The way you introduce yourself says a lot about what is important to you and about your relationship with your audience. After the Savior's death in Jerusalem, He introduced Himself twice to a group of people on the American continent: while they sat in darkness and heard His voice, and again when He visited them... Continue Reading →
“When They Saw Your Conduct…” – Alma 39:11
Throw a pebble into the water, and you'll see ripples expanding in concentric circles around the point of impact. Our actions are like that. We may only be aware of the first-order consequences of our decisions, but they surely have additional consequences that we cannot see. Alma pointed out to his son Corianton one of... Continue Reading →
“Numberless Concourses of Angels” – Alma 36:22
A large number of people united in a common cause is an inspiring sight. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a single angel appeared to a group of shepherds to announce the good news. But immediately after, "there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God" (Luke 2:13). The large number... Continue Reading →
Harrowed
After an angel called Alma to repentance, he "fell to the earth, and...did hear no more" (Alma 36:11). For three days, he was "racked, even with the pains of a damned soul" (Alma 36:16). During that time, he was "tormented with the pains of hell" (Alma 36:13). It was only when he remembered that his... Continue Reading →
Motivated by Love
When we experience a change of heart, we want others to have that experience too. After Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah were miraculously converted to the gospel, they got to work immediately: And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, and those who... Continue Reading →
“I Could Remember My Pains No More” – Alma 36:19
Is the Atonement of Jesus Christ about individual salvation or about collective salvation? Yes. Through the Savior's Atonement, we can each individually be purified—our sins can be washed away and we can be made worthy to return to God's presence. Because we must each choose to receive that gift, we can't do it for anyone... Continue Reading →
What Is the Significance of the Name “Jesus?”
Every time we say the name “Jesus,” we are not only identifying Him; we are also affirming that God loves us and is willing to save us. The promise is embedded in the name.
How Can I Fully Receive the Forgiveness of God?
I started my study today with the question, "How can I forgive myself?" I wanted to better understand how to avoid dwelling on mistakes made in the past and long since abandoned, which might hold me back from losing myself in service today. But I've rephrased the question. Here's why: The Book of Mormon clearly... Continue Reading →
What Is the Role of Music in the Gospel?
In his description of church meetings, Moroni listed a number of activities which leaders were inspired to include: "As the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done" (Moroni 6:9). Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has urged... Continue Reading →
What Is Joy?
The Greek word for joy is chara (χαρά). It is related to the word charis (χάρις), which means "grace." Thus, Strong's Concordance defines the term as "joy because of grace" or "the awareness of God's grace." No wonder that Enos sought forgiveness of his sins after remembering his father's words about "the joy of the... Continue Reading →