When Nephi and his people "had prepared all things," including "much fruit and meat from the wilderness, and honey in abundance," and other provisions, they boarded the ship they had built to travel across the ocean (1 Nephi 18:6). The brother of Jared and his people did the same before embarking on their journey: When... Continue Reading →
“The Armor of Righteousness” – 2 Nephi 1:23
Lehi urged his sons to "awake" and "put on the armor of righteousness" (2 Nephi 1:23). This mirrors a passage in Paul's epistle to the Romans: The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.Romans 13:12 Captain... Continue Reading →
“That Ye May Not Shrink” – 2 Nephi 9:46
Sometimes, in order to be successful in life, we must face difficult challenges head-on. Avoiding those challenges simply won't work, and half-hearted participation will not produce satisfactory outcomes. The prophet Jacob used the word "shrink" to describe the natural instinct to recoil from painful experiences. "It grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with... Continue Reading →
King-Men and Freedom of Speech
Words matter. Words have an impact, for good or for evil. Jesus said, "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matthew 12:36). And Alma warned the people of Ammonihah, some of whom were guilty of deceiving others, "Our words will condemn us" (Alma 12:24).... Continue Reading →
“Inquire of the Lord”
The Book of Mormon contains many stories of people taking questions to God in prayer and receiving answers. Here are some examples: Lehi prayed to know where his son Nephi should go to hunt for food for the family (1 Nephi 16:23-26).Jacob prayed to know what he should do about the "wicked practices" he began... Continue Reading →
Prepared – Alma 43:19, Alma 49:8
When the Lamanite armies, under the leadership of Zerahemnah, arrived at the land of Jershon, they were dismayed. Captain Moroni and the Nephite army were prepared in a way that they had not anticipated: Moroni had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they... Continue Reading →
Follow the Prophet
Two different military leaders asked Alma for guidance on two different occasions. Notice how similar these two stories are: Now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know... Continue Reading →
“Perceiving Their Intent” – Alma 43:48
Captain Moroni was a successful military leader partly because of his emotional intelligence. He made it a point to observe the "intent" of the enemy and the "intent" of his own troops. For example: As Moroni knew the intention of the Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren, or to subject them... Continue Reading →
When Is Violence Justified?
"Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). The sixth of the Ten Commandments which the Lord gave to Moses on Mount Sinai is clear and uncontroversial. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded the commandment: Not only is it wrong to kill. It's wrong to be angry. It's wrong to call people names. These small... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Self-Reliance?
A core message of the Book of Mormon is that we are nothing compared with God. King Benjamin reminded his people that God created them, and that he preserves them from day to day "by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you... Continue Reading →