A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 35:5-14 Through deceptive means, those who rejected the words of Christ taught by Alma and his brethren actively sought to punish those of their community who did believe. They were cast out of the land of the Zoramites and were then received in the land of Jershon among the Ammonites. There they were openly received "and it came to pass that Alma and his brethren did minister unto them." ( vs. 7 ) This is a simple verse but so profoundly significant to me, in light of recent changes to the Church's ministering efforts. In verse 8 and 9 , the chief ruler of the Zoramites appears to be the one who is most agitated by the conversion of many of the people of his community. It is he who goes so far as to demand that the Ammonites cease to minister to those who are being cast out of his land. But such demands fall on deaf ears especially when it's among a people who have first hand experience with being refugees themselves: And now the people of Ammon did not ...

Alma 32:1-6 An often overlooked component of teaching the word of God, preparation is key to reception of the word of God. Sometimes, the circumstances of life prepare us to be sufficiently prepared, or humbled, to hear the word of God. Most often though, we have the privilege of choosing whether or not we will be in a position to hear the Word. See also Job 5 (vs.7)

Mosiah 18:23-29 These verses continue with the commandments that Alma gave to the priests with whom he organized the church after their baptism. (I find in these commandments keys to their prosperity and access to the blessings of the Lord.) Alma commanded them to observe the Sabbath day and to keep it holy. That is a good distinction and this is good doctrine. It is a simple way in which we are reminded every week that we are not our own. Coupled with this commandment is also a reminder that every day we should give thanks to the Lord their God. Then the priest are commanded to "labor with their own hands for their support," ( vs 24 ).  There are other verses throughout the Book of Mormon that support this doctrine. Alma the Younger defends this point before several anti-Christ characters later on. (see Alma 1:3, 26; 30:32 ) But this point that the priests are to provide for their own needs is an unique and compelling doctrine. To separate any financial considerations from ...

Mosiah 4:16-23 On the topic of charitable giving, these verses address erroneous attitudes towards the poor. It is commonplace, at least in my own experience, to rationalize away every petition for charitable assistance. There are some interesting diagnosis of this type of attitude. What strikes me as even more profoundly important is that an attitude of neglect towards the poor is in direct defiance to the work of God: "Whosoever [jugdeth the poor] the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God ." ( vs. 18 , emphasis added) "Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker : and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished." ( Proverbs 17:5 , emphasis added) Isaiah 58 is for me one of the most inspiring chapters on charitable giving that is found in holy writ, for it helps me to see the blessing or the fruits that come from engaging in such activities...

2 Nephi  24 Studying 2 Nephi 24, the thought impresses me that the one to whom Lucifer is telling the biggest lie is himself. For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High. ( vs. 13-14 ) There are two sides only to the battle in heaven and on earth. On the one side are those that serve the Lord, and on the opposite side are those that serve themselves, and think that of themselves they are able to attain some greater degree of glory than what God has promised to those that follow Him. This chapter begins with this reminder: "For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel," ( vs. 1 ). This is a reminder of the Covenant that God made with Abraham and his sons. In the day that this will be brought to pass, it says that "the land of the Lord wi...

 2 Nephi 21:4-5 In this context, I find it difficult to quantify righteousness. If I were asked to explain righteousness, I can only point to God and say: He is righteousness. There is no set prescription of tasks that can fully embody the righteousness of God. So it does become something of a dilemma to be able to fully comprehend what it means to be righteous as Christ and God the Father are righteous beings. Yet the dilemma is worth investigation, inasmuch as we are commanded to become like Them. The first set of footnotes in verse 4 on the term righteousness points to God Himself as the definition of righteousness. Whatever God does is righteousness. The remainder of this verse describes what Christ does with His righteousness. It is the source of power which enables Christ to judge, reprove, punish, and destroy. And to what end? Christ executes righteousness to clear a path for the meek and poor of His people. I see in these verses how Christ is able to prepare the way for ...