For Our Day

Mormon’s account of the heartbreaking martyrdom of Christian men, women, and children in Ammonihah serves as a sobering reminder of the ongoing reality of Christian persecution in our world today. How can we draw strength from the examples of courageous brothers and sisters who have laid down their lives for Jesus Christ? Did Mormon intend to draw a parallel between the martyrs of Ammonihah and modern-day believers who face oppression in Communist regimes and other nations hostile to Christianity? Have prophets foretold future persecution in America? Explore these questions, watch powerful film clips, and be inspired by the faith-filled stories of modern disciples in this For Our Day lesson. View the list of recommended movies and books on our website: https://josephsmithfoundation.org/for-our-day-lesson-26-martyrs-in-ammonihah-modern-christian-persecution/ [https://josephsmithfoundation.org/for-our-day-lesson-26-martyrs-in-ammonihah-modern-christian-persecution/] Follow the Joseph Smith Foundation: https://www.instagram.com/josephsmithfoundation [https://www.instagram.com/josephsmithfoundation] https://www.facebook.com/JosephSmithFoundation [https://www.facebook.com/JosephSmithFoundation] Host: L. Hannah Stoddard https://josephsmithfoundation.org/l-hannah-stoddard/ [https://josephsmithfoundation.org/l-hannah-stoddard/]

The Book of Mormon points out in Alma 10 that the foundation of the Nephite destruction was “laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers and your judges.” (Alma 10:27) How does this apply to our day, or does it? To find additional resources, visit the For Our Day website! https://josephsmithfoundation.org/for-our-day-lesson-25-corrupt-lawyers-judges-silencing-the-christians/ [https://josephsmithfoundation.org/for-our-day-lesson-25-corrupt-lawyers-judges-silencing-the-christians/] Follow the Joseph Smith Foundation: https://www.instagram.com/josephsmithfoundation [https://www.instagram.com/josephsmithfoundation] https://www.facebook.com/JosephSmithFoundation [https://www.facebook.com/JosephSmithFoundation] Host: L. Hannah Stoddard https://josephsmithfoundation.org/l-hannah-stoddard/ [https://josephsmithfoundation.org/l-hannah-stoddard/]

What does scripture say about the latter-day Nephite remnant?  Doctrine and Covenants 3:16-17 reveals that Latter-day Nephites, Jacobites, Josephites, and Zoramites will come to know Jesus Christ through the testimony "of their fathers." Do the great heroes of the Book of Mormon—Mormon, Moroni, Nephi, Captain Moroni, Abinadi, and others—have posterity alive today? In this presentation, James and Hannah Stoddard walk through a small portion of the scriptural case for a worldwide Nephite remnant. Could Nephite descendants be found in North and South America, Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and more? Special thanks to the FIRM Foundation for giving us permission to post this video from their September 2020 Book of Mormon Evidence conference!

Since the beginning of the Restoration, Latter-day prophets have spoken boldly against fallen and carnal aspects of our society, culture, and personal lives. The 20th century saw a rejection of many of these teachings and, in the words of Ezra Taft Benson, a lesser portion of the word was given. Are we prepared to learn of and remember these forgotten teachings?  The Nephite church also struggled with pride and prophetic rejection. Rather than a dead form of religion, Alma taught the Nephites that we must truly be born again to overcome the effects of the Fall and the natural man. After being born of the Spirit, we must be continually renewed and progressively changed until we become like Jesus Christ and receive His image in our countenance. Regeneration through the Atonement and the Spirit of the Lord is the very heart of the Gospel for active members and all others.  What have prophets taught us to change? Are we ready to accept redemption? The answers are simpler than we think!

As the Nephite Church grew and prospered, a segment of members began struggling with pride, vanity, and contention. Alma abandoned his political office—recognizing that preaching the word of God was the only solution to cause an awakening. Likewise, during the early days of the Church, leaders began to be afraid that many of the pioneers had become spiritually asleep. Learn the story of the "Mormon Reformation" and how Alma and latter-day prophets tackled the challenge of restoring purity among their saints.