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Featured Author
Book of Mormon Central
MEET AUTHOR Book of Mormon Central
We build enduring faith in Jesus Christ by making the Book of Mormon accessible, comprehensible, and defensible to the entire world.
Author's Published Articles
Why Did Peter Deny Knowing Jesus?
Regardless of whether or not Jesus originally intended to relay…
How Does the Parable of the Ten Virgins Offer Us Direction in Life?
This parable immediately follows somber warnings of the events that…
How Does the Parable of the Willing and Unwilling Sons Teach about Christ?
Jesus Christ is our perfect exemplar. From the very beginning,…
Church Finances: A View from the Pews
Many people seem to be interested in details of The…
What Does the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard Teach about Godâs Mercy?
While on His way to Jerusalem for the last time,…
How Does the Parable of the Prodigal Son Teach Us about Repentance?
As John and Jeannie Welch have noted, this parable âis…
How Does John Portray Jesus as the Way of the Temple?
Throughout the Gospel of John, various images and symbols point…
How Does the Parable of the Good Samaritan Teach Us about the Plan of Salvation?
This detailed parable gives âa summary of the plan of…
Why Did John State That the Beastâs Number Is 666?
After being exiled to Patmos, the Apostle John saw a…
Why Are the Gospel Accounts of the Resurrection Credible?
Central to all of Christianityâancient and modernâare the testimonies that…
Why Did Jesus Use Passover Imagery in His Bread of Life Sermon?
According to the Gospel of John, Jesus offered a powerful…
How Does the Parable of the Sower Help Us Understand Lehiâs Vision of the Tree of Life?
The parable of the sower and the vision of the…
What Do the Parables of the Importuning Friend and Widow Teach Us about Prayer?
Through these parables, Jesus offers a stark contrast between how…
Why Are There Hebraisms in the Book of Mormon?
The Book of Mormon has virtually all the same features…
What Does the Parable of the Wheat and Tares Teach about the Apostasy?
The world will be given ample time to repent and…
How Can We Build Our Foundations on a Rock?
Most people have experienced torrential storms and seen the effects…
How Can Jesus Provide to All People the Waters of Life?
Practically all living things depend on water for life. Water…
Why Did Jesus Compare Himself to the Brazen Serpent?
These are only a handful of the many meanings embedded…
Why Does Jesus Announce that Isaiah 61:1â2 Is Fulfilled?
Jesusâs statement to the people of Nazareth remains a powerful…
Why Was Jesus Proclaimed the Son of God at His Baptism?
The baptism of Jesus was the inauguration of Jesusâs ministry…
Why Do We Have Multiple Accounts of Jesusâs Birth?
Despite many similarities, the two accounts of Jesusâs birth were…
A New Perspective on Racial Questions about the Book of Abraham
An article by John S. Thompson appearing in the Interpreter Journal attempts…
VIDEO: The Early Life of Joseph Smith
Where is the exact spot Joseph Smith was born? Where…
Why Does Malachi Refer to the Sun of Righteousness?
The prophet Malachi promised the Israelites that if they kept…
Why Did Moroni Quote from the Book of Joel?
Clearly, these five verses must have been significant to Joseph…
How Did Jeremiahâs and Lehiâs Ministries Reflect One Another?
Of these prophets who preached in the final years leading…
When Lehiâs Party Arrived in the Land, Did They Find Horses There?
The inclusion of horses in the Book of Mormon is…
5 Additional Compelling Archeological Evidences of the Book of Mormon
These evidences are well-vettedânot just willy-nilly corollariesâand should meet the…
VIDEO: Evidence of the Book of Mormon: Internally Fulfilled Prophecies
As a record written by ancient prophets, it isnât too…
How Can Nephi’s Writings Help All Readers Embrace the Book of Isaiah?
As Latter-day Saints are completing their Come, Follow Me study…
Why Did Isaiah Prophesy of a Suffering Messiah?
Few prophetic passages in the Old Testament rival Isaiah 53 (known…
How Did Isaiah Prophesy of the Savior?
It is possible that multiple interpretations of Isaiahâs prophecies exist…
Were There âFiery Flying Serpentsâ along Lehiâs Trail?
Recognizing how the environment they traveled through overlapped with and…
Why Did Isaiah Refer to the Heavenly Hosts as âSeraphimâ?
In many ways, Isaiahâs vision of God on His throne…
What Does It Mean to âApply Your Heart to Understandingâ?
Abinadi told the priests of King Noah that they had…
How Does the Joseph Smith Translation Teach Us about Melchizedek?
An often misunderstood but obviously important figure from the Bible…
Why Does the Psalmist Speak about Grasping Godâs Hand?
Many passages in the Old Testamentâbut especially in the Psalmsârefer…
Does Psalm 22 Really Say âThey Pierced My Hands and My Feetâ?
Christians have often read and appreciated Psalm 22, interpreting many of…
How Can the Book of Job Teach Us about the Temple?
Although the book of Job raises very challenging questions, it…
New Joseph Smith Papers Volume Published for 1843 in Nauvoo
A new volume of the Joseph Smith Papers Project has…
Why Were Women Important in Ancient Israel?
Innovative scholarship focusing on the roles of women in antiquityâincluding…
Why Did Ancient Israelites Lift Their Hands in Praise?
Better understanding the gestures of approach used by the ancient…
Why Did the Lord Allow Jerusalem to Be Destroyed?
Bruce Satterfield identified six âfeatures that characterize those who have…
Why Did Ancient Prophets Follow Literary Patterns?
In a study published in 2002, biblical scholar Brian Britt…
How Does the Book of Mormon Text Reflect a Seventh-Century-BC Israelite Writing Style?
Recently, biblical scholar David R. Seely has taken a closer…
Did Joseph Smith Attempt to Assassinate Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs?
When an unknown assailant unsuccessfully attempted to kill former governor…
VIDEO: Book of Mormon Evidence Video on the Elevation of Jerusalem
Throughout the Bible, journeys toward Jerusalem are described as going…
Latter-day Saint Perspectives on All the Hard Topics Tackled in Under the Banner of Heaven
We invite any who are curious to learn more about…
VIDEO: Archaeological Evidence for the Book of Mormon’s Mulek
The Book of Mormon states that King Zedekiah had a…
Why Did Abraham and Sarah Receive New Names and Tokens?
The power of naming can be seen in the Creation…
New Short Film: Abraham and Sarah
View a new 30-minute film on Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac…
Why Is the Story of Noah and the Ark So Repetitive?
When reading the story of Noah and the ark, many…
Why Did Joseph Smith Produce a New Translation of the Bible?
The Joseph Smith Translation is not a translation in the…
VIDEO: Evidence for Ancient American Cement
Could ancient Americans really have known how to make cement?…
Why Were Man and Woman Created in the Image of God?
For centuries, the Judeo-Christian tradition has wrestled with the theological…
Why Did the Nauvoo City Council Order the Destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor Press?
Why did the city council take this action? The decision…
Spiritual Goals for 2022 and How to Stick to Them
At the beginning of every year, lots of us try…
Why Did Emma Smith Remain in Nauvoo after the Death of Joseph Smith?
After Joseph Smithâs death in 1844, Emma remained in Nauvoo…
Why Was Joseph Smith Murdered?
In a moving new video, Casey Griffiths and Scott Woodward…
Why Did Joseph Smith File for Bankruptcy?
Some have tried to use the details of this bankruptcy…
Why Was the Nauvoo City Charter Important for Protecting the Saints?
âPartly because of this persecution, Latter-day Saints who settled Nauvoo…
VIDEO: Why Bible Prophets Speak of Future Events in the Past Tense
On some occasions, prophets in the Bible would speak of…
Why Did Joseph Write His Famous Letter from Liberty Jail?
The letter Joseph Smith wrote in Liberty Jail between March…
Experience Liberty Jail in a Chilling New Video
Historical events can sometimes be difficult to picture because the…
Why Were the Saints Driven from Missouri in the Fall of 1838?
While there were certainly many complex factors that contributed to…
Why Is the âPentecostalâ Season in Kirtland Believable?
The months and weeks surrounding the completion and dedication of…
Why Was Doctrine and Covenants Section 88 Quoted in Section 109?
Doctrine and Covenants 88, sometimes called âThe Olive Leaf,â is…
New Video Explains the Book of Mormon in 5 Minutes
In the new video, âThe Book of Mormon Explained in…
Why Did Joseph Smith File a Legal Complaint against Doctor Philastus Hurlbut?
As news of the persecutions in Missouri reached Kirtland, enemies…
What Are the âJust and Holy Principlesâ of the US Constitution?
In the 1830s, the United States was still a young…
Why Was Hyrum Faithful to His Witness of the Book of Mormon?
Of all Joseph Smithâs family and friends, perhaps none were…
VIDEO: “We Think Weâve Found the Valley of Lemuel in Saudi Arabia”
Thanks to archaeology and on-the-ground surveying, scholars have made progress…
New Video Provides Evidence for Steel Swords in the Book of Mormon
As part of a new video series, Evidence Central's YouTube…
Why Study Ancient Apocryphal Literature?
Most Latter-day Saints today are unfamiliar with the collection of…
Why Did Rebecca Swain Williams Defend the Book of Mormon?
Rebecca actively sought to share the gospel with her family,…
VIDEO: Brigham Young’s Vision of Ensign Peak
Joseph Smith had just been murdered, and the Saints in…
Why Did William E. McLellin Call the Book of Mormon the âApple of My Eyeâ?
Despite being excommunicated and becoming an opponent of the Church,…
Why Is Doctrine and Covenants 65 Called a Revelation on Prayer?
While the exact occasion that inspired the short revelation now…
Why Was David Whitmer Excommunicated from the Church?
Joseph Smith said that he ordained David âto be a…
Why Did David Whitmer Never Return to the Church?
David Whitmer and his family played a crucial role in…
Why Did Martin Harris Come Back to the Church?
Despite being one of the earliest and most important contributors…
Why Was Martin Harris Cut Off from the Church?
Martin Harris was among the very earliest supporters of Joseph…
Why Did Oliver Cowdery Come Back to the Church?
After the Prophet Joseph Smith, no single person was more…
Why Did the Kirtland Safety Society Fail?
âWithin a week of opening,â according to the recent analysis…
Why Was Oliver Cowdery Excommunicated from the Church?
After the Prophet Joseph Smith, there was no more important…
New Joseph Smith Papers Volume Sheds Light on Joseph Smithâs Evolving Teachings on Marriage
Two of the documents in this volume related to plural…
Why Did John Whitmer Continue to Testify of the Book of Mormon?
John and other members of the Whitmer family left the…
Join a Free Conference on the Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses This Weekend
"Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses" is a…
What Converted Sidney Rigdon to the Book of Mormon?
Sidney Rigdon had spent a decade from 1821â1830 as a…
Free, Virtual Fireside: Kirtland, Holy Ground of our Dispensation
Karl Ricks Anderson is affectionately known throughout the Church as…
VIDEO: The Women at the Cross
Written by BYU religion professor John Hilton III and adapted…
Why Was Peter Whitmer Jr. Chosen to Witness the Gold Plates?
