Through the prophet Isaiah, God made the following promise to all those who reverence sacred things: "Them I will bring unto my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer" (Isaiah 56:7). Years later, the prophet Jeremiah stood at the doorway to the temple and denounced the wickedness of the people, who... Continue Reading →
“That Ye May Not Shrink” – 2 Nephi 9:46
Sometimes, in order to be successful in life, we must face difficult challenges head-on. Avoiding those challenges simply won't work, and half-hearted participation will not produce satisfactory outcomes. The prophet Jacob used the word "shrink" to describe the natural instinct to recoil from painful experiences. "It grieveth my soul and causeth me to shrink with... Continue Reading →
“Temporal and Spiritual” – Mosiah 2:41
Don't underestimate the value of temporary things. On at least two occasions, Nephi's brothers, Laman and Lemuel, asked him whether the principles of the gospel related to temporal things or only to spiritual things. They seem to have wanted to keep different parts of their lives separates, with their daily decisions being disconnected with their... Continue Reading →
“Fellow-Servants” (Alma 17:29)
What inspires you to serve? For me, it is often seeing other people serve. Several years ago, I met a young couple in Chennai, India. They were running a school for young children who lived in a leprosy colony. After talking with them for a short time, I was struck by how happy they were.... Continue Reading →
Trifle
One form of foolishness is to take seriously things that aren't important—to obsess over trivial things. But a more dangerous form of foolishness is to treat lightly things that really are important. When King Benjamin invited his people to gather and hear his final words, he urged them to adopt an appropriate mindset to receive... Continue Reading →
“Beware Lest There Shall Arise Contentions Among You” – Mosiah 2:32
After King Benjamin announced to his people that his son, Mosiah, would be their new king, he promised them continued prosperity and peace if they would continue to keep the commandments of God. But he followed this promise with a stern warning: O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil... Continue Reading →
“The Gift of His Calling” – Moroni 7:2
Are we grateful for our responsibilities? As Mormon began a sermon to a group church members, he acknowledged that he was only able to speak to them because of God's grace and His will, manifest in "the gift of his calling unto me" (Moroni 7:2). In an earlier chapter, Moroni spoke of "the gifts and... Continue Reading →
“I Am Infirm” – Alma 31:30
Acknowledging our weakness may be a prerequisite to receiving the help we need from God. (See Ether 12:27, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). After hearing the arrogant and exclusive prayer of the wealthy Zoramites, in which they congratulated themselves on being better than other people (Alma 31:15-18), Alma offered his own prayer, pleading that he and his... Continue Reading →
“Will Ye Persist in Supposing That Ye Are Better One Than Another?” – Alma 5:54
Equality is a core principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Alma resigned as chief judge and dedicated himself to the ministry because of the inequality he saw among his people. Members of the church were becoming proud, wearing expensive clothing, being "scornful, one towards another," and persecuting those who believed differently from them (Alma... Continue Reading →
“I Have Spoken Unto You Plainly” – Alma 5:43
From the beginning of the Book of Mormon, Nephi set the standard: in this book, the word of God would be preached in plainness. In the opening chapter, Nephi's father, Lehi, sees a vision which "[manifests] plainly" to him "of the coming of the Messiah" (1 Nephi 1:19). Nephi later foresees a time when corrupt... Continue Reading →