Unshaken Saints

An in-depth study of Ether 6-11, covering the arrival of the Jaredites in the Promised Land, and the succession of kings over the people. This lesson focuses on shining stones, redemptive turbulence, praise despite of darkness, honoring agency, secret combinations, eliminating evil, ambition and greed, rejecting prophets, and more. Article on the Jaredite Migration: William Harold DeVaney, "Buoyed by Faith: The Jared Migration," Cumorah - The Journal of Book of Mormon Geography (Salt Lake City: FACT Press, 2018), 192-245. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1puu8pFKEwZBR13neqvIPcnvuXv0oLSVB/view?usp=sharing

An in-depth study of Ether 1-5, covering the journey of the Jaredites from the Tower of Babel to the Promised Land, including the brother of Jared's vision of the Lord. This lesson focuses on a message to the Gentiles, persistence in prayer, rest stops and camping grounds, tight like unto a dish, perilous journeys, the Lord's light, faith and knowledge, pragmatic epistemology, and more.

An in-depth study of Mormon 7-9, covering Mormon's final farewell and Moroni's first farewell. This lesson focuses on conclusions and clarifications, true identity, peacemakers needed, the Bible and Book of Mormon, solitude and sorrow, inadequacy and imperfection, plates vs. record, latter-day description, breaking the 4th wall, skepticism and pride, faith and doubt, and more.

An in-depth study of Mormon 1-6, covering the ministry (both military and prophetic) of Mormon. This lesson focuses on holding onto our potential, stiff-arming God, shutting our mouth, godly sorrow, a limited Title of Liberty, losing faith and hope, Mormon's "pivot," a dying wish, softening our stance, the power of the word, sorrowing over sin, self-destruction, and more.

An in-depth study of 3 Nephi 27-4 Nephi 1, covering the conclusion of Christ's ministry among the Nephites and the "mini-Millennium" that followed, including its ultimate demise. This lesson focuses on linking our identity to Jesus, shifting from Church to Gospel, moving up and down the 4th Article of Faith, Jacob's Ladder, fearing others' opinions, message to the Gentiles, Zion and Armageddon, descent toward destruction, and more.

An in-depth study of 3 Nephi 20-26, covering the continuation of Christ's ministry among the Nephites, particularly His teachings on the Gathering of Israel. This lesson focuses on the Sacrament, the Gathering, the threshingfloor, the "family business," the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the Father's "go-time," confirming scripture, and more.

An in-depth study of 3 Nephi 17-19, covering Christ's "extended" first day among the Nephites, healing the sick, blessing the children, and teaching about prayer, the sacrament, and gathering. This lesson focuses on "pre-enacting" the Gathering, perceiving need, caring for caregivers, circles of holiness, a God who "groans," sacred prayer, balancing the worth of souls and the sanctity of the sacraments, bringing people to Jesus, what Gethsemane could have been, and more.

An in-depth study of 3 Nephi 12-16, covering Christ's Sermon at the Temple, His explanation of the Gospel's fulfillment of the Law, and His ministry to "other sheep." This lesson focuses on horizontal and vertical testimonies, shining before "this people," the first and second great commandments, the easiest way to chastity, perfecting motives, not being overanxious, perfecting judgment, constancy and change, other other sheep, gathering Israel, entering the covenant, and more.

An in-depth study of 3 Nephi 8-11, covering the signs of Christ's death, the voice of the Lord from heaven, and the coming of Christ among the Nephites. This lesson focuses on life without Christ, darkness and light, repentance, the devil's laughter, the new sacrifice, the mother hen, but ye would not, Christ's self-understanding, eliminating contention, the doctrine of Christ, and more.

An in-depth study of 3 Nephi 1-7, covering the sign of Christ's birth and its aftermath. This lesson focuses on the departure of exemplars, Easter at Christmas, the rising generation, the 3 shelves, moving up and down the 4th Article of Faith, self-deception, reverse siege warfare, parasites vs. producers, a preview of Armageddon, educational inequalities, tribalism, and more.

An in-depth study of Helaman 13-16, covering the ministry of Samuel the Lamanite. This lesson focuses on walls and barriers, true and false prophets, gratitude, repentance, the purpose of signs, prophecies of Christ, and more.

