A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 24:20-27 The first line of verse 20 has caught me attention this morning. There are deliberate preparations by their brethren to destroy the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi. I think the Spirit is trying to tell me this morning that there are deliberate preparations in our day to destroy the righteous and righteousness. I feel it is more calculated and bent on destruction than any would realize. But if these had been converted to the Gospel of Christ, as brethren, they would not have been the opposition. Now what happens here is a difficult story to think about and consider, but it is the account of selfless sacrifice even to the point of death, or laying down of one's own life, and the resultant conversion of more than a thousand of their brethren who openly opposed them on the battlefield. The conclusion to this section is found in verse 27 : "thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people." After prayer, I am caused to consider the repercu...

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 18:13-17 Reading these verses have brought to my mind the memory of a particular baptism from my mission. This experience is noteworthy because of the great sacrifices that were made to see it brought about, but the results were unequivocally positive. When the work of the Lord is done the right way, the Spirit of the Lord accompanies it. This account at the waters of Mormon was done the right way. Thus is the account found in the scriptures. And what is the right way to do the work of the Lord? It is to do so with gentleness, kindness, meekness, and love unfeigned, when we entreat others softly with tones of sweet persuasion. It is to sacrifice greatly, and yet to be so endowed with spiritual power that the sacrifice seems hardly noteworthy of the blessings obtained.