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Faith

Joshua and Moroni: Lessons from the War Chapters

The battles described in the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon can teach us important principles. The experiences of both Joshua and Captain Moroni demonstrate the importance of preparedness, focus, and faith.

Faith

Joshua’s Twin Admonitions

Two admonitions function as bookends to the book of Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage,” and “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” The stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon demonstrate that these admonitions are complementary and mutually reinforcing.

Prayer

Look Not Unto … Their Sin

How do you pray when you’re angry? Moses asked God to focus on the relationship, not on their stubbornness and sin. “They are thy people,” he said. Alma offered a similar prayer for the Zoramites, “Their souls are precious.” Our prayers can align our hearts with God’s constant love for His children.

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COME, FOLLOW ME

  • Be Strong and of a Good Courage

    Moses Ordaining Joshua (detail), by Darrell Thomas

    Moses’s work was done. He had identified Joshua as his successor (Deuteronomy 1:38; 3:28), and he had given Joshua his charge as the new leader:

    Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

    Deuteronomy 31:23; see also v. 6-7

    He had also laid his hands on Joshua to bless him in his new role (see Deuteronomy 34:9).

    After Moses’s departure, the Lord spoke directly to Joshua reiterating Moses’s charge. “Be strong and of a good courage,” He said; “be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9; see also v. 6, 7, 18).

    In the Book of Mormon, Nephi gave his brothers a similar charge after their second failure to obtain the brass plates. “Let us go up;” he said, “let us be strong like unto Moses” (1 Nephi 4:2). He’s appealing to Moses’s unflinching leadership in delivering Israel from slavery in Egypt, but the language—”be strong”—echoes Moses’s admonition to Joshua at the beginning of his ministry. The task we have been called to perform will not be easy. We must be strong and courageous, not succumb to fear and abandon our mission.

    This week, as we study the book of Joshua, let’s consider the callings we have been given. Let’s watch how Joshua and the children of Israel fulfilled the Lord’s charge to be strong as they entered the promised land.

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    Book of Mormon authors made it clear how much they were leaving out as they wrote this “abridgment” of their history. Here’s a diagram showing how many words are dedicated to each of the 103 decades in the book.

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    Jesus Christ’s Sermon at the Temple in Bountiful – 3 Nephi 12-16, 20-22

    Following His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ visited a group of people in the Americas. He taught them principles to help them deepen their discipleship, and He expanded their perspective by teaching them about God’s global, multigenerational work.

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    Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

    In March, 2019, I studied 20 different names or titles of Jesus Christ which appear in the Book of Mormon. I was particularly interested in the way each name was used, both in the Book of Mormon and in the Bible.