The idea that faith without works is dead emphasizes the importance of both belief and action in a person’s spiritual life. While faith is important, it is not enough on its own, and must be accompanied by actions that demonstrate a person’s commitment to their beliefs.
What does it mean to have a relationship with Christ? Can these two mesh? Are they supposed to be together or are they supposed to be separate? A lot of questions that we’re dealing with today.
Why isn’t the age of eight, mentioned in the Book of Mormon as a minimum age for baptizing children? Why would Nephite Christians in AD 400 be worshipping in Jewish synagogues? How did Mormon quote the apostle Paul when they lived on opposite sides of the world?
Did Moroni travel all the way to Utah just to dedicate a piece of land for a temple site? What is the correct meaning and function of the terms “elders” “priests” and “teachers”? Why was wine changed to water in the sacramental prayers? And why isn’t un-leaven bread used for the sacrament in the LDS Church? Did the ancient church keep membership records of those who were baptized?
Does Moroni have good reason to be worried that the Gentiles would mock his written words? Where in America will the New Jerusalem be built? If two million Jaredites died in battle at hill Ramah – located in New York State – why hasn’t there been any artifacts like weapons, armor, or skeleton remains found? Once a man’s head is decapitated, can he still breathe?
Is it possible to travel in primitive submarines for nearly a year without replenishing food for the occupants and their animals? Did horses, sheep, oxen, and elephants exist in the Western Hemisphere in pre-Columbian times? Is it anachronistic to claim the Jaredites made steel swords in 2000 BC? How are secret combinations tied to the anti-masonic movement in the early 1800s?
Who is Mahonri Moriancumer? What does the made-up word “deseret” mean? How is it possible that there was transparent glass in 2200 BC, when transparent glass had not been invented for thousands of years later? Did the Lord make it clear to the brother of Jared that He was both the Father and the Son?
Moroni has, to finish his father’s record, since Mormon has died. Moroni teaches that God is unchangeable and is the same yesterday, today, and forever – but Joseph Smith strongly disagrees. Who will judge us at the last day? Will it be a hierarchy of judges, or only Jesus Christ? What happens to those who criticize the Book of Mormon?
What are the striking similarities in the lives of Mormon and Joseph Smith, Jr.? Is it reasonable that the Nephites would choose an inexperienced 16 year-old to lead their entire army? Could the Book of Mormon be considered racist Scripture?
What does it mean to be “twinkled?” If, the Three Nephite Disciples were left on earth to bring many souls to Jesus, how can the LDS Church claim there was a complete apostasy? Why did Jesus make such a big deal about the name of His church? Why does Jesus prefer fair and delightsome people over those of a darker skin color?
How is the coming forth of the Book of Mormon a major sign that the gathering of Israel in the last days is about to begin? Will the New Jerusalem be built in Independence Missouri? Who currently owns the lot upon which the Mormon temple in Missouri will be built? Is baptism necessary for salvation? Why does the Book of Mormon quoting Malachi have the same italicized words from the King James Bible?
What is the significance in Jesus and His Twelve Disciples turning whiter than white? Jesus allowed the people of Nephi to both worship and pray to Him. Are Latter-day Saints encouraged to do that today? Why is Jesus healing those with leprosy an anachronism? What does it mean to take the sacrament unworthily?
How are the Sermon at the Temple similar and different from the Sermon on the Mount? Were the Twelve Disciples also Apostles? What did Jesus mean, when He commanded the people of Nephi to be perfect? How can we tell the difference between a false prophet and a true prophet?
Jesus took credit for destroying at least 16 cities and their inhabitants. Why do we not read about that level of destruction in Judea? Why would Jesus use Greek letters or words like “Alpha and Omega” when speaking to a Hebrew Nephite-Lamanite audience? How was it that the Lamanites were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost, and did not realize it? Is it appropriate to worship Jesus Christ? How many hours would it take for 2,500 people to individually touch and examine the Savior’s wounds?
