A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 33:18-23 This is the second time that this theme is repeated in the Book of Mormon. Nephi was the first to mention it back in 1 Nephi 17:40-41 . The idea of over-complicating truth is one of the main ideas that I get from this. Many would not believe that looking on the brazen serpent that Moses lifted up because it was too simple a thing to believe in. (The account in Numbers 21 does not point out that there were those who did not believe, and consequently died because of their disbelief.) Alma points out that the reason that some of the Israelites perished was because they would not believe. Then he asked the Zoramites if they would choose to be healed by just looking, would they not do so quickly. But as he continues to inquire of them, I come to realize that Alma isn't saying: it worked for them, wouldn't that be neat if that were available to us? NO! What Alma is saying is: this type was available to them to help them understand how easy it was to be healed. Th...

1 Nephi 19:1-5 The last verse in chapter 18 tells us how Nephi had found ore in the land. In verse 1 of this chapter, Nephi explains that he made records with the ore that he had found. This gives me pause to think that precious ores have other much more significant purposes than for the vain gratification of man. Nephi again addresses the two sets of records that were made. The first record being a much more comprehensive history of his people, including a geneology of Lehi's ancestors, many of Lehi's prophecies, more thorough accounts of their time in the wilderness and records of there wars and destructions. Nephi kept this record by way of commandment from God. In the second commandment from God to create another record, the mysteries of God are more fully understood. In this record, Nephi is commanded to make more particular mention of this prophecies and ministry (or his teachings). And what a dynamic ministry it has been up until this point! It is interesting that in th...