Helaman 14:13

"And if ye shall believe on his name ye will repent of all your sins, that thereby ye may have a remission of them through his merits."

Samuel the Lamanite taught the Nephites about Jesus. Everyone can repent and turn to Christ to become clean. Christ died for all of us, and he made it possible to have eternal life and happiness.

Mosiah 17:20

"And now, when Abinadi had said these words, he fell, having suffered death by fire; yea, having been put to death because he would not deny the commandments of God, having sealed the truth of his words by his death."

Abinadi was protected from death until he finished preaching. When he finished, King Noah condemned Abinadi to death. Abinadi did not fear death, because he did what God wanted him to do. He was not sinful. This martyrdom shows how dedicated Abinadi was to his God. He gave his all to the Lord.

Mosiah 14:4-5

"Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Abinadi quotes Isaiah in these verses. Christ suffered all things. He knows all our griefs, sorrows, and pains. He willingly suffered these things because he loves us. He wants us to repent, be clean, and return to him.

Mosiah 13:3

"Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver; neither have I told you that which ye requested that I should tell; therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time."

Abinadi knew who to serve. He did not fear the threats of the King and Priests. Rather, he trusted in God. Abinadi was spared so he could finish the message he was commanded to share. He had so much faith and was protected by divine help. He knew what he was supposed to do, and he did it.

Mosiah 11:14

"And it came to pass that he placed his heart upon his riches, and he spent his time in riotous living with his wives and his concubines; and so did also his priests spend their time with harlots."

What a waste of time! King Noah was a terrible man. He placed brutal taxes on the people to support his laziness and sin. He only cared about himself and pleasing his carnal desires. He is so disgusting to me!

Mosiah 9:3

"...but we were smitten with famine and sore afflictions; for we were slow to remember the Lord our God."

This is a common theme in the Book of Mormon. When the people are following the Lord they are prosperous, but when they are not following the Lord they have sore afflictions. It is much better to follow God!

Mosiah 7:33

"But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage."

When we are faithful and keep the commandments and covenants we have made, the Lord gives us protection. He has the power to deliver us from our hard times and struggles. We just need to do our part and ask.

Mosiah 4:15

"But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another."

King Benjamin is talking to parents in this verse. He encourages us to teach our children the gospel so they do not wander down Satan's path. Teach them to love each other and to serve. The best way to teach these things is by example. If my children see me serving someone, they are more likely to serve throughout their life.

Mosiah 3:12

"But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ."

You cannot justify leaving your faith. There is no way around this truth, that you cannot have salvation if you rebel against God. It's scary how many people have done this and are waiting this judgement.

Mosiah 2:37

"I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples."

When we let pride take over our hearts and do things that are contrary to the Spirit, we let Satan take over. We shut out the Lord. I like how this verse clarifies why the Lord does not dwell in unholy places. It's not that the Lord goes away, it's that we have no place for him. We choose not to allow his influence in our lives, rather than him abandoning us.

3 Nephi 5:4

"And now it came to pass that when they had taken all the robbers prisoners, insomuch that none did escape who were not slain, they did cast their prisoners into prison, and did cause the word of God to be preached unto them; and as many as would repent of their sins and enter into a covenant that they would murder no more were set at liberty."

This is a great way to deal with robbers and other law breakers. Preach the gospel to them and let them decide what they want to do with their lives. The gospel is the only thing that can take away the influence of Satan.

Mosiah 1: 6-7

"O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes.
And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers."

The scriptures are true, and if we read and study them daily we will be blessed. With reading and studying, we can apply the teachings, warnings, and prophesies from the scriptures to our current situations in life. I know that as I have read and studied these precious words I have felt a stronger Spirit with me and a greater capacity to keep the commandments today.

Words of Mormon 1:7

"And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will."

Mormon had the Spirit with him. Because he had this companionship he knew to include extra plates in the records he had. This was essential to replace the 116 pages that were lost by Martin Harris. The Lord knew that he needed to preserve these extra plates, and he told Mormon this through the Holy Ghost. That Spirit still whispers to us and helps us fulfill God's will.

Omni 1:6

"For the Lord would not suffer, after he had led them out of the land of Jerusalem and kept and preserved them from falling into the hands of their enemies, yea, he would not suffer that the words should not be verified, which he spake unto our fathers, saying that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall not prosper in the land."

The Lord will keep his word. He will not let consequences fall away. There are always consequences for our choices, and since these people were not keeping his commandments they did not prosper. He keeps his word.

