Which comes first: understanding or belief? As background for a serious challenge which faced Alma as the high priest over the church, Mormon describes some of the young people in the land of Zarahemla: Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king... Continue Reading →
“From Day to Day” – Mosiah 2:21, Mosiah 4:24, 26
Because of a health scare over the weekend, I had the opportunity to see an image of my heart beating on Sunday. As I watched that muscle working hard to pump blood through my body, I remarked to the technician how amazing it is that this process happens over and over, about 70 times each... Continue Reading →
The Greatness and Goodness of God
There are two things we need to know about God. The first is that He is capable of doing "great and marvelous works," far beyond our abilities, and even beyond our comprehension (Jacob 4:8). The second is that He loves us and is kind and merciful (Moroni 8:3). In the first chapter of the Book... Continue Reading →
What Is a “Remission” of Your Sins?
The word aphesis (ἄφεσις) appears 17 times in the Greek New Testament. It literally means "letting go" or "setting at liberty." When Jesus reads the prophecy from Isaiah 61 that the Messiah would "preach deliverance to the captives, and...set at liberty them that are bruised," He used the word aphesis twice. (See Luke 4:18 on biblehub.com.)... Continue Reading →
“In Wisdom and Order” – Mosiah 4:27
After teaching his people to care for the poor and the needy, King Benjamin added a caution: "See that all these things are done in wisdom and order," he said, "for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength." He added that it is important to be diligent, "that... Continue Reading →
King Benjamin and Contention
Contention was a major issue for the people of King Benjamin: "And now, concerning this king Benjamin—he had somewhat of contentions among his own people" (Words of Mormon 1:12). "And after there having been much contention and many dissensions away unto the Lamanites, behold, it came to pass that king Benjamin, with the assistance of... Continue Reading →
“He Changed Their Hearts” – Alma 5:7
This past Sunday, Elder David A. Bednar taught us about the central role of our hearts in the gospel of Jesus Christ: The word heart is used over 1,000 times in the standard works. This simple but significant word often denotes the inner feelings of an individual. Our hearts—the sum total of our desires, affections,... Continue Reading →
What Does the Book of Mormon Refute?
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 →
How Does the Savior Bring Us Peace?
The angels who appeared to the shepherds expressed their hopes for us with these words: "On earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). At the end of His life, the Savior said to His apostles: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto... Continue Reading →
