What Good Have I Done?

Henry B. Eyring of the presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gives four reasons why the Book of Mormon serves as a personal guide.  1. The Book of Mormon gives us the Savior’s example to increase our faith and determination to obey His command to follow Him. The book is filled with the doctrine of Christ to guide us. Here is an example from 2 Nephi: “[Jesus] said unto the children of men: Follow thou me. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? “And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son” ( 2 Nephi 31:10–11 ). 2. The book makes plain that we must receive the Holy Ghost as a baptism of fire to help us stay on the strait and narrow path. We are taught that we must pray always in the name of Christ, not fainting, and that if we do, we have this promise: “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect br...

The negative meaning of condescension is patronizing attitude, haughtiness. In the context of 1 Nephi 11:16 the meaning is completely opposite. In a vision, the prophet Nephi is asked, "Knowest thou the condescension of God?" His response is very profound. "I do not know the meaning of all things," Nephi says. But, I do know that he loves his children (1 Nephi 11:17). The positive meaning of condescension is found in the scriptures, particularly 1 Nephi 11. How does the Savior shows his love for us? (The dictionary uses the words showing affinity, affability for inferiors.) 1 Nephi 11 summarizes the mission of the Savior on the earth, up until his death on the cross (1 Nephi 11: 33). That he would come to earth, give us the gospel, his teachings, and provide us an example are all ways he shows condescension or his love for us. http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_ne/11

Above are two theories about the lands described in Alma 22 in the Book of Mormon ( http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/22 ). 27 And it came to pass that the king sent a proclamation throughout all the land, amongst all his people who were in all his land, who were in all the regions round about, which was bordering even to the sea, on the east and on the west, and which was divided from the land of Zarahemla by a narrow strip of wilderness, which ran from the sea east even to the sea west, and round about on the borders of the seashore, and the borders of the wilderness which was on the north by the land of Zarahemla, through the borders of Manti, by the head of the river Sidon, running from the east towards the west—and thus were the Lamanites and the Nephites divided. 28 Now, the more idle part of the Lamanites lived in the wilderness, and dwelt in tents; and they were spread through the wilderness on the west, in the land of Nephi; yea, and also on the west of the land of Zarahemla...

Teaching of the gospel flourishes when the people of King Lamoni receive their religious liberty. The same principle holds true today. When people have the liberty to worship God according to their own desires, the gospel of Jesus Christ is accepted by many. Alma 21:22 And he also declared unto them that they might have the liberty of worshiping the Lord their God according to their desires, in whatsoever place they were in, if it were in the land which was under the reign of king Lamoni. http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/21

Douglas L. Callister (2007, November, Ensign) spoke about recognizing a testimony when we get one.  He told the story of Heber J. Grant. When the 23-year-old Heber J. Grant was installed as president of the Tooele Stake, he told the Saints he believed the gospel was true. President Joseph F. Smith, a counselor in the First Presidency, inquired, "Heber, you said you believe the gospel with all your heart, … but you did not bear your testimony that you know it is true. Don't you know absolutely that this gospel is true?" Heber answered, "I do not." Joseph F. Smith then turned to John Taylor, the President of the Church, and said, "I am in favor of undoing this afternoon what we did this morning. I do not think any man should preside over a stake who has not a perfect and abiding knowledge of the divinity of this work." President Taylor replied, "Joseph, Joseph, Joseph, [Heber] knows it just as well as you do. The only thing that he does not know...

The heart of the king is softened because Ammon shows love for his son, Lamoni. Ammon and Lamoni meet Lamoni's father (the king of the Lamanites) on the road to Middoni where Ammon's brothers are imprisoned. Lamoni's father orders him to kill Ammon, a Nephite, the traditional enemies of the Lamanites. When Lamoni refuses, his father picks up the sword to kill Ammon, but Ammon resists his blows. When the king sees Ammon could kill him, he promises Ammon anything up to half his kingdom. Alma 20: 26 And when he saw that Ammon had no desire to destroy him, and when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni, he was astonished exceedingly, and said: Because this is all that thou hast desired, that I would release thy brethren, and suffer that my son Lamoni should retain his kingdom, behold, I will grant unto you that my son may retain his kingdom from this time and forever; and I will govern him no more— 27 And I will also grant unto thee that thy brethren may be ca...

"Reverence is the soul of true religion. It's seedbed is sincerity. Its quality is determined by the esteem in which one holds the object of his reverence as evidenced by his behavior toward that object. When that object is God, the genuinely reverent person has a worshipful adoration coupled with a respectful behavior toward him and all that pertains to him. The want of such appreciation or behavior smacks of irreverence. Order is a part of reverence. So is cleanliness of person, of apparel, of speech, of action, and of thought and impulse. So also are courtesy, respect for one another, and kindred virtues. Reverence is a sign of spiritual maturity, strength, and nobility." --Marion G. Romney, "Reverence", Ensign, Oct. 1976, 2

Sometimes we tire of people's pleading and finally give into their requests even when we know it is wrong. An example would be someone nagging about drinking alcohol. They make it sound so attractive and try to persuade us that everyone is doing it. "A little bit won't hurt you," the person says. "This tastes so good." Finally, we get so tired that we take that first drink. The story of Lehonti in the Book of Mormon (Alma 47) illustrates this point. Amalickiah wanted to become king of the Lamanites. First, he had to get control of the Lamanite armies. Lehonti and his army were on the top of a high hill. Amalickiah invited him to come down to meet with him three times. When he saw Lehonti would not come down, Amalickiah sent an emissary to Lehonti saying he would deliver up his army to Lehonti if Lehonti would make him second in command. Lehonti agreed and took his army down in the middle of the night and surrounded Amalickiah's f...

The conversion of King Lamoni and his queen is a testimony of the goodness and love of Jesus Christ.  Lamoni lay for three days in a trance.  During that time he saw visions of the coming of the Savior and was converted to his gospel.  When he awoke, he taught his people and many of them were also converted. Alma 19:33 declares, "their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil." See  http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/19

Ammon is successful in teaching Lamoni because of his great faith in Jesus Christ. Because of his faith, he had the strength to protect the king's flocks and win the respect of the king. Because of his faith, he was able to discern the thoughts of Lamoni say the right words to teach him the gospel. Because of his faith, he was inspired of the Lord. Alma 18:22 says, "Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee." See http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/18

1885 Denver City Directory Hansen, EF, Blksmith, bds., European Hotel 1886 Denver City Directory Hansen, EF, Blksmith, bds., European Hotel Fowler, WF, driver, Street Ry 1887 Denver City Directory Fowler, WF, driver, Street Ry no mention of Elwood F. Hansen, nor under blacksmiths in business directory 1888 Denver City Directory Hansen, Elwood F., blksmith, 957 Santa Fe Av., r 915 7th Av. W Hansen, Frederick W., hay and grain, 811 Santa Fe Av., r. 745 Santa Fe Av. Hansen, Frederick W, Jr, elk, r. 745 Santa Fe Av. Tankersley, E.D. (N.P. Sanders & Co.), 99 Opera House blk. Sanders, NP & Co., (Nathan P Sanders & ED Takersley), real estate, 99 Opera House Blk.r. 1811 Boulder no mention of Chappelle or Fowler family In Business Pages, under blacksmiths Hansen, E.F., 957 Santa Fe av. 1889 Denver City Directory Fowler, Frederick C. (Fowler & Tankersley), r. 8 Anderson Blk Fowler, James M., gripman, Denver Tramway Co., r. 8 Anderson Blk. Fowler & Takersley (F.C. Fowler and E...