A Study of the Book of Mormon

Jacob 4:14-18 There are several interesting thoughts presented in these final verses that could be each treated individually. For example, verse 14 talks about God ultimately allowing all of his children to do what they will do, even if it will lead to their destruction. "...And because they desired it God hath done it, that they may stumble." Not that God will take away the consequences of bad behavior, but He does work according to our desires. On the the flip side, if our desires are God's desires, then how great are the blessings that will result. Another interesting thought: the stone, or the sure foundation, which God had given the Jews to build upon. When Jacob gave this prophecy, he was anticipating that the Jews would reject "the stone upon which they might build and have safe foundation." ( vs. 15 ) Jacob goes further to say that this stone is the only way that God will provide for their redemption. Jacob also knows that God will redeem His people. So...

1 Nephi 12:16-19 In chapter 12, Nephi is permitted to view the future generation of his posterity in the promised land. When I visualize the great and spacious building that is upheld by the vain imaginations of the world, I note that there is no foundation, or that "it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth," ( 1 Nephi 8:26 ). A classic depiction of this illustrates this very well. I don't know that the scriptures mention anything about the lack of a foundation, but that it is upheld by vain imaginations suggest that these intangible nothings are the foundation of this very large building. Or in other words, there is no foundation. Then it is also interesting to note that there is no easy road between this great edifice of nothingness and the strait and narrow path of righteousness. The two are separated by a gulf of misery which consumes many.