It appears that Mormon, the abridger of Nephite history, intentionally framed the story of Alma the elder and his people onto Nephi’s vision of the tree of life using word links and other imagery.

These four words—“Receive the Holy Ghost”—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon.

These quotes have been sitting in my notebook for a while and a recent conversation with a friend brought them back to my attention. What I find remarkable is how nicely they fit together and convey this idea that all…