Recently a listener to the podcast brought this question to a message board: What was going on with the Levites during all these different apostasies? Are they the priests that are willingly sacrificing to false idols? I have read that the Levite lineage has been preserved to some degree inContinue Reading

D&C 129 – Instructions by Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, Feb. 9, 1843 Historical Background When the Prophet first learned these principles contained in D&C 129 is not known. We can be confident, however, that it was some time before this section was recorded. Given that all priesthood and keys restored inContinue Reading

Podcasting certainly expands an audience. Teaching in this format brings so many more people to the discussion, which then lends to more thoughtful questions. We recently had this question from a listener of the podcast: Emily writes: I’d like to learn more about the significance of baptism in the timesContinue Reading

In Mosiah 7.30-32, Limhi talks about the results of his people’s iniquity, one of the results being that they “reap(ed) the east wind” (Mosiah 7.31). What is this east wind that Limhi speaks of? And how did it apply? To me this is an example of Limhi quoting the BrassContinue Reading

“I beheld his sword… the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine, and I saw that the blade thereof was of the most precious steel.” (1 Nephi 4.9) “I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel” (1 Nephi 16.18) For many years critics of Joseph Smith have attacked himContinue Reading

There are basically six passages in the Book of Mormon that deal with “skins” in a way that have racial overtones in the Book of Mormon. They are the following: 1 Nephi 11.13 – Mary, the mother of Jesus, is described as “exceedingly fair and white.” 1 Nephi 13.15 –Continue Reading

A Saint, who is one in deed and in truth, does not look for an immaterial heaven but he expects a heaven with lands, houses, cities, vegetation, rivers, and animals; with thrones, temples, palaces, kings, princes, priests, and angels; with food, raiment, musical instruments, etc; all of which are material. Continue Reading

2 Nephi 5.21 and 3 Nephi 2.14-15 Readers of the Book of Mormon sometimes find passages that can be confusing to the modern mind. Knowing that the Book of Mormon is an ancient document is important in analyzing the text. It is vital that we understand the intent of theContinue Reading

Occasionally I am asked about how the Lord felt about Peter’s denial (see Matthew 26:35-75). While I use the events surrounding Peter’s denial to teach a different lesson, it is good to get apostolic perspective. I include President Kimball’s remarks concerning these events for those who have continued questions regardingContinue Reading