A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 33:3-14 Now upon exhorting the people to search the scriptures, Alma then turns to an unknown prophet by all modern accounts by the name of Zenos to answer the group's question: how were they to have faith? Not only does Alma use these verses to teach faith in the Son of God, he does it by also teaching the people how to pray, which was also an answer to an earlier question found at the beginning of chapter 32 . Considering verse 11 : And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity ; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions , for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son. (emphasis added) Why would it be required of us to have afflictions in order that the Lord would hear us? Or why does the prophet Zenos say that Lord did hear him because of his afflictions? This seems like a strange statement, almost suggesting that...

Alma 9:7-13 After the people's contest of Alma's authority, he immediately turns around and "boldly testif[ies]" against them. After a very striking accusation of their wickedness, Alma gives the reason for the accusation directed towards them: They had forgotten the traditions of their fathers (which were righteous traditions). They had forgotten to keep the commandments of God.  He then goes on to list five instances of God's kindness and mercy towards their ancestors and specifically towards them as a people. Alma draws a very strong case for God's mercy and long-suffering from their nation's family history. Then in verse 12 , Alma returns to his original theme of repentance and this time with a strong warning of destruction if they did not repent. What's interesting about these words is that if one goes beyond the superficial, these are fundamental statements of profound truth: "Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and ...

Mosiah 23:19-24 There are footnotes on the word "chasten." I've found the reference in Deuteronomy 11:1-8 speaks directly to me. Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway. And know ye this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the Lord your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm... But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the Lord which he did. Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it; ( vs. 1,2,7,8 ) The admonition to be diligent in all commandments is particularly more applicable to those who know and have witnessed the power of His almighty hand.

2 Nephi 20 The condemnation decreed upon the house of Israel continues in verses 1-4 of this chapter. Whereas in the last chapter, it talks about even the fatherless and widows being evildoers, so that the Lord would have no mercy on them, in this chapter, it points to the leadership of their people as the source of suffering for the poor, the widows, and the fatherless. It is interesting to note in the following verses that the Lord permitted Assyria to afflict the House of Israel. Yet to the mind of Assyria, it was their own craft and wisdom that brought upon them their prosperity over Israel. Isaiah hence points out that this is only because the Lord decreed destruction upon Israel, and that Assyria in the end would also be destroyed. The key variable that is almost never understood is the Lord's involvement in it all. Hence in verse 24, the Lord comforts Zion, and tells them to not fear Assyria, thought it would seem that there was for the immediate a preference given to Assyri...

Ether 2 From the introduction of this chapter I learn that the account here in is of a man who talked with the Lord. I might want to note what brought him up to that point. Vs. 8 - To emphasize the importance of the promise land, the Lord swore in his wrath unto the brother of Jared that those that possess it shall only serve the true and  everlasting God or should be destroyed. Vs. 10 - The promises of the land are repeated and vs. 11 explains why -- that we might repent before we become ripe in iniquity. Vs. 12 - The key to keeping this a free land is to serve the only true and living God, Jesus Christ. In desiring to be visited of the Lord, I read vs. 14 . The Lord visited Mohonri to chastise him for not praying.  Vs. 16 - The Lord showed Mohonri how to build a boat. He gave them the exact instruction to create a ship in a style so unknown by man but that was superior to anything man could make. ...Could not the Lord lead you in your own pursuits of life, if you let hi...