Talking Scripture

00:51 – Jesus is showing the process of speaking to His chosen disciples. The multitude is purified through faith in their words.

11:36 – Don’t drink below the horses. Go to the source.

15:24 – Isaiah 52: The Great Exchange. Babylon comes off the throne and Israel is invited to rule.

17:44 – The Nephites pray to Jesus because He is with them.

20:12 – Nephi has previously raised his brother Timothy from the dead.

20:54 – Jesus gives us a formula for getting more out of the temple. Go home, ponder, ask, prepare, and return. Pondering unlocks revelation.

27:09 – Whatever size vessel we take to the Lord He will fill.

29:36 – The dual nature of the sacrament as a memorial and a testimony.

34:04 – Haggai emphasizes that the Gospel fills us in a way nothing else will.

37:51 – Hold up the light. Jesus points out two specific attributes: pray one by one for people in your circle and then do everything you can do to include them.

44:38 – A harrowing reminder for all parents is found in 3 Nephi 17:14 as Jesus groans for the children.

For show notes on this episode go to 3 Nephi 17-19 Quotes and Notes.

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00:49 – The Sermon on the Mount compels us to let go of Terrestrial sins in order to become Celestial people.

16:24 – Overview of the temple endowment (from authorized sources) and how the Sermon on the Mount is filled with temple code.

22:49 – The Beatitudes are attached to the Psalms in the Old Testament.

34:06 – Comfort is empowerment and strength.

38:15 – Publishing peace is returning good for evil.

43:11 – The covenants of sacrifice, obedience, and chastity. Being reconciled with my brother.

47:17 – What does it take for us to keep our oaths and promises?

48:28 – Telestial people go around poking out eyes and taking teeth. Celestial people do not seek revenge.

49:48 – The invitation and promise of becoming perfect. Jesus will take us there.

52:59 – Celestial people do good things for the right reasons.

1:00:41 – Prayer can be a revelatory experience where God prompts us with what to say.

1:02:25 – The covenant of consecration and why we should not fear letting go of lesser things.

1:06:28 – Simon only saw the sin whereas Jesus sees the person. One of the biggest hurdles of coming into Father’s presence is how we see other people. Seeing with Celestial eyes as we approach the throne of grace.

1:11:17 – An exchange of messianic symbols as we approach God’s throne.

1:14:00 – Sometimes we turn bread into stone.

1:17:13 – Coming into God’s presence. We are built upon the rock by doing the things He taught us to do.

For the show notes on this episode go to 3 Nephi 12-16 Quotes and Notes. For more information regarding Joseph Smith’s First Vision and how this vision corresponded to other prophetic visions (how his vision was an endowment), read Don Bradley’s speech he gave at the 2019 FairMormon conference here. For Elder Boyd K. Packer’s story of the man who had a hard time forgiving his wife’s doctor, go here. To see the accounts of Joseph’s First Vision, go here.

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00:47 – Prophets warn of coming danger in times of peace. The righteous will be prepared in all things.

09:53 – Like the children of Israel, the Nephites are invited to be sanctified so they can see the face of God.

14:20 – Mine arm of mercy is extended towards you.

15:04 – The end of the Law of Moses. The law of sacrifice shifts. The offering of a broken heart means we yield to God.

25:18 – Rededication of the temple.

30:23 – The Savior appears to the Nephites. They see, feel, know, and bear record.

35:29 – Jesus ministers one by one.

39:31 – Anciently when the temple was rededicated 5 things would occur.

40:38 – The rebaptism in 3 Nephi.

43:32 – Jesus emphasizes having no more disputations over the ordinance of baptism. The Old World is struggling with the same kinds of questions.

44:10 – The first time the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are mentioned in the same verse.

47:30 – We cannot return contention for contention.

49:55 – Silence for half an hour before His coming.

53:42 – Being brought into the protection of His wings is coming into the presence of God.

57:59 – The Gates of Hell as understood in early Christianity.

