A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 27:1-14 When I am struggling to find meaning in a particular passage of scripture, I will look for what that set of scriptures are teaching me about God. Here, when a critical decision needed to be made regarding the safety and welfare of the Ammonite converts, the king asks of Ammon to inquire of the Lord. Here is an interesting thing, because the will of the Lord was essentially the same as Ammon's desire for the people. However, the word of the Lord that came to Ammon allowed for greater depth and understanding. It wasn't just, "yeah, he said yes." Rather, the word of the Lord to Ammon gave explanation and reason for their needed departure plus some behind-the-scenes perspective on what was happening in spiritual terms: Get this people out of this land, that they perish not; for Satan has great hold on the hearts of the Amalekites, who do stir up the Lamanites to anger against their brethren to slay them; therefore get thee out of this land; and bles...

Alma 12:25-37 In the corruption of Christianity through the means of the great Apostasy, one of the greatest cover-ups that Satan has tried to execute is the reality of a plan: a plan of redemption. No where in scripture is the reality of the plan of redemption (also called the plan of happiness, the plan of salvation, etc. -- it's all the same plan) more clearly explained. Repeatedly, Alma asserts that this plan was prepared from the foundation of the world, and that everything that has transpired since then has been according to plan. (There are 7 specific references to the "plan of redemption" in the end of this chapter.) As discussed previously, there was a plan laid so that when Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit that they would still be allowed a period of probation, in order that they may prepare to return to God's presence. The verses then that follow explain how without the plan, there would have been no resurrection, no probationary state, and the w...

Alma 12:1-7 Verses 3 to 6 offer important insight into the devil's tactics and motives. While first directing his comments to just Zeezrom, Alma makes clear that all the community around Zeezrom was also being taken advantage of through the devil's efforts. What's more, these verses explain that the adversary actually had a plan for their destruction. His efforts were crafted to be subtle and imperceivable so that he may gain control of the community and the individual. This is a reality that the adversary has power to exercise control over us. That is the only power that he has, but that is the whole thrust of his campaign of evil: so that he can bind us during this season of mortality to prevent us from experiencing the peace and happiness of a good life and ultimately, to obtain salvation. At the end of verse 7 , the writer makes this insightful observation: "for power was given unto them that they might know of these things according to the spirit of prophecy ....

Alma 8:7-13 There are two corollary lines of thought that I find very interesting, which this passage reminds me of: Works and Knowledge. In verse 9 , the scripture observes "Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people." There's a footnote on the word "hold" that leads me to consider the reality of satan's opposition. In terms of knowledge, he discourages people from knowing him, while God encourages us to know Him (God the Father and His Son). In regards to works, the works of the devil oppose the works of righteousness. In fact, one of the more diabolical tactics employed by the devil is to say that no work is needed to draw closer to God. Similarly, he lies to others by telling them that there is no need to work in Zion. (see 2 Nephi 28:19-22 ) There  is actually a third line of thought which results in understand one of satan's most effective tactics: contention, to "stir them up to anger against that which is good." ( 2 Neph...

2 Nephi  24 Studying 2 Nephi 24, the thought impresses me that the one to whom Lucifer is telling the biggest lie is himself. For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. ( vs. 13-14 ) There are two sides only to the battle in heaven and on earth. On the one side are those that serve the Lord, and on the opposite side are those that serve themselves, and think that of themselves they are able to attain some greater degree of glory than what God has promised to those that follow Him. This chapter begins with this reminder: "For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel," ( vs. 1 ). This is a reminder of the Covenant that God made with Abraham and his sons. In the day that this will be brought to pass, it says that "the land of the Lord wi...

1 Nephi 22:20-26 I am familiar with this verse that I've extraction the post title from, verse 20. What I had not done was put the two parts of the verse together. The Lord will surely prepare a way for his people. What is that way? Nephi then references Moses in his prophecy of the advent of the Savior. Moses calls him a prophet that the Lord our God will raise up--A prophet whom we should obey in all things. Going over to John, where the Savior proclaimed himself "the way, the truth, and the life", I've read from John 14:6 to verse 14 . Very strongly impressed in my mind this morning is that promise: "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it," (vs.14). Back in 1 Nephi, Nephi states "the righteous need not fear, for they are those who shall not be confounded," ( vs. 22 ). Nephi concludes this section with a personal witness of what he has seen in our day, of the Lord Jesus Christ (herein called the Holy One of Israel) performing his gr...

Mormon 5 Vs. 1 - He (Mormon) knew their fate. Yet I suppose it was his love for his own people that brought him to lead then one last time. These people looked to Mormon as a man of greatness, so much so that they believed he could deliver them from their afflictions. But they would not repent. At this point, 380 years after the sign [of Christ's birth], all where equal in this war. The Lord protected no one (save Mormon). Man for man. Vs. 14 - It appears that these records (the Book of Mormon) have a great role in bringing to pass the covenant that the Father made with the House of Israel. They (the records - the Book of Mormon) will persuade the Jews to believe in the Christ. Vs. 16 - "...and they are without Christ and God in the world;" So many today walk this same lonely road without light... why? Vs. 18 - The imagery is excellent. Such are those led captive by the devil's power. Some people in the world claim to enjoy this way of life, no direction, unpredic...