Q:
What is the Book of Mormon, and how does it compare to the Bible?
A:
The Book of Mormon is a book of scripture similar to the Bible. It
is another testament of Jesus Christ. The Bible principally discusses
the lives and teachings of ancient Israel. The Book of Mormon contains
the writing of several groups who came to the Americas, including a family
who left Jerusalem in 600 B.C. These people were also descendants
of the house of Israel. Thus the Bible and Book of Mormon were written
by people of the same heritage but in different parts of the world.
Like
the Bible, the Book of Mormon is more than a historical account.
It contains "the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ": the teachings,
doctrines, and prophecies that testify of God the Father and His Son, Jesus
Christ.
The
Book of Mormon teaches us that our Savior made His appearance upon this
continent (the Americas) after His resurrection; that He planted the Gospel
here in all its fulness, and richness, and power, and blessing; that they
had Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists, the same order,
the same ordinances, gifts, powers, and blessings, as were enjoyed on the
eastern continent.
Q:
Who wrote the Book of Mormon?
A:
Ancient prophets, such as Nephi, Jacob, Mormon and Mormon's son Moroni,
were its primary authors. Mormon compiled and abridged the records
kept by prophets about their history, prophecies, and teachings.
He also included some of his own experiences. Mormon engraved this
record on bound sheets of metal - gold in color - which are often referred
to as the golden plates.
After
Mormon's death, Moroni finished the record and buried it in a hill to preserve
it for our day, that it should come forth and be united with the Bible
for the accomplishment of the purposes of God in the last days.
Q:
Do members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints study the
Bible?
A:
Yes. Members of the Church study both the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
In fact, two out of four years of our Sunday School curriculum are devoted
to studying the Bible.
Q:
But, doesn't Revelation 22:18-19 tells us not to add anything to the word
of God, the Bible?
One
of our key beliefs is that God has always revealed His will to His children
on earth and always will. We believe the Bible to be the word of
God but don't believe it contains ALL the revelation that God has given
or will give His prophets. Even today He continues to reveal His
will through living prophets and apostles, the foundation of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (see Ephesians 2:20).
...And,
actually, when the Apostle John penned the book of Revelation, it was not
the last book of the Bible. The Old and New Testaments were not bound
in a single book of scripture, now called the Bible, until the third century
A.D.
Deuteronomy 4:2 tells us not to add to the words of Moses, but of course,
this verse, early in the Old Testament, does not invalidate the rest of
the Bible.
Neither
Moses nor John could have referred to altering a volume that did not exist
- instead they warned against altering true teachings of the gospel.
The Book of Mormon does not alter God's word but reaffirms it.
Q:
How can I know the Book of Mormon is true?
The
only sure way to know for yourself is through the power of the Holy Ghost.
The last chapter in the Book of Mormon invites anyone who reads it, ponders
it, and sincerely wants to know if it is true to ask Heavenly Father in
the name of Jesus Christ.
"Behold,
I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things...that ye would
ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are
not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with read intent, having
faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power
of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:3-4).
Would you like to learn more
about the Book of Mormon? There is a wealth of information online
in several languages that can help you learn more about the Book of Mormon:
Another
option
I
am studying the Book of Mormon, again, and I would like to share
my reading with those who are interested. To make it easier for you to
study with me, I'll post
the Book of Mormon in twelve sections. You can read for 12 weeks
or 12 months of reading, but I've never met anyone who took 12 months to
read the Book of Mormon - it's just too good to not finish it, and then start
reading it all over again!
..
I'll
post my thoughts
with underlining, bolding, and I'll even make comments in italics.
Please note that my comments are NOT scripture, but are my opinions, testimonies and clarification
points.
Here
is...
Part IX: http://www.JaredStory.com/TheBOOKofMORMONpart09.pdf
..
..
Healthy
Spirit
..
Spirit
- Other: on PDF/mp3/wmv
..
