Freedom to choose is not the same thing as unlimited power. That seems pretty obvious, but in our pursuit of freedom, we sometimes fail to acknowledge our constraints. And when other people are misbehaving, we may forget that they, too, operate within constraints, seen or unseen. Job pointed out that the ultimate constraint on every... Continue Reading →
“I Will Fight Your Battles”
We all face battles that we can't fight alone. Whether it be people who oppose us, health issues, financial burdens, or other challenges, we all have frequent reminders of our limitations and of our need for help. Isaiah captured this quandary eloquently with the following poetic query: "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty,... Continue Reading →
Knowledge and Power
As he worked on his translation of the Bible, Joseph Smith sought guidance from the Lord many times about the meaning of specific passages. As he studied the book of Revelation, Joseph asked about the four beasts described in Revelation 4:6-9. These beasts each have 6 wings, reminiscent of the seraphim in Isaiah's vision (Isaiah... Continue Reading →
“Thine Is the Kingdom”
Near the end of King David's life, he called together all the leaders of his people, announced that his son Solomon would be king, and urged them to build the temple under Solomon's leadership. The people willingly donated the materials required to construct it. While the congregation was still together, David offered a prayer which... Continue Reading →
Was Alma Translated?
Mormon's description of the end of Alma's life is mysterious: He departed out of the land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial we know not of (Alma 45:18). Those are the facts.... Continue Reading →
“All Power, All Wisdom, and All Understanding” – Alma 26:35
As Ammon reviewed with his brothers their fourteen-year mission among the Lamanites, he enumerated the blessings they had received from God. Fearing that Ammon was letting their success go to his head, his brother Aaron cautioned him not to boast (Alma 26:10). But Ammon replied that he was praising God, not himself. If rejoicing in... Continue Reading →
The Greatness and Goodness of God
There are two things we need to know about God. The first is that He is capable of doing "great and marvelous works," far beyond our abilities, and even beyond our comprehension (Jacob 4:8). The second is that He loves us and is kind and merciful (Moroni 8:3). In the first chapter of the Book... Continue Reading →
Loftiness, Haughtiness (2 Nephi 12:11, 17, 2 Nephi 15:15-16)
lofty - proud, aloof, or self-important haughty - arrogantly superior and disdainful (Oxford English Dictionary) A recurrent theme in the writings of Isaiah is the impermanence of worldly power. Physical strength, wealth, and positions of authority are all transitory—any control or influence we derive from them will evaporate over time. Only God's power is permanent.... Continue Reading →
“Fear Ye Not the Reproach of Men” – 2 Nephi 8:7-8
There's an arrogance in our anxiety. When we allow ourselves to be intimidated by other people, we are assigning too much power to humans and underestimating or ignoring the power of God. This is a common theme in Isaiah, and it permeates chapter 51, which Jacob quotes in 2 Nephi 8: Hearken unto me, ye... Continue Reading →
“Great and Marvelous” – 1 Nephi 1:14
The Book of Mormon opens with a vision experienced by Lehi. We don't know much about what he saw, but we do know that he saw a personage who shone brighter than the sun, with twelve others following Him, a clear reference to the Savior. We also know that he read from a book that... Continue Reading →