A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 34:30-41 (This is for me. Don't take this lightly.) Verse 30 states: "...Seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance." Footnote on "fruit" takes me to Alma 13, a section on priesthood, which has weighed heavily upon my mind in the last day or two. In deed, the Spirit of the Lord has been upon me over the past week. Something has changed. ---- It has now been three days since I first started my study of these verses. Two nights ago, on a long drive into the big city, I finally took action on promptings to study the Priesthood. That study started with a review of verse 31, which reminded me: Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. In regards to my duty and ob...

Jacob 5 This chapter is the story of the tame and wild olive trees, which according to the record of Jacob, was actually first recorded by the prophet, Zenos, to the house of Israel. Remember what Jacob explained in chapter 4, he says that he would use this to illustrate how it is that God would gather Israel after they had rebelled against Him. Below are some verses that have stood out to me in this reading.  Vs. 22 - Having separated small, young branches from the main olive tree, that had begun to decay, the master of the vineyard observes: "Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit." I feel much like one of these young branches being placed in a poor spot of land, yet being frequently and abundantly nourished by the good word of God. I find it curious the emphasis on good and evil fruits. Indeed, the measure of one's righteousnes...

2 Nephi 13:9-15 There is one verse amidst all the decreed condemnation and destruction of Judah and Jerusalem that is worthy of my entire attention this morning, verse 10 : "Say unto the righteous that it is well with them; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings." I struggle with this daily, perhaps we all do. But that there are blessings specifically assigned to the righteous, makes the desire to obtain such a station all the more worthy of our best time and efforts. Arguably, it is in the pursuit of righteousness that we obtain it. Thus, to be righteous becomes a lifelong process, a continual exertion of our best selves. "How can such a state of constant striving, yield fruits?" "How could fruit grow into maturity otherwise?" is perhaps the better question. Today I will strive to become whom I ought to be, for whom I know I should have become yesterday, but still hope I can become tomorrow, so that in the end, through repentance and faith on the Lo...