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
The Lord and Servant in Zenos’ Allegory
In a previous article I summarized the allegory of the Olive Tree, which the Book of Mormon prophet Jacob retold. It was first told by a prophet named Zenos, whose writings we no longer have. In another article, I explained the meaning of the tree. Today, I’d like to help you understand who the Lord and Servant are in the story.
The Tree in Zenos’ Allegory
In the previous article, I summarized for you the allegory of the Olive Tree, found in Jacob 5. Since the entire story revolves around this tree, it’s important to understand what it represents. In allegories, many things represent something else, and we must learn the meaning of the symbolism before we can learn the meaning of the story.
The Parable of the Olive Tree
Jacob, the third prophet of the Book of Mormon, related an allegory first told by an ancient prophet named Zenos. We no longer have his writings and we know only that he was a great prophet much loved by the Nephites, who quoted him frequently, and that he was killed for his powerful teachings. We know the Bible was not written as a single unit, that it was written as separate pieces later gathered, and that there were many writings lost or not canonized. The Book of Mormon gives us a glimpse into some of these lost writings, including the work of Zenos.
Adam and Eve
Filed under: Inside the Book of Mormon, Teachings
The scriptures of the restoration offer new insights into the history of Adam and Eve. Many have held them accountable for all the suffering in the world, due to a single decision made in the Garden of Eden. In reality, we learn that we owe them our very existence.
Secret Combinations and Today’s Teens
22 And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder, and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever. (2 Nephi 26)
Seraphim and Angels
July 3, 2008 by Terrie Lynn Bittner · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Frequently Asked Questions, Inside the Book of MormonAnyone who has seen a temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (incorrectly known as the Mormon Church) has seen the impressive statue of a man with a trumpet that tops most temples. This man is actually an angel named Moroni. A close-up view of the statue makes it clear angels don’t have wings.
Psalm of Nephi
2 Nephi 4:15-35 is known to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes nicknamed Mormons, as the Psalm of Nephi. Nephi was familiar with the Biblical psalms, and since this psalm follows the patterns of those, it is likely a psalm is exactly what he intended to write.
How God Kept the Americas a Secret
June 20, 2008 by Terrie Lynn Bittner · Leave a Comment
Filed under: God in the Book of Mormon, Inside the Book of MormonTestimony Comes Through Humility
May 27, 2008 by Terrie Lynn Bittner · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Inside the Book of Mormon, TeachingsWhen Nephi, whose writings are the first we have in the Book of Mormon, was a teenager, his father had a great vision. Nephi longed to know for himself that what his father had said was true, so he went off alone and asked God for confirmation. In response, he received a vision of his own, which helped him to understand his father’s vision and prepared him to take over leadership of the church in the future.
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