Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 17

John W. Welch on the meaning of the name Mosiah - April 22, 2004

This week we look at the story of Noah and Abinadi. The following commentary on Mosiah chaps. 8-11 will enhance your study of Lesson 17. In 1965, John Sawyer published an article titled "What was a Mosiac?" He argues that the term mosiah was an ancient Hebrew term, like go'el ("redeemer,...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 16

Jeffrey R. Holland on King Benjamin's Sermon - April 15, 2004

In Lesson 16 we study the response of King Benjamin's people to his council. Read the following commentary from Jeffrey R. Holland, C. Max Caldwell, and Susan Easton Black to enhance your study of this lesson. In the first of the sermons recorded by Mormon (in the Book of Mormon as we now have...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 15

Daniel H. Ludlow on Mosiah 1-3 - April 01, 2004

Lesson 15 discusses King Benjamin's council to his sons and people. Read the following commentary for further insight. MOSIAH 1:1-2 The beginning of Mormon's abridged record Note that the main story in the book of Mosiah is told in the third person rather than in the first...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 14

March 31, 2004

Lesson 14 covers the chapters of Enos, Jarom, Omni, Words of Mormon. Read the following commentary by Victor L. Ludlow to add to your study of these chapters. SCRIBES AND SCRIPTURES (Enos, Jarom, Omni, and the Words of Mormon) This selection of four small books, each only one chapter...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 13

Truman Madsen on the olive tree - March 18, 2004

Lesson 13 covers Zenos's allegory of the olive trees found in Jacob 5-7. Read the following commentary to enhance your study of these chapters. One Jewish legend identifies the tree of life as the olive tree, and with good reason. The olive tree is an evergreen, not a deciduous tree. Its leaves...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 12

March 11, 2004

Enhance your study of Jacob 1-4 by reading the following commentary by George Reynolds and Janne M. Sjodahl. CHAPTER 1 VERSES 1-8 What "I should write upon these plates ." Here the thread of narrative is again broken, to be resumed by Jacob. Fifteen years passed and then Jacob...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 11

March 04, 2004

Lesson 11 teaches Nephi's council to embrace the doctrine of Christ and live by His words. Read the following commentary found in the new book Search These Things Diligently to enhance your study of these chapters. 2 NEPHI 31 2 NEPHI 31:1- 21 Where can we read about "baptism by water,...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 10

February 26, 2004

Supplement your study of 2 Nephi 26-30 with the following commentary from Robert J. Matthews. This and other commentary on the standard works can be found in the series, Studies in Scripture. This article is part of an essay by Robert J. Matthews. To read the essay in its entirety as well as...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 9

February 18, 2004

Lesson 9 explores the prophesies of Isaiah found in the Book of Mormon. Read the following chapter from the new book Unlocking Isaiah in the Book of Mormon by Victor Ludlow to further your study of these chapters. Isaiah in the Book of Mormon I saiah completed his prophetic ministry...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 8

February 12, 2004

Lesson 8 covers 2 Nephi 6-10. The following thoughts by Hugh Nibley relate to Jacob's sermon on the atonement and resurrection in 2 Nephi 9. I n my day, everything was pretty well under control. At best we had a tolerant scientific smile for anything suggesting catastrophism or any dramatic or...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 7

February 06, 2004

Lesson 7 covers, among other things, Lehi's account of a prophecy by Joseph of Egypt about Joseph Smith. Joseph states that "he shall be like unto me." Read the following comparison of the lives of the two Josephs. J oseph's life as a type or prophecy is not limited to the manner in which it...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 6

February 03, 2004

Lesson 6 focuses on the beginning chapters of 2 Nephi, Lehi's last words to his family. The following materials by Elder Dallin H. Oaks and John W. Welch shed light in the topics of free agency and Lehi's last testament. Elder Dallin H. Oaks on Human Agency: F irst, because free agency is a...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 5

January 28, 2004

Lesson 5 covers the journey of Lehi's family to the promised land. The following article considers the account of this journey in light of the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt and discusses the importance of the scriptures in Nephi's account. 1 Nephi 17: A Key to Nephi's Narrative...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 4

Stephen E. Robinson - January 15, 2004

In Lesson 4, we look at Nephi's vision of the future as found in 1 Nephi 12-14. Read the following commentary to enhance your study of these chapters. Stephen E. Robinson on defining the Great and Abominable Church: Perhaps the greatest difficulty in Nephi's description of the great...

Thoughts on Gospel Doctrine Lesson 2

January 08, 2004

This lesson discusses the journey of Lehi and his family from Jerusalem, Nephi's efforts to obtain the brass plates, and the arrival of Ishmael's family in the wilderness. Read the following excerpts to enhance your study of these chapters. Visit lds.org for the teacher's manual. The...

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