Shortly after Nephi's family left their comfortable home in Jerusalem and began camping in the wilderness, Nephi prayed to understand "the mysteries of God." In response, he tells us that God visited him "and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did... 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 Can We Learn About Prayer From Nephi?
Near the end of his second book, the prophet Nephi pleads with us to pray. He tells us that we should "pray always, and not faint." He counsels us not to do anything without asking God to consecrate our actions "for the welfare of [our souls]" (2 Nephi 32:9). Nephi's sincerity is credible because prayer... Continue Reading →
What Do Book of Mormon Prophets Teach Us About Coming Unto the Savior?
Over the last two days, I've looked at invitations to come unto Christ in the Book of Mormon. Two days ago, we reviewed Amaleki's and Moroni's final admonitions to "come unto Christ." Yesterday, we looked at passages where the Savior says, "come unto me." Today, I'm pondering the passages where prophets use the phrase "come... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to “Come Unto Christ?”
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Nephi tells us that his only purpose in writing is to persuade people to "come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved" (1 Nephi 6:4). Nephi later explains to his brothers that the purpose... Continue Reading →
What Is the Tree of Life?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Lehi described to his family a spiritual dream he had experienced. The central object in this dream was a tree "whose fruit was desirable to make one happy" (1 Nephi 8:10). Throughout the rest of the dream, groups of people were defined by their actions... Continue Reading →
What Is the Fulness of the Gospel?
He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants. (Joseph Smith-History 1:34) The... Continue Reading →
Why Is It Important to Ask Questions?
During 2019, I'm going to organize my study around questions. Each day, I'm going to ask a question and see what I can learn from the Book of Mormon about that question. I have received a number of questions from readers, and I would love to have you submit more questions (anonymously) on my Questions submission... Continue Reading →
Surely These Things Shall Be Made Known Unto You – 1 Nephi 15:11
11 Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?--If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you. (1 Nephi 15:11) How do we know when we are asking spiritual... Continue Reading →
