The Flight of the Prisoners, by Jacques Joseph Tissot "In the ninth year of Hoshea," writes the author of 2 Kings, "the king of Assyria ... carried Israel away into Assyria." Then, in an extended editorial note similar to Helaman 12, the author explains what led to this tragedy. For so it was, that the... Continue Reading →
Moroni’s Collaborative Conclusion
Moroni draws heavily on the writings of his precessors in his concluding remarks. This collaboration with prior prophets enhances the power of his message and helps us to see "how merciful the Lord hath been." in all ages of the world.
“I Judge Better Things of You”
After telling his listeners that a lack of miracles implies a lack of faith, Mormon adds, "I judge better things of you." God can help us see the good in others. We will be judged as we judge, so why wouldn't we look for the best in the people around us?
Investing for the Future in Troubled Times
Jeremiah bought land. If you're wondering about the significance of that transaction, consider the following: Prophets since Moses had foretold the captivity of the children of Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem. Jeremiah had told the people clearly that this event was no longer in the distant future. It was going to happen to them... Continue Reading →
Cumorah
Mormon was 73 years old when he gathered his people for their final battle (Mormon 6:5). He had begun leading Nephite armies nearly 60 years earlier, at the age of 15 (Mormon 2:2). He had seen a lifetime of battles, and he knew the likely outcome of this conflict, but he believed that his people's... Continue Reading →
Just and Merciful
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 →
How Can I Recognize the Hand of the Lord in My Life?
After warning the people of Jerusalem of their imminent destruction, Lehi was commanded by the Lord to take his family out of the city into the wilderness (1 Nephi 2:1-2). He had to defend this decision many times as the family undertook a difficult journey across the land and the sea to a promised land... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Add to Our Understanding of the Resurrection?
References to the resurrection appear only a couple of times in the Old Testament: Job testifies to his friends, "Though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:26). Ezekiel describes a vision in which dry bones (representing the house of Israel) are miraculously covered with sinews,... Continue Reading →
According to His Justice and Mercy – Mormon 6:21-22
21 And the day soon cometh that your mortal must put on immortality, and these bodies which are now moldering in corruption must soon become incorruptible bodies; and then ye must stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, to be judged according to your works; and if it so be that ye are righteous, then are... Continue Reading →