I wrote a few days ago that temporal things have spiritual impacts. One of those temporal things is our financial well-being. After teaching his people to give generously to those in need, King Benjamin reminded them to do all things "in wisdom and in order." Then, perhaps as an example of the kind of "order"... 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 →
“Faster Than He Has Strength” – Mosiah 4:27
The first movement of Robert Schumann's Piano Sonata number 2 (Op. 22) is labeled "So rasch wie möglich" (as fast as possible). Near the end of the movement, he writes "Schneller" (faster), followed shortly after by "Noch schneller" (even faster). It's an exciting piece to listen to (I recommend this performance by pianist Tiffany Poon),... 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 →
Belief and Understanding – Mosiah 26:1-3
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 →
