I have never paid a lot of attention to the Introduction and Witness section of the Book of Mormon. I always just opened it and turned to 1 Nephi and began to read. This week I had the opportunity to spend time studying these first sections and I loved them. Here are some of the main points that I learned.
- The Book of Mormon is "written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation."
- The Book of Mormon was written to convince the Jews and Gentiles that "Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself until all nations."
Nephi is a great example to me. He followed the Lord's commandments and instructions without fight, questioning, and was always willing do the the Lord's work. The Book of Mormon is written by many of our olden day prophets. Many of those prophet taught to the Jews and Gentiles about the Lord and the great things to come one day. I love the fact that the Book of Mormon was written to those who do not believe, so they may learn the truth for themselves.
Joseph Smith said: "The Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, then any other book." I have had many conversations with those who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints about this topic. They do not understand why we focus more on the Boom of Mormon then we do the Bible. Even though we read the Bible and Book of Mormon hand in hand, we do spend more time focusing on the Book of Mormon. I explain to them that this is how I knew the truth of the Church and how i gained my own testimony of the Gospel. Then I ask them to read it for themselves.
THE TESTIMONY OF THREE WITNESSES
Reading the testimony of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris is just another example of why the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ. They speak of the truth of the plates, and power of God.
"We also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man."
I think this is important for people to understand, that Joseph Smith didn't just go around teaching of these truths. They actually witnessed them for themselves. I love the end of their testimony, it was my favorite part. They said:
"We know that if we are faithful i Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and we shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God."
THE TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH
The testimony of Joseph Smith is one of the many reasons I am a member of the church. His testimony has touched me in ways that I never knew existed. I had never felt the spirit so strongly before. I remember being in high school and having a conversation with my grandma. I had told her that I was not sure if the church was true, and that I don't believe I had a testimony of God. That is when she told me to go open the Book of Mormon and read The Joseph Smith History. I read it several times and once I was done, I went to the Lord in prayer and asked to know the things I had read were true. And that is when I began having my own testimony of God. It was the most powerful lesson I have ever learned. And every time I questions myself or the church, I go back and read it again.
What is the role of the Book of Mormon in my life?
As my header says, the main role of the Book of Mormon is to establish truth. To learn of the blessings I am promised if I study the Book of Mormon.
"The teachings in the Book of Mormon are of great worth to us today because the writers were aware of the problems we would face."
How has Christ made it possible for me to be exalted?
I know that Christ has overcome spiritual and physical obstacles for each and every person on earth and in heaven. If we live our day to day life to show others that we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, then we will be rewarded in the end.
"As we come unto Christ and keep the commandments, we will become more like Him and our Father in Heaven, and we will be saved."
