Nephi saw a future day in which the forces of evil in the world ("the church of the devil") would fight against the followers of Jesus Christ ("the church of the Lamb"). Statistically, there would be no contest. The forces of evil would be numerous, with "dominion over all the earth." The disciples of Christ... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Abraham?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Lehi's sons risk their lives in order to obtain a set of brass plates which contains, among other things, the five books of Moses. A central character in those books is the prophet Abraham. Even though he had lived nearly 2,000 years earlier, his influence is felt... Continue Reading →
How Do Our Covenants with God Affect Our Relationships with Each Other?
I wrote yesterday that covenants strengthen relationships. Making promises to one another provides opportunities to build trust. So when God invites us to make covenants with Him, He is giving us the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Him. Our covenants with God not only bring us closer to Him; they also bring us closer... Continue Reading →
What Is a Covenant?
A covenant is a formal agreement between two parties (Oxford English Dictionary). The word comes from two Latin roots: com ("together") and venire ("to come"). So the word literally means to "come together" (See Online Etymology Dictionary.) God loves all of His children. He wants us to achieve our full potential, and He will send blessings... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn from the Baptisms of the Twelve Disciples?
On the first day of the Savior's visit to the American continent, He selected twelve men and gave them authority to baptize (3 Nephi 11:18-22). He told the assembled people that, if they would listen to the words of these men and would choose to be baptized with water, then He would baptize them with... Continue Reading →
He Should Take the Names – Mosiah 6:1-2
1 And now, king Benjamin thought it was expedient, after having finished speaking to the people, that he should take the names of all those who had entered into a covenant with God to keep his commandments. 2 And it came to pass that there was not one soul, except it were little children, but... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Sermons to Believers
During the month of June, I studied sermons in the Book of Mormon which were delivered to believers. Besides writing posts about those sermons, I also wrote a brief summary of each sermon in outline form. Here is a list of the sermons that I studied: Jacob's first sermon to the people of Nephi, delivered... Continue Reading →
That Ye Might Know Concerning the Covenants of the Lord – 2 Nephi 9:1-3
1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel— 2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation,... Continue Reading →
If the Gentiles Shall Hearken – 1 Nephi 14:1-2
1 And it shall come to pass, that if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that he shall manifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks— 2 And harden not their hearts against the Lamb of... Continue Reading →
The Work of the Father Hath Already Commenced – 3 Nephi 21:7
5 Therefore, when these works and the works which shall be wrought among you hereafter shall come forth from the Gentiles, unto your seed which shall dwindle in unbelief because of iniquity; 6 For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto... Continue Reading →