First of all, please don’t make the assumption that by promoting the Book of Mormon I am somehow promoting the idea that one should be baptized into the Mormon church. Nothing could be further from the truth. Historically, the Book of Mormon pre-dates the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And while the LDS organization has been a vehicle by which many people have been introduced to the Book of Mormon, it has largely missed out on the opportunity to boldly proclaim the book’s central teachings. The Book of Mormon’s message is independent of the LDS organization. In fact, one could make a strong argument that a student of the Book of Mormon would do well to distance himself from many current LDS teachings in order to understand it correctly, but that’s a post for a later date.
Secondly, I wish to assert that any true believer of the Bible should have no problem believing (and certainly not, at least, investigating) the Book of Mormon. I live in the Bible Belt and I am completely floored by how many people will not open it up and investigate its contents. But I understand why. For many, there is an assumption that an acceptance of the Book of Mormon also means an acceptance of the LDS church’s teachings. Hopefully, I alleviated any concerns stemming from that assumption by what I said in the first paragraph, but, if I didn’t, allow me to share a quote from a book that I have recommended elsewhere on this blog:
Here is a link to an easily readable version of the Book of Mormon. If you have never been invited to read the Book of Mormon, I extend that invitation to you now. If you have been invited to read the Book of Mormon but declined the opportunity to do so, I would like to re-invite you. If you have read the Book of Mormon, I invite you to read it again “as a little child”, for its truths are to only be received by those who humble themselves as little children. Here are some of the main reasons why I think you should:
1. It testifies that Jesus is the Christ and that his atoning sacrifice laid the foundation upon which men may be saved from death and hell.
2. It testifies that all mankind must undergo a change in their natures and be born of God in order to enjoy the blessings of the Spirit of God.
3. It testifies of the doctrine of Christ which consists of faith, repentance, baptism by water, a remission of one’s sins by fire and the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end under the same conditions of heart that brought about the remission of one’s sins in the first place.
4. It testifies that Christ manifests himself to all nations and that by adhering to the doctrine of Christ an individual may obtain a manifestation of Christ for himself while in the flesh.
5. It testifies that an individual “may know the truth of all things” by the power of the Holy Ghost.
6. It testifies that the Lord has made covenants with the house of Israel that he has not forgotten and that he will surely keep.
7. It testifies of the scattering of Israel, that the Lord had his hand in that scattering, and that it (a) was the means by which the gospel of Jesus Christ could be delivered to the Gentiles, and (b) was the means by which the covenants made to the house of Israel could be kept.
8. It testifies of the blessings given to those who obey God’s commandments and who put into practice his teachings.
9. It testifies of the consequences of unrighteousness—that both individuals and societies suffer undesirable consequences (including destruction) as a result of disobedience to the laws instituted by God for the express purpose of obtaining happiness.
10. It testifies of latter-day conditions and events that empower disciples of Christ to be more knowledgeable and more effective servants in his kingdom.
11. It testifies of plans and tactics used by the adversary to bring about the downfall of individuals and nations, and how to recognize these things and overcome them.
12. It testifies, specifically, of the designs of wicked men in positions of societal, legal, economic, religious, military, and governmental power, and how these designs were the cause of the destruction of more than one civilization.
I could list many more.
The Bible testifies of all of these things! I don’t understand how Bible-believing individuals can reject the Book of Mormon (without even reading it, in many cases). Nephi, the first writer in the Book of Mormon, said this:
I testify that the Book of Mormon is scripture. It is an additional witness to all of the truths that I listed above and many more. It is a companion to the Bible. So much of what God is doing in our day has its basis in what God promised to righteous men and women long ago. Anyone who claims that the Bible contains all that we need to know regarding God’s interaction with the human family does not understand the full extents of his mercy, patience, kindness, love, and grace. A reader of the Book of Mormon will receive a confirmation of its truthfulness if he humbly asks God with the intent to act upon the truths contained in it. IT IS SO NEEDED FOR OUR DAY! IT IS SO NEEDED FOR WHAT IS TO COME! I encourage any and all to soberly consider its contents.
