As Jacob traveled to Padan-aram to live with his uncle, he had a dream in which the Lord renewed the promise He had made to Jacob's father and grandfather. Waking the next morning, Jacob built a stone pillar and poured oil on it as a form of worship. (See Genesis 28:18.) Years later, after Jacob... Continue Reading →
Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
On Mount Sinai, the Lord commanded, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). The prophet Abinadi reiterated this commandment as he spoke to the priests of King Noah. (See Mosiah 13:22.) A number of years later, priests led by Alma denounced "adultery, and all manner of lasciviousness, crying that these things ought not so to... Continue Reading →
“Inquire of the Lord”
The Book of Mormon contains many stories of people taking questions to God in prayer and receiving answers. Here are some examples: Lehi prayed to know where his son Nephi should go to hunt for food for the family (1 Nephi 16:23-26).Jacob prayed to know what he should do about the "wicked practices" he began... Continue Reading →
Sixteen Cities
After the destruction which coincided with the death of Jesus Christ, while the survivors sat in darkness and pondered what had happened, they heard the voice of the Savior. He listed sixteen cities that had been destroyed, and explained why this had happened. There is a lot of repetition in this passage, including a refrain... Continue Reading →
Follow the Prophet
Two different military leaders asked Alma for guidance on two different occasions. Notice how similar these two stories are: Now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know... Continue Reading →
No Inequality
Alma's primary goal when he gave up the office of chief judge was to address the issue of inequality among his people: He saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and... 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 →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Resurrection?
Today, I reviewed all 35 passages in the Book of Mormon which use the word "resurrection." Here are some of the principles I saw: Because of the fall of Adam and Eve, we will all die (2 Nephi 9:6). There is no way for us to overcome the consequences of this without divine intervention (2... Continue Reading →
Having Heard That He Had the Spirit of Prophecy – Alma 16:5-6
5 Therefore, he that had been appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites, (and his name was Zoram, and he had two sons, Lehi and Aha)—now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went... Continue Reading →
Without Any Respect of Persons – Alma 16:13-14, 16-17
13 And Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance to the people in their temples, and in their sanctuaries, and also in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews.14 And as many as would hear their words, unto them they did impart the word of God, without any respect of persons,... Continue Reading →
