Dad’s Sacrament Talk – 7-12-09

I love the Book of Mormon.  The opportunity to speak about it is a real and discernible blessing.  We should take every opportunity to talk about the Book of Mormon whether in our families and with our friends both in and out of the Church.  It is the bedrock of modern revelation.  The “Keystone” of our religion as Joseph Smith put it.  In the Introduction to the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Joseph is quoted:

“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 by any other book” 

I want to talk with you today about some things that I know, and that I believe and that I feel about the Book of Mormon, from my personal experiences with reading, studying, pondering it and putting it to the test over many years. 

Personal Relationship with the Book of Mormon

In a new multi-volume work by Joseph Fielding McConkie, Robert L. Millet and Brent L. Top called “Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon”  the authors make this rather profound statement emphasizing the importance of the Book of Mormon: “This volume [referring to the Book of Mormon] is not just a book about religion. It is religion. . . . Our challenge, therefore, is not just to read and study the Book of Mormon; we must accept and apply its doctrines and philosophy—we must live it” (p. 383).

So we see that we must “take it personally”.  Somehow it must find its way to our heart and its precepts must be in our lives continuously.  If we seek out its challenges in our own time and our own lives and make it our own story it will, with the help of the Holy Ghost, speak to us as a kind of personal teacher.  It speaks to us at what ever level we are in our lives or in our growth in the Church.   A personal witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon will lead you to want to know more and as a result to read, study and ponder more – which, in turn, will strengthen your witness.

Nephi described the way to make it personal.  He showed us a pattern for scripture study that can be applied to the Book of Mormon, by using the writings of the prophet Isaiah as an example.  As I read, substitute in your minds the term “Book of Mormon” for the phrase “words of Isaiah” or similar references.

1 Ne 19:23-24

 23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah ; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

 24 Wherefore I spake unto them, saying: Hear ye the words of the prophet, ye who are a remnant of the house of Israel, a branch who have been broken off; hear ye the words of the prophet, which were written unto all the house of Israel, and liken them unto yourselves, that ye may have hope as well as your brethren from whom ye have been broken off; for after this manner has the prophet written.

2 Ne 5:5

 5 And now, the words which I shall read are they which Isaiah spake concerning all the house of Israel; wherefore, they may be likened unto you, for ye are of the house of Israel. And there are many things which have been spoken by Isaiah which may be likened unto you, because ye are of the house of Israel.

2 Ne 11:2,8 

2 And now I, Nephi, writemore of the words of Isaiah , for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer , even as I have seen him.

      •  •  •

  8 And now I write some of the words of Isaiah, that whoso of my people shall see these words may lift up their hearts and rejoice for all men. Now these are the words, and ye may liken them unto you and unto all men.

God’s word is eternal.  These things are meant as much for us today as for the people of Nephi’s time or of Isaiah’s time.

Now, let me read to you from the title page of the Book of Mormon.  As I read consider the following:

Who is the Book of Mormon written for?  And, what is the value of the Book?

I wanted to share a few things with you this morning that are important to me about the Book of Mormon.

