In his first talk as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson pleaded with us to "increase [our] spiritual capacity to receive revelation" ("Revelation for the Church, Revelation for our Lives," General Conference, April 2018). Two years later, he said, "I renew my plea for you to do whatever it takes... Continue Reading →
Assurances, Peace, Faith, and Hope – Alma 58:10-11
After requesting much-needed provisions and reinforcements from the government, and after waiting many months for a response, Helaman's armies finally received an embarrassingly small shipment of food, delivered by a small number of additional troops. Helaman began to worry that he wouldn't even be able to retain control of the cities they had reclaimed (Alma 58:4-9).... Continue Reading →
Statutes, Judgments, and Commandments
What are the "statutes," the "judgments," and the "commandments" of the Lord? Why are those words so often combined? For example, in Helaman's letter to Captain Moroni, he praises the two thousand stripling soldiers in these words: They have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free;... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Cleanse the Inward Vessel?
At a critical moment in the largest war recorded in the Book of Mormon, Moroni, the commander of the Nephite army, became aware that something was wrong. One of his subordinates, Helaman, had questioned in a letter why the government had not sent more troops to bolster the strength of his armies. He had even... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Pour Out Your Soul to God?
Several times in the Book of Mormon, people pray with such intensity that they are described as "pouring out [their] whole [souls] unto God." After Enos's sins were forgiven, he "began to feel a desire for the welfare of...the Nephites." As a result, he says, "I did pour out my whole soul unto God for... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to “Stand Fast in the Liberty Wherewith God Hath Made Us Free?”
For a period of time, Alma taught the gospel in secret, in a place called the waters of Mormon. He challenged the people to be baptized there. He organized them into a church there. They began to meet weekly to teach one another and to worship God. The group steadily grew until the king became... Continue Reading →
Is It Wrong to Complain?
Lehi's journey to the American continent mirrors Moses's earlier journey to the land of Israel in many ways. One of those similarities is the incessant murmuring by some people during the journey. The children of Israel complained about bitter water (Exodus 15:23-25), about a lack of food (Exodus 16:1-15), and about a lack of water... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Holy Ghost?
Nephi promised that, if we will receive the Holy Ghost, "it will show unto [us] all things what [we] should do" (2 Nephi 32:5). The Lord told Joseph Smith that the Holy Ghost speaks to our mind and to our heart (D&C 8:2). But it can be hard to distinguish thoughts and feelings which come... Continue Reading →
They Stand Fast in That Liberty Wherewith God Has Made Them Free – Alma 58:39-40
39 And those sons of the people of Ammon, of whom I have so highly spoken, are with me in the city of Manti; and the Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the sword, insomuch that even one soul has not been slain. 40 But behold, they have received many... Continue Reading →
The Lord Our God Did Visit Us with Assurances – Alma 58:10-11
10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. 11 Yea, and it... Continue Reading →