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 34:18-29 Pray and do good. I read through these passages this morning, at first, without any resolve to realign my course. Even though I am familiar with this  passage, my life is not quite in harmony with what Amulek teaches here: On Prayer: First off, Christ is mighty to save. And if we had any question about that fact, or if we needed a refresher on the scope of Christ's magnificence, the footnote on "mighty" points to Hebrews 7:24-25 : "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." To be humbled and to continue in prayer onto him: There is no more pressing reminder from day to day than this one. Several statements that Amulek make point to praying over those things which sustain our livelihood. (Fields and flocks in their day.)  Pray for our family (household), morni...

Alma 33:3-14 Now upon exhorting the people to search the scriptures, Alma then turns to an unknown prophet by all modern accounts by the name of Zenos to answer the group's question: how were they to have faith? Not only does Alma use these verses to teach faith in the Son of God, he does it by also teaching the people how to pray, which was also an answer to an earlier question found at the beginning of chapter 32 . Considering verse 11 : And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity ; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions , for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son. (emphasis added) Why would it be required of us to have afflictions in order that the Lord would hear us? Or why does the prophet Zenos say that Lord did hear him because of his afflictions? This seems like a strange statement, almost suggesting that...

Alma 31:12-20 I'm starting this reading with the following assumptions: The Book of Mormon is an ancient text written for a modern audience. This was written for my personal benefit in the period of world history where I presently reside.  Satan takes truth and alters it for his destructive or deceptive purposes.  The account of the Zoramites as found here is depicted according to the light of Christ and inspiration of the Holy Ghost that the author had at the time of making this account. That will bring particular insights that would not be otherwise available.  It is a typical practice that when reading from the Book of Mormon, that if I find no personal application, I ask myself "Where is Christ in these verses?" Perhaps here, as a false worship practice is being depicted, the correct question to ask would be "Where isn't Christ in these verses?" Let's start our discovery. In a sense, they had crafted a prayer that said: "God, we thank...

Alma 25:13-17 One final group of Lamanites is recorded here as having been converted to the Lord after their warring. After the fight had all gone out of them, they too decided to join themselves to the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, bury their weapons of war, and to walk in the ways of the Lord. ( see vs. 13-14 ) Verses 15 and 16 go on to explain their relationship to the law of Moses in connection with their faith in Christ. As the author, Mormon, explains it here (as it has been in other parts of the Book of Mormon as well -- Jacob 4:5 , Jarom 1:11 , Mosiah 3:14-15 , and Mosiah 16:14 among others), the law of Moses served to point them to faith in Christ. I cannot help but draw a connection between modern-day standards for the youth that the Church has established through our living prophets. Verse 16 might very easily read as follows in talking about our days: Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the [standards of the Church; e.g., "For the Strength of Youth"]; ...

Alma 17:1-17 Considered to be one of the greatest scriptural passages on missionary work in all of holy writ, there are in these introductory verses principles that are universal in one's approach to service in the kingdom of God. Verse 16 talks about the cause for which the sons of Mosiah had undertaken this work: "that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption." (emphasis added) The use of the word "perhaps" twice in this passage, illustrates one significant eternal reality. It's not a game of chance. However, it could be termed as a risky and very unpredictable investment. We do not know the outcomes of our labors. We would like to think that we could see how things will pan out from the outset, but such is not our privilege and such would void the exercise of faith. And so it is that that prospects of repentance are here couched with this qualifier that "perhaps they might ...

Mosiah 27:18-31 An interesting exercise in these verses is take the phrase "power of God" and substitute it with the word "priesthood." Not so much to change the meaning of the passage, but to give further understanding to the nature of the priesthood. I keep doing it, almost compulsively. Presently, I am left to consider how "nothing save the power of God that could... cause it to tremble." ( verse 18 ) That thought that keeps impressing me is that the priesthood has the power to do this. Then there is the question of signs and how it is an "adulterous generation" ( Matt. 12:39 ) that seeks after signs. If we are not to seek after signs and miracles, then what part do these things play in the work of the Lord? That the priesthood has power over earthly elements has been illustrated time and time again in the scriptures, especially in the Old Testament. Their purpose is not to give signs to the wicked but rather to facilitate the work of the righ...