An in-depth study of Helaman 7-12, covering the later ministry of Nephi, son of Helaman. This lesson focuses on prayer, submission, prophets, the Johari Window, the sealing power, unwearyingness, the pride cycle, and more.

An in-depth study of Helaman 1-6, covering the rise of the Gadianton robbers and the ministries of Nephi and Lehi, the sons of Helaman. This lesson focuses on the War in Heaven, secret combinations, the pride cycle, the rock of the Redeemer, darkness and light, and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 53-63, covering the second half of the Book of Mormon's so-called "War Chapters." This lesson focuses on the stripling warriors, keeping covenants differently, fight or flight, the rhetoric of Moroni and Ammoron, the walking wounded, the correspondence between Moroni and Pahoran, and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 43-52, recounting the wars between Captain Moroni and both Zarahemnah and Amalickiah. This lesson focuses on the dangers of dissension, the power of a noble cause, the Title of Liberty, Just War theory, preparation, prophets, "poison by degrees," and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 39-42, recounting Alma's teachings to his wayward son Corianton. This lesson focuses on first sins vs. worst sins, chastity, repentance, beliefs and behaviors, the resurrection and Spirit World, restoration through the Law of the Harvest, justice and mercy, the Goldilocks Zone, and more. Link to Deseret Book course on improving scripture study: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCmB7Fm5GlgOj3T-7mE6pJStgFvbpFYga

An in-depth study of Alma 36-38, recounting Alma's teachings to his sons Helaman and Shiblon. This lesson focuses on real repentance, godly sorrow, the agony of sin, the joy of forgiveness, sugarcoating, longing for God, passing on the plates, the power of the word, pride, proving contraries, strengths and weaknesses, and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 32-35, recounting the preaching of Alma and Amulek to the Zoramite poor. This lesson focuses on the difference between compulsion and choice, humility, knowledge vs. faith, the experiment on the word, religious epistemology, testimony vs. taste, reversing the Fall, planting the seed, God's mercy because of His Son, the "great question," math or love, sufficient grace, and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 30-31, recounting the preaching of Korihor and the Zoramites upon the Rameumptom. This lesson focuses on targeting the Atonement, anti-religious rhetoric, irrationality and authoritarianism, rationalizing sin, the argument from design, sign-seeking, the sense of superiority, trying the virtue of the word of God, the gifts of the Spirit, and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 23-29, recounting the aftermath of the missions of the sons of Mosiah among the Lamanites. This lesson focuses on reverse engineering a lifelong convert, laying down the weapons of our rebellion, granting repentance, "all we can do," erasing sin, maintaining higher moral ground, anticipatory obedience, praise or pride, glorying in God, bringing thousands, forbidding slavery, suffering because of others, divine contentment, and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 17-22. This lesson focuses on the missions of the sons of Mosiah among the Lamanites, fellowservants, gaining trust, gathering lost sheep, Creation/Fall/Atonement, Pascal's conversion, Abish and Lamoni's queen, prioritizing mission companions, coming to know God, and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 13-16. This lesson focuses on Alma and Amulek's mission to Ammonihah, foreordination, foreshadowings of Christ, a preparatory redemption, equality of opportunity vs. equality of outcome, anticipating the coming of Christ, true repentance, divine restraint, martyrdom, the conversion of Zeezrom, being brought into God's house, and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 8-12. This lesson focuses on Alma's mission to Ammonihah, his companionship with Amulek, persuasion vs. authority, being true to our spiritual experiences, appealing to the better self, remembering, inviting God into our homes, types of questions, lawyercraft, the resurrection as bad news, the plan of redemption, taking the long way around, and more.

An in-depth study of Alma 5-7. This lesson focuses on Alma's discourses in the cities of Zarahemla and Gideon, bringing about the mighty change of heart, being born again, having Christ's image engraven in our countenances, singing the song of redeeming love, being stripped of pride, teaching with passion, plainness, and permission; the infinite atonement, perfect empathy, and more.

