As I re-read these last sections of the Book of Mormon, I will edit this post and add any thoughts or ideas I do not want to forget. Hopefully, this will help me when I get to teach these scriptures again. That's one of the things I love the most about the Book of Mormon, i.e. every time you read it, you learn and understand more. Different things become clearer as you re-read, pray, and seek for the Spirit's guidance.
Lesson 35
“Repent and Return unto the Lord”
“Repent and Return unto the Lord”
Helaman 13–16
I enjoyed reading through these chapters from Helaman.
Samuel the Lamanite was “one of the most colourful characters in the Book of
Mormon, and few readers can forget the image of this fearless servant of God
announcing the dramatic signs of Christ’s birth and death, crying repentance
from the walls of Zarahemla” (John Bytheway, Gospel Doctrine Prep – Lesson 35).
I can see this brave and courageous Lamanite missionary standing on the walls
of the city, preaching and prophesying to the Nephites. He did not waver
because the Nephites looked down on the Lamanites. He did not hesitate, even
though he must have felt the hostility and heard the derogatory comments. And
then, his life was threatened. The Lord protected him. In Chapter 16, we learn
that the Nephites who aimed stones and arrows at Samuel, could not hit him.
What an amazing and stunning scene this must have been. Even though the Lord
protected him, there were those who did not see the miracle that was taking
place in front of their eyes because their hearts were so hardened by pride and
evil.
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| Samuel the Lamanite |
In Helaman 13:37, we read, “Behold, we are surrounded by
demons, yea, we are encircled about by the angels of him who hath sought to
destroy our souls. Behold, our iniquities are great.” This is the substance of
nightmares. I know that Satan’s followers are helping the master of sin to
divert members of the house of Israel away from the Lord’s teachings. It makes
sense that they are all around us. We need a shield of righteousness to fight
against this ever-present threat of evil.
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| President Thomas S. Monson |
In researching the topic of demons, I found that not only are Satan’s followers regarded as demons, but demons can be those things that are in themselves evil. President Thomas S. Monson (in a General Conference talk, October 2002) listed some demons: “the Demon of Greed; the Demon of Dishonesty; the Demon of Debt; the Demon of Doubt; the Demon of Drugs; and those twin Demons of Immodesty and Immorality.” We need to avoid these demons at all cost. The greatest assurance we can have is, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In Helaman 15:6, there is a wonderful expression, “striving with unwearied diligence.” Isn’t this the best way to avoid demons and always be worthy of the guidance of the Spirit?
I was astounded by the accuracy of the prophecies of Samuel the Lamanite. In Helaman 13:5, he stated that 400 years would pass away before the sword of justice fell on the Nephites. Then in Helaman 14:2, he declared that it would be five years until the birth of the Saviour. The Book of Mormon Central website has many, many KnoWhy videos explaining interesting facts found in the Book of Mormon scriptures. The following short video explains the precision of time in Samuel’s prophecies.
Lesson 36
“On the Morrow Come I into the World”
“On the Morrow Come I into the World”
3 Nephi 1–7
Chapters 1 to 7 in 3 Nephi make exciting reading. 3
Nephi 1 starts five years after the prophesies of Samuel the Lamanite. There
were many who mocked the faithful and claimed that the time for Samuel’s
prophecies to be fulfilled had passed. In verse
9 we read, “Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers,
that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except
the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.” This
must have been a terrible time for those who had followed the prophets. Nephi,
son of Nephi pleaded with the Lord and, in verse
13 the Lord calmed him by reporting, “on the morrow come I into the world.”
Many people believed and repented of their sins and wickedness.
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| Nephi, son of Nephi |
In the years that followed the signs of Christ’s birth, we
see the cycle of pride and wickedness 4a
fall/needing the Lord’s help 4humility
and repentance/living righteously/being rewarded for righteousness 4and back to pride and
wickedness. The Gadianton Robbers were a constant threat to the safety of the
Nephites and Lamanites. In Chapter 3, Lachoneus, Governor of the Nephites in
Zarahemla received a letter from Giddianhi, the leader of the Gadianton Robbers,
expecting the Nephites and righteous Lamanites who had joined with them, to
become subject to the Gadianton Robbers. Lachoneus brought all the people
together and made sure they were fortified from attack by the Gadianton
Robbers, and appointed Gidgiddoni as the leader of his armies. Many of the
Nephites repented because they knew the Lord would protect them only if they
were obedient. Giddianhi died when the Gadianton Robbers attacked the Nephites.
The sight of his army must have been horrific. In 3 Nephi 4:7, there is a
description,” they had a lamb-skin about their loins, and they were dyed in
blood, and their heads were shorn, and they had head-plates upon them”. Another
leader was appointed by the Gadianton Robbers and this leader, Zemnarihah, was
responsible for an unsuccessful siege of the Nephites and he was later put to
death. Literature in psychology and education today stresses the importance of intrinsic
(internal) motivation over extrinsic (external) motivation. It seems to me that
the ‘righteousness’ of many of the Nephites was externally motivated by the
threat of the Gadianton Robbers and this possibly allowed them to be led back
into unrighteous behaviours once the threat from the Gadiantion band no longer
existed.
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| The Gadianton Robbers |
Lesson 37
“Whosoever Will Come, Him Will I Receive”
“Whosoever Will Come, Him Will I Receive”
3 Nephi 8–11
There is an emotional roller coaster from 3 Nephi 8 to 11.
