4 reasons we often "strain at gnats:" 1. We can only focus on one task at a time. 2. Our brains are programmed to look for threats. 3. Simple problems give us a feeling of achievement. 4. Distant or vague problems demand too little of us.
“All These Things Will I Give Thee”
Some things can't be measured in monetary terms, because they will outlast money itself. Jesus refused to worship Satan in exchange for all the kingdoms of the earth. On a smaller scale, Amulek refused to deny God in exchange for six onties of silver.
“Lest Thou Dash Thy Foot”
A promise of protection is not a license to do stupid things. When Satan urged Jesus to leap from the temple, he was asking Him to focus on the wrong thing: the promise of safety instead of the work He had been sent to do.
My Father’s Business
We make better decisions when we inherit priorities rather than manufacture them. Jesus exemplified this principle. When He asked His parents at age twelve, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" He clarified that His goals and actions were in support of His Father's priorities.
“They Followed Vanity, and Became Vain”
Among the sins committed by the northern ten tribes which led to the Assyrian captivity, one stands out to me. The author of 2 Kings writes, "They followed vanity, and became vain" (2 Kings 17:15). The Hebrew word hebel (הֶבֶל), which is translated "vanity" in this passage, means literally "vapor" or "breath." The word habal... Continue Reading →
Needs and Wants
When Alma organized the church at the waters of Mormon, he instructed members to "impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had." They were to give "both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants" (Mosiah 18:27-29). The word "want," when used as a noun, usually refers to a... Continue Reading →
“It Mattereth Not”
The heavenly messenger who appeared to Joseph Smith as he went to procure wine for the sacrament taught him an important principle: We can completely miss the most important aspects of our experiences when we are focused on less-important details. Quoting Jesus Christ, the messenger said: It mattereth not what ye shall eat or what ye shall... Continue Reading →
The “Hundredth Part” – Mormon’s Prioritization of Events in the Book of Alma
Mormon had access to a large library of sacred records, describing 1,000 years of history (Mormon 1:3-4). From those records, he made an abridgment of the history of his people, focusing on events and teachings which would help us understand God's covenants and increase our faith in Jesus Christ (Title Page, Words of Mormon 1:3-5).... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Cleanse the Inward Vessel?
At a critical moment in the largest war recorded in the Book of Mormon, Moroni, the commander of the Nephite army, became aware that something was wrong. One of his subordinates, Helaman, had questioned in a letter why the government had not sent more troops to bolster the strength of his armies. He had even... Continue Reading →
How Did Joseph Smith Translate the Book of Mormon?
This week, I'm going to ask some questions about translation. Here are a few of the questions I'm planning to tackle: Why is it important for people to hear the gospel in their own language? What is the Urim and Thummim, and what role does it play in translation? Why is the Book of Mormon... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 