Mormon explains the inclusion of the small plates by saying that he was following "the workings of the Spirit of the Lord." The Spirit helps us contribute to a work bigger than ourselves, and it simultaneously works within us to make us better.
Land of Promise, Land of Liberty
Lehi told his sons that their new land of promise was a land of liberty, and that they would be free as long as they remained righteous. Freedom doesn't mean absolution from accountability. It means autonomy within the constraints of the law.
Awake and Arise!
Lehi repeatedly admonished his sons to do three things: 1. Awake 2. Arise from the dust. 3. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound. We can follow his admonitions by being more aware and more engaged, and by letting go of unproductive activities.
Zoram
Zoram's life was disrupted instantly, in the middle of the night. To his credit, he adapted to his new circumstances and became a great friend to Nephi. When our circumstances change, we can follow Zoram's example of adaptability and resilience.
The Title Page and Nephi
Although Moroni wrote the Title Page of the Book of Mormon, he was heavily influenced by Nephi. In this post, I show many parallel phrases between the Title Page and Nephi's words. From start to end, the Book of Mormon has a consistent message and purpose
No Greater Joy
John says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." If our greatest joy comes from the spiritual growth of our children, then we should put our greatest efforts into strengthening, encouraging, and guiding them.
Come Forth!
The Savior's instruction to Lazarus as he lay in the tomb—"Come forth!" applies to us as well. We can come forth by spending time with other people, stepping out of our comfort zones, and doing challenging things even if they are highly visible.
“Him That Rebuketh in the Gate”
Nobody likes to be corrected. Our brains are really good at constructing arguments to prove that we are right. We bristle when we are chastised, and even if we are able to override the initial defensive instinct and be civil, we can't seem to escape the initial sting and the instinctive desire to ignore or... Continue Reading →
Accepting Feedback from Family
When Mordecai asked Esther to plead with the king on behalf of their people, her first response was simple: I can't do that. It's not possible. No one can approach the king without being invited, not even me, and I haven't been invited in over a month. (See Esther 4:11.) Mordecai's response was stern: Think... Continue Reading →
Up!
When Deborah, the leader of Israel, instructed a man named Barak to recruit an army and fight against their Canaanite oppressors, Barak responded with trepidation but with confidence in her leadership. "If thou wilt go with me," he said, "then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not... Continue Reading →