Our relationship with the truth is a fundamental part of our moral character. The prophet Jacob defined "truth" as "things as they really are, and...things as they really will be"(Jacob 4:13). (See also Doctrine and Covenants 93:24.) The Lord revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith that "All truth is independent in that sphere in which God has placed... Continue Reading →
“Go Ye Forth of Babylon” – 1 Nephi 20:20
"The world is too much with us," wrote the poet William Wordsworth. He meant that our lives are influenced more than we realize by the society in which we live, leaving us unable to properly perceive "things as they really are" (Jacob 4:13). As Elder David R. Stone explained: Our culture tends to determine what... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon References in Moroni 6
Today as I studied Moroni 6, I found a number of phrases which referenced earlier passages in the Book of Mormon. Obviously, Moroni knew the Book of Mormon well. Still, I thought these references were striking, and I thought I'd share the connections I made today as I studied this chapter. Most of these phrases... Continue Reading →
Justice and Mercy
God is both just and merciful. Multiple Book of Mormon prophets testify of this, including Lehi (2 Nephi 2:12), Nephi (2 Nephi 11:5), Jacob (Jacob 4:10), King Benjamin (Mosiah 5:15), Alma (Alma 42:15), and Mormon (3 Nephi 26:5, Mormon 6:22). We ought to be just and merciful as well: See that you are merciful unto... Continue Reading →
Justice and Mercy
Today I've been pondering the relationship between two of God's attributes: justice and mercy. Multiple Book of Mormon prophets teach us that God is both just and merciful, including Lehi (2 Nephi 2:12), Nephi (2 Nephi 11:5), Jacob (Jacob 4:10), King Benjamin (Mosiah 5:15), Alma (Alma 42:15), and Mormon (3 Nephi 26:5, Mormon 6:22). It's... Continue Reading →
“The Only Sure Foundation” – Jacob 4:15-18
In the 118th psalm, there is an interesting passage which highlights the disconnect between popular opinion and intrinsic value: The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. (Psalm 118:22-23) During the Savior's mortal ministry, He referenced this passage... Continue Reading →
“A Hundredth Part” – Jacob 3:13
Near the beginning of Nephi's record, he instructed those who would add to the record after him not to "occupy these plates with things which are not of worth" (1 Nephi 6:6). He emphasized that his father had seen and heard and taught many things which could not be included in his record (1 Nephi... Continue Reading →
“We Also Had Many Revelations” – Jacob 1:6
As I listened to the first chapter in the book of Jacob this morning, I was struck by how he talked about revelation. His brother Nephi had entrusted the sacred records to him and had instructed him to limit this record to spiritual things: sermons, revelations, and prophecies (Jacob 1:1-4). Jacob goes on to say that... Continue Reading →
What Are the Mysteries of God?
A knowledge of the mysteries of God was important to Nephi. He knew that he was "highly favored of the Lord" because he "had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God" (1 Nephi 1:1). His first recorded spiritual experience came because he had "great desires to know of the mysteries of... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Reveal?
This is the last of six blog posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. So far, I have written about what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, and what it clarifies. Here are some of the truths that the book reveals to... Continue Reading →
