In the first section of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord speaks of "the calamity which should come upon the inhabitants of the earth," and He foretells a time when "peace shall be taken from the earth" (Doctrine and Covenants 1:17, 35). But in the same chapter, He provides the following counsel: "Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is... Continue Reading →
Prepared – Alma 43:19, Alma 49:8
When the Lamanite armies, under the leadership of Zerahemnah, arrived at the land of Jershon, they were dismayed. Captain Moroni and the Nephite army were prepared in a way that they had not anticipated: Moroni had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they... Continue Reading →
“In the Strength of the Lord” -Mosiah 9:17, Mosiah 10:10
Zeniff made a significant miscalculation: He unwisely trusted the king of the Lamanites and placed his people in danger as a result. Having seen "that which was good among [the Lamanites]" (Mosiah 9:1), he failed to recognize and manage the risks of living in their land, vastly outnumbered by them. Then, one day, everything changed.... Continue Reading →
How Can I Prepare to Hear the Words of Prophets?
General conference is today and tomorrow. I'd like to get as much out of the experience as possible. Today, I took the opportunity to review some passages from the Book of Mormon about preparation to hear the words of prophets. Open Your Ears, Heart, and Mind (Mosiah 2:9) When King Benjamin called his people together,... Continue Reading →
What Is a “Probationary State?”
When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they became mortal. As the prophet Lehi explained to his sons, everything was static before that time: "If Adam had not transgressed...he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have... Continue Reading →
A Wise Man, Who Built His House upon a Rock – 3 Nephi 14:24-27
24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock— 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.... Continue Reading →
When They Were Encompassed About – Ether 6:7
7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Wars in the Book of Mormon
During April, I have studied the wars in the Book of Mormon. In particular, I've focused on the following wars: Zoram leads the Nephite army to victory (Alma 16) The Lamanites attack the people of Ammon (Alma 24-25) The battle of Jershon (Alma 28) Captain Moroni defeats Zerahemnah (Alma 43-44) Captain Moroni prepares the Nephites... Continue Reading →
They Were Prepared – Alma 49:6-8
6 Now the leaders of the Lamanites had supposed, because of the greatness of their numbers, yea, they supposed that they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done; yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with garments of skins,... Continue Reading →
Moroni…Had Been Preparing the Minds of the People – Alma 48:7-9
7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God. 8 Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites, and erecting small forts, or... Continue Reading →
