1 Nephi 6 - 10

In the vision of the tree of life, Lehi tells his sons -

"...I beheld a tree, whose fruit was desirable to make one happy.
11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the fruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the whiteness that I had ever seen.
12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:10 - 12)

And also -

"..I beheld a rod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:19)

Later in his own vision, Nephi tells us -

"...I beheld the Son of God going forth among the children of men; and I saw many fall down at his feet and worship him." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:24)

And as his eyes are opened with this vision of the Son of God, he tells us -

"...I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life was a representation of the love of God." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 11:25)

In the scriptures, the Savior many times uses such metaphors as names for himself such as -

"...the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world...I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger..." (New Testament John 6:33 - 35)

I feel the very essence of the gospel of Christ is taught in one verse of Lehi's dream -

"...behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:30)

The essence of the gospel is that of faith, works, and grace -

"...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:23)

For we

"...must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men...feasting upon the word of Christ..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 31:20)

"...relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 31:19)

As Lehi describes the faith and works of those who did press forward holding fast to the rod of iron, he tells us of an unusual event -

"...they came forth and fell down..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 8:30)

The only reason I can see why these people would fall down would be to worship the "tree of life" whom I believe is the Savior. It is after they fall down that they partake of the fruit of the tree. As I try to envision in my mind a picture of fallen worshipers, it seems the way they would then partake of the fruit would be the tree of life (the Savior) extending its branches to them, again -

"...relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 31:19)

1 Nephi 3 - 5

Lehi tells his sons -

"...the Lord hath commanded me that thou and thy brothers should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down hither into the wilderness." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:4)

To which Nephi responds in great faith -

"...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:7)

While Laman and Lemuel -

"...murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:5)

But nonetheless, they join with Nephi and Sam took their journey back to Jerusalem. And after casting lots -

"...the lot fell upon Laman; and Laman went in unto the house of Laban, and he talked with him as he sat in his house.
12 And he desired of Laban the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass...and behold, it came to pass that Laban was angry, and thrust him out from his presence; and he would not that he should have the records. Wherefore, he said unto him: Behold thou art a robber, and I will slay thee.
14 But Laman fled out of his presence... (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:11 - 14)

And after relating what happened to his brothers, they -

"...began to be exceedingly sorrowful, and...were about to return unto [their] father in the wilderness." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:14)

A think there are some great lessons to learned here, not only in spiritual matters, but also in our temporal day to day lives. The tendency of many people is as soon as they encounter a major obstacle or wall, they give up, they throw their hands up and say they tried, that's it, and there's nothing else they could have possibly done - no persaverance, no re-thinking, no consideration of alternate approaches, etc. I did my job. I did the best I could do! In this case, Laban said "No". But Nephi didn't let that stop him. He had been given a job to do, in this case a commandment, and he would not give up until he had accomplished it. Nephi comes up with another idea -

"...let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord; therefore let us go down to the land of our father's inheritance, for behold he left gold and silver, and all manner of riches." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:16)

So they -

"...went down to the land of our inheritance, and we did gather together our gold, and our silver, and our precious things.
23 And after we had gathered these things together, we went up again unto the house of Laban.
24 And it came to pass that we went in unto Laban, and desired him that he would give unto us the records which were engraven upon the plates of brass, for which we would give unto him our gold, and our silver, and all our precious things." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:22 - 24)

Again they failed for -

"...when Laban saw our property, and that it was exceedingly great, he did lust after it, insomuch that he thrust us out, and sent his servants to slay us, that he might obtain our property.
26 And it came to pass that we did flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property, and it fell into the hands of Laban." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 3:25 - 26)

At this point, Laman and Lemuel were done. What more could the Lord really expect of them more? Nephi was persistent. Because of his faith and commitment, he wouldn't give up. The third time, Nephi tells us that on his own, he -

"...crept into the city and went forth towards the house of Laban.
6 And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 4:5 - 6)

And because of his faith and persaverance, the blessed him and provided the way for him to accomplish that which he was commanded and -

"...took the plates of brass ...and departed into the wilderness, and journeyed unto the tent of our father." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 4:38)

Another important lesson that should be commented on is that just because the Lord has given a commandment does not mean that he has an obligation to make easy to accomplish. It seems that in regards to the commandments of the Lord, the success or blessings, only come -

"...after the trial of your faith." (Book of Mormon Ether 12:6)

The difference between a valiant servant and a mediocre servant many times lies in the persistence and faith of the servant.

1 Nephi 1 - 2

As Nephi begins his record, he tells us -

"I, NEPHI, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:1)

What caught my attention in this verse is the -

"...having seen many afflictions in the course of my days..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:1)

Followed then by -

"...nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:1)

As we ponder thes words, being "highly favored of the Lord" does not necessarily mean a reduction in afflictions. There are even be some scriptural evidence to the contrary. Natural man tends to see pain and affliction as the absence of God or evidence of God, not as being "favored of God". It seems to be more of an attitude of hope, faith, and gratitude.

