Matthew 7:21-29

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.[1]

Jesus tells us only those who have authority may act in His name. Not everyone who says they believe in Him can enter into His kingdom. Paul wrote to Titus, warning him about those who claim to act in the Lord’s name. “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate [GR unfit, worthless]” (Titus 1:16). Only those who have the authority will be doing the will of the Father.

These people will claim to have prophesied in His name. They will claim they have cast out devils and done wonderful works in His name. He will deny them. “A froward [HEB perverse] heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person” (Psalm 101:4).

He will command them to depart. They “work iniquity.” “Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God” (Psalm 119:115).

“Who then will enter the kingdom of heaven? Not those who merely do wonderful works using the name of the Lord, Jesus taught, but only ‘he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.’”[2]

“Religion is more than the confession and profession of the lips. Jesus averred that in the day of judgment many would pretend allegiance to Him, saying: ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’ Only by doing the will of the Father is the saving grace of the Son obtainable. To assume to speak and act in the name of the Lord without the bestowal of authority, such as the Lord alone can give, is to add sacrilege to hypocrisy. Even miracles wrought will be no vindication of the claims of those who pretend to minister in the ordinances of the gospel while devoid of the authority of the Holy Priesthood.”[3]

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto [GR he will resemble] a wise man, which built his house upon a rock [GR the rock]:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:[4]

29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes [GR their scribes].[5]

Jesus closes with the parable of the house built upon rocks and the house built upon sand.

He likens those who hear and do His sayings to a man who built his house upon rocks. When rain, floods, and wind blew, his house stood. It was built upon the firm foundation of rocks.

Speaking to his sons, Helaman₂ likened Christ to a rock. “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” (Helaman 5:12).

Next, he likens those who hear and don’t do His sayings to a man who built his house upon sand. When rain, floods, and wind blew, his house fell, “and great was the fall of it.” Being built on sand, there was no foundation to protect the house. “The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish” (Proverbs 14:11).

Having heard His words, the people were astonished by His doctrine. Later in His ministry, the people would have the same astonished reaction. “And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works” (Matthew 13:54).

He would later describe His doctrine. “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me” (John 7:16).

Nephi would also describe His doctrine. “And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end” (2 Nephi 31:21).

“Brothers and sisters, none of us would knowingly construct our homes, places of work, or sacred houses of worship on sand or rubble or without appropriate plans and materials. Let us accept the Savior’s invitation to come unto Him. Let us build our lives upon a safe and a sure foundation.”[6]

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[1] “And then will I say, Ye never knew me: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (JST Matthew 7:33).

[2] Teachings of Jesus, President Dallin H. Oaks, October 2011 General Conference.

[3] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 17.

[4] “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings with His disciples, the people were astonished at his doctrine” (JST Matthew 7:36).

[5] “For he taught them as one having authority from God, and not as having authority from the scribes” (JST Matthew 7:37).

[6] A Sure Foundation, Bishop Dean M. Davies, April 2013 General Conference.

Mosiah 26:12-27

13 And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God.

14 And it came to pass that after he had poured out his whole soul to God, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying:

15 Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi.

Alma had gone to King Mosiah and asked for his help dealing with church members who had fallen away. He told Alma, “But king Mosiah said unto Alma: Behold, I judge them not; therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged” (Mosiah 26:12). “The earthly king, who, in earlier Nephite tradition, had been the fount of religious authority and the last resort for religious questions, had definitively given up such a role. Only the heavenly king was left.”[1]

He was troubled. He did not know how to deal with those who had fallen away from the truth. He wanted to be sure he dealt with them properly. So, he “poured out his whole soul to God” (Mosiah 26:14).

“Queries [to the Lord] can … be of a strictly doctrinal nature … In at least one instance, prayer about a difficult political problem elicits an answer. Unsuccessful in his effort to transfer jurisdiction over zealous apostates to the king, Alma takes his dilemma to the Lord in prayer. ‘And it came to pass … the voice of the Lord came to him,’ saying essentially that ecclesiastical dilemmas require ecclesiastical solutions (Mosiah 26:14).”[2]

The Lord blessed Alma for his faith in the words of Abinadi. Those who believed his words and were baptized at the waters of Mormon were also blessed. They are also blessed for placing their faith in Alma’s teachings.