Shortly after Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery arrived at the…
Why Did Hiram Page Remain Faithful to the Book of Mormon?
In the early months after the Church was first organized…
VIDEO: Messages of Christ–Parable of the Sower
Messages of Christâs latest video offers a unique perspective of…
How Did the Establishment of Jesus Christâs Church in 1830 Comply with the Law?
The organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day…
Why Was Martin Harris Needed to Pay for the Printing of the Book of Mormon?
Martin and Josephâs meetings with Grandin and other printers in…
Why Did the Lord Command the Three Witnesses to Rely upon His Word?
In June 1829, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris…
How Was the Joseph Knight Family Important to Bringing Forth the Book of Mormon?
The trust between Joseph and the Knight family was mutual.…
VIDEO: Archeology and the Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law
Ever wonder what the home of the apostle Peter might…
Why Was Joseph Smith Accused of Being a âDisorderly Personâ in 1826?
Why was Joseph accused? There are at least four reasons.
Why Were So Many Sections in the Doctrine and Covenants Revealed during the Book of Mormon Translation?
During the limited time when the Book of Mormon was…
Why Did Martin Want a View of the Plates in March 1829?
Martin Harris' wife and others were planning to file a…
Why Did Moroni Quote Malachi about Elijahâs Coming?
When Moroni visited Joseph Smith on the night of September…
Why Could Joseph Smith Testify in Court at Age 13?
The Smith familyâs reputation in their Palmyra community has been…
Why was it Easy to Join a Church in Joseph Smithâs Day?
For a young Joseph Smith living on the frontier of…
What the Shepherds and Abish Teach us about Being a Witness of Christ
At times we too might feel like Abish or the…
Why Did Moroni Conclude with So Many Exhortations?
As Moroni prepared to seal up the record that he…
Insights into the Life of Mormon from Moroni 9
Several scholars have looked carefully at Mormonâs letter in Moroni…
Why Did Moroni Provide the Exact Wording of Priesthood Ordinances?
As Moroni wandered in the final years of his life,…
Messages of Christ Video: Jesus and The Sinful Woman
This video offers insights into an often overlooked Bible story.…
Why Were the Unburied Dead So Troubling to the Jaredites?
In the Old Testament, people were often warned that if…
Why Are Secret Combinations Associated with Cain and Getting Gain?
Throughout the Book of Mormon, secret combinations are frequently associated…
Three Thanksgiving Lessons from the Book of Mormon
For many, this year has been very challenging and disheartening…
Why Did Jesus Say, âNever Have I Showed Myself unto Manâ?
Regarding the significance of a sacred encounter with the Brother…
VIDEO: Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman
While teaching at a synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus asks a…
What Do We Know About Nephite Language?
Efforts to understand Nephite language have naturally focused on Hebrew…
How Do the Events of Mormonâs Life Shape the Entire Book of Mormon?
Careful study of Mormonâs autobiographical account can help readers better…
Review: New Joseph Smith Papers Volume Illuminates Turbulent Period in Joseph Smithâs Life
What emerges from the documents featured in this volume relating…
How Is the Unity of Zion Society Achieved?
Much of the world today is marked with sharp divisiveness…
How Did Christ Use the Nephite Prophetic Worldview?
As Nephi and his younger brother Jacob laid the foundation…
VIDEO: Understanding the Feast of Tabernacles
Last week, ending on Friday was the Feast of Tabernacles…
Why Should You Have Family Prayer?
President Russell M. Nelson has taught, âThe practice of Church…
VIDEO: Touching Thoughts on Christ’s Visit to America from BYU Professors
As we continue our study through 3 Nephi, we immerse…
Five Great Resources to Help You Prepare for General Conference
This week, Latter-day Saints around the globe prepare for the…
How Can We Walk Perfectly Along the Covenant Path?
In the Sermon on the Mount, beloved by Christians all…
What Does It Mean to Be Perfect?
When Jesus appeared to the people at Bountiful, he taught…
New Research Project Centralizes Evidences for the Book of Mormon and the Church of Jesus Christ
Carefully studying this evidentiary data can enrich, inform, and ultimately…
Why Does the Father Say âHear Ye Himâ?
No message could be more important for all people in…
Messages of Christ: The Woman at the Well
In the Book of Mormon we find many examples of…
Why Should 3 Nephi Be Read as the Book of the High Priest Nephi?
No part of the Book of Mormon exudes greater holiness…
VIDEO: Evidence for the Book of Abraham Facsimiles from Egyptology
Since 1842 when it was first published, the Book of…
An Egyptologist Answers Questions about the Book of Abraham
âReasonable people can absolutely accept the Book of Abraham as…
How Are Samuel the Lamanite and the Biblical Prophet Samuel Similar?
Samuel the Lamanite was likely not what the Nephites expected…
Why Does Helaman 7â8 Feel Like a Funeral Speech?
Nephiâs lamentation must have involved some dramatic actions in order…
Tracing Ancient Threads in the Book of Moses: A Free Virtual Conference
Because we believe that the Book of Moses includes authentic…
Why Did Pahoran, Paanchi, and Pacumeni have Such Similar Sounding Names?
A general rule for fiction writing is that the authors…
VIDEO: How the Woman Caught in Adultery teaches us about Relying on Our Rock, Jesus Christ
In the latest video produced by Messages of Christ, Daniel…
Watch: Two BYU Devotionals to Lift Your Soul Today
"The things of God are of deep import, and time…
How was Pahoran a Strong Leader in Turbulent Times?
Careful consideration of the clues and details about Pahoran reveals…
Why Did God Support the Nephites in Battle?
In the ancient world, victory was never thought to be…
Messages of Christ: A Lesson on Humbly Accepting Correction
This weekâs Come Follow Me lesson teaches us how Alma…
Why Did Alma Draw on the Teachings of Abinadi?
Astute readers of the Book of Mormon may have noticed…
Chiasmus and Biblical Scholarship in the News
Strong interest in the study of chiasmus, especially in biblical…
Why Did Alma See God Surrounded by Angels?
Scholars are increasingly recognizing that Almaâs story is about more…
Messages of Christ: The Widow of Nain
The story of Jesus raising the widowâs son from the…
Resources from Egyptologists for Studying the Book of Abraham: Authenticity, Translation, Facsimiles, and More
Controversy has surrounded the Book of Abraham ever since it…
Plagues, Pestilences, Pests and Pandemics in These Latter Days
I continue to be intrigued that God not only knows…
Why Does the Book of Mormon Use So Many Different Terms for âLawâ?
Throughout the Book of Mormon, a set of synonymous (or…
Why did the Ammonites Covenant Not to Take Up Arms?
There can be no doubt that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies âsupply what…
Why Did the Servants Present Lamoni with the Arms of His Enemies?
Hugh Nibley observed, âThe whole affair at the waters of…
Hands and Arms as Trophies of Valor: Examples from Archaeology
In the Book of Mormon, Ammon cuts off the arms…
Video Illustrates How Jesus Treated People of Different Classes, Races, and Backgrounds
During this turbulent and contentious time, many are searching the…
Why Did Alma Respond in the Way He Did to the âOrder of Nehorâ in Ammonihah?
One way to read the account of Alma and Amulek…
The Nephite System of Currency in Alma 11 and Connections to Ancient America
Alma 11 contains an intriguing story of a lawyer named…
Why Did an Angel Send Alma Back to Ammonihah?
After unsuccessfully trying to preach at Ammonihah, Alma was ready…
Whose âWordâ Was Fulfilled by Christâs Suffering âPains and Sicknessesâ?
Alma the Youngerâs teachings to the people of Gideon about…
VIDEO: How Pentecost Reveals an Important Lesson on Temples and Becoming Priests
While not formally celebrated by the members of the Church…
Why Did Alma Face Such Great Political Challenges as the Chief Judge?
Alma the Younger faced multiple challenges as the first chief…
How Can Contrasts Teach Us about True Conversion?
True conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through His…
How the Lamanite Daughters may have been Abducted on an Israelite Holiday
Chapter 20 of Mosiah begins with the statement: âThere was…
Why is a âCeremonyâ Mentioned After King Noah is Executed?
As the people were on their way back to the…
VIDEO: Honoring the Courage of Mary the Mother of Christ
As we have spent this weekend honoring mothers on Motherâs…
Why Did Abinadi Warn the People of an East Wind?
In an ancient biblical context, the âeast windâ was sometimes…
4 Fascinating Insights about Seers, Seer Stones, and Interpreters
Readers may have some questions about what a seer is,…
What Can Readers Learn from Lamanite Traditions?
As readers encounter the often bloody battles between the Nephites…
How Does Christ âSeal You Hisâ?
Just before Benjamin closed his ceremonial speech, he placed the…
The Book of Mormon Insight into The Churchâs New Symbol
The magnificent new Church symbol, derived from Bertel Thorvaldsen's Christus…
Why Did the Nephites Preserve Some Items as âNational Treasuresâ?
As reported in the Book of Mormon, certain objects were…
Why Did Joseph Smith Attempt to Secure the Book of Mormon Copyright in Canada?
Sometime in early 1830 (probably between January and early March),…
Twenty Insights and Evidences on Joseph Smith and the First Vision
Drawing from both cutting-edge and pioneering academic literature on the…
Did Joseph Smithâs Mother Believe He Could Have Written the Book of Mormon?
Lucy Mack Smith, mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith, was…
Celebrating the Restoration: Seeing the Hand of God in History
Fascinatingly, the social and historical developments that set the stage…
Ancient Perspectives on Enos, Jarom, Omni, and Words of Mormon
So here are 4 ancient insights into these four short…
Why Are Horses Mentioned in the Book of Mormon?
The mention of horses among domesticated animals kept by Book…
Why Did Jacob Include the Case of Sherem?
After reading and interpreting the Allegory of the Olive Tree…
A Step-by-Step Guide to Help Make Home-Centered Church Easier During the Coronavirus
Because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has…
Why Did Jacob Highlight Nephiâs Role as a Protector?
As Jacob eulogized his older brother Nephi, and commented on…
How âSaintsâ and Jacobâs Teachings Can Help Contextualize Polygamy
The second chapter of the book of Jacob in the…
Church Releases Trailer for Next Season in Book of Mormon Video Series: Mosiah – Alma
The trailer for season three of the Book of Mormon…
5 Insights into Temples from Nephiâs Final Teachings
Nephi concludes his record with stirring and profound pleadings to…
How Does the Doctrine of Christ Relate to the Ancient Temple?
As Nephi begins to close his record, he emphatically teaches…
Why Did Nephi Say the Devil Leads Sinners by a âFlaxen Cordâ?
Because of secret combinations and pride in their own learning…
Watch: 7 Videos and Tips to Help You Tackle the Isaiah Chapters in 2 Nephi
Here are seven great tips (with accompanying resources) that can…
Why Does Isaiah Prophesy of the Daughter of Zion?
While many of the Book of Mormonâs stories are told…
Why Did Jacob Condemn âDeliberatelyâ Killing?
