When Aaron visited the father of King Lamoni, who was "king over all the land" (Alma 20:8), the king was initially disappointed. He had invited Aaron's brother Ammon to visit him and to teach him the gospel (Alma 20:27). He was willing to speak with Aaron, but he asked why Ammon had not come with... Continue Reading →
“Because Thou Hast Inquired of Me…Thou Art Blessed” (Mosiah 26:19)
When Alma faced a difficult decision as the leader of the church, he went to the Lord in prayer. He "poured out his whole soul to God," asking for guidance (Mosiah 26:13-14). In response, he received an answer from God. Four times in His response, the Lord called Alma "blessed," because of good things he... Continue Reading →
“The Lord God Poured in His Spirit” – Jacob 7:8
Last week, I wrote about Jacob's recurring testimony that his faith was strong because of the many revelations he had received. Consistently receiving personal revelation strengthens our faith, because it gives us strong evidence of the hand of God in our lives which we can rely on in times of uncertainty. I think this is... Continue Reading →
“We Also Had Many Revelations” – Jacob 1:6
As I listened to the first chapter in the book of Jacob this morning, I was struck by how he talked about revelation. His brother Nephi had entrusted the sacred records to him and had instructed him to limit this record to spiritual things: sermons, revelations, and prophecies (Jacob 1:1-4). Jacob goes on to say that... Continue Reading →
“When a Man Speaketh by the Power of the Holy Ghost” – 2 Nephi 33:1
Nephi opens his final chapter with some misgivings. He wishes that his written words could be as impactful as his spoken words were: Neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts... Continue Reading →
“Why Do Ye Ponder?” – 2 Nephi 32:1, 8
I would describe Nephi's tone in 2 Nephi 32 as exasperation. He is writing to people who have entered the strait gate—repenting of their sins and being baptized—and who are now on the narrow path, and yet are wondering what they should do next. Nephi is dumbfounded. "Why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?"... Continue Reading →
“Revealed…Manifest…Loosed” – 2 Nephi 30:17
As we've studied 2 Nephi 26-30 this week, I've noticed a pattern. Every one of these chapters affirms God's desire to bless us with knowledge: "He manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (2 Nephi 26:13). "The Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words... Continue Reading →
How Can I Receive Guidance from God?
Today I reviewed 1 Nephi 16 through 18, searching for principles that will help me receive guidance from God. Here's what I've learned: God gives us help along the way, not all at once at the beginning of the journey. As Lehi's family traveled in the wilderness, the writing on the Liahona "was written and... Continue Reading →
What Are the Mysteries of God?
A knowledge of the mysteries of God was important to Nephi. He knew that he was "highly favored of the Lord" because he "had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God" (1 Nephi 1:1). His first recorded spiritual experience came because he had "great desires to know of the mysteries of... Continue Reading →
Seeking the Lord Diligently – 1 Nephi 10:17-19
Moses prophesied that his people would eventually forget the Lord and would be scattered among all nations. But he made a promise about what would happen next: If from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul (Deuteronomy 4:29,... Continue Reading →