Nephi taught that God invites all people "to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him" (2 Nephi 26:33). When the Savior visited the American continent, He demonstrated this inclusiveness by His actions. Immediately after descending from heaven and announcing who He was, He said: Arise and... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Racism?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi declares God's standard regarding racism, sexism, and other types of unrighteous discrimination: He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Resurrection?
Today, I reviewed all 35 passages in the Book of Mormon which use the word "resurrection." Here are some of the principles I saw: Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, we will all die (2 Nephi 9:6). There is no way for us to overcome the consequences of this without divine intervention (2... Continue Reading →
What Is Priestcraft?
Is it okay to do the right things for the wrong reasons? Near the end of his writings, Nephi issues a serious warning: We must not participate in priestcraft. Here is his description of what that means: Behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they... 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 →
How Does the Savior Invite Us to Come Unto Him?
I mentioned yesterday that the phrase "come unto Christ" appears only five times in the scriptures. In contrast, the Savior says "come unto me" 39 times in the scriptures: once in the Old Testament, six times in the New Testament, four times in the Doctrine and Covenants, and 28 times in the Book of Mormon.... Continue Reading →
That Jesus Is the Very Christ – 2 Nephi 26:12-13
12 And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God; 13 And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost;... Continue Reading →
The Words Which He Shall Speak…Shall Be the Law – 2 Nephi 26:1
1 And after Christ shall have risen from the dead he shall show himself unto you, my children, and my beloved brethren; and the words which he shall speak unto you shall be the law which ye shall do. (2 Nephi 26:1) For Nephi, obedience was not a static concept. To obey was not simply... Continue Reading →
Bond and Free – 2 Nephi 26:33
33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come... Continue Reading →
He Manifesteth Himself…unto Every Nation – 2 Nephi 26:12-13
12 And as I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God; 13 And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost;... Continue Reading →