The existence of these two related, but distinct, sets of…
4 Gospel Truths We Can Learn from Jacobâs Speech
Through Isaiahâs prophecies, Jacob reveals many doctrinal and spiritual gems…
40 Insights and Evidences on the Book of Abraham from Pearl of Great Price Central
On January 31, 2020, Pearl of Great Price Central published…
VIDEO: Did Ancient Israelites Build Temples Outside of Jerusalem?
Some have wondered whether building a temple outside of Jerusalem…
New Archaeological Discovery Sheds Light on Nephiâs Temple
The Book of Mormon was criticized during Joseph Smithâs lifetime…
Why Did Nephiâs âFine Steelâ Bow Break?
Nephi, âwent forth to slay food,â but âdid break [his]…
Watch: Compelling Book of Mormon Evidence for Lehiâs Journey through Arabia
For many years, researchers have been carefully studying Nephiâs account…
Archaeological Evidence for 7 Locations on Lehiâs Journey to the Promised Land
While there is still much to learn about the people…
Why Did Nephi Prophesy of Christopher Columbus?
If Columbus is, indeed, the âman among the Gentilesâ seen…
What Did the River of Filthy Water and the River of Laman Look Like?
Two months ago, a colleague and I visited the best…
What is the Significance of the Great and Spacious Building?
The dangers Lehi saw in his dream are just as…
What Sacrifices did Lehi Offer to God in the Wilderness?
The Prophet Nephi recorded that on several occasions Lehi and…
New Article on Lehiâs Travels and the Location of the Valley of Lemuel
In his newly available article, entitled âInto Arabia: Lehi and…
Why Did Lehi and Jeremiah Find Themselves in a Dark and Dreary Wilderness?
Each of us can see ourselves in Lehiâs dream as…
7 Short Videos to Kick Off Your Book of Mormon Come Follow Me Study
This week we are studying the introductory pages to the…
Why Didnât Nephi Mention Maryâs Name?
In his vision of the Tree of Life, Nephi beheld…
Studying the Bible and Book of Mormon Together Helps Us Understand the Book of Revelation
The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi recorded a panoramic vision…
Evidence that the New Testament Phrases in the Book of Mormon were Given by the Power of God
This KnoWhy will look at the probability that the translation…
Why Was the Birth of Jesus Glad Tidings?
More than two thousand years ago, angels appeared to startled…
Why Was the Heavenly Book Sealed with Seven Seals?
Only a person with proper authority could break the seals…
How Nephi and the Tree of Life can help you make sense of the Book of Revelation
The Revelation of John presents modern readers with a dizzying…
New Video Explores the Historical Believability of the Book of Abraham
While Latter-day Saints primarily cherish the Book of Abraham for…
What King Benjamin and John the Elder Teach us about being Children of God
The author of the letters 1, 2, and 3 John…
7 Details You May Not Have Noticed in the Churchâs New Christmas Nativity Video
This video prepares our hearts and minds for the Christmas…
Did Joseph Smith Put the New Testament Passages in the Book of Mormon?
Exactly how and why did New Testament phrases, verses, and,…
James Treasured the Words of the Lord, His Brother
The presence of parts of the Sermon on the Mount…
How the Dead Sea Scrolls Shed Light on Similarities Between Hebrews and the Book of Mormon
Although it is difficult to always know why similarities appear…
Why Did Samuel Say the Wealth of Some Nephites Would Become âSlipperyâ?
Samuel the Lamaniteâs famous prophetic warnings are found in Helaman…
Did a âMagic World Viewâ Influence the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon?
One of the common questions many people have asked about…
Exciting New Book of Abraham Discovery Published: Shinehah
Last week Pearl of Great Price Central published a Book…
Three Monsters in the Book of Mormon and What They Can Teach Us
The Book of Mormon is a volume of sacred scripture,…
Why Did Benjamin Give Multiple Names for Jesus at the Coronation of his Son Mosiah?
At the center of this passage, one thing that stands…
Beautiful Video Explains the Story of the Plates of Mormon
Book of Mormon Central teamed up with artist Katie Payne…
The Apostle Paul and King Benjamin: Examples of Christlike Leadership and Service
The selfless service shown by Paul and Silvanus as recorded…
VIDEO: One Powerful Way To “Root Ourselves in Christ”
In Colossians 2:7, Pauls asks us to be "Rooted and…
Why Do Similar Clusters of Old Testament Texts Appear in Both the New Testament and Book of Mormon?
Although there are different emphases and choices of phrases used,…
What Do We Learn About Ministering from the Account of Sherem?
We should never give up on friends or loved ones…
A Collection of Scriptures that Remind Us of Our Relationship to Christ and His âTempleâ
In this analogy, various leaders and members of the Church…
The Plates of Brass as a Source of New Testament Phrases in the Book of Mormon
Far more often than readers usually realize, many New Testament…
Why You Are Part of Godâs Chosen People, Even When it Feels Like You Are Not
As more and more people across the world join the…
Was Korihor Really an Atheist?
Some have argued that Korihor is an anachronistic figure in…
Godâs Grace Can Strengthen and Perfect the Weak
One of the great miracles of the Gospel is that…
Why Do New Testament Words and Phrases Show Up in the Book of Mormon? Part 4: Revelations to Nephite Prophets as the Source (Part B)
In Part 3 of this series, the phrase, âRepent ye,…
How to have faith in the face of persecution
Paul taught that even though trials and adversity can be…
Is there evidence for great destruction in the land northward at the death of Christ?
The prophet Mormon, in his account of the people of…
âSwallowing Upâ Death in Isaiah, 1 Corinthians, and the Book of Mormon
Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, includes a…
Why Do New Testament Words and Phrases Show up in the Book of Mormon?: Revelations to Nephite Prophets as a Source
Although we do not know exactly in each case, many…
Why do New Testament Words and Phrases Show Up in the Book of Mormon? Part 2: The Resurrected Jesus as the Source
Readers of the Book of Mormon have always been aware…
How Can Keeping âthe Unity of the Faithâ Help Us Be âthe Temple of Godâ?
In an epistle to the Ephesians, Paul used Old Testament…
Grace: The Enabling Power and Gift of Godâs Love
The Apostle Paul taught that through the grace of God,…
Why Must We Beware Wolves in Sheepâs Clothing?
Near the end of His Sermon on the Mount and…
How Paulâs conversion can strengthen your faith in Joseph Smithâs accounts of the First Vision
Joseph Smith claimed that in 1820 he beheld a vision…
How Were Jonah and the Brother of Jared Able to Find Comfort?
Ether 3 contains the prayer of the Brother of Jared…
How Paul and the Book of Mormon Help Us Spot âGrievous Wolvesâ
After extensive travels that included preaching the gospel and visiting…
Why Do New Testament Words and Phrases Show Up in the Book of Mormon?
Readers of the Book of Mormon have, since it was…
How Church Leaders Receive Revelation for the Whole Church: Peterâs Example
As recorded in Acts 10â15, the leaders of the church…
The Miraculous Translation of the Book of Mormon into Japanese
The Book of Mormon contains a prophecy that the âLord…
What Was One of the Main Causes of Warfare in the Book of Mormon?
The Book of Mormon frequently discusses warfare from 1 Nephi…
VIDEO: Moving Rendition of ‘God Bless America’ to Inspire You This Independence Day
In 1938 the people of the world faced some of…
Why Does Part of the Long Ending of Mark Show Up in the Book of Mormon?
Clearly, textual questions about the ending of Mark remain open…
The unique way that the Book of Mormon is a symbol of Jesus Christâs Resurrection
The good news that Jesus is risen from the dead…
VIDEO: Latter-day Saint Artist’s Miraculous Book of Mormon Testimony
We had the opportunity to sit down with Katie Payne…
Did the Book of Mormon Witnesses Really See What They Claimed?
The combined testimonies of the Three and Eight Witnesses of…
4 Reasons why Latter-day Saints should reverence and study the Crucifixion more
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the most central doctrine…
Did Jesus Bleed from Every Pore?
In his memorable speech, King Benjamin quoted words delivered to…
VIDEO: Compelling Book of Mormon Evidence for Lehiâs Journey through Arabia
For many years, researchers have been carefully studying Nephiâs account…
Why Is the Book of Mormon Called an âAbridgmentâ?
The total amount of history that the Book of Mormonâs…
3 Teachings from the Last Supper that Latter-day Saints can uniquely appreciate
Many teachings from these chapters are especially pertinent to Latter-day…
VIDEO: Seeing the Parable of the Ten Virgins with New Eyes
Just days before His mortal ministry would end with His…
Why Does the Book of Mormon Warn Against Seeking after Riches?
As the Book of Mormon and the Bible make clear,…
What Does It Mean to Love God with âAll Thy Mindâ?
The Book of Mormon, like the New Testament, powerfully commands…
VIDEO: The Parable of the Two Sons will change your perspective on the Premortal Council
Without understanding the culture of the time and the Greek-to-English…
VIDEO: The Story Behind the First Foreign Translation of the Book of Mormon
In this video, Book of Mormon Central research associate Jonathon…
Why Does the Book of Mosiah Refer to the Exodus Narrative?
In Mosiah 11:27, King Noah asks, âWho is Abinadi, that…
VIDEO: Is God unfair? How the Parable of the Vineyard Laborers changes everything
In the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, those…
New Joseph Smith Papers Volume Published on Nauvoo
A new volume of the Joseph Smith Papers has been…
The Who, What, and Why of âReformed Egyptianâ in the Book of Mormon
The prophet Moroni indicated that he and his father Mormon…
Seeing Ourselves in a Tale of Two Prodigals
Few of the parables of Jesus are better known than…
What Do We Know About the âAnthon Transcriptâ?
One of the most important sources related to Martin Harrisâs…
New Video on the Parable of the Prodigal Son Gives Deep Insights into the Repentance Process
One of the most powerful and memorable parables of the…
Why Did Martin Harris Consult with Scholars like Charles Anthon?
There is more to the story than what is recounted…
Why Did Mormon and Moroni Write in Reformed Egyptian?
At the beginning of 1 Nephi, Nephi said that he…
How the parable of the Good Samaritan is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ
One of the most influential stories told by Jesus is…
Is the Book of Mormon Like Other Ancient Metal Documents?
According to H. Curtis Wright, a bibliographer with expertise in…
VIDEO: Fascinating Symbolism of Christ as the Passover Lamb
As we better understand Passover and the spring Jewish Feasts,…
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach Us about the Resurrection?
Christianity revolves around Christâs resurrection from the dead, and every…
VIDEO: 8 ways the Book of Mormon enriches our understanding of Easter and the Resurrection
With Easter fast approaching, Latter-day Saints and Christians all over…
6 Ways to Prepare your Heart for Easter
Easter is the most important holiday of the year. While…
Why Should Readers Pay Attention to the Book of Mormonâs Editorial Promises?
In several ways, the authors and editors of the Book…
VIDEO: New Archaeological Evidence for Sariah as a Hebrew Womanâs Name
New evidence for the Book of Mormon name Sariah was…
Does God Ever Change His Mind?
Because God has eternal divine attributes, it may be tempting…
How Was the Transfiguration of Jesus and the Three Nephites a Temple-Like Experience?
