3 Nephi 16

Verses 1-5: Gathering of Israel

What does this teach me about the atonement ?

We know nothing of the full extent of the souls Christ atoned for. Even so, He desires unity and love among them all. He has many branches dispersed so that if one is cut off by apostasy, adopting traditions that preclude faith, He may start afresh to plant seeds of faith among a new "crop". The goal is salvation and eternal life for His precious, beloved children, whatever their heritage and locale. 

Lesson for me?

*Remember Christ's love for His children everywhere. Pray for the missionary effort across the globe (and even in the next life!) and for your own missionary opportunities. 

Verses 5-20: Jews, Gentiles & the Latter Days

What does this reveal about the atonement? 

The atonement imparted the redeeming power for Christ to save and gather His people. Thanks to Him, they'll receive all the grace and saving knowledge they're open to accepting.  Christ has felt the weight and consequences of every sin He enumerates here. When one society rejects Him, He begins again with another. His endeavor is tireless and fueled by compassion. Thanks to Him, repentance is always available to us.

The same lessons from the first part of the chapter echo through the rest as well. Christ has different "strains" of people for the purposes of gospel dispersal and "germination", but in the end, all of His covenant children are "one fold", the House of Israel.

Lesson for me?

*You are His covenant daughter, and your persistence in that covenant, and your commitment to glorifying the Father by carrying out His will does more good than you can know or even imagine at this time. You are and will be an instrument of salvation affecting generations of His children. Remember the grandeur of the plan you're a part of.

3 Nephi 15

Verses 1-10
The Law of Moses

What do these verses reveal about the atonement?

Jesus says, "I am the law, and the light," and it's true, because Jesus provided the law in order to point the people toward the atonement, THE sacrifice. The law taught people principles of justice and mercy and vicarious sacrifice, and helped them to order their lives around them. Now the Savior takes His place as the apex of their lives, just where He needs to be in order to save them. A beautiful thing.

Lesson for me?
*"Look unto me and endure to the end". Keep in the covenant with Christ. Trust in Him and rely on Him.

Verses 11-24:
Other Sheep
What do these verses reveal about the atonement?
One fold. One Shepherd. One way. The atonement gave Christ the power and authority to save and gather His people. Like a gardener, He has nurtured new strains of His people when branches became corrupt and helped them begin anew in purity. Thus the "other sheep".

Lesson for me?
*The Lord is in His vineyard. Have faith in Him. Be a light to those around you. The Lord was sometimes cautious about disclosing information, and in some interactions it's appropriate for you to be as well. Be wise.

3 Nephi 14, Verses 13-27

Verses 13-14: Strait and Narrow

Once again, Christ knows how broad the path of destruction is, having felt the turmoil of every soul who walked that path. (I know that He said these same words in His mortal life, prior to the atonement, but I still can't help but feel that there's something to this, and that somehow He had access to that knowledge even then. There's so much I don't understand.)  

Few find the path, the way "which leadeth unto life (a continuation of life)?"

If Christ is indeed saying that the majority of people won't find Him (the way), it increases my gratitude to Him for being willing to perform the atonement for the few who would accept it. Such a generous act. I believe also that the strait gate and narrow way is meant to point to Himself- to focus attention on the singularity of His person as the one way to be saved. He's like the single vortex of the spiritual universe. He absorbed all evil and thus became the portal for all light and goodness. He is the way, the truth and the light.

Lesson for me?

*Remember this image you've found and keep your eye single to His infinite glory.

Verses 15-20: Fruits

Beware of false prophets, wolves in sheep's clothing, manipulators trying to appear noble. Look at what they've done with their lives. By their fruits ye shall know them.

What does this passage reveal about the atonement?

The Savior felt the full force of every evil act, including the insidious ways evil often masquerades as good.  He wanted to offer some guidance to prevent suffering.  He also wanted us to have a gauge of our righteousness- to know that worship alone does not make us His- but the acts of doing good and keeping His commandments.

Lesson for me?

*Stay strong in your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and keep their will paramount. Remember, all the while, that any and all injustice is known and settled by our all-wise, all-knowing and all loving Godhead. No need to fret about being taken advantage of. Just do what you can as directed by the Spirit. Be not afraid, only believe.

Verses 21-27: Obedience

What does this section teach me about the atonement? 

