Category: Scripture Notes
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Invitation vs Command
There always seems to be a balance between the pull of open invitations – such as the invitation to hear the word of God out to receive baptism – and commands among the people of the Lord. The church makes no command for those who are outside the covenant and the commands for those in…
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A consistent pattern
Those who will happen to the voice of the good Shepherd may have hope in Christ. Alma heard Abinadi and harkened. Others heard sons and harkened. In every case, those who would harken had a change of heart so that they could sing the song of the redeeming love of Christ. That is the invitation…
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Parsing roles
It occurs to me that what I have done in leaving my job to take care of my family is not unlike what Alma did in leaving the judgement seat to care for the church. He saw that the church needed more dedicated care than he could give while he was tied to the responsibilities…
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Curses and marks
Every man who is cursed brings upon himself the curse. This is different from those who are marked. Some people may receive marks because of their heritage or the malice of others. We should be slow to judge according to marks because they may be placed upon those who are not fighting against the Lord…
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Minority rule
Intelligent people recognize the limitations of democracy – namely that majority rule by the vote of the people makes it possible that a sufficiently large and motivated minority can set the rules of society – that was why the majority against Amlici were worried about putting his petition to the vote. I’m sure they understood…
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Defending the indefensible
What argument did Nehor think he could make to justify the murder of Gideon? Did he try to argue that he didn’t do it or that they couldn’t prove it was him? It was he so arogant that he tried to argue that his action was somehow justified?
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A thorny problem
When Mosiah sought the voice of the people on who should succeed him he did not already know that he wanted to propose a system of judges instead of a king. He may have even requested their input before his sons set off on their mission to the Lamanites. When he saw that the people…
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Setting up a testimony
It is clear in this last chapter that Moroni was either consulting his record in writing it or that he build his record around the testimony he hoped to write. It makes for a powerful combination.
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Egging each other on
I read the description of the Nephite “token of bravery” and it calls to mind an image of a society where each person strives to outdo his fellows in showing how any and savage he is – like internet told except that it is not than me words, they back up their depravity with actions…
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Accountability
We are taught in the church to have children baptized at 8 years old as they have reached the age of accountability. The more I think about it and experience the more I realize that accountability doesn’t come in a stroke at any age. Our children gradually become more accountable over time. By the age…