Humans hate uncertainty. We want to be able to accurately predict the future. We want to be able to explain things that seem mysterious. We don't like being left in the dark. As the Jaredites prepared to embark on a journey of unknown duration across the ocean, the brother of Jared became concerned about two... Continue Reading →
Gazelem – Alma 37:23
The record of the Jaredite people was engraved on twenty-four plates (Ether 1:2). The Lord gave the brother of Jared two stones to store with the plates. He explained that those stones would enable future readers to understand the words he would write. For behold, the language which ye shall write I have confounded; wherefore... Continue Reading →
“He Hath Lied Unto Us” – Alma 10:28, Alma 12:3
The Book of Mormon teaches plainly that lying is wrong (2 Nephi 9:34, 2 Nephi 26:32, 2 Nephi 28:8, Alma 16:18, 3 Nephi 30:2, 4 Nephi 1:16, Mormon 8:31). God does not tell lies (Enos 1:6, 3 Nephi 27:18, Ether 3:12). The devil is "the father of all lies" (2 Nephi 2:18, 2 Nephi 9:9,... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Affirm?
This is the second in a series of posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. In yesterday's post, I discussed what the Book of Mormon is. Today, I will discuss what the Book of Mormon affirms. The Book of Mormon affirms many truths. As I've pondered this question today, I've... Continue Reading →
Why Did Ammon Consider Himself Unworthy to Baptize?
One of my daughters asked me last week if Ammon had authority to baptize. Ammon was the leader of a search party sent by King Mosiah to find a group of people who had established a colony among their enemies many years earlier. When he found them, they were in bondage, forced to pay a... Continue Reading →
How Can I Be a Better Listener?
Today, I pondered what I can do to be a better listener. Here are some relevant guidelines taught by the Book of Mormon: 1. Recognize your own limitations and prepare yourself to participate fully in the interaction. When Nephi returned to his family's camp after seeing a vision, he found his brothers "disputing one with... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn from the Prayers Recorded in the Book of Mormon?
Today, I reviewed all of the prayers I could find in the Book of Mormon. I specifically looked at actual prayers which are quoted word for word, not prayers which are merely mentioned, and not sample prayers given for teaching purposes. I also excluded very short statements directed to God, such as Enos's question,"Lord, how... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn About Coming Unto Christ from the Brother of Jared?
The Book of Mormon tells the story of a family who traveled across the ocean to the American continent just after human languages were confounded at the Tower of Babel. The family was led by a man named Jared and by his brother, who is simply called "the brother of Jared" throughout the narrative. The... Continue Reading →
How Does the Savior Invite Us to Come Unto Him?
I mentioned yesterday that the phrase "come unto Christ" appears only five times in the scriptures. In contrast, the Savior says "come unto me" 39 times in the scriptures: once in the Old Testament, six times in the New Testament, four times in the Doctrine and Covenants, and 28 times in the Book of Mormon.... Continue Reading →
What Is the Urim and Thummim?
Shortly after the Lord confounded the language of people at the tower of Babel and scattered them "upon the face of all the earth" (Genesis 11:9), a group of people led by a man named Jared and his brother traveled to the American continent. As they prepared to board barges to cross the sea, the... Continue Reading →