This starts with disputations and doubts of many Nephites concerning the signs
which Samuel the Lamanite had prophesied would accompany the crucifixion of
Jesus Christ. It is hard to believe that after the people had already witnessed
the signs that accompanied the birth of the Saviour, and been witness to the
strength of the Lord helping them overcome secret combinations, that they could
still doubt that the signs of the crucifixion would be fulfilled. Then, when
the three hours of terror started, I can imagine the panic in the hearts of the
people, especially the unrighteous. I am sure even the righteous were scared. Who
would not have been? Imagine cities being swallowed up and mountains in their
place, cities sinking beneath the sea, cities burned to the ground, whirlwinds,
the earth shaking and tearing apart. I know I would have been petrified and
praying continuously for the Lord’s help. What else could you do? I would be
trying to find my children and wanting them to be safe. Then imagine three days
of total darkness. The only solace in pitch darkness would have been prayer. I
remember once, as a very young student at the Church College of NZ in Temple
View, a terrible storm left the dormitories completely without power. Our dorm
monitor had us climb the stairs, holding on to the railing and holding a hand
of the person in front of us. When we got to the top of the stairwell, we could
see the temple with its lights shining brightly. What comfort and reassurance!
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| The Hamilton, NZ temple lit up at night |
Can you imagine the intense relief and resulting joy when
the veil of darkness was lifted? I love 3
Nephi 10:10, “And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood; and
the mourning, and the weeping, and the wailing of the people who were spared
alive did cease; and their mourning was turned into joy, and their lamentations
into the praise and thanksgiving unto the Lord Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.” The
voice of Heavenly Father was heard three times before it was understood.
Perhaps many were still in shock over death, destruction, fear, and loss. It
must have taken a while before their ears were opened enough to truly hear
Then the ultimate experience was seeing the Lord descending
from heaven. They were told, “thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye
may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet,” (3
Nephi 11:14) as a witness that He was truly the Saviour of the world. With
Nephi, I would have fallen to the ground and kissed the feet of the Master (3
Nephi 11:19).
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| Jesus Christ speaking to the righteous survivors |
Why do I feel so emotional when I read these chapters? I
know that this will happen again. At the Second Coming many will be destroyed
and the Lord will once again show Himself to His people. The fear of the Last
Days will be conquered through hope in Christ and this hope will only be given
to the righteous. As to whether or not I want to remain obedient and follow the
counsel of our leaders, there can be no doubt. I hope I will be ready when the
time comes.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: "'Come,' [Christ] says
lovingly. 'Come, follow me.' Wherever you are going, first come and see what I
do, see where and how I spend my time. Learn of me, walk with me, talk with me,
believe. Listen to me pray. In turn you will find answers to your own prayers. God
will bring rest to your souls. Come, follow me." (Ensign, Nov 1997, p. 65)
Lesson 38
“Old Things Are Done Away, and All Things Have Become New”
“Old Things Are Done Away, and All Things Have Become New”
3 Nephi 12–15
What gentle, beautiful scriptures and what an idyllic,
inspiring teaching session with the Master. In 3 Nephi 12 to 14 we learn wonderful
things that were previously taught by the Saviour during his sojourn on earth.
The principles Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount are repeated here, but
there are clarifications that explain and expound important doctrines.
This can be seen in the Beatitudes. There are some minor differences,
but they make the meaning so much clearer. See the chart below from Brother
Bill Beardall’s Gospel Doctrine class.
The
Beatitudes: A Comparison
Differences in italics |
|
3
Nephi 12
|
Matthew
5
|
3 Yea,
blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.
|
3 Blessed are the
poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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4 And again,
blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
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4 Blessed are they
that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
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5 And blessed
are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
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5 Blessed are the
meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
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6 And blessed
are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness,
for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.
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6 Blessed are they
which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
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7 And blessed
are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
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7 Blessed are the
merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
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8 And blessed
are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
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8 Blessed are the
pure in heart: for they shall see God.
|
9 And blessed
are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
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9 Blessed are the
peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
|
10 And blessed
are all they who are persecuted for my
name's sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
|
10 Blessed are they
which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
|
11 And blessed
are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely, for my sake;
|
11 Blessed are ye,
when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely, for my sake.
|
12 For ye
shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall
be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who
were before you.
|
12 Rejoice, and be
exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they
the prophets which were before you.
|
Brother Daniel Ludlow, in A companion to your study of
the Book of Mormon said, "This more complete version of the sermon
changes the entire emphasis of the Beatitudes. Here the Saviour is not saying
'you are more blessed if you mourn than if you do not mourn,' but he is saying
'If you are called upon to mourn, then you are blessed if you come unto me, and
are baptised, receive the Holy Ghost, etc.' Thus, if you do truly hunger and
thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled 'with the Holy Ghost’…It is
also of interest to note that each of the Beatitudes in the Book of Mormon
begins with the coordinating conjunction 'and,' which helps to relate them back
to the introductory statement" (p. 263).