Our Savior makes the point that discipleship must encompass the heart as well as outward actions.  Anyone trying to appear worthy, with secret contentious thoughts, would not find heaven heavenly at all (to borrow a Brad Wilcox turn of phrase).  We must not only do that which makes us feel and/or appear good or important, but whatever the Father's will is- even when it conflicts with ours. Only he or she who has voluntarily paid the uttermost farthing in carrying out the will of the Father will truly know and trust Christ and the Father enough to want to make a home in their presence.  Christ's "Depart from me," will seem a mercy.

Christ and His atonement is the only source of power in the universe solid enough for us to build a foundation on.  He is our single source of strength and power.  Everything else will erode and falter.  He provided us the key to eternal life- an eternity of the best life has to offer.  He truly is, as Moroni writes, "every good thing," for every good thing is subject to Him and in alliance with Him and on "His team".  That is why turning from Him and doing anything other than what He asks amounts to building a house on the sand.  This metaphor has never felt more resonant before now.

Lesson for me?

*As you do all in your power to work the Lord's program and build confidence before Him, you have no reason to despair or fear or feel sorry for yourself.  Every toilsome act will bear some kind of beautiful fruit in the end. You are building on THE ROCK.

3 Nephi 14, Verses 1-12

Verses 1-5: Judge Not

What do these teachings of Christ reveal about the atonement?

The Savior knows that judgment can be antithetical to repentance and can dam our progress. He has felt, and knows, how pain can compound as we attempt to avoid it by shifting the blame to others.  As we do so, we add to our suffering needless loads of resentment, anger and self-pity.  He has felt all of this. He wants to save us from suffering. He also wants us to know, that even in cases where others have truly sinned against us and caused us to suffer, that His atonement removed the need for us to resent and blame. It was out of love for us, and love and deference  to His father, that He performed the atonement, and the same love causes Him to command us not to contend by judging and blaming, but to repent of our other sins. How else can we progress?

Lesson for me?

*When you approach resentment, remember the Savior's atoning sacrifice and His desire and power for it to effectively remove resentment and blame. Let thoughts of it soften your heart.

Verse 6:

This is one I don't understand so well. Having just instructed is not to judge, the Savior then asks us to compare certain people to "dogs" and "swine" and unworthy of "holiness" and "pearls". Keeping in mind the Savior's offering of love, and knowing thereby, that everything He commands us is meant to save us from vain and fruitless suffering, why would He say this? And what does it reveal about the atonement? Dogs and pigs are not evil necessarily, but ignorant and unprepared to benefit from gospel knowledge or fine things of great value. The Savior knows and loves people like this.  He knows that some people are better off not hearing what they're unprepared to hear, and that His disciples' efforts are better spent in a more fertile field.  We can love these people, but with the Spirit as our guide, it may be clear that they are not ready to bear the gospel light. The Savior felt the pain of everyone who has "cast their pearls before swine," and seen the resultant needless hurt and destruction and wants to prevent it where possible.

Lesson for me?

*Do not dismiss people out of hand, but stay open and try to listen as the Spirit invites or dissuades you to share the gospel.

Verses 7-11:

Ask, Seek and Knock

The Savior wants us to build a relationship of trust with Him and His Father- not to just passively receive gifts, but to enter into a dialogue of asking, seeing the question/need fulfilled, and acknowledging receipt, all the while increasing in confidence and gratitude before the Lord.  This process prepares us for grateful reception of the greatest gift, the Atonement. Asking the multitude to draw upon their own parental affection helps the people to begin to fathom the great love of the Father & Christ, and encourages them to trust in their benevolence.

Verse 12:

Golden Rule

Jesus asks the people to live a higher law. He knows that the best way to promote peace and reduce pain is to ask people to really search their hearts and act from love. 

"Would I wish to be treated that way?"

Jesus atoned for every unholy and hurtful act that occurs when people neglect that law.

"This is the law and the prophets," meaning... prophets preach repentance- they point to Christ.  Living the golden rule is continual repentance- continual turning from harm to healing. I'm just hazarding an explanation as to why Christ seems to be saying that the golden rule encompasses the gospel. It makes teachers and philosophers of us all, as we compare our acts against our experiences of being acted upon- beyond following a rote command.  Later, He pronounces that He is the law. He embodies the golden rule. The golden rule is the fruit of His bitter experience- a loving plea that such suffering might not proliferate among His children.  "Please. Please don't do to one another that which would hurt you- which has already hurt me. Such should be done away." 

