A Study of the Book of Mormon

Jacob 2 The full passage referenced in the title reads like so: "And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God, which thing is pleasing unto God;" ( vs. 7 ). As I read through this chapter, I am brought to consider the burden of a prophet in telling people of their sins, and having to dwell upon that which is unpleasant. This is in the same vein as talks that I've heard President Hinckley and other members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles give over the years about pornography and sexual immorality. They are uncomfortable and unpleasent topics. They are not particularly inspiring, but they are necessary in keeping us on the safe course. They are a sobering, constant reminder of the condition of the world in which we live and problems that plague the lives of our people. If among the church we were free from divorce and ev...

1 Nephi 16:33-39 After another significant period of travel, the party of Lehi rested for a season. The Lord knows what we need and when it is best for us to have that which we need. They needed to travel to meet their objective of reaching the promised land. They also needed a season to rest from their travels. While they rested, Ishmael passed away at the place called Nahom. This time, it is the sons and daughters of Ishmael that murmur because of the loss of their father. Yet even so, the time of the Lord is manifested herein. Two important thoughts that impress me as I read these verses: The influence of spouse upon our own perceptions and motivations- I wonder how Nephi's wife responded to the passing of her father. Perhaps, it is what Nephi does to comfort her, which we have no record of, that calmed her at this time of mourning. Along those same lines, Laman, instead of acting in a way that would extend comfort and peace during a time of loss, reacts to the situation. The i...