Mosiah 21 (See also Mosiah 12:1-8 , blog post ) This chapter now deals with the bitter realities of Abinadi's prophecies being fulfilled. After outlining some of the difficult events which the people of Limhi were now encountering, verse 4 explains, "Yea, all this was done that the word of the Lord might be fulfilled." (A quick review of what the prophecy of Abinadi entailed can be found back in chapter 12 as noted above.) There is an observation made in the blog post for chapter 12 that also describes what is happening in this chapter. ...To have a hardened heart is essentially to have withdrawn from the presence and the Spirit of the Lord.We cut off the lifeline of Life, our relationship to the Divine, and attempt to take salvation into our own hands, which is hopelessly impossible. As this current chapter (21) attests to, the way in which we so often attempt to take salvation into our own hands is by brute force or violence. It is human nature to think that we can ...

Enos 1:9-21 Enos's subsequent comment in verse 9 is evidence of his repentance being complete. Afterward, he felt a desire toward his brethren to receive of the same blessing. Christ taught Peter, "And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." ( Luke 22:32 ) What strikes me as interesting is that I never had considered that "natural" fruit of repentance and conversion to be a desire to share it with others. This must have been then what Elder Ballard meant back in 2006 when he said: Our love for the Lord and appreciation for the Restoration of the gospel are all the motivation we need to share what gives us much joy and happiness. It is the most natural thing in the world for us to do, and yet far too many of us are hesitant to share our testimonies with others. ( "Creating a Gospel Sharing Home," Elder M. Russell Ballard, General Conference, April 2006, emphasis added) Enos had learned the power and effectiveness of prayer in being able...

Jacob 6 In verse 5 , Jacob commands his brethren to "cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you." The association illustrates a truth that I seldom would consider: God already has an intimate, personal relationship with me. I know that this goes along the lines of a supreme being who knows all my thoughts and actions, but something strikes me as exceptionally personal in that omniscience, not as a removed, observational unit. Really, it makes sense. Why would someone want to know everything about you or me, without being intimately concerned for your well being and safety. Footnotes on cleave lead to the account of Hezekiah , king of Judah, and his interactions with Assyria. Isaiah was prophet during the reign of Hezekiah. He offered spiritual strength to Hezekiah to withstand the tenacious cries of the messenger of the king of Assyria, who repeatedly came down from Assyria threatening Hezekiah with destruction if they did not submit to their rule. What was more, the messenger f...

One of the readers of this blog has inquired of me how I approach my scripture studies. I offered the following as a response. -------------------------------- This is what works for me. Let me emphasize the "for me" part. Right now, I do all my studying online, using the online version of the scriptures. I take at least a half hour every day. I alternate days between English and Spanish (my mission language). Then I'll take notes once I've felt that I've learned what the Lord would show me for the day, some times it takes more than one day (this is why I don't have any entry for every day). I have a tendency to jump to conclusions, but as I open and close every study with prayer, I do well to try to keep myself like a blank slate ready for the Lord to write on it. There is a rare occasion where I'll completely deviate from the sequential order of study, because I feel that's where I should be for the day. Elder Maxwell once said that faith has a short...

2 Nephi 2:9-13 As it is not so much my intention to offer an comprehensive study of the scriptures, but to make a record of impressions that I receive along the course of my study, I proceed with this entry under this pretext. Following the footnotes for opposition, I come to Matthew 5:45 where the Savior taught to pray for everyone, especially for those with wicked intentions, to the end that we may become children of our Father in Heaven. Not that we will become set apart to some other, more elevated sphere of ecstasy. By praying for our enemies, we humble ourselves to caring about the depraved and godless. We make them our concern, our hearts are turned toward them. Then perhaps we see them more as our Father sees them. Then we become children of God, because we begin to see others the way that God sees them. We feel for them like our Father feels for them. We become like God in this sense. Thus the Savior of man says at the end of chapter 5 in Matthew, "Be ye therefore perfe...

