That is well. I appreciate however having the historical background fresh in my mind as I study it. The first aspect of the baptismal covenant that impresses me is the commitment to "bear one another's burdens, that they may be light." I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I was eight years old. I did not understand, nor do I hardly remember the events on the day of my baptism. However, as I look back at the covenant's significance and the promises that were extended to me, it helps me to understand why my life has taken the course which it has. This point has been reinforced and driven home in several ways over the past week. In a recent leade...

Mosiah 18:1-7 Now at the beginning of this chapter, there is a very brief statement about the repentance of Alma, who was prior to his interactions with the prophet Abinadi a wicked priest. We know very little about the repentance process that Alma underwent. In comparison to the double accounts that the Book of Mormon has about his son, Alma the Elder's change of heart goes virtually without note. However, there is one verse in Mosiah 23:9 which does state: But remember the iniquity of king Noah and his priests; and I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused me sore repentance; There we have it then. As private and personal as the repentance process should be, it is sufficient for us to know that Alma, being a wicked priest in the court of King Noah, had to undergo a sore repentance process before he could begin to establish the church of Christ.  These verses that deal with the people's preparation for t...

Mosiah 17:5-20 See also Jeremiah 26 (vs. 11)  These verses have helped me to recall the mission of prophets in the plan of God. The chapter from Jeremiah is particularly useful in this regard. In the March 2012 Ensign, the First Presidency message also focuses on the topic of prophets. To fully appreciate what is given to us in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one must comprehend what the purpose and mission of a prophet is. Here is an individual who has found the way back to God, whom God then in turn uses to direct and point others in the direction that they should go.The reason for prophets is because God is a loving Heavenly Father, who has provided as many ways as he could to show us how to return home to Him without destroying this perfect test of faith. Prophets are yet another evidence of a loving, caring Heavenly Father. Abinadi knew that he needed to what he had spoken was true and that he could not deny his words. He knew that even with the fate of dea...

Mosiah 17:1-4 There is something about the final words of a man's life that serves as a sealing witness or testimony of eternal truth. For some, there is remorse for a lifetime spent in trivial and vain pursuits. For others, fear and uncertainty of what comes next and a failure to prepare for it. And then there are those who have acquired a testimony of the world beyond this one, who have spent their lives in sacrifice and service to others, and in a very real sense, are ready to move on to the next great chapter. Such seems to be the courage and testimony of Abinadi in this final chapter. Verse 2 introduces a very compelling and new dynamic to the story of Abinadi, for at this point in time we see the turning of just one of the priests of King Noah. Singular as he is, that Alma had been converted by the sacrifice and preaching of Abinadi, this shifts my understanding and reasoning for why Abinadi was compelled by the Spirit of the Lord to do as he had done. Not only did Abinadi g...

Mosiah 16 The joy that swells inside of me as I read about Jesus Christ this morning is beautiful. Phrases like "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened ; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." ( vs 9 ) Some additional thoughts that have come into my mind, in no particular order, as I've contemplated Christ as the author of life and light and salvation, the Eternal Father. There is so much to learn, the acquisition of knowledge is becoming more like Christ. Creation is divine, the creation of life is holy. Endless light, there is nothing that can diminish its influence.  I am particularly fascinated by the light. Jesus Christ is the light of the world, a light which can never be darkened, a light that continues to grow and become stronger and stronger.  And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that qu...

Mosiah 15:18-31 I am having a hard time following the natural flow of the chapter, as there are certain specific things that the Holy Spirit would point out for my immediate attention. Fore example, this morning I was stuck on the footnote for the word "foundation" found in verse 19, which linked to Mosiah 4:6 . This reminder of endurance to the end based on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, is the reminder that the Holy Spirit would have me to understand this morning. Now it is another morning, and I am brought to consider the footnote on the word "peace" found in verse 18 . There are references to the books of Micah and John, reaffirming that peace will be established through Jesus Christ. Almost universally everyone understands what peace is. Yet few there are that understand that peace can only come through faith on Jesus Christ, who is the "founder of peace," through whom the redemption and salvation of the whole human family had been prepared from the ...

Mosiah 15:10-17 Abinadi explains how those who access Christ's atonement by making his soul an offering for their sins, these are they who become his seed, or as King Benjamin had put it, the children of Christ. I have had a struggle with these verses this morning. I read and reread verses 10 and 11 about 10 to 15 times this morning. I was trying to look at it from the roll of the believer, then I tried to understand the role of the Lord, but that wasn't what the Lord wanted me to understand this time. Feeling rather distraught about the lack of spiritual information being communicated, I realized that there is one other perspective that could be taken: the role of the prophets. For without the instructive words of the prophets, there is nothing for the children of men to exercise their faith upon, to the end that they might apply the atoning blood of Christ and become heirs of salvation. Thus Abinadi's question, or  Isaiah's question:  who shall declare his generati...