Once quite awhile ago, my brother came to me and asked me why we go to church, and where is the doctrine concerning church attendance.  In addition to Moroni 6 : 4-6, I also gave him Alma 6 : 6. Other than that, this seems to just be a transition verse from preaching in Zarahemla to preaching in Gideon. It also speaks about membership of t...

Verses 5 and 6 are cause for simple reinforcement that external events do not necessarily cause internal changes.  Yes, they had a horrific war which caused the death of so many husbands, fathers, sons, etc...  And yes, that caused a lot of people to become baptized.... but, that didn't seem to matter much.  The very next year, it se...

Seems that this chapter is all about "markings" and the prophecies about the curses put upon people (and which people put upon themselves). I can feel the doctrine behind this chapter, and I caught myself frequently asking myself why Mormon included this chapter.  No doubt there's some serious doctrine in here, but this time around...

I find it interesting the way they referred to Nehor in verse 1:  a man "after the order of the man that slew Gideon by the sword, who was executed according to the law".  Why didn't they just say "Nehor"?  Especially seeing that writing in plates was so hard. In verse 10, Mormon notes the intent with which Aml...

Interesting that one of the first-mentioned doctrines that Nehor was said to have taught was the very doctrine that led to the beginning of wickedness for the Nephites time and time again.  Pride.  "Being popular"...  Seems to resound with the core of what the adversary teaches.  Verse 4 pretty much testifies to his pr...

I'm not in the mood to write much, but I figure that since work is kind of slow today, that it would do me good to watch and write about a conference talk right about now. Elder Perry's talk seemed to talk about a topic which would benefit a lot of people today - simplicity. As far as I go, I can think right now of one specific thing which I co...

This morning I decided I'd start the traditional blogging of each general conference talk from the last general conference in October. As President Monson began this talk, a familiar spirit filtered in to my office at work and inevitably, my heart was opened to the inspired words of our wonderful prophet. I'm so grateful for our church.  I...

Interesting that in verse 7, the example he uses of an unrighteous king pretty much parallels what happened to the Nephites in the Land of Nephi under king Noah.  Couldn't have been many years since the people of Limhi had come to join Zarahemla, anyway.  I've never thought of that before. Verse 13 is always a fun one.  It's great ...

The first thing I thought of when reading this chapter was, "Man, if my teenagers (or young adults) came to me and asked if they could go to a nation bent on destoying ours, and teach them the Gospel.  Man... My initial reaction would definitely be one of incredulity.  No wonder they had to pester Mosiah for so long before he'd even ...

Reading the beginning of this chapter, it's interesting that Mosiah put laws into place which made voicing anything which could be interpreted as "persecutions" against the church, illegal - and it seemed to work.  There was "peace" for a number of years due to that law.  The church even began to grow and prosper more ...

Okay..  I've never thought of this before, but, how convenient do you think it was for Samuel to climb up on a wall, built around a city most likely to keep people out?  Yeah, I don't think it could have been that easy.  How often do we find any reason at all to get out of doing what God wants us to do?  Well, God told Samuel he...

It's good to be back.  I feel like I really got a lot out of this chapter.  It could be simply because this chapter has a couple of verses which always seem to prick my heart.  Maybe, maybe not.  Anyway... It seems this chapter is all about love.  One of the verses found here is so poignant, it pricks my heart every time...

Stupid Kingmen.  Nothing like having your own people fight against you in the middle of a war.  One thing I noticed this time, which I had forgotten, is how Moroni followed the correct line of authority in order to do what he had to do with the kingmen.  He asked Pahoran for the right to take care of them, and Pahoran gave it to him....

The first thing I thought of when reading this chapter was, "Man, if my teenagers (or young adults) came to me and asked if they could go to a nation bent on destoying ours, and teach them the Gospel.  Man... My initial reaction would definitely be one of incredulity.  No wonder they had to pester Mosiah for so long before he'd even ...

What a great chapter this is.  And what stupid people the Amalekites were.  "Gee, we're having a hard time killing our enemies, so let's kill our own people instead.  Yeah, that'll make us feel better."  Freakin' idiots. The parts I loved especially about this chapter were parts I've never noticed before, or at least...

