What exactly was Moses' role? The people saw him performing miracles on their behalf. He gave them laws to govern their behavior, and he prescribed specific patterns of worship. Yet his goal was always to bring them closer to God, not to stand between them and God. "Enviest thou for my sake?" he asked when... Continue Reading →
Walk in the Ordinances
As Brigham Young led thousands of church members into an unknown frontier, he received a revelation teaching them how to organize themselves for the journey. Near the beginning of that revelation is a concise statement encapsulating the standards of behavior expected of this group of travelers: And this shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of... Continue Reading →
“Spoken with Care”
Jesus said, "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36). The word "idle" in this passage suggests carelessness or thoughtlessness. The speakers may not have intended to cause harm, but should have known better than to say what they did. A little more caution and restraint could have prevented the damage.... Continue Reading →
“Pray Always” – 2 Nephi 32:9
Near the end of his writings, Nephi urged his readers to "pray always, and not faint." He went on to explain: Ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy... Continue Reading →
“Why Do Ye Ponder?” – 2 Nephi 32:1, 8
I would describe Nephi's tone in 2 Nephi 32 as exasperation. He is writing to people who have entered the strait gate—repenting of their sins and being baptized—and who are now on the narrow path, and yet are wondering what they should do next. Nephi is dumbfounded. "Why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?"... Continue Reading →
How Can I Learn to Recognize the Holy Ghost?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, as Nephi enters the city of Jerusalem to make a third attempt to acquire the brass plates, he tells us, "I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do" (1 Nephi 4:6). He later promises that "If ye will enter in... Continue Reading →
How Can I Recognize the Temptations of the Devil?
The Book of Mormon teaches that there is a being in the universe who is trying to harm us and to thwart God's plan. His name is Satan (שָׂטָן - the Hebrew word for "adversary"), and he is commonly known as the devil, from the Greek word diabolos (διάβολος), which means "slanderer." He was once... Continue Reading →
What Is the Appropriate Balance Between Hard Work and Faith?
Near the end of King Benjamin's sermon, after he taught his people about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, after they prayed and received a remission of their sins, and after he gave them counsel about what they should do to retain that remission of their sins, he gave them some guidance about how to maintain... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Consecrate Something?
To consecrate something is to make it sacred, to set it apart for a holy purpose (Merriam-Webster's Dictionary). The opposite is to desecrate something, which means literally to "divest it of [its] sacred character," or to "treat it with sacrilege" (Online Etymology Dictionary). In the Book of Mormon, the word consecrate is used several ways: Priests... 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 →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 