What does Jesus mean when He calls Himself both the Father and the Son? Did the Book of Mormon have one calendar system or three calendar systems? Is it realistic that dark skinned Lamanites turned white almost immediately? Why does the Book of Mormon use anachronistic terms like “horses” and “chariots?”
How are slippery treasures in the Book of Mormon related to slippery treasures of Joseph Smith’s day? How were the signs of Jesus’ birth and death that Samuel prophesied, different from the New Testament accounts? How was it that the Nephites could not kill Samuel with their arrows as he stood upon the city wall?
How is Nephi’s praying vocally from a garden tower by a public highway different from the Zoramites praying from their Rameumptom? Did Nephi quote the Joseph Smith Translation when speaking about Moses parting the Red Sea? What is the true meaning of “sealing powers?”
How are Nephi and Lehi’s experience in prison similar to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego of the Old Testament? Who was the most notorious Book of Mormon leader of a band of robbers and murderers? The Book of Mormon is proof that the prosperity gospel does not work. What do secret signs and secret words in the Book of Mormon have to do with the modern temple endowment?
What was the greatest fighting force in Nephite history? What role did their mother’s play in preparing them to be soldiers? Are the native inhabitants of Polynesia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands descendants of Nephite peoples?
What was written on the “Title of Liberty” flag? Who in the Nephite record does Mormon admire enough to name his own son after? Did Native Americans learn to scalp their enemies from their Book of Mormon ancestors? Who was determined to drink Captain Moroni’s blood?
Did the atonement of Christ apply to inhabitants of other worlds? Is there or is there not forgiveness for murder? Is fornication a crime? Did God himself, atone for our sins? Does missionary work continue in the Spirit World?
Does it matter where you worship God? Does it matter what you wear to church? Is there a second chance after death for people to hear and accept the gospel? Does God dwell in the heart of the righteous? The Book of Mormon says Yes! but the Doctrine and Covenants says No!
What was the Raneumptom? What has a more powerful effect on people – the sword or the word? Is God a spirit forever? How many anti-Christs are there in the Book of Mormon? Does the devil have children? Did the Nephites truly practice freedom of religion?
How are Book of Mormon proclamations similar, to modern LDS proclamations? What group of people became conscientious objectors to the Nephite-Lamanite war? What does Alma the Younger wish he could be, that was turned into a modern LDS song?
Are altar calls of the 1800’s reflected in the Book of Mormon? Why couldn’t Ammon marry King Lamoni’s daughter? Are horses and chariots on wheels an anachronism in the Book of Mormon? Does the Book of Mormon teach the Christian concept that God is Spirit, or does it teach the LDS concept that God has a physical body?
How are secret oaths, covenants, signs, and words attributed to the devil? Are there inconsistencies in Alma the Younger’s conversion stories? What is “Gazelem” in the Book of Mormon, and how does it relate to Joseph Smith? Why did God preserve the “interpreters” if the Book of Mormon was translated from a stone in a hat?
How does the Book of Mormon justify there being many “high priests” of the “high priesthood” when that clearly contradicts what the New Testament teaches? Did Abraham pay tithing of all he possessed to Melchizedek, or tithing of all from the spoils of war? Did LDS Bishops and Stake presidents ever receive a percentage of the tithing they collected for the services they performed?
Why does the Book of Mormon have its own unique monetary system? Is Jesus Christ also the Eternal Father? Does the Book of Mormon confirm there is only one God? Was the Fall of Adam a blessing? The answer to these questions and more in today’s lesson review.
Will we have the same exact bodies in the resurrection? We have been conditioned to believe that we will have our same body in the resurrection. As Latter-day Saints, we learned this from the following Book of Mormon passage:
Does the Book of Mormon promote an impossible gospel? Is there a clear distinction between salvation by works and salvation by grace? Did God create both good and evil? What was the language of the Nephites? Was Jesus born in Jerusalem or Bethlehem? How did Mary become pregnant?
