With the publication of the Joseph Smith Papers, we can better understand the history of the Book of Abraham and thereby gain greater faith in it. The Pearl of Great Price is perhaps the least-mentioned book in the Latter-day Saint canon. We know that some parts of the book are… Continue reading
From Peter’s example, we can learn how to strengthen our testimonies of the Savior. Peter is an apostle we hear a lot about— he walked on water with Jesus Christ, cut off a Roman soldier’s ear, and became the lead Apostle after Christ’s death. He is a great example of… Continue reading
The Book of Mormon includes details and principles of war that would have been impossible for young Joseph Smith to make up. Although the Book of Mormon was published by Joseph Smith, a young man with little education and no war experience, it is remarkably accurate in its portrayal of… Continue reading
If you don’t think of Genesis 1–2 when you read Alma 32, you’re missing powerful Creation imagery that emphasizes fundamental Christian teachings. The sermon on faith in Alma 32 is among the most iconic passages found in the Book of Mormon. In it we read that God’s word is a seed… Continue reading
Archaeological digs have uncovered mosaics and prayers suggesting Samson as an important messianic prototype in ancient Galilee. Samson of the Old Testament is revered for his strength and wit in his endeavors to deliver Israel from the Philistines. But his affair with Delilah made the biblical judge a controversial character,… Continue reading
While parables can simplify confusing doctrine, the parables themselves have complex layers that require the reader’s full attention in order to grasp the full doctrine. Jesus’s parables are practically magic; through them, we can see ourselves in almost every character, apply them to current situations, and understand complex doctrine. The Savior’s parables are an almost… Continue reading
Modern science continues to affirm the blessings of following the Word of Wisdom. In his Ensign article, “A Principle with Promises,” G. Craig Kiser discusses the counsel given in Doctrine and Covenants 89 with an insightful approach to the Word of Wisdom. Not surprisingly, there is scientific evidence to support the… Continue reading
Joseph Smith didn’t write much about how he protected the gold plates, but some people close to him left records of what really happened. Many people are familiar with the account of the appearance of the angel Moroni in Joseph Smith’s bedroom on the evening of September 21, 1823. It… Continue reading
Though translating with a seer stone may seem odd, what matters most is that the Book of Mormon was translated by the power of God. Never-before-seen pictures of Joseph Smith’s first seer stone are found in “Joseph the Seer” in the October 2015 Ensign and Liahona. Assistant Church Historian Richard… Continue reading
Discover which book in the Pearl of Great Price was translated from ancient papyri found in Thebes, Egypt. Discovering Mummies In the late eighteenth century, Napoleon Bonaparte’s escapades sparked new interest in the exploration of Egyptian antiquities. Italian explorer Antonio Lebolo uncovered a large cache of mummies and papyri near Thebes,… Continue reading