There are so many scriptures in these chapters that speak to
me personally, I have chosen just four on which to comment. Firstly, in 3
Nephi 13: 19-21, we read, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal; But lay
up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your
treasure is, there will your heart be also.” I often look around my house in
despair. There is so much work that needs to be done but I do not have the
money or the expertise to make it happen. I see how the guttering and roof need
repair as they have deteriorated over the years. I hear the pipes groaning,
from years of wear and tear. But then, I look at my children and I read the
scriptures, and I realise the roof, the guttering, and the pipes do not hold
that much value to me. The roof keeps me dry, rain runs along the guttering,
and water is delivered via the pipes. They may not be ‘flash’ but they still
function. Whatever principle of intelligence I attain in this life, will rise
with me in the resurrection (D&C
130:18). The scriptures cannot wait. My children are already adults. They
need my guidance now, more than ever. The gospel and my family are my
treasures.
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| Also 3 Nephi 13:20-21 |
The next scripture is 3
Nephi 13:28, which reads, “And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider
the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.” I
try to dress appropriately and modestly but I have never considered myself
beautiful. I have never tried to buy clothing that impresses with its cost or
its label. I find little value in outward beauty. I want to develop my inner beauty
and shine with the light of the gospel.
In 3
Nephi 14: 24-27 we read the parable of the foolish man who built his house
upon the sand and the wise man who built his house upon the rock. It is clear
which house will stand when the storms descend. My house needs to be built on
the rock of the Redeemer.
The last scripture I will mention is in 3
Nephi 15:9. This reads, “Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me,
and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end
will I give eternal life.” My Saviour and Redeemer has asked me to look to Him,
to follow Him, and to endure to the end. This is my goal.
Lesson 39
“Behold, My Joy Is Full”
“Behold, My Joy Is Full”
3 Nephi 17–19
In 3
Nephi 17:1-3 we learn what we need to do in order to understand the word and
the will of the Lord. We need to ‘liken the scriptures’ to ourselves. We need
to do three things: firstly, go into our homes where we can be quiet and safe;
secondly, ponder what we hear and read in our hearts; and, thirdly, pray for
understanding. In Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, we gain an insight. Joseph stated, "The things of God are of
deep import; and...careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find
them." In a similar vein, in the April 1946 General Conference, President
David O. McKay stated, "Meditation
is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the
presence of the Lord." The best way for me to ponder on the scriptures is
to write about them. This is the reason I write in this blog. I find it spiritually challenging to have to ponder and pray about the scriptures I read, apply them to myself, and allow the Spirit to help my understanding grow.
I loved the words of Brother Bill Beardall (Gospel Doctrine Class) in his commentary
on avoiding the snares of Satan (3
Nephi 18:15; 18).
He suggested, “Be constantly alert. We never know when or how Satan will launch
his next attack. Combined with prayer, we have an early warning system that
will enable us to avoid being ‘led away captive’.” Prayer is the greatest
comfort to me. I know the Lord listens to me and I know I receive answers to my
prayers. I find it important to pray at odd times during the day, whenever I
need guidance or whenever I cannot sort out a problem without help. As we
continue to face the harsh reality of life, we need to be cautious, watchful,
and prayerful.
3
Nephi 19 provides us with a visual witness of why we can have faith in the
apostles and prophets. This was the second day of Christ’s visit and the number
who attended was so great that they had to be split into 12 groups, each with
one of the 12 chosen by the Lord Himself. The apostles prayed for their
greatest desire, which was to have the Holy Ghost (3
Nephi 19: 9). In verses
10 to 12, those who had been chosen were baptised and in verses
13-14, filled with the Holy Ghost as if with fire. In verse
19, the Lord commanded the disciples to pray and then He prayed with them. The
words of the Lord’s prayer are recorded in 3
Nephi 19:20-21: “Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost
unto these whom I have chosen; and it is because of their belief in me that I
have chosen them out of the world. Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the
Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words.” This is a message
for us. We need to believe in the words of our prophets and apostles.
As the
disciples continued to pray, we read the most awesome verse, 3
Nephi 19:25, which states, “Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him;
and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine
upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the
garments of Jesus”. How unforgettable and how inspiring must this scene have
been. It took place a second time in verse
30. We have a special General Conference session in a few weeks. Imagine if
we could see this scene with our current general authorities. Would any of us
doubt that they were the Lord’s anointed? Perhaps if we approach the conference
sessions with spiritual ears and spiritual eyes, we would be able to receive
the confirmation that must have been in the hearts of the righteous on this
second visit from the Lord.
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| President Nelson with the apostles - the dedication of the Rome temple |
Lesson 40
“Then Will I Gather Them In”
3 Nephi 16; 3 Nephi 20–21
In 3
Nephi 15:21 we read, “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them
also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd." Again, in 3
Nephi 16:1, we read, “I have other sheep, which are not of this land”. The
following short YouTube video from KnoWhy (Book of Mormon Central) discusses
these ‘other sheep’.
In order to understand the scattering and the gathering of
Israel, it is important to define who is the house of Israel and who are the
Gentiles. In Isaiah for Airheads, Brother John Bytheway explains the
meaning of the house of Israel. God made a covenant with Abraham that his seed
were to hold the Priesthood and carry the message of the gospel to the world,
and that through them the world would be blessed. Abraham’s son was Isaac, and Isaac’s
son was Jacob. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel and his descendants are the house
of Israel. We become members of the house of Israel when we join the Lord’s Church.
The word Gentiles generally refers to non-Israelites or non-members of the
church.
A wonderful summary of the scattering and gathering of
Israel was given in a conference talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson (in the Quorum
of the Twelve at the time) in April, 2010. This explanation is in the YouTube
clip below.
