A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 40:1-10 I have in recent days been more engaged in the invitation of the Savior to ask, seek, and knock .  Alma demonstrates this process very vividly to his son, Corianton, as he goes on in this chapter to share his knowledge of the Resurrection. The Spirit of the Lord has impressed upon me this morning the phrase, "the time appointed"  which appears various times throughout this passage. In verse 10 , there is a footnote that leads to Acts 17:26 which reads: And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; There is a footnote here on the word "bounds" that goes to Job 14:5 which says in part "thou has appointed his bounds that he cannot pass." So what? What does this mean to me? To others? Here is where things get personal and so I now have my list of questions to take to the Lord in morning prayer. --- In verse ...

Alma 38:1-6 Here at the outset of Alma's remarks to his second son, Shiblon, there a couple of things that stand out to me: first ,  that Shiblon already was possessor of an intimate witness of God and that his father, Alma, was also aware of that personal testimony that his son possessed. ( see vs 4-5 ) Second , Alma doesn't take credit for the knowledge that he had obtained from God. Rather he says things like this: I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myself and it is the Spirit of God which is in me which maketh these things known unto me and also if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things.  Is all spiritual knowledge then a gift from God? What does Alma mean when he says that it is the Spirit of God which maketh these things known, contrasting that with knowledge that could have been obtained of one's self? What does that do for ownership of one's own testimony? This is again another great Gospel parad...

Alma 37:1-7 On my initial reading of these verses, I've spent a lot of time reviewing the footnotes found in verses 6 and 7 . On the word "small" I was brought Doctrine and Covenants 123:16-17 , which reads: You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.  I read last evening elsewhere about the power of a smile. And the Lord this morning seems to validating this thought, while also encouraging me on in my life's great (yet simple) mission. Action Item: smile and cheerful do all things that are in your power, and leave the rest to God. On a second day of study, my searches took me to contemplate the footnotes on "wise" purpose...

Alma 12:8-19 Alma speaks with such clear authority on the topic of the post mortal condition, spiritual death, and judgement that it causes me to step back and consider how he obtained his knowledge. We know from elsewhere in the scriptures that such knowledge is obtained through the spirit of prophecy and revelation, through prayer and fasting. The thought that comes to my mind is that it is needful to be possessor of such knowledge as Alma has on this topic of things that are to come that pertain to our salvation.   --- I've had to spend a little time reconditioning spiritual muscles to be able to drink deeper from these passages of scripture. I'm still working on it. Reviewing this video has been one of the best reconditioning exercises that I know of spiritually speaking. It forces me to re-look at things and reminds me of spiritual priorities. --- Verse 14 talks of how our words, thoughts, and action will condemn us before God if we are unrepentant. Taken out of context...

1 Nephi 19:1-5 The last verse in chapter 18 tells us how Nephi had found ore in the land. In verse 1 of this chapter, Nephi explains that he made records with the ore that he had found. This gives me pause to think that precious ores have other much more significant purposes than for the vain gratification of man. Nephi again addresses the two sets of records that were made. The first record being a much more comprehensive history of his people, including a geneology of Lehi's ancestors, many of Lehi's prophecies, more thorough accounts of their time in the wilderness and records of there wars and destructions. Nephi kept this record by way of commandment from God. In the second commandment from God to create another record, the mysteries of God are more fully understood. In this record, Nephi is commanded to make more particular mention of this prophecies and ministry (or his teachings). And what a dynamic ministry it has been up until this point! It is interesting that in th...

Ether 4:8-19 Vs. 9 - Why does a loving older brother tell us these things as if to cause fear in our hearts? He can't deny what is true. Vs. 10 - If I don't believe the word of God, I believe not His disciples. Example - If I say I believe the words of Pres. Hinckley, I believe he is a prophet, but then if I don't hearken unto his counsel and fail to be obedient, I lie. Vs. 11 - Because I believe in God and I have received of his Spirit, I know and must bear record of these truths. Knowledge by the Spirit : This is Testimony. Ether 4:11 - "...For because of my Spirit, he shall know that these things are true..." 2 Nephi 32:5 - "...if Ye will enter into the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do." 3 Nephi 16:6 (Words of Christ) "...the Holy Ghost, which witnesses unto them of me and of the Father." 1 Cor. 12 - "...no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Ether 4:...

Ether 4:1-7 Moroni is speaking in this chapter and talks of the abridgement of the plates of Ether. A strange thing however, for the record was kept disclosed until our dispensation, the fulness of times. The brother of Jard truly saw marvelous things. Greater things had never been shown to man like [than] what Mahonri saw. And that's just it! No [one] save the prophets knew about this until our day. It is common place knowledge for all latter-day Saints what only prophets knew back in Antiquity! And we didn't receive these records until we began to truly live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, repenting of our sins. Does the Lord not love us? Vs. 7 - The saints of the latter days will exercise the same faith that Mahonri did, and because of it we will become sanctified. And we will eventually see everything that he aw. The Spirit confirms this. ~WOW~ The Spirit tells you that these things are directed towards you!

Ether 3 Vs. 12 - The Lord asked Mahonri if he would believe all of His words, and Mahonri responds, "Yeah, Lord, I know that thou speakest the truth, for thou art a God of truth, and canst not lie." And because he said this the Lord showed Himself unto him. Vs. 13 - A lot is happening in this verse. The Lord shows Himself to Mahonri. Mahonri's salvation is made sure, "thou are redeemed from the fall." To still be alive in this life and to have that assurance, this is the trust that the Lord had in Mahonri as a servant and prophet. Vs. 14 - Mahonri learns of the divine nature of the Creator, the Savior, the Son and Father. Vs. 15 - The Lord says that He had never before shown himself unto His people because they did not believe as Mahonri did believe. Vs. 17-18 - The Lord was so kind and filled with so much love, this is why he came unto Mahonri, that he might know that He, Jesus, was God. So this became his knowledge. Vs. 21 - This is why the plates of Eth...

Ether 3 It's uplifting to listen to the way in which Mahonri humbly submits himself unto the Lord for answers to his prayers. Vs. 2 - "...because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires... O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people." Cross reference to Moses 1:10 : "Now for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed." (Interesting to note that I was guided by the Spirit to think of cross referencing that scripture before I looked at the footnotes.) Also in vs. 2 : Mahonri knew the commandment to pray unto the Lord. Where was this given, for in order for one to obey, they must receive the commandments? [Note for scripture study - looking for an example of some one with an amazing tool and then they use it for some sort of primitive purpose. It is the...