But why is it "the law and the prophets"? What else am I missing? Law is truth. Prophets are the servants of truth- the mouthpieces of God- and what higher truth could we possibly be subject to- what greater knowledge than to know and feel the experience of another to be as real as your own? And not only as real, but as valuable, as important? This is the law of the celestial spheres- the multiplicity of joy- THE LAW.  It's what Christ feels for us and what we must feel for every soul.

Lesson for me?

*Read the preceding often and remember the feeling that came with it.  Allow it to humble you and to change you. 

3 Nephi 13

Verses 1-6

Not calling attention to your "righteous deeds"

Here, the Savior lovingly tries to prevent us from losing our way due to vanity and pride. The atonement had to cover these sins as well.  Which way do you face?  We want our lights to shine, and for others to see our good works and glorify Father in Heaven.  That is the key.  The problem with trying to gain glory of men, is that what men value is not always good.  We will lose our footing in the shifting sands of popular opinion.  But as we seek, as the Savior did, to glorify the Father, we'll be on stable ground. 

Lesson for me?

*Keep focusing on the atonement, and trying, in gratitude, to further Christ's mission.  When thoughts of impressing, or fears of displeasing, others arise, just redirect your thoughts back to glorifying God and Christ. Remember that the Savior loves them and you.

Verses 7-15: 

Prayer

The Savior teaches the Nephites not to get caught up in the sound of their own voice, but to use a simple form of prayer full of praise, submission and supplication.  This prayer teaches humility and promotes peace. It characterizes the Savior's attitude in performing the atonement: "Thy will be done," "Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever".  Promotion of peace comes through this all important line, "as we forgive our debtors".  This has everything to do with Christ's atonement- His sacrifice made possible our escape from resentment and justice- seeking- as He fulfilled the demands of justice.  Knowing that Christ suffered all, and yet was innocent of all, helps us let go of our grudges. This doctrine is so beautiful.

*When you feel self-pity, injustice, resentment or bitterness, remember the Savior: suffering the Father's will, asking the Father's forgiveness, on the cross, for those who "know not what they do," and inviting the whole multitude, one by one, to examine and verify the marks of his execution- his sacrifice. 

Verses 16-18: Fasting (Refer to verses 1-6- not calling attention to your "righteous deeds"- same principle.) Don't look for security in the opinions of others.

Verses 19-24: Treasures and Light

Christ invites us to put out emphasis on eternity as He has. He has suffered to provide us eternity's riches. The idea of us wasting our strength in worthless ends pains Him on our behalf.  He wants the best for us. I've never fully understood these next verses about the light in he eye. Let's see what comes to me. The eye is used to symbolize attention or focus. Makes sense. If you place your  entire focus on Christ and His light, it will radiate your whole being. But HOW GREAT is the contrast if you place your focus elsewhere! I see a relationship now between verses 19-21 and verses 22-24.  They are all about where we place our emphasis/attention: that which endures versus that which fails and corrodes.  Christ has experienced ALL PAIN and has full, harrowing knowledge of its sources. Everything He says is calculated to save us from needless suffering.

*Trust Christ and believe His message. Don't invest your emotional energy in the transitory any more than necessary. Emphasize that which endures and heartache will usually be fleeting. "Mammon" refers to wealth or possessions with a debasing influence.  You can't fully serve God if your true emphasis is on wealth.

Verses 25-34: Putting Your Life in the Hands of God

What do these words of the Savior teach me about the atonement?

Here, the Savior is asking us to remember the power that Christ acquired through the atonement- the enabling power He has to bless our lives, which is called grace. He does not ask us not to labor, but rather never to doubt His power to save us both temporally and spiritually.  He's telling us, "Look at the glory of the lilies of the field- look how they are cared for. So will you be, my child, as you trust in me. By subjecting himself to all, while maintaining his integrity, He subjected all nature to Him. All life is in His hands. We are His grandest creations- blessed with a will- which He tenderly invites us to lay at His feet- and to always be cared for.

*As you remain in the covenant, acknowledge your weakness and try to repent, grace will go with you and everything will work out. Never doubt His power to save you both temporally and spiritually. 

