Gamaliel urged the Sanhedrin to treat Peter and John with tolerance. If this work is of men, he said, it will fail on its own. If it's of God, you don't want to fight against it. This is a useful model for dealing with differences of opinion productively.
“The Poor Always Ye Have with You”
We can learn at least three things from Jesus's observation that there will always be poor people among us: 1. Don't overextend yourself trying to do good. 2. Make specific proposals. 3. You have an ongoing responsibility to care for the poor and needy.
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 →
Freedom of Religion
When King Mosiah proposed to his people that they abolish the monarchy and establish a new government consisting of judges appointed "by the voice of the people," one important feature of this new system was the protection of each citizen's rights: Now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this... Continue Reading →
Practicable
Do you ever feel like there isn't enough time to do everything that you need to do? How do you deal with that situation? In January of 1832, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had multiple competing demands on their time. They had taken a break from translating the Bible to preach the gospel (Doctrine and... Continue Reading →
King-Men and Freedom of Speech
Words matter. Words have an impact, for good or for evil. Jesus said, "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36). And Alma warned the people of Ammonihah, some of whom were guilty of deceiving others, "Our words will condemn us" (Alma 12:24).... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon References in Moroni 6
Today as I studied Moroni 6, I found a number of phrases which referenced earlier passages in the Book of Mormon. Obviously, Moroni knew the Book of Mormon well. Still, I thought these references were striking, and I thought I'd share the connections I made today as I studied this chapter. Most of these phrases... Continue Reading →
“He Hath Lied Unto Us” – Alma 10:28, Alma 12:3
The Book of Mormon teaches plainly that lying is wrong (2 Nephi 9:34, 2 Nephi 26:32, 2 Nephi 28:8, Alma 16:18, 3 Nephi 30:2, 4 Nephi 1:16, Mormon 8:31). God does not tell lies (Enos 1:6, 3 Nephi 27:18, Ether 3:12). The devil is "the father of all lies" (2 Nephi 2:18, 2 Nephi 9:9,... Continue Reading →
“They Did Not Set Their Hearts Upon Riches” – Alma 1:30
"If riches increase, set not your heart upon them." - Psalm 62:10 In the first chapter of Alma, we read about two groups of people. One group became prosperous because of their consistent self-discipline. And they remained prosperous because of their generosity: "They did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry,... Continue Reading →
The Fallacies of Nehor – Alma 1:3-4
Less than a year after King Mosiah's death, during Alma's first year as chief judge, a man named Nehor created some controversy in the land of Zarahemla, by advocating two principles which opposed the teachings of the church. Here are two false teachings which he promoted: The fallacy of popularity - Nehor taught that "every priest... Continue Reading →