Alma praised his son Shiblon for his "steadiness and...faithfulness" (Alma 38:2). He later urged another of his sons, Corianton, to observe Shiblon's "steadiness..., his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God," and to follow his example (Alma 39:1). Alma had experienced firsthand the prosperity that a group of people can enjoy when... Continue Reading →
How Can I Be More Patient with Myself?
The Book of Mormon makes it clear that patience is an attribute of Jesus Christ and that His disciples should also strive to develop that attribute. It speaks about being patient in sufferings, in tribulations, in persecutions, and in afflictions (Alma 1:25, Alma 17:11, Alma 20:29, Alma 26:27-28, Alma 31:31, Alma 34:41, Alma 60:26). Patience... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Patience?
Today, I reviewed the passages in the Book of Mormon about patience. I learned the following principles: God is patient with us. King Benjamin wanted his people to understand that God has great power and wisdom, but that He is patient with us (Mosiah 4:6). Alma taught the people of Ammonihah that Jesus Christ is... Continue Reading →
What Is the Relationship Between “Idolatry” and “Idleness?”
The Book of Mormon explicitly connects idolatry (the worship of man-made objects) with idleness (slothfulness). For example: Mormon tells us that the wicked king Noah and his priests "were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people" (Mosiah 11:6). In... Continue Reading →
What’s Wrong with “Costly Apparel?”
People are more important than things. We all know that. But at times we are all tempted to prioritize things over people. Why is that? Here's one reason: We all want to be appreciated and respected. In our world, appearances matter. The things you own, including the clothes you wear, influence the way other people... Continue Reading →
They Were Steadfast and Immovable – Alma 1:25
25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them. (Alma 1:25) One of the purposes of the church is to help us endure. Consistency... Continue Reading →
The Preacher Was No Better Than the Hearer – Alma 1:26
26 And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priest, not esteeming himself... Continue Reading →
Thus They Began to Have Continual Peace Again – Alma 1:27-28
27 And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.28 And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began... Continue Reading →
There Should Be No Persecution – Alma 1:21-24
21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.22 Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and... Continue Reading →
They Were Obliged to Abide by the Laws – Alma 1:1
1 Now it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, from this time forward, king Mosiah having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good warfare, walking uprightly before God, leaving none to reign in his stead; nevertheless he had... Continue Reading →