A Study of the Book of Mormon

 Alma 38:13-15 Three simple verses at the end of this chapter that teach me how to pray and be humble. It seems likes such a small set of instructions, especially compared to what Alma gave to Helaman, but I find the points that he chooses to emphasis here, extremely important in teaching prayer and one's proper attitude towards prayer. None of us really have the advantage before God. (That's not to say that he that keeps the commandments, and doeth the will of the Father, isn't approved of Him.) But there is this simple issue of humility that is required of all men when they approach the throne of the Almighty. Thus Alma counsels Shiblon: Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brethren in mercy—yea, acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times. ( vs.14 ) Christ taught similarly: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a public...

Alma 34:1-17 Amulek picks up the baton in this chapter as a second witness to the people of the Zoramites. In the first seven verses he is summarizing what had already been shared by Alma. I appreciate this approach to teaching that is often employed by master teachers which helps me to understand the significance of what others have taught. Then in verse 8 , Amulek adds his testimony. Amulek talks of Christ both taking upon him the transgressions of his people, and atoning for the sins of the world. Why this distinction? The footnotes on transgression point to Redeemer. There is a distinction between those that want Christ to be their God, and those who do not. The reality is that Christ atoned for the sins of the world. Everyone. But only those who will accept him as their God does the real redemption come. The door is always opened. But only those who will walk through it and claim the Lord's redeeming help, to them is revealed the full scope of his redemptive power. It...

 Alma 33:15-17 Now as a second witness of the Son of God, Alma turns to the words of Zenock in quoting this simple verse: For behold, he said: Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son. ( vs. 16 ) There is a footnote on the word "will". The people will not understand the mercies of the Lord bestowed upon them because of the Son. That footnote leads to a very interesting discussion in 2 Peter 3 on the long-suffering of the Lord.

Alma 32:22-29 As I read these next few verses, I'm contemplating the relationship between the seen and the unseen, God's commands given to prophets  to write the word of God, and how that becomes something that can be seen, so that we can believe in those things which are not seen. And then light, the light of God, the light that Joseph saw in the grove after he exercised his faith! Alma had to teach these poor and impoverished people how to believe. He had to give them instructions on how to have faith. The first step is humility.  The next is a desire to believe.  The final step is to plant the seed of faith in the word of God.  There is a parallel here in the Savior's teaching about the sower and the seeds found in Matthew 13:3-23 . It's also noteworthy that one of the first things Alma says is this: ...remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his ...

Alma 26:31-37 Fresh from a joyous reminder of the Easter season, these final verses of rejoicing are powerful in their own form this morning. In other words, such clarity and conviction are the results of Ammon's missionary efforts that he can confidently boast in his God, and I feel that conviction by witness of the Holy Spirit as I review his words this morning. There are two points that are impressed upon me in these verses: first, the love of their converts ( verses 31-34 ), and second, the merciful nature of an all powerful God ( verses 35-37 ). "Because of Their Love"  Ammon, after having just stated that his only hope as a missionary was "that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul," ( vs. 30 ) he then looks at the fruit of their labors, this great harvest of souls and states "yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us." The proof of their conversion was in the e...

Alma 26:17-22 Verses 17-20 are excellent study in mercy! Ammon recalls here conditions from which God "snatched" them out of their "awful, sinful, and polluted state." The wonder and amazement that accompanies such mercy, when judgment appears to be the proper and prescribed form of action, is illustrated here as well. "...Why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?" ( vs. 19 ) Finally in verse 20 , the affirmation or knowledge that Ammon had obtained of the reality of God's mercy: "Behold... in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls." Then in verse 21 , Ammon poses a sobering question: "What natural man is there that knoweth these things?" His answer is both surprising and reassuring to me: "there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent." Not the humble, not the pure, not the gratef...

Alma 9:14-17 This set of verses presents a interesting observation on the Lamanites in their ignorance. There is a contrasting here of the people of Ammonihah against the Lamanites. While the cause of the ignorance of the Lamanites was their parents' disobedience, which caused them to suffer a spiritual death (separation from God) as a people, their ignorance also was grounds for tolerance at the day of judgement. We also learn something of the merciful characteristics of the Father in prolonging the days of the Lamanites, though they exist in a state of disbelief, until the time that they would believe and repent. Parenthetically, I find a parallel between the promises extended to the Lamanites and those covenants and promises extended to the House of Israel and the Jewish nation.  Then at the end of this passage of scripture, there is this eternal nugget of truth: "Many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name." (emphasis adde...