Jarom 1:11

"Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them."

I love the diligence these teachers had. I love that although these people were teaching of Christ before Christ was born, they taught as though he already was. Christ's mission and atonement applies to all time. He existed before he was born, and he still exists and will come again.

Enos 1:15

"Wherefore, I knowing that the Lord God was able to preserve our records, I cried unto him continually, for he had said unto me: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive."

Enos prayed for himself, for his people, and for his enemies. He also prayed that the records, the scriptures, would be preserved so that they would bless future generations. Enos was full of charity towards all men and desired all to feel the peace that the Savior has to offer. I am grateful he prayed to have the records preserved, because they give me so much peace today.

3 Nephi 4:10

"But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them."

The Nephites had the strength of the Lord with them as they battled the Gadianton robbers. No wonder they were so victorious. God is always the winner in battles against evil. When he is on our side we will never lose!

Jacob 5:48

"And it came to pass that the servant said unto his master: Is it not the loftiness of thy vineyard- have not the branches thereof overcome the roots which are good? And because the branches have overcome the roots thereof, behold they grew faster than the strength of the roots, taking strength unto themselves. Behold, I say, is not this the cause that the trees of thy vineyard have become corrupted?"

Loftiness, or pride, is the reason for destruction. Pride here is not heeding the counsel of the scriptures and the faith of past generations. When generations think they do not need the righteous traditions of the past, they are ripe for destruction. They become corrupt. This is so prevalent today.

Jacob 4:10

"Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works."

It is a dangerous place to be when trying to change what the Lord has said, or to make him say what you want him to say. The Lord will not change his ways because we want him to. He knows what is right, what is best, and what is true. Why would we want any other way? He works in wisdom, justice, and mercy! He created us, and the earth, and everything we see! He knows our potential, and his ways help us reach that divine potential.

Jacob 3:7

"Behold, their husbands love their wives, and their wives love their husbands; and their husbands and their wives love their children; and their unbelief and their hatred towards you is because of the iniquity of their fathers; wherefore, how much better are you than they, in the sight of your great Creator?"

The Nephites at this time were committing infidelity. The Lamanites were not. Even though the Lamanites were not living gospel standards, they were faithful to their families. We do not know people's backgrounds or circumstances, so it is better not to judge them.

Jacob 2:28

"For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts."

There are so many women in the world today who are completely unchaste. They pose nude for photos, they wear practically nothing in public, and they sleep with whoever they want. It is all over the media, especially in television shows and movies. It is disgusting! The Lord does not think it is ok. It is abominable before him. Don't be fooled by what the world is doing, because in the end what the Lord thinks is what matters.

2 Nephi 33:1

"And now I, Nephi, cannot write all the things which were taught among my people; neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking; for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men."

When Nephi spoke he spoke with the Holy Ghost, and that Spirit was felt by the hearts of the listeners. Although I was not there to hear him preach, I can read his prophesies. If I have the Holy Ghost with me as I read, these words will be carried unto my heart and I can feel the original strength of these words.

Helaman 13: 4

"And it came to pass that they would not suffer that he should enter into the city; therefore he went and got upon the wall thereof, and stretched forth his hand and cried with a loud voice, and prophesied unto the people whatsoever things the Lord put into his heart."

Samuel, a Lamanite, was commanded of the Lord to preach unto the Nephites. He tried to get into their city to preach, but they wouldn't let him in.  He gave a good effort, and I feel like some would have given up at that point. Not Samuel. He climbed upon the city walls and shouted his prophesies to the people. He did not give up! He knew that the Lord trusted him to preach, and so he did. I admire how he persevered and did what the Lord wanted him to do.

2 Nephi 28:28

"And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall."

This verse is so simple, but so important! At lease twice a year we hear from the Prophet and the Apostles. They speak the word of God in these latter days. People who are firm in their faith receive their words with gladness, knowing that they are from God. Others do not like the words, because they are not as strong, or don't want to be. I hope that I am always built upon the rock of my Savior so that I won't question the words of God.

2 Nephi 27:20

"Then shall the Lord God say unto him: The learned shall not read them, for they have rejected them, and I am able to do mine own work; wherefore thou shalt read the words which I shall give unto thee."

Joseph Smith was an unlearned boy, but the Lord was able to translate the Book of Mormon through him. The Lord can carry out his will no matter what. He works miracles.