• 028: Doctrine & Covenants Lesson 2: Jesus Christ

    “Behold, I Am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World”  Jesus Christ permeates LDS Scripture in a unique way that members may not fully appreciate. Christians have the New Testament and especially the gospels, and the Old Testament with passages that are interpreted as prefiguring and prophesying the coming of Jesus. The Savior saturates modern scripture–virtually every… Continue Reading

  • 017: Book of Mormon Lesson 40: 3 Nephi 16, 20-21

    Am I correct in concluding that these chapters fall in that category of scripture that most members read without comprehension? When we think “Isaiah chapters” 2 Nephi comes to mind, but 3 Nephi has its share as well, with some Micah thrown in. These chapters in brief talk about how in the latter days Israel… Continue Reading

  • 014: Book of Mormon Lesson 37: 3 Nephi 8-11

    3 Nephi 11 is one of the most familiar chapters in Mormon scripture, shared by missionaries daily in countless languages. 3 Nephi 11-28 recount the personal ministry of Christ to the Lehites. Some of the most touching and powerful chapters in the Book of Mormon are found in this section. But before that ministry, there… Continue Reading

  • 013: Book of Mormon Lesson 36: 3 Nephi 1-7

    The beginning of 3 Nephi overflows with intense extremes as it describes the decades leading up to the appearance of Jesus to the Lehites. The sign of Jesus’ birth is given; people believe then disbelieve. A protracted war with the Gadianton robbers forces the people to prepare and unite. Society is rebuilt and then collapses.… Continue Reading

  • 004: Book of Mormon Lesson 27: Alma 30-31

    “All Things Denote There Is a God” I jokingly call this lesson “Apostates week”. The key exchanges this lesson are Alma vs. Korihor and then Alma and his companions vs. the Zoramites. We are going to push a bit in approach with this lesson, use these scriptures to challenge us a touch. Kind of like… Continue Reading

  • Reading Notes

    Engaging Gospel Doctrine (Episode 2) Lesson 25: Alma 17-22 Chapter 17 2: which scriptures? 3: look at models of authority in the Book of Mormon “altar of God”, only Ps. 43:4 and here 6: we easily forget the significance of their past (Mos. 29:8-9) 7: history of weapons? Look at Biblical parallels Note literary complexity… Continue Reading

  • 003: Book of Mormon Lesson 26: Alma 23-29

     “Converted Unto the Lord”  These chapters tell of the dramatic conversion experience of an entire group of people, the so-called Anti-Nephi Lehis. We will discuss conversion and transformation. How do we change? What baggage do we bear from our upbringings that may hinder this transformation? There are also terrible stories of violence in these chapters…… Continue Reading