The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was introduced to the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ at an early age. I think I learned about this scripture at weekly church meetings. This book has influenced my family for generations.

In October, President Russell M. Nelson, prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints encouraged the Latter-day Saints to consider how our lives would be different if the knowledge we had received from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away. This gave me pause to consider.

The Book of Mormon was instrumental in bringing me to Jesus Christ. I instinctively went to this book when I wanted to get closer to God as a teenager. Along with speaking to God in prayer and repenting, the Book of Mormon was a significant part of a personal spiritual awakening for me. I don't remember any single part of the book or my reading experience as being life-altering. Its influence was slow, but powerful. I noticed the most when after developing a habit of reading the Book of Mormon daily and praying to God when I missed a day of reading. I missed it! I noticed that it felt like a piece was missing. I want this Book to be a major part of my life.

In all honesty, this book has changed the trajectory and has significantly influenced my extended family for generations. (For example, my ancestor, Orson Spencer, left his profession and congregation as a Baptist minister and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints based solely on his brother's testimony and on his belief in the Book of Mormon! This change took him to a completely different geography (from Massachusetts to the American frontier in Nauvoo, Illinois), and totally changed the rest of his life (he died 14 years later after having served in multiple positions in the Church).

How has the Book of Mormon changed your life?

The Most Correct Book on Earth

Precepts from The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, 1 Nephi

“I told the brethren that 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 than any other book,” (Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 4:461;)

So, there it is. The Prophet whom God chose to show the world His truth, Joseph Smith, is saying that if we live according to the principles in the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, we will get nearer to God than through any other book.

This morning, I asked myself what precepts the Book of Mormon teaches. As I considered, a few points came to me about the first book of the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi.

1. God can speak to us. There are numerous examples of God speaking to mortals in the first book of the Book of Mormon. The stage is set by a man (Lehi) hearing prophets--men who are delivering prophetic warnings to the people of Jerusalem. Lehi is so affected by their preaching that he seeks seclusion and begins speaking to God in behalf of his people. The result is a vision. He sees many things. Because of the things he sees, he declares, "Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!" (1 Nephi 1:14) 

2. What we believe and what we share with them can affect them--positively--forever. Lehi shares his visions--the things he learns from God--with his family. One of his sons--Nephi--believes his father. Inspired by his father's experiences, he seeks God and begins to have visions and revelations of his own. (1 Nephi 2:16; could a believing parent hope for anything greater for his or her child?!)

3. You might catch some flak for what you believe and how you live your religion. Because of what he sees and knows, Lehi is compelled, if not commanded by God to warn the people of his city. The citizenry, however, does not take it well. God tells Lehi to leave Jerusalem. His life is in danger.

Lehi's son Nephi also suffers some abuse because of his beliefs. Two of Lehi's older sons are unbelieving. They react with complaining and anger to their father and their brother's faith. They would rather be left alone to simply live life in Jerusalem.

For more, dive into The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Or, click here to order a free copy.