*Title References:  Jarom 1:2, Alma 12:25, Alma 41:2, Alma 15:42, 2 Nephi 11:5, 2 Nephi 9:1

While studying the Book of Mormon a few months back.  There was a verse I read that talked about the Plan of Salvation being contained in the Book of Mormon.  I wasn’t really sure about how much I would find because I had always assumed the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants was the place where most of that was found.  I was definitely wrong.  One would think that I would have pulled that out of all the times I’ve read it, guess not.  What I have put together is basically a Powerpoint showing all the scriptures related to the Plan of Salvation that are found ONLY in the Book of Mormon.  You will notice the full truth is not in there.  A few details about more specifically where we go in the three kingdoms and what qualifies you for those kingdoms was not found.

You will notice I attempted to create some what of a diagram or linear time line or flow chart, but with all the scripture references, I ran out of room.  The way I decided to design it was left to right… where we begin and where we end up with each stage in between.  Then at the bottom, the true “foundation” for the entire plan is found, with scriptures about our Savior Jesus Christ and different references to the Atonement that He performed for us.

I was really hoping to have a much more visually pleasing version of this with circles and arrows and pretty colors and all.  But I’m settling for the actual content rather than the pretty look.  The content is amazing, and wonderful, and shows what an amazing Father in Heaven that we have.  It really shows how much He and our older brother Jesus care for us.  The Plan is so simple and our function in the plan is simple.  We have the responsibility to live our lives by following commandment.  When we fail, which we know we will, we have the gift of the Atonement, and can repent to be made clean in order to return to our Heavenly Family again some day.  I’m so grateful for this blessing in my life that I have to use WAY MORE than most I’m sure.  Each time I do however, I’m blessed to feel and recognize that love my Savior has for me more and more.  What a truly “Great and Eternal Plan…”

Pre-Earth Life

2 Nephi 2:14-15  for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.  And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.

2 Nephi 2:17-18 And an angel of God, according to that which is written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God. because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind… yea, even that old serpent, who is the devil, who is the father of all lies,

1 Nephi 10:18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

Mosiah 4:9  Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth;

Agency

2 Nephi 2:16  Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.

2 Nephi 2:27  Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself

Alma 42:27  whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.

Moroni 7:16 the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil;

The Way

2 Nephi 9:41  Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

2 Nephi 31:9  And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.

Jacob 6:11 O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life.

Keep The Commandments

Mosiah 2:22  And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

Alma 18:34 I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God,

Earth Life

1 Nephi 14:10 Behold there are save ^a two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil

2 Nephi 2: 11 opposition in all things

2 Nephi 2:25  Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

2 Nephi 9:23-24 And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.  And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.

2 Nephi 31:13, 16, 20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and ^dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. (It’s bold because it’s my favorite scripture).

Alma 12:22  Adam did fall by the partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and thus we see, that by his fall, all mankind became a lost and fallen people.

Alma 12:30 God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world;

Alma 12:31 placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good

Alma 12:32  Therefore God gave unto them commandments… that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed,

Alma 42:7 our first parents were cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lord;

Repent

Alma 12:24  nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God;

Alma 12:33-35 If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son;

Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest.

Alma 42:4  And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.

3 Nephi 9:20 ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Physical Death

2 Nephi 9:11 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.

And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

Alma 11:41 there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

Alma 42:9 soul could never die,

Spiritual Death

2 Nephi 9:12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.

Alma 12:16 And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness.

Paradise/Prison

Alma 40:9 there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection.

Alma 40:11-12 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

Alma 40:14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection Alma 40:21 that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.

Resurrection

2 Nephi 9:4 … wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see  God.

2 Nephi 9:6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.

2 Nephi 9:13 the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.

Mosiah 15:21-22  And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called.

And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection.

Mosiah 15:24 these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord.

Mosiah 16:8 But there is a ^aresurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of ^bdeath is swallowed up in Christ

Alma 11:43  spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time;

Alma 11:44  this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame,

Alma 11:45  this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption

Alma 40:2-3  this corruption does not put on incorruption—until after the coming of Christ.  Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead Alma 40:4  Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth the time which is appointed.

Alma 40:23  The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.

Alma 41:4 Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other

Alma 41:6 If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness.

Helaman 14:15 -17  he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.

the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.

Judgement

1 Nephi 15:32  for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation.

Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.

2 Nephi 9:15  And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.

Mosiah 3:10, 24  And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.

And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil.

Mosiah 16:1  The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just.

Alma 3:26  souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one.

Alma 11:41  all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works.

Alma 12:14  For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.

Alma 12:15  But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.

Alma 34:34 that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

Alma 42:16, 17, 18  Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.

How could there be a law save there was a punishment?

Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.

Mormon 9:6 that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day.

Mormon 9:13  And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death

Mormon 3:20  ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil;

Mormon 9:14 And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still.

Heaven

2 Nephi 9:18  the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it,

Enos 1:27… Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.

Mosiah 15:23  They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death.

Mosiah 15:25 And little children also have eternal life Mosiah 16:11   If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness;

Helaman 12:26 They that have done good shall have everlasting life Alma 11:37  no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven;

Ether  12:32  thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father,

Hell

1 Nephi 15:33-35 Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; … and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.

But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy.

And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken.

Jacob 7:19  committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ

Mosiah 15:26 But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection.

Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny justice when it has its claim.

Mosiah 16:2-3 And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not.

For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil

Mosiah 16:11   if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation

Mosiah 16:12 Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent.

Alma 12:17-18 Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan, he having subjected them according to his will.  Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there had been no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to God’s justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more corruption.

Helaman 12:26 …and they that have done evil shall have everlasting damnation.

Jesus Christ

1 Nephi 10:4 the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.

1 Nephi 1:14 Thy throne is high in the heavens… thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!

1 Nephi 10:11 after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles. Messiah, rise from the dead

2 Nephi 2:26  And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.

2 Nephi 9:5 it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.

2 Nephi 9:21  And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.

2 Nephi 10:3  Christ— should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.

2 Nephi 19:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace

2 Nephi 25:13-14  Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.  And behold it shall come to pass that after the Messiah hath risen from the dead, and hath manifested himself unto his people, unto as many as will believe on his name

Mosiah 3:8  And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

Mosiah 3:17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

Mosiah 16:9  He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

Alma 11:40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else Alma 18:32   Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.

Alma 34:14  that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.

Alma 40:8  all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men

The Atonement

Jacob 6:10 according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, Jacob 7:12 I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost

Mosiah 3:11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned.

Mosiah 15:8 -9 And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men. Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.

Mosiah 15:19 For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have perished.

Alma 15:42  And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.

Alma 34:12 can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.

Alma 34:15-16 the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.  And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

Alma 42:23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

 

 

I have recognized in myself an ability to follow the prophet in a unique way.  Listening to the prophet, following his instructions, and becoming what I’m asked to is important to me and something that motivates and inspires me.  What I’ve discovered though is that I’m exceptionally slow at getting there.  I set in my mind to follow through on a challenge that President Nelson gave us in General Conference a couple conferences ago.  His talk was designed to make us think about what our lives would be like “without the Book of Mormon”.  He then shared how he had taken the time to consider the Book of Mormon in a few different contexts;

“…Among other things, I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals. Looking at the Book of Mormon through these lenses has been an insightful and inspiring exercise! I recommend it to each of you.”

Well, here’s some self-critique to my grand idea.  First of all, it wasn’t a recent conference, it was back in October of 2017.  Second, Russell M. Nelson was NOT the prophet yet.  Third, he actually acted because of a challenge that (then) President Monson gave us “each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.”

So, I was a bit wrong in my memory of why I had these intentions and a little bit tardy in my execution of them.  None-the-less, it was an amazing exercise.  In my previous post, I shared something special to me that I had discovered when reading the Book of Mormon it was much easier, more interesting, and meaningful when I read the Book of Mormon faster.  Not at high speed, but by taking a whole hour each day to read it.  I can cruise through 7-10 Chapters in a single day.  That made it so I can connect thoughts, stories, characters, and even books of scripture to gather greater meaning.  Well, the last two months, I took on the same strategy.  I missed a few days because of travel and vacations, but I got through the Book of Mormon again in just a few weeks.  This time, my intention in reading was to do as (now) President Nelson challenged, to make a similar list to his in what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals.

To further illuminate my inability to do things timely, in Sunday school last week as I scrolled down to the bottom of the “Come Follow Me” lesson, this same declaration and challenge that Russell M. Nelson gave us was included in that lesson.  If I was even remotely “timely” I would have had all my reading done by then to add the lesson more fully.

REGARDLESS… What a great experience!!!  It is ALWAYS a good idea to follow the Prophet and the Apostles.  Our lives will be blessed when we do.  Being in the Book of Mormon, with purpose, brings greater understanding, imbeds the principles of the gospel into my heart, my mind, my life, and my actions.  Finally, as I read over the list this morning of how the Book of Mormon fits into my life in answer to each of those descriptions, I was humbled and reminded of how important it is to me.

I’ve included my list and then the list of our prophet.  I’m sure I may have gotten something “wrong” as I went through, but many of these were thoughts that I typed out as I read.  Whether or not the Book of Mormon actually fulfills those things as I thought about them, I don’t know.  Also, I refused to read President Nelson’s list until after I finished.  I wanted to have my own clear thoughts before borrowing some of his.

What the Book of Mormon…

Is              Amount to, represent, signify, consist of, constitute

---

• History of the native people of America, a lineage that goes directly back to the Israelites:Nephite/Lamanites  People of Zarahemla (descendant of Mulek), People of Coriantumr, People of the Brother of Jared
• A record with a specific intent to persuade men to come unto God – 1 Nephi 6:4
• A “How To Guide” for Faith – Alma 32, Moroni 7
• The Book, the stories, the scriptures, the thoughts are specifically for ME as the reader to liken, receive inspiration, and become more of what the Lord wants me to be.
• A testimony of Jesus Christ and declaration of his birth
• The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by Immersion, the Gift of the Holy Ghost… and Enduring to the End in Righteousness
• … a journal – a document meant to be used for reading and teaching, not just for the exercise of writing
• Sacred  – 1 Nephi 19
• An invitation, A warning, A call to repentance

Affirms       asserts strongly, declares, confirm the validity of, heightened sense of value, through the experience of something emotionally or spiritually uplifting

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• Teachings and events that occurred in the Bible (Tower of Babel)
• It is important to keep records, to journal, and keep history.  Not one per family, but individually
• Jesus Christ, the Messiah will come
• The Lord is over all those he has chosen, because of their faith
• Importance of families
• Gratitude
• Importance of Ordinances in our lives from “burnt offerings, to baptism”
• The Lord can do EVERYTHING, but he gives us an opportunity to do for ourselves in order to grow
• With the Lord’s help, we can accomplish anything.
• Pride DESTROYS
• Missionary Work, and works of bringing forth Zion are behaviors to seek after.
• The Book of Mormon serves as a Key… It has the ability to free us from sin, captivity, worldly controls, and unhappiness.  We can use this key to stay free
• This is a record of Fathers… yes, with our Father In Heaven at the helm ultimately, but much of the instruction given is from a father to his sons and family.  Out of love, helping them to find the right path in their own lives.  Recognizing that there is really only one true path and it will bring the greatest happiness into their lives…. Lehi to his sons, Alma to his son, Mosiah to his sons, Mormon to Moroni,
• All men should have charity, which charity is love – 2 Nephi 26:30
• Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; – Mosiah 29:26
• Foreordination is a principle which prepared leaders but requires faith in this life
• This is HIS church upon the earth and He will set it up HIS way, example:  – 3 Nephi 1… 11 & 12 Apostles

