Eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden had immediate consequences. One of them was that it became harder to eat. Instead of living in a garden full of beautiful trees with delicious fruit, Adam and Eve entered an existence which would demand more from them. "Cursed is the ground for thy sake," said God;... Continue Reading →
Lovingkindness
Can a person be kind without being loving? Of course they can; we have all seen it. Perhaps they were kind begrudgingly, out of a sense of duty. Perhaps they were kind in a general sense, such as donating money to a charity, but without any particular commitment to the specific individuals they were helping.... Continue Reading →
“Plead the Cause of the Poor and Needy”
Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord issued a clear warning to political leaders: Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!Isaiah 10:1-2, 2 Nephi... Continue Reading →
Impart
The wealthy man passed the beggar every day, but he never felt sufficient compassion to share. In the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Jesus provided a name for the beggar but not for the wealthy man, indicating where His sympathies lay. The rich man lived comfortably, even extravagantly. He "was clothed in purple... Continue Reading →
Not Grudgingly
A generous person isn't just someone who gives a lot. It's someone who gives a lot because they want to. Moses taught the ancient Israelites not only to give to those in need, but to do so with the right attitude: If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within... Continue Reading →
Impart of Your Substance
King Benjamin urged his people to "administer of [their] substance unto him that standeth in need." He told them not to judge beggars, but to share what they could with those who needed their help. If they were unable to give, he encouraged them to say in their hearts, "I give not because I have not, but if I... Continue Reading →
Filled with Joy, Filled with Sorrow – Mosiah 25:8-11
The apostle Paul gave the following admonition to followers of Jesus Christ: "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15). Alma gave a similar admonition to his people at the waters of Mormon. He told them that their baptism included a promise to "mourn with those that mourn" (Mosiah... Continue Reading →
“Tender and Chaste and Delicate” – Jacob 2:7
When the prophet Jacob called his people to repentance, he was keenly aware of the innocent people who would surely be emotionally wounded by this recitation of evil. "It grieveth me, " he said, "that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Refute?
This is the third of six posts answering a series of questions raised by President Russell M. Nelson in the October 2017 general conference. So far, I have discussed what the Book of Mormon is and what it affirms. Today, I am listing some of the fallacies it refutes. It refutes the concept of original sin,... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Refugees?
The king of the Lamanites was troubled. His people had accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ after being taught by a group of Nephite missionaries. They had made a solemn oath never to fight again. Their own people had turned against them and were slaughtering them mercilessly. Now, Ammon, the leader of the missionaries, had... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 