16 And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words alone which thou hast spoken unto them.

17 And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people.

18 Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.

19 And because thou hast inquired of me concerning the transgressor, thou art blessed.

20 Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my sheep.

21 And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive.

22 For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive.

The Lord reminds Alma he had established His church among the Nephites. “[K]ing Mosiah granted unto Alma that he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every church” (Mosiah 25:19). Members are blessed for taking upon themselves His name. He told Alma, “in my name shall they be called; and they are mine” (Mosiah 26:18).

Those “that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive” (Mosiah 26:21). Those who are baptized are baptized to repentance. “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” (2 Nephi 9:23). Those “whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive” (Mosiah 26:22).

“Because repentance includes the covenant to obey the commandments of the Lord, it is tied closely to baptism in water as the public evidence or witness of that covenant. Thus baptism in water is the appropriate sequel to repentance.”[3]

23 For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand.

24 For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand.

25 And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me.

26 And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed.

27 And then I will confess unto them that I never knew them; and they shall depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

He will take upon himself the sins of the world. “[I]t is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand” (Mosiah 26:23). If they know Him, the will “have a place eternally at my right hand” (Mosiah 26:24). “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

When the second trumps sounds, those who never knew Him will stand before Him.

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for [OR who has charge over] the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:1-2).

At that time, they will know “I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed” (Mosiah 26:26). He will tell them He did not know them.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

“And then will I profess unto them [JST Matthew 7:33 – And then will I say, Ye never knew me], I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity [GR lawlessness]” (Matthew 7:21-23).

The will “And then I will confess unto them that I never knew them; and they shall depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mosiah 26:27). “But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity” (Luke 13:27).

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[1] Authority in the Book of Mosiah, Daniel C. Peterson, FARMS Review 18/1 (2006): 177.

[2] The Book of Mormon and Dialogic Revelation, Terryl L. Givens, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 10/2 (2001): 23-24.

[3] The True Points of My Doctrine, Noel B. Reynolds, Maxwell Institute website.

Matthew 7:13-20

13 Enter ye in at the strait [GR narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The path to heaven is narrow; it leads to life and few will find it. The path to hell is broad, which leads to destruction; many will find this path.

“The straight and narrow way by which man may walk in Godliness was compared with the broad highway leading to destruction. False prophets were to be shunned, such as were then among the people, comparable in their pretense to sheep, and in their reality to ravening wolves. These were to be recognized by their works and the results thereof, even as a tree is to be judged as good or bad according to its fruit. A thorn bush does not produce grapes, nor can thistles bear figs. Conversely, it is as truly impossible for a good tree to produce evil fruit as for a useless and corrupt tree to bring forth good fruit.”[1]

“In your journey through life, you meet many obstacles and make some mistakes. Scriptural guidance helps you to recognize error and make the necessary correction. You stop going in the wrong direction. You carefully study the scriptural road map. Then you proceed with repentance and restitution required to get on the ‘strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life.’”[2]

Nephi wrote about the importance of the strait and narrow path.

“Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

“And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

“And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

“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 endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

“And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen” (2 Nephi 31:17-21).

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit [The Greek wording carries the meaning of beautiful, precious fruit without blemish]; but a corrupt [GR decayed, rotten, stale] tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets who appear to be doing His work, but are really ravening wolves. This was a very real warning. During Paul’s mission, through his epistles, warned Christians of who they should avoid.

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

“Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

“Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears” (Acts 20:29-31).

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark [GR watch, beware of] them which cause divisions and offences [GR stumbling blocks, scandals] contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

“For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple [GR innocent, guileless]” (Romans 16:17-18).

The wolves were already at the door.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit” (Matthew 7:18).

