God promised to spare Sodom if He could find ten righteous people. What did He mean? Evil was rampant in the city, but surely not everyone was equally bad or good. The answer is surprisingly simple: Send messengers and see who is willing to listen. Responsiveness, not perfection, is the measure of righteousness.
Alma, Probation, and the Tree of Life
Alma reads the ending of Genesis 3 with an assumption of God’s love rather than fear or envy. He interprets the cherubim not as a permanent barrier, but as a temporary restriction that establishes a probationary period—a gift of time for repentance and growth before Adam and Eve partake of the tree of life.
The Fall of Adam and Eve
The Fall of Adam and Eve was important to Book of Mormon prophets. Lehi, Benjamin, Alma, Samuel,and Moroni all elaborated on this important event, explaining how it informs our decision-making, our perception of mortality, and our understanding of God's plan for His children.
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.
“What I Say Unto One I Say Unto All”
Even when God speaks to an individual or a group, His intended audience may be much larger. He sometimes signals universal truths with the phrase, "What I say unto one I say unto all."
That Through Him All Might Be Saved
In Jerusalem and in the Americas, Jesus proclaimed, "I will draw all men unto me." In 1832, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon learned more about the meaning of that promise. Jesus offers salvation to all of God's children, meaning that He makes available to us all of the glory which we are willing to receive.
Biblical References in Doctrine and Covenants 76
The revelation recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76 was prompted by meditation about a single Bible verse, but it contains an enormous number of biblical paraphrases and allusions. The revelation demonstrates the unity of God's word as revealed to many prophets and apostles throughout history.
“Let Us Reason”
Through Isaiah, God invited the children of Israel to "reason" with Him. He extended the same invitation to church members in Kirtland, Ohio. How can an omniscient God "reason" with His imperfect children? If we are willing to humble ourselves and listen, He will teach us at our level, providing explanations which we can understand.
My Advocate, My Accuser
John assures sinners that Jesus is our Advocate. Like a defense attorney, He highlights our strengths, while Satan, the Accuser, magnifies our flaws. Which voice do you listen to? Sister Tamara W. Runia suggests that we imagine Jesus praying for us. What would He say, and how does that help us see ourselves more accurately?
Avoiding Deception
We can avoid being deceived by (1) obtaining and remembering accurate information, (2) being vigilant but not paranoid, and (3) drawing closer to God, who can enlighten our minds and help us see more clearly.