A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 9:14-17 This set of verses presents a interesting observation on the Lamanites in their ignorance. There is a contrasting here of the people of Ammonihah against the Lamanites. While the cause of the ignorance of the Lamanites was their parents' disobedience, which caused them to suffer a spiritual death (separation from God) as a people, their ignorance also was grounds for tolerance at the day of judgement. We also learn something of the merciful characteristics of the Father in prolonging the days of the Lamanites, though they exist in a state of disbelief, until the time that they would believe and repent. Parenthetically, I find a parallel between the promises extended to the Lamanites and those covenants and promises extended to the House of Israel and the Jewish nation.  Then at the end of this passage of scripture, there is this eternal nugget of truth: "Many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name." (emphasis adde...

Alma 3 (I've started reading this chapter by asking myself, "What does this chapter have to contribute to my testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ?" I've discovered this to be a good practice when I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the key points of the chapter.) This chapter emphasizes the point of agency, or our complete freedom to choose, in the Gospel plan. There is also some discussion on the purpose and weight and reality of covenants. Additionally, there are some unique insights into social dynamics. The catalyst for discussion in this chapter is the curse or marking that the Amalicites voluntarily administered to themselves (see verses 4 , 13 ). The author's purpose in including this particular historical point is to illustrate how it was that the covenants of the Lord were fulfilled, which were originally given to Nephi and which were given as a protection for the people of Nephi  (see verses 5-8 , 14-17 ). Within that covenant was a curse to...