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 →
How Should I Express Gratitude?
When the prophet Alma heard that that group of people called the Zoramites were "perverting the ways of the Lord," he assembled a team of missionaries to visit them and preach the gospel. When they arrived, their first stop was a worship service. Alma was horrified at what he saw: rich people gathering to congratulate... Continue Reading →
When Should I Express Gratitude?
The Book of Mormon clearly teaches that we should always be grateful: Alma taught his people at the waters of Mormon that they should observe the sabbath day once a week, but that "every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God" (Mosiah 18:23). Amulek urged the Zoramites to "live in thanksgiving daily"... Continue Reading →
What Should I Be Thankful For?
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States. In preparation for that holiday, I have been thinking about some of the things I am thankful for. Here are some ideas that occurred to me as I studied the Book of Mormon today: I'm grateful to be alive (Mosiah 2:20-21, Mosiah 7:12). I'm grateful for food and... Continue Reading →