A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 39:12-19 In verse 12 , Alma states that the Spirit of the Lord has said unto him, "Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction." He then commands his son to refrain from his iniquities, "in the fear of God." --- Alma goes on to command his son not to seek after riches. He then expounds to his son a few thought concerning the coming of Christ. --- I've now been with this passage of scripture for 3 or 4 days. Tomorrow, let's start with questions. Typically, when I'm stuck in a scripture study, I've asked the question: how does this point me towards Christ? I will start here tomorrow. I will also be asking additional questions based off of what I am reading. The ability to ask questions is an attribute of divinity, and is a teaching of Christ. Ask, and it shall given you. ( 3 Nephi 14:7 ) --- Going back to verse 12 , the very first thing that Alma says is that it is the Spirit of the...

Alma 35:15-16 Two verses here at the end of a chapter give an interesting point of introspection in a prophet's life. Having been to every corner of the land, having had preached the gospel to every people, and then now observing that the general tendency of the people was to reject his works, Alma turns inward. The account states that Alma " caused that his sons should be gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness." In our modern vernacular, this sounds like Alma is administering patriarchal blessings to his sons. This hits me at a time when I am being charged to strengthen my own family's spiritual foundations and considering the boundaries which I should set to achieve such blessings. The final line in verse 16 reads says, "And we have an account of his commandments, which he gave unto them according to his own record." (emphasis added)

Alma 31:6-7 Alma, in his preparations to preach unto the Zoramites, assembles a dream team of missionaries to accompany him: Ammon, Aaron, Omni, Amulek, and Zeezrom. Six very powerful and effective ministers of the gospel of Christ embark on this errand. Alma also does something else in his preparations to go preach. He brings with him two of his sons to preach unto the people: Shiblon and Corianton. Previously, I might have look at this as favoritism. Now, as I struggle with my own children, I know exactly why Alma has these sons of his in his company. Today's Action Items: - No one is a lone maverick in the Lord's work. Don't do the work of the Lord alone. - Find ways for your family members to contribute to the Lord's work.

Jacob 3:3-9 The more that I am experiencing this reality of the world that I am currently a part of, and the more that I consider the direction of the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days, it all makes perfect sense. For example, the revelation of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" that emphasized the importance of family in all countries and societies. We are only fifteen years from the time that that came about. Never has its warnings and instruction been more needed than now. Yet family, and the preservation of family has always been important to God and his prophets. The preservation of the Lamanites was based in part on the fact that they honored among themselves the basic structure of family. This they did by not violating commandments of fidelity and chastity among husbands and wives. Jacob observes in verse 7 how among the Lamanites, their husbands and wives love each other, and both husbands and wives love their children. Perhaps those he was speaking...

Jacob 2 The full passage referenced in the title reads like so: "And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God, which thing is pleasing unto God;" ( vs. 7 ). As I read through this chapter, I am brought to consider the burden of a prophet in telling people of their sins, and having to dwell upon that which is unpleasant. This is in the same vein as talks that I've heard President Hinckley and other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles give over the years about pornography and sexual immorality. They are uncomfortable and unpleasent topics. They are not particularly inspiring, but they are necessary in keeping us on the safe course. They are a sobering, constant reminder of the condition of the world in which we live and problems that plague the lives of our people. If among the church we were free from divorce and ev...

2 Nephi 10:1-2 Jacob, the day following his profound and insightful discourse in chapter 9 , again resumes the discussion of covenants that are extended to the children of the House of Israel. He is particularly interested in focusing on the righteous remnant that will proceed from their own lineage. In verse 2 , the driving point of this teaching is that these are the the promises that apply to "our children" in this life. These are not theoretical ideas or vague references of general application. "...God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer," ( vs. 2 ).

Ether 6:12-30 Vs. 12 - Upon having arrived in the Promised Land, this people humbled themselves to the ground and gave thanks, a much different attitude than their children. -- In short, the Jaredites that first came to the Americas were a humble, righteous people. Because they were, they began to multiply and become strong. Vs. 22 - The people desired to have a king to lead them. Mahonri's first response is that this thing leadeth to captivity. -- ALmost all the sons of Mahonri and Jared understood this and wouldn't be responsible for the captivity of the people. But they were not completely united. One of Jared's sons consented to be king, Orihah. Vs. 28, 30 - How ever Orihah was not an evil man. He did reign in righteousness. He had humbled himself from before the Lord.