Refutes           prove to be wrong or false, disprove, contradicts, disproves

---

• Revelation, miracles, and angelic visits were not just for those that lived in Biblical times
• Jesus Christ truly was the Savior that the Jews looked past, and ignored.  He was not just a man, or a prophet, but the real Savior of this world.  He suffered and died specifically for us, so we could be made clean to live with our Heavenly family again some day.
• Wickedness will not bring Happiness, but leads to Destruction
• Answers to prayer and revelation are NOT just for spiritual leaders, or those called.  Each and every one of us can seek, ask, and have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father and receive answers to our questions from HIM through the Holy Ghost – 1 Nephi 11
• This is the way, the one true path to salvation and exaltation
• The Bible is the only word of God that exists:  I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?  Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word?  – 2 Nephi 2:29
• Governments run by kings inevitably will fail.  Judges, hold each other accountable – Proper government
• Infant Baptism is NOT a correct principle – Moroni 8

Fulfills          bring to completion, or reality, achieve or realize

---

• A commitment our Heaven Father has implied by giving us something to feast upon in order to learn and grow.
• There are people in all corners of the world, the Lord knows each of them, and in the Book of Mormon, visits them as well.
• Delivery of the “book” revealed in – 1 Nephi 13
• Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill the Law…  He had to come in order to fulfill the justice/mercy part of the plan of salvation.  Jesus was the sacrifice needed for each of us to be saved.
• The Law of Moses was fulfilled when Jesus was born, suffered, and crucified

Clarifies           make less confused, more clearly comprehensible

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• Our Father in Heaven hears our prayers, knows HIS children, and still answers those prayers today, through visions, angels, thoughts, feelings, and with the Holy Ghost.
• Our Father in Heaven knows ALL his children individually, in every part of the world
• The Lord does not condone the wickedness and abominations of his people.
• Agency with the Atonement gives us the opportunity to fail over and over again, eventually learn, and be allowed to become clean
• Righteousness leads to blessings and Exaltation
• Our Father in Heaven is consistent
• The way to answers: – 1 Nephi 15:11
• The Lord allows us to pass through various trials, this is critical for our growth and building of faith.
• A warning – not “a maybe” but a warning of what REALLY is going to happen
• Specific to the Jews:  “Convincing them of the true Messiah… that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come” – 2 Nephi 25
• Angels are real:  Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. – 2 Nephi 32:3
• Living the Law of Moses didn’t save… but it did serve to strengthen faith in Christ… which will lead to salvation – Alma 25:16
• Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost act as one, but are three separate beings – 3 Nephi 11
• Proper Baptism by Immersion with someone having authority
• Institutes the Sacrament, with one having authority, the Bread, the wine, the sacrifice being a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit

Reveals           make previously unknown or secret information) known to others

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• Our Father in Heaven hears our prayers, knows HIS children, and still answers those prayers today, through visions, angels, thoughts, feelings, and with the Holy Ghost.
• The America’s are a land of promise, preserved for the people that are led here.
• The Lord works by way of patterns. – 1 Nephi 3:7, 1 Nephi 17:3
• The Plan of Happiness/Plan of Salvation, and the correct path to follow
• There are very real forces against us causing all sorts of evil against us in this world
• There are incredibly strong forces of good that we can call upon more powerful than anything worldly that have, still do, and will act for our good.
• The literal gathering of Israel is to take place
• The Holy Ghost is a real gift, that reveals, comforts, and testifies.
• Heavenly Father Loves Us, loves me
• The destructive Pride Cycle
• Mountains are Special to our Heavenly Father
• A great and a marvelous work (the restoration of the Gospel) will occur to fulfill the covenants made with Israel.
• Our Heavenly Father is extremely patient!
• The very Earth we live upon was created by Jesus Christ
• The correct order and design of Christ’s church upon the earth
• Our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ are Merciful and Just
• The Gathering of Israel in the last days
• New Jerusalem to be built in the last days in the promised land

… from President Russell M. Nelson

President Nelson’s Book of Mormon Lists

The Book of Mormon is:

• Another testament of Jesus Christ. Its major writers—Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, Moroni—and its translator, Joseph Smith, were all eyewitnesses of the Lord.
• A record of His ministry to people who lived in ancient America.
• True, as attested by the Lord Himself.

The Book of Mormon affirms:

• The individual identity of Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
• The necessity of the Fall of Adam and the wisdom of Eve, that men might have joy.

The Book of Mormon refutes notions that:

• Revelation ended with the Bible.
• Infants need to be baptized.
• Happiness can be found in wickedness.
• Individual goodness is adequate for exaltation (ordinances and covenants are needed).
• The Fall of Adam tainted mankind with “original sin.”

The Book of Mormon fulfills biblical prophecies that:

• “Other sheep” shall hear His voice.
• God will do “a marvelous work and a wonder,” speaking “out of the dust.”
• The “stick of Judah” and the “stick of Joseph” will become one.
• Scattered Israel will be gathered “in the latter days” and how that will be done.
• The land of inheritance for the lineage of Joseph is the Western Hemisphere.

The Book of Mormon clarifies understanding about:

• Our premortal existence.
• It is a necessary component of God’s great plan of happiness.
• Postmortal existence, which begins in paradise.
• How the resurrection of the body, reunited with its spirit, becomes an immortal soul.
• How our judgment by the Lord will be according to our deeds and the desires of our hearts.
• How ordinances are properly performed: for example, baptism, sacrament, conferring the Holy Ghost.
• The Atonement of Jesus Christ.
• The Resurrection.
• The important role of angels.
• The eternal nature of priesthood.
• How human behavior is influenced more by the power of the word than the power of the sword.

The Book of Mormon reveals information previously unknown:

• Baptisms were performed before Jesus Christ was born.
• Temples were built and used by people in ancient America.
• Joseph, 11th son of Israel, foresaw the prophetic role of Joseph Smith.
• Nephi (in 600–592 BC) foresaw the discovery and colonizing of America.
• Plain and precious parts of the Bible have been lost.
• The Light of Christ is given to each person.
• The importance of individual agency and the need for opposition in all things.
• Warnings about “secret combinations.”

Some of the challenge with this endeavor was REALLY knowing and understanding doctrine. As I look at what was “revealed” in the prophets list, I guess I never realized that some of these are only brought to our understanding from the Book of Mormon.  Fortunately, I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I have been in every Primary, YM/Priesthood, Seminar lesson that is given. I have been brought up to be a believer in the Book of Mormon.  There have been times in my life where I have taken that for granted, but can honestly say I have read the Book of Mormon over a dozen times (that I can remember).  I know of the true principles it teaches, and I attempt (not always successfully) to live by the things I learn.

So, what would my life be like without the Book of Mormon?  I believe I would have constant questions that I didn’t have answers to.  I think I would live by the incomplete truths that I could get from the Bible.  I would still strive to be better each day, but with a curious wondering, and a feeling of “something-is-missing”.  One of the things the Book of Mormon helps to do is increase my relationship with Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father.  I not sure I would understand their character, or who they are in my life without the Book of Mormon.

To be honest, the Book of Mormon has been such a light in my life, when I’m not reading it (which has been a lot of my life) I’ve felt guilty for not spending each day with it.  It has taken almost half a century for me to recognize how to read it, and how important it is for me to be reading it regularly.  I may still falter and not consider it a priority now and then, but overall, this book has brought me greater Joy and Happiness.

As I conclude, I do get a guilty feeling within that I don’t share this happiness with people the way that I should.  This is a GREAT book that will bring the same Joy and Happiness to others’ lives, that I feel.  I need to figure out ways to get it in front of their eyes, and into their hands, and a part of their lives.  Once I do, I have a faith to know that the power within and the light of Christ within them will motivate them to want to learn more and become of part of HIS Gospel.

Earlier this year, I listened to a talk where the speaker pointed out that his wife didn’t particularly enjoy reading the Book of Mormon chapters that were about all the battles and the wars.  I can’t say I really disagreed other than the wars were a least-easier to understand than reading the Isaiah Chapters.  While listening, it occurred to me that (just like the Isaiah Chapters) the authors of the Book of Mormon wasted valued time, effort, and “ore” space to put them in there, so they must be important.  I felt as though they were in there because we are asked to fight the battle with the adversary daily and perhaps there were some strategies in these war chapters that could lead to ways to win against him.  My children, the youth I’m in charge of, and myself could use additional strategies in order to be victorious.

This was not the first time I’ve read the Book of Mormon with a purpose.  I’ve found that having a purpose in reading makes it go faster, and I’m able to feel less bored as I read through it.  What’s amazing to me is that I just read the Book of Mormon in 30 days.  I don’t remember as ever doing that before. I’m pretty sure my record to date was 90 days.  The only thing I did different was committing to read the Book of Mormon every morning for one hour.  I’ve been messing with goals lately considering the new Children and Youth initiatives that the church is putting out.  Of all the goals I made 30 days ago, this is the ONLY one I followed through on.  I plan on adding to it now… but I’m a little disappointed and impressed with myself at the same time.

This time, I read the Book of Mormon entirely on-line on churchofjesuschrist.org.  I was able to use the notebook feature, tagging scriptures, making some notes and then adding it to my “Strategy to Beat the Adversary” notebook.  I was thrilled with how easy it was until I realized I wanted to organize my thoughts into digestible “categories”.  I had 270 different references, this was NOT what the notebook was designed to do.  Unfortunately, I had to pull them out by the ones and create my own spreadsheet with the scripture reference, the quote from the scriptures, my thought that went along with it, and the category I believed that thought fit into.  I made 18 different categories the thoughts fit into:

• Action                        76
• Blessings                  9
• Character                24
• Consequences        17
• Example                   8
• Fortify                       23
• Gather                      10
• Holy Ghost              5
• Jesus Christ             7
• Knowledge              15
• Leadership              6
• Missionary              5
• Obedience               5
• Prayer                      11
• Repentance             16
• Sentinel                    10
• Strength                   10
• Weapons                 14

From this point, my intention was to uncover a weapon, a means of fortification, or an action and interpret it for our day into a method that can be used to defend against the adversaries attempts.  I thought it would go a little different than it did.  At first, I thought a sword would represent something like going through the house and “slashing” through anything that brought evil into our home… a bad program, an app on the phone, a game the kids play, etc.  With-as-much as there was some of that, for the most part, the exercise consisted of traits or characteristics that we could take on in order to be better prepared with who we are, or what we have become, in order to fight. I created three tables:  Arsenal of Armor and Weapons, Fortifications & Strongholds, and finally Actions, Offense & Defense.

The Arsenal is where I found the most inspiration.  I started with the standard spiritual definitions of the Armor of God:  The Breastplate, the Helmet, the Sword, etc.  But then, I was left with a bunch of weapons I found in the Book of Mormon and those weapons didn’t have characteristics or spiritual gifts to develop attached to them.  As I was pondering and reading over the definitions from the armor, the words from Doctrine & Covenants Section 4:5-6 started to come to my mind.  These words began to fit into the Characteristics.  This chart below shows first the “Item” found in the Book of Mormon, then the Characteristic I believe should be associated to it, and then a quick definition of what that looks like in day to day life.  The “Likened for Our Day”, is somewhat subjective.

