Disciples of Jesus Christ have an obligation to tell the truth, even when others don't want to hear it. Our promise to "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9) is a promise to speak up, to share our convictions with others, to say what... Continue Reading →
I Am an Honest Man – Helaman 9:36
36 And then shall he say unto you, that I, Nephi, know nothing concerning the matter save it were given unto me by the power of God. And then shall ye know that I am an honest man, and that I am sent unto you from God. (Helaman 9:36) Nephi's neighbors were highly resistant to... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Chapters About Government in the Book of Mormon
During the month of May, I studied chapters in the Book of Mormon which discuss governments: the characteristics of good governments, the characteristics of good leaders, what we can do to contribute to good governments, and how to avoid activities which damage governments. I focused on the following stories: Nephi, Zeniff, and Jared establish new... Continue Reading →
He Being a Very Subtle Man – Alma 47:3-4
3 And now it came to pass that the king was wroth because of their disobedience; therefore he gave Amalickiah the command of that part of his army which was obedient unto his commands, and commanded him that he should go forth and compel them to arms. 4 Now behold, this was the desire of... Continue Reading →
There Were Many That Would Not Leave Them – Mosiah 19:11-12
11 Now it came to pass that the king commanded them that all the men should leave their wives and their children, and flee before the Lamanites. 12 Now there were many that would not leave them, but had rather stay and perish with them. And the rest left their wives and their children and... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Wars in the Book of Mormon
Here are some lessons I've learned from chapters about war in the Book of Mormon: 1. Let adversity bring you closer to God. 2. Act with integrity, and focus on your top priorities. 3. Master your passions and control negative emotions. 4. Preparation is essential.
I Am a Bold Lamanite – Alma 54:23-24
23 I am Ammoron, and a descendant of Zoram, whom your fathers pressed and brought out of Jerusalem. 24 And behold now, I am a bold Lamanite; behold, this war hath been waged to avenge their wrongs, and to maintain and to obtain their rights to the government; and I close my epistle to Moroni.... Continue Reading →
They Were About to Break the Oath – Alma 53:13-15
13 But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country. 14 But behold, as they were about to take their weapons of war,... Continue Reading →
If All Men Had Been…Like Unto Moroni – Alma 48:11-13, 17
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 did... Continue Reading →
To Be Faithful – Alma 48:7
7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God.(Alma 48:7)The fundamental difference between Amalickiah and Moroni was honesty and integrity. Amalickiah obtained power "by fraud... Continue Reading →