12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount... Continue Reading →
Moroni’s First Message to His Modern Readers – Mormon 8-9
Setting After Mormon's death, his son Moroni appended two chapters to his father's book. He may have believed that these were the concluding chapters in the book. He didn't know how much longer he would live, and there was not much space left on his father's plates (Mormon 8:5). Purpose His father had given him guidance... Continue Reading →
Mormon Laments the Foolishness of Man – Helaman 12
Setting After relating some of the experiences of the prophet Nephi, including great miracles which failed to convert the people and a natural disaster which only temporarily convinced them to humble themselves and repent, Mormon inserted this editorial commentary. Purpose Mormon's purpose in writing this editorial note was to highlight the foolishness of pride and... Continue Reading →
Nephi’s Sermon from His Tower – Helaman 7-9
Setting When Nephi returned home from preaching the gospel in the north countries, he was horrified at how much his own society had deteriorated. The institutions of government which he knew very well, had been infiltrated by members of a secret society who valued loyalty to each other above the rule of law (Helaman 7:4-5). In... Continue Reading →
Jacob’s Second Sermon – Jacob 2-3
Setting Shortly after the death of his brother, Nephi, Jacob delivered this sermon. He didn't enjoy delivering it, but he knew it was his responsibility to do so, because of his calling as a priest and a teacher (Jacob 1:17-19). Purpose Jacob's objective was to urge the people of Nephi to repent of two sins... Continue Reading →
Stiff Necks and High Heads – Jacob 2:13-14
13 And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your... Continue Reading →
Gadianton’s Robbers and Murderers – Helaman 6:17-18
17 For behold, the Lord had blessed them so long with the riches of the world that they had not been stirred up to anger, to wars, nor to bloodshed; therefore they began to set their hearts upon their riches; yea, they began to seek to get gain that they might be lifted up one... Continue Reading →
It Was Because the Armies of the Nephites Went Up – Mormon 4:4
4 And it was because the armies of the Nephites went up unto the Lamanites that they began to be smitten; for were it not for that, the Lamanites could have had no power over them. (Mormon 4:4) There's a recurring theme in the Book of Mormon: God will bless people who are defending themselves... Continue Reading →
The Sorrowing of the Damned / They Began to Boast in Their Own Strength – Mormon 2:12-13, 3:9-11
12 And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would again become a righteous... Continue Reading →
When I Saw That Which Was Good Among Them – Mosiah 9:1-3
1 I, Zeniff, having been taught in all the language of the Nephites, and having had a knowledge of the land of Nephi, or of the land of our fathers’ first inheritance, and having been sent as a spy among the Lamanites that I might spy out their forces, that our army might come upon... Continue Reading →