Arsenal of Armor and Weapons

Scripture Reference	In the Book of Mormon	Characteristic/Principle	Likened for Our Day
2 Nephi 1:23, 3 Nephi 3:26,	Armor – “Put on the Whole” Armor of God – Preparation	Preparation	Take the time each day to prepare.
Alma 43:38, Alma 43:19, Helaman 1:14,	Breastplates  “breastplate of righteousness”	Obedience – Righteousness	Strict obedience to parents, prophet, leaders
Alma 43:38, Alma 43:19,	Arm shields	Meekness – Strong, Active, Courageous, Restrained, Modest, Gracious	Making adjustments in action and character as influenced by Holy Ghost
Alma 43:38, Alma 43:19, Helaman 1:14,	Head-Plates  “helmet of salvation”	Salvation	Attend the Temple regularly
Jarom 1:8, Alma 2:12, Alma 17:7, Helaman 1:14, Mosiah 9:16,	Bow & Arrow	Charity	regular service to others, servant leader
Jarom 1:8,	Quiver	Brotherly kindness	Wave, smile, say hello, be a friend
Jarom 1:8,	Dart	Love – Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved	Be a good family member, Show genuine interest in others, CARE
Jarom 1:8, Alma 17:7	Javelin & Spear	Knowledge	Study the Scriptures, words of Prophets, other good books, intelligence
Alma 2:12,	Stones	Temperance	Self-Mastery, live with Moderation, restrain, control anger, Word of Wisdom, Budget
Alma 2:12, Alma 17:7, Mosiah 9:16,	Slings	Patience	In conversation, in waiting in line, while sitting in traffic, when considering a purchase – practice, practice, practice
Alma 2:12, Helaman 1:14, Mosiah 9:16, Alma 43:18, 2 Nephi 5:14	Sword	The Spirit of the Lord, The Holy Ghost,	Seek for opportunities to Hear/Feel the Holy Ghost, do nothing that would offend the Holy Ghost from being with you
Alma 43:19,	Thick Clothing “vengeance for clothing” “zeal as a cloak”	Virtue	Think clean thoughts, watch clean shows, say clean words, proper respect to women
Alma 2:12, Helaman 1:14, Mosiah 9:16, Alma 43:18,	Cimeters (Similar to sword, double curve)	Humility – Constant Dependency on the Lord	Recognizing the Lords hand throughout your day, Showing gratitude and appreciation to others.  Repent often
Helaman 1:14, 3 Nephi 3:26,	Shields – “shield of faith”	Faith	Take regular steps into tough situations.  Learn a correct principle, try it, repeat. Give up all that is holding us back from complete commitment to Jesus Christ
3 Nephi 3:26,	Bucklers (small shield, hand to hand)	Confidence	Think Positive, Appearance, Organized, Gratitude, Fitness/Diet/Sleep, Make a list of your Strengths and Talents
Mosiah 9:16,	Clubs	Diligence	Hard work, Focus, Project, Hard things- especially in gospel stuff
N/A	Belt/Girdle “loins girt about with truth,”	Truth	Prayer, Daily Scripture study, Taking Christ name upon you everyday
N/A	Shoes/Boots “feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,”	Peace – through the Atonement	Repentance

Fortifications Strongholds

Unknowingly, this is the what I was looking for when I began reading the Book of Mormon with this purpose.  I wanted to find those things I could do to protect and defend.  Obviously, I’m so glad I was able to find so much more, but this section is the one that talks about how the Nephites protected their homes, their families, and other things important to them in their cities, like temples.  To begin at the bottom, I love the idea of digging a pit and the very action of digging that pit creates a natural mound of dirt.  Then the mount of dirt is built upon with tall, impenetrable wood.  The enemy couldn’t go around, through, under, or over.  There was no way the enemy was getting through.  Then the idea of the Towers;  Setting watchmen all around to warn about unforeseen dangers is such a great visual in my mind.  To see our prophet and other leaders standing up there, receiving the revelation for our good is humbling.  We need to recognize there are those that have a crystal clear view of pitfalls in our path.  We should listen more.

Scripture Reference	In the Book of Mormon	Likened for Our Day	What does that look like?
Alma 50:2, Alma 50:3, Alma 53:4	Works of Timbers	Tall enough that difficult to get something over, tough to get something through it. Cannot be pierced.	Live your life as an example to others.  The wall can be seen for long distances.  If we live a certain way it will be hard for the temptations and challenges from hitting us.
Alma 50:3	Frame of pickets	Prevents someone from climbing over (even after they climbed up the wall)	Repentance, if all else fails, after everything we tried, we can repent each day and hit reset… and begin again
3 Nephi 4:4	Reserved Provisions	Prepared for a long battle.  Able to survive regardless of the length of time	Have your own set of rules, no R rated movies.  No MA rated shows.  Curfew, no blankets while watching shows, no devices in the bedroom
Alma 49:2, Alma 49:4, Alma 50:1	High Ridge of Dirt	Slope could be impossible to climb, severe disadvantage on the bottom of hill trying to get up the hill nearly impenetrable	Distract temptations away by staying busy working on talents and goals.  It will heap up a new competency for you, while leaving a gapping trench for the adversary to have to trudge through
Alma 49:2, Alma 49:4, Alma 50:1, Alma 53:3,	Ditch round about	Can’t get good footing, muddy, tough to get through if water is present. Dirty Creating the ditch, also creates a higher wall where the dirt is being put	Doing less important stuff, game playing, device watching, etc.  Focusing more on those things of great importance… goals, etc.
Alma 55:31-32	Wise to avoid Poison	Avoiding Substances	Strict Word of Wisdom Adherence, more healthy behaviors, physical activity, clean diet, etc
Alma 62:42	Fortify the areas most exposed first	Address those areas we are most susceptible first.	Identify what areas you have the hardest time, and ask others to help
Alma 50:4, 3 Nephi 3:14	Towers	Prophet, Leaders, Scriptures, Conference	Listen to and do the things they say

Every time I read scriptures, listen to a talk, or follow a lesson, I’m looking for the “To Do”.  I don’t mind the warm fuzzies and I enjoying increasing in spirit, but need something concrete that I can change in my life in order to become something more.  I need ACTIONS.  I think this might be why this subject was one of my favorites to study.  It is filled with actionable items I can learn, process, personalize, and then begin living today.  The Book of Mormon was written for our day.  These conflicts, battles, and wars were written for us as well.  The strategies, the techniques, and the inspired life-saving tactics the early Nephites and Lamanites adopted can be liked for our day, bringing us added strength and confidence to beat the adversary no matter what temptation is headed towards us.  Sometimes, it takes a little suggestion or prompting to help us make the correct decision in the battle.

One of my favorite actions below that is found repeatedly in the Book of Mormon is lying, disguising oneself, hiding, tricking, or sneaking around.  If you are faced with a temptation and the only way to free yourself and get away is to tell a Lie… like you’re not feeling well, or your mom needed you home by a certain time, or there is something wrong with the car, I can’t drive that far, or you don’t have any money, so you can’t go there. WHATEVER the lie is, if it keeps you out of harms’ way, I’m positive the consequences of that lie will be FAR less than the consequences of more serious sins you could be pulled into.  Nephi dressed up as Laban, multiple times individuals hid to keep from being destroyed.  This is an absolutely acceptable technique to beat the adversary if it keeps you away from those temptations that could bring you down.  The lie might then require you to employ one of my other favorite techniques and that is RUNNING away!  The moment you know the temptation is present, close by, or about to pull you down, if you have gotten too close, Retreat, Flee, Run for your life!

Another technique I noticed was how often the Nephites sent spies out to discover what their enemy was doing.  Intel is the most important part of any battle.  We need to know what the adversary is doing, where he is doing it, and how his is doing it.  The way we find out is not through Google, or through getting caught in the mud and darkness that he spins, but to study the words of the prophets (past and present). They are standing on the towers, they are receiving the present-day revelation, they KNOW what the adversary is doing and they will always give the “war brief” to us letting us know where the dangers are, where to avoid, and where we can go to be safe and victorious.  If we will listen, we will avoid unnecessary pain anguish.

 Actions – Offense/Defense

Scripture Reference	In the Book of Mormon	Likened for our Day	What Does that look like
1 Nephi 4:19, Alma 52:21	Lie/Disguise	Whatever it takes to avoid sin and temptation.  It may feel like it’s something you wouldn’t normally do, but the outcome is best	Lying about being sick when in a bad movie, Leaving early from a situation because of some “excuse”
1 Nephi 3:27, Alma 43:31, Mosiah 20:8, Alma 43:27, Alma 43:35	Hide/Sneak	Hiding from the Adversary is being in places or doing things he can’t be or be involved in	Service to others (selfless activity), Temple work
Mosiah 22:16	Rely on the Lord	If we are doing all we can, and asking for help, the Lord will enhance those efforts	Stay worthy, keep the Holy Ghost with us, stay in the light
Alma 2:32, Alma 58:18, 1 Nephi 3:14, Mosiah 17:4, 1 Nephi 3:26, Helaman 6:37	Retreat/Flee	It may not look cool, it may not look very courageous, but getting rid of the temptation	Run away from a party, an interaction, a situation,
Mosiah 9:1, Alma 2:21, Alma 43:28, Alma 43:31, Alma 56:22, Alma 62:20	Spy	This is knowing the plans of the enemy.  The only way to know is to study and listen to those that know better	Conference Talks, Devotionals, Seminary, “Up-to-the-minute” talks for today.
Alma 58:3	Stay Away	Don’t explore, experiment, or try.  If it’s related to sin it will bite.	Certain Apps… don’t even download them, certain shows, don’t play them.  Certain music… don’t listen.  Certain people’s posts… don’t look
2 Nephi 26:15, Alma 55:22, Helaman 1:31	Surround/Encircle	Make sure you are diligently fighting in all areas of the battle.  Whether it’s the type of sin, the way you could sin, or the location of the temptation.  Don’t leave a gap.	Phone, tablet, conversations with others, your interactions, your thoughts.  And then, are you in the correct locations at all times.
Alma 55:22	Trick	Do what most won’t do	Pick up your phone, and “read scriptures” instead of look at an app, get on the TV and watch a Mormon message instead of another pointless You Tube video
Mormon 1:14, Alma 2:34, Alma 2:36, Helaman 6:37	Cleared the ground/Utterly Destroy	Some temptations are too great	Throw away the phone, Move the computer away from your room, Delete the apps, delete the contact, avoid being alone and finding excuses to be alone.
Mosiah 22:16, Alma 43:40	Chase/Pursue	Go after only things that will uplift	There is no reason to keep going after those things which bring you down.  You need to make the effort to chase the good.
Alma 14:18, Alma 24:21	Say Nothing/Just stand there and take it	When getting ridiculed, beat up, or torn down by someone the hardest thing to do it say nothing.  But there is power in turning the other cheek	Ignore shamming, or on-line bullying, ignore comments where someone tries to pull you down for being who you are.  Don’t react.  Don’t give them place in your heart
N/A	Surrender	Some temptations, sins, situations are too difficult to face on your own.  Don’t let it defeat you completely.  Surrender, get help!	Turn to parents, turning to the bishop, letting your friends know, you can’t do it alone.
Alma 43:31	Divide/Cut off	If it’s not uplifting, and it will never be uplifting, Cut it off, be done with that thing.	Breaking up with a significant other because it only leads to bad, quitting a job because of bad influences or culture
Mosiah 22:7, Alma 55:15	Don’t get Drunk	Word of Wisdom – If you use, you will make bad decisions… some could destroy you.	No inappropriate substances of any kind
Helaman 1:24, Helaman 1:19	Move fast and with purpose	Today… this minute… make a change	Right now, delete the app, turn off the show, get your parents to set a password on your device, do it NOW
	Gain Ground/Strongholds	Insignificant regular pressure will lead to big changes. EVERY effort you put forth to stay obedient and keep away from temptation is worth it.	Five minutes of scripture reading every day, attending the temple every month, week, prayers throughout the day

I’m not suggesting by any means this is a list that everyone needs to start using and it’s something that is concrete and in stone, but I’m proud of the fact that I was able to spend the time and learn for myself.  It felt selfish NOT to share it, and not to make it digestible for someone else to read or study.  I think the most effective way to use this would be to sit down with the scriptures, read the versus and battle stories referenced here, then rely on the Holy Ghost to guide you on what that means for you and the loved one’s you are responsible for.

