What does it mean to judge? It means to form an opinion or to make a decision. Mormon said, "I show unto you the way to judge" (Moroni 7:16), and then explained that we ought to make decisions according to what is right and good, which we can know by the light of Christ. "See... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn about Children from the Savior?
During His ministry on the American continent, the Savior taught us about children by His words and by His example: In a passage which also appears in the Sermon on the Mount, He taught us that our Father in Heaven wants to give us good gifts, just as we want to give our children good... Continue Reading →
What Is Wisdom?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Jacob gives us the following counsel: "O be wise; what can I say more?" (Jacob 6:12). Near the end of the book, the prophet Moroni advises us, "Be wise in the days of your probation" (Mormon 9:28). The words "wisdom" and "wise" appear exactly 100... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to “Cast Out Devils?”
Twenty-four times in the New Testament we read about devils being "cast out" of people. All of these passages appear in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The gospel of Mark even ends with the Savior promising that those who believe in Him will have power to cast out devils (Mark 16:17). The... Continue Reading →
Why Do the Scriptures Use the Phrase “Your Father, Which,” Instead of “Your Father, Who?”
Note: This is the third in a series of blog posts about the meaning behind unusual words or phrases in the Book of Mormon. Because Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon into King James English, biblical passages which appear in the Book of Mormon are often identical to the King James version of the... Continue Reading →
This Is the Law and the Prophets – 3 Nephi 14:12
12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets. (3 Nephi 14:12, Matthew 7:12) After teaching the principle which we commonly call the Golden Rule, the Savior said, "This is the law and the prophets." What did... Continue Reading →
I Never Knew You – 3 Nephi 14:21-23
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out... Continue Reading →
A Wise Man, Who Built His House upon a Rock – 3 Nephi 14:24-27
24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock— 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.... Continue Reading →
Ask…Seek…Knock – 3 Nephi 14:7-8
7 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. (3 Nephi 14:7-8, Matthew 7:7-8) When the Savior visited the Nephites and... Continue Reading →
Enter Ye in at the Strait Gate – 3 Nephi 14:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, which leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat;14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.(3 Nephi 14:13-14)In order to... Continue Reading →