You can access the show notes for this episode here.

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01:10 – Jesus came just in time to save the righteous from death.

12:20 – The sacred relics are no longer in the stewardship of the chief judge and are taken away into the priestly line, perhaps indicating the beginning of societal breakdown.

20:23 – Trust that Jesus will fulfill every whit of every promise He has given.

21:11 – Once you have light, beware of the temptation to doubt it.

24:59 – Some of the Nephites start to defect and massive wickedness starts growing just 4 years after the sign.

26:00 – Commentary on 3 Nephi 2.15-16. The marking of cultural separation was removed when they began to have faith in Jesus.

28:01 – Utter destruction of a people can happen by taking away their religious values, identity, and culture.

28:59 – The letter to Lachoneus illustrates some tactics of the adversary to get us to walk away from our covenants: Flattery, sowing seeds of doubt, threats, boasts of strength, guilt, fake sincerity, acceptance into a group.

36:31 – The ways Lachoneus and his people defend themselves is a type for our day: They don’t take council from their fears, cry unto the Lord, gather together, build fortifications, set guards round about, repent, follow their leaders, protect the family, and are strong with armor of God.

44:18 – Avoid being the aggressor in war and initiating the conflict.

46:20 – In 3 Nephi 4.7 the Gadianton robbers were girded about with a lambskin dyed in blood. They were taunting their enemies or perhaps even mocking the Nephites.

48:01 – What is the Greek name Lachoneus doing in the Book of Mormon? Eric Cline, professor of Classics and ANE studies demonstrates cultural mixing from Greece to Palestine in 1177 B.C.

52:25 – With just 5 years left before Jesus comes again, there are few righteous among them. We should be careful to not lose blessings in the final moments.

1:02:08 – There is no inequality in God’s kingdom.

1:07:03 – Mormon describes what it is like to be a scribe and also a prophet. He promises that God will restore and gather his people.

For the show notes go to 3 Nephi 1-7 Quotes and Notes. For some of the things we shared in relation to the name Lachoneus, and the interconnections in the ancient world prior to Lehi, go here.

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02:05 – When we lay hold on the things that bring eternal happiness they will be never become “slippery.” Blind guides lead people on snipe hunts.

14:45 – C.S. Lewis quote about a more majestic, longer-lasting love.

17:36 – Samuel’s warnings parallel an Egyptian text: The Instruction of Amenemope.

26:20 – Why are signs given by Samuel? Even with great signs we still have to choose.

30:39 – The signs of light at birth and darkness at death are types.

32:56 – We are saved by the merits of Christ, not our good works.

39:50 – Overcoming spiritual death by being brought back into the Father’s presence. The Atonement brings everyone back. What is the second death?

46:55 – Samuel’s prophecy of the future of the Lamanites. Love and hate can be misunderstood in this text. What is the historical context of God hating the Lamanites? How does this relate to ancient Near Eastern treaties?

55:57 – Summary of what led the Lamanites to where they are today.

1:00:14 – Samuel escapes their stones and arrows. The miracle of the Book of Mormon is preservation.

1:05:04 – The importance of striving for unity. The book of Helaman is a pattern for our day, exposing the weakness of a fragmented society that is deeply divided and contentious.

For the show notes covering many of the stories and quotes in this podcast, go to Helaman 13-16 Quotes and Notes. For Kevin Barney’s analysis of Semitic adaptation of existing sources, including the Egyptian parallels to the book of Proverbs, go here.

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00:32 – The book of Helaman is a pattern for our day.

03:20 – Modern-day secret combinations.

05:29 – The Mahan Principle as demonstrated in the book of Moses.

07:55 – Secret combinations are identified in D&C 89.

09:16 – Slavery is also a secret combination. Qodesh, the word for holiness, or “Saints” means that we should be different, set apart.

16:49 – Prophets are seers and see through the secrets.

20:07 – After Nephi gives a sign proving his message, he is left alone. Isaiah’s call narrative and Mormon’s lament have similar messages.