Alma 9:7-13 After the people's contest of Alma's authority, he immediately turns around and "boldly testif[ies]" against them. After a very striking accusation of their wickedness, Alma gives the reason for the accusation directed towards them: They had forgotten the traditions of their fathers (which were righteous traditions). They had forgotten to keep the commandments of God.  He then goes on to list five instances of God's kindness and mercy towards their ancestors and specifically towards them as a people. Alma draws a very strong case for God's mercy and long-suffering from their nation's family history. Then in verse 12 , Alma returns to his original theme of repentance and this time with a strong warning of destruction if they did not repent. What's interesting about these words is that if one goes beyond the superficial, these are fundamental statements of profound truth: "Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and ...

Alma 7:1-2 Verses 1 and 2 seem like something of a formality only if we choose to see them that way. However, recent prayers and events in my own life have caused me to consider the significance of a few key points. Alma starts his remarks by stating that he had been permitted to come to them by rearranging the affairs of the government and freeing up his time and responsibilities so that he could attended to such. He points out that this is the first time that he had been permitted to travel to meet this particular group of saints in person. Thus Alma concludes that "the Lord in much mercy hath granted that I should come unto you." ( verse 2 ) This seems noteworthy that Alma did not take for granted the restructuring of the government of the land as something that he accomplished in and of himself. There are two different reminders that I take away from this introduction:  First, on a personal level, I do well to remember the great blessings that have been extended to me in ...

Alma 4 (It is curious how that even in making a chronological study of the scriptures, the Lord is able to line up my life experiences with where I am at in the Book of Mormon.) The wars, of which were made mention of in the previous chapter, led to a considerably dearth of resources among the Nephites in the following year, for they had lost men (brethren), flocks and herds, and fields of grain. But this caused the people to be humble, so much so that they were made to be aware of their duty. This attending to their duty meant that "they began to establish the Church more fully," and consequently, thousands had joined themselves to the Church of God. So in the seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, there were some 3,500 persons baptized into the Church and the people of Nephi enjoyed peace in their land. The very next year, the people, because of this freedom (blessing) given them of the Lord, began to be prideful. The cause of their pride was thei...

Mosiah 9:3-19 A twelve year span is found in these verses. It is curious to note that Zeniff recognizes that he was too zealous to possess the land of Lehi-Nephi. He also makes note of their afflictions in the wilderness as being caused by their neglect in forgetting the Lord, the source of their strength. 12 years of prosperity pass after this. Then are they brought to a moment of crisis as they are brought into battle against the Lamanites. Their approach to this conflict is much different however, for they called upon the Lord for strength, and this time he heard their prayers. Really they shouldn't have gone back to the land of Lehi-Nephi. But the Lord who is merciful, when they sincerely turned to Him for strength, gave them power over their enemies. This is a God of mercy.

Mosiah 9:1-2 I find this chapter very interesting for several reasons. Zeniff became leader of a people that returned to the land of Lehi-Nephi. We learn however from the first account given of this group over in Omni 1:27-29 that Zeniff wasn't the first leader of this group, but that it was a stiff-necked individual that caused them to fight amongst themselves. With both references in context, it appears that their purpose in going back up to the land of Nephi-Lehi was so that they could possess the land. One leader sought to do it contentiously. He was destroyed. The next (Zeniff) sought an agreement or treaty with Lamanites. Neither worked in the end, but the latter did give them a season of peace and prosperity. So as a spy, Zeniff was part of an army that was commanded to destroy the Lamanites. When he saw that which was good among them, he had no desire to destroy them. However, his leader commanded that Zeniff should also be killed for his opinion. A great battle resulted a...

Mosiah 3:20-27 This is about faith and repentance. The time will come when everyone will be required to exercise faith on the Lord Jesus Christ or perish... there will be no more blameless , except those that King Benjamin had already addressed earlier in this chapter. Because the words which King Benjamin had shared with his people, they had become subject to the demands of justice. And every one of them were to be judged according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil. ( see 22-24 ) Verses 25 to 27 address the horrible state of they that are evil. It impresses me that it is the choice to do evil, to be evil that consigns them (the wicked) to become keenly aware of their guilt and wicked works. Such a course of choice will disqualify anyone from the claims of mercy. Therefore, what we choose to do in this life does matter.

2 Nephi 9:21-27 The latter verses in this grouping stand out this morning. In verse 26 , "The atonement satisfies the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them...". This reminds me of Nephi's resilient observation that the Lord will not give commandments to his children, except he has prepared a way for the commandment to be fulfilled (see 1 Nephi 3:7 ). God is a merciful and just being. He has not prepared commandments with the intention of condemning us, but to exalt us. It impresses me that the Lord God Omnipotent performed the atonement on behalf of all. It impresses me that God will not condemn those who never had the opportunity to received his law. It impresses me that God does expect those who have the law, such as I, to live in obedience according to the standards of His law.

