A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 36:24-30 From the point of Alma's conversion moving forward, he states: I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. ( vs. 24 ) These verse actually summarize with testimony a lot of thoughts and feeling that I have experienced as of late. Alma's whole effort since the point of conversion forward had been to help others come to Christ, bringing them unto repentance and to experience the great joy that he had. His whole effort has been that others would be born of God and be filled with the Holy Ghost. These are the fruits of his labors and they were a source of great joy for him. This is reminiscent of the Savior's parable of the sower: those that received the good seed, bore fruit. (See Matthew 13:23 ) (I've made some personal notes on these verses elsewhere.) Again at the end of...

Alma 26:1-7 This chapter represents the end of 14 years of missionary labors for Ammon and his brethren, though it doesn't expressly say so at the beginning of the chapter. Rather, this chapter starts immediately with the remarks of Ammon as he is reflecting back upon their labors. His remarks begin with a series of questions: "...Could we have supposed when we started from the land of Zarahemla that God would have granted unto us such great blessings?" (vs. 1) "...What great blessings has he bestowed upon us? Can ye tell?" (vs. 2)  Ammon proceeds to answer for himself with this statement first: ...Our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God!  (vs. 3) And then he points to the blessing: And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work. (also ...

2 Nephi 5:8-20 Nephi acknowledges the Lord's involvement at this critical moment of transition. For Nephi, this knowledge is indispensable. In recognizing the presence of the Lord in their dealings, Nephi gives credit to the source of his blessings first. From Matthew 6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Nephi's account here is evidence of the Lord's promises that unto the righteous, the Lord will bless them in all things that they need.

1 Nephi 17:1-6, 12-15 The final leg of their land journey is described in the first verses of this chapter ( see vs. 1-6 ). It is in this section of the account that we learn that this is journey from Jerusalem to the land Bountiful by the seashore was in duration eight years long. That is a vast amount of time. Nephi describes that blessings that accompanied them as they crossed towards the land Bountiful. (The description of their women being able to give birth and nurse their children is a vivid illustration to this young father of how blessed they were during their travels. ) Nephi concludes: "Thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them", ( vs 3 ) There is a brief antidote for acquiring a testimony in verses 13-15 . The Lord explained to Nephi why it was that ...

These first verses Nephi endeavors to establish his credentials that qualify him to make the record that he is about to make. Good upbringing under his parents' mentorship Experienced in many afflictions Highly favored (or blessed) of the Lord Possessing a knowledge of the mysteries of God I'm looking at this from another perspective this evening though. Instead of listing his credentials, I feel that this is a recognition of his blessings, a thankful acknowledgment at the front this record which sets the tone and position of the author of this text -- gratefully humble and divinely inspired. Doctrine & Covenants 78:19 expresses well the principle that Nephi embodies here at the beginning of this book. "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more." Gratitude is a precursor to receiving blessings. Where then does obedience fit in to this equation?

Ether 9 Vs. 3 ) The only way to avoid destruction was to completely choose the right. The King Omer was warned in a dream by the Lord.   Vs. 5-6 ) Meanwhile, the wicked were power hungry and rebelled against one another and killed each other. Akish had his father-in-law killed and later his son, and eventually his power hungry empire imploded on itself and after it had fallen, vs. 13 ) Omer returned and established his son Emer as King. Vs. 16 ) Under the reign of Emer, the Lord blessed the land. Ether 9:19 - In the Americas, they had elephants! Vs. 22 ) Emer is immortalized in history for having had seen the Savior. This one phrase tells us so much about his character. This explains success in his reign. Vs. 26 ) King Heth, great grandson on Emer, dethroned his father. And unlike kings before him, Heth did not protect the prophets when they came out to call the people to repentance. Vs. 30-35 ) The Lord sent them a plague and poisonous serpents.

Ether 1 Vs. 34 - We learn that Jared's brother was highly favored of the Lord, so he would pray unto the Lord and his prayers were answered. How was he able to do that? Was it a big secret? No, Jared's brother was righteous. He was diligent in prayer. Vs. 43 - The Lord says that He blessed the seed of the Brother of Jared because of his continual, long faithfulness in prayer.