A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 24:5-19 Verse 5 - I need to remind myself that within a context of charity, this is a vexing issue for these missionaries to see their brethren being threatened with war as a result of their conversion to Christ. Compelled by this deep sense of duty and love for their brethren, they gather together in a council that they might determine the will of the Lord in this matter.  Councils as a tool are well documented elsewhere as to their effectiveness in group settings. Oh what good gets accomplished in councils when motivated by genuine concern and love! I'm also impressed that this council happened as they had become aware of the Lamanites' preparations for war. It wasn't an afterthought as a result of a battle already fought. Though past experience and whatever counter-intelligence that they had access to as leaders, they saw beforehand the struggles that lay ahead of them, and so they counseled collectively on how to avoid such. Gratitude is a predecessor here in the ...

Mosiah 26:14-33 An important key to receiving revelation is given in verse 14 . Alma poured out his whole soul to God. Then he was blessed with open communication, and "the voice of the Lord came to him." How often do I get to the point that I am in open communion with God? How quick am I to forget the blessings that can freely flow from heaven? The feelings that I have felt as I have read through these verses are almost too tender to recount herein. There is a beautiful review of the core doctrines of the Gospel of Christ. There are important points also that sometimes get overlooked in basic gospel discussions, such as  the importance of covenants and taking upon us the name of Christ. Verse 23 has caught my attention this morning as being particularly curious and at the same time amazing. Verse 22 states that "And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive." Then the reason for such mercy and kindness: " For it is I that...

Mosiah 4: 1-3 The effect of King Benjamin delivering the angelic message caused the fear of the Lord to come upon the people. (I am trying to imagine how this happened.) It impresses me that this happened at the end of Benjamin's lifetime and reign as king. His people must have already had a deep love, a profound sense of respect, and absolute trust toward him to allow themselves to be influenced in this manner. This too then is testament to a lifetime of diligent labors. In verse 2 , the people cry: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men.  This has always left me a little confused as to how this happened. How does a multitude of people "cry aloud with one voice?" Perhaps it was given them what to say? Or was it purely improvised?  Does it matte...

Enos 1:1-8 As testament to his father Jacob, Enos begins his short account with a simple statement of tribute to his father: " knowing my father that he was a just man." ( verse 1 , emphasis added) How appropriate and how beautiful is the acknowledgment of a son of his father's goodness and righteousness. It might seem backwards that the testimony of a son towards his father would be such compelling evidence of his father's goodness, but on the other hand, who better to make such a statement. Enos's account is different than Nephi's and Jacob's. Here is the first prophet in the Book of Mormon to make reference to his own repentance and conversion to Christ. He describes it in simple terms by saying, "I will tell you of the wrestle that I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins." ( verse 2 ) Enos's repentance process was, when it finally came, an all day ordeal. He was found in a quiet place, were betwixt him and God they cou...

2 Nephi 19:3-5 Verse 3 lists blessings or results of the "light" shining upon the house of Israel. Specifically, it mentions two blessings: 1) that he had multiplied the nation, and 2) that he had increased their joy. This first blessing has reference to the ancient covenant that the Lord made with Abraham (see Abraham 2:9 ) in that he would make of Abraham's posterity a great nation. By the time of Isaiah, the fulfillment of this promise had already been brought to pass. This second blessing, an increase of joy, is later described in this third verse as a joy similar to that which is experienced in a fruitful harvest, or the spoil obtained after a long fought battle. These comparisons make me to think that this joy is the result of something that had been desired for a long season, and more so which is the result of a long period of labor, comparable to all the work that goes into bringing about a fruitful harvest. Verse 4 explains the cause for this increase of joy: t...

2 Nephi 16:6-7 The weight and significance of these verse was brought to my understanding over the weekend with a sacred experience where I had the opportunity to personally listen to the testimony of another. It was a lifetime of experiences that stemmed from one pivotal event: the remission of sins through the ordinance of baptism. That's what I see in these verse of Isaiah, the remission of his sins which came just prior to his calling as a prophet. In his ministry as a prophet, his personal experience is not the first thing which he points to, however the importance of this principle, being cleansed from sins, he does emphasize at the beginning of his book: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. ( Isaiah 1:18 ) The reality that sin can only be forgiven through the Lord Jesus Christ is the crux of our message. This is where the Gospel of Jesus C...