Captain Moroni was appalled at the listless response of his people to a serious threat to their freedom. A year earlier, he had led the Nephite armies to victory over an enormous invading army. His forces had been victorious because they were "inspired by a better cause" than their enemies (Alma 43:45): To support their... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Taxes?
The Book of Mormon speaks about the tax policies of five leaders. Two of them worked to minimize taxes on their people, while the other three imposed exorbitant taxes on their people, with predictably catastrophic results. King Benjamin reported to his people at the end of his life that he had labored with his own... Continue Reading →
Why Is Jesus Called “the Good Shepherd?”
Jesus provides gentle and dedicated leadership. He leads by invitation, not by compulsion, and He invites us to follow His example, becoming shepherds of other people.
To Stir Them Up in Remembrance of Their Duty – Alma 4:19
19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness... Continue Reading →
I…Did Cause My People to Be Industrious – 2 Nephi 5:15-17
15 And I did teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance. 16 And I, Nephi, did build a temple; and I... Continue Reading →
Having Great Hopes and Much Desire – Alma 7:1-3
1 Behold my beloved brethren, seeing that I have been permitted to come unto you, therefore I attempt to address you in my language; yea, by my own mouth, seeing that it is the first time that I have spoken unto you by the words of my mouth, I having been wholly confined to the... 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 →
Com – Ether 11:1-3
1 And there came also in the days of Com many prophets, and prophesied of the destruction of that great people except they should repent, and turn unto the Lord, and forsake their murders and wickedness. 2 And it came to pass that the prophets were rejected by the people, and they fled unto Com... Continue Reading →
Riplakish – Ether 10:5-8
5 And it came to pass that Riplakish did not do that which was right in the sight of the Lord, for he did have many wives and concubines, and did lay that upon men’s shoulders which was grievous to be borne; yea, he did tax them with heavy taxes; and with the taxes he... Continue Reading →
Captivity – Ether 7:4-5
4 And when Corihor was thirty and two years old he rebelled against his father, and went over and dwelt in the land of Nehor; and he begat sons and daughters, and they became exceedingly fair; wherefore Corihor drew away many people after him. 5 And when he had gathered together an army he came... Continue Reading →