A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 9:25-34 I've just reviewed my previous study notes on the earlier parts of this chapter and the spiritual significance  associated with these events. Coming to verse 25 , the weight of Alma's statement is great. "And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed , the Lord has sent his angel to visit many of his people, declaring unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto this people, saying: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand;" (emphasis added) Angels are not to be trifled with. For they are one step away from God revealing Himself to the people, which thing the people could in no way withstand without being completely destroyed because of the greatness and glory of God. It is impossible for man in his wickedness to stand in the presence of the Holy God. So mercifully, He sends angels, messengers from his presence, to warn the people. The next three verses are perhaps the most important verses in this chapter, and perhaps the ...

Mosiah 18:23-29 These verses continue with the commandments that Alma gave to the priests with whom he organized the church after their baptism. (I find in these commandments keys to their prosperity and access to the blessings of the Lord.) Alma commanded them to observe the Sabbath day and to keep it holy. That is a good distinction and this is good doctrine. It is a simple way in which we are reminded every week that we are not our own. Coupled with this commandment is also a reminder that every day we should give thanks to the Lord their God. Then the priest are commanded to "labor with their own hands for their support," ( vs 24 ).  There are other verses throughout the Book of Mormon that support this doctrine. Alma the Younger defends this point before several anti-Christ characters later on. (see Alma 1:3, 26; 30:32 ) But this point that the priests are to provide for their own needs is an unique and compelling doctrine. To separate any financial considerations from ...

Mosiah 10 Work leads to prosperity. In the first few verses of this chapter, Zeniff explains how he gave his men the assignment of farming the land, while the woman had the assignment of producing clothing. Because of this work, they were led to "prosper in the land."(vs. 5) The bulk of the chapter has to do with their preparations for war and the war that was fought. Now it is fair to note that during the 35 years or so that have been accounted for of Zeniff's reign that there had only been two conflicts with the Lamanites. As I read this even from Zeniff's own account, I keep thinking to myself, if only they had stayed in Zarahemla, they would have had peace. I don't know if this a productive line of thought though. What was done was done. However, it is only two generation later that the ultimate solution to their conflicts with the Lamanites is to leave and make the trip back to Zarahemla. On the other hand, there are great leaders for the future church, and f...

The Words of Mormon This morning I find myself thinking about the gentle Lord, Christ Jesus, and even as I read these words of commentary by the prophet historian Mormon, I find that his primary motivation for the decisions that he made as he was compiling this collection of records was whether or not the accounts would increase faith in Christ. And so he explains that while creating an abridged account of the plates of Nephi (this was from the record of the kings, containing a full account of the history of his people), that he had discovered a record containing prophecies concerning the coming of Christ from Nephi and other prophets. It ended with the Amaleki's account of King Benjamin. In verse 5 , Mormon states that he will finish making his abridgment from the plates of Nephi (the record of the kings). Mormon's singular motivation is conveyed in verse 8 : And my prayer to God is concerning my brethren, that they may once again come to the knowledge of God, yea, the rede...

Enos 1:9-21 Enos's subsequent comment in verse 9 is evidence of his repentance being complete. Afterward, he felt a desire toward his brethren to receive of the same blessing. Christ taught Peter, "And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." ( Luke 22:32 ) What strikes me as interesting is that I never had considered that "natural" fruit of repentance and conversion to be a desire to share it with others. This must have been then what Elder Ballard meant back in 2006 when he said: Our love for the Lord and appreciation for the Restoration of the gospel are all the motivation we need to share what gives us much joy and happiness. It is the most natural thing in the world for us to do, and yet far too many of us are hesitant to share our testimonies with others. ( "Creating a Gospel Sharing Home," Elder M. Russell Ballard, General Conference, April 2006, emphasis added) Enos had learned the power and effectiveness of prayer in being able...

2 Nephi 27 Verses one through five describe the apostate state of the world in the last days. What I find to be interesting is that these conditions are spoken of spiritually. Drunkenness, famine, thirst -- there is a void that is unable to be satisfied by wicked practices. One of the qualifiers that defines those that are drunken in iniquity is "all the nations that fight against Zion," ( vs. 3 ). Verses six through ten talk about the contents of the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon. In it there is a revelation or prophecy which spans from the beginning to the end of the world. Nephi goes on to say that it is a prophecy from God that reveals "all things from the foundation of the world to the end thereof," ( vs. 10 ). This is interesting to consider, that there is a prophecy that is being kept from us during this period of history because of wickedness. With that in mind, verse 11 looks forward to the day when that sealed portion of the book shall be read u...

