After warning the people of Jerusalem of their imminent destruction, Lehi was commanded by the Lord to take his family out of the city into the wilderness (1 Nephi 2:1-2). He had to defend this decision many times as the family undertook a difficult journey across the land and the sea to a promised land... Continue Reading →
From Whence Their Blessings Come – Mormon 5:10
10 And now behold, this I speak unto their seed, and also to the Gentiles who have care for the house of Israel, that realize and know from whence their blessings come. (Mormon 5:10) Gratitude leads to charity. When we understand the source of our blessings, particularly the sacrifices made by other people to provide... Continue Reading →
Ammon Teaches His Brothers – Alma 26
Setting After serving for approximately fourteen years as missionaries among the Lamanites, Ammon and his brothers reflected on the success they had experienced. Purpose Ammon's purpose in teaching his brothers was to express his gratitude for the blessings they had received from the Lord during their mission. Outline Could we have guessed at the beginning... Continue Reading →
Moroni Was a Strong and a Mighty Man – Alma 48:11-13
11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; 12 Yea, a man whose heart... Continue Reading →
They Poured out Their Thanks to God – Mosiah 24:21-22
21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to God because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it were the Lord their God. 22 And they gave thanks... Continue Reading →
They Did Not Realize That It Was the Lord That Had Spared Them – Mormon 3:2-3
2 And it came to pass that the Lord did say unto me: Cry unto this people—Repent ye, and come unto me, and be ye baptized, and build up again my church, and ye shall be spared. 3 And I did cry unto this people, but it was in vain; and they did not realize... Continue Reading →
Lessons from the Writings of Isaiah
During the month of September, I've studied the chapters in the Book of Mormon which are quoted from the Book of Isaiah. Here are some of the principles I've learned and tried to apply to my life: Gratitude We are more productive when we are grateful. Gratitude also inspires us to serve willingly. When we notice... Continue Reading →
He Hath Done Excellent Things – 2 Nephi 22:4-6
4 And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth. 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion;... Continue Reading →
Here Am I; Send Me – 2 Nephi 16:8
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then I said: Here am I; send me. (2 Nephi 16:8, Isaiah 6:8) Gratitude can motivate a willingness to serve. In this short chapter, Isaiah experiences a range of emotions. He is awe-struck at the... Continue Reading →
In a Very Fruitful Hill – 2 Nephi 15:1-4
1 And then will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved, touching his vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill. 2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and... Continue Reading →