3 Nephi 12

Verses 1-2: Jesus announces the calling and authority of the Twelve and repeats the importance of baptism. 

What does this teach me about the atonement?

The atonement made it possible for all of us to overcome sin through repentance. By atoning for us, Christ could truly invite people to follow Him, and even impart to them authority to act in His name. He truly purchased their authority and could not be more worthy of it.  Now, through His servants' repentance, service and devotion, the saving work of the gospel can spread with exponential impact.

Verses 3-16

Christ teaches the beatitudes, similar to Matthew 5.  

What does this section teach me about the atonement? 

As I read these verses now, I see all of the described, projected blessings as beautiful results of Christ's atoning sacrifice.  Because of what He did, those who mourn can be comforted. Because of what He did, the Holy Ghost can bless the repentant. Because of His atonement, anyone who is persecuted for his discipleship can be saved and rewarded. Because of the atonement, we can repent and change, and truly be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of this people," and our good works can glorify the Father just as the Savior did. HE CHANGED EVERYTHING.

Lesson for me?

*When you are discouraged, remember the power the Savior unleashed through His supernal act of love. Because of this you can cling to hope, cling to Him, and try again.

Verses 17-20

Christ speaks of the law, His fulfillment of it, and salvation.

What does this teach me about the atonement?

By performing the atonement, He did not invalidate the law- just the opposite! He made it possible for the law to have its full weight of justice by bearing it Himself, and loaning the benefits to those who acknowledge Him. As we confess our sins, they are absorbed by Christ's love, and the law still stands, while we stand with Christ. We are required to keep the commandments, and sincere repentance, in concert with the atonement's power, makes commandment keepers of those who fall short.

Lesson for me?

*Christ has not removed my necessity to strive to keep the commandments. He has removed the need for despair and helped me to keep striving. KBO

Verses 21-26

Directions regarding interactions with others.

What does this teach me about the atonement?

Christ is taking prior commandments to a deeper, more personal level for the people.  Through the atonement, Christ felt all of the hurt feelings people experience in their interactions and relationships.  He knew personally and experientially that "Thou shalt not kill" had to be expanded upon- that any intent to hurt can be sin which we must guard against as His followers.

Lesson for me?

*Remember that whenever you become hurtful you are hurting your Savior.  Be so careful with the feelings of others. His oneness with His children means that their pain is His.

Verses 27-32

Adultery and marriage

What does this section teach me about the atonement?

Again, clarifying and expanding the commandment.  Christ experienced the private and lonely hell of every sex and porn addict, every sex offender.  He very plainly knows that it's better to deny certain urges than to cast oneself into the self made, joyless hell of ever more blunted feelings.  Christ also speaks of the importance of preserving the sacredness of the marriage covenant.  He knows the pain and disorder resulting from its corruption.

Lesson for me?

*Deny yourself any unchaste thoughts and focus on the sacred.  Think of your marriage and intimate life as a holy institution. 

Verses 33-37 swearing and oaths 

I've never understood this very well, but He seems to say that it's better to simply answer yes or no than to ornament your speech with dramatic oaths.  Christ atoned for every ill effect of every unwise speech.  He knows the power of words.

Lesson for me?

Be very conscious in your speech that you are honest, sincere and not inflicting harm.

Verses 38-48

Turn the other cheek, love your enemies, etc.

Jesus teaches principles of peace, love, submissiveness and compassion.  He is able to absorb violence, heartache and contention, and transform them to love, through love.  He invites us to practice the same principles.  He gives us a higher standard for which to strive, one that will have us continually looking to Him and seeking His grace to assist us.  His voluntary agonies for our salvation certainly earned Him the right to ask us to suffer small inconveniences for the sake of His other children (and our own progression).  This entire section describes the very nature of our Savior's atoning sacrifice.  He did all the things He's describing. His atonement turned the other cheek, went the extra mile, gave away His cloak, loved His enemies and made His sun to rise on the evil and the good. In short, He gave all to the "undeserving". 

Lesson for me?

*I want to say, "let go of all notions of 'deserving' and go and do as the Savior directs". In parenting, though, I must exercise judgment. It is often unwise to do for children what they can and should do for themselves.  How do I sort this out? I must make sure my labors are supporting a good outcome/ that they are directed toward righteous, saving and constructive ends. Not always easy to discern. How can I direct and encourage them to good? It's rather how the Lord works with me- aligning and upholding and celebrating every movement toward the light and not participating in darkness, all the while going the extra mile in trying to lead an exemplary life. KBO!

