Book of Mormon Title Page
Some people approach the Book of Mormon as a history book. Curiosity makes them want to know what happened here, on the American continent, thousands of years ago. And indeed, the wars and strife are intriguing. There are good guys and bad guys and stratagem and wonderful victories. The Book of Mormon is an amazing war saga, a constant struggle between two nations.
Some people read the Book of Mormon looking to disprove Joseph Smith. They focus on every minute mistake, try to link the tone of the book to this uneducated farm boy, strain to hear his voice on every page. I wonder what kind of machinations they must go through to convince themselves they've reached their goal. I wonder if those who reach that conclusion maybe aren't being dishonest, at least with themselves.
Why should anyone read the Book of Mormon? Well, it's true that the Book of Mormon is the most convincing evidence that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. If you are a sincere seeker of truth, you will come to realize that his remarkable story is true. But that's not the real purpose of the Book of Mormon.
The true purpose of the Book of Mormon is revealed by the ancient prophet Mormon himself, written in his own hand so many years ago. He tells us on the title page, that the Book of Mormon is "to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations."
Why do I read the Book of Mormon, even now, 37 years after I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints? Because it draws me nearer to Christ, it shows me His love for me, it deepens my understanding of the great sacrifice He made for me, it inspires me to walk in His footsteps and to be more like Him. That is why I read, and why I love, the Book of Mormon.
Showing posts with label Joseph Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joseph Smith. Show all posts
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon
2 Nephi 3
v. 11-12 One testimony I have of the Book of Mormon as scripture and Joseph Smith as a prophet is how they support and clarify the teachings of the Bible. They do not contradict or destroy God's word as previously revealed. They work together to bring the meaning of the gospel of Jesus Christ into focus, so that there is no mistaking what is expected of us.
v. 13 "And out of weakness he shall be made strong..." Another testimony I have of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith comes from the very fact that Joseph was an uneducated boy of 14 when he first received his vision. A lot of people find this to be a sticking point with them. Why would God call a 14 year old boy to be His prophet? Yet, to me, it makes perfect sense. Joseph Smith was young and impressionable, malleable, humble, willing to listen to the Lord and obey in all things. He was not already jaded or clouded with the teachings of the world. He did not have his own beliefs and pride to contend with.
I also find it laughable when critics claim that Joseph himself wrote the Book of Mormon instead of being the instrument of translation. I myself am a writer. I am 45 years old, I'm college educated, and I have a Mensa-qualified IQ (I say not to brag, but to make a point). And I struggle with the plot lines of a simple story of a housewife in a mid-life crisis. Could I have written the Book of Mormon, with all its intricacies, with all its converging story lines, with all its Biblical references, with the many, many different themes that run throughout? Good grief, no. The Book of Mormon told simply as a story is epic in scope. There is no way I could accomplish something like that. So an uneducated farm boy? I really don't think so.
v. 19-20 I am always moved by the phrase, "they shall cry from the dust." When reading the Book of Mormon, I always feel a connection to the different men who share their stories, from the obedience and faith of Nephi, and his suffering when his own brothers turn against him, to Alma the younger who repents and spends the rest of his days trying to fix his wrongs, to Ammon, the great missionary whose joy and zeal in the work is contagious, to the great and righteous warriors, to that Nephi later in the book who sorrowed so much for the wickedness and stubbornness of his people, to the very end where Moroni walks alone, friendless and hunted. I marvel at the sacrifices they made to record and preserve their words... for me. To help me in my day to day struggles, to bring me to Christ, to help me know God better.
v. 11-12 One testimony I have of the Book of Mormon as scripture and Joseph Smith as a prophet is how they support and clarify the teachings of the Bible. They do not contradict or destroy God's word as previously revealed. They work together to bring the meaning of the gospel of Jesus Christ into focus, so that there is no mistaking what is expected of us.
v. 13 "And out of weakness he shall be made strong..." Another testimony I have of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith comes from the very fact that Joseph was an uneducated boy of 14 when he first received his vision. A lot of people find this to be a sticking point with them. Why would God call a 14 year old boy to be His prophet? Yet, to me, it makes perfect sense. Joseph Smith was young and impressionable, malleable, humble, willing to listen to the Lord and obey in all things. He was not already jaded or clouded with the teachings of the world. He did not have his own beliefs and pride to contend with.