28:14 – Nephi receives the Sealing Power in Chapter 10.

29:53 – Hugh Nibley & Neal A. Maxwell’s thoughts on the Sealing Power.

37:55 – The pride cycle and our tendency to quickly backslide.

45:52 – The shortcut. How we can make sure that neither pain or prosperity lead to pride.

49:42 – The black hole or swirling pit of despair in the bottom half of the pride cycle.

51:35 – Mormon’s lament invites us all to avoid the bottom half of the circle.

58:17 – Mormon includes meaningful symbols in the record to help us remember.

1:03:32 – Two possible views of the Gadianton society.

For the show notes covering many of the stories and quotes in this podcast, go to Helaman 7-12 Quotes and Notes. For Joseph Smith’s 1844 solutions to American slavery, go here. For the chart showing the pride cycle discussed in the podcast, go here. For the video where Nephi is left alone after proving his innocence, go to the 6:13 mark of the video here. We referenced Helaman 3.27-30 in the podcast, where these verses talk about the Liahona, Nephi’s ship, and a sword. These are items associated with kingship and to read more about this, go here.

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00:26 – Overview of Helaman’s 3 part structure.

01:55 – The Book of Mormon is a pattern for our day.

04:06 – Helaman’s conflict “in the very center” parallels our day.

17:05 – The Lamanites have become more righteous than the Nephites. The preaching of the word is more powerful than weapons.

18:35 – Nephi and Lehi preach with power and convert 8,000 of the occupying forces as well as the dissenters.

20:40 – The prophet’s face is seen in the middle of the darkness. What must we do to have the darkness removed?

26:19 – In the midst of war the gospel is the answer. Successful families are built on principles.

27:38 – Aminidab’s name may have Hebrew roots.

30:31 – Nephi and Lehi in prison witnessing of Christ parallel the two witnesses in Revelation 11.

34:32 – Possible meanings of Gadianton and Kishkumen are put forth. Mormon, as a maker of sacred texts, is a pun-master.

37:40 – The Heartland Model and the Mesoamerican Model. Helaman 4.7 talks about “a day’s journey for a Nephite.” What is going on in this text and how does it relate to geographical models of text? What does geography have to do with the spiritual message of the Book of Mormon? Joseph Allen illustrates how the geography of the Book of Mormon teaches the message of repentance and the redemption of Christ.

50:29 – The Nephites begin to get ripe for destruction.

To read Joseph Allen’s demonstration of the spiritual message regarding the “narrow pass” and how it relates to the Plan of Salvation, see: Geography and the Plan of Salvation. For a brief overview of the geographical model of the Book of Mormon, with statements regarding the official neutrality on the various models, go here. For a more in depth look at The Heartland Model and the Mesoamerican Model of Book of Mormon proposed geographical locations, go here. For more on the sacred nature of puns in scripture, go here.

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02:37 – Qualities of modern-day stripling warriors.

04:44 – Faith is a choice.

09:50 – Choose to follow the prophet as your leader.

11:49 – Commit to obey with exactness in all patience and faith.

14:31 – Have a connection with parents and leaders.

16:57 – Adversary is the master of chaos.

18:12 – Have courage to do what is right, not what is popular.

20:39 – The fog of war. How do you Kill 11 Million People?

28:09 – Be active and true, sober and balanced.

30:37 – Hold on to the promises and have faith. Be firm and undaunted.

35:27 – Latter-day saints will be outnumbered, but will be miraculously saved as were the stripling warriors.

38:22 – Possible age of the stripling warriors.

41:13 – King Men and Anti-Nephi-Lehies have different reasons for not fighting.

44:42 – Quotes about war from President David O. McKay and President Spencer W. Kimball.

52:17 – The Holy Ghost helps us find balance between opposite principles like justice and mercy.

58:52 – Choose to be on God’s side.

1:01:34 – The Lamanite/Nephite distinction was cultural and not based on the skin color.

1:02:35 – Return evil with good.