One principle I didn’t expect to find in this read of the Book of Mormon, was how much this is a group effort and we need to strive to include others in our battles and the wars in front of us.  In-fact, the very nature of bringing others along, protects us from some of those times where the adversary gets us secluded, discouraged, feeling alone, and defeated, thus leading us to temptation or to make poor choices.  Multiple times throughout the Book of Mormon the concept of “gathering” groups of people was one of the first physical steps before battle.

Alma 43:26             “all the people in that quarter of the land should gather themselves together”

Alma 46:21             “the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God”

3 Nephi 3:13          “gather together their women, and their children, their flocks and their herds, and all their substance… unto one place”

The old adage “there is strength in numbers” is even understood by the animal kingdom.  Regardless of what species, you can see this principle in a school of fish, a heard of wildebeest, a flock of birds.  When a large group is gathered together this has an effect on the predators. The “prey” appears larger than they actually are, they look more powerful, or it makes it hard to distinguish or pick out an individual in the group.  I believe this is why gathering is so important.  To act as a group strengthens the individual. The group allows us to watch and to learn and grow confidence of the right way to act and do.  The group adds protection because of the numbers. To have others physically standing by has an effect on the individual to make good choices or to keep covenants.  A group of individuals with a single purpose, joined together is the strongest way to face the adversary.  If this is a righteous group, yokedwith Jesus Christ and doing his will, they will not fail in battle against the adversary.

Another take-away I found while studying these battles was how the Nephites were always out-numbered but how they always won their battles because of the added help of Jesus Christ and his blessing and power.  I think many of us feel like we can do it alone, or we have to do it alone, or there is some kind of special prize for not having to rely on someone else to help us.  This is wrong.  We need to realize that we are getting a full time, full court press from the adversary who wants us to be miserable like he is.  He has no other purpose, he has nothing else he is doing and has no need to rest.  His goal is to defeat us with any means necessary.  We cannot win by ourselves.  It is impossible.  The plan of Salvation, the plan of Happiness is such that we will only succeed when we involve our Savior Jesus Christ.  We need his strength, and his influence in the battle, and we need the gift of the atonement (that he gave to each of us to be clean), after we sin. Unless we submit to His will, and follow his teachings, his example, and commandments, we will lose!  We don’t need to be perfect in all that we do… “this life is the time to prepare”.  The Nephites didn’t go through EVERY battle being perfect and not losing a single soldier.  They lost hundreds of thousands of lives in battles…even the battles the Lord was on their side and guiding them towards victory.  But we need to be constantly striving, trying to do better each day, developing our fighting skills (talents and abilities), daily repenting of our sins, and slowly becoming stronger and more able to with stand the blows from the adversary.

I love the imagery of watching a soldier get ready for battle and overlaying that imagery with a young man or young woman getting ready for their day.  The thought of the soldier picking up the heavy pieces of armor and fastening them into place.  Slowly methodically placing each piece of gear on precisely and securely.  Then the image of our youth, kneeling by their bed side each morning in prayer… carefully communicating with our Heavenly Father, about the day (the battle) that is about to start.  Sharing with our Heavenly Father the thoughts, concerns, and help they may need as they start their day.  Then I think about them opening the scriptures, a little confused, not getting every verse, but acting in faith and because of that effort, finding a nugget of “intel” that strengthens them, warns them, or guides them to move forward in that day.  These actions have given the Holy Ghost permission and assignment to then be with them. This companion being the greatest individual our youth could come in contact with throughout their day.

You can then see the youth doing service for others, sometimes happy, sometimes begrudgingly.  The very act of service puts the youth somewhere safe and protected physically, but then helps build them spiritually as they learn and live Charity… an extra layer protecting them from the adversary.  Doing service increases awareness of others and less interest and concern for “self”. This is a great pattern in our lives.  When we find ourselves falling to the adversary in sadness, discouragement, or other sin, the quickest way to turn your situation around is to concern yourself with someone else’s needs.  It’s interesting to seeing the multiplying effect of service.  Your focus changes from a selfish perspective to one that shows concern for others.  You not only are answer to prayer and lift another, but by so doing you lift yourself!  In the moments of service, you’re not concerned about your own “issues” anymore. In many instances, the very act of service, makes your problems seem not quite as heavy as they were previous.  And maybe not in every case, but think of the effect it has on the receiver of the service, do you think that person may fall to their knees and thank our Heavenly Father for the service performed and ask for a special blessing for that individual who performed the service?  I think each of us could use some of those extra blessings from the Lord to strengthen us

Reading the Book of Mormon so quickly this time actually allowed me to compare and contrast the different time periods in the book.  It was interesting to see how victorious and dominating the Nephites were in the beginning and just devastating to see what happened to this people within a few hundred years after Jesus Christ was actually in front of them!  In addition to all the preparation these people put in to get their cities ready for battle, the actual putting on of the Armor was critical for their success.  The one thing that seems to have meant more than any other principle was righteousness or obedience.  If we are doing everything we can to practice the commandments and do what is being asked of us, that is when we are in the best position to receive the help we need.  Righteousness is the invitation for blessings, the Holy Ghost’s presence in our daily lives, and the way we will find ourselves in good situations making it easier to make better choices.

What an amazing book!  The Book of Mormon has so many treasures and nuggets of truth for our lives.  I’m so grateful I was able to take the last few months to study in this way.  I pray that I can take the things I’ve learned, develop the characteristics, protect my family, and help them learn how to defeat the adversary.  I know with the Lords help all things are possible.  Despite my lack of writing ability and an inability to connect thoughts properly, I know these things I’ve written to be true.  I close this message in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Reference:

Verse	Scripture	Thoughts	Category
1 Nephi 3:14	But Laman Fled out of his presence	It’s never a bad idea to run away from a situation as if your life were in danger. If you’re not there, you cannot engage the adversary	Action
1 Nephi 3:26	flee before the servants of Laban, and we were obliged to leave behind our property	If we are truly trying to save our lives, it won’t matter what we leave behind when we flee. No material possesion, or thing is worth us becoming unclean.	Action
1 Nephi 3:27	we hid ourselves in the cavity of a rock	Temptation is everywhere. But how do we “Hide” ourselves from the confrontation of the adversary. Staying away from certain temptations… apps on our devices. Not watching certain shows, not engagin in certain conversation. Consider where you actually are. Are you in positions that could lead to sin? Could being in places like the temple, at church, Seminary, institute “Hide” you? Where else is it good to be?	Action
1 Nephi 4:19	I took the garments of Laban and put them upon my body; yea, even every whit; and I did gird on his armor about my loins	This in interesting course of action. Dressing up, pretending to be someone else, and even using a voice. Is there strategy in beating the adversary that requires us to temporarily be someone different in order to escape a situation. Maybe it’s acting out of character or strangley, or even lying to get out of a bad movie, a bad situation, or away from someone we shouldn’t be with. I don’t see anything wrong with lying about not feeling good, or “having somewhere to go” if it prevents confrontation with the adversary.	Action
1 Nephi 4:31	seize upon the servant of Laban	It’s not just us that needs to beat the adversary, but also our friends. We absolutely have the responsibility or right to grab hold of those who may fall into sin and prevent them from falling over the edge. Once they get their minds about them, they can then decide for themselves to stay on the correct path.	Action
1 Nephi 4:36	we were desirous that he should tarry with us for this cause, that the Jews might not know concerning our flight into the wilderness	Stearing clear of confrontation is never a bad thing. We don’t need to keep returning to past sins or things that could cause sin just to let the adversary know we are still there.	Action
2 Nephi 26:15	camped against them round about, and shall laid siege against them with a mount, and raised forts against them	Three techniques in Battle:  1.) Camp against them round about 2.) Laid Siege against them with a mount: “they surround it in order to force the people there to come out or give up control of the place” 3.)Raised Forts against them	Action
3 Nephi 4:24	knowing of their weakness because of the want of food, and the great slaughter which had been made among them, therefore he did send out his armies in the night-time, and did cut off the way of their retreat, and did place his armies in the way of the retreat	Technique of war	Action
Alma 14:18	they answered them nothing	There is a time for talking and preaching and a time for silence	Action
Alma 2:15	there they began to make war with the Nephites	Why did they choose to begin battle on a hill? Was it Strategic? How can we use that? Hill is more difficult to navigate. If you’re facing up, you’re at a disadvantage, if you are facing down, you have the upper hand. Both have more unsure footing. Sounds like a terrible idea… once hand to hand begins.. but being on a hill, you have a vantage point above everyone. Need to put more thought to that….  What does this look like in fighting the adversary… just important to consider a strategy I suppose.	Action
Alma 2:21	spies to follow the remnant	I think the equivalent of spying for our day is added education on the affects of the sins we could committ, learning how the could hurt our bodies, how it could effect who we are, learning some of the things on how our minds work and ways to act according to that.	Action
Alma 2:32	but the king of the Lamanites fled back from Alma and sent his guards to contend with Alma	I’m not sure this is a fight we can send others to fight for us… but for a time, we may have others jump in while we regroup and get back on our feet	Action
Alma 2:33	Alma, with his guards, contended with the guards of the king of the Lamanites until he slew and drove them back	Use the resources of people around you to fully and completely destroy the adversary	Action
Alma 2:34	thus he cleared the ground, or rather the bank, which was on the west of the river Sidon	Some temptations need to be completely rooted out in order to get them out of your life.  This could mean drastic measures	Action
Alma 2:36	pursue them with their might, and did slay them	I look at this as taking extreme messures to make sure you NEVER commit that sin again… getting rid of the temptation… the phone, dumping the girlfriend/boy friend, moving somewhere else to be free of the familiar… etc. etc. etc.	Action
Alma 20:20	And he stretched forth his had to slay Ammon.  But Ammon withstood his blows, and also smote his arm that he could not use it	Ammon tried first to convince him with the words he was saying, but had to rely on the sword to get his attention. Need to be efficient with both.	Action
Alma 24:21	they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them on the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord	Choosing to do nothing with the temptations and the things before us could be a good technique… as long as we are strong enough to not touch, but sometimes, it could destroy us	Action
Alma 3:20	that there was another army of the Lamanites came in upon the people of Nephi, in the same place	The adversary is not going to give you a break or take a time out. He and his followers will continually strike without mercy. When our guard is down, we need to be in good places and be conscience of this	Action
Alma 3:23	But he sent up a numerous army against them	Sometimes you might need a little help. That you know you’re not strong enough, or don’t have the ability to get through things. Nothing wrong with asking others to help you make good choices and be a watchman for you.	Action
Alma 43;41	Moroni and his army met the Lamanites in the valley		Action
Alma 43:22	took their journey round about in the wilderness	Attempting to avoid a direct battle.  Went for what they perceived was easy ground	Action
Alma 43:25	leaving a part of his army in the land of Jershon	When changing course, don’t completely deviate from something you know works at fighting the adversary just to defend against a new problem.	Action
Alma 43:27	secreted in the valley	Hide	Action
Alma 43:28	placed spies round about	Knowledge	Action
Alma 43:30	therefore he thought it no sin that he should defend them with stratagem	There are NO stops, courtesy’s, or “CORRECT” ways to beat the adversay.  What ever it takes to stay away from his grasp!	Action
Alma 43:31	brought a part over into the valley, and concealed them on the east, and on the south of the hill Riplah		Action
Alma 43:31	found by his spies which course the Lamanites were to take	Spy	Action
Alma 43:31	divided his army		Action
Alma 43:35	the army which was concealed on the south of the hill, which was led by a man whose name was Lehi, and he led his army forth and encircled the Lamanites about on the east in their rear	Patiently waited, snuck into positioin and trapped them from behind.  When battling the adversary, we need to be patient when faced with temptation.  Stay strong in obedience, and eventually the temptations will pass or we will become stronger	Action
Alma 43:40	they were pursued by Lehi and his men…they were diven by Lehi into the waters of Sidon	Be relentless at pushing the adversary away from you… he is doing exactly the opposite	Action
Alma 43:40	Lehi retained his armies upon the bank of the river Sidon that they should not cross	Setting a standard or a barrier of how far you should go to defend… keeps you from getting into more trouble.	Action
Alma 43:42	they were met again by the armies of Moroni		Action
Alma 43:51	the Lamanites were more numerous, yea, by more than double the number of the Nephites,	Doesn’t matter how much is coming at us, we have the Lords help	Action
Alma 44:10	Moroni returned the sword and the weapons of war, which he had received, unto Zerahemnah, saying: Behold, we will end the conflict	Moroni gave them the chance to walk away and be done… we need to have this resolve to be ruthless enough to continually watch, continually protect, and always be on guard.	Action
Alma 46:30	Moroni thought it was not expedient that the Lamanites should have any more strength…he thought to cut off the people of Amalickiah, or to take them and bring them back	We need to not give the adversary more strength by allowing even small pieces of temptation into our lives	Action
Alma 47:8	it was not Amalickiah’s intention to give them battle according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites, that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the kind	The adversary will come at us from many different angles, we may think it’s Pornography that he’s leading with and feel great success at avoiding, but we might find that it’s idle time he was going for after an hour on Instagram	Action
Alma 49:20	a body of their strongest men, with their swords and their slings, to smite down all who should attempt to come into their places of security by the place of entrance	Fortify, build, protect	Action
Alma 50:7	they went forth and drove all the Lamanites who were in the east wilderness into their lands	Clean out all the evil	Action
Alma 51:17	go against those king-men, to pull down their pride and their nobility and level them with the earth	stay away from things that are habit forming and could cause destruction.  Act quickly to put them behind you, before they overtake you.	Action
Alma 51:34	Teancum stole privily into the tent of the king and put a javelin to his heart; and he did cause the death of the kind	there is something to be said for a carefully planned and a swift attack against the adversary.	Action
Alma 52:10	seek every opportunity to scourge the Lamanites in that quarter	Scourging the adversary looks like being menotanous with scripture reading, temple attendence, seminary, etc. etc.  Every action we take is a blow to his efforts	Action
Alma 52:21	decoy the Lamanites out of their stronghold	Dishonesty and trickery to keep you out of the path of the adverary are 100% ok.  Leaving a situaiton, getting away from someone that is a bad influence, leaving a party early	Action
Alma 52:24	Teancum was thus leading away the Lamanites who were pursuing them in vain, behold, Moroni commanded that a part of his army who were with him should march forth into the city, and take possession of it		Action
Alma 54:11	ye will deliver up a man and his wife and his children for one prisoner	Worth of souls?  The importance to bring all your loved ones with you out of the adversary’s way?	Action
Alma 54:3	therefore Moroni resolved upon a strategem to obtain as many prisoners of the Nephites from the Lamanites as it were possible	is there an annology that could go with this?  I’m not sure what it is	Action
Alma 55:15	when Laman and his men saw that they were all drunken, and were in a deep sleep, they returned to Moroni and told him all the things that had happened		Action
Alma 55:16	while the Lamanites were in a deep sleep and drunken, and cast in weapons of war unto the prisoners, insomuch that they were all armed	Tojan Horse?  Fight from within?	Action
Alma 55:22	done in the night-time, so that when the Lamanites awoke in the morning they beheld that they were surrounded by the Nephites without	Time of day is critical with activiities.  Especially when we are trying to avoid temptation and the adversary… we need to becareful what we are doing and when.. Day/Night Light/Dark	Action
Alma 56:22	we kept spies out round about		Action
Alma 58	Great strategic battle using multiple armies		Action
Alma 58:18	I caused that my men, those who were with me, should retreat into the wilderness	Nothing wrong with backing away and retreating… and is there value in getting into the wilderness?	Action
Alma 58:3	therefore it became expedient that we should wait, that we might receive more strength from the land of Zarahemla and also a new supply of provisions	Patient… wait… It’s ok to feel weak and need help (provisions).  Take the time necissary to regroup and build up strength	Action
Alma 61:21	See that ye strengthen Lehi and teancum in the Lord; tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them free	Stand Fast… love that phrase.  Just activily hold your ground for a time.  Reinforcements will come, or your strength will return and you can move forward	Action
Alma 62:20	came upon the top of the wall to spy out in what part of the city the Lamanites did camp with their army	Vantage point	Action
Alma 62:21	should prepare in haste strong cords and ladders, to be let down from the top of the wall into the inner part of the wall	Figuring ways to get places that are hard to reach in our lives	Action
Alma 62:22	come upon the top of the wall, and let themselves down into that part of the city, yea, even on the west, where the Lamanites did not camp with their armies		Action
Alma 62:36	and he did cast a javelin at him, which did pierce him near	Javelin to him	Action
Helaman 1:19	and their march was with such exceedingly great speed that there was no time for the Nephites to gather together their armies	Move fast and with purpose	Action
Helaman 1:22	Coriantumr saw that he was in possession of the city of Zarahemla… he had obtained the possession of the strongest hold in all the land, his heart took courage insomuch that he was about to go forth against all the land	Don’t get to comfortable with the battles you win that you don’t continue to prepare for the real dangers that lie ahead.  With the adversary, he will NOT stop just because you didn’t fall to one temptation	Action
Helaman 1:24	giving them no time to assemble themselves together save it were in small bodies; and in this manner they did fall upon them and cut them down to the earth	It’s hard to read the battle techniques AGAINST the Nephites, but the Lamanites did use interesting strategy.  Not taking a side shows the strength of strategy and the ways to avoid defeat	Action
Helaman 1:31	for they were surrounded on every hand by the Nephites	Don’t give the adversary the ability to hit you in so many different areas, that every turn you make, you become surrounded	Action
Helaman 2:6	one of the servants of Helaman, having been out by night, and having obtained, through disguise, a knowledge of those plans which had been laid by this band to destroy Helaman	Spy, disguise	Action
Helaman 2:9	the servant of Helaman, as they were going forth unto the judgment-seat, did stab Kishkumen even to the heart, that he fell dead without a groan	sneeky, swift, direct	Action
Helaman 6:37	insomuch that this band of robbers was utterly destroyed from among the Lamanates	We need to pull the evils in our selves, our homes, or phones, our TV’s by the root, and make them GONE	Action
Helaman 6:37	retreat		Action
Helaman 8:27	it is now even at your doors	The Adversary IS upon us right now, today	Action
Mormon 1:14	contend against the Lamanites until they had driven them out of all the lands	Can’t leave temptations to linger, or be close by, must drive them completely OUT	Action
Mosiah 17:4	fled from before them and hid himself		Action
