Gospel Cogitations

Two weeks ago I posted some scriptural passages that I formatted to easily be used in somewhat of a more theater-like approach to family scripture study ( Feb 4, 2018 ).  I have since learned that this can be called " Reader's Theater ."  This week in my study, I read Alma 43 and 44 , the first real battle we hear about where Captain Moroni was in charge.  I was again inspired to create some Reader's Theater from these chapters.  Also, since last time, I had a request to format the Garden of Eden experience of Adam and Even in the same manner.  This was a little trickier to do, but I hope the end result is somewhat useful.  Captain Moroni vs Zarahemnah  (Alma 44) The Garden of Eden Story  (Moses 2-5 ish) Note: you must read these out loud! :) Enjoy your scripture study.  If anyone else has ideas of what to turn into "Reader's Theater," please send those ideas my direction. P.S. There is an old seminary video production of Captain Moroni

A few months ago, I wrote about some of Nephi's noteworthy characteristics ( Oct 8, 2017 ).  Someone in my ward today mentioned Nephi in his sacrament meeting talk, and it inspired me to write some more about this important person in Book of Mormon history.  There are many important principles that can be learned from the story of how he got the plates.  Today I would like to discuss two of them. The pattern Nephi followed in his obtaining the brass plates from Laban can be an allegory for our lives.  When they first went to get the plates, Laman just walked up to Laban and asked for the plates.  Sometimes we are like Laman and simply expect things to be given to us if we ask.  A modern example of this is Oliver Cowdery.  He was given the opportunity to translate the Book of Mormon, but failed to do so.  Afterwards, the Lord told him why: "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me. But

Recently in my study of the Book of Mormon I read Alma chapter 30.  In this chapter, Alma, the high priest of the Nephites, faces off against Korihor, an influential anti-Christ.  This time in my reading through of the Book of Mormon I have been reading it out loud.  It was quite engaging reading the different parts of the chapter.  I started to kind of take on the mannerisms I thought Alma and Korihor might have.  I thought, "more people should do this kind of thing because it's so much fun." Then I remembered that there is a study suggestion in Preach My Gospel very similar to what I had been doing.  In the back of Chapter 5  there is an activity that says to read Alma 11-14 with one companion acting as Alma/Amulek, and the other companion as the detractors.  "Why can't this apply to more scripture passages?" I thought.  It is somewhat difficult to find sections of dialogue that will be engaging for people to read, since most of scripture is either na