A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 28 Not all missionary experiences end with happy endings. Earlier I had mentioned how Alma 26 was the unspoken homecoming address that seemed to mark the end of the missionary labors. However chapters 27 and 28 are the "rest of the story" that frequently gets overlooked. In fact, I have read this story many times and had completely disassociated the connection between the large-scale conversion of so many Lamanites and the war that resulted from this major social shift. The impact that this has had upon me this time has been jarring. So much good had been accomplished. So many Lamanites had been brought to the knowledge of the truth! Why was there such a large scale ramification? This causes me also to consider the Lord's preferred method of gathering in the last days: "one of a city, and two of a family," ( Jeremiah 3:14 ). Drop by precious drop, little by little Isreal is gathered. Oh how I ought to be more invested, more concerned with the ga...

Alma 12:1-7 Verses 3 to 6 offer important insight into the devil's tactics and motives. While first directing his comments to just Zeezrom, Alma makes clear that all the community around Zeezrom was also being taken advantage of through the devil's efforts. What's more, these verses explain that the adversary actually had a plan for their destruction. His efforts were crafted to be subtle and imperceivable so that he may gain control of the community and the individual. This is a reality that the adversary has power to exercise control over us. That is the only power that he has, but that is the whole thrust of his campaign of evil: so that he can bind us during this season of mortality to prevent us from experiencing the peace and happiness of a good life and ultimately, to obtain salvation. At the end of verse 7 , the writer makes this insightful observation: "for power was given unto them that they might know of these things according to the spirit of prophecy ....

Alma 8:7-13 There are two corollary lines of thought that I find very interesting, which this passage reminds me of: Works and Knowledge. In verse 9 , the scripture observes "Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people." There's a footnote on the word "hold" that leads me to consider the reality of satan's opposition. In terms of knowledge, he discourages people from knowing him, while God encourages us to know Him (God the Father and His Son). In regards to works, the works of the devil oppose the works of righteousness. In fact, one of the more diabolical tactics employed by the devil is to say that no work is needed to draw closer to God. Similarly, he lies to others by telling them that there is no need to work in Zion. (see 2 Nephi 28:19-22 ) There  is actually a third line of thought which results in understand one of satan's most effective tactics: contention, to "stir them up to anger against that which is good." ( 2 Neph...

Ether 8 Shule (king) begat Omer (king), who begat Jared , rebelled against dad and went to the land Heth with 1/2 of the people. Jared fought Omer and took him captive. Omer in captivity begat Esrom and Coriantum .   Esrom & Coriantumr fought Jared , their brother and regained the kingdom. Vs. 9 ) The Jaredies had a scriptural account, record of everything from the beginning of the creation. This record also talks of secret plans and combinations. (BT- I understand now why the later prophets kept these things secret.) Jared was sorrowful because of the loss of the kingdom, it was not godly sorrow.  The daughter of Jared.  Vs. 10 ) What did she want to be loved, she cared for her father, though corrupt, she dug up those secret combinations. Vs. 13-15 ) Secret combinations were administered which came from Cain & the old serpent. There's a line: there nothing new about doing bad. Only the devil would have us believe there is.  Vs. 23 ) This is why the ...