“False prophets were to be shunned, such as were then among the people, comparable in their pretense to sheep, and in their reality to ravening wolves. These were to be recognized by their works and the results thereof, even as a tree is to be judged as good or bad according to its fruit. A thorn bush does not produce grapes, nor can thistles bear figs. Conversely, it is as truly impossible for a good tree to produce evil fruit as for a useless and corrupt tree to bring forth good fruit.”[3]

“Given the urgent need for spiritual preparation in a time of such peril, I want to extend a word of warning about one very strong sign of the times. My professional life put me on the forefront of technology, so I recognize the value it has, especially in communication. So much information of man is now at our fingertips. But the Internet is also full of much that is filthy and misleading. Technology has augmented our freedom of speech, but it also gives an unqualified blogger false credibility based on the number of viewers. This is why now, more than ever, we must remember this eternal principle: ‘By their fruits ye shall know them’ (Matthew 7:20).”[4]

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[1] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 17.

[2] Living by Scriptural Guidance, President Russell M. Nelson, October 2000 General Conference.

[3] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 17.

[4] Look Up, Elder Adrián Ochoa, October 2013 General Conference.

Mosiah 26:1-12

Chapter 26

Many members of the Church are led into sin by unbelievers—Alma is promised eternal life—Those who repent and are baptized gain forgiveness—Church members in sin who repent and confess to Alma and to the Lord will be forgiven; otherwise, they will not be numbered among the people of the Church. About 120–100 B.C.

1 Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers.

2 They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ.

3 And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.

4 And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the church. And they were a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for they would not call upon the Lord their God.

5 And now in the reign of Mosiah they were not half so numerous as the people of God; but because of the dissensions among the brethren they became more numerous.

6 For it came to pass that they did deceive many with their flattering words, who were in the church, and did cause them to commit many sins; therefore it became expedient that those who committed sin, that were in the church, should be admonished by the church.

We read some twenty years after Alma arrived in Zarahemla, those who were children when King Benjamin gave his sermon had grown up. Sadly, they rejected his teachings. They did not believe in his teachings about the resurrection and the coming of Christ. They refused to be baptized and join the church. Because of their sinful state, they refused to call upon the Lord.

“An equally important part of fulfilling our parental duty to God is teaching our children the gospel and preparing them to participate fully in the Savior’s restored Church. Remember the lesson of King Benjamin’s people. As a result of his teachings, many of the adults had a mighty change of heart (see Mosiah 5:2). But then it says that ‘there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the words of King Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe. … And their hearts were hardened’ (Mosiah 26:1, 3).

“It is our imperative duty to help youth understand and believe the gospel in a deeply personal way. We can teach them to walk in the light, but that light cannot be borrowed. They must earn it for themselves. They must obtain their own light of testimony directly from the source of spiritual light—God Himself—through prayer and study and pondering. They must understand who they are and who Heavenly Father wants them to become.”[1]

At first, they were not as numerous as the members of the church, however; because of dissensions in the church their numbers grew. Their words deceived those who were church members. These former members became a sinful people. “[I]t became expedient that those who committed sin, that were in the church, should be admonished by the church” (Mosiah 26:6).

7 And it came to pass that they were brought before the priests, and delivered up unto the priests by the teachers; and the priests brought them before Alma, who was the high priest.

8 Now king Mosiah had given Alma the authority over the church.

9 And it came to pass that Alma did not know concerning them; but there were many witnesses against them; yea, the people stood and testified of their iniquity in abundance.

10 Now there had not any such thing happened before in the church; therefore Alma was troubled in his spirit, and he caused that they should be brought before the king.

11 And he said unto the king: Behold, here are many whom we have brought before thee, who are accused of their brethren; yea, and they have been taken in divers iniquities. And they do not repent of their iniquities; therefore we have brought them before thee, that thou mayest judge them according to their crimes.

12 But king Mosiah said unto Alma: Behold, I judge them not; therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged.

Alma₂ would also face dissension from church members.

“And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold, their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked shall not be numbered among the names of the righteous, that the word of God may be fulfilled, which saith: The names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people” (Alma 5:57).

Scriptures

“And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to the church that did not repent of their wickedness and humble themselves before God—I mean those who were lifted up in the pride of their hearts—the same were rejected, and their names were blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous” (Alma 6:3).

