Category: Scripture Notes
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Nephi’s choice
When Lehi led his family into the wilderness his children were faced with a more stark choice than before. In Jerusalem they could grumble and do nothing new or they could believe and do nothing different. In the wilderness they were leaving their life behind and they could do so willingly or grudgingly. Nephi took…
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What did Lehi expect?
I wonder when Lehi prayed for his people what he had in mind. Was he praying that they would repent? Was he praying that they would be spared? Did he need the Lord to help him see why they were under conversation and how (in what way) they might be spared?
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Witnesses first
The testimonies of the Three Witnesses, the Eight Witnesses, and Joseph Smith come at the beginning, this was likely meant to give readers context and assurance so that they could not lightly treat the book as a work of fiction.
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Into her heart
May clearly took the words of Gabriel into her heart because he told her that she would be blessed among women and when she went to Elizabeth she declared that all generations would call her blessed. She obviously had a testimony if what she had been told.
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Joseph’s messenger
Somehow I had imagined that Joseph received his angelic messenger soon after Mary received hers but it seems clear that he received his months later and only after he was faced with the choice of how to deal with a pregnant betrothed. Even before the angel cleared things up for Joseph his character was displayed…
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A divine product
The title page and introduction to the Book of Mormon always remind me how much work was put forth to make the Book of Mormon available to the restored church even before Joseph Smith received the plates.
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One among you that doeth good
The phrase “if there be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God” struck me differently this time. People may intend to do good (that being their legitimate wish) but if they are working without faith, hope, and charity they will not accomplish anything actually good because…
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Stay focused
The advice of Mormon boils down to reminding Moroni to stay focused on Christ despite all the wickedness of the people around him.
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A personal witness
I have the feeling that Mormon had sought comfort from the Lord regarding the innocent children he observed who were having their lives ruined by the wickedness running rampant through their society. Long before he heard of disputations about baptist children he had sought assurance that the Lord was still mindful of those innocent little…
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Hold on amid wickedness
Mormon knew how pensive the wickedness was among his people. Praying that Moroni would be able to endure to the end in faith must have been an ever-present concern for him.