The apostle Paul gave the following admonition to followers of Jesus Christ: "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15). Alma gave a similar admonition to his people at the waters of Mormon. He told them that their baptism included a promise to "mourn with those that mourn" (Mosiah... Continue Reading →
“As Often as It Was in Their Power” – Mosiah 18:25
After baptizing hundreds of people at the waters of Mormon, Alma gave them some instructions about how to fulfill the covenants they had made. He told the priests to teach the words of the prophets and to preach repentance. He told the people to avoid contention and to strive for unity. He told them to... Continue Reading →
“The Fold of God” – Mosiah 18:8
When Alma invited a group of people to be baptized at the waters of Mormon, he began his invitation with the following words: "As ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people..." (Mosiah 18:8). He then described the obligation they would have to one another: bearing one... Continue Reading →
“It Grieveth Me That I Should Lose This Tree” – Jacob 5:7
Eight times during the allegory of the olive tree, the Lord of the vineyard says something similar to, "It grieveth me that I should lose this tree" (Jacob 5:7, 11, 13, 32, 46, 47, 51, 66). What is the significance of this statement? It testifies of his enduring love, and it clarifies why he keeps... Continue Reading →
What Does It Mean to Be Ordained?
We generally think of order as a good thing and its opposite—disarray, mismanagement, or chaos—as a bad thing. Most of us work hard to organize our lives and to fulfill our responsibilities in an orderly way. Furthermore, when we participate in an organization, we want to see evidence that things have been thought through, that... 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 Is Authority?
authority The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. A person or organization having political or administrative power and control. The power to influence others, especially because of one's commanding manner or one's recognized knowledge about something. (Oxford English Dictionary) The Book of Mormon speaks about authority in multiple ways, some... Continue Reading →
What Is the First Resurrection?
The apostle John foresaw a thousand-year period in which Satan would be bound and Christ and His disciples would reign over the earth. This is what we call the Millennium. John said those who did not follow Christ would not "live again" until after the thousand year period was over. "This is the first resurrection,"... Continue Reading →
