Helaman named his sons Nephi and Lehi, so that they would remember and follow the examples of their first parents who came from the city of Jerusalem and established their civilization in a new land (Helaman 5:6-7). Nephi and Lehi took this charge seriously. Years later, as they embarked on a mission, they remembered their... Continue Reading →
Follow the Prophet
Two different military leaders asked Alma for guidance on two different occasions. Notice how similar these two stories are: Now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know... Continue Reading →
“If You Will Hearken” – Alma 5:60
During Abinadi's message to the priests of King Noah, he quoted the following words from Isaiah: All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. (Mosiah 14:6) One of those priests, Alma, was converted to the gospel because of Abinadi's words. Years later, as Alma's son (also named... Continue Reading →
“Thus Saith the Lord” – Mosiah 11:20, 25, Mosiah 12:2
King Noah received two sets of messages. One set came from Abinadi, a prophet of God. The other set came from his own priests, whom he had chosen. Here are some of the messages he heard: Topic Abinadi The priests of King Noah The behavior of King Noah and his people "Thus saith the Lord—Wo... Continue Reading →
What Should I Do When Prophetic Teachings Are Difficult to Understand or Accept?
Prophetic teachings are generally not intended to be soothing. A primary role of prophets is to call us to repentance, which means making course corrections or incremental improvements. Therefore, when we have the opportunity to hear messages from prophets, we should plan to be challenged. Samuel the Lamanite denounced the people of Zarahemla for supporting... Continue Reading →
What Is the Spirit of Prophecy?
While the children of Israel traveled in the wilderness toward the promised land, an incident happened which demonstrated Moses's understanding of prophecy. Moses held a council at the tabernacle with the seventy elders who had been selected to govern the people. All who participated in that meeting were filled with the Spirit of the Lord... Continue Reading →
Why Is It Important to Record the Fulfillment of Prophecies?
When the Savior visited the American continent, He introduced Himself twice--once audibly and once in person after descending from the sky. Both times, He introduced Himself as the fulfillment of prophecies with which the people were familiar (3 Nephi 9:15-16, 3 Nephi 11:10). After describing the destruction which preceded this event, the prophet Mormon challenged... Continue Reading →
Why Do We Need Prophets?
Yesterday, I wrote about the importance of having firsthand spiritual knowledge. If the best way to gain spiritual knowledge is directly from the source, then why do we need intermediaries at all? Why does God send prophets? The obvious reason is because we're not there yet. A feature of this life is that we are... 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 →
Be of Good Cheer – 3 Nephi 1:13-14
13 Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the... Continue Reading →