Lehi, who had

"..prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:5)

And consequently the Lord commands him to warn his people and in obedience -

"...he went forth among the people, and began to prophesy and to declare unto them concerning the things which he had both seen and heard." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:18)

And as a result of doing as he is commanded -

"...the Jews did mock him because of the things which he testified of them; for he truly testified of their wickedness and their abominations; and he testified that the things which he saw and heard, and also the things which he read in the book, manifested plainly of the coming of a Messiah, and also the redemption of the world.
20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:19 - 20)

By being obedient to the will of the Lord, wouldn't those of little faith tend to think, "oh this is nice, I do what I'm asked now everyong is angry. In fact, they want to take my life away. Is this what I get for doing what I'm asked?" Not Lehi! Nephi tells us that he -

"...will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."
(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 1:20)

The tender mercies of the Lord ends up with the Lord saying to Lehi -

"Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to take away thy life.
2 And ...the Lord commanded my father, even in a dream, that he should take his family and depart into the wilderness." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:1 - 2)

Again, a person of little faith might think, " oh this is grand, now I have to forsake my home, my gold and silver, my lifestyle and everything I've worked for and now depart into the wilderness." In fact, the stiffnecked sons of Lehi, Laman and Lemuel murmured -

"...many things against their father, because he was a visionary man, and had led them out of the land of Jerusalem, to leave the land of their inheritance, and their gold, and their silver, and their precious things, to perish in the wilderness. And this they said he had done because of the foolish imaginations of his heart." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:11)

But not Lehi, he -

"...left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and departed into the wilderness.
...and he did travel in the wilderness with his family, which consisted of my mother, Sariah, and my elder brothers, who were Laman, Lemuel, and Sam.
6 And ...he had traveled three days in the wilderness, he pitched his tent in a valley by the side of a river of water.
7 And...he built an altar of stones, and made an offering unto the Lord, and gave thanks unto the Lord our God." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 2:4 - 7)

This seems to be the difference between those of those highly favored of the Lord and those that are not. In this case, Lehi was not only obedient but gave thanks to the Lord even in his afflictions. And if that wasn't enough, he even made a sacred offering or sacrifice with his gratitued.

No wonder, Helaman named his sons Nephi and Lehi -

"...Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.
7 Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them." (Book of Mormon Helaman 5:6 - 7)

Moroni 9 - 10

If you were to record you last words to your posterity and future generations, what would you write? Understanding he was about to hide up his records, Moroni writes that he feels -

"...like as one crying from the dead, yea, even as one speaking out of the dust?" (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:27)

And with the testimony that-

"...God shall show unto you, that that which I have written is true." (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:29)

And again, like one crying from the dead -

"I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:3 - 4)

Then Moroni delivers a profound promise with some essential conditions -

"...if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost." (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:4)

For he has learned -

"...by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:5)

But this promise is again is conditional upon a sincere heart and real intent, and faith in Jesus Christ -

"Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity." (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:20)

I personally have found these things to be true. By the power of the Holy Ghost, I have come to know that the Book of Mormon is non-fiction and true! And because it is true, I have -

"...come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah." (Book of Mormon Preface Introduction:9)

I share Moroni's last words, the last words in this sacred record -

"...come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
34 And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen." (Book of Mormon Moroni 10:32 - 34)

Moroni 7 - 8

I am personally grateful that Moroni was allowed sufficient time to include in his record, before he hid up the plates, a "talk" so to speak of his father Mormon, which he did -

"...speak unto the people, as he taught them in the synagogue which they had built for the place of worship." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:1)

It is one of my favorites in all of scripture. With limited time, as I blog today, I would like to briefly touch on a few doctrinal points he made. To really feel the impact of his words, the reader really must read the entire 7th Chapter of Moroni. He begins with -

"...I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:3)

Mormon suggests in one of the first passages that with sufficient hope we can obtain peace and rest in this life in this life as in the life to come. He then proceeds to teach the people that -

"...all things which are good cometh of God...inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:12 - 13)

And in opposition -

"...and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:12)

And then he teaches this doctrine wherein all people have no excuse -

"For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:15 - 17)

Mormon uses the terms "Spirit of Christ" interchangebly with the "Light of Christ" where in he pleads -

"...I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:19)

And then he asks -

"...how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?" (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:20)

He then answers his question -

"...I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:21)

He then proceeds to teach three eternal principles. The first being -

"And now I come to that faith..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:21)

"...the Lord God prepareth the way that the residue of men may have faith in Christ, that the Holy Ghost may have place in their hearts, according to the power thereof..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:32)

"For no man can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:38)

The second principle being -

"...I would speak unto you concerning hope..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:40)

"...How is it that you can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?
41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:40 - 42)

"...behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart...for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:43 - 44)

And the third being charity, for -

"...if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:44)

"...charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:47)

Mormon closes with -

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure." (Book of Mormon Moroni 7:48)

Ether 11 - Moroni 6

As Moroni begins his own book, he says -

"...I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.
2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.
3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.
4 Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written any more; but I write a few more things...according to the will of the Lord." (Book of Mormon Moroni 1:1 - 4)

He then touches on a few points of doctrine that he feels should be mentioned such as power to give the holy ghost, priesthood ordinations, the administration of the sacrament, and also -

"...now I speak concerning baptism..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 6:1)

For of those that desired baptism, Moroni tells us -

"...they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.
2 Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins." (Book of Mormon Moroni 6:1 - 2)

And with the emphasis that -

"...none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end." (Book of Mormon Moroni 6:3)

I believe that Moroni wanted us to understand the sacred obligations and covenants entered into with the baptismal ordinance. But he also understood that baptism was the beginning, the gate so to speak as as he continues that -

"...after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 6:4)

As I read these words, I recogized the two essential components of the blessings of the atonement - works and grace - relying upon the merits of Christ -

"...for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 25:23)

And to do this, Moroni admonishes us to -

"...meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.
6 And ...to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus." (Book of Mormon Moroni 6:5 - 6)

And these meetings were to -

"...conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done." (Book of Mormon Moroni 6:9)

Moroni also knew that even with all this work, some may stumble. Because of the sacred covenants of baptism and membership in the Lord's kingdom, he instructs us -

"...that there should be no iniquity among them; and whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the elders, and if they repented not, and confessed not, their names were blotted out, and they were not numbered among the people of Christ." (Book of Mormon Moroni 6:7)

