Mormon 1-6: Descent into Self-Destruction

Among the beloved musical masterpieces of Christmas, Handel's Messiah stands out for the majesty of its melodies and the power of its lyrics, all of which come directly from Scripture. In this special Christmas episode, we ponder the many names and titles given to Jesus throughout the scriptural lyrics of Handel's Messiah. Like the facets of a diamond, each name and title reflects an aspect of Christ's divine character and mission. Honor Him as mighty God, everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, as we study the many names by which He is known. Merry Christmas!

An in-depth study of Moroni 10, covering Moroni's final exhortations and farewell. This lesson focuses on endings and exhortations, a merciful God, the purpose of the Book of Mormon, Moroni's promise, a God of miracles, a God of gifts, come unto Christ, perfection in Christ, and more.

An in-depth study of Moroni 7-9, covering Mormon's sermon on faith, hope, and charity, and Mormon's letters to Moroni on infant baptism and the depravity of the Nephites and Lamanites. This lesson focuses on the collapse of civilization, obedience to the unenforceable, faithfulness in the face of wickedness, raising children in a wicked world, rhetorical situations, dead works, ultimate hope, sufficient faith in sufficient grace, the gift of charity, and more.

An in-depth study of Moroni 1-6, covering Moroni's instructions regarding the Church. This lesson focuses on why church matters, the Holy Spirit, the priesthood, the Sacrament, Church meetings, remembering and nourishing every member, and more.

An in-depth study of Ether 12-15, covering Moroni's discussion of faith and the ultimate demise of the Jaredite civilization. This lesson focuses on beginnings and endings, faith unto repentance, ultimate hope, trials of faith, the hall of fame, inadequacy, sufficient grace, weakness and strength, charity, cautionary tales, and more.

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.