Work in the Book of Mormon

• Documenting everything is very important
• Mormon was a historian who abridged the records
• Christ personally came to minister to the people
• Even as the supreme leader and creator of all things of this earth, His personal involvement was paramount to the success of mankind. Any leader of a group must become intimately acquainted with the work they have created for others. Delegation is an important part of being able to accomplish any of this at the scale needed, but the heart of everything needs to be mastered by the leader, as Christ demonstrated.
• His ministry was to show us an example of what we ought to become by our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Doing this one by one allows concepts to take root deep within a person.
• Someone must publish the records
• Translation can be done by the gift and power of God
• Satan's job is to tempt
• One of our jobs is to fortify ourselves in order to resist that temptation.
• Spiritual things are not there to make one rich
• It would be nice to have the money for a life of leisure like the one I have grown up in. More important than having that money is that I am a covenant-keeping spiritual minister. Thankfully the two are not mutually exclusive. I believe that I will not personally be blessed in the monetary sense unless I dedicate myself to ministering as a sign to God that I do not treasure things of this world more than I treasure obeying and loving Him by serving by fellow man.
• We must have no other object in view but to glorify God
• It is best to take breaks when needed
• As a good friend reminded me, I have said that "I am someone who needs sleep." I am grateful that I know this about myself and that there is no commandment saying "Thou shalt not sleep very much," but rather we are left to wisely judge for ourselves the amounts and the times. There is the principle of early to bed, early to rise which I have yet to consistently follow, but I believe it is wisdom that I want to become good at following.
• Burnout happens, but is easier to avoid when I am in balance with work, relaxation, play, and service.
• The plates wouldn't be easy to obtain, or hiding them would not have been effective
• Moroni did very precise work
• Strict obedience to the work as told is vital
• This does not mean that we have no agency in the matter because we are sometimes left to our own designs in finding the way to do the work as we are told. It can be exciting to come up with ways of accomplishing our leaders' will! It is an opportunity to exercise innovation and creativity even while strictly obeying, and even while following the angel Moroni's example in doing very precise work. 
• For any good work, there will be an evil to oppose it
• I have come to believe that this is a necessity for balance in all things. I do not believe that it means there is necessarily the equal of evil influence, but that the options of good or bad work both exist for us to choose between. What makes a work good or evil is not something that we can simply define by worldly terms. I tend to think as a consequentialist in matters like these and believe that the impact on 
• Engraving the records on metal was HARD work

1 Nephi

• You can be sure something will get done by taking part in the work to do it
• Nephi built a ship
• Writing records and abridgments 
• We must stay as long as it takes to do the work given us
• We PRESS FORWARD -- it takes effort!
• They were able to press forward after having something steady to cling to -- continually
• Prepare the way of the Lord
• Make His paths straight <-- what does this mean? They already are...
• We will be judged of our works
• When moving, gather together things you  need, take seed of every kind, bring weapons to hunt for good, and use them
• It is okay to wade through afflictions
• Women work when they bear children
• The Lord does not just give us everything -- he gives us enough so that we may work with the things he gives us to accomplish what is needed
• Nephi made tools, bellows, smote stones ... to built the boat
• There are works that the Lord also tells us NOT to do
• We are commanded to work. Moses was commanded to do a great work
• Work is done best after the manner of God, not after the manner of man

2 Nephi

• We need to unite in all things
• Put on the armor of righteousness, shake off the chains. Come forth out of obscurity. Arise from the dust
• Adam and Eve learned great joys because they had to work after being cast out
• We work for the fruit of our loins
• Some have the calling to do only the work which the Lord commands them
• Bringing forth the word of the Lord is hard work
• Weakness shall be made strong
• Do much good in word and deed to be an instrument in the hands of God and to work mighty wonders
• The Spirit works through our heart and feelings
• We need to really ponder the scriptures
• God will always be our support through afflictions
• Wax bold and mighty in prayer
• The Nephites sowed seed and reaped in abundance. They also raised flocks, herds, and animals of every kind
• " " also learned to: build buildings, work in wood and in ores, build a temple, be industrious, and labor with their hands
• Qualities NOT good for work: idle, full of mischief, subtlety
• The goal is to do work that is pleasing unto God
• Execute all the words that come out of the mouth
• Prepare your souls
• Someday we will change our weapons into tools to work the earth
• The Lord is going to repeatedly restore His people from their lost and fallen state
• They labor diligently to write
• The laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish
• Many shall do their works in the dark **not a good thing
• The Lord's arm is lengthened ALL the day long
• All men are commanded to write the words which the Lord speaks to them
• The Lord works among the children of men in plainness
• We must press forward and endure to the end

