It's not just about the message; it's also about the messenger. Alma was convinced of the truthfulness of the gospel when he heard Abinadi preach in King Noah's court. Abinadi's words were true, but he was persuasive not only because of his message. He was persuasive because of the personal sacrifice he was willing to... Continue Reading →
“Thus Saith the Lord” – Mosiah 11:20, 25, Mosiah 12:2
King Noah received two sets of messages. One set came from Abinadi, a prophet of God. The other set came from his own priests, whom he had chosen. Here are some of the messages he heard: Topic Abinadi The priests of King Noah The behavior of King Noah and his people "Thus saith the Lord—Wo... Continue Reading →
What Is a Priest?
The Bible Dictionary explains that a priest is a mediator between his people and God. The priest fulfills this role by: Performing religious ceremonies (ordinances) Preaching the gospel Receiving revelation on behalf of the people, and Blessing the people in the name of the Lord At the beginning of the Book of Mormon, religious observance... Continue Reading →
How Can I Be a Both a Defender of Truth and a Peacemaker?
Disciples of Jesus Christ have an obligation to tell the truth, even when others don't want to hear it. Our promise to "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9) is a promise to speak up, to share our convictions with others, to say what... Continue Reading →
What Should I Do When Prophetic Teachings Are Difficult to Understand or Accept?
Prophetic teachings are generally not intended to be soothing. A primary role of prophets is to call us to repentance, which means making course corrections or incremental improvements. Therefore, when we have the opportunity to hear messages from prophets, we should plan to be challenged. Samuel the Lamanite denounced the people of Zarahemla for supporting... Continue Reading →
How Does God Communicate with Us?
After writing two days ago about the importance of firsthand spiritual knowledge, and after writing yesterday about the role of prophets in helping us to grow closer to God, I was thinking today about the variety of ways that God sends us messages. Here are some examples: Dreams and visions — The Book of Mormon opens... Continue Reading →
What Is the Relationship Between “Idolatry” and “Idleness?”
The Book of Mormon explicitly connects idolatry (the worship of man-made objects) with idleness (slothfulness). For example: Mormon tells us that the wicked king Noah and his priests "were supported in their laziness, and in their idolatry, and in their whoredoms, by the taxes which king Noah had put upon his people" (Mosiah 11:6). In... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Taxes?
The Book of Mormon speaks about the tax policies of five leaders. Two of them worked to minimize taxes on their people, while the other three imposed exorbitant taxes on their people, with predictably catastrophic results. King Benjamin reported to his people at the end of his life that he had labored with his own... Continue Reading →
And He Did Cause His People to Commit Sin – Mosiah 11:1-2
1 And now it came to pass that Zeniff conferred the kingdom upon Noah, one of his sons; therefore Noah began to reign in his stead; and he did not walk in the ways of his father. 2 For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires... Continue Reading →
They Hardened Their Hearts – Mosiah 11:29
29 Now the eyes of the people were blinded; therefore they hardened their hearts against the words of Abinadi, and they sought from that time forward to take him. And king Noah hardened his heart against the word of the Lord, and he did not repent of his evil doings.(Mosiah 11:29)Mormon's description of the people's... Continue Reading →
