A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 37:33-37 I love how in five verses Alma preaches the Gospel of Christ and the Plan of Salvation to his son, Helaman. I also love the connection between obedience to commandments and personal revelation through prayer.  Then at the end is the assurance that "if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." Verses 36 and 37 are were my heart has stayed this morning. It is a reminder at a time when I am really struggling with this very pattern, but I also know that there is no other way. So with a new day, my soul is a little more humble and calm, and I move forward, trusting that He will not lead me astray. --- So it's been a few morning since I started this study. This is the second morning now that I've come to the topic of Israel, its gathering and other related scriptures. This morning, however, the Lord wanted me to know specifically that the Gathering of Israel was long and abundantly prophesied of among the ancient prophets, especially ...

Alma 20:1-7 King Lamoni invites Ammon to accompany him up to meet his father the king. I am impressed by how clearly Ammon is able to receive divine directives, or what we might more commonly call personal revelation.The record doesn't state the timing in which the revelation came to Ammon, whether it came immediately after Lamoni's invitation, or perhaps later on in moment of quiet reflection and prayer. It is also impressive how quickly Lamoni responds to this divine directive once he learns of its source.( see vs. 5-6 ) Then in verse 7 , there is also a change of attitude on Lamoni's part. Where at first, Lamoni thought to flatter the king of the land of Middoni, who was a friend of his, now Lamoni states that he will plead with the king for the deliverance of Ammon's brethren. Something about knowing that the directive was actually a divine mandate changed Lamoni's attitude and sense of urgency. Suddenly it wasn't just a social injustice that was needing to ...

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 ...

Alma 10:13-32 Immediately upon hearing the testimony of Amulek, some of those that were present saw an opportunity to profit financially from the situation. These were lawyers. The scriptures here detail the motives of those that sought to oppose Alma and Amulek. Despite being able to manipulate public perception of the Lord's chosen servants according to their training and craft, what these lawyers did not know and what they did not expect was that Amulek was able to discern their thoughts and reveal their wicked intentions.(see vs. 17 ) It is then recorded Amulek's response to his discernment of the lawyers' cunning devices and wickedness. What the people don't get yet is that Amulek's response is motivated by discernment. Rather they assume that he is bent on reviling against their written law. What I find intriguing is that Amulek doesn't start out giving irrefutable evidence of his ability to perceive their thoughts. This doesn't come until much later. ...

Alma 5:43-49 It was just yesterday morning that I found myself contemplating what was the difference between the spirits of prophecy and revelation. Now I'm very familiar with these verses for their doctrines on testimony, and fasting and praying as a source of testimony. In reviewing it this morning, Alma clearly gives a distinction between the spirit of revelation and the spirit of prophecy. For my own part, the spirit of revelation as referenced in verse 46 could then be defined as knowledge obtained by Holy Ghost (that Holy Spirit of God). Revelation is enhanced and clarified through fasting and prayer. Then in verse 47 , Alma points to the words of their fathers, testifying to their truthfulness according to the spirit of prophecy which was in him. If there is a distinction to be found between prophecy and revelation, it would appear to be this: prophecy has to do with the truth of events past, present, and future, while revelation has more to do with the attainment of eterna...

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...

2 Nephi 5:3-7 Laman and Lemuel truly had murderous intentions, so fixed was their determination to rid themselves of Nephi and his admonitions to righteousness. The seriousness of their intentions were revealed to Nephi as a warning from the Lord. Following the topical guide for further references of Divine warning, the preface to the Word of Wisdom stands out as a warning for our times (see D&C 89:4 ). There is also this passage of scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants 63 that warns us to not take lightly the things of God (see verses 58-66 ). Warnings come from God, so that if we follow their instructions we are the benefactors of "a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, otherwise, a greater condemnation," ( D&C 63:66 ).

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 10:17-22 This is the doctrine that is "no respecter of persons" ( see Acts 10:34 ). And it seems that Nephi feels this same way as he describes his desires to know what his father knew. Nephi explains that his father spake by the power of the Holy Ghost, and that that power was received because of his faith on Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Then in his youth, Nephi already had a foundation to understand how God communicates with his children-- through the power of the Holy Ghost. This scripture then broadens our perspective on the purposes and mission of the Holy Ghost. While His presence is evident throughout the Old Testament, I'm not aware of any direct references to the workings of the Holy Ghost in it. As He is introduced in the New Testament through the Savior, the Holy Ghost's mission is to comfort in the absence of the Savior's personal ministry. But thankfully, the pattern of revelation that comes via the Holy Ghost is set up early in the Book of Morm...

1 Nephi 4:4-17 Yesterday I made the observation that Nephi was already very familiar with the workings of the Spirit. Today's reading notably verifies this claim to Nephi's capacity to commune with the Holy Spirit. I love Nephi's humility in confessing that he was led by the Spirit -- not knowing what he was to do. It is the dialog that he has with the Spirit as he is weighing out the consequences of the decision to slay Laban that is the proof of his capacity. I feel that I can most of the time be sensitive to the Spirit, but can I reason with the Spirit? Am I sensitive enough to understand specific instructions? Do I have the faith to believe the arguments that He would proposed to me?

The Testimony of the Three Witnesses The three witnesses' testimony of the origin of the Book of Mormon is compelling. Though all three later in life became disaffiliated with the LDS Church, none ever revoked their witness attached to this record. To the contrary, towards the end of their respective lives, they were clear to validate their previous testimony of the book. Their testimony of the Book of Mormon is based on two specific points: They had received a visit from an angel who presented to them the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. They saw the plates that this heavenly messenger carried. They saw the engravings on the plates. They heard the voice of God tell them that the translation taken from those plates was done "by the gift and power of God". Towards the end of their testimony it seems that perhaps after having received the angelic visitation, they would have been disposed to keep these sacred events close to their hearts without mu...

The title page of the Book of Mormon was penned by, or better said, engraven by Moroni, the final prophet-historian of the Book of Mormon. As the history goes, it was actually included on the last page of the plates from which the Book of Mormon were taken. So having had just summed up the history of his people, Moroni now revisits in abbreviated fashion the central themes of the book with the purpose of introducing it to readers he will never meet in his lifetime. As an introduction, I'm impressed with the way that Moroni presents certain topics: The Lamanites - a remnant or descendants of the house of Israel. The target audience for the Book of Mormon. The spirit of prophecy and of revelation - the means or manner in which the record was edited. Upfront, without really explaining what they are, Moroni is stating that this record was written by commandment, and by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation . Is this something that I should already understand? Or is this somethi...

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!