Samuel said that God will be merciful to the Lamanites because of their firmness when they are converted. God sees not only what we do but also the context for those decisions. He also sees what we can become with the right experiences.
A Call from Arms
The Lamanites who were converted buried their weapons. This act of consecration is so remarkable that it appears many times in the Book of Mormon, including a final invitation from Mormon to us. President Nelson has also invited us to bury our weapons.
“Whom I Love I Also Chasten”
In June 1833, the Lord provided corrective feedback to church members in Kirtland, Ohio. He opened the revelation with the following explanation: Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you whom I love, and whom I love I also chasten that their sins may be forgiven, for with the chastisement I prepare a way for their deliverance in all things out of temptation, and... Continue Reading →
Chastened
As the children of Israel prepared to enter the promised land, Moses reminded them of the numerous blessings they had received during forty years of wandering in the wilderness. God had fed them with manna, their clothes had not worn out, their feet had remained strong. Then he added this blessing, which I'm guessing the... Continue Reading →
Who Were Zenos and Zenock?
The authors of the Book of Mormon quoted a number of prophets who lived in Israel before Lehi's family left Jerusalem (about 600 B.C.). Some of those prophets, like Moses and Isaiah, also appear in the Bible. But others do not. Two of these prophets are Zenos and Zenock. Here's what we know about them:... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to “Dwindle in Unbelief?”
dwindle - Diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength (Oxford English Dictionary) Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi learns from the Spirit that, without the brass plates containing the scriptures, his family would "dwindle and perish in unbelief" (1 Nephi 4:13). King Benjamin later emphasized this point to his sons: "Were it not for... Continue Reading →
Why Would God “Inflict” Things on Us?
This is the second of three posts in response to a question I received last week. Yesterday, I wrote that God's love is most clearly demonstrated in the life and suffering of Jesus Christ, that the Savior feels genuine empathy for us, and that when we experience God's love, we are filled with joy. Today,... 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 Teach About Racism?
Near the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi declares God's standard regarding racism, sexism, and other types of unrighteous discrimination: He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Be Steadfast?
After the people of King Benjamin prayed and received a remission of their sins, they made a covenant with God to obey His commandments for the rest of their lives. King Benjamin told them that they were now the children of Christ, and he urged them to follow through consistently on the promises they had... Continue Reading →