Mosiah 20:8	Therefore he gathered his people together, and laid wait for them in the fields and in the forests	Once you know the game plan against you, you must determine the correct strategy and move forward	Action
Mosiah 22:16	And after they had pursued them two days, they could no longer follow their tracks; therefore they were lost in the wilderness	Truly a miracle.  How do you lose the tracks of hundreds of people.  The Lord was watching over and protecting them.	Action
Mosiah 22:6	Behold the back pass, through the back wall, on the back side of the city	Doesn’t matter how, sometimes you just have to find a way away from the things that will harm you	Action
Mosiah 22:7	pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken	Being a little bit devious and sneaky to beat the adversary could prove to be a good technique.  Maybe this looks like having someone else put controls and a password on your phone so you can’t get into things you shouldn’t	Action
Mosiah 9:1	spy out their forces	I look at spying as having knowledge of how the adversary works and understanding how he will come at you.	Action
1 Nephi 8:1	And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of seeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind, and also the seeds of fruit of every kind.	I have never noticed that Lehi’s Dream starts out this way. I can’t help but think that what’s top of mind for us will lead to revelation and in Lehi’s case, a dream about the Ultimate Fruit… The Tree of Life, or Eternal Life and Exaultation with our families.	Blessings
1 Nephi 8:31	and also many of their seed, will be saved	There is something significant to the mention of the gathering of seeds physically, but then the prophesy of Lehi’s dream talking about the seed of their family partaking of the fruit as well. Our decisions have far reaching consequences. Generations can be blessed by the choices we make today.	Blessings
3 Nephi 10:10	And the earth did cleave together again, that it stood	What does that mean?	Blessings
3 Nephi 4:33	because of their repentance and their humility that they had been delivered from everlasting destruction.		Blessings
Alma 3:11	were called the Nephites	They didn’t need to be marked as Nephites because they way they lived their lives now depicted them as believers.	Blessings
Alma 49:30	exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God		Blessings
Alma 50:23	there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni	Protected by the Lord, because of their faith, and the effort they put in to protect that which was precious	Blessings
Helaman 3:25	so great was the posperity of the Church, and so many the blessings which were poured out upon the people, that even the high priests and the teachers were themselves astonished beyond measure	How do we live our lives to be able to have this kind of joy, prosperity, and blessing placed on our heads	Blessings
Helaman 3:29	Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall dividie asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked		Blessings
1 Nephi 11:36	the great and spacious building was the pride of the world	In the end, we know the Savior an his disciples will win the war, but if we are not careful, we could be part of the fall… pride!  We need to be careful that our pride doesn’t lead the way to our destruction	Character
1 Nephi 2:16	I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers	To Believe is the catalyst for not rebelling.	Character
1 Nephi 4:14	I remembered te words of the Lord	I love the thought process of Nephi here. This was NOT an easy thing. Yes he was instructed, but it was interesting to see where his mind went. That he was aloud to process the situation and then act. Because of the memory, his thoughts, and then consideration of what he knew, he was able to destroy his adversary in that moment in order to follow commandment.	Character
1 Nephi 5:21	they were desirable; yea, even of great worth unto us	Overcoming sin and temptation won’t be easy, and it may not feel popular or bring the immediate happiness, but it will ALWAYS be worth it in the long run.  It will bring greater joy & happiness than anything else.	Character
1 Nephi 5:5	But behold, I have obtained a land of promise, in the which things I do rejoice; yea, and I know that the Lord will deliver my sons out of the hands of Laban, and bring them down again unto us in the wilderness	I need to have faith to know that the Lord will deliver my sons from the challenges they face in this world if I teach them correct principles, to have faith, and a testimony in Jesus Christ. We don’t have to fear if we are learning, teaching, and practicing those things that will keep us away from temptation and sin. We WILL succeed. We WILL win.	Character
1 Nephi 5:9	and they gave thanks unto the God of Israel	Gratitude will ALWAYS bring us strength	Character
1 Nephi 7:7	And it came to pass in the which rebellion, they were desirous to return unto the land of Jerusalem	TIme and place for everything. Important that Nephi testified in order to receive the assistance from the Lord. Did the preaching make the situation worse, was there anything else that could have been done… probably not. But in the end between the words, and the suffering of being tied up… hearts were softend.	Character
2 Nephi 26:30	all men should have charity, which charity is love	Baseline characteristic of great value	Character
2 Nephi 31:20	Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.	So much battle instruction here with a great victory prize	Character
3 Nephi 1:30	began to decrease as to their faith and righteousness, because of the wickedness of the rising generation.	Faith	Character
3 Nephi 26:11	… I was about to write them, all which were engraven upon the plates of Nephi, but the Lord forbade it, saying: I will try the faith of my people.	It’s important that we learn to have faith. Sometimes it’s not good to just give it all to us, but to let us struggle a little and figure it out.	Character
Alma 18:10	surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this man	We can be more than just obedient.  We can do each of the things we are asked to do with Integrity, Pride, Precision	Character
Alma 19:10	And Ammon said unto her:  Blessed are thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites	I think that’s how simple faith can be. It just has to be that williness to put your mind and heart toward something you don’t have a full knowledge of. Jesus Christ. trust those little tiny feelings.	Character
Alma 3:27	every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey	Great quote… who’s side are we on… and what is that earning us	Character
Alma 47:2	them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they feared to displease the king, and they also feared to go to battle against the Nephites	Fear can drag us down and is imobilizing.  We need to recognize it in our lives and stear clear of it.  We need not fear with Christ at the helm	Character
Jacob 1:10	Nephi exceedingly, he having been a great protector for them, having wielded the sword of Laban in their defense, and having labored in all his days for their welfare-	Great Protector… Great Prophet.  Using the sword… and the word of God to bless his people	Character
Mormon 1:13	he did fight with the strength of his own arm	No one is above the fight, we each must be willing to do whatever it takes	Character
Mormon 1:15	I being 15 years old	At 15 he was visited by the Lord.. What would his life had to have been like from age 11 to age 15 in order to get to this point?  Especilly among so many wicked people.  What did his dad teach him	Character
Mormon 1:18	all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul	Commitment and Passion	Character
Mormon 1:6	I being 11 years old	At 11 lived in a HUGE city with large population.  Witnessed wars and evils all around him	Character
Mormon 2:1	And notwithstanding I being young, was very large in stature	I don’t think you need to be 7 feet tall to be large in stature.  There are other ways to grow in stature and have your confidence help you feel large	Character
Mormon 2:2	in my 16th year	Two things… 16 years old and he was the head of the army. What character… How bad had the people gotten if they had to rely on a 16 year old to lead their army and no one else was better qualified	Character
Mosiah 19:11	king commanded them that all men should leave their wives and their children	The king and the men were COWARDS	Character
Mosiah 27:9	causing much dissension	It had to be both heart renching and embarrassing for Alma and Mosiah to know their sons were acting this way, especially when they were obviously taught the correct way to live by their fathers.	Character
1 Nephi 1:13	concerning Jerusalem—that it should be destroyed, and the inhabitants thereof; many should perish by the sword, and many should be carried away captive into Babylon.”	Death and captivity prophesied if we embrace wickedness	Consequences
3 Nephi 2:12	the Lamanites who had become conversted unto the Lord did unite with their bretheren, the Nephites, and were compelled, for the safety of their lives and their women and their children, to take up arms against those Gadianton robbers	Compelled… because they didn’t drive out the poison early and let it fester among them	Consequences
3 Nephi 2:18	because of the wickedness of the people of Nephi and their many contentions and dissensions, the Gadianton robbers did gain many advantages over them	Contentions and Dissensions	Consequences
Alma 3:19	even so doth every man that is cursed bring upon himself his own condemnation	It is a curse!	Consequences
Alma 4:2	greatly afflicted for the loss	Serious consequences can come after we fall to temptation.	Consequences
Alma 43:37	for their nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites	How do we take heavy blows against the adversary? Deleting an app on our phone? Deleting a streaming service. Disconnecting for “poisonous friends” Breaking up with a significant other that pulls you down or keeps you from choosing correctly.	Consequences
Alma 53:19	And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea, because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were placed in the most dangerous circumstances	Lamanites won ONLY because the Nephites were at fault among themselves  Dissensions and Intrigue = Dangerous Circumstances	Consequences
Helaman 2:4 & 2:13	one Gadianton, who was exceedingly expert in many words, and also in his craft, to carry on the secret work of murder and of robbery;…this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi	Gadianton Robbers	Consequences
Helaman 4:11	would not have happened had it not been for their wickedness and their abomination		Consequences
Helaman 4:12	because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of thieroppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away	Road to hell	Consequences
Helaman 4:23	the judgments of God did stare them in the face		Consequences
Helaman 5:38	Nephites did build them up and support them	You cannot give room or support any evil	Consequences
Helaman 6:21	in so much that they did unite with those bands of robbers, and did enter into their covenants and their oaths.	Giving place in your life for the temptation to exist is going to pull you down	Consequences
Mormon 3:15	Vengeance is mine, and I will repay; and because this people repented not after I had delivered them, behold, they shall be cut off from the face of the earth	Never saw this before	Consequences
Mormon 6:11	they had gone through and hewn down all my people save it were twenty and four of us, (among whom was my son Moroni).	How would this feel going through all this while watching your son suffer through as well.	Consequences
Mormon 6:7	with that awful fear of death which fills the breast of all the wicked		Consequences
Mosiah 2:36	if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw ourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it my have no place in you	Dangerous Ground – DO NOT give room for the adversary	Consequences
Alma 20:26	and when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni	We need to remember to lead with Love	Example
Alma 24:24	when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword	The way we handle sin and temptation could be the way others finally see the truth and open their eyes	Example
Alma 39:11	how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words	Our actions have consequences that could affect someone’s ability to recognize the light and make changes to their own life	Example
Alma 4:10	and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church	We could be the reason, others are not turning to the gospel, or maybe we could be the reason someone IS interested.	Example
Alma 43:53	Zerahemnah saw the men of Lehi on the east of the river Sidon, and the armies of Moroni on the west of the river Sidon, that they were encircled about by the Nephites, they were struck with terror.	Can we be an influence for good that will keep us away from those things that will plague us?  I think we have the ability to strike fear in others so that they will know not to try to move us, but more importantly come over to our way of thinking	Example
Alma 49:17	that when the Lamanites had found that Lehi commanded the city they were again disappointed, for they feared Lehi exceedingly	Not because Lehi was mean and nasty and ruthless, but because they KNEW they could not beat him.  The adversary needs to know he CANNOT beat us because of our efforts	Example
Alma 62:27	many of the Lamanites that were prisoners were desirous to join the people of Ammon and become a free people	Examples	Example
Jacob 1:15	desiring many wives and concubines	Isn’t it interesting that the men are always referred to in the scriptures. The men did this and the men did this, but when it comes to these sins… it says the people… but these kinds of sins were CLEARLY sins the men were committing. I’m sure the women had their problems to, but as priesthood holds we have the ability to set the tone for ALL people… male and female. And depending on the choices we make, it could affect how others desire to live the priniciples or not	Example
2 Nephi 5:15	teach my people to build buildings, and to work in all manner of wood, and of iron, and of copper, and of brass, and of steel, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious ores, which were in great abundance	To build  and use our creativity I belive are characteristics specifically handed down from our Heavenly Parents	Fortify
2 Nephi 5:17	Labor with their hands	I think this brings strength and awareness of our capabilities	Fortify
3 Nephi 3:14	caused that fortifications should be built round about them… placed as guards round about to watch them		Fortify
3 Nephi 3:25	they did fortify themselves against their enemies	Fortify, build, protect	Fortify
3 Nephi 4:4	having reserved for themselves provision, and horses and cattle, and flocks of every kind, that they might subsist for the space of seven years	Prepared for 7 YEARS of survival…	Fortify
Alma 49:13	built forts of security	What would a fort of security look like, is that our home, is that the car where they can retreat during a rough day, is that putting in their headphones and walking away from it all for a while?	Fortify
Alma 49:2	city had been rebuilt, and Moroni had stationed an army by the borders of the city, and they cast up dirt round about to shield them from the arrows and the stones	We are under attack every day with an adversary more destructive than the Lamanites. Do we prepare our homes or our safe places in this way. What do we need to do in order to prepare for the attacks the will come after our children.	Fortify