The shared elements in these transfiguring events reported in the…
What Translating Harry Potter Reveals About the Book of Mormon
Easily some of the most beloved and popular books in…
Was Joseph Smith the âAuthorâ of the Book of Mormon?
Latter-day Saints are accustomed to speaking of Joseph Smith as…
Why Did Jesus Teach Using Parables?
One of the notable aspects of Jesusâ ministry is that…
Why Is the Timing of the Book of Mormonâs Translation So âMarvelousâ?
The Book of Mormon presents itself to the world as…
How Does Taking on Jesusâs âYokeâ Make Our Own Burdens Light?
Jesus famously promised ârestâ to all those âthat labour and…
What Makes Mankind an Enemy to God?
When speaking to his people, King Benjamin stated that âthe…
3 Ways the Savior Healed People by His Touch. And How You Can Be Healed.
The miracles of the New Testament symbolize to different aspects…
What Can We All Learn about Repentance from the Tragic Loss of the 116 Book of Mormon Pages?
Both Joseph Smith and Martin Harris learned many important principles…
3 Things we Learn from the Different Versions of the Lordâs Prayer
When Jesus gave his Sermon at the Temple in 3…
6 Things to Consider When a Church Leader Commits a Serious Sin
When any trusted local or general leader in The Church…
How Does the Unusual Translation Sequence of the Book of Mormon Strengthen Faith?
Many readers of the Book of Mormon naturally assume that…
Perfectionism in Latter-day Saint culture: What it really means to be âperfectâ
One of the things that Jesus commands in the Sermon…
Is the Book of Mormon Like Any Other Nineteenth Century Book?
When the Book of Mormon was published in March 1830,…
VIDEO: What did prophets think about Book of Mormon geography?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently released…
VIDEO: Archaeological evidence for Egyptian writing by Israelites in Book of Mormon times
Nephi says he wrote using âthe learning of the Jews…
VIDEO: Three Minute Book of Mormon Summary, Perfect to Share with Your Friends
This video vividly illustrates the main story lines and purposes…
What Does It Mean to Be âBorn Again?â
The need for Christâs followers to be âborn again,â as…
Three Latter-day Saint scriptures to help you understand Jesusâ temptations in the wilderness
Many Christians are aware that Jesus was tempted by the…
VIDEO: The temple endowment has changed over time. The Book of Mormon teaches us why it’s ok.
The scriptures show that from dispensation to dispensation, and from…
What Does It Really Mean to Be a Good Person?
Sometimes, the Book of Mormon uses the word good the…
Learn about the “John the Baptist” of the Book of Mormon
In the Book of Mormon, a prophet was called to…
When was Jesus Christ really born? The Book of Mormon can help
Did you know that the Book of Mormon helps us…
How Does Prophecy Shape the Book of Mormonâs Content and Structure?
On some level or another, most readers notice these recurring…
How the Gospels and the Book of Mormon Help Us Understand Prophecies of Christâs Coming
Recent research on early Israelite religion and belief has led…
Where is the Land of Promise?
The prophets Ether and Moroni prophesied that âa New Jerusalemâ…
This Book of Mormon scripture changed the way I view veils, women, and the temple
The temple is seen as the holiest place on earth,…
How Can the Book of Mormon Provide Peace and Meaning to Those in Military Service?
Serving oneâs country in the military can and should always…
5 Ways to Take Responsibility for your Own Learning in Scripture Study
The answer to making scripture study more meaningful may very…
Why Does the Book of Mormon Talk about a âLand of Jerusalemâ?
The phrase âland of Jerusalemâ shows up about 40 times…
Why Is the Book of Mormon âAnother Testament of Jesus Christâ?
In 1982, the phrase âAnother Testament of Jesus Christâ was…
Why Should Latter-day Saints Beware Fraudulent Artifacts?
Beginning in the Prophet Josephâs lifetime, the unfortunate creation and…
Why Were Lehi and Nephi Guided by Angelic Escorts in Their Visions?
Lehi and his son Nephi both experienced profound visions in…
How Are the Words of the Book of Mormon Like âOne That Hath a Familiar Spiritâ?
In his prophecies about the last days, Nephi declared that…
Does the Book of Mormon Really Have âBadâ Grammar?
The prophet Moroni felt self-conscious about the wording of the…
Where is the Location of the Hill Cumorah?
Not much is known about the land and hill Cumorah.…
The Simple Miracle That Helped the Whitmers Further the Book of Mormon
The translation of the Book of Mormon was already a…
What Role Should Scholarship Play in Studying the Book of Mormon?
The Book of Mormon does not present itself as a…
Who are the Descendants of the Lamanites?
As the Book of Mormon and prophets since the beginning…
How Thomas B. Marsh was Led to the Book of Mormon Without Knowing It
For many people, there is something about the Book of…
Why Is the Book of Mormon So Focused on Jesus Christ?
The Book of Mormon is a collection of ancient records…
The Miraculous Translation of the Book of Mormon into Ukrainian
Often, when we think about the translation of the Book…
Why Must Christâs True Church Be Called after His Name?
Following the visit of the resurrected Jesus to the New…
Why Is so Little Said about the Timing of Christâs Temple Ministry?
In a fortunate irony, it seems that the confusion about…
Why Is the Book of Mormonâs Historical Authenticity So Important?
The efforts to read the Book of Mormon as âinspired…
How is the Day of Atonement Understood in the Book of Mormon?
Looking carefully at ritual cleanliness laws in the Old Testament…
Why Are Later Jewish Sources Relevant to Texts in the Book of Mormon?
How could there be so many legal and literary similarities…
When Did Mormon Write His Letter Recorded in Moroni 9?
Moroni 9Â contains a letter from Mormon, written to his son…
Why Does Nephi Begin by Saying âI, Nephi . . .â?
The best-known words in all of the Book of Mormon…
Why Are There So Many Similarities between the Dreams of Lehi and Joseph Smith, Sr.?
The opening chapters of the Book of Mormon preserve an…
Why Did Book of Mormon Prophets Quote Long Passages of Scripture?
The speeches in the Book of Mormon sometimes contain long…
Why Does the Book of Mormon Mention Cimeters?
Some skeptical readers have claimed that the term cimeter in the…
Why Can Nephiâs Vision Be Called an Apocalypse?
Nephi had a vision in which heavenly messengers showed him…
Is There Evidence for Highways in Ancient America?
When abridging the record of 3 Nephi, Mormon reported on…
Why Are Lehiâs Visions Like Those of Other Prophets in His Day?
Although comparisons between Lehi and Jeremiah are natural and welcome,…
How Does Chiasmus Teach Us to Reverse the Pride Cycle?
The way that the chiasm in Alma 62:48â51 connects to…
Why Does the Book of Mormon Say We Must Worship God with Our Whole Soul?
In 2 Nephi 25:29 we learn that we must worship…
Was Lehi Familiar with Zenosâs Allegory of the Olive Tree?
Readers familiar with Jacob 5 will probably recognize that Lehiâs…
How Many Others Traveled with Lehi to the Promised Land?
Understanding the composition of Lehiâs traveling party is more than…
Who Were the âElders of the Jewsâ Mentioned by Zoram?
In a famous episode from the Book of Mormon, Nephi…
How Could Nephi Have Known about Jeremiahâs Imprisonment?
In a series of exhortations to his brothers, Nephi referred…
Why Was It Significant that Nephi Was Made âa Ruler and a Teacherâ Over His Brethren?
Early on in the book of 1 Nephi, the Lord…
When Does Nephi Stop Telling His Father’s Story and Start Telling His Own?
In the first chapter of the Book of Mormon, Nephi…
Why Are People Exhausted by Powerful Spiritual Experiences?
Throughout the Book of Mormon, there are occasions where peopleâs…
Why Are Lehiâs First Visions So Similar to Much Later Apocalyptic Writings?
Scholars have noted the similarity between the elements of some…
How is the Name Zoram Connected with Pride?
Not much is revealed about Zoram, except that he was…
What Did It Mean for Lehi to be a Visionary Man?
The Book of Mormon phrase âvisionary manâ is curious since…
Is the Path to Eternal Life âStraitâ or âStraightâ?
Several passages in the most recent editions of the Book…
What Does Mary Whitmer Teach Us About Enduring Trials?
The Three and Eight Witnesses of the Golden Plates stand…
What Do the Kinderhook Plates Reveal About Joseph Smithâs Gift of Translation?
In the first week of May 1843, six bell-shaped brass…
How Are Oliver Cowderyâs Messenger and Advocate Letters to Be Understood and Used?
During his early tenure as editor of the paper, Oliver…
Why Did Some in Lehiâs Time Believe that Jerusalem Could Not Be Destroyed?
BYU Religious Education professors David Rolph Seely and Fred E.…
What Can an Ancient Christian Text Tell us About the Book of Mormon?
In 1873, a Greek Orthodox bishop named Philotheos Bryennios was…
What Does the Abish Story Signal About the Resurrection?
When Ammon taught King Lamoni the plan of salvation, the…
Why Did Nephi Clarify that the Messiah was the Savior of the World?
Nephiâs clarification that the Messiah was âa Savior of the…
How Can We Be Delivered through the Lordâs Tender Mercies?
In the first chapter of his record, Nephi said he…
Why Does the Book of Mormon Warn that a Lake of Fire and Brimstone Awaits Sinners in the Afterlife?
While harsh and disturbing imagery of God destroying sinners with…
What Is So Good about Nephiâs Name?
âI, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents âŠâ. This…
How is the Phrase “Make a Record” an Evidence for the Book of Mormon?
The writers of the Book of Mormon often stated that…
Why Did Book of Mormon Authors Use Colophons?
Nephiâs introductory colophon is arguably the most notable example of…
Why Did Nephi Want to Know the Mysteries of God?
In describing this experience, Nephi said he wanted âto know…
Who Were the âMany Prophetsâ in Jerusalem During Lehiâs Time?
Nephi stated that at the time he lived in Jerusalem,…
Did Prophets Such as Ezekiel Know the Writings of Zenos?
The Old Testament-era prophet Zenos had considerable influence on the…
Why Are Certain Biblical Psalms Used by Book of Mormon Authors?
Here at Book of Mormon Central, we have done what…
Why Do Biblical Psalms of Lament Show Up in the Book of Mormon?
When tragedy struck Godâs people in Old Testament times, it…
How Do the Psalms Quoted in the Book of Mormon Teach about the Temple?
The Psalms mention the word âtempleâ more than any other book in…
How the Book of Mormon and the Old Testament Help Us Understand What it Means to be Redeemed
According to LDS scholar Benjamin Spackman, one of the keys…
Did âOthersâ Influence Book of Mormon Peoples?
Modern anthropological research tells us that the New World was…
Why Should Readers Pay Close Attention to the Mulekites?
Gaining an increased awareness of the Mulekites can help readers…
How LDS Women Have Influenced the Sharing of the Book of Mormon
Although women do not play a prominent role in most…
What is the Difference Between “Robbers” and “Thieves” in the Book of Mormon?
Although most readers probably havenât thought much about this detail,…
Where Did the Book of Mormon Happen?