The main thing that stuck out in this chapter was obviously the destruction of Ammonihah.  As I've stated in a previous post, I find it so interesting that one of the judges of Ammonihah was the one who mentioned that "even if thou shalt declare this city shall be destroyed in one day, we shall not believe it."  It was as if the...

Ya know...  After reading this through, with the previous chapters I've read in mind, I think I'm understanding a bit more about what Abinadi is talking about. The wicked priests quote him the scripture in Isaiah which says that prophets are supposed to proclaim peace in order to basically tell Abinadi off, because he was definitely not proc...

One question comes to mind this time reading chapter 14 and the beginning of 15. Why in the world did Abinadi think these priests could understand what he was talking about? An interesting perspective can be had when the audience of each scripture is considered. The thing I don't get about these chapters (14 and 15), is that the doctrine A...

 So, I'm pretty sure these words are being spoken to us, the Gentiles, and they are meant for people living now.  The last chapter was spoken to those who would be alive during the coming of the Book of Mormon, and it doesn't seem like this chapter deviates from that. Interesting that included in the list of "wicked ways" is t...

Hmm...  I really like when prophets, like Alma, quote other prophets to make a point.  The best way to keep the doctrine pure is to look the reference up.  Otherwise, it inevitably will be diluted down.  Ain't no doctrine like pure doctrine. Interesting that the quote from Zenos in verses 4-11 is paraphrased beautifully in Alm...

Amazing.  A couple of chapters ago, I was commenting on the sad state which Nephi found himself in, and the amazing faith he must have had to remain in a state of faithfulness to God, when everyone around him was wicked. I guess that's the way it goes.  God tries us to our breaking point, careful not to give us trials beyond our capabil...

Ya know...  I sure would like to know what the politics of the time were back then.  Helaman's guard was able to single-handedly save the newly-appointed chief judge, by disguise, intellect, and ultimately a firm blade straight through the heart.  Yet, the account says nothing of telling anyone what was happening during the incident....

Ya know...  After reading this through, with the previous chapters I've read in mind, I think I'm understanding a bit more about what Abinadi is talking about. The wicked priests quote him the scripture in Isaiah which says that prophets are supposed to proclaim peace in order to basically tell Abinadi off, because he was definitely not proc...

One question comes to mind this time reading chapter 14 and the beginning of 15. Why in the world did Abinadi think these priests could understand what he was talking about? An interesting perspective can be had when the audience of each scripture is considered. The thing I don't get about these chapters (14 and 15), is that the doctrine A...

Man...  It's been months since I wrote about the Book of Mormon.  I will finish it, though, and I will write about each and every chapter therein. So, about this chapter. Nothing really jumped out at me as being extraordinary, and I didn't expect it to be so short.  It seemed like this chapter was just a wrap-up chapter for the a...

Okay..  I've never thought of this before, but, how convenient do you think it was for Samuel to climb up on a wall, built around a city most likely to keep people out?  Yeah, I don't think it could have been that easy.  How often do we find any reason at all to get out of doing what God wants us to do?  Well, God told Samuel he...

 Not too much to write about on this one.  I guess I could try to memorize all the relationships mentioned.  hehe. Genealogy must have been pretty important back then (pretty important now-a-days, too), because they mentioned that it would be possible for us to have the history of the entire world up to that time.  Interesting...

 Moroni 3.  This one isn't speaking much to me, but I did find it interesting that only after they prayed, the disciples excercised their priesthood to ordain offices in the priesthood.  ...and that it was done through endurance through faith on the name of Christ.  Enduring to the end has always been pretty much the last key to...

What a great chapter this is.  And what stupid people the Amalekites were.  "Gee, we're having a hard time killing our enemies, so let's kill our own people instead.  Yeah, that'll make us feel better."  Freakin' idiots. The parts I loved especially about this chapter were parts I've never noticed before, or at least...

I wasn't in the best of moods while reading this, this morning, but I must say that it helped me gain a bit of focus for the job hunt this morning. The principle that jumped out at me this time around was that of humility.  Going through the pain that is sometimes required to bring about humility just might be the thing that saves your soul....