But with the love and mercy of the atonement, he reminds us that even in such cases -

"But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven." (Book of Mormon Moroni 6:8)

Ether 7 - 10

The Lord has stated that this land is a land -

"...choice above all other lands..." (Book of Mormon Ether 2:7)

which he has -

"...preserved for a righteous people..." (Book of Mormon Ether 2:7)

"...that whoso should possess this land of promise... should serve him, the true and only God, or they should be swept off when the fulness of his wrath should come upon them." (Book of Mormon Ether 2:8)

"...for it is the everlasting decree of God..." (Book of Mormon Ether 2:10)

As we study the Book of Mormon, we see the patience of the Lord in allowing those who possess the land to repent, for -

"...I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my Spirit will not always strive with man; wherefore, if ye will sin until ye are fully ripe ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And these are my thoughts upon the land which I shall give you for your inheritance; for it shall be a land choice above all other lands." (Book of Mormon Ether 2:15)

Fully ripe means to me that the inhabitants are past the stage of repentance as Mormon describes -

"...for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.
14 And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die...and I saw that the day of grace was passed with them, both temporally and spiritually..." (Book of Mormon Mormon 2:13 - 15)

The Lord has also stated that -

"...cursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe." (Book of Mormon Alma 37:31)

"For the Lord worketh not in secret combinations, neither doth he will that man should shed blood, but in all things hath forbidden it, from the beginning of man." (Book of Mormon Ether 8:19)

"...which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God..." (Book of Mormon Ether 8:18)

Moroni, seeing our day, speaks directly to us -

"...O ye Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God—that ye may repent, and not continue in your iniquities until the fulness come, that ye may not bring down the fulness of the wrath of God upon you as the inhabitants of the land have hitherto done.
12 Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written." (Book of Mormon Ether 2:11 - 12)

"O ye Gentiles, it is wisdom in God that these things should be shown unto you, that thereby ye may repent of your sins, and suffer not that these murderous combinations shall get above you, which are built up to get power and gain—and the work, yea, even the work of destruction come upon you, yea, even the sword of the justice of the Eternal God shall fall upon you, to your overthrow and destruction if ye shall suffer these things to be.
24 Wherefore, the Lord commandeth you, when ye shall see these things come among you that ye shall awake to a sense of your awful situation, because of this secret combination which shall be among you; or wo be unto it, because of the blood of them who have been slain; for they cry from the dust for vengeance upon it, and also upon those who built it up.
25 For it cometh to pass that whoso buildeth it up seeketh to overthrow the freedom of all lands, nations, and countries; and it bringeth to pass the destruction of all people, for it is built up by the devil, who is the father of all lies; even that same liar who beguiled our first parents, yea, even that same liar who hath caused man to commit murder from the beginning; who hath hardened the hearts of men that they have murdered the prophets, and stoned them, and cast them out from the beginning." (Book of Mormon Ether 8:23 - 25)

You can sense Moroni's strong feelings as he closes these thoughts -

"Wherefore, I, Moroni, am commanded to write these things that evil may be done away, and that the time may come that Satan may have no power upon the hearts of the children of men, but that they may be persuaded to do good continually, that they may come unto the fountain of all righteousness and be saved." (Book of Mormon Ether 8:26)

Ether 4 - 6

After receiving the marvelous revelation on Mount Shelem, the brother of Jared was commanded to -

"...write the things which he had seen..." (Book of Mormon Ether 4:1)

"...and there never were greater things made manifest than those which were made manifest unto the brother of Jared." (Book of Mormon Ether 4:4)

but with those writings, the brother of Jared was given the restriction that -

"...they were forbidden to come unto the children of men until after that he should be lifted up upon the cross; and for this cause did king Mosiah keep them, that they should not come unto the world until after Christ should show himself unto his people." (Book of Mormon Ether 4:1)

And upon the Savior's visit to the Americas -

"...he commanded that they should be made manifest..." (Book of Mormon Ether 4:2)

Moroni tells us they were had amongst the Nephites until they did -

"...all dwindled in unbelief; and there is none save it be the Lamanites, and they have rejected the gospel of Christ; therefore I am commanded that I should hide them up again in the earth." (Book of Mormon Ether 4:3)

Moroni also writes that the Lord -

"...hath commanded me to write them; and I have written them. And he commanded me that I should seal them up; and he also hath commanded that I should seal up the interpretation thereof; wherefore I have sealed up the interpreters, according to the commandment of the Lord.
6 For the Lord said unto me: They shall not go forth unto the Gentiles until the day that they shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord." (Book of Mormon Ether 4:5 - 6)

Before he ever received the golden plates, the prophet Prophet Joseph Smith had had many conversations with Moroni visiting him as an angel. As he translates the plates, I wonder how he felt as Moroni now speaks directly to him from the record -

"...I, Moroni, have written the words which were commanded me, according to my memory; and I have told you the things which I have sealed up; therefore touch them not in order that ye may translate; for that thing is forbidden you, except by and by it shall be wisdom in God." (Book of Mormon Ether 5:1)

I'm sure there was a great burden lifted as he continues to translate -

"...behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work;
3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true.
4 And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day." (Book of Mormon Ether 5:2 - 4)

The Prophet was not to be left alone in this great work. But nonetheless, we know there was a sealed portion of the plates will not come forth unto the gentiles until they -

"...shall repent of their iniquity, and become clean before the Lord." (Book of Mormon Ether 4:6)

Ether 1 - 3

After having built the barges tight "like a dish" as instructed by the Lord, the brother of Jared asks -