1:07:28 – When we contend among ourselves and stop listening to our leaders, we open the door to our enemies.

For the show notes for both episodes covering the war chapters (Episodes 64-65), go to Alma 53-63 The War Chapters – Quotes and Notes. For the excerpt from Andy Andrews’ book How do you Kill 11 Million People? go here.

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01:01 – Brief overview of all 20 of the war chapters.

15:52 – When is conflict justified? If you want the Lord’s help you need the right emotion or attitude, the right motive or reason, and to not be guilty of retaliation or the second offense. When the Lord is with you he will help you in your personal conflicts.

37:35 – Alma 44:4: God will support, keep, and preserve us, so long as we are faithful unto Him.

41:05 – In 1 Nephi 14 Nephi sees a massive spiritual war in the last days where the saints are outnumbered and contending with an innumerable host. The formula for winning the war is connection with God. He will give us strength, hope and courage.

46:47 – Amalickiah is a type of Lucifer. See how Amalickiah rises to power in Lamanite society.

56:28 – In what areas have you come down a little? What are you doing today that once you vowed you would never do?

1:01:29 – Moroni is a type of Christ, a man of truth with balanced principles. He loved liberty, yet did not delight in warfare.

1:02:00 – Like Moroni, we need to strengthen and fortify our weaknesses. Even strengths can be our downfall.

1:05:05 – What is the point of war, what are we defending? Preserving our families.

1:07:23 – Put on new armor. The battle with evil changes and we have to adapt.

1:12:14 – We can be happy in a world of uncertainty and turmoil.

1:13:31 – The Nephites are winning. They have all power over the Lamanites, but they lost peace because of contentions and disunity among themselves and with their inspired leaders.

1:15:27 – Alma 50.30-31 Morianton’s maid servant fled to the camp of Moroni.

1:19:52 – It is easier and better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent.

1:20:10 – Unity, following God, and fighting a defensive war is how to win. Evil has to be defeated at the heart by chasing it out with light. Don’t become what you hate.

For the show notes for both episodes covering the war chapters (Episodes 64-65), go to Alma 53-63 The War Chapters – Quotes and Notes. You can read and listen to Elder Oaks’ message “Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall” here.

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00:32 – Alma demonstrates a pattern for how we can guide our children with love when they make mistakes.

03:24 – The road to transgression starts with compromise.

04:55 – Six women are specifically named in the Book of Mormon: Sarah, Sariah, Mary, Eve, Abish, and Isabel.

07:03 – A caution about always seeking to be the exception.

10:12 – Rooster moments.

13:07 – Bad decisions result in pain.

16:25 – Moses 4 is a pattern for avoiding temptation.

21:31 – Suffer not yourself to be led. An invitation to make an active choice.

28:04 – Isabel, her name, its meaning, and why Mormon put her name in the record.

35:13 – The city Siron and its meaning.

37:39 – Corianton’s concerns and questions for Alma.

40:22 – The meaning of outer darkness in this text and Elder James E. Talmage’s teaching about Hell.

42:51 – Taken home to that God who gave them life.

46:02 – The law of restitution. Everyone gets what they truly desire.

51:15 – C.S. Lewis quote about heaven working backwards.

53:38 – The meaning of the word paradise.

56:04 – Jedediah Morgan Grant’s experience in paradise shared by Heber C. Kimball.

1:01:31 – Mercy is possible because of the Redeemer. You are more than a mistake you make.

1:02:45 – Mercy cannot rob justice, if so, God would cease to be God (Alma 42:13, 22, 25). There is an order and God follows the rules.

For many of the quotes used in this podcast, see Alma 39-42 Great Quotes. For C.S. Lewis’ great quote Heaven Works Backwards, go here. For Jedidiah Grant’s vision of the Spirit World, go here. For more detail (and links) regarding the name of Isabel/Jezebel and the geographical name Siron, go here. Michael Ash’s paper The Sin Next to Murder can be read here.

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