An in-depth study of Mosiah 29 to Alma 4. This lesson focuses on leading as judges instead of kings, honoring agency, Alma and Nehor, priesthood vs. priestcraft, easy beliefs, the Amlicites, mark vs. curse, and more.

An in-depth study of Mosiah 25-28. This lesson focuses on truly seeing each other, hearing one another's stories, becoming one, Church disclipine, the upper limit of forgiveness, the conversion of Alma and the sons of Mosiah, spreading change, and more.

An in-depth study of Mosiah 18-24. This lesson focuses on why we need the Church, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of discipleship, finding out what people have against, the pulpit vs. the pew, suggesting change, coming home, and more.

An in-depth study of Mosiah 11-17. This lesson focuses on filling the guilt gap with grace, questioning God and His prophets, rationalization, a teaching tangent, publishing peace, the suffering Servant, Condescension & Incarnation, Christ's dual nature, and more.

An in-depth study of Mosiah 7-10. This lesson focuses on Hansen's Law, getting into trouble, inquiring after the lost, preparing for the rescue, reasons people leave, seer stones, spiritual sight, overzealousness, and more.

An in-depth study of Mosiah 4-6. This lesson focuses on applying the Atonement, being in remission, the goodness of God, the pit & the pedestal, question marks &exclamation points, the Infinite & the Intimate, giving generously, perpetual progress, children of Christ, staying changed, and more.

An in-depth study of Mosiah 1-3. This lesson focuses on Benjamin's backstory, the power of the word, the gift of grace, the two ledgers, the Atonement of Christ, the Savior's dual nature, and more.

An in-depth study of the Book of Enos. This lesson focuses on what it might have been like to be raised by a parent like Jacob, the return of the prodigal, nurture and admonition, wrestling before God, soul hunger, sweeping guilt away, and more.

Part 2 of a 2-part study of Jacob 5-7 (this part will cover chapters 6-7). This lesson focuses on choosing life, quenching the Spirit, facing Sherem, anti-religious rhetoric, becoming unshaken, sign-seeking, Jacob's adieu, and more. 0:00 Introduction 0:56 Choosing Life 8:20 Quenchable Spirit or Unquenchable Fire 16:10 Facing Sherem 24:10 Anti-Religious Rhetoric 31:15 Becoming Unshaken 39:56 Attacking the Doctrine of Christ 54:36 Sign-Seeking 1:00:11 Deathbed Confession 1:10:09 Jacob's Adieu 1:21:44 Conclusion

Part 1 of a 2-part study of Jacob 5-7 (this part will cover chapter 5). This lesson focuses on Zenos, Olive trees, the 4 senses of scripture, the 4-Act play, grieving over the tree, grafting and scattering, planting in poor spots, the Lehite branch, the Great Apostasy, roots & branches, the Mother Tree, clearing away the bad, laboring in the vineyard, and more. 0:00 Introduction 4:19 Zenos's Allegory of the Olive Tree 9:46 The 4 Senses of Scripture 18:38 The House of Israel as a Tame Olive Tree 27:09 History in the Allegory - the 4-Act Play 30:04 Act 1 - Grieving over a Dying Tree 43:31 Grafting & Scattering Branches 50:05 Act 2 - Checking on the Trees 1:00:07 Planting in Poor Spots 1:10:48 The Lehite Branch 1:19:34 Act 3 - Apostasy 1:29:43 Branches Overcoming Roots 1:41:06 What Could I Have Done More 1:59:10 Gathered to the Mother Tree 2:10:14 Laboring for the Last Time 2:16:35 Clearing Away the Bad 2:20:25 Laboring with the Lord of the Vineyard 2:28:06 The Final Harvest

Part 2 of a 2-part study of Jacob 1-4 (this part will cover chapters 3-4). This lesson focuses on comfort for victims, confronting prejudice, looking up to the Lamanites, passing down your sins, unshaken faith, unsearchable depths, things as they really are, looking beyond the mark, and more. 0:00 Introduction 0:47 Comfort for Victims 12:51 Confronting Prejudice 22:55 Looking Up to the Lamanites 31:33 Not Passing Down Your Sins 36:54 Recording their Witness 45:56 Unshaken Faith in His Amazing Grace 51:39 The Unsearchable Depths of God 57:35 Things As They Really Are 1:01:15 Looking Beyond the Mark 1:07:27 Building on the Rejected Stone 1:15:57 Conclusion

