Category: Scripture Notes
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Legitimate provocation
We think of the Lamanites as being in the wrong against the people of Limhi but we have to remember that they had a very real cause to be angry even if they mistakenly directed it at the wrong people. By the time the two groups understood what had taken place they then had more…
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Sacred time and space
In the thicker of trees near the waters of Mormon Alma had the time and space to repent, study and ponder so that he could lead people to Christ. I wonder if he had more than his memory of the words of Abinadi for reference material in that process. If not, he must have had…
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Contradictions
It’s funny that the people complained to Moses that he had brought them to a place without seed, figs, vines, or pomegranates after they had rejected the land overflowing with all such good things. The story of Balaam could have been a cautionary tale for Joseph Smith. Both were engaged by men to go beyond…
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Feeling like Moses
I can relate to Moses here, both doing everything he could for his people only to have them say “give us more/better/different, it is not good enough for us” and also for Moses to complain “Lord, this burden is too great for me to bare. I didn’t ask to lead such a troop as this.…
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Ego and control
It’s sad how easily people with large who’s can be controlled by simply appealing to their ego. When king Noah was ready to let Abinadi go because he feared the judgements that Abinadi warned of his priests quickly got him to change his mind by reminding him that Abinadi had been less than flattering to…
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A direct appeal
This lady earning from Abinadi about those who would not hearken and could not be saved was meant as a warning to those protests who have been taught—by Abinadi himself let alone any other time—and if they will harden their hearts they have refused salvation.
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The founder of peace
I’m sure that Abinadi was just itching to testify of Christ as soon as the question was asked about “how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of them who publish peace.” The original question was meant to justify an “all is well in Zion” ministry but Abinadi responded with a “God is merciful to…
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Specifics of the law
I didn’t realize that there was a prohibition against tattoos in Leviticus. More importantly, I love how the Lord makes provision for the poor in small ways like requiring that people leave the corners and the gleaning of their fields to the poor, widows, and fatherless. In a society that conscientiously makes space for the…
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A willing offering
Moses told the people what materials were needed but the people brought only what they were willing to give whether gold, silver, precious stones, cloth, or skilled labor. Note that the willing offerings were more than enough to accomplish the work of the Lord. The Lord can take what His people willingly offer and accomplish…
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A student of students
An effective teacher (especially where the gospel of Christ is concerned) begins as a student studying those they teach first—coming to know, understand and love them—before being an instructor.