This is the third of six posts answering a series of questions raised by President Russell M. Nelson in the October 2017 general conference. So far, I have discussed what the Book of Mormon is and what it affirms. Today, I am listing some of the fallacies it refutes. It refutes the concept of original sin,... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Affirm?
This is the second in a series of posts answering a set of questions recommended by President Russell M. Nelson. In yesterday's post, I discussed what the Book of Mormon is. Today, I will discuss what the Book of Mormon affirms. The Book of Mormon affirms many truths. As I've pondered this question today, I've... Continue Reading →
How Can I Be Bold Without Being Overbearing?
Near the end of his remarks to his son Shiblon, Alma gave him the following advice: Use boldness, but not overbearance (Alma 38:12). To be bold is to be "confident, courageous, and willing to take risks." To be overbearing is to be "unpleasantly overpowering." (Oxford English Dictionary) Boldness is the outcome of an inner battle. You... 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 →
What Does It Mean to Endure to the End?
Throughout the Book of Mormon, we are encouraged to endure to the end. The prophet Nephi heard the voice of the Father declaring, "He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved" (2 Nephi 31:15). Jesus Christ made the same promise during His visit to the American continent (3 Nephi 15:9). Near the... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean for Jesus to Be Our “Redeemer?”
To redeem something is to repurchase it, to buy back something we have given away or sold. When applied to a person, the word implies rescue from captivity or bondage. (See "redeem," Webster's Dictionary, 1828.) Isaiah uses the imagery of redemption to remind us that we don't deserve the relief we receive from God. "To... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Be “Baptized Unto Repentance?”
Some form of the phrase "baptized unto repentance" appears twelve times in the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 26:22, Alma 5:62, Alma 6:2, Alma 7:14, Alma 9:27, Alma 48:19, Alma 49:30, Helaman 3:24, Helaman 5:17, 19, 3 Nephi 1:23, 3 Nephi 7:26). John the Baptist also used this phrase to describe the baptisms he performed (Matthew 3:11). What does... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Grace?
The word "grace" appears 31 times in the Book of Mormon. Today, I reviewed each of those passages and learned the following principles: Grace is an attribute of Jesus Christ. It is often listed with other attributes, including: mercy, truth, patience, equity, justice, power, and long-suffering (2 Nephi 2:6. 2 Nephi 2:8, 2 Nephi 9:8, 2... Continue Reading →
As Their Little Children – Moroni 8:10
10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.(Moroni 8:10)In this epistle to... Continue Reading →
Mindful of You – Moroni 8:2-3
2 My beloved son, Moroni, I rejoice exceedingly that your Lord Jesus Christ hath been mindful of you, and hath called you to his ministry, and to his holy work.3 I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he,... Continue Reading →
