Monday Morning LDS Religion Class

This is an age old question: Does God send pain and/or death to correct or teach us? Lets look at how prophets such as Mormon and Joseph Smith believed. Look in Helaman 12

Joseph Smith restored to the world a view of a God with deep and tender passions. A God who weeps and wants his children--all of the them--home. This Nephi and Enoch both came to understand in serving their people.

Much of mortality consists of loving as a transaction: We love so that we get something in return. This is how we think in mortality. And yet, to become like God, we must learn to love even those who will give nothing in return. How did the prophets do it?

President Nelson has call Latter Day Saints to build Bridges of Understanding. How is that possible given our relative small size. And yet, we are.

Over the span of the Book of Mormon, prophetic understanding grew and evolved. That growth changed how they saw salvation and God's ability to heal his children.

Over time, Nephites prophets asked questions and received answers that grew their understanding of the Plan of Salvation. That growth runs in parallel with the faith journey many Latter Day Saints follow as they confront what they really believe.

In this episode, we look at a broader definition of sin as any action that separates from the nature of God. And what we do about that.

When Israel was attacked by terrorists, the cycle of violence it creates duplicates a similar round in Nephite History. Events are repeating themselves.

The Book of Mormon is a study in the art of conflict: how to chose between Fight and Flight. The young "stripling" warriors hold the key.

Captain Moroni had a distinct approach to dissenters. So did Joseph Smith. How do we help change the nature of another without alienating them?

History is messy. People of the scriptures were flawed and doing the best they could. Seeing them struggle and prevail should give us hope in our lives.

There has always been tension between Judging (or condemning) and Judging Righteously, which Christians are called to do. Does the parable of the Prodigal Son offer insights?

The long religious of Israel is one of bondage followed by deliverance, then back into bondage once again. Back and forth. Its also the story of our mortal existence. Alma seizes on these themes to teach us how to prosper.

If we are not careful, the words of the Savior can be used as a sword to hurt and divide. It can also be used to justify destructive behavior.

God so loves the world. He calls us to love it as well. Traditionally, as a church, we have been 'in the bunker' to avoid traditional persecution. We are now be calling to reach out join the larger community, and bring our gifts with us.

Those inside the church and outside talk around each other. Inside, the discussion is about authority and keys; outside the talk is about the ethics of leaders and the organization. Alma and Korihor addressed these very issues in Alma 30.

An "eye for an eye' simply returns hurt for hurt. And doesn't solve the pain of trauma. How does forgiveness do that instead?

In Alma 24, we discover the Rebellion Cycle; how hearts become rebellious. Also, how does God reclaim us?

Many have left the church due to a crisis of faith. How do help these people? Isn't it first about relationships? And how do we do that?

The Anti-Nephi-Lehi's never fell away. Remarkable! How did that happen? Can it be duplicated?

In this episode we will examine those spinoffs of Alma's church. They did some pretty inventive twisting of the basic doctrines

Ammon is the perfect Christ figure, who found a way to turn doubts into great love, perhaps the greatest love in the Book of Mormon

When we endeavor to change someone, we are walking on sacred ground. How do we do that? When should we do it?

When I study, am I prepared to be wrong? Alma and the Sons of Mosiah were men of 'sound understanding' but had to change what they believe. Could we do the same thing?

In this special edition, we talk about the great misunderstanding we have had in our tradition to under estimate the patience and love of God. Its not about sin, its about transformation!

The history of Israel has always centered on the cycle of deliverance and bondage, followed by a rescue from a 'stretched out' hand. But why wasn't Amulek's family as lucky? And why not yours?

Alma and Amulek were forced to watch the murder of good people to make a point. The Nehors in the Book of Mormon give us twisted reasons to commit an atrocity. And leave us many questions.

The Sadducees kept asking: how Roman can I be and still be Jewish! Alma runs into a similar belief system in the Book of Mormon with the Nehors. Join us for the tragic story of destructive beliefs.

