The authors of the Book of Mormon quoted a number of prophets who lived in Israel before Lehi's family left Jerusalem (about 600 B.C.). Some of those prophets, like Moses and Isaiah, also appear in the Bible. But others do not. Two of these prophets are Zenos and Zenock. Here's what we know about them:... Continue Reading →
Lehi’s Prophecies – 1 Nephi 10:2-14
After describing a spiritual dream to his family and urging two of his sons to repent, Lehi went on to prophesy about a number of future events. Because he had recently obtained the brass plates, which contained the words of many prophets, it's likely that his awareness of these events was enhanced by his study... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Clarify?
This is the fifth of six posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. So far, I have written about what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, and what it fulfills. Today, I will write about what it clarifies. As I wrote yesterday, the Book of... Continue Reading →
What Is the Gathering of Israel?
When Lehi taught his family about the scattering of Israel, he reassured them that the Lord would gather them again: And after the house of Israel should be scattered they should be gathered together again; or, in fine, after the Gentiles had received the fulness of the Gospel, the natural branches of the olive tree,... Continue Reading →
Why Were the Children of Israel Scattered?
When the children of Israel arrived in the promised land, Moses told them that they would one day be scattered because of persistent disobedience. But he also told them that, when they humbled themselves and repented, God would remember His covenant with their ancestors (Leviticus 26). By the time Lehi and his family left Jerusalem,... Continue Reading →
How Will the Remnant of Jacob Be Like a Lion Among Sheep?
The prophet Micah, who was a contemporary of Isaiah, wrote about a time when the children of Israel would not be oppressed any more. In a future day, he prophesied, God's people would be far more powerful than their enemies. In contrast with earlier times, when they were scattered and taken captive, they would be... Continue Reading →
Then Shall the Remnants…Be Gathered In – 3 Nephi 20:13
13 And then shall the remnants, which shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth, be gathered in from the east and from the west, and from the south and from the north; and they shall be brought to the knowledge of the Lord their God, who hath redeemed them. (3 Nephi 20:13)... Continue Reading →
Jacob’s First Sermon – 2 Nephi 6-10
Setting Shortly after Nephi and his people separated themselves from the families of Laman and Lemuel, Nephi's brother Jacob spoke to them. He told them that Nephi had asked him to explain some of the words of Isaiah. Purpose Jacob's purpose in delivering this sermon was to help the people understand the gathering of Israel... 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 →
So Shall He Sprinkle Many Nations – 3 Nephi 20:43-45
43 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. 44 As many were astonished at thee—his visage was so marred, more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men— 45 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at... Continue Reading →
