This is the last of six blog posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. So far, I have written about what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, and what it clarifies. Here are some of the truths that the book reveals to... 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 →
How Does the Gospel Bring Us Joy?
The angel who appeared to King Benjamin declared that his message would bring joy to Benjamin and to his people: I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy. For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that... Continue Reading →
What Do We Know About God’s Love for Us?
Yesterday, I received a question about one of my posts, entitled Willing to Submit – Mosiah 3:19. Here is the question: God is love right? So how can love inflict when the term inflict has to do with punishment. Surely love knows how to be persuasive. This is such an important question that I've decided to... Continue Reading →
When Should I Express Gratitude?
The Book of Mormon clearly teaches that we should always be grateful: Alma taught his people at the waters of Mormon that they should observe the sabbath day once a week, but that "every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God" (Alma 18:23). Amulek urged the Zoramites to "live in thanksgiving daily"... Continue Reading →
How Can I “Always Abound in Good Works?”
We are all imperfect. We make mistakes every day, and we all wish we had more knowledge, more skill, and more wisdom. But even in our imperfect state, we are all capable of doing good works. After the people of King Benjamin prayed and received a forgiveness of their sins, Benjamin taught them that they... Continue Reading →
How Can I Avoid Being an “Unholy Temple?”
Four times in the Book of Mormon, we are taught a fundamental principle: God doesn't dwell in unholy temples. If we make choices which make us unholy, we cannot have His Spirit with us. Today, I examined these four passages looking for insights on how I can avoid cutting myself off from the Spirit of... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Be “Temperate in All Things?”
The prophet Alma told the people in the city of Gideon that he wanted them to be "temperate in all things" (Alma 7:23). He later gave the same counsel to his son Shiblon (Alma 38:10). To be temperate is to be restrained, moderate, self-controlled, or disciplined (Oxford English Dictionary). The apostle Paul taught the Corinthians... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Abraham?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Lehi's sons risk their lives in order to obtain a set of brass plates which contains, among other things, the five books of Moses. A central character in those books is the prophet Abraham. Even though he had lived nearly 2,000 years earlier, his influence is felt... Continue Reading →