"...O Lord, behold I have done even as thou hast commanded me; and I have prepared the vessels for my people, and behold there is no light in them. Behold, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that we shall cross this great water in darkness?" (Book of Mormon Ether 2:22)

To which the Lord asks -

"...What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?..." (Book of Mormon Ether 2:23)

The brother of Jared didn't throw his hands into the air with an "I don't know". He felt that the burden was on his shoulders to figure out how to light the vessels. Moroni doesn't tell us how long it took the him to come up with a solution other than "it came to pass" for the brother of Jared -

"...went forth unto the mount, which they called the mount Shelem, because of its exceeding height, and did molten out of a rock sixteen small stones; and they were white and clear, even as transparent glass.." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:1)

Probably not an easy task. Then humbly and with great faith -

"...he did carry them in his hands upon the top of the mount, and cried again unto the Lord, saying:
2 O Lord, ...behold these things which I have molten out of the rock...I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.
5 Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:1 - 5)

Then -

"...the Lord stretched forth his hand and touched the stones one by one with his finger..." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:6)

And to his surprise -

"...the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared, and he saw the finger of the Lord; and it was as the finger of a man, like unto flesh and blood; and the brother of Jared fell down before the Lord, for he was struck with fear." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:6)

The Lord then asks -

"...Arise, why hast thou fallen?..." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:7)

To which the brother of Jared responds -

"...I saw the finger of the Lord, and I feared lest he should smite me; for I knew not that the Lord had flesh and blood." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:8)

To which the Lord answers -

"...Because of thy faith thou hast seen that I shall take upon me flesh and blood; and never has man come before me with such exceeding faith as thou hast; for were it not so ye could not have seen my finger. Sawest thou more than this?" (Book of Mormon Ether 3:9)

"...Nay; Lord, show thyself unto me." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:10)

"...behold, the Lord showed himself unto him, and said: Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.
14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters.
15 And never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast. Seest thou that ye are created after mine own image? Yea, even all men were created in the beginning after mine own image.
16 Behold, this body, which ye now behold, is the body of my spirit; and man have I created after the body of my spirit; and even as I appear unto thee to be in the spirit will I appear unto my people in the flesh." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:13 - 16)

Moroni then comments -

"...it sufficeth me to say that Jesus showed himself unto this man in the spirit,...And because of the knowledge of this man he could not be kept from beholding within the veil; and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear; for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting.
20 Wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus; and he did minister unto him..." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:17 - 20)

Many have struggled with the Savior's words -

"...never have I showed myself unto man whom I have created, for never has man believed in me as thou hast..." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:15)

Knowing that there is scriptural references that God walked with Noah, and God spoke to Enoch face to face and so forth. The following is my opinion.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught of another or a second comforter and the relationship to having a person's calling and election made sure. As the Savior showed himself he said -

"...Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you.
14 Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters." (Book of Mormon Ether 3:13 - 14)

It is my opinion that this was the first time or as "never before" had he introduced himself as in first peron as Jesus Christ where before he introduced himself as the Father, God, or Jehovah. I also believe this was the first time he came as the "second comforter" extending redemption from the fall which he only could give. All this because -

"...never has man believed in me as thou hast" (Book of Mormon Ether 3:15)

Mormon 5 - 9

After the Nephites had all gathered in the land of Cumorah, Mormon writes -

"..my people, with their wives and their children, did now behold the armies of the Lamanites marching towards them; and with that awful fear of death which fills the breasts of all the wicked, did they await to receive them...and every soul was filled with terror because of the greatness of their numbers." (Book of Mormon Mormon 6:7 - 8)

Mormon describes the destruction of his people as being "hewn down" as the Lamanites passed by. Mormon does not tell us if the women and children were included in his account, but whether they were are not, the fatalities were at least 260,000 - almost incomprehensible. Of his people only 24 survived this last battle including Mormon and Moroni.

As Moroni assumes responsibility of the records, he writes -

"...I, Moroni, do finish the record of my father, Mormon. Behold, I have but few things to write, which things I have been commanded by my father.
2 And now it came to pass that after the great and tremendous battle at Cumorah, behold, the Nephites who had escaped into the country southward were hunted by the Lamanites, until they were all destroyed.
3 And my father also was killed by them, and I even remain alone to write the sad tale of the destruction of my people. But behold, they are gone, and I fulfil the commandment of my father. And whether they will slay me, I know not." (Book of Mormon Mormon 8:1 - 3)

Over the years, as I have read the Book of Mormon, I come to love the prophet Mormon more and more each time. The few words "my father also was killed" hurts everytime I read it - just like losing a great friend. And then I read of Moroni circumstances -

"I am alone...My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not." (Book of Mormon Mormon 8:5)

Some time later he continues to write -

"...I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.
2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.
3 And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life..." (Book of Mormon Moroni 1:1 - 3)

Under these difficult conditions, Moroni is inspired to write some of the most direct and soul searching words of the book -

"...I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
36 And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts.
37 For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.
38 O ye pollutions, ye hypocrites, ye teachers, who sell yourselves for that which will canker, why have ye polluted the holy church of God? Why are ye ashamed to take upon you the name of Christ? Why do ye not think that greater is the value of an endless happiness than that misery which never dies—because of the praise of the world?"(Book of Mormon Mormon 8:35 - 38)

"...O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing...and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.
28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God." (Book of Mormon Mormon 9:27 - 28)

It is this last line that that Moroni understood was the most critical -

"...that ye will serve the true and living God." (Book of Mormon Mormon 9:28)

Mormon 1 - 4

As Mormon begins his own record, he tells us that -

"...I, being fifteen years of age and being somewhat of a sober mind, therefore I was visited of the Lord, and tasted and knew of the goodness of Jesus..." (Book of Mormon Mormon 1:15)