Jacob

• We labor with might (that their blood may not come upon our garments)
• Magnify mine office with soberness
• Before ye seek for riches, seek for the kingdom of God, and after obtaining a hope in Christ, ye shall obtain riches if ye seek them
• Seek riches for the intent to do good
• The earth was created by the power of His word
• He counsels in wisdom, justice, and great mercy over all His works
• Prune, dig about, and nourish
• Pluck off branches beginning to wither away and cast them in the fire so they do not cumber the ground
• Nourish for a long time
• To try and salvage the bitter, we try to graft in other non-bitter branches
• Labor diligently with our might in the vineyard
• The Lord labored with His servants in the vineyard
• Servants did obey the Lord of the vineyard's commandments in all things
• Write according to the best of your knowledge

Jarom

• Fortify cities
• Work in fine workmanship in order to later be prepared
• Prophets, priests, and teachers labored to teach people diligence

Words of Mormon

• We make things according to our/others' knowledge
• Reign over people in righteousness
• Benjamin labored with all the might of hid body and the faculty of his whole soul

Mosiah

• " " His labor helped that the people would not have to be taxed
• We not NOT labor for the purpose that we may boast
• We work for and serve God when we serve and work for our fellow humans
• If our King is willing to lab or, we definitely should be too
• The best leader will encourage people to labor and "till the earth" and do it himself as well
• We should always be abounding in good works
• Turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind
• The Nephites employed a spy to know the workings of their enemies
• Built buildings, repaired walls, and tilled the ground with seeds
• Should raise all manner of fruit and grain (men)*not saying that they have to, but that the labor was divided between genders, perhaps because that is what each did best to be most productive
• Spin, toil, and work all manner of fine linen (women)
• The men who could bear arms, old and young
• Tend flocks and till the ground
• Some people are made to work to support iniquity. They are overworked for one man's personal gain
• It is not right to tax people for personal gain
• We should be sure to spend our strength doing good
• Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work
• On the 7th day, thou shalt not do any work (nor should those who work for me)
• Part of His work was to bear our griefs and carry our sorrows to be wounded for our transgressions, to be bruised for our iniquities, to carry the chastisement of our peace
• The watchmen shall life up their voice and sing
• The ordained priests were also to labor with their hands for their support, and not to depend on the people for their support
• They exerted themselves and fought for their wives and children
• The people tilled the ground and began building buildings and were industrious
• It would be fine to have a monarchy if we always had just men for kings
• Alma was the founder of their church
• Priests and teachers watched over the people and nourished them with righteousness
• Labor with own hands for support!!
• Translation is another important work
• Labor with all the power and faculties we possess to teach the commandments of God and to establish peace throughout the land