2 Nephi 9:19-20 I've found two scripture in the Book of Mormon this morning that state God's omniscience and mercy in the same thought. Here in 2 Nephi 9:19 & 20 , Jacob states that first God is merciful. In the next short verse he adds to his argument that God is all-knowing. In Alma 26:35 , Ammon concludes similarly that God, as a being who comprehends all, is merciful to all those who will repent and believe in the name of Jesus Christ. Back in 2 Nephi, these verses are the premise that Jacob sets up for explaining the atonement and the condition of salvation in plain terms. There is something else that stands out in verse 20: the footnote for holiness . There's a Hebrew translation for the word holiness which means committed or consecrated. I think on the standard of righteousness that is set before us by our God, how he expects us to be like Him even a perfect being. The thought is overwhelming except for the fact that He has also provided the tools to enable us ...

2 Nephi 4:20-27 Nephi's optimism is based on one profound argument: "If the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow...?" ( vs. 26 ) The depth, breadth, and scope of such optimism embraces all. I was reading in the morning paper about the passing of Elder Worthlin and one particular observation noted that he strove to live his life according to the knowledge that he possessed. This thought seems to be akin to the feelings that Nephi is feeling here. It is motivation to me to live my life more in harmony with the knowledge that the Lord has blessed me with. With so many evidences of the Lord's influence in one's life -- Nephi has a long personal list ( see verses 20-25 ) -- the compelling argument becomes "why" ( vs. 27 ). Why should I allow myself to commit sin? Why should I give temptations the time of day in place of peace and contentment? W...

1 Nephi 21:5-14 The truths expressed in this group of verses illustrates that the purposes of God are more profound and all encompassing than what we are able to see. The consequences of such prohibit us from seeing the full picture immediately. The initial conversation here revolves around the Savior's role as such to the house of Jacob. Verse 6 says that it is a "light" thing that He should raise up the tribes of Jacob. The verse then goes on to explain how the salvation of our Lord will reach to the ends of the earth. Or in other words, the salvation of house of Israel pales in comparison to the full scope of the mission of our Lord -- to save all of mankind! Following this, the Lord explains his reasoning for the approach he takes. While it appears that the Lord is simply delaying the fulfillment of a promise, these verses help to illustrate the patience, long-suffering, and faithfulness of our Lord. These important principles could not be understood had the covenants...

1 Nephi 8:35-38 Coming back to a point that I've already addressed, at the end of recounting his vision to his family, Lehi feared exceedingly because of Laman and Lemuel. The thought that perhaps his oldest sons would not partake of the fruit of the tree which brought him so much joy, caused him to fear. I am impressed with the earnestness of Lehi as a father in his response to Laman and Lemuel. He encouraged them to listen to his words, that perhaps they might gain access to the Lord's mercy. This is what Lehi feared, that they would not access this mercy and consequently be cast out of the presence of the Lord.

1 Nephi 8 The journey is the same for everyone, though we each come into the world in vastly different circumstances, every man must, when brought up to the wall of faith decide to scale it or walk away from it. When Lehi found himself lost in that dark and dreary waste, he called upon the Lord, because (I think I've already made note of this) Lehi was familiar with "the multitude of his tender mercies"( vs. 8 ). This is the same thing that Alma conveys when he quotes the prophet Zenos, "And thou didst hear me... and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me... for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son." ( Alma 33:11 ) How did the Lord mercifully respond to Lehi? He is immediately brought to taste of the fruit of the tree, which "filled [his] soul with exceedingly great joy"( vs 12 ). Lehi saw many others in similar straits, that caught a glimpse of where they were going and held fast to the rod of iro...

1 Nephi 8:2 I wanted to move past this verse, but then I gave some thought to the nature of Lehi's dream and how his dreams differed from my dreams. Lehi's dreams were blessed with the divine intervention of heaven. Dreams are an interesting topic of themselves, but what interests me here is that God used Lehi's dreams to communicate truth to him. Dreams can be so fleeting and seemingly non-relevant. They sometimes are simply reflections of what are in our heads when we retire for the day. Lehi though, is placing great stock in the outcomes of this particular dream. He saw Nephi, Sam, and his wife, Sariah, come to the Tree of Life. He saw Laman and Lemuel refuse the fruit. And it is because of the outcome of this dream that Lehi goes on to admonish Laman and Lemuel. (I'm not being critical of the patriarch, but rather am taking notes on his parenting technique. ) In the vision that he recounts to his family, Lehi says that after having followed a man in a white robe he ...