What is priestcraft? Who is the second “antichrist” mentioned in the Book of Mormon? Who was president of the country, president of the church, and head of the army – all at the same time? How was “silk” used by the Nephites when it was not present in the pre-Columbian era? How is it even possible to turn white people into a dark people? Stay tuned for the answers to these questions.
How should the Church deal with sinners and apostates? Does the Book of Mormon teaching of no paid clergy, apply to current LDS General Authorities? Are there striking parallels between the conversion and ministry of Alma and that of apostle Paul? Does the Book of Mormon offer more options than heaven or hell?
When was the word “Mormon” first used in the Book of Mormon text? When was the first baptism mentioned in the Book of Mormon? How is Alma’s baptism and Joseph Smith’s baptism in some ways similar? Why does the name “Mormon” offend God today? Does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a paid ministry? The answer to these questions and more in this episode.
How are the trials of Abinadi and Jesus similar? Does anyone know what ziff is? How did italicized words from the King James Bible get into the Book of Mormon? Does the Book of Mormon teach the Father, Son, and Spirit are One God? Did every prophet since the world began prophesy of the coming Messiah? Does the Book of Mormon support the LDS teaching that you can repent and accept the gospel after death? Is there a divine dating service in heaven?
Were Book of Mormon temples used primarily for assemblies rather than for sacred ordinance work? Were grammatical errors present in the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon? Did a resurrected God with a physical body come down to earth to take on flesh as a man? How important were the Urim and Thummin in translating the Book of Mormon? Were plants and crops mentioned in the Book of Mormon present in the pre-Columbian era? We will attempt to answer all of these questions in today’s podcast.
Are there similarities in King Benjamin’s Address and 19th century revival meetings? Could Benjamin be teaching an “impossible gospel” concerning sinning, repentance and forgiveness? In appointing priests, was Mosiah II giving those men the Aaronic priesthood? The answer to these questions and more in today’s lesson.
Were sacrifices and burnt offerings in the Book of Mormon done appropriately according to the Law of Moses? How many different temples were mentioned in the Book of Mormon? What does it mean to receive a new name? How do the Book of Mormon prophets disagree with Joseph Smith when it comes to the nature of God? The answers to these questions and more coming up.
Did Joseph Smith end up possessing the sword of Laban as some witnesses say he did? Ever wondered why the Lamanites never kept records to tell their side of the story? Were there specific animals mentioned that were not introduced to the Americas for another thousand years. Is there any archaeological evidence of weapons of war in the New World? Did people speak in tongues previous to the day of Pentecost?
Do olive trees grow in vineyards? Or, do olive trees grow in groves? Are the titles – Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit – used anachronistically in the Book of Jacob? Did the Nephites speak and write using French words? We will address each of these questions in today’s lesson.
Was there an Aaronic or Melchizedek Priesthood during Book of Mormon times❓ During those same times – were men stealing other men’s wives and marrying under-aged girls❓ Does Jacob’s teaching about King David’s wives contradict what Joseph Smith taught in the Doctrine and Covenants❓ Is spiritual polygamy practiced in the LDS Church, today❓ These interesting questions will be answered in this episode.
What is the doctrine of Christ? Is it possible to live the Mosaic law and follow the doctrine of Christ at the same time? What does it mean to endure to the end? Does the Book of Mormon teach monotheism and modalism – which is different from modern Mormonism?
Why would a book claiming to be scripture want to be associated with having a “familiar spirit”???? Is Jesus Christ – Eternal God???? How reliable is the Bible? Why was the word “white” changed to “pure” in referencing the righteous Lamanites???? We will answer these questions and more in this lesson.
Is Christ – God, The Eternal Father❓ Do we worship Jesus❓ How did the name Lucifer get into the Bible – and, how did it end up in the Book of Mormon❓ Why is the definition of grace in the Book of Mormon – so different from the definition of grace in the Bible❓ We will discover the answer to these questions today.
