Engaging Gospel Doctrine

Latest Episodes:

392: Gathering and Scattering (Come Follow Me, BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 41) Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

Am I correct in concluding that these chapters fall in that category of scripture that most members read without comprehension? When we think “Isaiah chapters” 2 Nephi comes to mind, but 3 Nephi has its share as well, with some Micah thrown in.

These chapters in brief talk about how in the latter days Israel (including the descendants of the Nephites) will overthrow the Gentiles if they don’t repent. If you noticed that was in the Book of Mormon, well done.

In this lesson we will explore

How we can apply these chapters as individuals and societies–in this scriptural choose your own adventure, are we moving towards Zion or destruction?
The idea of “salvation history” including its presentation in the Book of Mormon
The role of “Israel and Gentiles” in the last days
Conditional prophecies and promises in these chapters
Worship: the sacrament and prayer
The Biblical context of these passages

Join Jessica, Emily, Brian and Michael for a thoughtful discussion.

Reading: 3 Nephi 16; 20-21

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You can access my Lesson Notes here.

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

391: One by One (Come Follow Me BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 40) Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

These chapters of the Book of Mormon contain some of the most moving and tender moments in all of scripture. Jesus heals the sick, one by one. The crowd weeps with joy. Jesus blesses little children and the scene becomes ineffable. Angels minister to the children and Jesus weeps. All take the sacrament and Jesus teaches about prayer and fellowship. The people work all night to bring even more to the place where Jesus will return. Jesus offers a parallel to his “Intercessory Prayer” of John 16 and prays for oneness and purity, and all are united in this spiritual experience.

Class Reading: 3 Nephi 17-19

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You can access my Lesson Notes here.

Jonathan Haidt’s talk on Self Transcendance.

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

390: All Things New (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 39) Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

These chapters give a literal chance to “feast upon the words of Christ” since they consist almost exclusively of Jesus’ teachings. Chapters 12-14 parallel the Sermon on the Mount and focus on issues of the happy life (Beatitudes), discipleship, the relationship of Jesus to the Law of Moses, and proper prayer and fasting. Other points we will focus on include:

The commandment to “be perfect” (the answer is more encouraging that you might expect!)
The relationship between the King James Bible and Book of Mormon

Listen to an engaging discussion with Jennifer, Ali, Carl and KC
Reading: 3 Nephi 12-15

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You can access my Lesson Notes here.

A link to the comparison between Matthew 5-7 and 3 Nephi 12-14 (also in the Lesson Notes)

Many ancient versions of the Golden Rule.

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

389: A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 38) Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

Nephi 11 is one of the most familiar chapters in Mormon scripture, shared by missionaries daily in countless languages. 3 Nephi 11-28 recount the personal ministry of Christ to the Lehites. Some of the most touching and powerful chapters in the Book of Mormon are found in this section.

But before that ministry, there is destruction. Lots of cataclysmic destruction. The combination of devastation, divine pleading, and then personal visitation provide rich material for discussion on the nature of God. Who is the God of the Book of Mormon? What do we make of these passages? Is Jesus the vengeful God paralleling the activity in the Old Testament? Is Jesus the entreating, loving God (in striking imagery of Jesus as mother!). Is the the God who appears personally to each of us one by one? All of these?

This discussion will take center stage, as well as the following additional points.

The life changing power of cataclysmic events
Having a “broken heart and contrite spirit”
Biblical parallels (this will go into high gear next lesson)
Avoiding contention
the “doctrine of Christ”

Reading: 3 Nephi 8-11

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Listen with an open heart and thoughtful mind to the engaging discussion with Amanda, Meredith, and Les

You can access my Lesson Notes here.

Art: Grief, by Jack Yeats

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

388: From Unity to Collapse (BoM Gospel Doctrine Lesson 36) Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

The beginning of 3 Nephi overflows with intense extremes as it describes the decades leading up to the appearance of Jesus to the Lehites. The sign of Jesus’ birth is given; people believe then disbelieve. A protracted war with the Gadianton robbers forces the people to prepare and unite. Society is rebuilt and then collapses. Discussion points will include:

Signs of Jesus’ birth
Lessons from the Gadianton war
Insights from Mormon’s autobiographical aside
What led to the collapse of society?
More comments on the devil
Wickedness and Righteousness at extremes
3 Nephi as a type of the Second Coming
Look forward to discussion with TJ, Chawntelle, Wagner, and Aaron

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Reading: 3 Nephi 1-7

You can access my Lesson Notes here.