The restoration of the gospel through the Prophet Joseph
Smith was the beginning of the time for the fullness of the gospel to be taken
to the Gentile nations. This will culminate in the Second Coming of Jesus
Christ. One scripture which seems a little harsh but difficult to interpret is
in 3
Nephi 20:16, which reads, “…ye shall be among them as a lion among the
beasts of the forest, and as a young lion among the flocks of sheep, who, if he
goeth through both treadeth down and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.”
This same image is used in 3
Nephi 21:12. In Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon (McConkie,
Millet, & Top, 1993) spoke about the remnant of the house of Israel who can
withstand the evils and sin of the majority of the Gentiles. “It will be as
though the remnant of Israel overthrew their enemies as a young lion among the
flocks of sheep” (p. 112).
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| Artists renditions of the two Jerusalems |
Lesson 41
“He Did Expound All Things unto Them”
“He Did Expound All Things unto Them”
3 Nephi 22–26
In 3
Nephi 22 we witness the greatness of the prophet Isaiah. The Lord Himself
quotes the words of Isaiah. In 3
Nephi 23:1-2 he told the people to not just read but ‘search’ the words of Isaiah.
In Isaiah for Airheads, Brother John Bytheway provides us with four
reasons why we should search Isaiah’s words.
1.
Form: Isaiah was a master of the Hebrew
language, like the Shakespeare of the ancient Jewish world. His words have
beauty and power.
2.
Span: Isaiah’s words cover the span of
human existence, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. He was a marvellous
narrator and told the story of the Plan of Salvation in a remarkably memorable
way.
3.
Detail: In a single verse, Isaiah could
prophecy of multiple events in different periods of time. Brother Bytheway cites
Brother Robert J. Matthews who described this ability as ‘pattern prophecies,’
which can encompass events in different ages and among different people but
still fit a pattern.
4.
Testimony: The scriptural account of
Isaiah’s cleansing is great. The Lord stated, in 3
Nephi 23:3, “And all things that he spake have been and shall be, even
according to the words which he spake.”
The following YouTube video from KnoWhy (Book of
Mormon Central) provide further evidence for the greatness of the words of
Isaiah.
One of my favourite gospel principles is covered in 3
Nephi 24:8-10, the principle of tithing. I have a strong testimony of the
blessings of paying tithing. I have never hesitated to pay tithing as that
money is not mine. It is the Lord’s money and I am not a thief! I watched the
old movie, Windows of Heaven, first made by BYU Productions in 1963 and
then re-released in1979. I loved it as much this time as I did when I watched
it as a child. It can be found on YouTube (see below).
 |
| Malachi |
In 3
Nephi 24 and 25
we hear the words of Malachi
(chapters 3 and 4).
These chapters are full of eternal blessings promised to those who are
righteous. The righteous need to revere the name of the Lord in order to have
their names written in ‘a book of remembrance’ and to be spared (3
Nephi 24:16-17). In 3
Nephi 25:5-6, we read, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before
the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; And he shall turn the
heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their
fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” My mother invested her
time and energy into family history for over fifty years, so I am a witness to
the fact that Elijah has restored this passion for genealogy to the earth. The messages
in these chapters are so critical that they were delivered to the Prophet
Joseph Smith, when he was being instructed by the Angel Moroni.
 |
| Elijah appearing to the Prophet Joseph Smith & Oliver Cowdery |
In 3
Nephi 26:14, we learn that after all the miracles that Jesus performed with
the righteous in the Americas, He blessed the children once again. “He did loose
their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous
things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; and he loosed their
tongues that they could utter.” Then, in verse
16 we read that on the following day, “even babes did open their mouths and
utter marvelous things; and the things which they did utter were forbidden that
there should not any man write them.” The veil that was thin for the young ones
must have been dropped and they must have seen and spoken of things that were
eternal and magnificent. What an incredible experience that must have been!
 |
| The veil is thin |
Lesson 42
“This Is My Gospel”
“This Is My Gospel”
3 Nephi 27–30; 4 Nephi
There is a great scripture in 3
Nephi 27:6, that states, “And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth
to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.” This made me think about
the covenants I renew when I partake of the Sacrament every Sunday. I promise
to always remember Him and to keep His commandments. The Sacrament allows me to
renew not just my covenants, but my Spirit and determination to live them.
In 3
Nephi 27, the 12 disciples of Christ fasted and prayed for the Lord’s
guidance. When He appeared to them, they asked Him about the name of the church,
as this had been debated by those who had entered the waters of baptism. In
reply, Christ delivered the same answer three times. In 3
Nephi 27:4-5 He stated, “Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye
must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name?” Then again, in 3
Nephi 27:7 He answered, “Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it
in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name.” The once again, in 3
Nephi 27:8 He said, “...if it be called in my name then it is my church, if
it so be that they are built upon my gospel.” In the October 2018 General
Conference, President Russell M. Nelson stated categorically, “I did this
because the Lord impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He decreed
for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” There
can be no doubt. We are not Mormons. The term Mormon brings with it a lot of
break-off, polygamous groups, even cults, who are included in the ‘umbrella’
term Mormon. I noticed this particularly in November 2019, when nine American
citizens, including children, were killed by a Mexican drug cartel after being
ambushed. The news labelled them as a Mormon family. The reality was they did
not belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were from
Le Mora, a small community in Sonora state, where they have lived for a very
long time. The early leaders of La Mora were excommunicated from the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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| LeBaron, home to La Mora |
4
Nephi is a remarkable chapter. It starts with a description of the state of
the united people living on the American continent. All Nephites and Lamanites
had been converted following the visit of Jesus Christ and the proselyting of the
disciples. They had no ‘contentions and disputations’. In verse
16 it states that “there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor
whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness.” Can you
imagine how wonderful it would be to live in a society such as this? The key to
the peace and joy in their society is recorded in verse
15, “because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.”
