A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 40:15-21 https://www.lds.org/scriptures/tg/resurrection?lang=eng The New Testament, after the Resurrection of Christ, is replete with testimony by the apostles of the reality of that very thing. I took a pause from this study to reflect over in John 6 . At least twice within that passage, the phrase "the resurrection of the just" had been added back into the passage in the Joseph Smith Translation. No man can come unto me, except he doeth the will of my Father who hath sent me. And this is the will of him who hath sent me, that ye receive the Son; for the Father beareth record of him; and he who receiveth the testimony, and doeth the will of him who sent me, I will raise up in the resurrection of the just. ( JST - John 6:44 ) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up in the resurrection of the just at the last day. ( John 6:54 ) Why, among other doctrines, does the adversary or the world want to suppress...

Alma 22:19-26 In these verses, it seems to be that that which is not written which offers the greater insights. This morning, I am asking myself: where is God in these verses? What about these particularly verses points me closer to Christ? In verses 19 and 20 , there is no mention or reference to God or Christ. But as I went back and re-read those verses, it appears to be what was not said that revealed Their influence. So the queen learns of the state of her husband, and discovers Aaron and his brother standing near by. The verse says, "as though they had been the cause of his fall."  The wording says so much without saying anything at all. Or in other words, Aaron and his brothers were NOT THE CAUSE of the king's fall. This is where God is hidden in the details of this verse. The power of God, or His influence upon the king (which was through the teachings and ministering of Aaron and his brethren) was the cause of the fall. The next verse also says that the servants...

1 Nephi 19:18-24 Nephi, in his discussion on the purpose of record keeping, says that the main purpose for his keeping records is to persuade his people to come unto the Lord their Redeemer. He is grateful for the records from the brass plates and points specifically to the records of Isaiah, which he says is of particular worth unto them because of their ability to persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer. Verse 20 is the verse that the Lord is pointing me to this morning. This is an explanation of the workings of the Spirit and the benefit and blessing of these things in my own life. Perhaps it is even the protection and salvation that giving heed to the promptings of the Holy Spirit has afforded me.

1 Nephi 4:4-17 Yesterday I made the observation that Nephi was already very familiar with the workings of the Spirit. Today's reading notably verifies this claim to Nephi's capacity to commune with the Holy Spirit. I love Nephi's humility in confessing that he was led by the Spirit -- not knowing what he was to do. It is the dialog that he has with the Spirit as he is weighing out the consequences of the decision to slay Laban that is the proof of his capacity. I feel that I can most of the time be sensitive to the Spirit, but can I reason with the Spirit? Am I sensitive enough to understand specific instructions? Do I have the faith to believe the arguments that He would proposed to me?

Ether 4:8-19 Vs. 9 - Why does a loving older brother tell us these things as if to cause fear in our hearts? He can't deny what is true. Vs. 10 - If I don't believe the word of God, I believe not His disciples. Example - If I say I believe the words of Pres. Hinckley, I believe he is a prophet, but then if I don't hearken unto his counsel and fail to be obedient, I lie. Vs. 11 - Because I believe in God and I have received of his Spirit, I know and must bear record of these truths. Knowledge by the Spirit : This is Testimony. Ether 4:11 - "...For because of my Spirit, he shall know that these things are true..." 2 Nephi 32:5 - "...if Ye will enter into the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." 3 Nephi 16:6 (Words of Christ) "...the Holy Ghost, which witnesses unto them of me and of the Father." 1 Cor. 12 - "...no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Ether 4:...