I must be so gentle with their feelings and not cut them down for the sake of feeling powerful or superior- act from love- this does not preclude criticism and even hurt feelings- just uncalled for selfishness. He said in verse 48 that He wants perfection. He'll see me through the process. 

3 Nephi 11

Verses 1-7

The voice of the Father introduces His son.

Interestingly, they felt the voice of the Father "pierce them to the very soul", but they could not understand until they actively tuned in. The voice spoke 3 times and not until the third time when they opened their ears to hear it, and their eyes were towards the sound thereof, and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, did they understand the words.  With the atonement of Christ and salvation, it is the same. The gaining of knowledge (the spiritual knowledge that fuels our progression) runs two ways: Christ teaches through the Spirit and we receive, but far from passively. 

Lesson for me?

*I must earnestly engage every faculty available to me, to seek to receive and understand this knowledge.

Verses 8-12

Christ descends, introduces Himself, and the people acknowledge Him.

Christ announces that He has glorified the Father in taking upon Him the sins of the world.

How did Christ's atonement glorify the Father? Moses 1:39 says that the Father's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Given that the atonement is the only way to accomplish this, He has undoubtedly glorified the Father and "suffered His will" by helping to fulfill His mission. Jesus is announcing here His perfect obedience to His Father. 

Lesson for me?

*Trust- as Jesus did. Don't "rational lies" away a poor choice because a better one feels inconvenient, uncomfortable or difficult.  Press forward in your Savior's footsteps, partaking in whatever bitter cups mark the path.  Don't swerve away from them. That is self-inflicted damnation/stagnation.  This is not to say seek out difficulties, but rather seek out opportunities to glorify the Father and partake of any attendant difficulties, knowing that it will all be worth it.

Verses 13-17

Multitude invited to examine Christ's death wounds. They do so, and praise Him.

Book of Mormon scholars have estimated that approximately 2,500 people were present at that time.  And yet the Savior offered each and all the opportunity to see and feel the evidences of His sacrifice for themselves.  This speaks to the very personal and individual nature of the atonement.  It's as if He has a moment with each person as they examine His wounds in which His heart tells theirs: "I went through this for you because I love you". "I did this for you because I love you more than I love my own body".

Lesson for me?

*Remember the image of the Savior patiently interacting with each member of the crowd. You are one of them. You are His covenant daughter.  He atoned to save you. Remember His love.  

Verses 18-27 

The Savior calls Nephi and others, giving them power to baptize and teaching them how.

The act of baptism can point our minds to the atonement because it gives baptism its power.  Baptism could not cleanse us without it.  The Lord imparts His cleansing authority to His servants on earth (to multiply His work as well as to further His servants along the path of gaining all that He hath.

Why are all three members of the Godhead named aloud during the ordinance of baptism?

As Jesus goes on to mention, they are all three one.  So what's the purpose of mentioning them all? Perhaps this emphasizes the unity the three persons have achieved, and invites us to strive for the same degree of unity with our brothers and sisters in the gospel (newly gained through the baptismal covenant)? It also points to the limitless power now supporting us on our path of discipleship- all are one, and all are an indispensable part of the lifelong spiritual maturation that baptism begins.

So by undergoing the atonement, the Savior not only glorified the Father, but the Holy Spirit as well, given that they are one in mission.

Lesson for me?

*It is a beautiful and encouraging thing to learn of the direct link of the Savior to gospel ordinances and priesthood authority. Remember how the Savior bestowed this authority directly and how He instructed the procedure of baptism. Believe that these procedures are an inseparable part of His saving work.  Remember the power of these covenants as well as your temple covenants. These are the very bones of your salvation.

Verses 28-30

The Savior makes clear that we should accept His authority and not argue with one another about how to proceed with the ordinance of baptism or other points of doctrine. It is the devil who stirs up the hearts of men to contend with anger one against another.

What does this section teach me about the atonement?

The atonement is meant to ameliorate all of the destructive, divisive, alienating work of the devil- all warfare- including that of the heart. (We know some warfare to be righteous, but that implies evil to war against, so it still applies.) The atonement conquered all of this by love (I am in tears as I write this.)

