How to Gain Faith
Filed under: Basic Beliefs of Mormons, Book of Mormon Stories, Finding Truth, God in the Book of Mormon, Inside the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon, Joy in our relationship with the Savior, People in the Book of Mormon, Recognizing Truth, Teachings, Written for Our Day
In the previous post, we learned that a missionary named Alma, whose story is found in the Book of Mormon, had gone to preach to an apostate group called the Zoramites. He found the wealthy among them engaged in an arrogant, self-centered form of religion, in which they showed up to the synagogue once a week and each, in turn, climbed onto a tower to recite an identical prayer that simply bragged about how chosen and wonderful they were. They came in their expensive clothing and fine jewelry. Once they returned home, they gave no further thought to God until they returned.
Prayer is an important part of developing faith.
In addition, they kept the poor out of the church. Wealth was, in their minds, proof of their specialness, proof that they had been chosen and all others were doomed. Alma, encountering these poor, realized they had been humbled through their trials and longed to be allowed to worship. He decided not to bother with the arrogant wealthy people and instead to preach to the poor.
In this sermon, he gave one of the greatest sermons on faith ever written. The people were upset about being kept out of the temple because they believed this meant they were unable to worship God. Alma assured them you don’t have to be in a church building to worship. Worship was not a once a week event, but a way of life. Read more
Plain and Simple Gospel Truths
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon
Jacob was the third prophet of the Book of Mormon. He called his people together in the temple to chastise them for their wickedness, and their failure to live the gospel that had once defined them. To help them see the risks they faced, he also prophesied of the future challenges faced by the Jews in Jerusalem, which is where his people had come from themselves. He warned them some of the Jewish people would reject the Savior when He came because they were looking for someone different from the person they saw and for a gospel more complex than what He was offering.
Can Prayer Really Tell Me What’s True?
Sometimes people will ask me why I decided to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—a Mormon, as some call us. I explain how I studied the religion and then turned to God in prayer to find out if the church was true. Often, they respond, “Oh, I’ve been taught not to do that because you can’t tell if the answer is from God or from Satan.”
Jesus is the Literal Son of God
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon
And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. (2 Nephi 31:21)
Salvation is Free; Exaltation is Earned
July 7, 2008 by Terrie Lynn Bittner · Leave a Comment
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon, TeachingsAs Lehi prepared to die, he counseled his sons for the last time. He spoke to Jacob, his fifth son, about salvation.
Opposition in All Things
July 7, 2008 by Terrie Lynn Bittner · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Frequently Asked Questions, God in the Book of Mormon, TeachingsSometimes people wonder why God allows bad things to happen. This is sometimes even used as an excuse for not believing in God. Some people will suggest that if there is a God and He loves us, He will make everything pleasant and happy all the time.
Saved After All We Can Do
July 5, 2008 by Terrie Lynn Bittner · Leave a Comment
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. (2 Nephi 25)
Modern Idolatry
June 30, 2008 by Terrie Lynn Bittner · Leave a Comment
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Teachings, Written for Our DayIn 2 Nephi 12:8, we read:
Why You Must Listen When God Speaks
June 27, 2008 by Terrie Lynn Bittner · Leave a Comment
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, TeachingsThe Book of Mormon speaks often of the importance of gaining a personal testimony of the gospel and of being open to receiving the truth. God wants us to know what’s true, but He can only tell us if we invite Him to do so. This is more than a mere token effort. We have to want to know the truth so badly we will do anything to obtain it, and will gladly act on that truth once we learn it.
Justice and Judgment
June 26, 2008 by Terrie Lynn Bittner · Leave a Comment
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Jesus Christ in the Book of MormonAnd it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.” (2 Nephi 9:15)
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