A Study of the Book of Mormon

2 Nephi 15:12 Vs. 12 - "And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine are in their feasts; but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands." This is a pointed accusation. Amos 6 elaborates on this condition in greater detail by saying, "Woe unto them that are at ease in Zion." The riches and blessings that are bestowed upon Israel are for an expressed purpose in advancing the causes of Zion. God blesses us with abundance so that we can create equity and share our abundance with others. Historically, what Isaiah is accusing Zion of is the human tendency to waste our abundance on luxury and finery. In this particular verse, those luxuries are described as music and drink to accompany their meals. Then the pointed accusation: "but they regard not the work of the Lord." What is the work of the Lord that the wicked would not consider it? When I consider how hard it is to bring about the converting changes t...

1 Nephi 18:22-25 This modest grouping of verses at the end of this chapter details the conclusion of Lehi's family's journey to the promised land. Their arrival at the promised land is without fanfare. There is no record of the family's responses to the end of their journey by boat, which marked the end of ten years or more of traveling towards the promised land. It was simply the end of another chapter. There was yet much work of ahead of them once they arrived. Nephi mentions the abundance which they discovered in the land of promise. They had brought many seeds with them. Nephi says that they did plant them all. After these many years of travailing, here in the promised land begins a life of abundance. In essence, they are starting over from the very beginning, but resources abound and Nephi, at least, has the industry to make good use of that which is given him.