The Book of Mormon

by Joseph Smith Jr.

8 Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one.

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he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake.

Many today have the same agenda... foreshadow

so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land— 14 For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who belonged to the church of God,

I Nephi 14:14 This provides a strong feeling of saftey against any who want to destroy faith in God

15 And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.

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much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men were subject by the nature of the climate—

Why wouldn't cannabis be one 'of the excellent qualities God prepared'?

much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men were subject by the nature of the climate—

Mazatec shaman indians in Mexico have a long history of using salvia divinorum for healing

much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men...

Of all the important things written. This is among them. No doubt cannibus has value in our day.

much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of diseases, to which men...

Many plants have been found in our day.

and those who died in the faith of Christ are happy in him, as we must needs suppose.

Why risk not having faith in Christ?

administer poison by degrees

Some media carefully administers its poisons by degrees...

he had accomplished his design, for he had hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and stirred them up to anger,

Influence of others can be like...

Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God. 8 Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the Nephites,

Influence of others can be like...

were taught to defend themselves against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense, yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy, except it were to preserve their lives.

The doctrine of gun control...

if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. 18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God. 19 Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men whosoever would hearken unto their words. 20 And thus they went forth, and the people did humble themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly favored of the Lord, and thus they were free from wars and contentions among

There are all gradations of qualities of men... Moroni being one of the best...

so long as there were any who should keep the commandments of God, for the promise of the Lord was, if they should keep his commandments they should prosper in the land.

For me prospering in the land is safe shelter and food on the table. I cannot ask for more...

continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people.

Giving heed and diligence...

continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people.

Corianton repented (See Ch. 39) and continued his missionary efforts

Chapter 50 Moroni fortifies the lands of the Nephites—They build many new cities—Wars and destructions befell the Nephites in the days of their wickedness and abominations—Morianton

Alma Ch 50. They felt so much peace and security they forgot God.....

those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites.

Delivered at all times...

those who were faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage, or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle with the Lamanites.

I would say delivered from emotional destress and fear.

23 But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the reign of the judges.

One source of happiness is security when danger is all around...

there were a part of the people who desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered.

sounds like today

put an end to the stubbornness and the pride of those people who professed the blood of nobility; but they were brought down to humble themselves like unto their brethren,

Beware of pride...

for they were great warriors; for every man of Teancum did exceed the Lamanites in their strength and in their skill

The power and value of skill mastery -- training and discipline

Teancum stole privily into the tent of the king, and put a javelin to his heart; and he did cause the death of the king immediately that he did not awake his servants.

Knock out the top guy...

he abandoned his designs and returned again to the city Bountiful, to wait for the coming of Moroni, that he might receive strength to his army.

Teancum wisely did not execute the command/order of Moroni right away.

they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

Can there be any better role model for our youth today?

they did take of the wine freely; and it was pleasant to their taste, therefore they took of it more freely; and it was strong, having been prepared in its strength. 14 And it came to pass they did drink and were merry, and by and by they were all drunken.

One noble reason to have strong spirits on hand

would not partake of their wine, save they had first given to some of the Lamanite prisoners.

Word of Wisdom is a modern day tenant.. For one drunk driving was not an issue in their day

and thus they did try all their liquors.

I wonder if they had liquor laws

10 And I did join my two thousand sons, (for they are worthy to be called sons)

I think Lillian Barrus is worthy to be called my little Sister Barrus.

Lamanites pursuing them with great vigor when Helaman came upon their rear with his two thousand,

Changed from first person to third person. Heleman was telling the story. Alma 56:52

54 And now it came to pass that we, the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them;

Changed back to first person narrative.

they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.

In military combat executing commands without wasting a fraction of thought is crucial.

they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. 27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.

My faith varies at time. It is strongest when diligently reading this book and when serving others

they had been taught to believe—that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power. 27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.

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whom they had started to go down to the land of Zarahemla with.

The only sentence in the this book that ends with a preposition that I can find.

the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.

I like this! Why not us??

they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come.

Keeping statutes and judgements might also translate in to the dailies, scripture study, prayer etc.

they have received many wounds; nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come.

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I fear exceedingly that the judgments of God will come upon this people, because of their exceeding slothfulness, yea, even the slothfulness of our government, and their exceedingly great neglect

This book is writen for our time as a voice of warning.

were it not for the wickedness which first commenced at our head, we could have withstood our enemies that they could have gained no power over us.

Lord will not suffer that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous people.

32 Behold, can you suppose that the Lord will spare you and come out in judgment against the Lamanites, when it is the tradition of their fathers that has caused their hatred, yea, and it has been redoubled by those who have dissented from us, while your iniquity is for the cause of your love of glory and the vain things of the world? 33 Ye know that ye do transgress the laws of God, and ye do know that ye do trample them under your feet.

Of the 36 vs. in Alma 60, vs. 32 is the only one not using the plural pronoun 'ye' Do you know why?

it became expedient that this law should be strictly observed for the safety of their country; yea, and whosoever was found denying their freedom was speedily executed according to the law.

This law has been in place in our country especially during major conflicts.

Moroni knew that Teancum was dead they were exceedingly sorrowful; for behold, he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his country, yea, a true friend to liberty; and he had suffered very many exceedingly sore afflictions. But behold, he was dead, and had gone the way of all the earth.

I admire Teancum and I look forward in meeting him.

because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.

A valid reason for affliction; to become a humble people. The US may be overdue I hate to say.

they began to grow exceedingly rich. 49 But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him. 50 Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions, and he had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies. 51 And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land.

How did this happen?

a little pride which was in the church,

I think we may see a bit more of it day by day

there was much contention and many dissensions; in the which there were an exceedingly great many who departed out

A theme repeated over and over in the Book of Mormon. Happening in our day as well?