faith - Complete trust or confidence in someone or something humility - The quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance (Oxford Dictionary) Are the attributes of faith and humility in conflict with each other, or is there at least some tension between them? Faith motivates courageous action. Humility restrains us from... Continue Reading →
Nephi’s Sermon on the Words of Isaiah – 2 Nephi 11-33
Setting After telling the story of his family's journey from Jerusalem to the promised land, sharing his father's final words to each of his sons, describing the rift between him and his older brothers after his father's death, and sharing a sermon by his brother, Jacob, Nephi turned his attention to his modern readers. His... Continue Reading →
Moroni’s Message About Faith – Ether 12
Setting After introducing the final prophet of the Jaredite nation—Ether—Moroni paused in his narrative to teach his modern readers about faith. Purpose Moroni's objective in writing this chapter was to encourage us to have faith in Jesus Christ, so that we can experience miracles in our lives. Outline Lessons from Ether's example of faith (Ether... Continue Reading →
Rolled Together as a Scroll – Mormon 5:23
23 Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll? (Mormon 5:23) Mormon had the misfortune to lead a group of people who were unwilling to acknowledge their dependence on God.... Continue Reading →
Mormon’s First Epistle to Moroni – Moroni 8
Setting Soon after Moroni was called as a church leader, his father, Mormon, wrote him this letter. Purpose Mormon's purpose in writing his son was to correct a doctrinal misunderstanding. Outline Greeting: I'm grateful for your calling, and "I am mindful of you always in my prayers" (Moroni 8:2-3). I'm troubled to hear that there... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Sermons to Hostile Audiences
During July, I studied sermons which were delivered under less favorable circumstances. In all of these cases, some people in the audience did respond favorably to the message, but the majority of people were not willing to listen. And in every case, the prophets knew that they were in danger because of the hostility to... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Sermons to Believers
During the month of June, I studied sermons in the Book of Mormon which were delivered to believers. Besides writing posts about those sermons, I also wrote a brief summary of each sermon in outline form. Here is a list of the sermons that I studied: Jacob's first sermon to the people of Nephi, delivered... Continue Reading →
Sufficiently Humble – Alma 5:27
27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? (Alma 5:27)... Continue Reading →
They Were Filled with Joy – Mosiah 4:2-3
2 And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Journeys in the Book of Mormon
During February, I studied journeys in the Book of Mormon. In particular, I've been interested in learning how I can more effectively work toward achieving long term goals, including maintaining my focus and commitment over time, and inspiring others to participate. During the month, I studied the following stories of journeys: Lehi and his family... Continue Reading →