We don't know much about Ammaron, the caretaker of the Nephite records who selected Mormon as his successor. We know that he was the brother of Amos, and therefore a descendant of Alma, who organized the church at the waters of Mormon about 450 years earlier. And we know that he was "constrained by the... Continue Reading →
Tossed
As Mormon describes the annihilation of his people, he laments their rapid fall from grace: They were once a delightsome people, and they had Christ for their shepherd; yea, they were led even by God the Father.But now, behold, they are led about by Satan, even as chaff is driven before the wind, or as a vessel is... Continue Reading →
Awareness
An important theme in the Book of Mormon is the importance of awareness. Here are a few examples: At the age of 10, Mormon was selected to be responsible for the plates. the prior caretaker, Ammaron, chose him because he was "a sober child" and "quick to observe" (Mormon 1:2).For Ammaron to identify these characteristics... Continue Reading →
“A Chance for Repentance” – Mormon 3:3
For ten years, from AD 350 to AD 360, the Nephites fought no battles. Their leader, Mormon, spent that decade preparing for the conflicts to come. Like Captain Moroni, he led his people "in preparing their lands and their arms against the time of battle" (Mormon 3:1). (See Alma 50:1-6.) But unlike Captain Moroni, Mormon... Continue Reading →
“The Strength of the Lord” – Mormon 2:26
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.Jeremiah 17:5 I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust... Continue Reading →
Mormon 1-6: “I Would That I Could Persuade All…to Repent” (October 26-November 1)
"Mormon, Age 10" by Scott M. Snow Jesus stands with open arms to receive us. The tragedy is that we fail to receive so many of the blessings He offers us. One reason we fail to receive them is because we take too much credit for our own accomplishments. Another is because we are unwilling... Continue Reading →
“Save It Be for the Sins of the World” – 3 Nephi 28:9
The Savior made an incredible set of promises to the three disciples who wanted to remain on earth until His Second Coming. He told them that they would never taste of death. He promised that they would not feel pain. He even told them that they would not feel sorrow "save it be for the... Continue Reading →
“All Things Common” – 4 Nephi 1:4
The people who interacted with the resurrected Savior on the American continent lived together in unity for the rest of their lives. Their children and grandchildren followed their examples and enjoyed the blessings of a harmonious society. "There were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another." This... Continue Reading →
“To Go No More Out”
Near the beginning of the Book of Revelation, the apostle John quotes the Savior making the following promise: Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.Revelation 3:12 There's a sense of durability and reliability in this description. This person has "endured to... Continue Reading →
“United in Mighty Prayer and Fasting” – 3 Nephi 27:1
After the Savior ministered to a group of people on the American continent for three days, Mormon tell us that He continued to visit them. "He did show himself unto them oft, and did break bread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them" (3 Nephi 26:13). One of those visits occurred as His... Continue Reading →