1 Nephi 18:1-3 I was reviewing an older post this morning (It had been commented on by someone who didn't leave a name or any scriptural references to the point being made) and was reminded of the relevance of revelation as necessary for salvation. I feel strongly about this point. The first three verses of this new chapter reinforce the point. Nephi built the ship by revelation. He says that he worked the timbers of the ship after a curious manner as it was show unto him by the Lord. Nephi sought the Lord's help frequently and thus he says, "wherefore, the Lord did show unto me great things," ( vs. 3 ). Why is it important to know that you are being guided by the Lord, as was Nephi? Why in our developing spirituality does our ability to receive revelation, or, put otherwise, to communicate with God become so important our discipleship? Joseph Smith once said that in order for a man to be saved he has to know that the path of which he has chosen is pleasing unto God...

1 Nephi 15:1-11 The first thing that calls my attention at the beginning of this chapter is the immediacy of the work that was required of Nephi after the vision. The vision itself was the preparation for the work that was required of him. However, Nephi was so overwhelmed by what he had seen of the destruction of his people -- and what was presently required of him -- that he lost all strength. It wasn't until after this recovery that Nephi returned to his brothers to inquire of them the manner of their arguments. Nephi's first question after hearing his brothers' initial complaint, demonstrates his motivation again. The footnotes on verse 8 reminds me of this perspective that Nephi had. He was concerned with the immortal welfare of his brothers. Nephi's brothers state that the Lord will not reveal the mysteries that their father spoke of unto them. Nephi responds with knowledge and a reminder of the Lord's promise. Do ye not remember the things which the Lord ha...

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 ...

1 Nephi 2:19-24 In this second communication that Nephi has with the Lord, the Lord extends to Nephi blessings and curses. The Lord pronounces a particular cursing upon his brethren -- if they rebel against Nephi, they would be separated from the Lord's presence. There is a parallel relationship between Nephi's brothers to him and me to my ecclesiastical leaders. Failure to sustain my leaders puts me at risk of separating myself from the Lord. This can be a hard principle to embrace. It is hard to think that God will entrust an imperfect man with judgment to act in my behalf when spiritual discernment is required, but I've seen it happen so I know the principle to be true. I take comfort in the fact that the Lord will sustain and magnify his chosen servants, despite their weaknesses, to act in behalf of all His children. *** There is a parallel between the patterns that the Lord uses with both Lehi and Nephi to reveal himself unto them. First they pray, the Lord speaks to ...

1 Nephi 1:4-15 Last evening I was considering the home that my children are being raised in. They are being taught faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, obedience, daily prayer, etc. They are taught that this is a way of life. Now as Nephi begins his account, he relates the initiating event in his father's life that determined the course of events that his family were about to undertake. There is a vision, wherein Lehi sees God on his throne, and communes with the Son of God. In praying whole-heartedly in behalf of his people, Lehi learns from the Lord that the people among whom he dwells are about to be destroyed because of their abominations. The vision continues and Lehi sees and read things which are not accounted for in the record. Lehi rejoices or gives mighty praises unto the Lord. Then he concludes that the Lord is merciful to those who come unto him. The Lord had prepared the way for their deliverance.

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...

Ether 2 From the introduction of this chapter I learn that the account here in is of a man who talked with the Lord. I might want to note what brought him up to that point. Vs. 8 - To emphasize the importance of the promise land, the Lord swore in his wrath unto the brother of Jared that those that possess it shall only serve the true and  everlasting God or should be destroyed. Vs. 10 - The promises of the land are repeated and vs. 11 explains why -- that we might repent before we become ripe in iniquity. Vs. 12 - The key to keeping this a free land is to serve the only true and living God, Jesus Christ. In desiring to be visited of the Lord, I read vs. 14 . The Lord visited Mohonri to chastise him for not praying.  Vs. 16 - The Lord showed Mohonri how to build a boat. He gave them the exact instruction to create a ship in a style so unknown by man but that was superior to anything man could make. ...Could not the Lord lead you in your own pursuits of life, if you let hi...