David Journal

Category: Scripture Notes

  • Peter had reason to fear

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    David
    in

    It only occurred to me now that Peter had more reason to fear being identified with Jesus than the other disciples because he had cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. He could have expected to be punished for that if he was identified.

  • When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

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    by

    David
    in

    I still remember when I first heard this counsel the title of a Melchizedek Priesthood lesson manual. When put together in context that Christ said this to Peter right after telling Peter that he had prayed to guard Peter against the efforts of Satan I conclude that he was counseling Peter to use the power…

  • Grain-based valuation

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    David
    in

    I think it is interesting (and wise) that the valuation of their monetary units was based on measures of grain. Payment for any goods or services could be calculated in terms of how many meals could be provided by the payment, thus everything was valued relative to how much people could be fed. They may…

  • I knew…yet I would not know

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    by

    David
    in

    Amulek’s description of himself sounds like Isaac and so many others who have rejected the truth that has been taught to them. (Amulek rejected it but Isaac also fights against it.)

  • Meanwhile in the land of Nephi…

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    David
    in

    None years into the reign of the judges is halfway through the mission of the sons of Mosiah. We know that the converts among the Lamanites opened correspondence with the Nephites. I wonder if Alma was aware of at least a portion of the success that Ammon and his brethren were having by that point.

  • Too much for one

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    David
    in

    Up to this point Alma has always worked in his own to preach to the people. In Ammonihah he faced a challenge to big for a single person. After meeting Amulek I’m not sure if Alma ever went on a solo mission again.

  • Wholely confined

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    by

    David
    in

    I wonder how completely confined to the judgement seat Alma had been. Had he been so busy with that job that he could not adequately minister to the church in Zerahemla? Was that how they had fallen into the level of pride and wickedness that convinced him to give up the judgement seat?

  • Restructuring

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    David
    in

    It would seem that a change in leadership is a natural byproduct of correcting a flaw in the status quo. Once Alma has addressed the price of the church in Zealand he ordained new leaders among them. (That’s not to say that the were no existing leaders who continued to lead.)

  • After the last supper

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    by

    David
    in

    Chapters 14-16 of John seem to have taken place after the last supper and before Gethsemane. These seem to be things that Jesus told his apostles (minus Judas considering the timeline) as he was walking to the Mount of Olives or possibly sitting in the Mount of Olives before he separated himself from all but…

  • A challenging sermon

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    by

    David
    in

    Alma is very direct in challenging the people of Zerahemla to consider if they are numbered among the wicked for being puffed up in pride or for being more concerned with the things of the world than the things of their souls. I wonder if his words drive any away who found themselves shaken from…