I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable. —Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Hour of Gold, Hour of Lead: Diaries and Letters of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1929-1932 (1973),... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn from Teancum’s Assassinations of Two Lamanite Kings?
During an extended war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, one of the Nephite commanders, Teancum, bravely enters the camp of the enemy on two occasions to take out their leader. The first of these events occurs near the beginning of the war. The Lamanites have invaded Nephite lands and have taken possession of numerous... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Harden Your Heart?
Shortly after Nephi's family left their comfortable home in Jerusalem and began camping in the wilderness, Nephi prayed to understand "the mysteries of God." In response, he tells us that God visited him "and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did... Continue Reading →
How Should We Respond When Others Threaten or Attack Us?
As I wrote yesterday, we need to forgive others in order to be forgiven by God. That's because an unforgiving heart is unable to receive God's healing power. But what should we do when we, or the people we are responsible for, are in danger? How can we protect and defend ourselves and them without... Continue Reading →
Notwithstanding Their Riches – Alma 62:49-51
49 But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him.50 Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he... Continue Reading →
They Did Humble Themselves Before God – Alma 62:39-41
39 And thus ended the thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and thus they had had wars, and bloodsheds, and famine, and affliction, for the space of many years.40 And there had been murders, and contentions, and dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people... Continue Reading →
Moroni Went Forth – Alma 62:20-21
20 And when the night came, Moroni went forth in the darkness of the night, and came upon the top of the wall to spy out in what part of the city the Lamanites did camp with their army.21 And it came to pass that they were on the east, by the entrance; and they... Continue Reading →
Many Had Become Hardened…and Many Were Softened – Alma 62:41
41 But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.(Alma 62:41)What effect... Continue Reading →
