Don't underestimate the value of temporary things. On at least two occasions, Nephi's brothers, Laman and Lemuel, asked him whether the principles of the gospel related to temporal things or only to spiritual things. They seem to have wanted to keep different parts of their lives separates, with their daily decisions being disconnected with their... Continue Reading →
The Work, the Sword, the Sickle, and the Prayer
In the first half of 1829, Joseph Smith received a number of revelations on behalf of other people. Four of those revelations begin almost identically, with a set of four biblical concepts, all of which also appear in the Book of Mormon. Why did those four concepts warrant such frequent repetition, and why did the... Continue Reading →
Old Testament Scriptures Quoted by Moroni to Joseph Smith
When Moroni, the last author in the Book of Mormon, appeared to Joseph Smith on Sunday, September 21, 1823, he quoted a number of passages from the Old Testament, most of which also appear in the Book of Mormon. Here is a list of four of those passages, as recorded in Joseph Smith—History 1:36-41, with... Continue Reading →
“Out of Obscurity and Out of Darkness”
Isaiah prophesied that God would do a marvelous work among His children in response to widespread hypocrisy and cynicism. An important element of that work would be a book which would enable people to overcome confusion and see clearly: In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind... Continue Reading →
“Cut Off from Among the People”
Relationships are essential for happiness. When Nephi's brothers trivialized his spiritual experiences, the Lord explained to him that those who keep His commandments will prosper, while those who rebel will be "cut off from the presence of the Lord" (1 Nephi 2:18-21). Later, Nephi quoted a prophecy of Moses to his brothers to emphasize the... Continue Reading →
Shepherds
King David declared, "The Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1). Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11), and He enlisted the help of His disciples in watching over His sheep. After His death and resurrection, three times in a row, He directed His senior apostle, Peter, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17). Who are... Continue Reading →
“According to the Flesh” – 2 Nephi 10:2
On at least two occasions, Nephi's older brothers asked him if the scriptures were talking about spiritual things or about temporal things. Here's how they asked the question after he read two chapters of Isaiah to them: What meaneth these things which ye have read? Behold, are they to be understood according to things which... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Clarify?
This is the fifth of six posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. So far, I have written about what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, and what it fulfills. Today, I will write about what it clarifies. As I wrote yesterday, the Book of... 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 Lust?
The Greek word epithumia (ἐπιθυμία) means strong desire, passion, or eagerness. The connotation is of a desire so strong that it overpowers reason and produces poor decisions. When this term appears in the New Testament, it is translated into English as either "lust," "desire," or "concupiscence." James identified lust as the reason that temptation leads... Continue Reading →