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| The scriptures help us keep God's love in out hearts |
Unfortunately, after two hundred years had passed, the
people started to feel pride in their riches and their achievements. Brother
Bill Beardall, in his Gospel Doctrine Class
outlined the pattern of decline of the people.
A group of Nephites revolted from the Church and called
themselves Lamanites (verse
20).
- The people became proud of their exceeding prosperity and began wearing costly clothing and adornments (verse 24).
- The law of consecration was abandoned (verse 25).
- The people began to be divided into social classes (verse 26).
- False churches were organized to get gain (verses 26-28).
- Followers of the true church were persecuted (verses 29-34).
- There was a great division among the people (verses 35-38).
- The children were taught to reject the truths of the gospel (verses 38-39).
- The wicked became more numerous than the righteous (verse 40).
- Secret oaths and combinations were started again (verse 42).
- The righteous people began to be proud and seek the things of the world (verses 43-45).
- The Gadianton conspiracy overran the whole land (verse 46).
This pattern has been repeated so often, not just in the
Book of Mormon, but in world history. We need to be obedient, humble, receptive
to the Spirit, listen to our leaders, study the scriptures, and pray
continuously. Only then will we be able to endure until the Second Coming.
Lesson 43
“How Could Ye Have Departed from the Ways of the Lord?”
“How Could Ye Have Departed from the Ways of the Lord?”
Mormon 1–6; Moroni 9
I found these scriptures incredibly sad. My heart went out
to Mormon. He must have been very, very special, even as a child. Ammaron
visited the child Mormon, when he was only ten years old. He said, in Mormon
1:2,“I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe.” As
Brother John Bytheway pointed out, in Heroes: Lessons from the Book of
Mormon, this cannot be said about most ten-year-old boys! In Mormon
1:15, we hear about young Mormon at the tender age of 15 years old. We
read, “being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lord, and
tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus.” As did the young Prophet Joseph
Smith, Mormon was visited by the Lord Himself. Then, at 16 years of age, Mormon
was made head of the Nephite army (Mormon
2:2). What an exceptional young man he must have been.
 |
| Young Mormon |
In Mormon
2:10, it appeared as if the Nephites had started to “repent of their iniquity”,
as their loud cries could be heard. The verse continues, “behold no man could keep
that which was his own, for the thieves, and the robbers, and the murderers,
and the magic art, and the witchcraft which was in the land”. How terrifying
for the people. Yet, Mormon was disappointed that this was not true repentance.
He explains this in verses
13 and 14,
“But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance,
because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned,
because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin. And
they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they
did curse God, and wish to die.” This is something we see so often in the world
today. People sin and are caught. It is being caught that leads them to regret
the sin, not knowing that the sin itself is wrong. Yet, Mormon was clear that
true repentance required a broken heart and a contrite spirit. There is and can
never be ‘happiness in sin’.
Mormon reached a point where he did “utterly refuse” to lead
the Nephite army because of their wickedness and boasting in their own strength
(Mormon
3:11). Verse
12 reveals Mormon’s great love and great sadness, “Behold, I had led them,
notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had
loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart;
and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for
them; nevertheless, it was without faith, because of the hardness of their
hearts.” Mormon sees the fighting deteriorate, until in Mormon 4:11, he states,
“And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect
description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the
people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was
hardened, so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually.”
 |
| Mormon with his letter to the Lamanite King |
Brother Bill Beardall, in his Gospel Doctrine Class
states, “[Mormon] loved his people and even though he felt it was hopeless, his
loyalty to the nation was such that he once again took up command to assist the
Nephites.” At Mormon’s request, the Lamanites allowed the Nephite armies to
gather in the land of Cumorah, to contend “the last struggle” between the Nephites
and Lamanites (Mormon 6:6). Mormon, who was now getting on in years, hid the
plates in the Hill Cumorah, except for the abridged record that he handed over
to his son Moroni. “In fearful anticipation and finally horrible realization,
Mormon and Moroni fought as the remaining Nephite men, women, and children fell
before the oncoming armies of the Lamanites. Mormon himself fell wounded, but
his life, for a time, was spared as the Lamanite armies swept on. Only he,
Moroni, and twenty-two other Nephites remained; 230,000 of their nation had
fallen” (From Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Mormon: The Man and the Book, Part 1,
Ensign Mar. 1978).
 |
| The final battle |
For his entire life, 73 years, he saw and experienced
nothing but war and death. In Mormon’s letter to his son Moroni (Moroni
9:7-10), the scenes Mormon describes the most evil horror scenes that could
ever be imagined: rape, cannibalism, and unimaginable cruelty. It is a
testament to Mormon’s love for the Lord and the goodness of his heart, that he
survived these truly terrible things that he witnessed over such a long period
of time. Yet, he still managed to write about things like ‘charity’ being the ‘pure
love of Christ’ (Moroni
7:47).