“[S]ome of the younger generation—those who had not experienced the great spiritual outpouring that occurred at the abdication sermon of King Benjamin, now perhaps more than two decades in the past—refused to be baptized or to join the church (Mosiah 26:1–5). Their worldly influence, in turn, began to take its toll on those who had already enrolled themselves as members of the church, which was itself well into its second generation. These members of the church began to commit ‘many sins,’ which obviously raised the issue of whether and how they were to be disciplined (see Mosiah 26:6–8).”[2]

The dissenters were brought before the priests. This is because king Mosiah had placed Alma₁ as the high priest of the church. “And now, Alma was their high priest, he being the founder of their church” (Mosiah 23:1).

In verse 9, “we have an alteration in the words or phrases of a passage.”[3] Verse 9 reads, “And it came to pass that Alma did not know concerning them; but there were many witnesses against them; yea, the people stood and testified of their iniquity in abundance.”

Dr. Skousen has determined the earliest reading of verse 9 tells us “that Alma did know” about the dissenters in the church. As head of the church, Alma would have known about problems within the church.

Alma was aware of these people. Witnesses came forward and testified of their sins.  This had not been a problem in the past. “Alma was troubled in his spirit, and he caused that they should be brought before the king” (Mosiah 26:10).

He explained the situation, telling him “we have brought [the dissenters] before thee, that thou mayest judge them according to their crimes” (Mosiah 26:11).

Mosiah refused to get involved. He told Alma, “Behold, I judge them not; therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged” (Mosiah 26:13).

Alma was forced to deal with the situation himself.

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[1] Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation, Elder Robert D. Hales, April 2010 General Conference.

[2] Authority in the Book of Mosiah, Daniel C. Peterson, FARMS Review 18/1 (2006): 175-176.

[3] The Systematic Text of the Book of Mormon, Royal Skousen, pgs. 46-47, Maxwell Institute website.

Mosiah 25:18-24

18 Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize them; yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his brethren in the waters of Mormon; yea, and as many as he did baptize did belong to the church of God; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma.

19 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma that he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every church.

20 Now this was done because there were so many people that they could not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they all hear the word of God in one assembly;

21 Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different bodies, being called churches; every church having their priests and their teachers, and every priest preaching the word according as it was delivered to him by the mouth of Alma.

22 And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God.

23 And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of God;

24 And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land. (Mosiah 25:18-24).

Alma and his people escaped from bondage under the Lamanites and arrived in Zarahemla.

He began preaching to the people, baptizing them after the accepted his Gospel message. “[Alma₁] did baptize did belong to the church of God; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma” (Mosiah 25:18).

“Covenantal baptisms were performed from the beginning of the record, notably by Alma1 at the waters of Mormon (Mosiah 18). His baptismal prayer sought sanctification of the heart as the covenantor promised to serve God “even until death” so that he or she might be granted eternal life through the redemption of Christ (Mosiah 18:12—13). Alma’s group remained intact even after they took up residence among other Nephites, and those Nephites who submitted to baptism ‘after the manner he [had baptized] his brethren in the waters of Mormon’ belonged to this church (Mosiah 25:18).”[1]

King Mosiah gave Alma₁ the authority to establish churches in the land of Zarahemla. So many people accepted the gospel, Alma₁ was given authority “to ordain priests and teachers over every church” (Mosiah 25:19). The people could now hear the word of God in their own church rather than in one large assembly.

“King Mosiah granted to Alma the right to ‘establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla’ and authorized him ‘to ordain priests and teachers over every church’ (Mosiah 25:19)62—a prerogative heretofore pertaining to the kingship.63 Indeed, Mosiah gave Alma authority over the church (Mosiah 26:8), thus effectively delegating to another man a major portion of the sacral authority that had traditionally been attached to the Nephite throne.”[2]

Eventually, seven churches were formed. These individual churches made up the church of God with “every priest preaching the word according as it was delivered to him by the mouth of Alma. And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God” (Mosiah 25:21-22).

Anyone who desired to “take upon them the name of Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of God” (Mosiah 25:23). Church members “were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land. (Mosiah 25:24).

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[1] Religious Teachings and Practices in the Book of Mormon, John W. Welch, Maxwell Institute website.

[2] Authority in the Book of Mosiah, Daniel C. Peterson, Maxwell Institute website.

