Near the beginning of the Gospel of John, there is an unusual statement which describes how we receive the power of God: And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.John 1:16 The Greek word rendered "for" in that passage—anti (ἀντί)—actually means "in place of" or "in exchange for." What does it... Continue Reading →
Restoration of All Things
Malachi prophesied that Elijah the prophet would return to the earth "before the great and dreadful day of the Lord" and that he would "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" (Malachi 4:5-6). Peter, James, and John apparently had that prophecy in mind when... Continue Reading →
Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
In the last general conference, Elder Dale G. Renlund encouraged us to follow this counsel from the prophet Micah in order to understand what more we can do to draw closer to God: What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?Micah 6:8 Alma gave a similar admonition to his... 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 →
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 →
Restored
Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come to fix broken things and to give people things they had lost: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the... Continue Reading →
Justice and Mercy
God is both just and merciful. Multiple Book of Mormon prophets testify of this, including Lehi (2 Nephi 2:12), Nephi (2 Nephi 11:5), Jacob (Jacob 4:10), King Benjamin (Mosiah 5:15), Alma (Alma 42:15), and Mormon (3 Nephi 26:5, Mormon 6:22). We ought to be just and merciful as well: See that you are merciful unto... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Affirm?
This is the second in a series of posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. In yesterday's post, I discussed what the Book of Mormon is. Today, I will discuss what the Book of Mormon affirms. The Book of Mormon affirms many truths. As I've pondered this question today, I've... Continue Reading →
How Does the Savior Bring Us Peace?
The angels who appeared to the shepherds expressed their hopes for us with these words: "On earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). At the end of His life, the Savior said to His apostles: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto... Continue Reading →
Will We Be Judged by the Apostles?
During His mortal ministry, Jesus told His twelve apostles that they would one day "sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28). An angel explained to the prophet Nephi that the apostles would judge the tribes of Israel and that the twelve disciples chosen on the American continent would in turn... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 