I also find it laughable when critics claim that Joseph himself wrote the Book of Mormon instead of being the instrument of translation. I myself am a writer. I am 45 years old, I'm college educated, and I have a Mensa-qualified IQ (I say not to brag, but to make a point). And I struggle with the plot lines of a simple story of a housewife in a mid-life crisis. Could I have written the Book of Mormon, with all its intricacies, with all its converging story lines, with all its Biblical references, with the many, many different themes that run throughout? Good grief, no. The Book of Mormon told simply as a story is epic in scope. There is no way I could accomplish something like that. So an uneducated farm boy? I really don't think so.
v. 19-20 I am always moved by the phrase, "they shall cry from the dust." When reading the Book of Mormon, I always feel a connection to the different men who share their stories, from the obedience and faith of Nephi, and his suffering when his own brothers turn against him, to Alma the younger who repents and spends the rest of his days trying to fix his wrongs, to Ammon, the great missionary whose joy and zeal in the work is contagious, to the great and righteous warriors, to that Nephi later in the book who sorrowed so much for the wickedness and stubbornness of his people, to the very end where Moroni walks alone, friendless and hunted. I marvel at the sacrifices they made to record and preserve their words... for me. To help me in my day to day struggles, to bring me to Christ, to help me know God better.
Monday, October 18, 2010
The First Vision
Joseph Smith - History 1:16-17
As a missionary, I taught the story of Joseph Smith's first vision over and over and over again. Sometimes, to help illustrate the story, we had a film strip that we would show our investigators. At one point, we see young Joseph Smith walking to a private place, a grove of trees, where he intends to pray. The song "Oh How Lovely Was the Morning: Joseph Smith's First Prayer" begins to play. Each time I heard that melody, even the first bars of the song, my heart would swell and my testimony would grow. I felt the Spirit whisper to me again and again, more forcibly each time, that this story was true, that Joseph Smith was prepared for this great undertaking, that he had been sufficiently humble and seeking. And when he asked, in all humility and faith, which church he should join, God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. And in that one moment, the world changed.
Imagine for a moment that this is possible. Think about what it means. That God loves us as much as He loved the people in the days of ancient prophets. That He is indeed our loving Father. That we no longer need to wander blindly, trying to figure things out relying on the wisdom of men. That He spoke and continues to speak to a prophet who can then help us, guide us, and remind us if we start to go astray. If your skeptical mind rejects the idea of modern day prophets, look at your heart. Don't you yearn for it? Don't you wish it were true? Wouldn't that be incredible?
I know that Joseph Smith did indeed see God. He also saw and spoke with the resurrected Christ. They instructed him and restored Christ's church on the earth through him. And through him, Joseph Smith, great blessings began to flow to the earth once again. I've tasted these great blessings, and I know it is true.
As a missionary, I taught the story of Joseph Smith's first vision over and over and over again. Sometimes, to help illustrate the story, we had a film strip that we would show our investigators. At one point, we see young Joseph Smith walking to a private place, a grove of trees, where he intends to pray. The song "Oh How Lovely Was the Morning: Joseph Smith's First Prayer" begins to play. Each time I heard that melody, even the first bars of the song, my heart would swell and my testimony would grow. I felt the Spirit whisper to me again and again, more forcibly each time, that this story was true, that Joseph Smith was prepared for this great undertaking, that he had been sufficiently humble and seeking. And when he asked, in all humility and faith, which church he should join, God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ, appeared to him. And in that one moment, the world changed.
Imagine for a moment that this is possible. Think about what it means. That God loves us as much as He loved the people in the days of ancient prophets. That He is indeed our loving Father. That we no longer need to wander blindly, trying to figure things out relying on the wisdom of men. That He spoke and continues to speak to a prophet who can then help us, guide us, and remind us if we start to go astray. If your skeptical mind rejects the idea of modern day prophets, look at your heart. Don't you yearn for it? Don't you wish it were true? Wouldn't that be incredible?
I know that Joseph Smith did indeed see God. He also saw and spoke with the resurrected Christ. They instructed him and restored Christ's church on the earth through him. And through him, Joseph Smith, great blessings began to flow to the earth once again. I've tasted these great blessings, and I know it is true.
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