But he also tells us that during this period, as he was tasting of the goodness of Jesus, -

"...wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people.
14 And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief." (Book of Mormon Mormon 1:13 - 14)

Mormon doesn't necessarily say much on the matter, but it would be hard for me to believe that Mormon, who was named after his father, would have had such a "sober mind" at such a young age without the great influence of some righteous parents. I tend also to assume that he was raised in a home of a military leader and must have received some kind of training in that -

"...notwithstanding I being young, was large in stature; therefore the people of Nephi appointed me that I should be their leader, or the leader of their armies.
2 Therefore it came to pass that in my sixteenth year I did go forth at the head of an army of the Nephites..." (Book of Mormon Mormon 2:1 - 2)

At the age of 11 his father takes him to Zarahemla where Mormon witnesses a war between the Lamanites and the Nephites. Whether this is the first, it doesn't say, but from then to the end of his life, he witnesses continuous death and destruction in that -

"...it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they delighted in the shedding of blood continually." (Book of Mormon Mormon 4:11)

And that the period of his life when -

"...there never had been so great wickedness among all the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as was among this people." (Book of Mormon Mormon 4:12)

You can't read these verses without having great compassion for Mormon. Yet, while living through this great wickedness, carnage, and death, he never faultered. We know that during his life he possessed the record or Nephi and the words of Christ for at a young age, Ammoron -

"...he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe;
3 Therefore, when ye are about twenty and four years old I would that ye should remember the things that ye have observed concerning this people; and when ye are of that age go to the land Antum, unto a hill which shall be called Shim; and there have I deposited unto the Lord all the sacred engravings concerning this people.
4 And behold, ye shall take the plates of Nephi unto yourself, and the remainder shall ye leave in the place where they are; and ye shall engrave on the plates of Nephi all the things that ye have observed concerning this people." (Book of Mormon Mormon 1:2 - 4)

And it was his study of these records that contributed so much to Mormon's faithfulness for he tells us -

"..I searched among the records which had been delivered into my hands, and I found these plates, which contained this small account of the prophets, from Jacob down to the reign of this king Benjamin, and also many of the words of Nephi.
4 And the things which are upon these plates pleasing me, because of the prophecies of the coming of Christ; and my fathers knowing that many of them have been fulfilled; yea, and I also know that as many things as have been prophesied concerning us down to this day have been fulfilled, and as many as go beyond this day must surely come to pass—" (Book of Mormon Words of Mormon 1:3 - 4)

And -

"...I shall take these plates, which contain these prophesyings and revelations, and put them with the remainder of my record, for they are choice unto me..." (Book of Mormon Words of Mormon 1:6)

It is apparent that Mormon had the words of Christ, he searched and studied them, and because of his obedience and righteous desires, they were pleasing and choice unto him.

3 Nephi 28 - 4 Nephi

In his visit to the Americas, the Savior prophecied concerning the coming forth of the Book of Mormon -

"I will give unto you for a sign—for verily I say unto you that when these things which I declare unto you, and which I shall declare unto you hereafter of myself, and by the power of the Holy Ghost which shall be given unto you of the Father, shall be made known unto the Gentiles that they may know concerning this people who are a remnant of the house of Jacob, and concerning this my people who shall be scattered by them..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 21:2)

"...it shall be a sign unto them, that they may know that the work of the Father hath already commenced unto the fulfilling of the covenant which he hath made unto the people who are of the house of Israel." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 21:7)

"For thus it behooveth the Father that it should come forth from the Gentiles, that he may show forth his power unto the Gentiles, for this cause that the Gentiles, if they will not harden their hearts, that they may repent and come unto me and be baptized in my name and know of the true points of my doctrine, that they may be numbered among my people, O house of Israel..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 21:6)

And in that day -

"...that which they had not heard shall they consider.
9 For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them" (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 21:8 - 9)

"And when ye shall see these sayings coming forth among you, then ye need not any longer spurn at the doings of the Lord..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 29:4)

"...ye need not imagine in your hearts that the words which have been spoken are vain, for behold, the Lord will remember his covenant which he hath made unto his people of the house of Israel." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 29:3)

And the Lord gives these words of warning to those that had not heard but now consider -

"Wo unto him that spurneth at the doings of the Lord; yea, wo unto him that shall deny the Christ and his works!
6 Yea, wo unto him that shall deny the revelations of the Lord, and that shall say the Lord no longer worketh by revelation, or by prophecy, or by gifts, or by tongues, or by healings, or by the power of the Holy Ghost!
7 Yea, and wo unto him that shall say at that day, to get gain, that there can be no miracle wrought by Jesus Christ..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 29:5 - 7)

Therefore -

"HEARKEN, O ye Gentiles, and hear the words of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God...Turn, all ye Gentiles, from your wicked ways; and repent of your evil doings, of your lyings and deceivings, and of your whoredoms, and of your secret abominations, and your idolatries, and of your murders, and your priestcrafts, and your envyings, and your strifes, and from all your wickedness and abominations, and come unto me, and be baptized in my name, that ye may receive a remission of your sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, that ye may be numbered with my people who are of the house of Israel." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 30:1 - 2)

3 Nephi 23 - 27

As we study the scriptures, it becomes apparent certain prophets were set apart or foreordained to establish a specific revelation, doctrine, prophecy, or work. There are many prophets that saw things concerning the end of the world but to Nephi the angel said -

"...the things which thou shalt see hereafter thou shalt not write; for the Lord God hath ordained the apostle of the Lamb of God that he should write them." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 14:25)

Malachi was foreordained to reveal doctrine concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ, the commandment and blessings of the Law of tithing, and the return of Elijah. These important revelations were given by Malachi after Lehi and his family left Jerusalem and departed into the wilderness. To those in the Americas, the Savior -

"...commanded them that they should write the words which the Father had given unto Malachi, which he should tell unto them. And it came to pass that after they were written he expounded them. And these are the words which he did tell unto them, saying: Thus said the Father unto Malachi - " (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 24:1)

A unique difference between the words of Malachi printed in the Old Testament and those in the Book of Mormon is that the revelation came to the people directly through Malachi from the Lord. In the Book of Mormon the revelation of Malachi came directly from the Savior himself.

