After teaching a group of Zoramites that Jesus Christ would atone for their sins and that they should exercise "faith unto repentance," Amulek made the following plea: I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the... Continue Reading →
What Is “the Immediate Goodness of God?”
When the people of Alma miraculously escaped their captors and arrived in the land of Zarahemla, the people there "knew not what to think" (Mosiah 25:8). They were filled with mixed emotions: They were horrified at the treatment which the people of Alma had endured, but they were grateful for the goodness of God in... 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 Is the Plan of Redemption?
The word "plan" doesn't appear in the King James Version of the Bible. But it appears 51 times in the Book of Mormon. Book of Mormon prophets, particularly Jacob and Alma, teach clearly that God created a plan for us, and that by following His plan, we can overcome every challenge we face and achieve... Continue Reading →
How Can I Be More Humble?
It’s hard to feel that you are sufficiently humble. If you did, you might not be. — Henry B. Eyring, "Come Unto Christ," BYU Speeches, 29 Oct 1989 The word "humble" (or "humbled") appears 68 times in the Book of Mormon. About 2/3 of the time (42 occurrences), the word functions as a reflexive verb:... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Complacency?
The word "complacent" doesn't appear in the Book of Mormon, but warnings against complacency are pervasive: "Arise from the Dust" Near the end of his life, Lehi pleads with his sons to "arise from the dust...and be men." He tells them to "shake off [their] chains," "put on the armor of righteousness," and "come forth... 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 Does It Mean to Pray in Your Closet?
Which room in your home would you be least likely to invite an acquaintance to visit? Perhaps a closet or a storage room, a place that may not be as well organized as the rest of the house, and which, in any event, is not intended for entertaining. The prophet Alma quoted the words of... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean for Our Garments to Be “Washed White Through the Blood of the Lamb?”
White clothing represents purity and holiness: When Jesus was transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John, "his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them" (Mark 9:3). When He visited the American continent following His death and resurrection, He wore a white robe. As He prayed... Continue Reading →
How Is the Word “Atonement” Used in the Book of Mormon?
Some version of the word "atone" or "atonement" appears 39 times in the Book of Mormon in 26 different passages. Here are some key phrases from some of those passages: "Prepared from the foundation of the world" - Part of Heavenly Father's plan, before the earth was created, was that Christ would come to earth,... Continue Reading →