Why the book of mormon is the great american novel when a jewish author sets off on quest to understand the fantastical foundational text of. Latterday saints believe that in order to know whether the book of mormon is a true account and is inspired by god, one must read it, ponder its message, and pray sincerely to ask whether it is true. Between the books of omni and mosiah is an insert called the words of mormon. After more than thirtytwo years of teaching and studying the book of mormon, i have gained a profound appreciation for the importance of this book in preparing us to meet the challenges of our day. To print as many times as you would like for your personal, family or classroom use please show this to any printer you may take this to in order to prove that you are not infringing on. The precise purposes of the book of mormon religious. The book of mormon family reader will help your family discover and discuss the eternal doctrine found in the book of mormon, drawing you closer together as a family and closer to christ. Due to the nature of its origin, that would support the existence of god. Davids house was a large twostory, sevenroom house, and the tornado turned most of it into matchsticks. Another testament of jesus christ, is a volume of scripture written in the americas by ancient american prophets. Ive had the privilege of teaching the book of mormon for nearly two decades. The book of mormon comprises fifteen main parts or divisions, known, with one exception, as books, usually designated by the name of their principal author.
What role should scholarship play in studying the book of. These book of mormon study pages will help you get tons out of your scripture study. I know that its important to read the book of mormon. On that particular day i came to the part about faith in the thirtysecond chapter of alma. We would not even know of the impending third witness for christ except through the precious book of mormon, the second witness for christ. As a student at brigham young university, we are studying the book of mormon and how it relates to us today, even though it was written more than two thousand years ago. Since the day it was published, a diverse and expanding body of reader responses, research, and analysis has been produced by ordinary readers, religious thinkers, and scholars of many kinds. Diagrams, doodles, and insights these book of mormon study pages will help you get tons out of your scripture study. Why is the book of mormon so important to the restoration. David whitmer, one of the witnesses to the book of mormon was living in the town at the time, and had the printers manuscript of the book of mormon stored in a room of his house. I was young, but i wanted to know for myself if the book of mormon was true. The tree of life as a symbol of jesus christ and his atonement. Use it as your main source for teaching restored truth.
One of the most beautiful descriptions of the mission of the savior and the tree of life. The book of mormon testifies of christ and his mission here on the earth. There are many reasons why the book of mormon is important in our day for. Several book of mormon prophets left us clues indicating awareness that their writings would be very important for people of another time. Through sacred records, gods children from different places and times can have their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. Im pretty sure that its more important to read the bom than any other standard work. Gather your scriptures, your writing and marking instruments and a notebook. Mark matheson, studying the book of mormon online, religious educator 6, no. Why the book of mormon is the great american novel the. Somehow, through all those early years of reading, i failed to learn the significance of reading the prefaces or introductions to books, and i am confident the fault.
In addition, explain that studying the book of mormon will help them understand the doctrine and principles of the gospel of jesus christ and strengthen their testimony of his church. For anyone that struggles understanding who is speaking, this will change everything and be a huge benefit to your study of the book of mormon. Studies of the book of mormon is a collection of essays written at the beginning of the 20th century though not published until 1985 by b. Importance of studying the scriptures quotes fromabout. This study tool shows who is speaking in each verse, and the location they are. A study of the heart in the book of mormon kindle edition by squire, derek, squire, ryan. Lehi, a prophetfather, was warned that there were people who were seeking to take away his life because of his declarations concerning their wickedness. Start to finish is a comprehensive, questionandanswer commentary that draws from thousands of the very best insights on the scriptures, including those from general authorities, church magazines and manuals, respected scholarly commentaries, scripture reference books, and other publications. Nobody ever talks about how they know the bible is true or how important it is to read the bible all the way though. This counsel is especially important in regard to the teachings of the. We need them now more than ever, so here are a few ways. Roberts was struggling and searching for ways to justify the inconsistencies found in the book of mormon.
Roberts 18571933, a general authority of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds church, which examine the validity of the book of mormon as a translation of an ancient american source. This is an awesome website full of scripture study guides and other neat lds things. Start to finish is a comprehensive, questionandanswer commentary that draws from thousands of the very best insights on the scriptures, including those from general authorities, church magazines and manuals, the most respected scholarly commentaries, scripture reference books, and other publications. This lesson will help students deepen their understanding of the importance of studying the scriptures daily. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. An essential part of conversion is receiving a witness from the holy ghost that the book of mormon is true. The book of mormon brings people closer to god by testifying of jesus christ, teaching the importance of obeying the commandments, explaining the plan of salvation, and revealing many other truths conducive to personal righteousness. The three other introductory sections to the book of mormon the testimony of the three and eight witnesses, testimony of the prophet joseph smith, and a brief explanation about the book of mormon are also important because of the useful background and contextual information they provide, but not because they are statements of intent.
