This is the fourth of six posts answering a series of questions suggested by President Russell M. Nelson. So far I have written about what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, and what it refutes. Today, I am writing about what it fulfills. "The eyes of the blind" The prophet Isaiah wrote about... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Refute?
This is the third of six posts answering a series of questions raised by President Russell M. Nelson in the October 2017 general conference. So far, I have discussed what the Book of Mormon is and what it affirms. Today, I am listing some of the fallacies it refutes. It refutes the concept of original sin,... Continue Reading →
What Are “Plain and Precious” Things?
During the vision which Nephi experienced after praying to understand his father's dream, he saw a time when scripture would be intentionally corrupted. "Many plain and precious things" would be removed. Because of those omissions, many people would "stumble" and fall under the power of Satan (1 Nephi 13:28-29). An angel promised Nephi that his... Continue Reading →
What Is the “Great and Abominable Church?”
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi sees many future events in a vision, including the formation of an organization which he calls a "great and abominable church" (1 Nephi 13:6). Nephi tells us several things about this organization: It murders, tortures, and imprisons good people (1 Nephi 13:5). It was... Continue Reading →
What Is “Awful Woundedness?”
During Nephi's vision on the mountain (described in 1 Nephi 11-14), he saw a future time of great confusion. Important spiritual truths ("plain and precious things") would be lost, and as a result, many people would stumble. The angel who served as Nephi's guide throughout the vision reassured him that God would intervene on behalf... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the United States of America?
About 600 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, a prophet named Nephi experienced a sweeping vision, in which he saw a number of events in the distant future. One of those events was the establishment of the United States of America. Here is how he describes it: I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to “Publish Peace?”
To publish something is to make it generally known, to make it public (Webster's Dictionary 1828). Isaiah described the joy people feel when a messenger with good news comes running over the mountains: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Minister?
In the Book of Mormon, the word "minister" is often a synonym for "teach." It also refers to other forms of service. A person who ministers is eager to serve "in an active practical way."
What Is Zion?
Six generations after Adam, there was a man named Enoch. The Bible tells us that "Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him" (Genesis 5:24). In 1830, Joseph Smith learned additional information about Enoch. He had preached the gospel courageously, performed miracles, and led the people of God. Those people organized... Continue Reading →
How Do Book of Mormon Prophets Use the Title “Savior?”
The atonement of Jesus Christ is universal. He saves us by revealing the gospel to us and entering into a covenant relationship with us. He is both willing and able to save us.