Matthew 7:7-12

The Sermon on the Mount continues.

7 Ask[1], and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Jesus is telling us how to receive knowledge. This was emphasized to Joseph Smith. “Therefore, if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you” (D&C 6:5).

Looking at the footnotes gives us more insight. When He says, “it shall be given you,” the footnote refers us to the Topical Guide (TG) – revelation.

When He says, “seek, and ye shall find,” the footnote refers us to TG Study. When we “seek,” we need to do our part. When Oliver Cowdrey wanted to translate the plates, he was told, “you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right” (D&C 9:8). A desire to know these things requires and effort on our part.

When He says, “knock, and it shall be opened unto you,” the footnote refers us to TG Learn.

“Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today’s world, I wish to suggest a single choice—a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all. That choice is faith. Be aware that faith is not a free gift given without thought, desire, or effort. It does not come as the dew falls from heaven. The Savior said, “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28) and “Knock, and it shall be [given] you” (Matthew 7:7). These are action verbs—come, knock. They are choices. So I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over pessimism.”[2]

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil [GR although you are wicked] know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

“That their supplications would be heard and answered followed as a rich promise. They were to ask and they would receive; they were to knock and the door would be opened. Surely the Heavenly Father would not be less considerate than a human parent; and what father would answer his son’s plea for bread by giving him a stone, or who would give a serpent when a fish was desired? With greater certainty would God bestow good gifts upon those who asked according to their need, in faith.”[3]

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Jesus gives us the Golden Rule. It represents common sense. If we treat people poorly, we are not going to receive gratitude and appreciation. We will most likely get the same response from others. The only way to get respect and treated properly is to treat others the same way.

“On the subject of public discourse, we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious. We should be wise in explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our influence. In doing so, we ask that others not be offended by our sincere religious beliefs and the free exercise of our religion. We encourage all of us to practice the Savior’s Golden Rule: ‘Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them’ (Matthew 7:12).”[4]

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[1] “Say unto them, Ask of God; ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

“For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

“And then said his disciples unto him, They will say unto us, We ourselves are righteous, and need not that any man should teach us. God, we know, heard Moses and some of the prophets; but us he will not hear.

“And they will say, We have the law for our salvation, and that is sufficient for us.

“Then Jesus answered, and said unto his disciples, Thus shall ye say unto them,

“What man among you, having a son, and he shall be standing out, and shall say, Father, open thy house that I may come in and sup with thee, will not say, Come in, my son; for mine is thine, and thine is mine” (JST Matthew 7:12-17).

[2] Faith-the Choice Is Yours, Elder Richard C. Edgley, October 2010 General Conference.

[3] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 17.

[4] Loving Others and Living with Differences, President Dallin H. Oaks, October 2014 General Conference.

Introduction to the Book of Alma IV

A Lamanite army attacked the Nephites. Noah ordered the people to flee the approaching army. The Lamanites pursued those fleeing the army.

As the army gained on them, Noah ordered the men to leave their families behind and flee for their own safety. “Now there were many that would not leave them, but had rather stay and perish with them. And the rest left their wives and their children and fled” (Mosiah 19:12). Noah’s priests were among those who left their families and fled to save their sorry lives.

Those staying behind “caused that their fair daughters should stand forth and plead with the Lamanites that they would not slay them. And it came to pass that the Lamanites had compassion on them, for they were charmed with the beauty of their women. Therefore the Lamanites did spare their lives, and took them captives and carried them back to the land of Nephi, and granted unto them that they might possess the land, under the conditions that they would deliver up king Noah into the hands of the Lamanites, and deliver up their property, even one half of all they possessed, one half of their gold, and their silver, and all their precious things, and thus they should pay tribute to the king of the Lamanites from year to year” (Mosiah 19:13-15).

The priests who fled remained in the wilderness. They “discovered the daughters of the Lamanites, they laid and watched them; And when there were but few of them gathered together to dance, they came forth out of their secret places and took them and carried them into the wilderness; yea, twenty and four of the daughters of the Lamanites they carried into the wilderness” (Mosiah 20:4-5). The priests of Noah had eventually made peace with the Lamanites for kidnapping their daughters and they became part of the Lamanites.

