Benefiting Others in the Book of Mormon

• This work is done with the intent to benefit others
• When people know they are not cast off from Christ forever
• This book tells us how to gain peace NOW and forever
• Saved by coming to Christ and obeying the laws and ordinances of His gospel
• Get nearer to God by abiding by this book's precepts than by any other book
• People need help making the important connections. They are of great benefit!

1 Nephi

• Being a good parent benefits the children
• Prophesying unto people to repent for their sakes
• Testified of the Messiah and the redemption of the world
• Gave clear explanation for why there were there doing what they were (specifically to get the plates from Laban)
• The Lord slayeth the wicked to bring forth his righteous purposes
• It is better that one man should perish than that a nation should dwindle in unbelief
• The plates should go forth unto all nations, kindred, tongue, and people
• Preserve the commandments of the Lord
• Write things that are pleasing unto God
• Frankly forgive all that is done unto you; exhort to pray unto the Lord for forgiveness
• Beckon and loudly invite loved ones to come partake of the fruit
• Exhort children with all the tender feelings of a parent
• The Lord prepareth a way to accomplish all the works among the children of men
• We have a Savior of the world
• We come out of a fallen state by relying on our Redeemer
• The educated end up prospering (and vice versa for the uneducated)
• These things were hidden so that we could have them
• Blessed are they who seek to bring forth Zion. They shall be lifted up at the last day
• Just, true, plain, and pure, and the most precious and easy to understand things shall be/have been written here
• Would never perish if we hold fast to the word of God, then Satan's fiery darts and temptations cannot lead us to destruction or blind us
• Nephi's brothers were humbled because of his words, said in the energy of his soul
• Food brings people joy and can lead them to humble themselves and thank God
• The Lord carried the people across the waters
• It was important that Nephi keep an account of the sacred things that happened
• I did liken all scriptures unto us that it might be for our profit and learning
• The righteous shall be saved, even if so by fire
• Righteous shall not perish, for the time will come that they who fight against Zion shall be cut off
• We shall all find pasture in the Holy One of Israel

2 Nephi

• Determined in one mind and one heart, united in all things --> will not come unto captivity
• He shall consecrate thy afflictions for thy gain
• Nephi's objective is the everlasting welfare of our souls
• Covenants bring us out of darkness into light -- out of hidden darkness (that we did not even know about!) and out of captivity unto freedom
• Knowledge of the covenants is of great worth to us
• Confound false doctrine, lay down contentions, establish peace, bring to a knowledge of our fathers and of the Lord's covenants
• The Lord works unto restoring the House of Israel
• The power of the Lord shall bring people unto salvation
• The Lord's promise to many: "To preserve thy seed forever"
• If ye are brought up in the way ye should go, ye will not depart from it
• In the end thy seed shall be blessed
• Nephi writes for the profit of his children
• God will give liberally to him that asketh
• The Lord did warn me
• Nephi took all that would go with him to escape into the wilderness
• The people kept the judgments, statutes, and commandments and did reap in abundance, and did proper exceedingly and did multiply
• They lived after the manner of happiness
• They shall not be ashamed that wait for the Lord
• When brought to a knowledge of their Redeemer, the Lord shall be merciful unto them and they shall be fathered together again to the lands of their inheritance
• Hiss righteousness shall be forever
• He cometh into the world that He may save all men if they will hearken to Him
• Extreme focus on the self profitteth them not
• To be spiritually minded is life eternal
• If we leave anything behind to follow the Lord, we always leave with something better
• Whoso shall see these words shall life up their own voice and rejoice for all men
• Millennium: nation shall not lift up sword against nation
• With the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked
• " " we can also slay wickedness by using powerful words of love and truth
• Speak plainly so they cannot err
• Be reconciled to God, for it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do
• (UN-beneficial): They have become corrupt because of pride
• His word shall be gathered in one
• Knowledge of the fathers and of Christ shall be a blessing, and their scales of darkness shall fall from their eyes, and many generations shall not pass away
• The Jews which are scattered also shall begin to believe in Christ and shall also become a delightsome people
• He will spare His people, yea, even if it so be that He must destroy the wicked by fire
• "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain"
• Satan shall have power over the hearts of the children of men no more, for a long time
• The Father will give the Holy Ghost to whoever is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
• He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved
• Press forward, feasting upon the words of Christ, and endure to the end, and ye shall have eternal life

Jacob

• Sacred preaching, great revelation, and prophesying should be written for the sake of Christ and for the sake of the people
• Seek riches for the intent to do good -- to clothe the naked, feed the hungry, liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted
• Ye may feast upon God's love if your minds are firm forever
• It is about the one
• Preserve the roots and the natural branches
• Prepare the way for natural fruit to be brought forth again, which is most precious
• Blessed for being diligent  - shall experience joy with the Lord because of the fruit of the vineyard
• O be wise
• All prophets have spoken concerning Christ
• Peace and the love of God was restored, then people stopped their wickedness (and they searched the scriptures)