Of the revelations of Malachi, I am particularly moved by those in the 25th Chapter of 3 Nephi. Of the wicked at his coming is a terrible day -

"FOR behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 25:1)

But of the righteous it is a great day -

"But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves in the stall." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 25:2)

To help his people understand the significance of the coming of Elijah he asks -

"Remember ye the law of Moses, my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 25:4)

Suggesting a simple law that would keep them focused to the coming of the Messiah. But the Savior now tells them, because of the atonement, of a much greater law that would bring eternal blessings -

"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 25:5 - 6)

It is with this law that families are united, sealed, and endowed with power and blessings for the eternities.

3 Nephi 20 - 22

The story is told of an elderly couple who had passed on. The couple had been very active in the Church during their mortal lives, serving diligently in many callings and doing whatever they were asked to. But as they entered their retirement years, they excused themselves from Church callings and missionary service with the reasoning they had already served in these positions and they felt it was now their time to kick back and enjoy their retirement years relaxing and enjoying warmer weather.

Upon passing on they were welcomed into heaven and were taken by an angel to their mansion in heaven. As they arrived, they were overwhelmed with the magnificent size and beauty of the mansion the angel said was there. They rushed in to see if the interior finishes and furnishes were as exquisite as the exterior. But to there surprise, there were no finishes or furnishings. Just exposed wall studs and trusses, mechanical ductwork and electrical conduits with no drywall, paint or floor coverings. They turned back to the angel wondering what was going on. The Angel, pausing for a second, answered, "Oh yeah! I remember now - when you stopped working so did we!"

The Savior said -

"And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 81:6)

This story came to mind as the Savior taught the words of Isaiah -

"...For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvelous work among them..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 21:9)

"...then shall the work of the Father commence at that day, even when this gospel shall be preached among the remnant of this people...[and]among all nations in preparing the way whereby his people may be gathered home to the land of their inheritance.
29 And they shall go out from all nations; and they shall not go out in haste, nor go by flight, for I will go before them, saith the Father, and I will be their rearward." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 21:26 - 29)

And as his people assist in this great and marvelous work -

"...I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
12 And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones."

With this great promise -

"...all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
14 In righteousness shalt thou be established; thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 22:13 - 14)
(Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 22:11 - 12)

3 Nephi 17 - 19

As the Savior was about to conclude his words and teachings on his initial visit to the people of Nephi -

"...he looked round about again on the multitude, and he said unto them: Behold, my time is at hand." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 17:1)

And knowing he had given them a great deal of instruction, he said -

"I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 17:2)

Thus he admonishes them -

"...go ye unto your homes, and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 17:3)

In a recent regional priesthood leadership meeting, Elder Dale E. Miller counseled us to not only read the scriptures, but stop and ponder that which we read. With the Savior's teachings, we are not only counseled to read and ponder, but to also "ask the Father... that we may understand." Nephi talked of the revelations and teachings of his father in that -

"...he truly spake many great things unto them, which were hard to be understood, save a man should inquire of the Lord..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:3)

There is nothing written that suggests that Laman and Lemuel spent much time, if any, reading the words of Christ. Most of what they learned came from the teachings of their father, Lehi. Even then, they spent more time -

"...disputing one with another concerning the things which my father had spoken unto them..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:2)

than pondering his words - all with a common excuse -

"...we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken..." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:7)

To which Nephi asks -

"...Have ye inquired of the Lord?" (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:8)

It becomes clear from the teachings of the Savior and the words of Nephi, that we are to read the "words of Christ", then ponder the "words of Christ", then pray to understand the "words of Christ", with the faith that the Lord will help us understand his words - not with the same attitude as spoken by Laman and Lemuel -

"...the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:9)

A little bit more insight is given by the Savior on this process when he instructs them -

"...prepare your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again" (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 17:3)

I envision the Savior's instruction of scripture study, pondering, and prayer to be a daily occurence - with each day preparing our minds for tomorrow to again receive the "words of Christ" in scripture study.

3 Nephi 13 - 16

Upon his visit to the people in the land of Bountiful, the Savior immediately taught much of the doctrine he had taught to the Jews in his mortal ministry, for as he

"...ended these sayings he cast his eyes round about on the multitude, and said unto them: Behold, ye have heard the things which I taught before I ascended to my Father; therefore, whoso remembereth these sayings of mine and doeth them, him will I raise up at the last day." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 15:1)

This was his doctrine. It was the doctrine and law all men must live by to qualify for eternal life for the Savior testified -

"...I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life.
10 Behold, I have given unto you the commandments; therefore keep my commandments. And this is the law and the prophets, for they truly testified of me." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 15:9 - 10)

As I read his law and commandments this morning, I was particularly touched by -

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 14:21)

As the Savior taught the Nephites how they should pray, he included -

"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 13:10)

Suggesting that his will is done as we choose to do his will - for that is his will. For -

"Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 14:22 - 23)

Why? Because these things were done done according to our own will, not according to his will, suggesting -

"...where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 13:21)

The Savior leaves this great truth -

"The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 13:22)

"But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If, therefore, the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 13:23)

"No man can serve two masters...Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 13:24)

In these teachings, I think it is important to recognize the Savior is teaching those that were -

"...spared because [they] were more righteous..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 9:13)

Comparing these thoughts to today, I picture he is speaking to those in the Church that we may generally be call "active". The Saviors counsel is to remind the saints that to do the Lord's will, to keep our covenants, is that we must have an eye single to his will, that our works are per his will which is as he stated -

"Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 107:99)

That we are careful what enters into our body through our eyes, knowing that we cannot serve God and Satan at the same time, and knowing that what we desire or treasure most, will stand as a testimony for or against us.