A Lamanite army eventually found Alma and his people. They were taken captive. One of Noah’s priests, Amulon, was made king over Alma and his people.

Amulon hated Alma. He ruled as a tyrant, making the slaves with no rights. He would kill those who attempted to practice their faith, including for saying prayers. Eventually they would escape and returned to Zarahemla. They were welcomed by the people.

King Mosiah authorized Alma to organize the church throughout the land. And, it is here where the story of Alma₂ begins. 

Matthew 7:1-6

Chapter 7

Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount—He commands, Judge not; ask of God; beware of false prophets—He promises salvation to those who do the will of the Father.

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

This teaching of Jesus has been construed to mean we should never judge. This is not what He is telling us. JST Matthew 7:1-2 gives us clarification – “Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people. Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged; but judge righteous judgment.”

He makes it clear that, when we judge, we are to use righteous judgment. However, we judge, we will be judged.

“Men are prone to judge their fellows and to praise or censure without due consideration of fact or circumstance. On prejudiced or unsupported judgment, the Master set His disapproval.”[1]

“We live in a world in which many situations require us to make judgments that are often difficult. Yet the Savior gave the commandment to “judge not” our fellowman. How can we do this and still exercise good judgment in a world full of deception and corruption? We must judge well when making critical decisions in each phase of our life, such as choosing friends, finding an eternal companion, or choosing an occupation that will allow us to care for our family and serve the Lord. Although the Savior asked us not to judge others, He still expects us to use excellent judgment.”[2]

3 And why beholdest thou the mote [GR speck, chip, or splinter] that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam [The Greek word refers to a wooden beam used in constructing houses] that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

 It’s easy to find fault in others; it’s harder, and not very pleasant, to look at ourselves and identify our weaknesses.  We must “cast the beam” from out own lives.

“The man who is always ready to correct his brother’s faults, to remove the mote from his neighbor’s eye so that that neighbor may see things as the interested and interfering friend would have him see, was denounced as a hypocrite. What was the speck in his neighbor’s vision to the obscuring beam in his own eye?”[3]

“This business of beams and motes seems to be closely related to our inability to see ourselves clearly. I’m not sure why we are able to diagnose and recommend remedies for other people’s ills so well, while we often have difficulty seeing our own.”[4]

6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

The JST helps us to better understand what Jesus is teaching us.

9 Go ye into the world, saying unto all, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come nigh unto you.

10 And the mysteries of the kingdom ye shall keep within yourselves; for it is not meet to give that which is holy unto the dogs; neither cast ye your pearls unto swine, lest they trample them under their feet.

11 For the world cannot receive that which ye, yourselves, are not able to bear; wherefore ye shall not give your pearls unto them, lest they turn again and rend you” (JST Matthew 7:9-11).

We hold temple ordinances sacred and holy. This is why we don’t discuss them outside of the temple. Critics of the Church frequently use this is an attack on the Church. I have been told only the devil keeps things secret.

As we have seen, there are those who have no problem with sharing our sacred things, mocking them and making light of these extremely sacred things. This is why

Whenever I heard this, I respond with two sets of scriptures.

The first is when Jesus asked the twelve who do men say He is. They answered Him, saying, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets” (Matthew 7:14). Then He asked, “whom say ye I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 7:15-16). After responding to Peter, Jesus “charged his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ” (Matthew 7:20).

Why did He give them this charge? “The time for a general proclamation of their testimony had not arrived, however; nor did it come until after Christ had emerged from the tomb a resurrected, immortalized Personage.”[5]

The second was on the Mount of Transfiguration. After witnessing the events on the Mount, Jesus charged them, “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead” (Matthew 17:9).

There are things which are so sacred, they are not to be discussed freely. We have all had spiritual experiences which were so meaningful to us, we do not share them freely. This is why we “[g]ive not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

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[1] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 17.

[2] Developing Good Judgment and Not Judging Others, Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer, April 2010 General Conference.

[3] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 17.

[4] “Lord, Is It I?”, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, October 2014 General Conference.

[5] Jesus the Christ, Elder James E. Talmage, Chapter 22.