2 Nephi 15:8-10 The beginning of a list of condemnations that the Lord has against the house of Israel begins in these verses. Each point begins with the word "Wo". Vs 8 - "Wo unto them that join house to house..." There are footnotes on these verses that equate this to covetousness. This is the first condemnation against Israel: covetousness. "...Till there can be no place..." This joining together has reference to the establishment of city dwelling environments, apartments and such, that are created to save on the amount of land used. Those guilty of covetousness, are them that are responsible for the joining of houses, in other words, greedy landowners/developers that attempt to squeeze into as small a space as possible. "...That they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!" (The exclamation mark is part of the actual scripture.) The visual that I have is of a wide expanse of land with a small area in the middle built up as a mountain...

1 Nephi 21:22-26 Verse 22 picks up as an answer to the question posed in verse 21: how is it that Zion had any children if everyone of her natural children had been destroyed? The answer is pivotal to understanding the purposes of the Lord in the last days and how exactly it is that the Lord will redeem His people. The answer: Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people; and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. (see vs 22 ) Footnotes on "standard"include additional references to this final work (see footnotes ). The standard is also called an ensign. Important doctrines related to the establishment of this final standard or ensign: The work is to be initiated among the gentiles, and it is of such as scope that it will reach the ends of the earth. This is a global work. Yet it is extremely individual. This particular final point is strongly impressed upon my mind. We are de...

1 Nephi 21:1-4 , compare to Isaiah 49:1-4 The first thing that stands out here is the addition of the introductory line in verse 1 . And again: Hearken, O ye house of Israel, all ye that are broken off and are driven out because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people; yea, all ye that are broken off, that are scattered abroad, who are of my people, O house of Israel. As is the case with so much of the writings of Isaiah, it is how I feel when I read these verses that emphasizes their importance to me. And reading what had otherwise been left out of the Biblical version of Isaiah, stirs within me again, the Lord's loving reminder to return to Him. He address a particularly difficult circumstance in this verse, that of wicked leadership in the Kingdom of God, and those who had been affected by that. The Lord recognizes that in ancient Israel, there were those who were lead astray, or even more directly, driven out, because of unfaithfulness by those in positions of authority w...

1 Nephi 18:22-25 This modest grouping of verses at the end of this chapter details the conclusion of Lehi's family's journey to the promised land. Their arrival at the promised land is without fanfare. There is no record of the family's responses to the end of their journey by boat, which marked the end of ten years or more of traveling towards the promised land. It was simply the end of another chapter. There was yet much work of ahead of them once they arrived. Nephi mentions the abundance which they discovered in the land of promise. They had brought many seeds with them. Nephi says that they did plant them all. After these many years of travailing, here in the promised land begins a life of abundance. In essence, they are starting over from the very beginning, but resources abound and Nephi, at least, has the industry to make good use of that which is given him.

1 Nephi 15:20-25 In verse 20 , Nephi says that he rehearsed the words of Isaiah to his brothers. He used Isaiah (scripture) to reinforce what he had already explained to them. This was wise because it validated his words and his father's words. What followed, after Nephi's brothers clearly saw that Nephi understood the things that their father had said, is a question and answer session. In the midst of this, Nephi yet takes opportunity to teach his brothers. Verses 24 and 25 are extremely important. Nephi is using several absolutes in these verses. Those who hearken to the word of God will never perish. In explaining the importance of the word of God, Nephi exhorts them with all the energy of his soul to give heed to the word of God and keep the commandments of God in all things. This complete effort, extending himself as far as he possibly could go is what compels me. What Nephi is saying is important and how he is saying it is important.

1 Nephi 15:1-11 The first thing that calls my attention at the beginning of this chapter is the immediacy of the work that was required of Nephi after the vision. The vision itself was the preparation for the work that was required of him. However, Nephi was so overwhelmed by what he had seen of the destruction of his people -- and what was presently required of him -- that he lost all strength. It wasn't until after this recovery that Nephi returned to his brothers to inquire of them the manner of their arguments. Nephi's first question after hearing his brothers' initial complaint, demonstrates his motivation again. The footnotes on verse 8 reminds me of this perspective that Nephi had. He was concerned with the immortal welfare of his brothers. Nephi's brothers state that the Lord will not reveal the mysteries that their father spoke of unto them. Nephi responds with knowledge and a reminder of the Lord's promise. Do ye not remember the things which the Lord ha...