Lesson 44
“I Speak Unto You As If Ye Were Present”
“I Speak Unto You As If Ye Were Present”
Mormon 7–9
There is an important message in Mormon 9. Moroni states, “Behold,
I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just
God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to
dwell with the damned souls in hell. For behold, when ye shall be brought to
see your nakedness before God, and also the glory of God, and the holiness of
Jesus Christ, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire upon you” (verses 4-5).
Later in verse 29, Moroni provides cautions about not being baptised unworthily
or partaking of the Sacrament unworthily, but we must “do all things in worthiness.”
I see these as connected ideas. We are told of the importance of worthiness and
that we will only be comfortable being in the presence of the Lord if we are
worthy. We need to be worthy now, keep our worthiness to the end, and present
ourselves in worthiness before the Lord. Imagine the brilliance and purity of
the Lord. No matter how hard I try, I struggle to see myself as truly worthy of
being in His presence. I need to make every effort, so that I can fall at His
feet in reverence and gratitude.
In Mormon 8 we learn that Mormon has died, and his son
Moroni has taken over writing on the plates. In this chapter, Moroni has lost
everyone: his father, his kinsfolk, and friends. All the “Nephites that had
escaped to the south country were hunted by the Lamanites until they were all
killed” (Mormon 8:2). Moroni had few resources and no ore to create extra plates
on which to write. He describes himself as all ‘alone’. How incredibly sad.
What a difficult situation to endure. Moroni states that the Lamanites attacked
each other, once all the Nephites had been slain. I question whether
I could survive, like Moroni, if I was completely alone and hunted by enemies
who wanted to kill me. I could not maintain the faith and courage that Moroni displayed under these conditions. Yet, I do need survival skills. The world we live in today is not easy. Satan has a firm grasp on the hearts of many people, groups, and even governments. It will take faith and courage to grasp the Iron Rod and endure to the end. I need to have strong faith and be obedient.
Moroni bids the first of three farewells in Mormon 8. He
writes a further farewell in Ether 12, and a third in the book of Moroni. It is
interesting to consider why he repeated these farewells. A short video from KnoWhy
(Book of Mormon Central) provides a clear explanation (see below).
Lesson 45
“Never Has Man Believed in Me As Thou Hast”
“Never Has Man Believed in Me As Thou Hast”
Ether 1–6
Oh, for the faith of the Brother of Jared! We learn so much
from the events that start the story of the Jaredites in Ether
1-6. The Brother of Jared, Mahonri Moriancumer, cried to preserve the language
of his family, Jared’s family, and their immediate friends (Ether
1:34). His prayer was answered. He then cried to the Lord to have
compassion upon the group (Ether
1:36) and again his prayer was answered. He further prayed that they would
be led to a choice land (Ether
1:38) and the Lord gave him instructions, “Go to and gather together thy flocks,
both male and female, of every kind; and also of the seed of the earth of every
kind; and thy families; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and also thy
friends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families. And
when thou hast done this thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley
which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into
a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth” (verses
40 and 41).
 |
| The pillar of cloud |
Imagine that answer, the Lord himself would lead them. “And it
came to pass that the Lord did go before them, and did talk with them as he
stood in a cloud, and gave directions whither they should travel” (Ether
2:5). This reminded me of the Biblical account of the journey of the
children of Israel, where a pillar of cloud hovered over the camp by day and
went before them when they were to travel to the next stopping place. At night
it became a pillar of fire over the tabernacle (Exodus
13:21-22).
The Lord instructed the Brother of Jared to build barges and
gave him specific instructions for the way the barges were to be constructed.
They were to be “exceedingly tight” (Ether 2:17), with ‘peaked ends’, ‘the
length of a tree’, with a hole in the top and a hole in the bottom that could
be closed tightly. The barges sound like early submarines!
 |
| President Harold B. Lee |
The problem was how to light the barges. The Brother of
Jared went to the Lord with this problem. He went to the Lord with a righteous
request and asked with great faith. President Harold B. Lee stated, “It was as
though the Lord were saying to [the brother of Jared], 'Look, I gave you a mind
to think with, and I gave you agency to use it.
Now you do all you can to help yourself with this problem; and then,
after you've done all you can, I'll step in to help you'” (Stand Ye in Holy
Places, p. 243). And, in the November 1997 Ensign, Elder Russell M. Nelson
stated that he has often heard President Gordon B. Hinckley say, "I don't
know how to get anything done except getting on my knees and pleading for help
and then getting on my feet and going to work" (p. 16).
The Brother of Jared did just that. He went and shaped stones
and presented them to the Lord to light. This is like Noah’s Ark being lit with
lighted stones, an event which must have been known to the Brother of Jared
(see the KnoWhy video from Book of Mormon Central below).
 |
| The Brother of Jared sees the Lord's finger |
 |
| Elder Jeffrey R. Holland |
It is important for me to remember that I can gain knowledge
by following the example of the Brother of Jared. If I exercise faith, cast
away any ‘unbelief’ and call upon the Father with a broken heart and a contrite
spirit, I will receive knowledge. I love the words of President Jeffrey R.
Holland, who said, “God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your
prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you
don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t
believe” (from https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-holland_terror-triumph-wedding-feast/).
