Frustration and fear can narrow our thinking, reducing the number of outcomes that we perceive to be possible. Sometimes, we express this narrow thinking as a false dilemma, in which we articulate multiple bad outcomes and attempt to select the least bad, instead of searching for a better one. As the children of Israel approached... 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 →
“Suffer None of These Things to Enter into Your Heart” – 3 Nephi 12:29
Near the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, after sharing the Beatitudes and encouraging His disciples to let their light shine, Jesus gave six examples of commandments or traditions which the people had interpreted too narrowly. In all six cases, He encouraged them to expand their perspective and live according to a higher law.... Continue Reading →
What Should I Think About?
One test of integrity is what you choose to do when no one is watching. So a powerful indication of our character is what we choose to think about. We generally assume that our thoughts are private, that no one else knows what we're thinking unless we tell them. Of course that may not be... Continue Reading →
How Knowest Thou the Thoughts of My Heart? – Alma 18:18-20
18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all things? 19 Ammon answered and said unto him: I am... Continue Reading →
They Did Think More… – Alma 56:47
47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. (Alma 56:47) The people of Ammon had made... Continue Reading →
Lessons from the Writings of Jacob
Here are some things I've learned and tried to apply to my decisions as I've studied the words of Jacob over the past two weeks: Teaching An effective teacher is motivated by a deep desire for their students' happiness. They put their best efforts into their teaching, because they want their students to experience the... Continue Reading →
Ye Are Beginning to Labor in Sin – Jacob 2:5
5 But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God. (Jacob 2:5) As I've pondered these... Continue Reading →
That They Do Always Remember Him – Moroni 5:2
2 O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee, in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 