It's easy to take the good things in our lives for granted. Gratitude helps us stay humble and reminds us of our obligation bless the lives of others. At the end of Moses' life, as his people prepared to enter the promised land, he warned them not to forget the source of their blessings: When... Continue Reading →
The Song of the Sea: Gratitude Builds Faith
Many times in the Book of Mormon, people offer thanks and praise to God after receiving a blessing. For example: The family of Lehi "did rejoice exceedingly" and offered sacrifice to God when the sons returned safely from Jerusalem with the brass plates (1 Nephi 5:9-10). They did the same after the sons returned with... Continue Reading →
“All the Plenty Shall Be Forgotten”
When Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, he explained not only the events which the dreams foretold but also the effect of those events on the people. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten... Continue Reading →
Creation as Grace
King Benjamin wanted his people to recognize the extraordinary gifts they had received from God. It is impossible to be grateful enough, he said. God has given us far more than we can even adequately acknowledge: If you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created... Continue Reading →
Thanksgiving
Many of the psalms encourage us to express our gratitude to God. For example: "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:30)."Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms" (Psalm 95:2)."Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,... Continue Reading →
Thanksgiving
The prophet Amulek taught the poor among the Zoramites to be thankful. These people had approached Amulek and Alma specifically because they were oppressed. Not only were they poor, but they were also "despised of all men because their poverty." They had been excluded from the houses of worship which they had built with their... Continue Reading →
The Father of Lights
Shortly after encouraging us to seek wisdom from God, James explains why He is the best source of truth: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.James 1:17 With the twin imagery of gifts and light, James emphasizes that God is the ultimate source of all... Continue Reading →
“A Knowledge of the Goodness of God” – Mosiah 4:5-6
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above," wrote James (James 1:17). "All things which are good cometh of God," said Mormon (Moroni 7:12). And after King Benjamin's people came to "a knowledge of the goodness of God," he told them that it was important for them to retain that awareness and remembrance on an ongoing basis (Mosiah 4:5-6, 11).... Continue Reading →
“Thank and Praise the Lord” – Ether 6:9
While the Jaredites sat in enclosed barges for nearly a year, with all the food and animals they could carry, and with furious storms battering them, sometimes sinking them deep in the water, what did they do? How did they spend their time? Here is Moroni's description: And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the... Continue Reading →
“I Have All Things as a Testimony” – Alma 30:41
I wrote yesterday about Korihor's constricting worldview. His rejection of all knowledge that is not current and within our own experience led to very poor outcomes. Alma, in contrast, had a broad perspective. After asking Korihor what evidence he had that there is no God, Alma shared his own experience: "I have all things as... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 