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

387: Insiders and Outsiders (Come Follow Me BoM Week 36, Reissued) Sep 03, 2020

Show notes

These chapters are about Samuel the Lamanite posting to his wall (I know, bad joke, but some of us can relate to the stones and arrows). Samuel’s wall top preaching alternates between predictions of destruction, contrasting the Lamanite reaction to the truth, and prophesying concerning the coming of Christ. This lesson and discussion will focus on:

Samuel and intertextuality (the teachings he refers back to and prophecies he points toward)
Steadfastness and firmness
God and destruction
Freedom of choice

Reading: Helaman 13-16

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Prepare yourself for a thought-provoking discussion with Natasha, Amber, and Kenton.

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

386: The Limitations of Human Nature (Come Follow Me BoM Week 35, Reissued) Aug 29, 2020

Show notes

Pretty much everyone is depressed in these chapters. The prophet Nephi and editor Mormon both complain about human nature and the state of wickedness of the people at this time. This is where the Lamanites become more righteous than the Nephites. Highlights will include

Lessons from Lamanite and Nephite reactions to the Gadianton Robbers
Book of Mormon perspective on prosperity
Scriptural portrayals of Satan and God
Nephi receiving the sealing power
The character of human nature

Reading: Helaman 6-12

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You can access my Lesson Notes here.

Resources

Our Buggy Moral Code, Dan Ariely

The Bad Show, RadioLab

The Philosophy and Science of Human Nature

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

385: Aug 24; The Beginning of the End (Come Follow Me BoM 34, Reissued) Aug 22, 2020

Show notes

Even with the impending ministry of Christ among the Nephites, Mormon sees this section as the beginning of the end (Hel. 2:13). Helaman is a dark book with powerful highlights. This is a bad time to be a chief judge, and a bad time for the Nephites. The Nephites expand their territory, but wars divide the land–the Nephites to the north, Lamanites to the south. In this lesson and discussion we will cover:

Lessons from Helaman to his sons
A bright episode in dark chapters–the miraculous ministry of Lehi and Nephi
The beginning of an extreme “pride cycle” and Mormon’s commentary
Mormon’s provocative use of the term “church”
The connection between adversity and sanctification

Reading: Helaman 1-5

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You can access my Lesson Notes here.

Prepare yourself for a thoughtful and heartfelt discussion with Chelsea, Gwenevere, Whitney and Jonathan.

Art: Ave, Caesar! Io, Saturnalia! (1880) by Lawrence Alma-Tadema, with the Praetorian Guard hailing Claudius (veiling himself in a curtain) as the new emperor after the assassination of Caligula.

Hey, it seemed to fit all the king assassinations in these chapters.

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

384.2: Aug 9; Ethics and War (Come Follow Me BoM Week 33, Reissued) Aug 14, 2020

Show notes

The Book of Alma concludes with a bang as we read of wars of multiple fronts and severe internal turmoil and dissent. We can learn a great deal from the behavior of Moroni, Helaman, and their armies. And of course we can’t forget the 2000 stripling warriors and their mothers! There are several embedded letters in these accounts, from which we can draw many lessons. Look for an underappreciated gem in Pahoran’s response to Moroni, which provides a powerful model of interpersonal communication, trust, and conflict resolution.

Reading: Alma 53-63

Look forward to an engaging discussion with Danielle, Jared, Amanda and Jason.

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You can access my Lesson Notes here.

Read an important and plausible interpretation of the Stripling Warriors story by a member of the military here. http://rationalfaiths.com/war/

Engaging Gospel Doctrine is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://engaginggospeldoctrine.org/

383.2: Aug 9; Freedom and War (Come Follow Me BoM Week 32, Reissued) Aug 08, 2020

Show notes

With this lesson we march into the “War chapters” of Alma. Sometimes it seems readers of the Book of Mormon don’t know quite what to do with these twenty odd chapters, but there are many important lessons and intriguing details we can glean.

Reading: Alma 43-52

Highlights of this lesson include:

Important themes about motivation (which are not always so simple as they seem)
Observations about covenants and honor.
We spend time with amazing people (Teancum and above all Moroni)
and one pretty terrible one, Amalickiah
Look for some interesting details about Alma’s family, a reward of close reading “connecting the dots”
Preparation is a key theme
Reflections on coercion and freedom, and the ethics of war

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