Enos

• Taught in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
• The Lord preserved the record even though the people were destroyed because it leads to salvation
• They are  not the first resort, but strong and mighty words must sometimes be used for some to hear and understand

Jarom

• Learning AND LIVING a strict law can be very beneficial
• Believe in the Messiah as though He was already come -- for the second coming, in our case. This will keep a people from being destroyed

Words of Mormon

• Delight invariably is linked with our knowledge of Christ
• Establish peace in the land, that there may be no contention

Mosiah

• This record is preserved for us to read and understand His mysteries and have His commandments always
• Learn to search the scriptures diligently
• His arm is extended to preserve us
• Appoint just men to be teachers and a just man to be king (for any type of ruler)
• We are not to trifle with these words, but to open our ears to hear, hearts to understand, and minds so that God's mysteries may be unfolded to our view
• A just ruler does not seek riches from his people and does not suffer (--allow--) any manner of wickedness, but teaches to keep the commandments
• Promise: if ye keep His commandments, ye shall prosper in the land
• Those who keep God's commandments are blessed in things temporal and spiritual
• Salvation comes through faith on His name
• Repent and forsake sins
• Retain a remembrance of the goodness of God, humble yourselves, call on God daily, be steadfast in the faith --> always rejoice, filled with the love of God, always retain a remission of sins, and grow in knowledge of His glory/of what is just and true
• Impart unto the poor, according to what you have, according to their wants, but in wisdom and order
• The Spirit changes us to have no disposition to do evil
• Steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that the Lord may seal you his (note: know who you are and whose you are)
• When the leader and his people worked hard, there was no contention among them
• The Lord delivers us from bondage if we turn to Him with full purpose of heart
• Make weapons of war, set guards up, send spies, and hide women and children
• Prophets publish peace and salvation and bring good tidings
• Without redemption through Christ and it being prepared from the foundation of the world, mankind must have perished
• The sting of death is swallowed up in Christ
• If we lead a good life, we will have endless life AND happiness
• Bear one another's burdens, that they may be light
• Be willing to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those in need of comfort, and stand as a witness of all in all things even until death
• We should look forward with one eye, having hearts knit together in unity and love
• We should impart of what we can from what we have of our own free will
• Be willing to perish by staying with wife and children: Fight like dragons for them
• Better to be in bondage than to lose lives (--bondage to a good ruler)
• The people kept together in one body, secured their grain and flocks, and built walls
• It is good to have a king only if he is a just man
• Those who put their faith in Him, even if they are not tried, or if they are tried, are still saved
• Increased trade and communication can bring riches --> increase of wisdom of the world. This all can be good, but can also be destructive
• Christ will deliver us and ease the burdens placed on us
• Receive the fleeing people into your lands with joy
• Pour out thanks to God for His great mercy
• Many churches must all be one church and preach the same thing and be called the church of God
• Blessed because of exceeding faith in a prophet's words alone. *We do not need signs to believe spoken truth
• "Whosoever ye receive shall believe in my name and him will I freely forgive"
• Priests and teachers also ought to labor with their own hands for their support
• Knowledge of the Lord and of their fathers' iniquities might cure of hatred
• We need just rulers, leaders, and judges
• Desire that all should have an equal chance in the land AND all express willingness to answer for their own sins