Alma

• It is false that priests and teachers ought to be supported by the people (--religious ones, at least)
• Steadiness in a modest lifestyle will allow for riches
• Diligently labor, impart of substance to those in need and in affliction, don't wear costly apparel, and be neat and comely
• Make our paths straight. We pioneer the way for those after us
• Return to your house to rest from your labors
• We NEED even physical nourishment to continue in our spiritual work
• Lawyers and judges should be careful about how they make more money -- they should not create the work for themselves (stirring things up)
• We should not wrest the scriptures
• The sons of Mosiah worked so they could bring people unto repentance
• Ammon became a servant. He was able by the strength of his arm to do much
• We preach a lot, even when few believe
• Ammon was teachings continually
• Rather than taking, we should want to give. We should rather labor/work with our hands than desire to be idle
• We act as instruments in God's hands to bring about this great work
• Thrust in the sickle and reap with all your might all the day long
• Why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I am called?
• It shall be unto every man according to his own work
• The Lord doth work by means (ways higher than our own) and by very small means and bringeth about salvation
• Judgments of God will come upon workers of darkness and secret combinations
• Since miracles are done by small and simple means, they show marvelous works
• When we are slothful and forget to exercise faith and diligence, marvelous works ceased and progress stopped
• Do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way
• We do not fight for monarchy or power, but for homes, liberties, wives, and children
• Some choose to obtain power by fraud and deceit
• Good leaders prepare their people mentally to be faithful to God
• Strengthen armies, prepare to support liberty, wives, children, and peace
• Rebuilt a city
• Be willing to change it up; take control of your situation!
• Fortify and build forts of security
• Do not stop preparing
• Expansion and building came after security and fortification
• Hold a council
• Putting enemy prisoners to work: 1. kept them from fighting, and 2. improved homeland securities
• Had the prisoners build the walls that contained them with their own hands
• Have the prisoners work on the fortifications
• Obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness
• Begin to lay out a plan
• It is easier to keep a city from being taken by another that it is to retake it
• Feared judgments of God because of peoples' slothfulness and the government's slothfulness and great neglect towards their brethren
• Make use of the means which the Lord provides for us
• Begin to be up and doing
• Do not seek for power, save only to preserve the rights and liberty of the people
• It is good to be thrifty and know how to do many things in case a skill is urgently needed
• By having their prisoners till the ground they were relieved of a great burden

Helaman

• When there is no timber to work with, turn to cement. Also give trees time to grow, and if needed ship the material
• People flourished when curious workmen worked all kinds of ore, and grain and raised in abundance in the north and in the south
• Women did work in making nice clothing
• We must strive with unwearied diligence to bring our brethren to a knowledge of the truth

3 Nephi

• Do not wait for all things to be given to you -- make them happen. If commanded to write a record but there are no plates, MAKE the plates!
• It is okay to expect others to work as well
• Christ's work was to suffer the will of the Father in all things
• The twelve are called to be servants
• Let your light so shine before this people that they may see your good works
• No man can serve two masters
• By their fruits ye shall know them
• Whoso heareth and doeth these sayings is a wise man
• His work is to do exactly as the Father commands him 
• After eating and being filled, the disciples were to give unto the multitude
• Many labored to get the word out that Christ would come back so that they could be there for His return
• They arose and ministered
• Angels did minister
• Jesus stood in their midst and ministered
• The repentant will assist God's people and help build the city called New Jerusalem
• " " They will also assist in gathering the scattered
• The work of the Father will commence at the day when the gospel is preached to the remnant of the people. It will commence among the dispersed people
• The Father will prepare the way for the dispersed people to come unto Christ
• " " Then His work will commence with the Father preparing for people to be gathered to the Land of their inheritance
• Enlarge the places of thy tent
• Make the desolate cities to be inhabited
• People will be judged of their works -- good or evil
• They had all things common among them, dealing justly one with another
• We should do the works that we have seen Christ do
• Write the works of the people
• Their works shall be known unto men

4 Nephi

• All things common among them: therefore, no rich vs. poor or bond vs. free. ALL were free

Mormon

• Mormon employed his people in preparing the lands and their arms against battle
• The Lord commanded Mormon NOT to act; to stand idle as a witness
• God is a God of miracles who created the heavens, the earth, and all things that in them are
• God works by His words as well
• Come unto the Lord with all your heart and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before Him

Ether

• Brother of Jared did molten out of rock sixteen small white clear stones
• " " He carried the 16 stones in his hands (presumably so as to not damage them) to the top of the mount
• By receiving this writing, we can know that they work of the Father has commenced
• The Lord prepared the stones which Jared carried up to him
• The Lord worketh not in secret combinations
• Concubines, a grevous tax, and misuse of that tax money is NOT pleasing to the Lord
• Good hard-working people were smart and were blessed by the Lord
• " " preserved the land, were industrious, and worked all manner of things
• The brother of Jared moved a mountain by his faith
• Being able to borrow and willing to lend are important to a functional society (in more than just money)

Moroni

• One must bring forth fruit of worthiness to be baptized
• Evil cannot do good works
• The devil's manner is to persuade no man to do good
• Gifts to teach wisdom, teach knowledge, to heal, all kinds of tongues, and interpretation of languages