When Pharaoh's daughter discovered a Hebrew baby floating in a small basket in the river, she decided to adopt him. The writer of Genesis explains that she named him Moses, or Mosheh (משֶׁה) because she "drew him out of the water" (Exodus 2:10). The Hebrew word mashah (מָשָׁה) means "to draw out" or "to pull... Continue Reading →
Abram and Lot: No Strife
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.Proverbs 17:14 As Abram and his nephew Lot returned from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, there was a dispute among their people. Instead of letting the issue fester, Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray... Continue Reading →
The Abrahamic Covenant
God repeated a set of promises to Abraham over and over again. When some of the promises seemed unlikely to happen, God reaffirmed to Abraham that they would all literally be fulfilled. These promises appear for the first time in Genesis 12:2-3. Here is that passage, as it appears in the King James Version of... Continue Reading →
The Living Christ and the Book of Mormon
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles is a proclamation published by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 1 January 2000. The document speaks of the Savior's mission before birth, during His mortal ministry, and after His death and resurrection, including in our day. It also testifies that He... Continue Reading →
“Build Up Cities”
When the Lord warned Nephi to flee from his brothers, he did not go alone. He took with him everyone who "believed in the warnings and the revelations of God" (1 Nephi 5:5-6). They traveled many days in the wilderness and chose a place to settle, where they constructed buildings, planted crops, and established a new community.... Continue Reading →
“Armed with Righteousness” – 1 Nephi 14:14
In an 1831 revelation, the Lord reminds us of the city of Enoch, a group of people who were "separated from the earth," and lifted up to heaven, because of their purity, charity, and unity (Doctrine and Covenants 45:11, see also Moses 7:21). He said that they would remain in heaven until "a day of... Continue Reading →
Wisdom > Cunning
During His visit to the American continent, the Savior quoted most of Isaiah 52, including this passage: Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:Isaiah 52:13-14 (See 3 Nephi 20:43-44.) In... Continue Reading →
The Work, the Sword, the Sickle, and the Prayer
In the first half of 1829, Joseph Smith received a number of revelations on behalf of other people. Four of those revelations begin almost identically, with a set of four biblical concepts, all of which also appear in the Book of Mormon. Why did those four concepts warrant such frequent repetition, and why did the... Continue Reading →
Old Testament Scriptures Quoted by Moroni to Joseph Smith
When Moroni, the last author in the Book of Mormon, appeared to Joseph Smith on Sunday, September 21, 1823, he quoted a number of passages from the Old Testament, most of which also appear in the Book of Mormon. Here is a list of four of those passages, as recorded in Joseph Smith—History 1:36-41, with... Continue Reading →
“Cut Off from Among the People”
Relationships are essential for happiness. When Nephi's brothers trivialized his spiritual experiences, the Lord explained to him that those who keep His commandments will prosper, while those who rebel will be "cut off from the presence of the Lord" (1 Nephi 2:18-21). Later, Nephi quoted a prophecy of Moses to his brothers to emphasize the... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 