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 →
“Highly Favored” – Alma 9:20-24
Jesus said, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48). In 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation for the church in which the Lord taught the same principle: "For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive... Continue Reading →
“From Day to Day” – Mosiah 2:21, Mosiah 4:24, 26
Because of a health scare over the weekend, I had the opportunity to see an image of my heart beating on Sunday. As I watched that muscle working hard to pump blood through my body, I remarked to the technician how amazing it is that this process happens over and over, about 70 times each... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to “Render” Thanks?
When we receive a gift, we have a natural desire to do something for the giver. Perhaps it is our intuitive sense of justice which tells us that good deeds ought to be repaid. Of course, the way this life is structured, it is impossible for us to pay back many of those who have... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 