Our Fate Without the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

I wrote this response for my PathwayConnect Religion 275 Doctrines and Teachings of The Book of Mormon Class.

How would you respond to a younger brother or sister who asks you, “Why do our church leaders always teach us about the Atonement of Christ and the resurrection? Why are they so important?”

Without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we would all be lost (Alma 34:9). The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is part of His atonement for us. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ teaches us that if there were no resurrection, all mankind would be subject to Satan. He would be our master (2 Nephi 9:8-9)! The resurrection redeems us from that awful fate. Jesus Christ ransomed us from the effects of the fall of Adam and Eve. One of the effects of the fall of our first parents is that all humanity became subject to Satan, being separated from God’s presence and influence. On earth, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we have a choice (2 Nephi 2:4, 26-27). Because of Christ’s atonement for sin, we have an option. If there were no atonement made, we would not have the option of returning to God. We would simply be lost, subject to sin. We would suffer the full effects of God’s law, subject to Satan, for eternity. Because He loved us, God offered His perfect Son, Jesus Christ as a ransom for us. Through His atonement and resurrection, Jesus has made us free!

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ: A Fictitious Fraud, a Delusion, or The Word Of God

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is either a fictitious fraud, a delusion, or, it is the word of God.

From the very first line of its title page, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ declares itself to be an ancient record. From the very first sentence, the weight of the text, this witness of Jesus Christ, is substantial. Over 500 pages long in the modern edition, the text itself unquestionably claims it is an ancient work (see the Title Page, introduction to 1 Nephi and 1 Nephi 1:1-3, to cite just three examples).

If the book was authored by Joseph Smith (or any other modern author), then it is simply false. Based on the claims of the text itself, I see no other option. The first line of the title page says the book is, "an account written by the hand of Mormon [a historical character from the book] upon [metal] plates, taken from the plates of Nephi [another character from the book]." Either this statement is true, or it is not.

Joseph Smith and those associated with him either lied and patently deceived the world about what the Book of Mormon was, or they unquestionably believed what they were saying. If they were deluded, then it was an honest (and quite unusual) delusion (three of Joseph's associates solemnly testified that they saw and heard an angel, saw the ancient Book of Mormon plates, and witnessed that they heard the very voice of God testify to them that the Book of Mormon record was true; eight of his associates testified that they saw and handled The Book of Mormon plates).

I know that The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is true. I know this because of what God has told me, personally. This book witnesses of Jesus Christ. It is significant evidence that Jesus Christ has set His hand again to recover His ancient covenant people.

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.