A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 24:1-4 As I reviewed verses 1 and 2 , the thought came into my head that these people (the Amulonites and Amalekites) were deliberately in opposition to whoever had a belief in God. Now that the Lamanites had converted to God and though these former Nephites had tried to escape this influence by moving among the Lamanites, the opposition had come again into their own country. In my Sunday School classes yesterday, we were having a discussion on faith, hope, and charity. Our instructor made an interesting observation about the adversary's counterfeits: fear, despair, and anger. I mention this here because this is what is motivating these former Nephites to take action against the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi. "...[they] were stirred up by the Amalekites and by the Amulonites to anger against their brethren. "And their hatred became exceedingly sore against them, even insomuch that they began to rebel..."  Fear can be a powerful motivator, and has been for much of th...

Alma 20:8-27 "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." James 1:20 "Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away." 3 Nephi 11:30   These twenty verses contain the account of Ammon and Lamoni's encounter with Lamoni's father, the king over all the land. Without introduction or explanation, Lamoni's father immediately labels Ammon as "one of the children of a liar." ( vs. 10 ) Respecting his father, Lamoni gives the cause for his delay.  Then, "to his astonishment, his father was angry with him." ( vs. 13 , emphasis added) There are two directions that I want to address with this verse. First, it astonished Lamoni that his father responded to him with anger. I'm not sure if it was because his father had always been a peaceful man towards him as his son, or if it was rather because Lamoni had hoped to h...

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 13:11-26 Abinadi proceeds to recount the remainder of the Ten Commandments. He says that he is doing so because it was his perception that the commandments were not written in their hearts. For the benefit of review, I will proceed to list and discuss the remaining eight commandments: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image." The Lord's explanation for the purpose of this commandment is to not deviate from the true form of worship. Praying to idols, or rendering service to them is grievous to the Lord. So He reminds us that so doing will bring upon us the judgments of God unto both us and our children even up until our great-grandchildren. There is a blessing to those that are obedient as well, and that is that mercy is extended to those who love God.  " Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." The Lord goes on to explain that those who do take the Lord's name in vain will be found guiltless. Why? To use the name of Diety as ...

2 Nephi 15:24-25 "Therefore, as the fire..." Footnote on "fire" has at least two implied meanings: The light that emanates from Christ himself. Those faithful remnants of the house of Israel in the last days (see 3 Nephi 20:16 ). This second thought I had not considered. This suggests that the Saints will be the ones that are doing work in the latter days. While the scripture referenced above sounds rather destructive, I recall reading just last evening that the Saint's power to lead in the last days would be noted because of their unique capacity towards kindness and Christ-like compassion. So where the scripture talk of destruction of the wicked and power to consume, which in a sense is calculated to bring fear into the hearts of the wicked, the reality of the issue is that the power and capacity for good that is exhibited by the Saints will be increased. Their works will be works of kindness, love, and great mercy. Yet ironically, in the hearts of the wicked,...

2 Nephi 5:1-2 Following the footnotes for "anger" in these first two verses has brought me to a curiously timely grouping of scriptures in Psalms 37. I will reprint it here in it's entirety. I believe that God talks to men through the scriptures, and this morning is a particularly acute evidence of such a belief. Psalms 37: 1-21 : 1 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou a envious against the workers of iniquity. 2 For they shall soon be a cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 3 a Trust in the Lord , and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the a desires of thine heart. 5 a Commit thy b way unto the Lord ; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall a bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the Lord , and wait a patiently for ...

1 Nephi 3:28-31 Oh, the importance of perspective! Having just escaped the supposed opposition, Nephi and his brothers conceal themselves in the cavity of a rock only to have Laman and Lemuel to break out in violent anger against their younger brothers. Surely they were besides themselves having just lost every worldly possession that they had had their hearts set upon. Any hope of returning to their riches was now gone. As far as they could see, the reason for the loss was Nephi. Nephi notes in his account that before they picked up the rod, they broke out in strong language against him and Sam. This is an account in action of what James, the Lord's apostle, taught: ...The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and is set on fire of hell. ( James 3:5 & 6...