Readers of the Book of Mormon may wonder, at times,…
Why Did Moroni Speak of Pulling Down Pride?
On several occasions, Captain Moroni spoke of pulling down the…
Is there Evidence of Sunken Cities in Ancient America?
After the great destruction which was recorded in 3 Nephi,…
How Are Rod and Sword Connected to the Word of God?
In Nephiâs vision of the Tree of Life, he beheld…
Why Don’t We Know the Names of the Angels in the Book of Mormon?
Angels play a significant role in 29 chapters of these…
How the Law of Moses Teaches about the Atonement
The Law of Moses can seem, at times, to have…
Is the Book of Mormon’s Depiction of Guerrilla Warfare Realistic?
In many respects, the style of warfare depicted in the…
How Does the Book of Mormonâs Depiction of a Loving God Fit with the Old Testament?
In some parts of the Old Testament, the Lord can…
Why Did Nephi Include the Story of the Broken Bow?
During Lehiâs travel through ancient Arabia, his sons needed to…
Were Nephite Prophets Familiar with the Passover Tradition?
While the Passover tradition is referred to quite frequently in…
What the Exodus Teaches Us about the Atonement
Early on in the Book of Mormon, Nephi often compared…
How Lehi Likened the Scriptures to Himself
As part of his last blessing upon his son Joseph,…
Were Joseph Smithâs Translation Instruments Like the Israelite Urim and Thummim?
When Joseph Smith was entrusted with the golden plates, he…
How Was Nephi Similar to Joseph of Egypt?
The writers of the Book of Mormon often alluded to…
A Secret Pattern in the Writing of the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is full of repeated words and…
How Does the Book of Mormon Use an Ancient Storytelling Technique?
As with all true stories, the author could have told…
How Can We Know What to Believe about Joseph Smithâs Personal Character?
Through the efforts of The Joseph Smith Papers project, numerous…
How Abrahamâs Sacrifice of Isaac Illuminates the Atonement
Jacobâs statement that the near-sacrifice of Isaac was âa similitudeâ…
Why Was the Sword of Laban So Important to Nephite Leaders?
From the time that Nephi drew Labanâs sword from its…
What Parts of the Old Testament Were on the Plates of Brass?
When reading through the Book of Mormon, one finds references…
Is There Evidence That Joseph Smith Possessed a Urim and Thummim and Breastplate?
Some may not realize that Joseph Smith obtained two Nephite…
Are There Any Conditions to the Abrahamic Covenant?
In the Old Testament, the Abrahamic covenant does not seem…
Are There Other Ancient Records Like the Book of Mormon?
For some, the story of the coming forth of the…
How Does The Book of Mormon Use a Hebrew Pun on King Noah’s Name?
The biblical prophet Noah is famous for building an ark…
Why Were the Three Witnesses Shown the Liahona?
Why was it important for the Three Witnesses to visually…
What Does an Ancient Book About Enoch Have to Do With Lehiâs Dream?
Among latter-day saints, Enoch is a beloved ancient prophet about…
Are the Accounts of the Golden Plates Believable?
Nearly two dozen individuals had some sort of sensory encounter…
Why We Still Have to Cling to the Iron Rod Even Though the Path is Strait
When describing his vision of the tree of life, Lehi…
Why Do We Have Three Different Accounts of the Creation?
Latter-day Saints have three different scriptural accounts of the creation:…
Is It Possible That a Single Author Wrote the Book of Mormon?
To date, the combined data from several valid stylometric studies…
How a Tangent About Foreordination Helps Explain Repentance
When Alma, son of Alma, was speaking to the people…
Why Would God Choose an Uneducated Man to Translate the Book of Mormon?
No matter how many years (or seasons) Joseph attended school,…
How Do the Book of Moses and Book of Mormon Help Us Understand the Endowment?
Because the LDS Temple Endowment ceremony is so important to…
Why Is David Whitmerâs Witness of the Book of Mormon So Compelling?
After traveling nearly 100 miles to reach Harmony, Pennsylvania, David…
Did the Nephites Have a âHoliday Seasonâ Like We Do Today?
In the United States, the âholiday season,â encompassing Thanksgiving, Christmas,…
How Can the Book of Mormon Survivors Give Us Hope?
Hugh Nibley once described the Book of Mormon as a…
Why Are So Few Women Mentioned in the Book of Mormon?
One element of the Book of Mormon that is troubling…
What Impact Do My Actions Have on Others?
Often, as we going about our daily lives, we may…
What Can Stylometry Tell Us about Book of Mormon Authorship?
Since the Book of Mormonâs publication in 1830, a number…
Why Bother Studying the Textual Variants in the Book of Mormon?
When the first copies of the Book of Mormon came…
Why Doesnât God Punish Us the Moment We Sin?
The phrase âday of graceâ only appears once in the…
How Did Emma Smith Help Bring Forth the Book of Mormon?
According to religion professors Amy Easton-Flake and Rachel Cope, âEmma…
How Can Sally Conradâs Witness of the Book of Mormon Strengthen Our Faith?
Generally, when we think of witnesses of the Book of…
How Can We Be Thankful During Times of Hardship?
Sometimes, it is only in the depths of sorrow, struggle,…
How Is Prosperity Defined in Nephiâs Small Plates?
In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord declared, âBehold, there…
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about Families?
For many people, family is the most important thing in…
What is the Purpose of Democracy in the Book of Mormon?
After finding out that his sons were not willing to…
How Can We Be Strengthened By Lucy Mack Smithâs Testimony of the Book of Mormon?
One of the most powerful witnesses of the Book of…
Why Does the Book of Mormon Use the Phrase âSecret Combinations?â
Throughout the Book of Mormon, the phrase âsecret combinationsâ is…
What Does the Book of Mormon Say about the Armor of God?
While preparing for a sacrament service sometime between August and…
What Were the âOther Recordsâ Nephi Saw in Vision?
Modern revelation through prophets and apostles is our most valuable…
Why Did Nephi Connect Isaiahâs Prophecies with Joseph Who Was Sold into Egypt?
When Lehi obtained the plates of brass, he discovered that…
What Can We Learn From Abishâs Member-missionary Work?
Often, when we think of missionary work in the Book…
How Do the Blessings in the Scriptures Apply to Us Today?
When Book of Mormon peoples kept their covenants, the Lord…
Why is Joy Associated with Temple Work in the Scriptures?
Latter-day Saints have long been taught that they can find…
Why Does Nephi State that We Are Saved by Grace âAfter All We Can Do?â
Nephiâs statement âit is by grace that we are saved,…
Why Did Jesus Quote the Words of Malachi 3-4 in 3 Nephi 24-25?
Near the end of his time with the Nephites after…
How Do the Covenants in the Scriptures Apply to Me Today?
Part of the stated function of the Book of Mormon…
Why Should We Read the Book of Mormon Daily?
In his Saturday morning address of the April 2017 session…
What Does it Really Mean to be Blessed For Keeping the Commandments?
When King Benjamin gave his final speech, he spoke to…
Why Do We Need Prophets?
We sustain modern prophets as prophets, seers, and revelators and…
How Can the Old Testament Covenants Help Us Understand the Book of Mormon?
There are two major covenants in the Bible, each associated…
Why Does Zion Flourish in the Wilderness?
Fleeing into the wilderness to escape the world is clearly…
What Does It Really Mean to Have Charity?
Near the end of his record, Moroni recorded a speech…
Why Does God Sometimes Send Angels to Help People?
Among the many faith-promoting stories that have come to us…
How Important Was It to Moroni that We Pray about the Book of Mormon?
After his fatherâs death, Moroni wandered alone for sixteen years…
How Was Lehiâs Journey Similar to the Mormon Pioneersâ Trek West?
Godâs people have often had to relocate to avoid oppression…
How Can Trials of Faith Lead to Spiritual Growth?
After relating so many examples of faith followed by miracles,…
What Can We Learn from 10 of the Best Chiasms in the Book of Mormon? Part 3
Nephiâs use of chiasmus âis that of a sophisticated literary…
How Did Brigham Young Help Take the Book of Mormon to the World?
On September 21, 1827, in Port Byron, New York, a…
How Was Chiasmus Discovered in the Book of Mormon?
In the early, still-dark hours of the morning, August 16,…
What More Can We Learn from 10 of the Best Chiasms in the Book of Mormon?
After first discovering chiasmus in Mosiah 5:10â12, John W. Welch…
Why Does God Sometimes Allow His Saints to Be Martyred?
Several stories in the Book of Mormon can help explain…
How Does Grace Help Us Overcome Weakness?
In Ether 12, the prophet Moroni told the Lord he…
What Can We Learn from 10 of the Best Chiasms in the Book of Mormon?
In the last fifty years, hundreds of chiasms have been…
How Do the Bible and Book of Mormon Help Us Understand the Sealing Power?
Joseph had been previously instructed multiples times by heavenly beings…
How Do Commandments Bring Us Peace and Happiness?
One of the most fundamental and enduring covenant teachings in…
Was Chiasmus Known to Ancient American Writers?
Many scholars have long recognized chiasmus as a characteristic literary…
Why Is It Important to Keep Records?
In 1831, John Whitmer became the first official LDS church…
Why Does Jesus Say that âYe Must Watch and Pray Alwaysâ?
In 3 Nephi 18:15, the Lord gave further instructions for…
What Can We Learn From The Saviorâs First Words At Bountiful?
Upon the death of the Savior, the Nephites and Lamanites…
How Did Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Authors Use Chiasmus?
The word chiasmus comes from the Greek chiasma, âcrossing,â based…
What Did the Book of Mormon Teach the Early Saints about Enduring Persecution?
The Church endured much persecution in its early years. In…
How Does the Gospel Bring Us unto Christ?
Jesus declared, âNow this is the commandment: Repent, all ye…
What Counts as Chiasmus?
Some Latter-day Saints and others as well have overzealously engaged…
Who Was Zelph?: When Joseph Smith Found the Bones of a Lamanite
While marching with Zionâs Camp, Joseph Smith and the brethren…
How Does the Book of Mormon Prepare Missionaries to Sacrifice, Serve, and Preach?
Shortly after his baptism in 1830, John Murdock remarked, âBeing…
How Much Could Joseph Smith Have Known about Chiasmus in 1829?
Many people have seen the distinctive and repeated use of…
Why Did Helaman Want His Sons to Remember to Build upon the Rock?
During a difficult time in which âthe laws had become…
What if Martin Harris Didnât Lose all of the 116 Pages?
Most readers of the Book of Mormon know the story…
What Did the Book of Mormon Teach Early Church Leaders about the Order and Offices of the Priesthood?
Early on in the Book of Mormon, there are references…
Why Canât Wickedness Ever Bring Happiness?
During Almaâs mission to the Zoramites, his son Corianton â[forsook]…
What Does Archaeology Reveal about Warfare During Early Nephite Times?
Toward the end of his life Jacob wrote of the…
How Can People Today Avoid Being Destroyed Like the Nephites Were?
In August of 1830, Joseph discovered that a man named…
What Does the Alma Say about Avoiding Sexual Sin?
One of Almaâs younger sons, Corianton, had committed serious sexual…
Why Did Lehi Quote from a Psalm of Repentance In His Dream?