3 Nephi 11 - 12

Sometime after the great and terrible destruction and the three days of thick darkness -

"...there were a great multitude gathered together, of the people of Nephi, round about the temple which was in the land Bountiful; and they were marveling and wondering one with another, and were showing one to another the great and marvelous change which had taken place.
2 And they were also conversing about this Jesus Christ, of whom the sign had been given concerning his death..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 11:1 - 2)

And -

"...while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 11:3)

And then -

"...again they heard the voice, and they understood it not..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 11:4)

As I read of this even, I found myself reading over and over the words concerning the voice some of the people heard . I assume some of the people because it mentions those "that did hear". Of those that did hear, they described of the voice -

• It was not a harsh voice
• It was not a loud voice
• It was a small voice
• It did pierce them to the center
• It did cause every part of their frame to quake
• It did pierce them to the very soul.
• It did cause their hearts to burn.
• They did not understand the voice.

Elijah described this same voice as a -

"...still small voice." (Old Testament 1 Kings 19:12)

After praying all day and into the night, Enos tells of a voice that said to him -

"...thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed." (Book of Mormon Enos 1:5)

Then continuing in prayer, Enos hears the voice again, but this time he provides a little bit more detail -

...behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again..." (Book of Mormon Enos 1:10)

Suggesting that the voice of the Lord was heard in his mind.

But this still small voice maybe more than that just a voice that comes into your mind, for Nephi told his brothers that the Lord had spoken to them -

"... in a still small voice, but [they] were past feeling..."(Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 17:45)

The still small voice must then is related to both your mind and your feelings or in other words, your heart. The Lord revealed to Oliver Cowdery how he is to obtain knowledge -

"...behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 8:2)

And to make sure the Oliver understands, the Lord tells him -

"...this is the spirit of revelation..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 8:3)

In fact, it is the same way or spirit -

...by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 8:3)

The Lord later explains to Oliver what the spirit of revelation that will "dwell in your heart" means -

"...you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right...." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 9:8)

I believe this was the same still small voice the Nephites heard at the temple in Bountiful that they did not understand. But -

"...the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 11:5)

And because they "did open their ears to hear" -

"...the third time they did understand the voice..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 11:6)

King Benjamin said to his people

"...hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view..." (Book of Mormon Mosiah 2:9)

To open ones ears to hear then is to humble, teachable, and willing to believe and obey. Such was the will of the Lord for the Camp of Israel traveling west -

"Let him that is ignorant learn wisdom by humbling himself and calling upon the Lord his God, that his eyes may be opened that he may see, and his ears opened that he may hear..." (Doctrine and Covenants Section 136:32)

To hear is to follow and obey, as the Savior said after many parables -

"...He that hath ears to hear, let him hear..." (New Testament Mark 4:9)

3 Nephi 8 - 10

At the time of the death of the Savior in Jerusalem, in the new world -

"...there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 8:5)

such that -

"...there was a great and terrible destruction in the land southward.
12 But behold, there was a more great and terrible destruction in the land northward; for behold, the whole face of the land was changed, because of the tempest and the whirlwinds, and the thunderings and the lightnings, and the exceedingly great quaking of the whole earth..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 8:11 - 12)

And after about three hours of this great and terrible destruction -

"...there was darkness upon the face of the land...insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could feel the vapor of darkness..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 8:19 - 20)

"...there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindled with their fine and exceedingly dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all;
22 And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land...And it did last for the space of three days that there was no light seen..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 8:21 - 23)

"...and there was great mourning and howling and weeping among all the people continually; yea, great were the groanings of the people, because of the darkness and the great destruction which had come upon them." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 8:23)

And while in this condition of darkness and lament -

"...there was a voice heard among all the inhabitants of the earth..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 9:1)

Saying -

"...Wo, wo, wo unto this people; wo unto the inhabitants of the whole earth except they shall repent; for the devil laugheth, and his angels rejoice, because of the slain of the fair sons and daughters of my people; and it is because of their iniquity and abominations that they are fallen!" (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 9:2)

Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God...And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled.
18 I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 9:15 - 18)

"...ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and your burnt offerings.
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 9:19 - 20)

"...I have come unto the world to bring redemption unto the world, to save the world from sin.
22 Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 9:21 - 22)

And after these words, the survivors stopped their mourning and lamenting and there was silence in the land for many hours for the survivors of the terrible storm were -

"...the more righteous part of the people who were saved, and it was they who received the prophets and stoned them not; and it was they who had not shed the blood of the saints, who were spared—" (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 10:12)

And speaking of the fallen, the voice said -

"... how oft would I have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens, and ye would not." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 10:5)

And to those that remained, the voice continues -

"...how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 10:6)

I believe these chapters have great application to us as we approach the promised second coming of Savior and the comparative promised destruction of the wicked similar that befell the Nephites and Lamanites -

"...And now, whoso readeth, let him understand; he that hath the scriptures, let him search them, and see and behold if all these deaths and destructions by fire, and by smoke, and by tempests, and by whirlwinds, and by the opening of the earth to receive them, and all these things are not unto the fulfilling of the prophecies of many of the holy prophets." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 10:14)

