Through Moses, the Lord gave the children of Israel a law. It's a wondrous set of objects, activities, and sacred times all intended to point their hearts to the salvation He would provide them. The Nephites lived this law, recognizing that it pointed their minds forward to Jesus Christ.
Targets of Rage
Anger is a primal emotion. It seeks a target, but it begins with pain. The stories of Lamoni's father and the unbelieving Lamanites illustrate that the target of our anger can change. It is better to calm our anger rather than act on it.
A Call from Arms
The Lamanites who were converted buried their weapons. This act of consecration is so remarkable that it appears many times in the Book of Mormon, including a final invitation from Mormon to us. President Nelson has also invited us to bury our weapons.
Types and Shadows
A type is a copy of something. A shadow is a representation of something. It's important not to confuse the type or the shadow with the thing itself. Abinadi taught that the law cannot save us, but it can point us to Christ, who can save us.
Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy
An angel told John that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The only way we can be sure that Jesus is our Savior is by direct, personal revelation from God. Therefore, the people who have that testimony are the people who receive revelation.
The Promise and the Law
Abraham received promises long before God gave the Law of Moses to his descendants. Here's the lesson for us: God makes promises to us when we believe in Him. Then, He teaches us how to receive those blessings.
God Gave Them Knowledge
It's tempting to think of physical health, mental/emotional health, and spiritual health as separate categories of well-being, with separate practices required to maintain each. But we know it's not that simple. All of those categories of health are interconnected. For example, it may be impossible to hear the voice of the Spirit, which speaks to... Continue Reading →
Why Did the Nephites Keep the Law of Moses?
The apostle Paul told the saints in Galatia that the law of Moses had served as a "schoolmaster" to help them develop faith in Jesus Christ. After they developed faith, they didn't need the schoolmaster any more (Galatians 3:24-25). The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob also recognized that the law of Moses was intended to... Continue Reading →
Those Lamanites Were More Angry – Alma 25:1-2
1 And behold, now it came to pass that those Lamanites were more angry because they had slain their brethren; therefore they swore vengeance upon the Nephites; and they did no more attempt to slay the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi at that time. 2 But they took their armies and went over into the borders of... Continue Reading →
In Every Particular – Alma 25:17
17 And now behold, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni, and their brethren did rejoice exceedingly, for the success which they had had among the Lamanites, seeing that the Lord had granted unto them according to their prayers, and that he had also verified his word unto them in every particular.(Alma 25:17)Our Heavenly Father... Continue Reading →