Fear isn't always a bad thing. King Benjamin taught his people to always remember God's greatness and their nothingness. Enos worked to keep his people "in the fear of the Lord." When coupled with trust, that fear transforms from despair into confidence, because God responds with mercy and grace.
How Did Book of Mormon Authors Use Psalms 1-50?
Book of Mormon authors followed the "performances and ordinances" of the law of Moses, but the psalms gave them a language for spiritual life. They used psalmic language to describe their internal spiritual experiences, to preach sermons, to explain events in their narratives, and to express gratitude and joy.
Psalms 1-10
1. The Tree and the Chaff 2. The Begotten Son 3. David's Deliverance from Absalom 4. Gladness in My Heart 5. Morning Prayer 6. Watering the Couch with Tears 7. God Trieth the Hearts and Reins 8. A Little Lower than the Angels 9. Sunk in Their Own Pit 10. Why Standest Thou Afar Off?
The Lord Is My Shepherd
The book of Psalms demonstrates the language of prayer. These 150 worship songs express a range of emotions, from sorrow to praise. Book of Mormon prophets regularly use similar phraseology, especially in their own psalms. Like them, we can emulate psalmic language in our own prayers.
Him Shall Ye Hear in All Things
Moses prophesied that God would send a Prophet whom the people should hear. Nephi quoted this passage, identifying the Prophet as Jesus, and adding that we should hear Him "in all things whatsoever he shall say." We are accountable for how we respond to His commandments.
Abraham the Intercessor
God told Abimelech that Abraham was a prophet and would pray for him. Prophets pray for the people they serve. When Abraham prayed for Abimelech’s household, God healed them. In that moment, the covenant promise began to unfold: through Abraham, all families of the earth would be blessed.
The Stone Cut Out Without Hands
Nebuchadnezzar saw a stone cut from a mountain without hands that grew until it filled the earth. In modern revelation, the Lord identified that stone as the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Book of Mormon authors labored over that stone, writing to “the ends of the earth,” although their efforts seemed small at the time.
A Regular History
Imperfect records bless future generaions. As church historian, John Whitmer did not write about every event between 1831 and 1838, but his contemporaneous accounts of many events are valuable to us. As we write in our personal journals, we can remember that an imperfect and incomplete record may still be a blessing to future readers.
“To Disabuse the Public Mind”
Joseph Smith wrote his history in response to disinformation. His purpose was "to disabuse the public mind" by putting them in possession of the facts. When we trust our listeners to be fair-minded, we share information which is beneficial to them.
Weak Things
The scriptures teach that God uses the weak things of the world to accomplish miracles. He does this for three reasons. 1. Weak people are more willing to accept His help. 2. Other people recognize His hand. 3. Everyone is empowered to participate.