In 1 Nephi 8, father Lehi told his family about…
Why Is It Good to Seek Both Spiritual and Secular Learning?
Clearly the Lord values instruction in both secular and spiritual…
What Did Alma Reveal about the Saviorâs Mission?
When Alma visited the city of Gideon, he was pleased…
Why You Should Care About the Nephite Weights and Measures System
âA senum of silver was equal to a senine of…
How Does the Book of Mormon Help Explain the Origins of the Word of Wisdom?
In January of 1833, Joseph Smith created a training school…
Why Did the Nephites Practice Baptism?
When Alma began to baptize people, he declared that their…
Why Did Lehi Divide His People into Seven Tribes?
Near the beginning of his record, Jacob clarified that the…
What Did the Early Saints Learn about the Second Coming from the Book of Mormon?
As early as 1823, Joseph Smith was made aware that…
Why Would Mankind âUnavoidably Perishâ without the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
To the poor and humble among the Zoramites, Amulek taught…
Why Did Nephi Say Serpents Could Fly?
When Nephiâs brothers were mocking him for attempting to build…
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about the Afterlife?
What happens after death? People have been asking this question…
How Did King Benjamin Teach His People to Trust God More?
During his well-known speech, King Benjamin told his people that…
Why Did Zenos Quote from Psalm 46 in His Prophecy of Christâs Death?
In 1 Nephi 19, Nephi related a series of prophecies…
Why Are There So Many Different Names for the Plan of Salvation?
The Doctrine and Covenants never gives a name to this…
How Can One Overcome the Natural Man?
King Benjamin organized his famous speech with literary patterns meant…
Why Did Abinadi Use a Disguise?
Some have found Abinadiâs use of a disguise rather puzzling,…
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about the Temple?
In July 1831, the Lord revealed to Joseph Smith that…
Why Did King Benjamin Say That His People Would be Sons and Daughters at Godâs Right Hand?
âAnd now ... ye shall be called the children of…
How Can One âFeast upon the Words of Christâ?
Toward the end of his record, Nephi taught about the…
Why Does the Lord Require People to Live the Laws of Tithing and Fasting?
The early members of the Church were clearly aware of…
Why Did Nephi Say an Angel Had Revealed the Name Jesus Christ?
As Nephi interpreted the long block of Isaiah he had…
How Can the Book of Mormon Strengthen Marriages and Families?
Although family matters often recede to the background of the…
How Did King Benjaminâs Speech Lead to Nephite Democracy?
The end of the book of Mosiah introduces a new…
How Does The Book Of Mormon Help Date Christâs Death?
The Book of Mormon records the precise day the Nephites…
How Did the Book of Mormon Help the Early Saints Understand Spiritual Gifts?
After the missionaries left for Missouri, their converts in Kirtland…
Why Must One Pray Always to Endure to the End?
In 2 Nephi 31, Nephi expounded upon the doctrine of…
How Can The Book Of Mormon Help Saints Live The Law Of Consecration?
Throughout history, many civilizations and communities have sought to establish…
Why Are Ordinances So Important?
References to ordinances, as well as meaningful examples of them,…
Why Did Alma Ask about Having Godâs Image Engraven upon Oneâs Countenance?
In a pair of particularly pointed questions, Alma asked his…
How Did President Gordon B. Hinckley Emphasize the Importance of the Book of Mormon?
President Hinckley made a point of teaching from the Book…
What Unique Doctrines Did the Lord Reveal through the Book of Mormon?
The Book of Mormon represents a great outpouring of truth…
Why Did Nephi Say That People Had to Learn Things Line Upon Line?
Nephi declared, âthus saith the Lord God: I will give…
How Did Martin Harris Help Bring Forth the Book of Mormon?
A successful farmer and businessman from a prominent Palmyra family,…
Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Ideas about the Physical and Spiritual Gathering of Israel?
In September 1830, the Lord told Joseph Smith that he…
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about the Priesthood?
The importance of the priesthood is firmly demonstrated throughout the…
Mind Expansion at Book of Mormon Conference March 18
The Book of Mormon conference on March 18 at the…
Why Did Lehi Teach About the âTwo Waysâ?
Lehi uses the contrast between good and evil 40 times…
Have the Valley of Lemuel and the River Laman Been Found?
After traveling down to the Red Sea, Lehi and his…
Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Teachings on the Family?
In the early years of the Restoration, the Prophet Joseph…
What Does the Book of Mormon Teach about Prophets?
When Samuel the Lamanite prophesied on the walls of Zarahemla,…
Why did Mormon Emphasize the Zoramitesâ Costly Apparel?
When Alma and his missionary companions journeyed to Antionum, they…
Why Did the Lord Quote the Book of Mormon When Reestablishing the Church?
On April 6, 1830, Joseph Smith and more than 50…
Why is the Book of Mormon So Important to the Restoration?
The Book of Mormon was divinely prepared and preserved for…
Why Hasnât Lehiâs DNA Been Found?
In recent decades, some people have wondered if DNA might…
Why Did Joseph and Oliver Seek Authority to Baptize?
During the process of translating the Book of Mormon, Joseph…
Why Did Nephi Say That All Are Alike Unto God?
Nephi stated that âall are alike unto God, both Jew…
Why Does Jacob Describe God as a Divine Warrior?
Jacobâs powerful discourse recorded in 2 Nephi 6â10 uses some…
Where Does the Book of Mormon Declare the First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel?
On March 1, 1842, the Church newspaper Times and Seasons…
How Are Atonement, Resurrection, Judgment, and Redemption Interconnected?
The Book of Mormon is one of the most important…
Why were the People of Ammon Exempted from Military Duty?
The Book of Mormon absolutely decries murder, bloodshed, and aggressive…
Why Did the Book of Mormon Come Forth as a Miracle?
Joseph Smith declared that he translated the Book of Mormon…
Where Can You Best Learn about Godâs Plan of Salvation?
King Lamoni taught that God had sent His people angelic…
Why Did Nephi Use Chiasmus to Testify of Christ?
Much has been said about the use of chiasmus in…
How Important was Oliver Cowdery in Bringing Forth the Book of Mormon?
While most Latter-day Saints know certain things about Oliver Cowdery,…
Why Did Lehi Teach that the Fall was Necessary?
In 2 Nephi 2, Lehi offered the most complete teaching…
Why Were Three Key Witnesses Chosen to Testify of the Book of Mormon?
The prophet Nephi foresaw that the gold plates of the…
Why Is Lehi Depicted as Being Similar to Moses?
Throughout 1 Nephi, and perhaps most clearly in the account…
How Are the Book of Mormonâs Teaching About the Godhead Unique?
The doctrine of the Godhead is developed in several Book…
How Did Enos Liken the Scriptures to His Own Life?
The story of the prophet Enos demonstrates some of the…
Why Did Nephi Work So Hard to Preserve the Wisdom He Had Received?
"Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I…
Where Did Joseph Smith Get His Doctrinal Ideas About Christ?
On March 1, 1842, the Church newspaper Times and Seasons…
Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge: Act in Faith
The LDS Doctrinal Mastery resource offers a clear framework to…
Has the Location of Nephiâs Bountiful Been Discovered?
After journeying in the wilderness for the âspace of many…
Why Does the Lord Speak to Men âAccording to Their Languageâ?
At a conference held on November 1, 1831, the decision…
How Does the Book of Mormon Help Date the First Christmas?
On December 25, Latter-day Saints join with many other Christians…
How Will God Manifest the Truth of the Book of Mormon?
In his final farewell, Moroni declared, âAnd I seal up…
Why Did Moroni Include Mormonâs Condemnation of Infant Baptism?
Soon after Moroni began his ministry, he received a letter…
Why Should People Study the Same Scriptures Over and Over Again?
In 3 Nephi 12â14, Jesus delivered the discourse known as…
Why Was Singing Hymns a Part of Nephite Worship Services?
In Moroni 6, as part of Moroniâs instructions regarding how…
Where did Moroni Get the Sacramental Prayers from?
Although readers rarely notice the intricate textual interdependency between Moroni…
How Could Shiz Move and Breathe After Being Beheaded?
During the final Jaredite battle, the great king Coriantumr cut…
Why Do the Prophets Speak of Multiple Jerusalems?
Ether prophesied regarding what would happen in the future upon…
Why Must a Trial of Faith Precede a Witness of Truth?
Although faith plays an important narrative and doctrinal role in…
Why Does the Book of Mormon Include the Rise and Fall of Two Nations?
Although typically thought of as a Nephite record, the Book…
Why Did Riplakish Construct a Beautiful Throne?
Riplakish, the tenth Jaredite king, was a vain and wicked…
Why Did Snakes Infest Jaredite Lands During a Famine?
During the reign of Heth, prophets warned the people that…
Where did the Brother of Jared Get the Idea of Shining Stones?
When the brother of Jared expressed his concern about the…
Why Do So Many of Mormonâs Teachings Appear in Ether 4 and 5?
Ether 4 and 5 present Moroniâs conclusion to the awe-inspiring…
Why Did Moroni Use Temple Imagery While Telling the Brother of Jared Story?
The account of the brother of Jared seeing the finger,…
Where Does the Word âDeseretâ Come From?
When the Brother of Jared and his companions traveled, they…
Why Does The Book Of Ether Begin With Such A Long Genealogy?
At the beginning his record of the Jaredites, Moroni included…
Why Did Moroni Conclude His Fatherâs Record with 22 Commands?
Moroni concluded his thoughts at the end of his fatherâs…
Why Did Moroni Write So Many Farewells?
Turning the page of Mormonâs concluding farewell in Mormon 7,…
How Did Mormon React to Seeing His People Slain?
Mormonâs âsoul was rent with anguishâ as he witnessed âthe…
How Could So Many People Have Died at the Battle of Cumorah?
In the final battle at the Hill Cumorah, the Lamanites…
Why did the Lamanites Sacrifice Women and Children to Idols?
While capturing the city Teancum, the Lamanites took many women…
Why is the 10-Year Peace Treaty Important?
After briefly reporting on 24 continuous years of war and…
Why Did Mormon Write So Little about His Own Time Period?
The whole book of Mormon (chapters 1â6) covers a span…
What Do We Know about Mormonâs Upbringing?
Concerning Mormonâs record of his own life and ministry, Grant…
Why Did Mormon End Third Nephi with Such Serious Woes?
At the conclusion of the record of Christâs visit to…
Why Was the 3 Nephites’ Wish Helpful for Mormon and Moroni?
As one of His last acts in the New World,…
Why Is 3 Nephi Sometimes Called the âFifth Gospelâ?
While describing the contents of the Book of Mormon in…
Why Are Children So Prominent in 3 Nephi?
In 3 Nephi, Christ often focused on children, just as…
Why Will God Turn the Hearts of the Fathers to the Children?
At the end of Jesusâ quotation of Malachi, the people…
Why Did Jesus Give the Nephites Malachi’s Prophecies?
The words of Malachi, one of the later Old Testament…
Why Would Jesus Call Isaiahâs Words Great?
Even casual readers of the Book of Mormon are sure…
Why Did Jesus Quote All of Isaiah 54?
