Both John Whitmer and his brother Peter asked God many times what they could do which would be of the greatest worth. His response to both of them was the same: The thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with... Continue Reading →
“Preach Nothing Save It Were Repentance” – Mosiah 18:20
When Alma organized the church at the waters of Mormon, he ordained priests to teach the people. What were they to teach? The same things he had taught, and the same things prophets before him had taught: "He commanded that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had... Continue Reading →
“They Were Also Admonished” – Mosiah 26:39
Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.Ecclesiastes 4:13 When Alma organized the church at the waters of Mormon, he ordained priests to teach the people. But these priests weren't given carte blanche, to speak on any topic they wanted. Alma instructed them... Continue Reading →
“The Least Degree of Allowance” – Alma 45:16
At the end of Alma's life, he held a final interview with his son Helaman. He asked Helaman to reaffirm his belief in Jesus Christ and the words of the scriptures and to recommit to obey the commandments which Alma had taught. He prophesied of dark times ahead, including the complete destruction of the Nephite... Continue Reading →
“I Will Show Unto Them Their Weakness” – Ether 12:27
Moroni was painfully aware of his limitations. As he summarized the Jaredite record, he compared himself unfavorably to one of the authors of the Jaredite plates. Moroni worried that his imperfections would cause future readers to reject his writings, and he shared his anxiety with God in prayer: Behold, thou hast not made us mighty... Continue Reading →
“A Chance for Repentance” – Mormon 3:3
For ten years, from AD 350 to AD 360, the Nephites fought no battles. Their leader, Mormon, spent that decade preparing for the conflicts to come. Like Captain Moroni, he led his people "in preparing their lands and their arms against the time of battle" (Mormon 3:1). (See Alma 50:1-6.) But unlike Captain Moroni, Mormon... Continue Reading →
Sixteen Cities
After the destruction which coincided with the death of Jesus Christ, while the survivors sat in darkness and pondered what had happened, they heard the voice of the Savior. He listed sixteen cities that had been destroyed, and explained why this had happened. There is a lot of repetition in this passage, including a refrain... Continue Reading →
“Will Ye Not Now…Repent?” – 3 Nephi 9:13
After listing sixteen cities that had been destroyed over a three-hour period and explaining why they were destroyed, the Savior extended an invitation to those who remained: O all ye that are spared..., will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?3 Nephi 9:13 These people were... Continue Reading →
Famine
As Nephi walked dejectedly toward his home after being ignored by the people of his city, he heard the voice of God. The Lord was pleased with Nephi's unwearying efforts to spread the gospel, and now, because of his faithfulness over time, God was granting him additional power. "Ye shall...smite the earth with famine, and... Continue Reading →
“Turn Ye, Turn Ye” – Helaman 7:17
Nephi caught the attention of a group of people by praying on a tower in his garden beside a busy highway. They not only stopped to hear his prayer. They ran and gathered other people. When Nephi completed his prayer, a large crowd had gathered (Helaman 7:10-12). So he spoke to them, sharing his sorrow... Continue Reading →
