Three times in the Book of Mormon, prophets warn people not to procrastinate their repentance. Alma tells the people of Ammonihah, "I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of... Continue Reading →
What Is Pride?
Today, I reviewed the 77 appearances of the words "pride" and "proud" in the Book of Mormon. Here is what I learned: Pride means thinking too highly of yourself, failing to acknowledge your limitations. Throughout the Book of Mormon, prophets use phrases like "lifted up" or "puffed up" to describe proud people. For example, Nephi... Continue Reading →
Why Did the Nephites Keep the Law of Moses?
The apostle Paul told the saints in Galatia that the law of Moses had served as a "schoolmaster" to help them develop faith in Jesus Christ. After they developed faith, they didn't need the schoolmaster any more (Galatians 3:24-25). The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob also recognized that the law of Moses was intended to... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Complacency?
The word "complacent" doesn't appear in the Book of Mormon, but warnings against complacency are pervasive: "Arise from the Dust" Near the end of his life, Lehi pleads with his sons to "arise from the dust...and be men." He tells them to "shake off [their] chains," "put on the armor of righteousness," and "come forth... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Anger?
As we've discussed the last couple of days: We feel sadness when something bad happens to us or to someone we love. We feel fear when we think something bad is likely to happen to us or to someone we love. Anger is also triggered by a negative experience. But unlike sadness and fear, anger... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Happiness?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, the prophet Lehi tells his family about a spiritual dream he has experienced. The central symbol in this dream was "a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy" (1 Nephi 8:10). Lehi's focus for the rest of the dream was on inviting his family to... Continue Reading →
Why Are “Envyings” Associated with “Strife?”
The word "envying" or "envyings" appears ten times in the Book of Mormon. Nine of those times, it is followed immediately by "strife" or "strifes." These words are also closely associated in the New Testament. To envy another person is to resent them because of the perception that they have something that you lack. A... Continue Reading →
How Does God Communicate with Us?
After writing two days ago about the importance of firsthand spiritual knowledge, and after writing yesterday about the role of prophets in helping us to grow closer to God, I was thinking today about the variety of ways that God sends us messages. Here are some examples: Dreams and visions — The Book of Mormon opens... Continue Reading →
What’s Wrong with “Costly Apparel?”
People are more important than things. We all know that. But at times we are all tempted to prioritize things over people. Why is that? Here's one reason: We all want to be appreciated and respected. In our world, appearances matter. The things you own, including the clothes you wear, influence the way other people... Continue Reading →
What Is a “Probationary State?”
When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they became mortal. As the prophet Lehi explained to his sons, everything was static before that time: "If Adam had not transgressed...he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have... Continue Reading →