As Mormon prepares to relate the most extraordinary sequence of events in the Book of Mormon, he begins by emphasizing the reliability of his source, followed immediately by an admission that the source may have gotten some of the details wrong: And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know... Continue Reading →
“I Have Spoken Unto You Plainly” – Alma 5:43
From the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi set the standard: in this book, the word of God would be preached in plainness. In the opening chapter, Nephi's father, Lehi, sees a vision which "[manifests] plainly" to him "of the coming of the Messiah" (1 Nephi 1:19). Nephi later foresees a time when corrupt... Continue Reading →
“My Jesus” – 2 Nephi 33:6
In the last chapter of his writings, the prophet Nephi refers to the Savior in a striking way which appears no where else in the scriptures. He says: I glory in plainness; I glory in truth; I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell. (2 Nephi 33:6, italics added) I... Continue Reading →
“When a Man Speaketh by the Power of the Holy Ghost” – 2 Nephi 33:1
Nephi opens his final chapter with some misgivings. He wishes that his written words could be as impactful as his spoken words were: Neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts... Continue Reading →
“From the Dust” – 2 Nephi 33:13
Nephi tells us that he "did liken all scriptures" to himself and to his family. Here's an example of a passage from Isaiah which he identified with personally: And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall... Continue Reading →
What Is the Significance of the Name “Jesus?”
Every time we say the name “Jesus,” we are not only identifying Him; we are also affirming that God loves us and is willing to save us. The promise is embedded in the name.
What Are “Plain and Precious” Things?
During the vision which Nephi experienced after praying to understand his father's dream, he saw a time when scripture would be intentionally corrupted. "Many plain and precious things" would be removed. Because of those omissions, many people would "stumble" and fall under the power of Satan (1 Nephi 13:28-29). An angel promised Nephi that his... Continue Reading →
Why Do Quotes from the King James Version Appear in the Book of Mormon, Even Ones that Joseph Smith Later Altered in his Translation of the Bible ?
This question came from one of my daughters. She is well aware that some passages in the Book of Mormon (such as quotations from the Book of Isaiah) come from the same sources as the Bible. For example, the brass plates, which Lehi and his family carried with them from Jerusalem, contained many of the... Continue Reading →
Will We Be Judged by the Apostles?
During His mortal ministry, Jesus told His twelve apostles that they would one day "sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28). An angel explained to the prophet Nephi that the apostles would judge the tribes of Israel and that the twelve disciples chosen on the American continent would in turn... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Obedience?
Some form of the word "obey" appears 31 times in the Book of Mormon: Book # Occurences 1 Nephi 4 2 Nephi 6 Jacob 5 Mosiah 7 Alma 9 TOTAL 31 "I must obey." Obedience is a very important topic for Nephi, and he frames most of his story in terms of the response of... Continue Reading →