Enoch was shocked when God called him to preach the gospel. "Why is it," he asked, "that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people hate me; for I am slow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?" (Moses 6:31). Communication effectiveness can't be measured, and it's easy to be hypercritical as... Continue Reading →
The Teacher
"Rabbi," said Nicodemus to Jesus, "we know that thou art a teacher come from God" (John 3:2). Good teachers are responsive to the needs of their students. They ask questions and make observations that stimulate thought. Consider, for example, how the Savior turned the following events into teaching opportunities: When His disciples were quibbling about... Continue Reading →
Principles
Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord instructed members of His church to "teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon" (Doctrine and Covenants 42:12). This echoes the instruction given by Alma to the newly ordained priests when he organized the church at the waters of Mormon:... Continue Reading →
The Sound of Rejoicing
A few years ago, I had the responsibility to recruit some volunteers to help a family move between Christmas and New Year's Day. Knowing that it was a time of year when people are spending time with their families, and being somewhat self-conscious about making this request on short notice, I emphasized the negative aspects... Continue Reading →
Elias
I've been thinking today about two Old Testament prophecies, both of which are associated with John the Baptist, but both of which have much broader applicability. Isaiah prophesied that, following the Babylonian captivity, there would be a voice in the wilderness, crying "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a... Continue Reading →
“Give Heed to My Words” – 3 Nephi 23:4
After quoting a chapter from the book of Isaiah, Jesus emphasized the importance of studying the scriptures: I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah....Therefore give heed to my words; write the things which... Continue Reading →
“I Will Explain” – Alma 41:1, Alma 42:2
Corianton had done wrong. He had not only committed a serious sin, but had done so while representing the church as a missionary under the leadership of his father, Alma. His actions had embarrassed his father and had weakened the credibility of his fellow missionaries (Alma 39:1-12). As you might expect, Alma reproved his son.... Continue Reading →
“When I Speak the Word of God with Sharpness” – Moroni 9:4
In a letter to his son, Mormon laments a dilemma he faces: how to calibrate the tone of his message so that his people will listen. Here's how he describes the situation: When I speak the word of God with sharpness they tremble and anger against me; and when I use no sharpness they harden their hearts against it.Moroni... Continue Reading →
“Hid up unto the Lord” – Mormon 1:2, 4:23, 5:12
We don't know much about Ammaron, the caretaker of the Nephite records who selected Mormon as his successor. We know that he was the brother of Amos, and therefore a descendant of Alma, who organized the church at the waters of Mormon about 450 years earlier. And we know that he was "constrained by the... Continue Reading →
Your Influence – Alma 46:9
Never underestimate the influence that one person can have. Mormon opens his account of the seven-year war between the Nephites and the Lamanites by focusing on two leaders: Amalickiah and Moroni. After describing the influence Amalickiah had over many of the Nephites and the disruptive effect of his leadership, Mormon explains what we can learn... Continue Reading →