This is the last of six blog posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. So far, I have written about what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, and what it clarifies. Here are some of the truths that the book reveals to... Continue Reading →
How Do Different Forms of Revelation Support One Another?
As I prepare to participate in general conference this weekend, I've been thinking about how different forms of revelation interact with one another and support one another. By revelation, I mean messages from God. Here are some forms of revelation that I have been thinking about: Dreams and visions Face to face conversations with angels... 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 →
How Does God Communicate with Us?
After writing two days ago about the importance of firsthand spiritual knowledge, and after writing yesterday about the role of prophets in helping us to grow closer to God, I was thinking today about the variety of ways that God sends us messages. Here are some examples: Dreams and visions — The Book of Mormon opens... Continue Reading →
Why Is Firsthand Spiritual Knowledge Important?
After the first prophet in the Book of Mormon, Lehi, described a dream or a vision which he had experienced, one of his sons—Nephi—wanted to have the same experience. He tells us that he wanted "to see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (1 Nephi 10:17). Later,... Continue Reading →
What Is the Urim and Thummim?
Shortly after the Lord confounded the language of people at the tower of Babel and scattered them "upon the face of all the earth" (Genesis 11:9), a group of people led by a man named Jared and his brother traveled to the American continent. As they prepared to board barges to cross the sea, the... 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 →
Lessons from the Savior’s Visit to the American Continent
I finished the year of studying types of content in the Book of Mormon by studying the visit of Jesus Christ to the American continent following His death and resurrection as recorded in 3 Nephi. I learned the following principles from my study this month: 1. We must choose to receive the gifts God offers... Continue Reading →
The Spirit of Alma Was…Troubled – Mosiah 26:6-7, 13
6 For it came to pass that they did deceive many with their flattering words, who were in the church, and did cause them to commit many sins; therefore it became expedient that those who committed sin, that were in the church, should be admonished by the church. 7 And it came to pass that... Continue Reading →
All Things What Ye Should Do – 2 Nephi 32:5
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:5) In the prior chapter, Nephi gave us specific instructions about how to follow the example of Christ. He taught... Continue Reading →