Alma 49:4	the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them, which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones and their arrows at them that they might take effect	To what degree do we need to protect… how high, how far, how much do we build up our protetions against the adversary… enough that when the firey darts come they will “not take effect”	Fortify
Alma 49:5	captains of the Lamanites were astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites in preparing their places of security	what more can we do in our home to protect against the adversary	Fortify
Alma 49:8	they were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among the children of Lehi	I’m thinking about how we talk about letting our kids learn to make the decisions on their own to have a phone, not look at things they shouldn’t, and grow stronger that way, but the Nephites didn’t let their kids feel what an arrow in their leg was like in order for them be to be stronger… they made sure NO arrows came close	Fortify
Alma 50:1	digging up heaps of earth	Build up protections	Fortify
Alma 50:2	timbers, yea, works of timbers built up to the height of a man round about the cities	Build up so it’s strong enough and effective	Fortify
Alma 50:3	works of timbers there should be a frame of pickets built upon the timbers round about; and they were strong and high	How high do we need to build our walls of protection from the adversary	Fortify
Alma 50:4	towers to be erected	Need to be on constant watch	Fortify
Alma 50:6	Moroni did prepare strongholds round about every city	Set up protections for every place you go and all you do	Fortify
Alma 52:6	kept his men round about, as if making preparations for war; yea and truly he was preapring to defend himself against them, by casting up walls round about and preparing places of resort	Prepare to defend always.  We can never stop	Fortify
Alma 52:9	fortify the land Bountiful, and secure the narrow pass	Be specific on where you set up protections	Fortify
Alma 53:3	they should commence laboring in digging a ditch round about the land, or the city, Bountiful	What does Digging a Ditch mean in terms of fighting the adversary	Fortify
Alma 53:4	they should build a breastwork of timbers upon the inner bank of the dirt…a strong wall of timbers and earth, to an exceeding height	Breastwork of Timbers = what in fighting the adversary	Fortify
Alma 53:5	compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them	What does this look like in working against the adversary	Fortify
Alma 55:31-32	they would not partake of their wine, save they had first given to some of the Lamanite prisoners. …And they were thus cautious that no poison should be administered among them; for if their wine would poison a Lamanite it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try all their liquors	Funny I’m writing about putting off tempations and poisons, but this scripure specifically talks about the liquor… Obviously, we need to be careful about what we injest into our bodies…. Experimenting is not as much fun and keeping your body clean… ALWAYS!	Fortify
Alma 62:42	and it came to pass that after Moroni had fortified those parts of the land which were most exposed to the Lamanites, until they were sufficiently strong	What are areas in our lives are “exposed” to evil forces	Fortify
Jacob 7:25	people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies	Fortify, with all their might, Trusting in the Lord… Become conquerers of the adversary	Fortify
1 Nephi 4:33	I spake unto him, even with an oath	Have we sworn an oath (or should we) to protect each other? Our friends, our spouse, our children? How does that oath affect how we act? In this case it lead to a mans freedom. Will this do the same for us and the ones we love?	Gather
1 Nephi 7:19	and one of the sons	The Lord helped Nephi directly, but also sent others to his rescue.  It might only take one, but are you the one that needs to stand up? Are you the one that is going to make the difference. Better to try than to never have known.	Gather
2 Nephi 1:21	arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and one heart, united in all things that ye may not come down into captivity	only one narrow way, the Lords way. There is something to be said for unification. Single purpose. It doesn’t discourage diversity,	Gather
3 Nephi 3:13	gather together their women, and their children, their flocks and their herds, and all their substance… unto one place		Gather
Alma 10:12	more than one witness who testified of the things whereof they were accused	Strength in numbers	Gather
Alma 43:26	all the people in that quarter of the land should gather themselves together	Recruited additonal help to overcome	Gather
Alma 43:4	gathered together	Strength in numbers	Gather
Alma 46:21	the people came running together with their armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God	Being together, joined with an oath, “rending their garments”	Gather
Ether 13:25	every man with his band fighting for that which he desired	Not together	Gather
Mormon 1:13	gathered together his armies, and he did stand against them	Gathered together – Strength in numbers	Gather
1 Nephi 10:19	For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteriest of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round	This a law, an unchanging principle we can count out. Diligently seek and we shall find by the power of the Holy Ghost. Even at the most inconvient times in our lives, we need to be seeking. When in battle, we don’t know how or when the adversary is going to hit us. To have that help from the Holy Ghost to direct our actions could make the greatest difference in our lives.	Holy Ghost
1 Nephi 4:10	Never at any time have I shed the blood of man	Be in a position to have the Holy Ghost guide you at all times. When the Holy Ghost directs you to act… it could be the things that saves your life or the life of others.	Holy Ghost
2 Nephi 5:5	the Lord did warn me	I think the Lord is constantly “warning” us in our lives and we are sometimes very weak to recognize when these warnings come. If we would stay more in touch with the Holy Ghost in our lives, there is a chance we could forgo some self inflicted challenge in our lives.Fleeing may be the best way to contend with temptation.	Holy Ghost
3 Nephi 3:19	Now it was the custom among all the Nephites to appoint for their chief captains, (save it were in their times of wickedness) some one that had the spirt of revelation and also prophesy; therefore, this Gidgiddoni was a great prophet among them, as also was the cheif judge	chief captains – someone that had the spirit of revelation.  For our own battles… we need to make sure we are appointed and that we have the spirit of revelation	Holy Ghost
Jarom 1:4	as many as are not stiffnecked and have faith, have communion with the Holy Spirit, which maketh manifest unto the children of men, according to their faith	The path or patern to revelation	Holy Ghost
3 Nephi 11;14	come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world	How do we:  thurst our hands into HIS side, and FEEL the prints of the nails in His hands and HIS feet  in order to know him	Jesus Christ
3 Nephi 11:21	I give unto you power that ye shall baptize this people	Priesthood power	Jesus Christ
3 Nephi 11:22	there shall be no disputations among you		Jesus Christ
3 Nephi 11:39	this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them	Christ’s doctrine a foundation that if built upon will be strong enough to prevail against ALL temptation	Jesus Christ
3 Nephi 12:44-45	… love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you;  That ye may be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good	… your enemies… are still your Heavenly Father’s children… who he loves.	Jesus Christ
Helaman 5:12	And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.	2nd favorite Scripture… It’s not if, but when.  They will come… and how will we be positioned in our lives?  Is the whirlwind going to knock us off course completely?	Jesus Christ
Moroni 7:16	the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil	EVERYONE has this spirit.  Everyone can tell right from wrong	Jesus Christ
1 Nephi 1:1	having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God	Before we go into battle, we need to have a knowledge of who it is that gives us the power to win EVERYTIME. That is our Savior, and our Father in Heaven	Knowledge
1 Nephi 15:3	save a man should inquire of the Lord; and they being hard in their hearts, they did not look unto the Lord as they ought	In order for us to be in line with all the changes we are facing in the church, we need to seek for our own understanding and confirmation from the Lord	Knowledge
1 Nephi 2:17	And it came to pass that he believed in my words	Follow the instruction of those that know better, are ordained to help, and that have been down those path	Knowledge
2 Nephi 25:29	worship him with all your might, mind, strength, and your whole soul	How do we worship in those four areas.  What does that look like?	Knowledge
2 Nephi 9:39	Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually-mined is life eternal	We need to think bigger and look at the larger picture.  We are not “creatures” of this world, we are something greater, we need to act accordingly	Knowledge
3 Nephi 1:29	they had many children who did grow up and began to wax strong in years, that they became for themselves, and were led away by some who were zoramites, by their lyings and their flattering words, to join those Gadianton robbers.	Teach children truth so they can decipher from the lies that the adversary will most definitely tell them	Knowledge
Alma 17:2	they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God	Sword of truth	Knowledge
Alma 48:7	Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God	Proper preperation for battle – Knowledge	Knowledge
Alma 53:16	they had manys sons, who had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies; therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites	I’ve always thought that these youth watched their parents at a young age, and with war and contention going on all around them, I cant help but think they were either playful, or understood fighting to some degree.  I think we teach our children to fight the adversary as young as possible.	Knowledge
Helaman 10:12	he did stop and did not go unto his own house, but did return unto the multitudes who were scattered about upon the face of the land, and began to declare unto them the word of the Lord which had been spoken unto him	He didn’t stop at home, he didn’t pack a lunch, or take a break then go and do, he began at that moment to declare the word	Knowledge
Helaman 3:21	And they began to grow up unto the Lord	How do we “grow-up” unto the Lord	Knowledge
Jacob 1:17	taught them in the temple	In the temple… they were taught (against all the evils that were beginning to show)	Knowledge
Jacob 2:7	Children	Tough conversations, yes… but note… the children were in the temple learning with the parents as well	Knowledge
Jacob 3:2	lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love	Have confidence you ARE doing correctly, Feel HIS love and let it strengthen you	Knowledge
Mormon 1:2	(mormon) I being about ten years of age	..began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people.. Sober child, and art quick to observe	Knowledge
Alma 2:13	appointed captains, and higher captains, and chief captains, according to their numbers	Leadership	Leadership
Alma 43:35	inspired by a better cause	Eternal Salvation, Remaining Clean, Protecting Virtue and what’s sacred.	Leadership
Alma 43:48	And Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired	What do we need to inspire us when we are about to shrink? How about the thoughts of our children… even unborn… or our wives, even if we haven’t met them yet… to act appropriately now to deserve them later.	Leadership
Alma 46:12	In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children	What is our inspiration, motivation, charge, or flag that we wave?	Leadership
Alma 47:4	he laid the plan in his heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites	In our heads, it’s a thought or an idea… once it reaches our heart, it becomes who we are and it is what we the n do.  We need to be careful that the things that DO find their way to our heart are clean and pure and what Heavenly Father wants us to do	Leadership
Alma 52:19	Moroni and Teancum and many of the chief captins held a council of war	What councils do we participate in that will help us succeed.  PPI’s, Bishop/Bishopric meetings, Family Councils	Leadership
Mormon 3:11 & 12	I, Mormon did utterly refuse from this time forth to be a commander and a leader of this people… I had led them, notwithstanding their wickedness I had led them many times to battle, and had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me with all my heart	This is a great leader	Leadership
1 Nephi 12:17	which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost	During Lehi’s description of the dream he talks about the people feeling their way through the mists. They are quite literally feeling and participating in the evil things of the Adversary.	Lehi’s Vision
1 Nephi 8:31	feeling their way towards that great and spacious building	They weren’t rushing there… they were “feeling their way”. Little by little, a few minutes here, and a few minute there, they were working their way toward a worldly existance. Is that one more video on You Tube, one more picture on instagram, one more inappropriate image? It’s the exact opposite to clinging to the Iron Rod.	Lehi’s Vision
Alma 21:15	And they went forth again to declare the word	They were thrown into prison and treated terribly, but as soon as rescued, headed out preaching again	Missionary
Alma 21:6	How knowest thou the thought and intent of our heart?  How knowest thou that we have cause to repent?  How knowest thou that we are not a righteous people? Behold, we have built sanctuaries, and we do assemble ourselves together to worship God.  We do belive that God will save all men.	I think there are many that would say this in our day.  It doesn’t make them wrong, it just means they are missing a few pieces of the complete puzzle.	Missionary
Alma 26:22	Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing – unto such it is given to know the mysteries of god	Gospel	Missionary
Alma 43:1	Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth	Couldn’t sit back. Had to go and do	Missionary
Mormon 1:16	I did endeavor to preach unto this people, but my mouth was shut, and I was forbidden that I should preach unto them	Had the missionary spirit, but was not allowed to preach.  Had to be very frustrating	Missionary
1 Nephi 2:20	keep my commandments, ye shall prosper, and shall be led to a land of promise	By keeping the commandments, we will find ourselves in places we shouldn’t have to fight and can remain clean.	Obedience
1 Nephi 2:3	And it came to pass that he was obedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.	The BoM begins and ends with examples of Obedience. The beginning with great blessings. The end with Disobedience, causing great and terrible consequences.	Obedience
