Throughout the Book of Mormon, people who are responsible, disciplined, and serious are referred to as "sober." Nephi and Jacob both tell us that they taught the gospel with soberness (1 Nephi 18:10, Jacob 6:5). Jacob explains that God expected him to "magnify [his] office with soberness" (Jacob 2:2). King Benjamin urged his people to... 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 Be “Long-Suffering?”
The word "longsuffering" (without a hyphen) appears 17 times in the King James Version of the Bible. The word "long-suffering" (with a hyphen: the modern spelling of the word) appears 17 times in the Book of Mormon. What does it mean? In the Old Testament, it is a translation of the phrase erek appayim (אֶ֥רֶךְ... Continue Reading →
If I Had Not Been Born of God – Alma 38:6
6 Now, my son, I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myself, but it is the Spirit of God which is in me which maketh these things known unto me; for if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things. (Alma 38:6) The... Continue Reading →
I Trust that I Shall Have Great Joy in You – Alma 38:2
2 And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he... Continue Reading →
I Trust That I Shall Have Great Joy in You – Alma 38:2-5
2 And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he... Continue Reading →
That Ye May Learn Wisdom – Mosiah 2:17, Alma 38:9
17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.(Mosiah 2:17)9 And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may... Continue Reading →
Use Boldness, but Not Overbearance – Alma 38:12
12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.(Alma 38:12)Alma counsels his son Shiblon in this passage to find a balance between two extremes in his communications with other people. "Use boldness, but not overbearance;"If a... Continue Reading →
“Bridle All Your Passions” – Alma 38:12
12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.(Alma 38:12)This week, I'm going to work on self-discipline. As Alma counsels his son Shiblon in the passage above, it is important for us to "bridle all [our]... Continue Reading →
Bridle All Your Passions – Alma 38:12
12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness.(Alma 38:12)Alma encourages his son Shiblon to do three things in this short verse:Be bold without being overbearing.Bridle all your passions, so that you can love others.Keep yourself... Continue Reading →