Insights from my daily study of the scriptures
"Temple at Dawn," by Paul L. Anderson On the second day of the Savior's visit to the American continent, after praying for the people and administering the sacrament for a second time, He began again to teach them, beginning where He had left off the prior day. (See 3 Nephi 16:17-20, 3 Nephi 20:10-12.) Quoting... Continue Reading →
During the Savior's ministry on the American continent, He taught the people, but He also served them in other ways, including: Healing the sick (3 Nephi 17:6-10) Blessing their children (3 Nephi 17:11-12, 21-24) Praying with and for them (3 Nephi 17:13-20, 3 Nephi 19:15-36) Administering the sacrament (3 Nephi 18:1-16) He also gave His... Continue Reading →
"Hear ye him." That is what our Heavenly Father said to a group of people just before Jesus Christ descended from heaven. They were therefore highly motivated to listen and receptive to His message. What was that message? After calling twelve disciples and teaching them how to baptize, He addressed the multitude. Here are the... Continue Reading →
Thunderings, lightnings, storms, tempests, and earthquakes, unlike anything they had ever seen before—that's what the Nephites and the Lamanites experienced at the time of the Savior's crucifixion. At least sixteen cities were destroyed by fire, or buried, or covered with water. Many other cities were partially destroyed, and many people died. All of this happened... Continue Reading →
How do you maintain hope during tumultuous times? In the years between the Savior's birth, when the Nephites saw unmistakeable signs in the heavens, and His death, when natural disasters devastated the land, people of faith faced one crisis after another: The non-believers threatened to kill all believers if the sign of the Savior's birth... Continue Reading →
The image of a prophet preaching to a people who are trying to kill him is a vivid one. Like Alma in the city of Ammonihah, Samuel the Lamanite was rejected by the citizens of Zarahemla but returned to preach again (Alma 8:8-18, Helaman 13:2-4). Why would he do this? Why did God send him... Continue Reading →
After a miraculous mission among the Lamanites and a frustrating mission among the Nephites in the north, Nephi returned to his home in Zarahemla. As the former chief judge, he was horrified by the corruption in their government and the rampant wickedness among the people. In frustration, he said a very public prayer on a... Continue Reading →
Over a thirty-year period, from about 52 B.C. to about 23 B.C., Nephite society deteriorated substantially. They had just won an extended war against their enemies, the Lamanites, but they were now losing an internal war. The rise of the Gadianton robbers, the decline of faith, and an increase in contention destabilized their government, eroded... Continue Reading →
The worst of times can bring out the best in us. That seems to be Mormon's message as he highlights the remarkable faith and courage of Captain Moroni, Teancum, and the sons of Helaman during the seven-year war between the Nephites and the Lamanites. This week, we are studying the following events: Helaman recruits 2,000 young... Continue Reading →
Twenty five—that's how old Moroni was when he began commanding the Nephite armies. Thirteen years later, he stepped down to "spend the remainder of his days in peace" (Alma 62:43). What kind of man was he? Mormon makes it clear that Moroni "did not delight in bloodshed" but that he was committed to the liberty... Continue Reading →