Understanding

In 2 Nephi 31:3 we read

For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding

How? The answer is found in several other Book of Mormon passages.
1 Nephi 15:7-10

Behold, we cannot understand the words which our father hath spoken…And I said unto them: Have ye inquired of the Lord? And they said unto me: We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us. Behold, I said unto them… How is it that ye will perish, because of the hardness of your hearts

2 Nephi 32:4

now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not

Mosiah 13:32

they did not all understand the law; and this because of the hardness of their hearts

Mosiah 26:3

because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.

Alma 33:20

But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts.

Mosiah 12:27

Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise.

Mosiah 3:15

they hardened their hearts, and understood not

3 Nephi 19:33

their hearts were open and they did understand

Mosiah 2:9

open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand

Alma 32:28

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed…ye will begin to say within yourselves… it beginneth to enlighten my understanding

Rameumpton as symbol of pride

In Alma 31, Alma is among the Zoramites and observes their peculiar way of worship, in which they enter the "holy stand", Rameumpton, to say a strange prayer. In verse 13, Rameumptom is described as

• elevated above everybody else
• only admitting one person.

This seems to represent the pride signifying their corrupted religion. There is only space for the 'natural man' and he is elevated above everyone else.

Christ has taught and set an example of the polar opposite in our true worship.

Matthew 20:27

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant

The coherence of Moroni 7

Last time I read Moroni 7 was a real eye-opener for me. This is Moroni writing down what he heard his father, Mormon, preach. I used to think of this sermon as twofold: The first part talking about the light of Christ and distinguishing good from evil, the second part talking about faith, hope and charity. I didn't really think there was a connection between the two. But then I noticed the transitional verses and a curious expression there repeated several times (in bold):

19 Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ.

20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?

21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.

I realized that Mormon's entire sermon in Moroni 7 is describing a process:

1. Recognize what is good
2. Lay hold upon it through faith, hope and charity

What is good? Whatever persuades to believe in Christ (v.16). Why does faith, hope and charity help us lay hold upon it? Because faith is centered in Christ (v.25), our hope is in Christ (v.41) and charity is the pure love of Christ (v.47). This chapter made so much more sense after this realization and has caused me to reflect on how I can use faith, hope and charity to "lay hold upon every good thing".