A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 34:30-41 (This is for me. Don't take this lightly.) Verse 30 states: "...Seeing that the holy scriptures testify of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto repentance." Footnote on "fruit" takes me to Alma 13, a section on priesthood, which has weighed heavily upon my mind in the last day or two. In deed, the Spirit of the Lord has been upon me over the past week. Something has changed. ---- It has now been three days since I first started my study of these verses. Two nights ago, on a long drive into the big city, I finally took action on promptings to study the Priesthood. That study started with a review of verse 31, which reminded me: Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. In regards to my duty and ob...

Alma 13:14-19 I don't know, or I don't believe that we have anywhere in modern, available scripture a more accurate or accessible account of Melchizedek, who lived during the time of Abraham. I find it curious that the people of his land, the land of Salem, "had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination... full of all manner of wickedness." ( vs. 17 ) The form and manner in which he choose to address this great difficulty was to become ordained to the priesthood and then preach repentance unto his people. To which his people responded by repenting. (see vs. 18 ) I find in this hope that at any time, one can decide where he stands before God, and take action to change the course of his own life, and literally the direction of the community where he lives.

Alma 13:1-13 Immediately following a discussion on the Plan of Redemption and a call to repentance at the end of chapter 12 , Alma then begins to discuss the priesthood and the calling of high priests. Perhaps it's a little clearer in my mind this time as I read it, but the two topics are more closely related than I had previously supposed. The difference between those called to the high priesthood and those who are not is distinguished solely by the individual's ability to exercise faith and perform good works. Alma explains that in all other regards men are equal (see vs. 4-5 ). The great divide among men is on whether men will repent of their sins and exercise faith in Christ, or not. The purposes of this high priesthood is to point men to Christ (see vs. 9 ), even the residue of men, that they might see how it is that they can return to God by following the path that those who have been ordained high priests have had to follow in order to qualify for that ordination.

Alma 8:1-6 Not in a chapter in and of itself, this brief account of Alma's work in the land of Melek stands in contrast to the account that is made in the land of Ammonihah. For in the land of Ammonihah, Alma is met with great opposition and rebellion in his efforts to preach the Gospel. But what we see from the previous chapter among the people of Gideon and from this summary of his visit to Melek, is that, for the most part the people were willing to listen to Alma and believed the things that he taught, and many were baptized. Verse 5 even goes so far as to say that people came in from the corners of the land to be baptized. It seems that the people recognized the great importance of having an authorized servant of God among them. Alma taught "according to the Holy Order of God." (see verse 4 ) Or in other words, it was his commission to the Priesthood that gave him authority and the responsibility to share the word of God with others. Among the membership of the Chur...

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 18:18-22 The topic of becoming the children of God is addressed in these verses. These verses contain a string of commandments that are given to the group that was baptized at the waters of Mormon. Then half way through there is this insightful observation about the reason behind the commandments, "And thus they became the children of God." This has to all be taken in the context that this was initiated by the covenant of baptism. These commandments were the means by which God was blessing his children to help them become the children of God. Additionally, Alma organized priests, now that the covenant was in place, "to teach them concerning the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." ( vs. 18 ) It is interesting to note that the set of commandments that are listed in verses 19 to 21 are directed towards the priests who were commanded to preach unto the people. Those commandments included to teach only the words of the holy prophets, to preach only repentan...

Mosiah 18:11-12 I currently am serving in a presidency for a church calling. I have been blessed to observe the preparation of other members of the presidency as they have taken seriously their assignments, and are working to have the Spirit of the Lord with them. I wonder if my own approach has been perhaps a bit too casual.  Alma began the work of baptizing those that were found with him at the waters of Mormon with this sober plea: "O Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he may do this work with holiness of heart." ( vs. 12 ) I am in need of this instruction this morning because, though I am willing to do the work of the Lord, I am perhaps too casual in my approach, expecting that the work and will of the Lord will be done, merely for "attending" to my duties without sufficient preparation or prayer and supplication in connection with these duties. We read in the scriptures, and in the testimonies of the prophets about spiritual gifts that accompany t...

Mosiah 13:1-10 King Noah commands at the start of this chapter that Abinadi be taken, bound, and put away. The king discounted the prophet as a mad man, stating that he had no more business with this "fellow." Perhaps, but really what seems to be going on here is that Noah is being reminded of things that he already knows to be wrong. What is most fascinating about these verses is the power of the priesthood authority that is manifested as Abinadi uses it to deliver the message which he was sent to give. Guards attempt to lay hands upon him to take him away. He withstands them with words, the words of God, and it is so profoundly received that they who should have taken him away will not touch him. Later, his countenance begins to shine "with exceeding luster, even as Moses’ did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord." Once Abinadi comes to realize that he has a captive audience, or that they cannot prevail against him at that time, Abinadi helps ...

Mosiah 12:25-32 This stirring rebuke that I have chosen as title for this entry causes me to reflect upon my own ministry/stewardship. I appreciate that in Abinadi's probings there is an inherent understanding of the duties and responsibilities which accompany the office and calling of a servant of the Lord. What is even more interesting are the first two points of expectation that he hold for these pretended priests: 1) He expects them to teach. 2) He expects them to understand the spirit of prophecy. What follows is then something of a checklist of pitfalls to avoid as a priest or minister of God's children: Observe your own teachings. Be not a hypocrite. Do not set your hearts upon riches. Do not waste your strength in riotous living.  Do not cause those who follow you to sin because of your unrighteousness.  As I contemplate this situation further, Abinadi is talking to them as if they had been ordained ministers of God. He is ignoring the fact that their appointment was e...

Mosiah 8 It is interesting that Ammon was called upon to relate to the people of Limhi all that had happened in the Zarahemla. Not only that, but he was also able to declare unto them the words of king Benjamin. This reminded me of a recent visit where we were talking about prophets and how it is that we have a living prophet today. The natural question that followed was, "What has the prophet said today?" It was my responsibility to relate from memory the most recent words of the prophet. Do I really recognize the great blessing that it is to have a prophet among the people of the Church? After the meeting with the people of Limhi, the chapter goes on to relate a discussion between the king and Ammon. Limhi asks him if he is able to translate some records that his people had obtained. Why did Limhi ask Ammon if he could translate? Perhaps it was because of the power of the words that had been delivered to his people concerning the history of Zarahelma and the words of king B...

Mosiah 3:5-13 Having the recent General Priesthood Meeting fresh in my mind, the phrase "that with power" stands out in my mind. I'm thinking about my son who is a few years off yet from receiving the Aaronic priesthood. I'm thinking of Christ as a young man of twelve years old being found in the temple of God already aware of what his mission was and what his relationship to God was. I am reminded of what a young Aaronic priesthood holder can do at just 12 years old and the ministering of angels. Christ's blood atoned for the sins of those who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them (see verse 11 ). Then those that do know the will of God, what of them? "But wo, wo unto him that knoweth that he rebelleth against God! Salvation cometh unto none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ," ( verse 12 ). This group of verses specifically is centered on Christ, and consequently I find myself wondering can we ever t...