Secondly, I wish to assert that any true believer of the Bible should have no problem believing (and certainly not, at least, investigating) the Book of Mormon. I live in the Bible Belt and I am completely floored by how many people will not open it up and investigate its contents. But I understand why. For many, there is an assumption that an acceptance of the Book of Mormon also means an acceptance of the LDS church’s teachings. Hopefully, I alleviated any concerns stemming from that assumption by what I said in the first paragraph, but, if I didn’t, allow me to share a quote from a book that I have recommended elsewhere on this blog:
Though many fear the Book of Mormon, an honest inspection of its contents will dispel any concern. It is a witness of Jesus Christ. It does not contradict the Bible. Believing in it does not require one to be Mormon any more than believing in the Bible requires one to be Catholic. (Seek Ye This Jesus, p 10)
Here is a link to an easily readable version of the Book of Mormon. If you have never been invited to read the Book of Mormon, I extend that invitation to you now. If you have been invited to read the Book of Mormon but declined the opportunity to do so, I would like to re-invite you. If you have read the Book of Mormon, I invite you to read it again “as a little child”, for its truths are to only be received by those who humble themselves as little children. Here are some of the main reasons why I think you should:
1. It testifies that Jesus is the Christ and that his atoning sacrifice laid the foundation upon which men may be saved from death and hell.
2. It testifies that all mankind must undergo a change in their natures and be born of God in order to enjoy the blessings of the Spirit of God.
3. It testifies of the doctrine of Christ which consists of faith, repentance, baptism by water, a remission of one’s sins by fire and the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end under the same conditions of heart that brought about the remission of one’s sins in the first place.
4. It testifies that Christ manifests himself to all nations and that by adhering to the doctrine of Christ an individual may obtain a manifestation of Christ for himself while in the flesh.
5. It testifies that an individual “may know the truth of all things” by the power of the Holy Ghost.
6. It testifies that the Lord has made covenants with the house of Israel that he has not forgotten and that he will surely keep.
7. It testifies of the scattering of Israel, that the Lord had his hand in that scattering, and that it (a) was the means by which the gospel of Jesus Christ could be delivered to the Gentiles, and (b) was the means by which the covenants made to the house of Israel could be kept.
8. It testifies of the blessings given to those who obey God’s commandments and who put into practice his teachings.
9. It testifies of the consequences of unrighteousness—that both individuals and societies suffer undesirable consequences (including destruction) as a result of disobedience to the laws instituted by God for the express purpose of obtaining happiness.
10. It testifies of latter-day conditions and events that empower disciples of Christ to be more knowledgeable and more effective servants in his kingdom.
11. It testifies of plans and tactics used by the adversary to bring about the downfall of individuals and nations, and how to recognize these things and overcome them.
12. It testifies, specifically, of the designs of wicked men in positions of societal, legal, economic, religious, military, and governmental power, and how these designs were the cause of the destruction of more than one civilization.
I could list many more.
The Bible testifies of all of these things! I don’t understand how Bible-believing individuals can reject the Book of Mormon (without even reading it, in many cases). Nephi, the first writer in the Book of Mormon, said this:
And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.
I testify that the Book of Mormon is scripture. It is an additional witness to all of the truths that I listed above and many more. It is a companion to the Bible. So much of what God is doing in our day has its basis in what God promised to righteous men and women long ago. Anyone who claims that the Bible contains all that we need to know regarding God’s interaction with the human family does not understand the full extents of his mercy, patience, kindness, love, and grace. A reader of the Book of Mormon will receive a confirmation of its truthfulness if he humbly asks God with the intent to act upon the truths contained in it. IT IS SO NEEDED FOR OUR DAY! IT IS SO NEEDED FOR WHAT IS TO COME! I encourage any and all to soberly consider its contents.