Connecting with our ancestors can give us a sense of belonging and of contributing to an intergenerational project instead of merely pursuing individual ambitions. Lehi, Alma, Mormon, Joseph F. Smith, and M. Russell Ballard all expressed their deep connections with ancestors that shaped and enriched their ministries.
Seeing the Face of God
The first verse of Doctrine and Covenants 93 lays out a simple formula: Those who follow Christ will come to know Him. He promises that we will "see [His] face and know that [He is]," which implies far more than being in His presence. It means that we will understand and recognize Him.
Chronicling My Life
When I was in high school, I discovered something about note-taking. When I write something down, I remember it. I retain new information better when I carefully record it, even if I never look at my notes again. We write for many reasons, including to connect with other people, to share important information, and to... Continue Reading →
“They Granted Unto Those Robbers…Lands” – 3 Nephi 6:3
Trust is always a leap of faith. When the Gadianton robbers were defeated, those who promised to stop fighting the Nephites were not only set free, they were also given the resources to build a better life. Enduring peace begins with generous trust.
“I Am Mormon”
Mormon tells us three things when he introduces himself in 3 Nephi 5: 1. The origin and significance of his name 2. His calling and purpose 3. His multigenerational perspective
The Remnant Shall Return
Isaiah's prophecy about the remnant of Israel returning to God assures that no matter how far they are from home, they are not out of God's sight. Book of Mormon authors echo this sentiment: God is mindful of you, wherever you are, and you can come home.
The Own Due Time
Lehi told his family that their people would return to Jerusalem "in the own due time of the Lord." We are often in a hurry. When we know something needs to happen, we want it to happen now. God knows not only what needs to happen but also when. We can trust His timing.
A Hundredth Part: Mormon’s Editorial Decisions
Book of Mormon authors made it clear how much they were leaving out as they wrote this "abridgment" of their history. Here's a diagram showing how many words are dedicated to each of the 103 decades in the book.
John Whitmer, Record-keeper
Why does the Lord ask us to keep written records? One reason is to communicate our experiences to others, including future generations. But another reason is more immediate: the process of writing forces us to think things through more carefully. We learn and we grow as we write. In March 1831, John Whitmer was called... Continue Reading →
“Hid up unto the Lord” – Mormon 1:2, 4:23, 5:12
We don't know much about Ammaron, the caretaker of the Nephite records who selected Mormon as his successor. We know that he was the brother of Amos, and therefore a descendant of Alma, who organized the church at the waters of Mormon about 450 years earlier. And we know that he was "constrained by the... Continue Reading →