The Anti-Nephi-Lehies, who were converted to the gospel by the preaching of the sons of Mosiah, decided as a group to renounce violence. Encouraged by their king, they buried their weapons as a symbol of their commitment to live differently (Alma 24:6-19). The buried weapons had a very literal consequence for them shortly afterward. They... Continue Reading →
No Inequality
Alma's primary goal when he gave up the office of chief judge was to address the issue of inequality among his people: He saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and... Continue Reading →
“Will Ye Persist in Supposing That Ye Are Better One Than Another?” – Alma 5:54
Equality is a core principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Alma resigned as chief judge and dedicated himself to the ministry because of the inequality he saw among his people. Members of the church were becoming proud, wearing expensive clothing, being "scornful, one towards another," and persecuting those who believed differently from them (Alma... Continue Reading →
“He Suffereth It” – 1 Nephi 19:9
I've been thinking today about one of Nephi's prophecies. After lamenting that people often ignore or even reject things of great worth, Nephi explained that the Savior would be persecuted during his mortal life but would willingly suffer rejection and abuse because of His love for us: And the world, because of their iniquity, shall... Continue Reading →
“At the Present Our Strugglings Were Vain” – Enos 1:20
Enos wanted to preach the gospel to the Lamanites. Who were they? His cousins. They were descendants of his father's older brothers, Laman and Lemuel, and of his father's sisters who had married the sons of Ishmael. They were family, and Enos wanted to help them live more happily. They had no interest in his... Continue Reading →
“It Grieveth Me That I Should Lose This Tree” – Jacob 5:7
Eight times during the allegory of the olive tree, the Lord of the vineyard says something similar to, "It grieveth me that I should lose this tree" (Jacob 5:7, 11, 13, 32, 46, 47, 51, 66). What is the significance of this statement? It testifies of his enduring love, and it clarifies why he keeps... Continue Reading →
“Tender and Chaste and Delicate” – Jacob 2:7
When the prophet Jacob called his people to repentance, he was keenly aware of the innocent people who would surely be emotionally wounded by this recitation of evil. "It grieveth me, " he said, "that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings... Continue Reading →
How Can I Be a Both a Defender of Truth and a Peacemaker?
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 →
When Is Violence Justified?
"Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). The sixth of the Ten Commandments which the Lord gave to Moses on Mount Sinai is clear and uncontroversial. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded the commandment: Not only is it wrong to kill. It's wrong to be angry. It's wrong to call people names. These small... Continue Reading →