Words change over time. The word "Redeemer" is one of those. Those in the Old Testament used it differently than we do today. Join us as we see it from a different, even more merciful place.

In Alma Chapter 5, he lays out the conditions for the "Mighty Change of Heart". This change, he says, leads us back into God's presence. What does that look like? How can we tell?

Am I striving for salvation or for transformation? What is the difference? In this episode we look at the difference between the Christian concept of Salvation and the great plan of Transformation as revealed by Joseph Smith

We have all seen people we love walk away from the church. The Book of Mormon would seem to condemn those who have left. But is that was Jesus revealed to prophets over the centuries? Lets look at why there is great reason to hope.

Much of the nativity story is bound in tradition and legion. What do we know about where and when Jesus was born? Actually alot. Join us for this fun trip through history.

Alot has been said about curses and marks among the Lamanites. What did that mean. And what are current prophets saying about it.

How do you get a freedom-loving band of Christians to give up their agency and follow a guy wanting to restrict their freedom? Nehor gives a perfect marketing plan of just how to do that. Frightening!

Those who reconstruct their faith often go through recognizable stages. Helping and loving throughout is the challenge. How do we find the ability to harmonize with those who struggle?

The Nephites saw their 'rising generation' separate themselves into non-believers. The current church is seeing the same problem. What role did the 'traditions of the fathers' play in keeping or losing the younger Nephites?

How free are we to act according to our concept of 'free' agency? What determines the choices we make? Throughout Mosiah, Alma struggles with bondage: his own personal bondage and that of his people under King Noah.

Alma has the difficult task of bringing a Christ community to a people steeped in the Law of Moses. How does he do that? And where did he get the authority to do it?

The story of Abinadi and King Noah is really a story of Moses and delivery from bondage. Noah and his people are very Old Testament. They will filter any new information through that particular lens. Watch how Abinadi pierces that view to teach them about Christ.

The Law was a system of rituals and performances. Lose sight of its purpose and we do the right things for all the wrong reasons. Could we do the same thing to the Gospel of Christ?

The People of King Limhi were in bondage and suffering. They believed it was due, in part, to overzealousness. Is that a malady we can suffer with as well?

The great and sweeping coronation speech, given by King Benjamin, sets the tone for the rest of the Book of Mormon. It is important to see the Old Testament context for his remarks and his transition to New Testament understandings..

Inside the small book of Omni lies a great story: one we do not have. The great exodus of Nephites under Mosiah was lost when the 116 pages were stolen from Martin Harris. But we have important clues that something great happened. with apologies, the recording ended early after 27 Min

In the Allegory of the Olive Tree, we find both an olive tree and a vineyard. Both produce fruit. But the roots of the tree appear to have a disease and the fruit is in danger. How far does the Master go to save it? And us?

Jacob 5 is one of the great and enduring pieces of scripture. Jacob, in Chapter 4, explains in detail the lengths God will go to rescue his people from their own blindness.

Why did Jesus need to be baptized? Why were a Law of Moses people performing baptisms in the first place? What did they think they were doing? In his final address, what did Nephi want his people to know?

Father Lehi explains that men are sufficiently instructed to avoid sin and chose righteousness. And yet most in life have never been instructed about the Savior and even fewer understand Him. Are they consigned to an endless Hell? Jacob has the answers in his great sermon in 2 Nephi 9 and 10.

What is the opposite of the Atonement? If the great Atonement was to reconcile mankind with our heavenly parents, then separation brings pain for all parties involved. In 2 Nephi 5, Nephi is very clear about the dangers of separating ourselves from those things that bring us closer to heaven.

In 2 Nephi 4 we have one of the most poetic passages in the Book of Mormon: the great psalm of Nephi. Coming shortly after his father's death, Nephi pours out the struggle he has with the powerful things he's seen contrasted with the anger he harbors towards his brothers. What emerges is deeply tied to Isaiah and the prophet Zenos.