When Mordecai asked Esther to plead with the king on behalf of their people, her first response was simple: I can't do that. It's not possible. No one can approach the king without being invited, not even me, and I haven't been invited in over a month. (See Esther 4:11.) Mordecai's response was stern: Think... Continue Reading →
“Shew Thyself Unto Ahab”
Sometimes God directs us to participate in difficult conversations. Elijah initiated a famine by declaring to King Ahab, "There shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word" (1 Kings 17:1). Three years later, there was no doubt in Ahab's mind that Elijah had caused the famine and that only Elijah could end it.... Continue Reading →
Overcoming Temptation: Lessons from David and Corianton
We are all tempted. Lehi taught that there is a devil and that he "seeketh that all men might become miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27). Alma identified Zeezrom's combativeness as "a snare of the adversary, which he has laid to catch this people" (Alma 12:6). And King Benjamin warned his people, "beware lest... Continue Reading →
Quail
Be careful what you wish for. And how much you wish for it. And how you allow that wish to influence your decisions. As the children of Israel traveled to the promised land, some of them "fell a lusting" (Numbers 11:4). They wanted meat, and they wanted it now! The manna, which miraculously appeared six... Continue Reading →
Receive Counsel
In Zenos's Allegory of the Olive Tree, there is a scene in which one of the servants questions a decision made by the Lord of the Vineyard. "How comest thou hither to plant this tree, or this branch of the tree?" he asks. "For behold, it was the poorest spot in all the land of... Continue Reading →
“It Shall Be Disposed of by a Council”
If you want to increase the probability of making wise decisions, form a council. When Ammon and his fellow missionaries saw that their converts were being slaughtered by their enemies, he convened a council with government leaders to determine how to deal with the crisis. (See Alma 24:5.)When the Nephite army faced precarious circumstances, Captain... Continue Reading →
“Prepare the Minds of Their Children”
In 1833, the Lord instructed several church leaders to pay more attention to their families. He told them to teach their children "light and truth," to set in order their homes, and to be "more diligent and concerned at home" (Doctrine and Covenants 93:41-50). The prophet Alma explained to his son Corianton that one reason... Continue Reading →
“I Will Explain” – Alma 41:1, Alma 42:2
Corianton had done wrong. He had not only committed a serious sin, but had done so while representing the church as a missionary under the leadership of his father, Alma. His actions had embarrassed his father and had weakened the credibility of his fellow missionaries (Alma 39:1-12). As you might expect, Alma reproved his son.... Continue Reading →
Rashly
Alma counseled his son Shiblon to "bridle all [his] passions, that [he] may be filled with love" (Alma 38:12). He told another son, Corianton, to "cross [himself]" and to "counsel with [his] elder brothers in [his] undertakings." And he added, "give heed to their counsel" (Alma 39:9-10). While our gut reaction to our circumstances may... Continue Reading →
Alma, Samuel the Lamanite, and the Law of Restoration
Did Samuel the Lamanite study Alma's words to his wayward son Corianton as he prepared to preach to the Nephites in Zarahemla? He doesn't use Alma's name anywhere in the sermon, but I see clear references to Alma's words, particularly Alma's explanation of the law of restoration. Alma met with Corianton immediately after they served... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 