Magazine
The Latter Day Saints' Millennial Star 90, no. 47 (22 November 1928)
Widtsoe, John A.
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Book of Mormon Studies (22 November 1928)
Title
Book of Mormon Studies (22 November 1928)
Magazine
The Latter Day Saints' Millennial Star
Publication Type
Magazine Article
Year of Publication
1928
Editors
Widtsoe, John A. (Secondary)
Pagination
750–751
Date Published
22 November 1928
Volume
90
Issue Number
47
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Abstract
This is a series of articles intended for Relief Society course study. It discusses the importance of the Book of Mormon, its coming forth (i.e., the translation, the witnesses, the publication, Joseph Smith), brief overview of its contents, and explains the text from 1 Nephi 1 through Alma 58. Each article features several questions that are helpful in synthesizing and applying the Book of Mormon to daily life.
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BOOK OF MORMON STUDIES1
Men will be judged by their motives—and by their motives their success is largely determined. This truth is well illustrated in Alma, chapters 43 to 48, inclusive, which are to be considered for this lesson. These chapters are largely filled with another account of wholesale fratricide, with which the Book of Mormon abounds. The motives of the two people—the Lamanites and Nephites—are contrasted in the eighth and ninth verses of chapter forty-three: His—the Lamanite leader’s—designs were to stir up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites—to bring the Nephites into bondage.
“And now the design of the Nephites was to support their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies”—and preserve their rights and liberty and freedom of worship.
The contrast is as night to day—good to evil.
Further reading shows that the Nephites were ever victorious and prosperous so long as they were impelled by these worthy motives. May we learn by this to judge our fellowmen—if we must judge at all—by their motives. May we learn further that so long as our innermost motives arc righteous and unselfish, our labours shall be rewarded!
QUESTIONS
- Discuss the disastrous consequences of seeking power and unrighteous dominion, as illustrated in these six chapters.
- Read and discuss verses 3, 4 and 5 in chapter 44. How have these principles worked out in the history of our Church? They are in operation to-day and in this land. How?
- Chapter 45 tells of Alina’s disappearance, much as Moses of old. What questions did he ask his son Helaman before intrusting him with the sacred records? Why were they—and are they—fundamental?
- What was the standard raised by Moroni? What covenant did the people of the Church of God make with the Lord? See chapter 46.
- The Lamanites, under Amalickiah’s leadership, feared to fight the Nephites. Why? Why do the wicked ever fear the righteous, even though the former are stronger in number?
- What qualities made Moroni the outstanding character of the Nephite nation?
- 1.Lesson 23 of the Relief Society Course of Study—for use on the first lesson night in December.
Table of Contents
Subject Keywords
Testimony
Book of Mormon
Study Helps
Book of Mormon Translation
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Bibliographic Citation
Terms of use
Items in the BMC Archive are made publicly available for non-commercial, private use. Inclusion within the BMC Archive does not imply endorsement. Items do not represent the official views of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or of Book of Mormon Central.