Thursday, April 10, 2014

Day 100 - Mosiah 4:16-30

Day 100!

Mosiah 4

 And king Benjamin again opened his mouth and began to speak unto them, saying: My friends and my brethren, my kindred and my people, I would again call your attention, that ye may hear and understand the remainder of my words which I shall speak unto you.
 For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of God at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state—
 I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, theatonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—
 I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.
 And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there isnone other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.
 Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth notcomprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
 10 And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask insincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if youbelieve all these things see that ye do them.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Day 96 - Mosiah 2:8-41

Mosiah 2

“With the exception of the words of Christ himself, no speech in sacred literature, in our opinion, surpasses that of King Benjamin. Delivered at the temple in the city of Zarahemla around 124 BC, this text is a treasure trove in inspiration, wisdom, eloquence, and profound spiritual experience and insight. Little wonder that Mormon saw fit to include this speech as he complied the most significant Nephite records into the Book of Mormon…That oration was a landmark in its own day, and it still stands as a shining beacon of truth and goodness in our day.” (John W. Welch, and Stephen D. Ricks, King Benjamin’s Speech: Made Simple, p. vii)

“Many readers have intuitively sensed the profundity of its message. Elder Bruce R. McConkie found that it contained ‘what well may be the greatest sermon ever delivered on the atonement of Christ the Lord.’ Milton R. Hunter marveled at King Benjamin, observing that ‘perhaps no other teacher except the Master has given a more beautiful, humble sermon.’…

“Memorable oratory is dramatic. ‘Truly great oratory,’ it is said, ‘is the result only of a great occasion.’ The setting timing, and delivery of Benjamin’s speech make it no ordinary, off-the-cuff conversation. His counsel and testimony were delivered in a powerfully dramatic setting that even today attracts the reader’s attention and contributes to its literary effectiveness.” (John W. Welch, King Benjamin’s Speech: Made Simple, pp. 51, 58)

Friday, April 4, 2014

Day 94 - Mosiah 1:15 - 2:8

Mosiah 1:15 - 2:8
And now, it came to pass that Mosiah went and did as his father had commanded him, and proclaimed unto all the people who were in the land of Zarahemla that thereby they might gather themselves together, to go up to the temple to hear the words which his father should speak unto them.