Is it possible that Joseph Smith wrote himself – by name – into both the Book of Mormon and the Bible? Were the Nephites a temple-building people? Is there racism taught and practiced in the Book of Mormon? We’ll answer these and more questions in this episode.
According to the Book of Mormon, who is the keeper at Heaven’s gate – Peter, Christ, or Joseph Smith? Are there references in the Book of Mormon to masonic symbols used in LDS temple architecture? Is the term “Christ” mentioned in the Old Testament era of the Book of Mormon an anachronism? All these questions and more – answered in this episode.
Is there archaeological evidence in the Arabian region that supports the Book of Mormon narrative? Is the place called Nahom exclusive to the Book of Mormon or is it derived from a Biblical source?
Joseph Smith said: “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth.” Yet, we are going to learn about some significant doctrinal changes that were made following the original 1830 edition.
Could a dream Joseph Smith, Sr. often told to his family when Joseph Smith Jr. was a boy – make it into the Book of Mormon? It seems more than coincidental that Lehi’s dream had similar components and, a parallel story line.
Why was the Book of Mormon written in Elizabethan, King James English? Have you ever wondered – How did so many New Testament phrases get into the Old Testament era of the Book of Mormon?
President Russell M. Nelson asks three important questions concerning the Book of Mormon: “First, what would your life be like without the Book of Mormon? Second, what would you not know? And third, what would you not have?” Well, let’s see if we can find the answers to those questions.
A review the Book of Mormon lessons as outlined in the church manual.
In this podcast, we will examine the Book of Mormon verses that are unique to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and compare them to the Bible.
What does it mean to have your calling and election made sure? Does it mean – as Mormons teaches – that a person can enter exaltation as a God? Who are the false prophets spoken of in the last days?
Book of Mormon: Holy Ghost or Elevation Emotion? – Part 3
When you read the Book of Mormon is the “burning in the bosom” you feel the Holy Ghost or is it, what Psychologists define as Elevation Emotion? Elevation Emotion is a result of the hormone Oxytocin. We learn to discern the Holy Spirit from Elevation Emotion by not trusting our hearts, but by trusting in the Bible for truth
Is priesthood required to heal the sick? – James 3-5 – Come Follow Me
How important is our verbal communication with each other? James has a lot to say about that. How are the sick to be administered to? Is priesthood required to heal the sick and ill?
Faith without Works is Dead ~ James 1-2 ~ Come Follow Me Podcast
What is the meaning of “wisdom” as referenced in James 1:5? What is the meaning of the “Royal Law?” What does James mean when he says, “faith without works is dead?” Is there a conflict in what James teaches about works and, what Paul are teaches about faith?
Pre-Existence ~ Hebrews 9-13 – Come Follow Me Podcast
You’ve heard of the Hall of Fame – Well, today, we are going to learn about who is in the Hall of Faith. We are also going to look at the greatest definition of true faith. And, clear up the false teaching that God created us spiritually before He created our mortal bodies.
Who was Melchizedek? – Hebrews 7-8 ~ Come Follow Me Podcast
Who was Melchizedek? Was he a priesthood to be handed down and transferred to other men? How was Melchizedek (King of Salem) a representation of the coming Messiah? We are about to find our answers.
God’s truth is revealed in His Word to our mind, not through our subjective feelings. The heart is the seed of our emotions, and our feelings can fool us. We should ask for wisdom in understanding truth.
If the scriptures teach that God spoke through His prophets in the past and has now spoken to us in these last days through His Son – Why do religious sects like Mormonism claim the need to have living prophets?
Holy Ghost or Elevation Emotion – Part 1 – Moroni 10:4
Is praying as explained in Moroni 10:4 to know if the Book of Mormon is true or not, the correct way for a person to know truth? Are we to rely upon our feelings and emotions to determine truth? Or, is the best approach to knowing if something is right, is to use the Bible as the standard of truth?