Alma

• Teachers and priests did not esteem themselves above their listeners and learners
• Did not wear costly apparel, but were neat and comely
• Did not send away any
• Did not set hearts upon riches
• No respect to persons as to those who stand in need
• Select a wise man to enact the laws given
• Sometimes we see no other way but to bear testimony against others in order to reclaim them
• According to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart
• Repent, and I will receive you
• Gather together oft, praying and fasting for those who know not God
• To be made pure is to enter into the rest of the Lord God. This is a rest we can enter into during this life. This is done by bringing forth fruit meet for repentance
• His arm is extended to all who will repent and  believe on His name
• Ammon accomplished the Lord's will by being physically strong and merciful
• Free from oppression, with liberty to worship God according to their desires
• Lay down weapons of rebellion
• Rather than take away, give
• Rather than be idle, word abundantly
• Suffer even unto death rather than commit sin
• It is a great blessing to be made into an instrument in the Lord's hands
• Perfectly upright and honest in all things
• Zeal towards God and toward men
• Need not look upon death with terror -- swallowed up in Christ's victory
• No law against a man's belief, only against certain actions
• Blessed to be humble, especially when not compelled
• " " so. . . blessed is he who can act on the word of God out of belief, even before KNOWING (e.g. by being baptized)
• Small means bring about the salvation of many souls
• The meek and lowly shall find rest to their souls
• Cry unto Go and counsel with the Lord in all things, and ye shall be lifted up
• Bridle all your passions and be filled with love
• Refrain from idleness
• We shield the more vital parts of the body and should shield the most vital parts of our spirits and emotional parts as well
• Be inspired by a better cause
• Stop shedding blood when it is permissible to do so and you can have the right
• Prepare peoples' minds to be faithful
• Built walls around the cities AND their borders
• Placed the greatest number of men in the weakest fortifications
• Did not stop making preparations to defend
• Strongholds in every city
• Cut off the strongholds of the enemy
• Forgiveness and covenanting for peace between (former) enemies
• End contentions and dissensions FIRST
• Hold a council
• Some things must be done in profound silence so as to not alert the enemy
• Have the prisoners labor to strengthen fortifications
• Do not be slow to remember God in your afflictions
• Do not ask anyone to break covenant with God, even if it may seem to be for their benefit and physical safety in the moment
• The best thing for us may be to wait until we receive strength to continue
• Remember the Lord from day to day
• It is easier to keep the city from falling than to take it back after a loss
• Seek not for power, but to pull it down
• Seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of God
• We WILL resist wickedness, even unto bloodshed
• We would not use bloodshed normally, but would first use words
• The law must be strictly observed
• Prisoners may be granted to become as free people if they will heed the laws
• Even in exceeding prosperity, do NOT be lifted up in your own eyes or be slow to remember the Lord; but still be humble

Helaman

• We can have a righteous leader, even as a corrupt people
• Lay hold upon the word of God, and: you will be able to divide asunder the snares of the devil, and lead the man of Christ over the gulf of misery to the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven
• The Lord pours out his Spirit when we ease and are willing to believe his words
• Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where nothing doth corrupt
• Everyone has agency and should choose to do good or evil

3 Nephi

• One body (the people) reserved provision for themselves
• It us Christ's doctrine to do away with stirring up the hearts of men to anger
• First go and be reconciled with thy brother, and then go to Christ, who will receive you
• Do unto others what you would have them do unto you
• The blessings of eternal life demand a very specific straight and narrow lifestyle
• Hear and do His sayings
• Be filled with compassion and bless those who faithfully desire any blessings
• If ye do always remember me, ye shall always have my Spirit to be with you
• Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in [Christ's] name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you
• Pray in your families, in Christ's name
• Meet together oft, and forbid none
• Cast no one out, but instead pray for them and minister unto them
• Great faith allows for great miracles to come into fruition
• The power of the Father set us up as a free people
• All lyings, deceivings, envyings, strifes, priestcrafts, and whoredoms shall be done away
• They shall assist my people who are scattered in unto the New Jerusalem
• Thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth and shalt not remember the reproach of thy youth, or of thy widowhood any more
• With everlasting kindness I will have mercy on thee, saith the Lord
• All the children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be their peace
• Shalt be established in righteousness and be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror for it shall not come near thee
• The disciples taught and ministered and had all things common
• Change made to the 3 Nephites: Satan could have no power over them, he could not tempt them, they were sanctified in the flesh, the powers of the earth could not hold them

4 Nephi

• Converted unto the Lord --> dealt justly and had all things common
• Worked miracles to help people by the authority of the priesthood
• No contention because the love of God dwelt in the hearts of the people
• Ammaron hid up the record because he was constrained by the Holy Ghost

Mormon

• I would that I could persuade all to repent and prepare to stand before Christ
• Do not "adorn yourself with that which hath no life"
• Would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God under a consciousness of your filthiness before Him than to dwell with the damned souls in hell
• Ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God (here, service is the goal)

Ether

• Ether 2:7 & comments: "And the Lord would not suffer that they should stop beyond the sea in the wilderness, but he would that they should come forth even unto the land of promise, which was choice above all other lands, which the Lord God had preserved for a righteous people." This is just like how the Lord does not want us to stop when we see something good in this world because He has prepared Kingdoms beyond compare for us in the world to come. How to get there? Trust the word of the Lord and follow Him. Turn constantly to Him for council and ask for blessings. Think for ourselves and present our ideas to Him
• Those who are faithful to the Lord to the last day shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world
• The Lord caused stones to shine in darkness
• Humble selves before God and He will make weak things become strong

Moroni

• As often as they repented and sought forgiveness with real intent, they were forgiven
• Lay hold upon and condemn not every good thing
• The whole need no physician, but they that are sick
• We should be child-friendly