Our continuing role is to receive continuing revelation.Joy D. Jones, "An Especially Noble Calling," General Conference, April 2020 Near the end of his writings, Nephi pleads with us, his readers, to learn to receive personal revelation. "I suppose," he said, "that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do." Pondering might... Continue Reading →
How to “Come unto Christ”
Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me.Doctrine and Covenants 88:63 The phrase "come unto Christ" only appears three times in the Book of Mormon. Jacob tells us that he labored diligently to persuade his people to come unto Christ (Jacob 1:7). Amaleki ends the small plates of Nephi with... Continue Reading →
“No, Not One” – Moroni 10:25
Psalms 14 and 53 are nearly identical, and both paint a depressing picture of humankind. The author begins by pointing out the folly of denying the power of God: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Then, the author appears to attribute that folly to everyone: They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.Psalm... Continue Reading →
“Deny Not the Power of God” – Moroni 10:7
Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). It's also often easier to give than to receive, particularly when the gift is viewed as necessary. No one wants to be a "project" or a "charity case." We all want to be viewed as self-sufficient and capable. But when we need... Continue Reading →
“Every Good Gift” – Moroni 10:18
One of Moroni's exhortations in the final chapter of the Book of Mormon is to "remember that every good gift cometh of Christ" (Moroni 10:18). This echoes the testimony of James: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.James 1:17 We're in gift-giving season. In addition... Continue Reading →
Wisdom and Knowledge – Moroni 10:9-10
Moroni begins his list of spiritual gifts with two which sound similar, but which he makes clear are not the same: For behold, to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may teach the word of wisdom;And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;Moroni 10:9-10, italics added The apostle Paul made the... Continue Reading →
“That He May Prophesy” – Moroni 10:13
"Before it came to pass, I showed them thee."Isaiah 48:3 One of the gifts Moroni identified that a person can receive by the Spirit of God is "that he may prophesy concerning all things" (Moroni 10:13). (See also 1 Corinthians 12:10, Doctrine & Covenants 46:22, Articles of Faith 1:7.) The Guide to the Scriptures defines... Continue Reading →
“All Kinds of Tongues” – Moroni 10:15
After urging us to recognize both the power and the gifts of God, Moroni lists a number of gifts we can receive through the Spirit of the Lord. Included in that list are the following: "All kinds of tongues""The interpretation of languages and of divers kinds of tongues" (Moroni 10:15-16) These gifts were also included in an... Continue Reading →
Moroni Wrote to the Lamanites
"I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me" (Moroni 1:1)."I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord" (Moroni 1:4). Jesus said, "Love your enemies" (3 Nephi 12:44, Matthew 5:44). As a... Continue Reading →
“From the Dust” – 2 Nephi 33:13
Nephi tells us that he "did liken all scriptures" to himself and to his family. Here's an example of a passage from Isaiah which he identified with personally: And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall... Continue Reading →
