Noah found grace, and God covenanted to save his family. After the Flood, God extended that covenant to all of Noah's descendants, promising to have mercy on us with "everlasting kindness." God's love is manifest through the covenants He is willing to make with us.
Four Foundational Strategies
Book of Mormon authors modeled four strategies which can enhance our study of the Old Testament: (1) search for precious things in plain sight, (2) prioritize holistic over selective reading, (3) synthesize themes across the books, and (4) find Christ in the writings of all the prophets.
Contents of the Brass Plates
Eight of the 39 books in the Old Testament were definitely in the brass plates, and another 16 may have been included. For Book of Mormon prophets, the brass plates were an essential part of their identity: connecting them to intergenerational covenants, testifying of the Savior, and bringing them closer to God.
The Lord Hath Brought Again Zion
The millenial hymn in Doctrine and Covenants 84:99-102 conveys the joy we will feel when the Savior returns. It acknowledges the roles of grace and covenants. It lists blessings which we will enjoy. It delights in the earth's triumph. And it praises God, listing nine of His divine attributes, including mercy.
From on High: The Stabilizing Effect of Personal Revelation in a Turbulent World
The Lord said, "Ye are not sent forth to be taught, but to teach." He meant that we must keep the voices around us in perspective and anchor ourselves to truths we have learned directly from Him. As we are "taught of the Lord," our peace and confidence increases.
Moroni and Isaiah
In his final chapter, Moroni paraphrases two passages from Isaiah which urge us to live with more enthusiasm and joy because we are aware of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because of Him, we can engage fully with life and plan for a hopeful future.
“They That Feared the Lord Spake Often”
Malachi indicated that talking with other believers frequently can strengthen our faith and help us maintain our perspective. One of the purposes of regular church attendance is to build that kind of relationship with fellow believers.
Everlasting Kindness
A sign commonly seen at a marathon says, "Pain is temporary; race results are online forever." Isaiah shared a similar sentiment with the children of Israel, saying that their pain was "a small moment," but that God's kindness would be everlasting.
Belonging
One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to assure us that we belong, that because of "the covenants of the Lord," we "are not cast off forever." Jesus taught that we belong to the covenants God made with our ancestors, and that He will not forget us.
Developing Christlike Attributes
Peter listed a number of attributes that we should strive to develop with God's help: faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. The Book of Mormon provides insight into each of these Christlike attributes.