I am tackling the Book of Mormon in 60 days. My plan is to have the Book of Mormon studied by the end of 2011. During my challenge, I will post a daily blog of my reading, in this blog I will share with you... my thoughts, feelings, opinions and knowledge about the Book of Mormon. Do you have questions? Comments? Please... lets start a discussion. I would be more than happy to answer your questions, comments or concerns!
Request a FREE copy of the Book of Mormon: http://mormon.org/free-book-of
How the Book of Mormon came about: http://youtu.be/FMQEb9A9L2g
Scripture Thought (What I Learned):
Chapter 12: Abinadi is still bound, but brought before the priests of King Noah, who begin to question him in his understanding of the gospel. They try to find something that they can attack (just like with Jesus when he was on the earth), but every time they try to confound Abinadi he confounds them. The priests try to accuse Abinadi, but they cannot.
This reminds me a lot of my mission, where I would talk with different leaders of other churches that would try to accuse the LDS church of being evil or try to "test" our knowledge of the scriptures and every time I was able to confound them.
Abinadi continues to ask the priests what they teach, and they respond with "the law of Moses", then Abinadi asks them why they don't practice what they preach, then Abinadi starts to list off the 10 commandments.
1. Thou shalt have no other God before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing in heaven above, or things which are in the earth beneath (Mosiah 12:35-36)
Chapter 13: Abinadi continues teaching about the 10 commandments, when the king commands that he be slayed, but Abinadi yells out "Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, fo I have not delivered the message which the Lord has sent me to deliver... therefore, God will not suffer that I shall be destroyed at this time..." (Mosiah 13:3)
The guards decide not to touch him because they fear of the Lord, Abinadi goes on to deliver the message, which the Lord commanded him to deliver. But he sends a warning... "...what you do with me, after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come." (Mosiah 13:10)
2. No graven images and no bowing down to them or serving them.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness (lie)
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his house..etc. (don't be jealous)
Abinadi then asks the priests if they have taught all of those rules, and they did not. Abinadi teaches that salvation does not come just from law. The law was given to the children of Israel that they may remember the Lord on a daily basis through ordinances, and commandments. This is important doctrine, because many people believe that we are saved by just confessing the name of Jesus and having faith on him. But we must complete the law as well, so that we will always remember him and not sin.
Chapter 14: Can be compared to Isaiah 53. Isaiah speaks about the Lord and how he will make an intercession (atonement ) for mankind.
Chapter 15: This chapter talks about how Christ is both the Father and the Son. Jesus Christ laid down his life that we may have eternal life, through him we can be resurrected.
Now we get to some deeper doctrine, which I will admit that I am not perfect on. My knowledge is lacking, but I refer to an article by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. (the full article can be found here: http://lds.org/ensign/2002/04/the-father-and-the-son?lang=eng&query=father+son)
The Father and the Son:
God the Father is THE Creator, and we learn that the Creator is also an organizer. Father is often times used to denote Jesus Christ. Although we must be careful to fully understand the meaning behind the word "Father", and understand what they mean, when they are being used.
1. "Father" as Literal Parent: God is our father, we also designate him by the exalted name of "Elohim". He is the literal parent of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God the Father is also the father of our spirits. Jesus however is NOT our Father in this sense, for he taught us to pray "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" (Matthew 6:9)
2. "Father" as Creator: Because God was the Creator, Maker and Organizer of Heaven and Earth. God (Elohim) recieves this title. But Jesus Christ (which we also know as Jehovah, in the Old Testament) was the executive of the Father, Jesus Christ or "Jehovah" aided God in the creation of both the Heavens and the Earth and therefore receives the same title for his work.
3. Jesus Christ the "Father" of Those Who Abide in His Gospel: Those who follow Jesus and his gospel become like his adoptive sons and daughters in his kingdom. To become true sons and daughters of God the Father (Elohim)
4. Jesus Christ the "Father" by Divine Investiture of Authority: Jesus Christ said to the jews once: "I and my father are one" (John 10:10), many might proclaim that God is Jesus Christ and the Godhead is only one, but we read also that Jesus declared "My Father is greater than I" (John 14:28). Jesus Christ is basically a spokesman for God, therefore he is invested with God's powers to deliver the message to God's Children and create a way for them to return to him, through Christ's Atonement and sacrifice.
If you want to know more about this read the full article, using the link above.
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