Study Outlines 49: The Book of Mormon Joseph Smith records: "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 his precepts, than by any other book" (History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4:461). "If we would avoid adopting the evils of the world, we must pursue a course which will daily feed our minds with and call them back to the things of the Spirit. I know of no better way to do this than by daily reading of the Book of Mormon" (Marion G. Romney, Ensign, May 1980, p. 66) Marion G. Romney, The Book of Mormon, Ensign, May 1980, 65 During the study of this topic you will learn more about the purpose and nature of the Book of Mormon and its importance in missionary work. Resources:
A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, chapters 6-8.
Jesus the Christ, chapter 39
The Articles of Faith, chapter 14-15
Truth Restored, chapter 2 The Power of the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon A Witness with the Bible
The Book of Mormon: A Guide for the Old Testament
Mounting Evidence for the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon-Keystone of Our Religion Scriptures:
2 Nephi 3:11-13; 33
"11 But a seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and unto him will I give power to bring forth my word unto the seed of thy loins and not to the bringing forth my word only, saith the Lord, but to the convincing them of my word, which shall have already gone forth among them.
12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
13 And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord." 2 Nephi 33
"Nephi's words are true They testify of Christ Those who believe in Christ will believe Nephi's words They shall stand as a witness before the judgment bar.Between 559 and 545 B.C." D&C 17; 20:1-16
"Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris, at Fayette, New York, June 1829, prior to their viewing the engraved plates that contained the Book of Mormon record.HC 1:52-57. Joseph and his scribe, Oliver Cowdery, had learned from the translation of the Book of Mormon plates that three special witnesses would be designated.See Ether 5:2-4; also 2 Nephi 11:3 and 27:12.Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris were moved upon by an inspired desire to be the three special witnesses.The Prophet inquired of the Lord, and this revelation was given in answer, through the Urim and Thummim.
1-4, By faith the Three Witnesses shall see the plates and other sacred items; 5-9, Christ bears testimony to the divinity of the Book of Mormon." D&C 20:1-16
"1 The rise of the Church of Christ in these last days, being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh, it being regularly organized and established agreeable to the laws of our country, by the will and commandments of God, in the fourth month, and on the sixth day of the month which is called April
2 Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church;
3 And to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand;
4 And this according to the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all glory, both now and forever.Amen.
5 After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world;
6 But after repenting, and humbling himself sincerely, through faith, God ministered unto him by an holy 20/6b">angel, whose 20/6c">countenance was as lightning, and whose garments were pure and white above all other whiteness;
7 And gave unto him commandments which inspired him;
8 And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon;
9 Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also;
10 Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them
11 Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old;
12 Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever.Amen.
13 Therefore, having so great witnesses, by them shall the world be judged, even as many as shall hereafter come to a knowledge of this work.
14 And those who receive it in faith, and work righteousness, shall receive a crown of eternal life;
15 But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation
16 For the Lord God has spoken it; and we, the elders of the church, have heard and bear 20/16a">witness to the words of the glorious Majesty on high, to whom be glory forever and ever.Amen." Ezekiel 37:15-20
"15 ¶ The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
17 And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.
18 ¶ And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20 ¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes." John 10:16"And other 10/16b">sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." Revelation 14"The Lamb shall stand upon Mount Zion -The gospel shall be restored in the last days by angelic ministry - The Son of Man harvests the earth." JS-H 1"Joseph Smith tells of his ancestry, family members, and their early abodes An unusual excitement about religion prevails in western New York He determines to seek wisdom as directed by James The Father and the Son appear and Joseph is called to his prophetic ministry.(Verses 1-20.)
Some preachers and other professors of religion reject account of First Vision Persecution heaped upon Joseph Smith He testifies of the reality of the vision.(Verses 21-26.)
Moroni appears to Joseph Smith Joseph s name is to be known for good and evil among all nations Moroni tells him of the Book of Mormon and of the coming judgments of the Lord, and quotes many scriptures The hiding place of the gold plates is revealed Moroni continues to instruct the Prophet.(Verses 27-54.)
Joseph Smith marries Emma Hale He receives the gold plates from Moroni and translates some of the characters Martin Harris shows characters and translation to Professor Anthon, who says: I cannot read a sealed book.(Verses 55-65.)
Oliver Cowdery serves as scribe in translating the Book of Mormon Joseph and Oliver receive the Aaronic Priesthood from John the Baptist They are baptized, ordained, and receive the spirit of prophecy.(Verses 66-75.)" Articles of Faith 1:8"We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God." "A Breif Explanation about the Book of Mormon" On the page facing the Book of Mormon Table of Contents) Topical Guide:
Book of Mormon Bible Dictionary:
Ephraim, Stick of. Guide to the Scriptures:
Book of Mormon
Canon
Ephraim-The stick of Ephraim or Joseph
Gold Plates
Mormon, Nephite Prophet
Plates
Scriptures
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Witnesses of the Book of Mormon