Part of mortality is being subject to improper inclinations. An angel explained to King Benjamin that when we err in ignorance, Jesus Christ eliminates our culpability. But when we know right from wrong, we become agents. We can choose to "put off the natural man," and become saints through the atonement of Christ.
Overcoming the World
God wants us to overcome the world, and He is willing to help us do it. President Nelson taught that overcoming the world is synonymous with putting off the natural man. It means to replace worldly qualities like arrogance, anger, and jealousy with Christlike qualities — compassion, patience, humility, and obedience to God.
Wickedness
The Book of Mormon teaches several principles which can help us navigate environments where people are making wrong choices. 1. We are all wicked. 2. Wickedness is not binary. 3. Wickedness need not be permanent. 4. As we become less wicked, God can entrust us with more responsibilities.
Overcoming the Natural Man
Paul taught that the natural man doesn't understand the things of God. King Benjamin added that the natural man is an enemy to God. He taught that God can help us not only understand spiritual things, but also to become holy.
What Is the “Natural Man?”
The angel who visited King Benjamin promised that his message would fill Benjamin and his people with joy. His core message was that Jesus Christ, "the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity," would come to earth and suffer for our sins, making salvation possible for us (Mosiah... Continue Reading →
All Mankind Must Be Born Again – Mosiah 27:25-26
25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; 26 And thus they... Continue Reading →
They Had Viewed Themselves in Their Own Carnal State – Mosiah 4:1-3
1 And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had made an end of speaking the words which had been delivered unto him by the angel of the Lord, that he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and behold they had fallen to the earth, for the fear of the Lord... Continue Reading →
The Natural Man – Mosiah 3:19
19 For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a... Continue Reading →
In Adam, or by Nature, They Fall – Mosiah 3:16
16 And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins.(Mosiah 3:16)Yesterday I wrote about how the doctrine of the Fall... Continue Reading →
That They Might Repent While in the Flesh – 2 Nephi 2:21
21 And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave... Continue Reading →