Today, I studied all 56 passages in the Book of Mormon which use some form of the word "diligent." To be diligent is to "[show] care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties" (Oxford English Dictionary). The word also carries a connotation of eagerness. It comes from the Latin word diligere, which means to "esteem,"... Continue Reading →
Why Is It Important for Us to Gather with Other Believers?
Some of the most transcendent events that are recorded in the Book of Mormon happened when a group of people gathered. King Benjamin called his people together not only to hear him speak, but also to invite them to enter a covenant relationship with God and take upon themselves the name of Christ (Mosiah 1:10-12).... Continue Reading →
What Is the Significance of God’s Promise to Nephi?
Like the prophet Abraham, Nephi received a conditional promise from the Lord with an intergenerational impact. After the Lord commanded his father, Lehi, to abandon their home in Jerusalem and "depart into the wilderness" with his family, Nephi's brothers were angry. Nephi must have also been unhappy about the sudden change, but he prayed, and... Continue Reading →
Why Is the Book of Mormon Written in King James English?
At the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi tells us that he is writing in the language of his father, "which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians" (1 Nephi 1:2). From the outset, we see the gospel message being rendered in a form that is separate from... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Search the Scriptures?
After leaving the city of Jerusalem with his family, Lehi sent his sons back to obtain the words of the prophets and a genealogy of their ancestors which were recorded on a set of brass plates. When his sons returned with this sacred record, Lehi "gave thanks unto the God of Israel." Then, he "took... Continue Reading →
We Have Them Before Our Eyes – Mosiah 1:6-7
6 O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know... Continue Reading →
He Caused That They Should Be Taught – Mosiah 1:2
2 And it came to pass that he had three sons; and he called their names Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that they should be taught in all the language of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been... Continue Reading →
Were It Not for These Plates – Mosiah 1:3-4
3 And he also taught them concerning the records which were engraven on the plates of brass, saying: My sons, I would that ye should remember that were it not for these plates, which contain these records and these commandments, we must have suffered in ignorance, even at this present time, not knowing the mysteries... Continue Reading →