Part 1 of a 2-part study of Jacob 1-4 (this part will cover chapters 1-2). This lesson focuses on Jacob's background, passing down the plates, prioritizing, faith and great anxiety, viewing the death of Christ, dichotomizing and demonizing, the 3 great sins, hard conversations, materialism & pride, problems with polygamy, and more. 0:00 Introduction 1:24 Biographical Background 8:05 Passing Down the Plates 18:10 Prioritizing 23:06 Faith & Great Anxiety 32:03 Believe in Christ & View His Death 47:56 Succeeding Nephi 51:19 Dichotomize & Demonize 54:35 The 3 Great Sins 1:02:21 Free of the People's Blood 1:08:07 Having the Hard Conversations 1:28:23 Materialism & Pride 1:38:21 Before Ye Seek for Riches 1:49:06 Unity & Equality 1:52:08 Problems with Polygamy 2:23:42 Broken Hearts & Lost Confidence

An Easter message linking the days of Holy Week to the elements of the Doctrine of Christ. 0:00 Introduction 2:57 Elevating Easter 5:48 Easter & the Doctrine of Christ 8:26 The Gospel in the Book of Mormon 13:29 Christ's Part in the Gospel 24:08 Palm Sunday's Faith 26:20 Monday's Repentance 28:36 Tuesday's Teachings 33:18 Wednesday's Rest 37:20 Thursday's Baptism & Holy Ghost 41:33 Friday's Endurance to the End 43:38 Saturday's Work for the Dead 46:48 Easter Sunday's New Beginning 50:42 The Doctrine of Christ in 2 Nephi 31 55:57 Conclusion

Part 2 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 31-33 (this part will cover chapters 32-33). This lesson focuses on lingering questions, feasting upon the word, the Spirit's guidance, consecrating our performance, writing in weakness, means & ends, Nephi's farewell, and more. 0:00 Introduction 0:53 Lingering Questions 6:07 Feast Upon the Words of Christ 23:15 Guided by the Holy Ghost 28:43 Learning from the Savior 34:19 Praying to Consecrate Every Act 41:49 Writing in Weakness, Speaking in Strength 47:21 Consecrating Our Efforts to Others 54:15 Glory & Charity 59:52 Means & Ends 1:05:10 Nephi's Farewell 1:13:31 Conclusion

Part 1 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 31-33 (this part will cover chapter 31). This lesson focuses on the Doctrine of Christ, divine truth in human language, fulfilling all righteousness, the 4th Article of Faith, the Right Way, enduring to the end, pressing forward, and more. 0:00 Introduction to Nephi's Farewell 5:24 The Doctrine of Christ 10:52 Divine Truth in Human Language 15:34 Baptized to Fulfill All Righteousness 24:25 The 4th Article of Faith 37:42 The Right Path in the Right Way 42:45 Enduring to the End 49:56 Entering the Gate 57:28 Pressing Forward 1:04:01 No Other Way

Part 2 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 26-30 (this part will cover chapters 28-30). This lesson focuses on contending churches, problems of pride, lullabies & pacifiers, line upon line, trusting in the arm of flesh, additional scripture, more nations than one, Jews & Gentiles, Millennial peace, and more. 0:00 Introduction 2:43 Contending Churches 10:12 The Problems of Pride 20:12 Lullabies & Pacifiers 27:39 Line Upon Line 32:53 Trusting in the Arm of Flesh 40:10 A Bible! A Bible! 48:25 Jewish-Born Salvation 58:49 More Nations than One 1:13:09 Gathered in One 1:18:35 Jews & Gentiles as Covenant People 1:27:43 Gathered & Restored to Millennial Peace 1:33:53 Conclusion