3 Nephi 4 - 7

As Mormon abridges the Nephite records of the tribulations, conflicts, teachings, prophecies, and so forth, amongst the people, he feels inspired at times to interject his some of his thoughts and feelings as well as some explanations for the benefit of the reader. After the signs of the birth of the Savior, Mormon writes -

"...there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous; nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book; yea, this book cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among so many people in the space of twenty and five years..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 5:8)

But even though they are not included in this book he tells us that -

"...there are records which do contain all the proceedings of this people; and a shorter but true account was given by Nephi." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 5:9)

And then at this point in his writings he interjects -

"...behold, I am called Mormon, being called after the land of Mormon, the land in which Alma did establish the church among the people, yea, the first church which was established among them after their transgression.
13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 5:12 - 13)

And because he was commanded by the Lord -

"...I do make the record on plates which I have made with mine own hands..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 5:11)

He explains here that it -

"...hath become expedient that I, according to the will of God, that the prayers of those who have gone hence, who were the holy ones, should be fulfilled according to their faith, should make a record of these things which have been done—
15 Yea, a small record of that which hath taken place from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem, even down until the present time.
16 Therefore I do make my record from the accounts which have been given by those who were before me, until the commencement of my day." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 5:14 - 16)

"And then I do make a record of the things which I have seen with mine own eyes." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 5:17)

Even though this work is commanded by the Lord, I'm sure it wasn't necessarily easy to accomplish as he tells us -

"...I know the record which I make to be a just and a true record; nevertheless there are many things which, according to our language, we are not able to write." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 5:18)

Mormon seems to understand that his writings are intended for future generations as he testifies -

"I am Mormon, and a pure descendant of Lehi. I have reason to bless my God and my Savior Jesus Christ, that he brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem, (and no one knew it save it were himself and those whom he brought out of that land) and that he hath given me and my people so much knowledge unto the salvation of our souls." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 5:20)

"Surely he hath blessed the house of Jacob, and hath been merciful unto the seed of Joseph...
23 Yea, and surely shall he again bring a remnant of the seed of Joseph to the knowledge of the Lord their God.
24 And as surely as the Lord liveth, will he gather in from the four quarters of the earth all the remnant of the seed of Jacob, who are scattered abroad upon all the face of the earth.
25 And as he hath covenanted with all the house of Jacob, even so shall the covenant wherewith he hath covenanted with the house of Jacob be fulfilled in his own due time, unto the restoring all the house of Jacob unto the knowledge of the covenant that he hath covenanted with them.
26 And then shall they know their Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God; and then shall they be gathered in from the four quarters of the earth unto their own lands, from whence they have been dispersed; yea, as the Lord liveth so shall it be. Amen." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 5:21 - 26)

3 Nephi 1 - 3

Korihor said to Alma -

"...except ye show me a sign, I will not believe." (Book of Mormon Alma 30:48)

The Jews said to the Savior -

"...What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee?" (New Testament John 6:30)

Throughout history, natural man has basically said - show me a sign and I will believe. But do signs or miracles really convert man? Or do they only provide temporary convictions and short-term spiritual gratifications that generate no commitment or true repentance. Signs and wonders may initially give a non-believer a spiritual "high", but like drugs, must continue and intensify to provide the same "high" so to speak. This seems apparent among the Israelites where -

"...the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?" (Old Testament Numbers 14:11)

We see the same pattern amongst the Nephites as the prophecies of Samuel and the prophets of the signs of the birth of the Savior were fulfilled -

"...according as they had been spoken; for behold, at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:15)

"And...there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid–day. And ...the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:19)

"And...also that a new star did appear, according to the word." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:21)

And there were "many signs" (3 Nephi 5:2) given to the people. And as these signs were given the people -

"...were so exceedingly astonished that they fell to the earth.
18 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand; and they began to fear because of their iniquity and their unbelief." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:17 - 18)

And because of these marvelous signs -

"...the more part of the people did believe, and were converted unto the Lord.
23 And...Nephi went forth among the people, and also many others, baptizing unto repentance, in the which there was a great remission of sins..."(Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:22 - 23)

But no sooner than the signs took place -

"...there began to be lyings sent forth among the people, by Satan, to harden their hearts, to the intent that they might not believe in those signs and wonders which they had seen..." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 1:22)

And in a short time -

"...the people began to forget those signs and wonders which they had heard, and began to be less and less astonished at a sign or a wonder from heaven, insomuch that they began to be hard in their hearts, and blind in their minds, and began to disbelieve all which they had heard and seen—" (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 2:1)

After the first "high" so to speak, each sign seemed to bring lesser "highs", even to the point of -

"Imagining up some vain thing in their hearts, that it was wrought by men and by the power of the devil, to lead away and deceive the hearts of the people; and thus did Satan get possession of the hearts of the people again, insomuch that he did blind their eyes and lead them away to believe that the doctrine of Christ was a foolish and a vain thing.
3 And it came to pass that the people began to wax strong in wickedness and abominations; and they did not believe that there should be any more signs or wonders given; and Satan did go about, leading away the hearts of the people, tempting them and causing them that they should do great wickedness in the land." (Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 2:2 - 3)

It becomes apparent that signs do not convert. In fact the Savior told the Pharisees and Sadducees that it is -

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign..." (New Testament Matthew 16:4)

But even though signs do not convert, they do follow and support those that have faith, those that are truly converted, those whose testimonies are not dependent upon signs.

"Therefore, repent all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me, and believe in my gospel, and be baptized in my name; for he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned; and signs shall follow them that believe in my name." (Book of Mormon Ether 4:18)