The most beautiful act in the history of the universe- the creative act of an artist: turning disparate elements toward a unified whole.

What is the lesson for me?

*Summer, generally speaking, when you feel enmity, annoyance, separateness, pride, any self-pity that accuses others, anger, resentment, probably fear as well (the list could go on), then you may know that the devil is "even now hard at your heels 😏", attached to you like an awful, invisible, life-sucking parasite- worse than a parasite because it works at your Spirit. At these moments, plead for deliverance from your enemy and to be once again enfolded in the arms of the Savior's love- the love which unifies, constructs and creates, whereas the devil divides, conquers and destroys.

Verses 31-41

Christ declares His doctrine: repentance and baptism.

What does this teach me about the atonement?

It's very simple, really. We acknowledge our belief in Him through baptism: a symbolic cleansing and rebirth. Then, we just keep repenting and believing. This entire program centers around the atonement: the only means for purification- the cleansing of all sin for whoever chooses to lay claim on it- the very paving stones on our path to Godhood- a path which, without the atonement would cease to exist.

What lesson for me?

*In addition to repentance and baptism, the Savior declares more than once the injunction to "become as a little child". 

What does this really mean for me?

I believe it means that I must stay open to learning. I need to take the attitude of a beginner in all things spiritual. I must remain teachable rather than damning myself by resisting instruction.  This childlike openness is essential to repentance. Without it, I may not see my error and my need to repent.

3 Nephi 10

1-6: Astonished silence, followed by more words of Christ

His beautiful speech points out what loving acts He has done for them, what He would have done for them if they had allowed it, and what He still plans to do for them if they repent.

The atonement gave the Savior the power to gather us under His wings as His chickens. It's a beautiful metaphor because it implies parenthood- which equates to raising  us up to be and to have everything He is and has. Without the atonement, we could never be worthy of that. We would be  condemned to stay outside His presence, unable to progress and hopelessly fallen.

*Remember the image of Christ as a hen gathering her chickens under her wings.  Cherish this image especially during times of pain or loneliness, as it reveals His desire to love, save and protect you. You can find comfort in this image.

7-14: Christ speaks of desolation and people are reminded of their loss.  The earth quiets and morning breaks.  The despair of those present turns to joy.

I see beautiful symbolism in this.  The very earth itself was healed and restored to light at His arrival.  That is the very effect of His atonement on humanity. The potential for global healing and light.

The desolation He spoke of was only a natural consequence of people turning from His light.

Lesson for me?

*Please remember that at any moment you repent and actively receive the Savior, your mourning and weeping can be turned into joy, and your Lamentations into praise. Your world, so to speak, can "cleave together again"  in your mind, and you can find healing and peace. This can happen as many times as you need it to.  The Savior will not give up on you if you do not give up on Him. 

Verses 14-19

These events are happening according to prophecy. Christ has always attempted to make His presence known to His beloved children- to warn them, to help them understand, to save them. Prophets have heeded His call through the ages and attempted to help people see events in terms of the great Plan of Salvation. Now the words of prophets are being verified as the atoning Lord appears.  Having performed His infinite, atoning, saving work, He made it His mission to publicize it, so that all His children could look to it, and Him, and be saved. The only means of true knowledge of Him is through the Spirit- communicating from one heart to another.

Lesson for me?

*All truth can be circumscribed into one great whole.  In this section, readers are asked to search the scriptures to verify these events against what prophets have already said.  Keep in mind how the Lord has structured His church and the pattern of revelation He established.  Look to the prophets, especially the current one, and feel the Spirit as he speaks.  

My New Blog

At the risk of "doing my alms to be seen of men," i.e., letting my scripture study become "playing to the crowd (not that I expect one)," I'm sharing my personal scripture study notes.

My hope is that someone can find some benefit or inspiration, as I have. You won't find doctrinal precision, but you will find sincere efforts at understanding and a genuine focus on the Savior.

With each chunk of Book of Mormon narrative, I've tried to ask, "What does this teach me about the atonement?" and then, "What's the lesson for me right now?" and really take time to arrive at the answers. I've been rewarded with some precious realizations.

I begin with the appearance of the Savior, but will come around to every chapter in the Book of Mormon. You may be surprised, as I was, to see just how present the Savior and His mission are, in every chapter, if you really look.