12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets. (3 Nephi 14:12, Matthew 7:12) After teaching the principle which we commonly call the Golden Rule, the Savior said, "This is the law and the prophets." What did... Continue Reading →
They Searched the Scriptures – Jacob 7:23
21 And when the multitude had witnessed that he spake these things as he was about to give up the ghost, they were astonished exceedingly; insomuch that the power of God came down upon them, and they were overcome that they fell to the earth. 22 Now, this thing was pleasing unto me, Jacob, for... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Nephi’s Sermon on the Words of Isaiah
During the month of October, I studied 2 Nephi 11-33. This collection of chapters constitutes a sermon to Nephi's future readers on an extended text from Isaiah: In chapter 11, he explains his purpose: to convince his readers that we can be delivered by Christ. In chapters 12-24, he quotes Isaiah 2-14. In chapters 25-30,... Continue Reading →
Manifest in the Light – 2 Nephi 30:17-18
17 There is nothing which is secret save it shall be revealed; there is no work of darkness save it shall be made manifest in the light; and there is nothing which is sealed upon the earth save it shall be loosed. 18 Wherefore, all things which have been revealed unto the children of men... Continue Reading →
The Learned Shall Not Read Them – 2 Nephi 27:15-20
15 But behold, it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall say unto him to whom he shall deliver the book: Take these words which are not sealed and deliver them to another, that he may show them unto the learned, saying: Read this, I pray thee. And the learned shall say: Bring... Continue Reading →
The Spirit of Deep Sleep – 2 Nephi 27:4-5
4 For behold, all ye that doeth iniquity, stay yourselves and wonder, for ye shall cry out, and cry; yea, ye shall be drunken but not with wine, ye shall stagger but not with strong drink. 5 For behold, the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep. For behold, ye have... Continue Reading →
The Earth Shall Be Full of the Knowledge of the Lord – 2 Nephi 21:6-9
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Sermons to Modern Readers
Some of the chapters in the Book of Mormon are addressed directly to us, the modern readers of the book. Moroni wrote, "I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing" (Mormon 8:35). During the month... Continue Reading →
Unto Three Shall They Be Shown – Ether 5:2-3
2 And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work; 3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true. (Ether 5:2-3) After describing the miraculous vision... Continue Reading →
To Try Their Faith – 3 Nephi 26:6-11
6 And now there cannot be written in this book even a hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people; 7 But behold the plates of Nephi do contain the more part of the things which he taught the people. 8 And these things have I written, which are a... Continue Reading →