Looking both at this scripture and ahead to the rest of the
story of the Jaredites, Brother John Bytheway presented Ether as a “mini Book
of Mormon” (Gospel
Doctrine Preparation). The following is from Brother Bytheway.
Over the years
of teaching the Book of Ether, my students and I have compiled a list of how
the Book of Mormon as a whole and the Book of Ether individually are similar
witnesses:
The Book of
Ether is a second witness of Jesus Christ:
- Numerous Book of Mormon prophets saw the Saviour
- The Brother of Jared saw the Saviour
The Book of
Ether is a second witness for how nations fall as a result of rejecting Christ:
- Jaredites and Nephites both experienced the pride cycle
- Jaredites were told to serve God or be “swept off;” Nephites were told to keep the commandments and “prosper in the land”
- Secret combinations destroyed both civilizations
- Wicked kings eventually lead to captivity in both civilizations
- The Lord in His mercy sent prophets to the wicked in both civilizations
- The Lord also used famines to bring repentance in both civilizations
- The land was cursed in both civilizations when people set their hearts on their possessions
- Both Moroni and Ether say in the end, “It mattereth not” what happens to me.
Lesson 46
“By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”
Ether 7–15
After reading about the total destruction of the Nephites,
reading about the destruction of the Jaredites was deeply disturbing. The Lord
specifically said that America was a choice land and that those who are
obedient will prosper while those who are disobedient will be destroyed. In the
Book
of Mormon Teacher Resource Manual (2004) it states, “The Jaredites
experienced many of the same successes and failures as the Nephites and
Lamanites. They were blessed when they were obedient and were punished when
disobedient. They prospered under righteous kings and suffered under wicked
ones. Prophets in their midst foretold their utter destruction if they refused
to repent. These prophets were often rejected and killed. The people built up
secret combinations according to the ancient oaths, which led to their
destruction. Eventually they were destroyed by civil war.”
 |
| Jaredite battle |
It is terrifying to look at the state of America today under
the leadership of Donald Trump. Trump is not a righteous leader. He supports
money-makers in industry at the expense of the American people. He trumpets his
own righteousness yet is a bigoted, ignorant, and untrustworthy individual. An
FBI report from 2019 found that under Trump, hate crimes had reached a 16-year
high, with particularly high levels for the disabled and transgender groups (Axios.com).
The current crisis with the Coronavirus has seen how Trump has failed the
American people. Every single test for the virus costs over $900 (here in NZ,
the test is free). Just today, Trump has said that businesses should operate as
usual despite the virus, while those around him are encouraging regulations to
flatten the curve. Trump even tried to buy a company that was testing a virus
vaccine. Is he thinking this would be a good way to make money? But Trump is
not the only problem.
The Jaredites, like the Nephites, suffered with secret
combinations that led people from the truth, encouraged lawlessness, and led to
the destruction of society. There is a problem with these same organisations
world-wide. The biggest gangs, crime families, and drug dealers, lead many from
the truth. Particularly in the US, the network of industrial giants represented
in politics reeks from the stink of financial intrigue. Then there are terrorist
groups and cults. What a mess the world is in! We are so fortunate to have the
gospel to guide us through these troubled times.
I love the book Prophecy Checklist by Norma Pyper
Mitchell. She draws together the prophesies of the ancient Biblical and Book of
Mormon prophets with the prophesies of many of the prophets and general authorities
from this dispensation. Joseph Smith saw the bloodshed on the American
continent in our days from pestilence, famine, and earthquakes. Orson Pratt
described the fighting between neighbourhoods, cities, counties, and states,
and Joseph Smith prophesied the US government’s overthrow. This all reminds me
of the experiences of the Nephites and the Jaredites. What dire warnings for a
country so corrupt from the top down. The only hope for the people lies with
the Priesthood.
There was a very interesting verse in Ether
9: 19. It reads, “And they also had horses, and asses, and there were
elephants and cureloms and cumoms; all of which were useful unto man.” There
has been a lot of debate about these three animals, particularly the last two.
I am fascinated and cannot wait to find out more about them as more truth is
revealed. Just because an animal is not known to us currently, it dies not mean
it never existed. When I look at some of the endangered animals today, there
are many that defy the normal names given to their species. See the picture
below. Do these animals look familiar? And, check out some of the strange bones
that have been found in southern USA and the mid-Americas. The second set of photos
is from Texas Memorial Museum showing bones that were unearthed in the local
area. Were any of these cureloms and cumoms?
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| Saiga antelope (left) & Kashmir musk deer (right) |
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| Fossil remains - Texas Memorial Museum |
In Ether
12 we read about faith. We know the brother of Jared had so much faith that
he saw the finger of the Lord and the Lord could not withhold anything from his
sight. In verse
30 we read that “the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove—and
it was removed.” The kind of faith that moves mountains is rare but there have
been many experiences where those of great faith have performed miracles. Check
out the
story of Opapo and the power of his faith. To protect their beloved
chapel from a raging fire, he commanded the wind to change direction and it
did.
There are two scriptures that I love. The first is in Ether
12:27, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give
unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all
men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me,
and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” As
one who often feels weak, I know I can be strong with the help of the Holy
Ghost.
And, the second is in Ether
13:12, “…there are they who were first, who shall be last; and there are
they who were last, who shall be first.” What does this scripture mean to me? To
me ‘the first’ are those who consider themselves superior for one reason or the
other, yet they reject the Lord and are disobedient. ‘The last’ are those who
live the gospel in humility and gratitude. I want to be counted in ‘the last’
category.
