The ‘war chapters’ – not so irrelevant as you might think. In considering Alma 43-63, I was hit hard with the repeated similarities between the circumstances among the Nephites and those in our societies right now. There are excellent spiritual-only lessons to learn from these chapters, and we’re pretty well-versed in them, I think. These … Continue reading Freedom! Lessons from the ‘war chapters’ for our time
Alma 23:28 describes a linked process between reception of the Holy Spirit and the attributes of godliness. Alma exhorts to, first, humble ourselves before God, then pray to Him, and be alert to temptation and our own weakness or preparation. This brings the influence of the Holy Spirit to us, makes us aware of that … Continue reading How the Holy Spirit changes our desires (and why the Gift of His assistance is essential to salvation)
Briefly Second Nephi, with Terryl Givens – Maxwell Institute podcast I’ve been listening to/reading this podcast tonight, because I really like Second Nephi (and am looking forward to the next episode, about Jacob, which I also really like). In this, Terryl Givens, from the Neal A. Maxwell Institute, gives a fascinating introduction to what he … Continue reading The everlasting covenant and promised lands that keep moving
I understand that this title is black-and-white. Most people are not one thing or the other (whatever thing it is), but bits of both. For Laman & Lemuel, they were also not wholly one thing, but were very close to it, from the evidence we have. I think they also developed through the years of … Continue reading Laman & Lemuel: regular guys with problems, or wicked, obtuse bullies?
Laman and Lemuel constantly relied on others’ knowledge of spiritual things. So they never had enough to keep them consistently humble or righteous – to bind them to God, and allow their better natures to grow and win. Continue reading Borrowed light
Peaceable Treasures 