His Birth The mortal birth of Jesus Christ was scarcely noticed among mortals, but was of such significance that ministering angels announced the glorious event and “a multitude of the heavenly host” praised God and declared glory, peace, and good will...
read moreIn these chapters Moroni records three glorious contributions from his father Mormon. They provide beautiful doctrine and clear counsel. Moroni 7:3-19 “I Would Speak Unto You That Are of the Church” Mormon’s teachings are so helpful for us today....
read moreEther 12 A Scriptural Masterpiece Moroni’s teachings in chapter 12 are of immeasurable power and profit. He introduces Ether—the last of the Jaredite prophets—and uses Ether’s teachings to the wicked Jaredites as a springboard to teach us today about...
read moreEther 1:1-2 Origin and Importance of the Book of Ether As recounted in the book of Mosiah, in about 122 b.c. King Limhi (son of King Noah) sent a group to find Zarahemla, in hopes of getting help to escape their bondage to the Lamanites in the land of Nephi. The group...
read moreMormon 1 Mormon’s Own Book Mormon was an exceptional prophet who had been a “sober child” who was “quick to observe” (verse 1). In the beginning of his book he is “about” ten years old (verse 2) and has been chosen by Ammaron...
read more3 Nephi 20:8-9 To Be Filled Mormon tells us that after partaking of the sacrament, the people “were filled with the Spirit” (verse 9). What does it mean to you when Jesus also says that our souls “shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be...
read more3 Nephi 12-14 Sermon at the Temple With some notable changes, these chapters are a repeat of the great discourse known as the Sermon on the Mount, which Jesus taught a few years earlier to his followers near the Sea of Galilee (see Matthew 5-7; see also 3 Nephi 15:1)....
read more3 Nephi Watch and Prepare This book is named for Nephi, son of Nephi, son of Helaman, son of Helaman, son of Alma, son of Alma. In 3 Nephi the righteous follow their prophet and watch for signs, in anticipation of two appearances of Christ: His birth in the old world,...
read moreHelaman 7 The Burden of a Prophet The Nephites’ downward slide continues, and no wonder Nephi is discouraged and sorrowful (see verses 6, 9, 14). Verses 4-5 describe things in appalling terms: “A state of such awful wickedness” “Gadianton...
read moreAlma 53:10-22; 57:19-27; 58:39-40 Two Thousand Striplings A favorite Book of Mormon story is the account of the 2,000 young “people of Ammon” (Lamanite converts to the church of Christ) and their great distinction in battle and in life....
read moreMoroni 10:1-7 “I Would Exhort You” Again, Moroni sets forth to write “unto [his] brethren, the Lamanites” (verse 1), and his message is also for all other future readers. Moroni 10:3-5 may be the most quoted scripture verses of our day, and...
read moreMoroni 1-6 The Church of Jesus Christ Moroni refused to “deny the Christ” and was therefore literally running for his life (1:1-3). Is your testimony more important to you than your personal safety? Moroni also moved forward with the burdensome charge to...
read moreEther 6:1-12 Life Is a Journey All is prepared for the Jaredites’ journey and they enter their vessels to cross the great waters. Several elements of their story can be considered symbolic of our lives on earth: We follow the Lord’s instructions, we...
read moreMormon 7 Mormon’s Last Words Mormon’s closing words are a powerful message to the latter-day descendants of his “enemies,” the Lamanites. In verse 1 he addresses himself to them as “the remnant of this people who are spared … that they...
read more3 Nephi 27:1-12 The Name and Characteristics of the True Church The Twelve were “united in mighty prayer and fasting,” seeking an answer regarding the name of the church (verses 1-3). Jesus told His disciples that His church should bear His name (verses...
read more3 Nephi 17 Still “Day One” The record infers that chapter 17 is still “Day One” of Jesus’s visit among the Nephites. This first day is recounted in 3 Nephi 11:3 through 18:39; while “Day Two” goes from 19:15 through somewhere...
read more3 Nephi 8 The Signs and the Destruction The signs of the death of Jesus Christ begin, but as always, they are accompanied by “great doubtings and disputations” (verse 4). Then it came: Three hours of “a great storm, such an one as never had been...
read moreHelaman 13:1-4 We Thank Thee, O God, For Prophets Following a similar pattern to those of Abinadi in the land of Nephi (Mosiah 11-17) and Alma the Younger in Ammonihah (Alma 8-14), Samuel tried to call apostate Nephites to repentance but was rejected and thus...
read moreThe book of Helaman (son of Helaman and grandson of Alma the Younger) may be considered the beginning of the countdown to the appearance of the Savior. President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “In the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second...
read moreAlma 43:1-2; 44:24; 45:2-8, 15-19 The End of Alma’s Record Alma is coming to the end of his time on earth, but he “could not rest” and departed on another preaching tour (43:1-2). Coming from a background as son of a prophet but a one-time...
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