Part 1 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 26-30 (this part will cover chapters 26-27). This lesson focuses on avoiding the apocalypse, a striving Spirit, speaking from the dust, flaxen cords, priestcraft, radical inclusivity, a sealed book, the learned and the unlearned, a God of miracles, and more. 0:00 Introduction to Nephi's Ending 9:47 Preview of 3 Nephi 17:36 Avoiding Apocalypse 23:04 A Striving Spirit 27:14 Speaking from the Dust 38:45 Pride Spinning Flaxen Cords 43:29 Everything for the World's Benefit 50:56 Priestcraft 1:00:38 All Are Alike Unto God 1:07:54 Fighting Against Zion 1:17:17 A Sealed Book 1:30:36 The Learned & the Unlearned 1:44:10 A God of Miracles 1:49:35 A Marvelous Work and a Wonder

Part 2 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 20-25 (this part will cover chapter 25). This lesson focuses on understanding Isaiah, Nephi's plain prophecy, no other Messiah, saved by grace, all we can do, works of reconciliation, the deadness of the law, the right way, and more. 0:00 Introduction 0:37 Understanding Isaiah 15:24 Nephi's Plain Prophecy 24:12 No Other Messiah 33:45 Recording the Role of Christ 42:16 Grace After All We Can Do 53:45 The Works of Reconciliation 1:07:27 The Deadness of the Law 1:20:05 Focused Solely on Christ 1:28:25 The Right Way 1:33:14 Conclusion

Part 1 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 20-25 (this part will cover chapters 20-24). This lesson focuses on social sins, Assyria's "I" problem, the boastful ax, stems & stumps, the lion & the lamb, the destruction of Babylon, laughing at Lucifer, redeeming Zion, and more. 0:00 Introduction 3:34 Back to Isaiah 15:08 The Isaiah Chapters as a Whole 20:54 Punished for Social Sins 27:47 Assyria's "I" Problem 36:20 The Boastful Ax & Prideful Saw 45:39 Returning to the Mighty God 52:51 Stems & Stumps 1:09:42 The Lion & the Lamb 1:16:31 As the Waters Cover the Sea 1:24:09 My Strength & My Song 1:29:36 The Destruction of Babylon 1:45:45 Mocking the Enemy 1:54:41 Laughing at Lucifer 2:03:57 Redeeming Zion

Part 2 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 11-19 (this part will cover chapters 16-19). This lesson focuses on the Heavenly Throne, the call of a prophet; ears, eyes, and hearts; a great forsaking, a remnant shall return, a virgin shall conceive, bees and razors, soft streams or rushing rivers, a Great Light, unto us a Child is born, stretched out still, and more. 0:00 Introduction 2:41 The Heavenly Throne 8:44 The Call of a Prophet 14:22 Ears, Eyes, & Heart 27:52 A Great Forsaking 31:49 A Remnant Shall Return 46:35 A Virgin Shall Conceive 57:14 Bees & Razors 1:05:20 Destruction is Imminent 1:10:43 Soft Streams or Rushing Rivers 1:15:17 Trust the Lord, Not the Arm of Flesh 1:24:36 Seeing a Great Light 1:27:40 Unto Us a Child Is Born 1:34:22 Stretched Out Still 1:44:11 Conclusion

Part 1 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 11-19 (this part will cover chapters 11-15). This lesson focuses on 1st, 2nd, 3rd Isaiah, justice before mercy, 3 witnesses, dual delights, keys to understanding Isaiah, the mountain of the Lord, worldliness & pride, social sins, the Daughters of Zion, shelter in the storm, an army on the move, and more. 0:00 Introduction to the Isaiah Chapters 5:23 1st, 2nd, 3rd Isaiah 10:03 Justice Before Mercy 14:41 Motivation, Quotation, Explanation 17:08 The Three Witnesses 21:36 Dual Delights 31:04 5 Keys to Isaiah 46:04 3 Original Chapters 48:26 The Mountain of the Lord 56:09 Worldliness, Idolatry, Pride 1:08:32 None to Provide, None to Lead 1:13:43 Social Sins, Neglecting the Poor 1:20:30 Materialism & the Daughters of Zion 1:31:27 Washing Away the Filth 1:35:32 Shelter in the Storm 1:40:20 The Lord's Beloved Vineyard 1:47:52 Woes upon Israel 1:58:40 An Army on the Move