Lesson 47
"To Keep Them in The Right Way"
"To Keep Them in The Right Way"
Moroni 1-6
Moroni
1 is Moroni’s preface to his own book. He describes his life and his reason
for writing. In Moroni
1:3, we read, “…wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of
mine own life.” We are in Day 5 of a lock-down due to the Coronavirus. It is
easy to moan about not having the freedom of movement we once had and having limited
contact with family and friends. We are, indeed, fortunate! Moroni had no
contact of any sort with any other human being. He faced the risk of death
every day because he knew he could never deny Christ. Despite seeing the
ferocity of the Lamanites in killing each other, he was still concerned that he
could write something that would benefit his Lamanite brethren at some future
time.
The following five chapters all deal with procedures and
practices followed by the church at the time of Moroni. This included the
laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, priesthood ordinations, the
blessing and passing of the sacrament, and the conduct of church meetings.
Brother Bill Beardall (Gospel Doctrine, Lesson 47) said, “Though brief,
these chapters in Moroni are a witness to the unchanging nature of the gospel.”
It always strengthens my testimony to see the truth in action in the past as it
is in the present.
 |
| Priesthood ordinances |
One thing I really miss about not being able to attend
weekly meetings at the chapel is the ordinance of the sacrament. I love the
sacrament hymns and the opportunity to renew my covenants. Now, during
lock-down, I still love listening to the sacrament hymns and contemplating the
words and what they mean to me. In Moroni
4:3 we read the words of the blessing on the bread. Part of this prayer is,
“that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son…that they are willing
to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his
commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to
be with them.” And, in Moroni
5:2, the words of the blessing on the water include, “that they may witness
unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that
they may have his Spirit to be with them.” The act or remembrance is an
essential part of living the gospel. We must always remember our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. We are blessed with so many wonderful church songs, apart
from the sacrament hymns, that can make the Saviour foremost in our minds and
hearts. Two of my favourites appear below.
 |
| President Gordon B. Hinckley |
An important scripture is found in Moroni
6:4. It reads, “And after they had been received unto baptism, and were
wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered
among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they
might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the
right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon
the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.” We
have a responsibility to fellowship new members. President Gordon B. Hinckley
stated, “"With the ever-increasing number of converts, we must make an
increasingly substantial effort to assist them as they find their way. Every one of them needs three things: a
friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with 'the good word of God' (Ensign,
May 1997, p. 47). We need to be that friend. And, in times such as these when
we are required to self-isolate and remain within our ‘bubbles’, we still have
a responsibility. This is where we can make social media work for us. We can
send a friendly message through Messenger or post directly to our timeline,
words of encouragement and inspiration. How about sending an email asking how our
new friend is coping? We can share an uplifting link or a memorable story.
Lesson 48
“Come unto Christ”
The final few chapters in Moroni contain quotes from a sermon
given by Moroni, Letters from Mormon to Moroni, and Moroni’s final farewell. Mormon’s
sermon includes doctrinal guidance on some incredibly important topics: being ‘peaceful
followers of Christ’ (vs.
3-4); purifying our motives for doing good (vs.
6-9); how to discern good from evil (vs.
12-19); and the importance of faith, hope, and charity (vs.
21-48).
There are three things I need in my life right now. The
first is faith. In Moroni
7:25, we read “by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing.” Faith
provides us with the answer to prayers, personal revelation, and permits
miracles to occur in our lives. I have received direct answers to prayer and
witnessed miracles throughout my life. Faith is the most important thing for me
currently. I need to exercise faith that the Lord will protect us through this
pandemic and the faith to follow the guidance of our Prophet Russell M. Nelson,
as he leads us through this troubled time.
The faith that I have will allow me to hope for the future.
In Moroni
7: 40 it states, “I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye
can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?” and then in verse
42, “Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without
faith there cannot be any hope.” Since the start of Covid 19, I have seen faith
and hope in so many posts from members of the church on social media. There has
been an outpouring of faith, hope, and charity. Members reaching out to each
other over the Internet, missionaries continuing the work of sharing the
gospel, and friends connecting with words of support and encouragement. The
world-wide fast today was a symbol of the faith and hope of members around the
world.
The second most memorable scripture from the Book of Mormon
is in Mormon’s sermon. “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth
forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well
with him” (Moroni
7:47). Charity is the love that Christ manifested in the Garden of
Gethsemane when blood replaced tears and He suffered for our sins, our pain,
and made it possible for us to repent and prepare ourselves to once again meet Him
and our beloved Heavenly Father. I have always felt loved and valued. I find it
easy to love others. This is my greatest blessing. I want to earn the love of
my Saviour.
The most memorable scripture must be the promise of the Book
of Mormon. As with all things connected to the gospel, we can prove for
ourselves that the Book of Mormon is true. “And when ye shall receive these
things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the
name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere
heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of
it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost
ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni
10:4-5).
I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have tested
this for myself. I have studied it, prayed about it, and I know with every
fibre of my being that it is, indeed, the word of God. It has taught me more
about my Saviour. I know my Saviour lives. I know He loves me. I love the
gospel. I am deeply grateful for a wonderful family, for my calling, for the
temple, and for modern-day revelation and personal revelation. I have faith and
I have hope.
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