Jesus, at the conclusion to His great covenant speech, quoted…
Who is the Servant Spoken of by Christ?
On His second day of visiting the people at Bountiful,…
Why Did Jesus Mix Together Micah and Isaiah?
On His second day among the Nephites, reported in 3…
Why Is 3 Nephi Important for Understanding the Godhead?
While this doctrine is commonly traced back to the First…
Why Did Jesus Allude to the Priestly Blessing in Numbers 6?
In 3 Nephi 19, the record recounts a remarkable experience…
Why Did the Savior Emphasize His Risen Body in the Nephite Sacrament?
According to the apostle Paul, when the Savior first administered…
Why has 3 Nephi been Called the Crown Jewel of the Book of Mormon?
To his apostles in Jerusalem, Jesus explained âBlessed are the…
Why is the Sermon at the Temple Echoed throughout the Rest of 3 Nephi?
In 3 Nephi 12â14, Jesus gave the discourse known as…
Why Did Jesus Say That There Were “Other Sheep” Who Would Hear His Voice?
During His mortal ministry in Palestine, Jesus taught His disciples,…
What Makes 3 Nephi the Holy of Holies of the Book of Mormon?
At the pinnacle of the history recorded in the Book…
Why Did Jesus Say that Some Well-Intended People Will be Told to Depart?
As Jesus Christ continued to present his âSermon at the…
Why is the Lord’s Prayer Different in 3 Nephi?
The New Testament Gospels include two slightly different versions of…
Why Did Jesus Deliver a Version of the Sermon on the Mount at the Temple in Bountiful?
During Christâs visit in the Book of Mormon, he presented…
Why Did the People Fall Down at the Feet of Jesus?
When Jesus Christ declared His true identity to the people…
Why Has 3 Nephi Been Called âthe Focal Point, the Supreme Momentâ in the Book of Mormon?
When Christ appeared to the Nephites, His first words were,…
Why did Jesus Christ Compare Himself to a Hen?
As part of His message of redemption, Jesus declared, âhow…
Is there a Precedent for General Conference in the Book of Mormon?
For a number of religious denominations in America, regular conferences…
Why Did Jesus Tell All People to Sacrifice a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit?
In 3 Nephi 9, Christ spoke to the people, who…
What Caused the Darkness and Destruction in the 34th Year?
In the thirty and fourth year, Mormon carefully documented âa…
How Was Nephi, son of Nephi, Similar to John the Baptist?
In the years before the coming of Christ to the…
Why did the âPride Cycleâ Destroy the Nephite Nation?
After eliminating the Gadianton robbers, the Nephites were blessed with…
Why Did Mormon Introduce Himself in 3 Nephi 5?
In 3 Nephi 5, Mormon digressed into a commentary about…
Why did Moroni Deliver the Plates on September 22?
âAt length the time arrived for obtaining the plates âŠ.…
Why Did the People Cut Down the Tree after Hanging Zemnarihah?
When the Nephites captured the Gadianton leader Zemnarihah, they summarily…
Why Were Many Nephites So Quick to Disbelieve the Signs of Christâs Coming?
One of the reasons so many were deceived was because…
How was There a Night Without Darkness?
Exactly how God produced such a sign is impossible to…
Why Does Mormon State that âAngels Did Appear unto Wise Menâ?
Mention of the appearance of angels bringing information concerning the…
Why did Samuel Rely So Heavily on the Words of Past Prophets?
Contributions from several scholars demonstrate that Samuelâs propheciesâwhen looked at…
Why did Samuel Make Such Chronologically Precise Prophecies?
During his extended address to the Nephites in Zarahemla, Samuel…
Why Did Mormon Say the Children of Men are Less than the Dust of the Earth?
As part of a chapter-long reflection on the foibles of…
How Did Nephi Use the Power to Seal on Earth and in Heaven?
In Helaman 10, Nephi received great power from the Lord,…
Why Did Nephi Appeal to So Many Earlier Testimonies of Christ?
In trying to convince the people of Zarahemla to rectify…
Why Did Nephi Prophesy Near âthe Highway Which Led to the Chief Market?â
Speaking about a time of peace and growing prosperity, Mormon…
Why Was Chiasmus Used in Nephite Record Keeping?
Although Mormonâs editorial voice is quite noticeable at key junctures…
How did the Nephites Become Weak in Such a Short Time?
War and contention in the land of Zarahemla did not…
When Did Cement Become Common in Ancient America?
In the mid-first century BC, Mormon reports that some Nephite…
Why was Helamanâs Servant Justified in Killing Kishkumen?
This story may be shocking to many readers, who may…
How Was a Void in Leadership Dangerous for the Nephites?
At the âcommencement of the fortieth year of the reign…
Why did Mormon Mention Hagoth?
At the conclusion of the extended conflict between the Nephites…
Why Was Teancum Captured and Killed?
Teancum played a pivotal role in the Nephite wars in…
Why Did Moroni Refer to Vessel Impurity in Condemning the Central Government?
In a sharp-toned letter to the Chief Judge Pahoran, Captain…
Why was Moroni’s Correspondence with Pahoran Significant?
The concluding chapters of the book of Alma include a…
Why did the Stripling Warriors Perform their Duties “With Exactness”?
Helaman's stripling warriors are looked to by Latter-day Saints, especially…
How Realistic are Nephite Battle Strategies?
The Book of Mormonâs rich accounts of warfare in the…
Why did Moroni Change His Mind About Exchanging Prisoners with Ammoron?
After retaking the city of Mulek and fortifying Bountiful, Moroni…
Why was Ammoron Determined to Avenge the Blood of his Brother?
Amalickiahâs legacy did not die with him. Amalickiahâs brother Ammoron…
How Old Were the Stripling Warriors?
About a year into the great Nephite and Lamanite war,…
Why Did Teancum Slay Amalickiah on New Yearâs Eve?
The rebellion of the king-men diverted the attention of Moroni…
Why Would Pahoran Not Allow the Law to Be Amended?
Soon after Pahoran had been appointed as the chief judge,…
What was the Nature of Nephite Fortifications?
Around the year 75 BC, warfare between the Nephites and…
How did Democracy Help the Nephites Withstand their Enemies?
Mormon spends an entire chapter explaining how Amalickiah, through deceit…
Why did Mormon See Captain Moroni as a Hero?
It seemed that Mormon had many records from which to…
Why did Moroni Quote the Patriarch Jacob about a Piece of Jacob’s Coat?
While gathering support for the Nephite military cause, Moroni curiously…
How Did Seeking a King Get in the Way of Sustaining a Prophet?
After preparing Helaman as his successor, Alma mysteriously disappeared while…
Why Wouldnât Zerahemnah Swear an Oath to Moroni?
After affirming that the Nephites did ânot desire to be…
Why was Moroniâs Young Age an Advantage?
How did Captain Moroni's youth contribute to his leadership? How…
Why Does Alma Mention âthe Planâ Ten Times in His Words to Corianton?
Alma 42 concludes Alma the Youngerâs powerful, four-chapter exhortation to…
Why and How Did Alma Explain the Meaning of the Word “Restoration”?
In order to help Corianton understand the fairness and justice…
Why Was Corianton So Concerned About The Resurrection?
After censuring Corianton for his immoral and detrimental conduct, Alma…
Why was Corianton’s Sin So Serious?
Rather striking in Almaâs words to his young-adult son Corianton…
Did Alma Counsel His Sons During the Passover?
After their ministry among the Zoramites, Alma âcaused that his…
Why Was a Stone Used as an Aid in Translating the Book of Mormon?
Almaâs words to his son Helaman, as recorded in Alma…
Why Must There be an Infinite and Eternal Sacrifice?
The Zoramites denied the need for the Atonement. Hence, when…
What Were the Nephite Articles of Faith?
Almaâs discourse on faith as recorded in Alma 32 is…
Why Did Alma Use Creation Imagery in His Sermon on Faith?
The multiple instances where Alma 32 draws from the creation…
Why Did Alma Repeat the Lordâs Name Ten Times While in Prayer?
Given the threat-level among the Zoramites, Alma knew they would…
Why Was Korihor Cursed with Speechlessness?
At the end of the seventeenth year of the reign…
Why Did Alma Wish to Speak âwith the Trump of Godâ?
One of the most enduring lines in all of the…
Why Did Fasting and Prayer Accompany Nephite Mourning?
The carnage in Alma 28, according to Mormon, was so…
Why Was Jershon Called a Land of Inheritance?
After their conversion, the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi ran afoul of…
Why Did Ammon Borrow So Much from Tradition in Alma 26?
As Ammon speaks, he uses phrases from the scriptures, including…
What is the Symbolism of the Stained Swords of the Anti-Nephi-Lehies?
The Anti-Nephi-Lehies, however, refused to take up arms, even in…
Why Did Converted Lamanites Call Themselves Anti-Nephi-Lehies?
The extraordinary missionary work of the sons of Mosiah as…
Why Did Mormon Give So Many Details About Geography?
Practically since the Book of Mormon was published, its geography…
What Did it Mean to be âKing Over All the Land?â
As political scientist Noel B. Reynolds noticed, the Lamanite government…
Why Was Abish Mentioned by Name?
Abish was remarkable for many reasons. First, she is one…
What is the Nature and Use of Chariots in the Book of Mormon?
In the minds of most people today, the word chariot…
Why Did the Servants Present Lamoni with the Arms of His Enemies?
Hugh Nibley observed, âThe whole affair at the waters of…
Why Did Alma and Amulek Preach in Synagogues?
Along with temples and sanctuaries, the Book of Mormon mentions…
Why was the City of Ammonihah Destroyed and Left Desolate?
Ancient Israelite law had a specific statute for the case…
Why Did the People of Sidom Go to the Altar for Deliverance?
As a result of missionary success, the people humbled themselves,…
What Kind of Earthquake Caused the Prison Walls to Fall?
While Alma and Amulek were imprisoned in Ammonihah, âthe earth…
Why Did Alma Talk about Melchizedek?
Alma brilliantly used Melchizedek as his primary model of righteous…
Why Did Alma Teach His Opponents about the Temple?
Upon seeing that âthe words of Amulek had silenced Zeezrom,â…
Why Would Zeezrom Attempt to Bribe Amulek?
Alma and Amulekâs preaching in Ammonihah was suddenly interrupted by…
Why is Amulekâs Household Significant?
After being prompted by an angel, Alma returned to the…
What does it Mean to âProsper in the Landâ?
When Alma addressed the people of Ammonihah, he reminded them…
Why Did Alma Bless and Thank God After Eating?
Upon his return, Alma was received by Amulek, who was…
Why Does Alma Mention Three Kinds of Paths in One Verse?
Alma 7 records Alma the Youngerâs address to the righteous…
Why Did Alma Need to âEstablish the Order of the Churchâ in Zarahemla Again?
Alma the Elder established his covenant community around 140 BC…
Why Did Alma Ask Church Members Fifty Probing Questions?
Alma 5 records one of the greatest addresses of the…
Why Did Alma Add âChains of Hellâ to Abinadiâs Phrase âBands of Deathâ?