Part 2 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 6-10 (this part will cover chapters 9-10). This lesson focuses on Book of Mormon contraries, scattering & gathering, death & resurrection, the Infinite Atonement, the awful monster, O's and Woes, being spiritually minded, the keeper of the gate, naming Christ, reconciliation, and more. 0:00 Introduction 0:41 Book of Mormon Contraries 3:26 Scattering & Gathering, Death & Resurrection 11:50 Merciful Plan & Infinite Atonement 18:30 Overcoming the Awful Monster 26:38 The Way of Deliverance 37:24 Resurrection & Restoration 50:57 Woes to the Wicked 56:13 Vainness, Frailty, & Foolishness 59:56 Spiritually-Minded 1:06:01 The Keeper of the Gate 1:15:35 Holding Onto Our Sins 1:24:18 Come and Buy 1:32:32 Naming Christ 1:41:22 Choosing the Lord 1:48:33 Reconciled by Works, Saved by Grace 1:58:06 Conclusion

Part 1 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 6-10 (this part will cover chapters 6-8). This lesson focuses on fusing Old and New Testaments, a second scattering, pastoral perfectionism, likening Isaiah, carried on the shoulders, feeling forsaken, no one home, sparks & sorrow, worth the wait, giving God a pep talk, and more. 0:00 Introduction 2:40 Fusing Old & New Testaments 8:08 A Second Scattering 13:28 Pastoral Perfectionism 17:31 Likening Isaiah 22:46 Carried on the Shoulders 27:51 The 1st & 2nd Coming of Christ 34:52 Feeling Forsaken 39:16 When Daddy Comes Home 46:11 Sparks & Sorrow or the Light of the World 52:02 Worth the Wait 58:30 Giving God a Pep Talk 1:04:27 Children Coming to Help 1:12:15 Strengthening Zion

Part 2 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 3-5 (this part will cover chapter 5). This lesson focuses on a God who speaks to prophets, the manner of happiness, Nephi's temple, the Lamanite curse, a "skin of blackness," scourged unto destruction, and more. 0:00 Introduction 0:37 A God Who Speaks to Prophets 7:38 The Manner of Happiness 11:29 Nephi's Temple 18:50 The Lamanite Curse 27:39 A Skin of Blackness 40:00 White, Fair, Delightsome 48:42 Scourged unto Destruction 55:37 Conclusion

Part 1 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 3-5 (this part will cover chapters 3-4). This lesson focuses on Joseph in Egypt, Joseph Smith, the Bible and the Book of Mormon, restoring us, being sure, raising children, the death of Lehi, the Psalm of Nephi, depression and rejoicing, and more. 0:00 Introduction 3:06 Joseph of Lehi & Joseph of Egypt 10:26 Joseph Smith 16:09 Bible & Book of Mormon 24:14 Restoring Us to God 27:31 Confounding Joseph's Enemies 32:43 I Am Sure 37:15 Crying from the Dust 45:04 Raising Children Right 55:13 The Death of Lehi 1:01:33 The Psalm of Nephi 1:08:30 O Wretched Man that I Am 1:16:37 Depression & Rejoicing 1:27:30 Encircled in the Robes of Righteousness

Part 2 of a 2-part study of 2 Nephi 1-2 (this part will cover chapter 2). This lesson focuses on Jacob's anxieties, consecrating affliction, the Redeemer's righteousness, salvation is free, scrupulosity, agency & the Plan of Salvation, instruction, opposition, education, enticements, time to repent, free to choose, and more. 0:00 Introduction 1:33 Jacob's Anxieties 9:18 Validating & Consecrating Affliction 14:55 The Righteousness of the Redeemer 26:11 Salvation Is Free 31:47 Scrupulosity 36:17 Agency & the Plan of Salvation 39:54 Instructed in the Law 45:56 Education & Redemption 51:02 Opposition in All Things 56:19 Arguing to the Absurd 1:05:51 Enticements & Lucifer's Fall 1:10:57 Time to Repent 1:15:13 Fall & Atonement 1:20:45 Free to Choose 1:28:28 The Elements of Agency 1:36:59 Conclusion