Persevering through hardship is an essential component of discipleship. Fifteen times in the Book of Mormon, we are promised that those who endure to the end will be saved and will receive eternal life (1 Nephi 13:37, 1 Nephi 22:31, 2 Nephi 9:24, 2 Nephi 31:15, 16, 20, 2 Nephi 33:4, Omni 1:26, Alma 32:13, 15,... Continue Reading →
Cumorah
Mormon was 73 years old when he gathered his people for their final battle (Mormon 6:5). He had begun leading Nephite armies nearly 60 years earlier, at the age of 15 (Mormon 2:2). He had seen a lifetime of battles, and he knew the likely outcome of this conflict, but he believed that his people's... Continue Reading →
Why Did Jesus Tell Us to Be Perfect?
During His mortal ministry, the Savior gave this counsel: "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). This guidance is similar to an admonition in the book of Leviticus: "Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). When the Savior visited... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Endure to the End?
Throughout the Book of Mormon, we are encouraged to endure to the end. The prophet Nephi heard the voice of the Father declaring, "He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved" (2 Nephi 31:15). Jesus Christ made the same promise during His visit to the American continent (3 Nephi 15:9). Near the... Continue Reading →
Why Is Jesus Called “the Author and the Finisher of Our Faith?”
"Author and finisher" can also be translated "pioneer and perfecter." Jesus sparks our faith through His teachings and invitations, and then He works with us to improve and refine that faith over time.
If He Endureth to the End – 3 Nephi 27:13-16
13 Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. 14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that... Continue Reading →
They Were Steadfast and Immovable – Alma 1:25
25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them. (Alma 1:25) One of the purposes of the church is to help us endure. Consistency... 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 →
I Would That Ye Should Be Perfect – 3 Nephi 12:48
48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect. (3 Nephi 12:48) During His visit to the American continent following His death and resurrection, Jesus delivered a sermon which included the Sermon on the Mount. Partway into that sermon, He tells us that... Continue Reading →
Bountiful – 1 Nephi 17:6-8
6 And it came to pass that we did pitch our tents by the seashore; and notwithstanding we had suffered many afflictions and much difficulty, yea, even so much that we cannot write them all, we were exceedingly rejoiced when we came to the seashore; and we called the place Bountiful, because of its much... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 