From the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi set the standard: in this book, the word of God would be preached in plainness. In the opening chapter, Nephi's father, Lehi, sees a vision which "[manifests] plainly" to him "of the coming of the Messiah" (1 Nephi 1:19). Nephi later foresees a time when corrupt... Continue Reading →
The Fallacies of Nehor – Alma 1:3-4
Less than a year after King Mosiah's death, during Alma's first year as chief judge, a man named Nehor created some controversy in the land of Zarahemla, by advocating two principles which opposed the teachings of the church. Here are two false teachings which he promoted: The fallacy of popularity - Nehor taught that "every priest... 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 →
Learning How to Learn – Nephi’s Vision
Nephi's vision is unlike any other that I am aware of. It consists of a guided tour through a sweeping series of future events. Nephi is accompanied throughout the vision, first by the Spirit of the Lord, and then by an angel. These guides not only explain what he is seeing; they also teach him... Continue Reading →
That Which Ye Have Seen Me Do – 3 Nephi 27:21
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do; (3 Nephi 27:21) Effective teachers... Continue Reading →
He Did Loose Their Tongues – 3 Nephi 26:14-16
14 And it came to pass that he did teach and minister unto the children of the multitude of whom hath been spoken, and he did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; and he loosed their tongues that... Continue Reading →
Priests and Teachers – 2 Nephi 5:26, Jacob 1:18
26 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did consecrate Jacob and Joseph, that they should be priests and teachers over the land of my people. (2 Nephi 5:26) 18 For I, Jacob, and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people, by the hand of Nephi. (Jacob 1:18) A... Continue Reading →
I Am an Honest Man – Helaman 9:36
36 And then shall he say unto you, that I, Nephi, know nothing concerning the matter save it were given unto me by the power of God. And then shall ye know that I am an honest man, and that I am sent unto you from God. (Helaman 9:36) Nephi's neighbors were highly resistant to... Continue Reading →
He Opened Not His Mouth – Mosiah 14:7
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth. (Mosiah 14:7, Isaiah 53:7) When the priests of King Noah asked Abinadi to explain a scripture passage—Isaiah... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Sermons to Believers
During the month of June, I studied sermons in the Book of Mormon which were delivered to believers. Besides writing posts about those sermons, I also wrote a brief summary of each sermon in outline form. Here is a list of the sermons that I studied: Jacob's first sermon to the people of Nephi, delivered... Continue Reading →