1 Nephi 8:20	strait and narrow path	Obvious symbolism, but as far as strategies go, In battle a deviation off the path could have land mines and all sorts of unknown threats. Staying on the path (perfect obedience) could save our lives!	Obedience
Alma 62:10	this law should be strictly observed for the safety of their country	Obedience brings Safety	Obedience
Mosiah 2:8	they could not hear all his words because of the greatness of the multitude	They probably knew they would not be able to hear because there were so many of htem, but they showed up being obedient	Obedience
2 Nephi 32:9	ye must not perform anything utno the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of your soul.	Since the battle is daily, before we leave for the day we need to pray.  And then continue to pray throughout the day.	Prayer
3 Nephi 18:18	I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation	Watch and Pray	Prayer
3 Nephi 3:12	but he did cause that his people should cry until the Lord for strength against the time that the robbers should come down against them		Prayer
Alma 16:5	And having heared that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know whither the Lord would that they should go inot the wilderness in search of their brethren	First turn to the Lord, through his prophet	Prayer
Alma 2:28	being strengthened by the hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies	We need that daily addition of strength in order to endure this battle	Prayer
Alma 2:30-31	And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, exercised with much faith, cried saying:  O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people. Now when Alma said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword	We will need to plead with the Lord for help when the battle we face is most instense.	Prayer
Alma 43:23	knowing of the prophecies of Alma, sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites	I love this approach. Spys were sent to uncover and discovered everything possible (educate), but not leaving anything to chance, ALSO inquired of the Lord what to do and where to go	Prayer
Alma 58:10	Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people	Heart fealt prayer, crying unto the Lord for protection in appropriate regularly, especially when we are not feeling we can do it alone	Prayer
Alma 62:51	And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land	There is no better place to start than with prayer	Prayer
Jacob 3:1	Look unto God with firmness of mind, pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction	Pray with faith:  1.) Console your afflictions, 2.) Plead our cause, 3.) Send down justice upon those that seek your destructions	Prayer
Moroni 7:26	Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.	Prayer	Prayer
1 Nephi 7:21	I did frankly forgive them	Holding grudges and a harden heart toward others will only make situations worse down the road. Forgiveness is healing for everyone.	Repentence
Alma 19:31	And he, immediately, seeing the contention among his people, went forth and began to rebuke them, and to teach them the words which he had heard from the mouth of Ammon; and as many as heard his words believed, and were converted unto the Lord.	He had the gospel of Jesus Christ for less than a week. And even the very small knowledge that Ammon gave him, he was now preaching and converting people to baptism.	Repentence
Alma 19:33	that their hearts had been changed, that they had no more desire to do evil	How do we burn off that desire to no longer do evil? I think we need to replace it with something equally as powerful. The change of heart needs to be deep and lasting and we need to then move forward with the new course for our lives. Joining the Lords battalion is a great way to focus that energy. Finding souls to come unto him.	Repentence
Alma 19:6	he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God	How did Ammon know this? He knew it first hand because he experienced it…How do each of use experience this? What does it look like in a gentler, slower process?	Repentence
Alma 22:15	What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy	Love seeing that amount of faith.  What Can I give up to have this?  In relation to temptation, what should we be willing too give up in order to have this gift/joy in our lives?  What is it worth to us?	Repentence
Alma 24:12	since God hath taken away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren	Repentence	Repentence
Alma 24:6	there was not one soul among all the people who had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against their brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations of war; yea, and also their king commanded them that they should not	This is a great example of truly repentative heart.  One that is completely forsaking the sins of their past.  To the point of their own death	Repentence
Alma 3:1	after having buried those who had been slain	Burying… Repenting… putting the sin behind you. Recognizing the damage it had done and committing to do better?	Repentence
Alma 4:3	Mourn	So what do we do when we have recognized our sin, have decided not to do it any more, and have moved forward… we double our efforts to do that which is good. Come back to the Church, the Gospel, the people we know are best for us to be around.	Repentence
Alma 4:3	and they believed that it was the judgements of God sent upon them because of their wickedness and their abominations; therefore they wer awakened to a remembrance of their duty.	Awakened	Repentence
Alma 60:23	Now I would that ye should remember that God has said that the inward vessel shall be cleaned first, and then shall the outer vessel be cleaned also	great philosphy – start from within and then move outward	Repentence
Helaman 1:27	come into the center of the land, and had taken the captial city which was the city of Zarahemla	Inward vessel	Repentence
Jacob 3:3	except ye repent the land is cursed for your sakes	We are all sinners regardless of the degree.  If we do not repent, the adversary will have us and we will be destroyed	Repentence
Mormon 2:13-14	But behold this my joy was in vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin. And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die, Nevertheless they woudl struggle with the sword for their lives	Real Repentence vs Half Hearted effort	Repentence
Mosiah 26:20	I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life	I wonder if Alma needed to hear this. His life of riotous living came to an end with Abinidi. Whether he directly had anything to do with it, he was one of the judges listening to him… and committing sin… so to know that his efforts were accepted by the Lord was probably very motivating and confidence building for him.	Repentence
Mosiah 27:16	remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi	As I think about it… I think Alma was actually raised in a space where his father was a judge with King Noah, so maybe he WAS taught to be wicked, then without any discussion with him, his father turned away from that life and Alma the Younger had to deal with a life contrary to what he knew.	Repentence
1 Nephi 1:4	many prophets, prophesying unto the people that they must repent or…be destroyed	Words of the Prophet designed to protect. Being obedient to them will keep us away from the battle grounds entirely	Sentinel
2 Nephi 5:14	hatred towards me and my children and those who were called my people	Much like the adversary wishes for each of us to miserable like unto himself… He and his followers HATE us and will stop at nothing to make us miserable. Elder Bednars talk October 2018.. the stalking patern of the Cheetah. We must be on constant watch.	Sentinel
2 Nephi 5:34	wars and contentions with our brethren	The battle will always be there.  The conflict will not stop, we have always got to be ready	Sentinel
3 Nephi 28:23	and thus the people of that generation were blessed, according to the word of Jesus	This could be read a couple different ways, but I look at all the verses that talk about how amazing these prophets were… and then this concluding statement… that because of the work of the apostles/prophets the people were blessed and Jesus Christ’s will is done. I think that is what our apostles and prophets do for us.	Sentinel
4 Nephi 1:20&24	…a small part of the people who had revolted from the church… two hundred	It took 200 years since Christ was on the earth and it began to head down hill	Sentinel
Alma 3:6	were dark, according to the mark	The temptations and sins we could commit are marked as well. By Darkness, by the holy ghost, by a stuper of thought	Sentinel
Alma 43:24	Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people.  And those messengers went and delivered the message unto Moroni	We might think we have all the answers… and can handle what ever is before us, but turning to the Prophet and our leaders regularly, keeps us aware of the most immenent. threats	Sentinel
Alma 50:12	with his armies, which did increase daily because of the assurance of protection which his works did bring forth unto them.	The efforts put in to protect, will bring a behavior, and constant protection will begin to be about your character, causing it to build greater and great	Sentinel
Mosiah 20:8	Limhi had discovered them from the tower, even all their preparations for war did he discover;	Look out tower – how do we create this tower against Temptation	Sentinel
Omni 1:3	we had many seasons of peace; and we had many seasons of serious war and bloodshed	The intesity and frequency that the adversary will come against us will vary, but we need be ready at ALL times!	Sentinel
1 Nephi 3:29	an angel of the Lord came and stood before them	We can EXPECT heaven’s help when we are doing all that we can to be obedient and avoid the temptations.	Strength
2 Nephi 6:17	I will contend with them that contendeth with thee	The Ultimate Ally in Battle… The Lord	Strength
3 Nephi 4:10	they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them	in the strength of the Lord we need to go into battle against the adversary	Strength
Alma 18:3	he cannot be slain by the enemies of the king	This is the kind of power we want instilled in us.  The power that we cannot be defeated	Strength
Alma 49:23	Nephites had all power over their enemies	We can have this kind of power if we are disiplined	Strength
Helaman 4:13	they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper	What a HUGE concept. They were left to their own strength… therefore they did NOT prosper!!!! This is such a clear point that the reason we achieve is yes.. due to our efforts, but the Lord is the one that fills the gaps through blessings because of obedience to his commandments.	Strength
Helaman 4:24	they had become weak, like unto their brethren, the Lamanites, and that the Spirit of the Lord did no more preserve them	We need the Lords help in the battle.  We weill not be able to win without it.	Strength
Mormon 2:26	nevertheless the strength of the Lord was not with us; yea, we were left to ourselves, that the spirit of the Lord did not abide in us; therefore we had become weak like unto our brethren	Left to ourselves	Strength
Mormon 4:8	again boast of their own strength	Pride	Strength
Mosiah 23:29	And Alma and his brethren went forth and delivered themselves up into their hands; and the Lamanites took possession of the land of Helam	Some times you need to recognize when you are beaten, realize you can’t do it alone, and turn to others for help.  In this case, it was to the Lord (to soften their hearts), and then to others for more help	Strength
2 Nephi 1:23	put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound	We may need to begin putting on that armor before we are able to give up the sin.  In fact, it may be the armor that we put on that allows us to finally overcome that sin	Weapons
2 Nephi 5:14	did take the sword of Laban, and after the manner of it did make many swords	Need to have weapons to fight against the adversary.  Sword of Truth.  Also, Nephi didn’t know how to build swords, he copied an example.  The example of other’s might be the pattern we follow	Weapons
3 Nephi 3:26	did cause that they should make weapons of war of every kind, and they should be strong with armor, and with shields, and with bucklers,	Weapons of war – prepared for battle	Weapons
Alma 17:7	took their swords and their spears, and their bows, and their arrows, and their slings; and this they did that they might provide food for themselves while in the wilderness	Being prepared for the basics	Weapons
Alma 2:12	arm themselves with swords, and with cimeters, and with bows, and with arrows, and with stones, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons of war, of every kind	All weapons	Weapons
Alma 43:18	people were armed with swords, and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war	Correct tools for the job	Weapons
Alma 43:19	Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with arm-shields, yea and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing	Preparations for war – good detail.. Similar to Armor of God	Weapons
Alma 43:20	they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins; all were naked	Preparations for war – we should NOT leave ourselved exposed like this	Weapons
Alma 43:21	were exceedingly afraid of the armies of the Nephites because of their armor, notwithstanding their numbers being so much greater than the Nephites	The adversary will bring the forces that could defeat us, but we can prepare to overcome if we do what’s right	Weapons
Alma 43:38	there was now and then a man fell among the Nephites, by their swords and the loss of blood, they being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the more vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their armshields, and their head-plates;	Armor	Weapons
Alma 53:7	but he did employ his men in preparing for war, yea, and in making fortifications to guard against the Lamanites, yea, and also delivering their women and their children from famine and afflication, and providing food for their armies		Weapons
Helaman 1:14	and armed them with swords, and with cimeters and with bows, and with arrows, and with headplates, and with breastplates, and with all manner of shields of every kind	Weapons of war – prepared for battle	Weapons
Jarom 1:8	weapons of war yea, the sharp pointed arrow, and the quiver, and the dart, and the javeline, and all preparations for war	You don’t have just one weapon of war, you must have multiples tools in your arsonal.  Each has a different purpose and function.  To beat the adversary we must have all many techniques as well	Weapons
Mosiah 9:16	I did arm them with bows, and with arrows, with swords, and with cimeters, and with clubs, and with slings, and with all manner of weapons which we could invent, and I and my people did go forth against the Lamanites to battle	Prepare an Offensive, we don’t always have to be on defence.  We can be assertive about being in the right place and doing enough right things to keep the adversary away.	Weapons
Alma 43:7	this he did that he might preserve their hatred towards the Nephites
Ether 8:13	swear unto me	Not a true principle phrase or idea
Ether 8:18	secret combination, even as they of old; which combination is most abominable and wicked above all, in the sight of God;
Mormon 1:14	in the strength of the Lord they did contend	Not their own strength
Mormon 1:8	there began to be a war	Back to war
Mosiah 23:33	their wives, who were the daughters of the Lamanites	How did this happen?  Why in the world would kidnapped daughters want to become some fugitives’ wives