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 19:31-36 The king has now awoken from his trance and verse 31 says this: And he, immediately, seeing the contention among his people, went forth and began to rebuke them, and to teach them the words which he had heard from the mouth of Ammon; (emphasis added) This is reminiscent of Nephi's attitude towards and faith in the power of the word of God.  ...I, Nephi, did speak much unto my brethren... for they had humbled themselves because of my words; for I did say many things unto them in the energy of my soul. ( 1 Nephi 16:22,24 ) Mormon makes a similar observation about Alma's confidence in the word of God: And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God. ( Alma 31:5 ) Back to the account of king...

Alma 16 In this chapter, there is an account of a war between the Lamanites and the Nephites. It came at the end of a period of elongated peace. Before the Nephites are able to gather sufficient strength to withstand the Lamanite army, the town of Ammonihah is consumed. Other Nephites are taken captive. Fortunately, their military leader is a man by the name of Zoram who inquires of Alma as to where to go to find those Nephites that had been taken captive. Alma, being possessor of the spirit of prophecy, is able to tell Zoram exactly where to find the prisoners upon inquiry from the Lord. (See verses 4-8 ) The people of Ammonihah are destroyed in one day. ( vs. 10 ) --- After the wars are past, the work of the ministry is resumed. Alma and Amulek continued "preaching repentance to the people" together. (See vs. 13 ) In verse 14 , there is a hidden gem: "And as many as would hear their words, unto them they did impart the word of God, without any respect of persons , cont...

2 Nephi 33 Persuasive concluding arguments-- these final words of Nephi's are an irrefutable testimony of truth, and the reality of things as they really are ( see Jacob 4:13 ). I am reminded of the universality of the doctrine as I review Nephi's remarks. Verses 7 and 12 both express Nephi's hope that he expects to see many if not all saved in the kingdom of God. This reminds me of the dialog between Joseph Smith, Sr. and his son, Joseph Smith, Jr. from the video about the First Vision.  The father, who is depicted as being aloof from the churches of their day, says to his son, "I don't expect God intends to save just a few of his children." This seems like such an important part of our doctrine, yet I can't find a word that describes it succinctly. Equality, maybe. But it's more than just the thought that all men are created equal. It's the reality that salvation is obtainable for all. The plan is setup so that we can expect salvation by being ...