1.  It is about a family and its truths can be an aid to us in living together as families and in improving our relationships with our spouses, with our children, with our siblings, and with our parents.  The Book of Mormon reveals families in crisis – the good the bad and the ugly.  We can use it as a sort of family instruction manual, because, as President Ezra Taft Benson taught, the problems that we face today are not much different at the core than those faced by families in the Book of Mormon.  Someone once said that the Book of Mormon is profound enough for prophets and yet simple enough for families to learn together.  The role, importance and responsibilities  of fathers and mothers are taught with clarity and spiritual impact as we learn about the Challenges of Lehi and Sariah, the stripling warriors and their mothers, the relationship between Alma the Elder and Alma the Younger, and the relationship between Mormon and Moroni.
2. The Book of Mormon is not in its purest intent a history and we are probably better served if we can avoid reading it as such.  The selection process for what was included in this inspired work was quite rigorous and we know that the Lord had a major hand in that decision.  The space to write was limited and only the most important information could be contained therein.  The prophet/authors and editors spent much time praying about what to include.  What would be of most benefit to the reader? The stories that are included are there merely to illustrate important gospel teachings and principles or to support principles of the gospel and doctrines of salvation which the writers were anxious to teach us.  As you read ask yourself from time to time, “Why was this included”?  Also, look for clues to those most important teaching moments.  Phrases used by Mormon or Nephi like “And thus we see” or “And I Nephi will show unto you” are important sign posts that an eternal principle is being taught.
3. Although not a history in the ultimate sense, the Book of Mormon does help us tie together the history of God’s people throughout time in such a way as we see ourselves connected together as a human family and as God’s children.  We can understand the significance of the ancient patriarch Joseph and the  “branches of the vine that runneth over the wall” and the Abrahamic Covenant so much more clearly and we can understand our responsibilities as their descendant whether literal or adopted.
4. It is also clear from the Book of Mormon that we have a Father in Heaven who has a body of flesh and bone.  It is clearer about this fact than the Bible.  We have a better appreciation through the Book of Mormon as to what it means to be made in His Image.  It also teaches with great clarity the doctrine of resurrection.  These two principles/doctrines are incredibly important.  When we truly understand the importance of the body as an eternal principle it changes our outlook and our behavior.  I like the comment about this by President Boyd K. Packer, when he taught us that the study and application of doctrine to our lives can do more to change behavior than the study of behavior.  The Book of Mormon raises the physical body to new heights.  When we see the body in terms of the Book of Mormon, we may be inspired to do some things differently.  How do we treat a body that will rise with us in the resurrection?
5. The Book of Mormon ( through Moroni and others) teaches us that charity and hope in Christ “never faileth” and that pride always leads to failure and ultimately to destruction.  Again, the book illustrates these two great truths with story after story of the stark contrast between what happens to those who follow Christ’s pattern and those who reject it in favor of going their own, self-serving way.  The abandonment of the principles of charity and hope in Christ lead to decline and eventually death of the spirit and being cut off.  There is no greater example of this decline that the story of what happened to the people of Christ in 4 Nephi as pride crept back into the Church after a long period of peace and prosperity resulting from the out-pouring of Christ’s personal teaching in 3 Nephi.  President Benson         
6. The Book of Mormon teaches us that liberty is a gift from God borne of an eternal principle called agency.  It also teaches that liberty is a fragile commodity which can slip from our grasp within a single generation.     The enemies of God are also the enemies of God’s people.  Those who would destroy liberty have been known in all generations of man and in all places.  The Book of Mormon teaches us to recognize them.  President Benson taught that the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ.  The  Anti-Christ in our day is very similar to those in the Book of Mormon.  In this the month we celebrate or Independence I challenge you to read President Bensons talks and writings on the Book of Mormon and the defense of freedom and liberty.
7. The Book of Mormon teaches us the great pattern for our lives.   It teaches us who we are.  As the Prophet Joseph taught, living by its precepts can bring us closer to God.     It is also a powerful doctrinal teacher of what Elder Bruce R, McConkie called the 3 Pillars of the Gospel – the Creation, the Fall and the Atonement.  The New Testament gives us the details of the Crucifixion, the Atonement and the Resurrection, but the Book of Mormon tells us why it was so important.  This knowledge is an important building block of our faith and hope in Christ so essential in our lives.  President Benson taught that, What is happening now is the same thing as happened at the first coming of Christ.  3 Nephi is a pattern for our preparation for the Second coming.
8. The Book of Mormon is the foundation of Modern Revelation.  Of it Joseph Smith said: Without the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants we are just another church.  Of these two together, it has been said that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel, while the Doctrine and Covenants contains the fullness of exaltation.  When we gain a confirmation of its truthfulness we also gain a witness that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. 
9. Finally and of most importance is that the Book of Mormon is truly a second witness of Christ.  In a sense he, himself is the author of that Book as it was written by way of commandment and revelation as Nephi informed us.  We are even told in 3 Nephi that he edited its contents.  It is a strength to the Church to know that his word is the same whether given anciently in the Bible or the Book of Mormon or today in modern revelation.  From its earliest pages right to its end, the Book of Mormon  preaches of Christ, it expounds on His teaches, it bears witness of his true nature, it testifies of his divinity, it witnesses his works and his love, it glorifies his name, it calls men and women unto Him and unto His church, it teaches His gospel, it exposes his plan unto his children it gives evidence of His love and all of His works in our behalf.  The Book of Mormon is the very fullness of His gospel.   I am astounding when I hear or read the accusation that ours is not a Christian religion when the very founding document of our religion is about nothing but Christ.  I take heart however in the knowledge that every day men and women and children are turning to Christ as a result of their reading the Book of Mormon.

Richard G. Scott has commented (Jan 2009 Ensign)

“Try reading the Book of Mormon because you want to, not because you have to. Discover for yourself that it is true. As you read each page ask, ‘Could any man have written this book or did it come as Joseph Smith testified?’ Apply the teachings you learn. They will fortify you against the evil of Satan. Follow Moroni’s counsel. Sincerely ask God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, with real intent, if the teachings of the Book of Mormon are true (see Moroni 10:3–5). Ask with a desire to receive a confirmation personally, nothing doubting. There has to be an explanation of that book you can hold in your hand. I know that you can receive a spiritual confirmation that it is true. You will then know that Jesus Christ lives, that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s Church. … You will confirm that the Savior guides His Church through a living prophet. These truths will become a foundation for your productive life” (“Realize Your Full Potential,” Ensign, Nov. 2003, 42–43).

I testify as fervently as I know how t do that the Book of Mormon is true and as Joseph said the most correct book ever written.  I recommend it to you.  As President Benson has said its value is greater than the greatest advances in medicine.  I testify that it can heal us spiritually.  I testify that it changes lives as we take it personally and read it and follow its divine counsel.  I am sure of its power as I have experienced it in my own life.  If we will diligently seek within its pages for truth, we will find it.  We can learn to overcome pride and sin.  We can become stalwart defenders of liberty for all.  We can gain understanding of what it means to be God’s people and of the House of Israel.  Most important of all we can learn to have in our lives the hope of Christ and the love of Christ we call charity that faileth not.

I testify and bear my humble witness that Jesus is the Christ.  The master of us all – the author of salvation  unto all mankind Nephite, Lamanite, Jew and Gentile.

May our branches run over the wall even as the descendants of Joseph of old and may we carry with us, as we go, in our right hand the Stick of Ephraim, armed with its truth is my prayer in his Holy Name, even Jesus Christ.  Amen.