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 →
All Things What Ye Should Do – 2 Nephi 32:5
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:5) In the prior chapter, Nephi gave us specific instructions about how to follow the example of Christ. He taught... Continue Reading →
Feast Upon the Words of Christ – 2 Nephi 32:3
3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:3) To feast upon something is to savor it, to... Continue Reading →
For the Welfare of Thy Soul – 2 Nephi 32:9
9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that 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... Continue Reading →
All Things What Ye Should Do – 2 Nephi 32:5
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.(2 Nephi 32:5)I'm thinking today about the promise Nephi makes in the passage above: that if we receive the Holy Ghost, it will... Continue Reading →
Even As Plain As Word Can Be – 2 Nephi 32:7
7 And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain... Continue Reading →
“All Things What Ye Should Do” – 2 Nephi 32:5
5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.(2 Nephi 32:5)Nephi's message to us in this short chapter is: "Don't make life so complicated." Here's how I would paraphrase his main... Continue Reading →