Near the end of his life, Lehi spoke with son Joseph. He spoke of a future seer who would publish his words and the words of his descendants. He didn't say this seer would be perfect. He said, "Out of weakness he shall be made strong" (2 Nephi 3:13). He said something similar about the... Continue Reading →
Talent
Five talents, two talents, one talent. The wealth was not evenly distributed. But it didn't matter, because this wasn't a permanent gift. The owner was merely leaving town, and he had entrusted three of his servants to look after his wealth in his absence. What were they to do with all this money? He didn't... Continue Reading →
“Fools Mock”
Included in Alma's list of soul-searching questions to the people of Zarahemla was the following: "Is there one among you that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him persecutions?" Alma added, "Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is at hand that he must repent or he cannot... Continue Reading →
“My Grace Is Sufficient” – Ether 12:26-27
When the apostle Paul struggled with feelings of inadequacy, the Lord reassured him with these words: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). When Moroni expressed similar misgivings, the Lord responded with the same affirmation: "Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they... Continue Reading →
Three Ways the Savior Turns Our Weaknesses Into Strengths – Ether 12:27
When Moroni expressed his anxiety that his "weakness in writing" would cause some people to reject the Book of Mormon, the Savior responded with a reassuring promise: If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me;... Continue Reading →
“A More Excellent Way” – Ether 12:11
Moroni tells us that the law of Moses was given by faith. It was a divinely inspired code of conduct given to help the children of Israel live to their full potential. (See Exodus 19:1-6.) But Moroni adds, "In the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way, and it is by... Continue Reading →
“I Will Show Unto Them Their Weakness” – Ether 12:27
Moroni was painfully aware of his limitations. As he summarized the Jaredite record, he compared himself unfavorably to one of the authors of the Jaredite plates. Moroni worried that his imperfections would cause future readers to reject his writings, and he shared his anxiety with God in prayer: Behold, thou hast not made us mighty... Continue Reading →
Righteousness
The Jaredite king Emer presided over a period of prosperity, following a troubling time of political upheaval and distrust. Moroni tells us that "Emer did execute judgment in righteousness all his days" (Ether 9:21). What a relief it must have been for his people to know what to expect and to be able to have... Continue Reading →
The Jaredite Generations
Thirty generations in fifteen chapters: in the Book of Ether, Moroni provides a sweeping history of the rise and fall of a civilization. At first glance, the book appears to be the story of the Jaredite people from the perspective of their kings. But upon closer consideration, it becomes clear that the narrative follows a... Continue Reading →
“If There Was No Mistake” – 3 Nephi 8:1-2
As Mormon prepares to relate the most extraordinary sequence of events in the Book of Mormon, he begins by emphasizing the reliability of his source, followed immediately by an admission that the source may have gotten some of the details wrong: And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know... Continue Reading →
