Insights from my daily study of the Book of Mormon.
Jesus had to travel through Samaria so He could talk with the woman at the well, not because there were no alternate routes. God places us in circumstances which allow us to bless individual people, and we need to act on those opportunities when they come
Within the infinite work of the Lord, we each have a finite work to do. Our efforts complement one another, enabling us to collectively reach many more of Heavenly Father's children than any of us would have been able to do alone. When the sons of Mosiah and their colleagues arrived in the land of... Continue Reading →
"They that be whole need not a physician," said Jesus, "but they that are sick." Then He added, "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matthew 9:12-13, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31-32). The prophet Mormon used the same metaphor to explain to his son Moroni why small children do not need to be baptized: Listen to the... Continue Reading →
The ancient patriarch Joseph foresaw the work of his future namesake, the prophet Joseph Smith: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a... Continue Reading →
King David declared, "The Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1). Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11), and He enlisted the help of His disciples in watching over His sheep. After His death and resurrection, three times in a row, He directed His senior apostle, Peter, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). Who are... Continue Reading →
Amulek gave up many things when he accepted the call to serve alongside Alma. He left behind "all his gold and silver, and his precious things." He also gave up relationships with friends and with family, including his own father. He was now homeless, so Alma "took him into his own house, and did administer... Continue Reading →
After Alma baptized about 200 people at the waters of Mormon, he organized them into a church and gave them instructions about to serve one another. Here are some of the principles I've learned from Alma's instructions: "Preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people" (Mosiah 18:20).... Continue Reading →
Mormon referred to Jesus Christ's visit to the American continent as a ministry (3 Nephi 10:18-19). What can I learn from the Savior's activities during that visit which can help me in my ministering efforts? Even though He was with a very large number of people, the Savior interacted with them as individuals. Immediately after... Continue Reading →
When John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, he told them that the Aaronic Priesthood held "the keys of the ministering of angels" (Joseph Smith—History 1:69). What does that mean? In the Book of Mormon, there are many references to the ministering of angels. Nephi and his brother Jacob both tell us... Continue Reading →
When a rift developed among the apostles over the question of who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, Jesus called them together to teach them about leadership: Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 