Both Alma and Abinadi discuss âthe bands of deathâ in…
Why Did Book of Mormon Prophets Discourage Nephite-Lamanite Intermarriage?
As explored in a previous KnoWhy, the issue of racial…
Why Did the Amlicites Disappear?
When âthe voice of peopleâ failed to grant kingship to…
Why did Nehor Suffer an âIgnominiousâ Death?
Not long after the establishment of the reign of the…
How Were Judges Elected in the Book of Mormon?
With none of his sons available to succeed him as…
What do the Jaredites Have to Do with the Reign of the Judges?
Right after mentioning the twenty-four plates of gold, Mormon explained…
Why did the Angel Speak to Alma with a Voice of Thunder?
Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah were introduced…
Has an Ancient Artifact that Relates to the Book of Mormon Been Found?
Archaeologists excavating in Jerusalem discovered a small stamp seal (a…
How Does the Lord Make Our Burdens Light?
After escaping from King Noahâs court, Alma the Elder established…
Why Does the Book of Mosiah Talk So Much about Priesthood Authority?
In Mosiah, the text repeatedly asserts that Alma the Elder,…
Why Did King Limhi Think Gideonâs Escape Plan Would Work?
The account in Mosiah 22 depicts how the people of…
Did King Benjamin or King Mosiah Have the Gift of Interpretation?
While editions of the Book of Mormon since 1837 have…
Why did the Lamanites Break Their Treaty with King Limhi?
After Abinadiâs martyrdom and Alma the Elderâs flight into the…
What Do We Covenant to Do at Baptism?
From ancient times, covenants have been understood as mutual or…
What was Unique About the Way Abinadi was Killed?
The tragic yet faith-inspiring story of Abinadi ended when the…
Why Did Book of Mormon Prophets Speak of Future Events as if Theyâd Already Happened?
Using past tense verbs or participles to speak of something…
Why Did Abinadi Stretch Forth His Hand as He Prophesied?
The added detail of Abinadi raising or stretching out his…
Why Does Abinadi Use the Phrase “the Bands of Death”?
As Abinadi explained to the priests of Noah the manner…
How is Christ Both the Father and the Son?
It says in Mosiah, âAnd because [Jesus Christ] dwelleth in…
Why Did Abinadi Talk about the Suffering Messiah?
When Abinadi stood before the court of Noah, accused of…
Did Abinadi Prophesy during Pentecost?
Abinadi would not have picked a better time for these…
Why Would Noahâs Priests Quiz Abinadi on Isaiah?
âAnd it came to pass that one of them said…
Why does the Book of Mormon Mention Wine, Vineyards, and Wine-presses?
The Book of Mormon only mentions one beverage among the…
Why Can Barley in the Book of Mormon Feed Faith?
When Zeniff took a group of Nephites back up to…
Why is a Seer Greater than a Prophet?
In Mosiah 8, the Nephite missionary Ammon included a discourse…
Why Are Mormon’s Extensive Quotations of Limhi Significant?
King Limhi was the âthird in a line of kings…
Why Were Benjamin and Mosiah Such Beloved and Effective Leaders?
Mormon saw Benjamin as an example of a righteous leader…
Why Did King Benjamin Use Parallelisms So Extensively in His Speech?
King Benjaminâs speech in Mosiah 2â5 can well be called…
Why Does King Benjamin Emphasize the Blood of Christ?
At a ceremonial pause in king Benjaminâs coronation speech, all…
Why Do the Scriptures Compare Hell to an Unquenchable Fire?
Although the precise ancient Israelite understanding of âhellâ is not…
Why Did the Nephites Stay in Their Tents During King Benjaminâs Speech?
Mosiah 2:7 explains that the multitude was so great that…
Why is âWords of Mormonâ at the End of the Small Plates?
When Mormon decided to include the small plates with the…
Why is the Theme of Kingship So Prominent in Benjaminâs Speech?
While the doctrinal content of Benjaminâs speech is the most…
Why was Coriantumrâs Record Engraved on a âLarge Stoneâ?
When the people of Zarahemla met the elder Mosiah, they…
Why Were Genealogies Important to Book of Mormon Peoples?
Both Jarom and Omni explicitly state that genealogy is one…
Why Are Horses Mentioned in the Book of Mormon?
As Enos describes Nephite life in his day (fifth century…
Why Do the Authors on the Small Plates Follow a Pattern?
John W. Welch observed that some of the keepers of…
Why Might the Book of Mormon Be Called the First Church Administrative Handbook?
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates the…
What is the Ancient Context of Zenosâs Allegory?
In this allegory in Jacob 5, the prophet Zenos likens…
Why Do Certain âTreasured Wordsâ Appear So Repeatedly in General Conference Talks?
Those who listen attentively to General Conference talks will often…
Why Do Church Leaders Frequently Testify of the Book of Mormon?
Every General Conference the Lordâs prophets and apostles teach, exhort,…
Is Anything Known of the prophet Zenos outside of the Book of Mormon?
âHow, one wonders, could an important prophet like Zenos, if…
Why did Jacob Share the Allegory of the Olive Tree?
The exceptional Allegory of the Olive Tree found in Jacob…
Why Did Jacob Call His Record The “Plates Of Jacob”?
Jacob is the one who designated the two different sets…
What Does the Book of Mormon Say About Polygamy?
Not long after the early Nephites established themselves in the…
Why Does Jacob Quote So Much from the Psalms?
Nephi had consecrated Jacob as a temple priest and teacher,…
Why Did Nephi End His Sacred Record with His Testimony of the Redeemer?
Knowing he was writing his final words, Nephi sought to…
What is the Purpose of Baptism in the Book of Mormon?
Although the ordinance of baptism is prominently featured in the…
What is it to Speak with the Tongue of Angels?
Nephi mentioned being able to âspeak with the tongue of…
What Does it Mean to be a “White and Delightsome” People?
In his prophecies of the last days, Nephi remarked that…
Why is There a Need for the Testimony of the Two Nations?
Nephi anticipated some of the objections latter-day readers may have…
How Does the Devil Lead Us Astray?
As Nephi prophesied about the latter days, he warned of…
Who Are the âFewâ Who Were Permitted to See the Plates?
âThe book shall be hid from the eyes of the…
Why Does Nephi use Isaiah 29 as Part of His Own Prophecy?
âFor those who shall be destroyed shall speak unto them…
Why Does Nephi Quote a Temple Psalm while Commenting on Isaiah?
Psalm 24 depicts those wanting to enter the Jerusalem Temple…
Why Did Moroni Quote Isaiah 11 to Joseph Smith?
Four years before the first word of the Book of…
Why is the Lordâs hand âStretched Out Stillâ?
Nephi explained that one important key to understanding Isaiah is…
How Does Nephi use Isaiah to Teach Us to Avoid Pride?
One of the many themes found in the writings of…
How Does Nephi Help Us Understand Isaiah?
âThe words of Isaiah are not plain unto you, nevertheless…
What Do Nephi and Isaiah Say about the End Times?
Several prophets have described the events that will transpire in…
Why Did Lehi “Suppose” the Existence of Satan?
The Book of Mormon includes a stark portrayal of Satan,…
Why Do Early Nephite Prophets Speak about the Scattering of Israel?
Reading the Isaiah chapters that Nephi recorded through the lens…
Has the Prophecy of the Lord’s House Established in the Mountains been Fulfilled?
Isaiah prophesied of a time âwhen the mountain of the…
How Did Nephi Read Isaiah as a Witness of Christâs Coming?
Nephiâs vision of the Savior in 1 Nephi 11 is…
Can Textual Studies Help Readers Understand the Isaiah Chapters in 2 Nephi?
The Isaiah quotations in the Book of Mormon follow, to…
What Vision Guides Nephiâs Choice of Isaiah Chapters?
Using his vision recorded in 1 Nephi chapters 11â14 as…
Who Are the Witnesses of Christ in 2 Nephi?
âIt is interesting to note that there were three...witnessesÂâââspecial witnessesââânot…
Why Does an Angel Reveal the Name of Christ to Jacob?
The Book of Mormon uses many names and titles for…
Why Does Jacob Declare so Many âWoesâ?
ÂÂÂIn 2 Nephi 9:27ÂÂâ38, Jacob pronounced ten âwoesâ against liars,…
Why does Jacob Choose a âMonsterâ as a Symbol for Death and Hell?
Jacob, Nephiâs younger brother, in his epic discourse recorded in…
When Does the Book of Mormon First Talk about the Plan of Salvation?
Neither the Old nor New Testaments makes any mention of…
Did Jacob Refer to Ancient Israelite Autumn Festivals?
âAnd now, behold, I would speak unto you concerning things…
Did Ancient Israelites Build Temples Outside of Jerusalem?
Some have wondered whether building a temple outside of Jerusalem…
Is âNephiâs Psalmâ Really a Psalm?
2 Nephi 4:16-35, known by many Book of Mormon readers…
Should 2 Nephi chapters 1â4:12 Be Called the âTestament of Lehiâ?
After arriving in the Promised Land, Nephi records that his…
How Did Lehi Learn So Much About the Fall?
For many readers today, Lehiâs teachings may well seem unique…
Was the Requirement of a Broken Heart Known Before the Time of Christ?â
Lehi, in his blessing to his son, Jacob, taught that…
Whom Did Nephi Quote in 1 Nephi 22?
Nephi quotes one unknown prophet, whose writings presumably were found…
Who is the Servant of Isaiah 49/1 Nephi 21?
Scattered throughout Isaiah 42â53 are four poems biblical scholars call…
What Kind of Ore did Nephi Use to Make the Plates?
Shortly after arriving in the New World, Nephi reports making…
Who Called Ishmaelâs Burial Place Nahom?
As Lehi and his family traveled through the wilderness, they…
How Did God Call His Prophets in Ancient Times?
Pieced together from various biblical texts, careful readers of the…
Are There Really Only Two Churches?
âBehold there are save two churches only; the one is…
Were Plain and Precious Doctrines Lost?
What has non-Mormon biblical and early Christian scholarship concluded about…
What was the Great and Terrible Gulf in Lehiâs Dream?
As his fatherâs dream was unfolded to Nephi, he also…
What Does the Virgin Mary Have to Do with the Tree of Life?
As the vision of the Tree of Life proceeds, Nephi…
Why Did Nephi Write About Politics in a Record of Spiritual Things?
Nephi made two sets of platesâthe âlargeâ plates and the…
Did Pre-Christian Prophets Know About Christ?
The strong expectations in the Book of Mormon for a…
Why Would Lehi Offer Sacrifices Outside of Jerusalem?
Lehi offering sacrifices outside the confines of the Jerusalem temple…
Were Ancient Israelite Women Named Sariah?
The Book of Mormon introduces Sariah, Lehiâs wife and Nephiâs…
Did Jerusalem Have Walls Around It?
Emma remembered, from when she acted as his scribe, a…
Why Does Nephi Always Go âDown to the Wildernessâ, and âUp to Jerusalem?â
In the big picture, this is a minor detail, which…
Did Lehi Know the Poetry of the Arabian Desert?
Lehiâs admonition to his sons to be like the river…