Joseph smith referred to the book of mormon as the keystone of our religion. Ive often begun my classes with the question why do we need the book of mormon. The book of mormon says, and we talk of christ, we rejoice in christ, we preach of christ, we prophesy of christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins 2 nephi 25. I gain important understanding, which i then share with my family, and my love for them increases. Sometimes these details provide important context for our more sacred moments, just like the various types of book of mormon records provided the needed background to make sense of its stories. This article is by no means an exhaustive description of the chapter but briefly touches upon the importance of the teachings taught within the book of mormon and a comparison with the bible. The lord has told us that our time should be devoted to the studying of the scriptures and that the book of mormon and the holy scriptures are given for our instruction. The book of mormon is the keystone of our witness of christ, our doctrine, and our testimonies. Ever since i was little i struggled understanding the scriptures and this has changed all that for me.
How great it is to know not only that the gospel and the book of mormon. If you read the book you can clearly see that this is not the case. Perhaps i was more in tune with the spirit or maybe i had studied more diligently and prayed more fervently. Use the book of mormon to help people have spiritual experiences, especially a witness from the holy ghost that the book itself is true. The book of mormon is a springboard to testimony and personal revelation. According to smith, the text was originally written in an unknown language called reformed egyptian.
By the end of the study it is clear that he no longer. This lesson and the social media images below also match our printable book of mormon study squares book. Book of mormon 121 wilcox midterm flashcards quizlet. When approached correctly, this research can increase our understanding of the book of mormon and. The maxwell institute study edition, produced by believing scholars, is ideally suited to both new readers of the book of mormon and also those who know the book well and have loved its teachings and testimony of christ for many years. Studying while viewing sacred words can be a powerful experience, it can also be ineffective. The book of mormon is a sacred text in the latter day saint movement published by joseph smith.
This is a great thing to help the young women complete their virtue requirement of reading the book of mormon. What role should scholarship play in studying the book of mormon. Chapter 17 in 1 nephi contains a story of faith where the prophet nephi is. It all started at the salt lake temple a few years ago. A new approach to studying the book of mormon deseret book. As we diligently give heed to the prophets counsel, we will see his promised blessings unfold in our lives.
Book of mormon charts charting the book of mormon is a collection of more than 175 visual aids that promote deeper understanding and appreciation of the book of mormon. The book of mormon reference companion deseret book. The book of mormon is a powerful resource in conversion. Studying the scriptures is important because scripture study is a. How to effectively study the book of mormon steps pray for understanding, for ways to apply what you read and a testimony of the truthfulness. It was written for us in our day and will help us specifically if we study it, seeking guidance from its pages.
Satan, for example, knows much that is true, yet he knows little of the good. Willes center for book of mormon studies promotes a concentrated study of the book of mormon both as an ancient text and as an important. The first portion the first six books, ending with omni is a translation from the small plates of nephi. That is an important answer, practically lifted from the title page. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The young women can set them on their nightstands so they can be reminded every day of the importance of studying from the book of mormon every day. Sources from which this record was compiled include the following. Students will also learn about the blessings of studying the book of mormon and become familiar with effective scripture study skills. Studying the book of mormon especially and gaining a testimony of its truthfulness will help you know that jesus is the christ, that joseph smith was a prophet. What did joseph fielding smith say about studying the book of mormon.
This book has a square for every chapter in the book of mormon. These facts establish how plausible it is that the book of mormon really is an artifact of the ancient world. Never before has a reference work of this scope been created to help both the. As we engage in this challenge, its important to really feast on the words of christ. Emphasize the importance of paying attention to how the book of mormon testifies of jesus christ. The precise purposes of the book of mormon religious studies. Obtaining spiritual nourishment on a daily basis is just as important for our spirits as getting enough food and water is for our physical bodies. I had read the book of mormon before, but one day it was different. Studying the scripturesoverview of the book of mormon. My name is paul anderson, and i love studying the book of mormon. My top 10 chapters in the book of mormon the gospel home. While this might sound reasonable, there is no easy way to get around the crucial importance for the historical authenticity of both the book of. Using the book of mormon to meet todays challenges clyde j.
Because the book of mormon is full of fascinating content, it invites numerous ways to study it. Studying the book of mormon online religious studies center. The book of mormon begins with a great story on the importance of families having and using the scriptures. Blessings resulting from reading the book of mormon. In october 2014, i decided to start publishing what i learn from studying the book each day, and this blog is the result. Mormon apologists claim that this book was written so the brethren would know the weaknesses of the book of mormon. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading a christlike heart. Prayerful study of the book of mormon will build faith in god the father, in his. This new format suited for every age and stage of life makes meaningful scripture study an attainable goal for every family. Now there is an important difference between knowing that something is true and knowing that it is good.
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