Tuesday, January 24, 2012

An Adventure With The Book of Mormon~

Today I started to read "The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ" again. I have lost track of the many times I have read this priceless book. As a young girl I remember listening to the words of The Book of Mormon when my parents had a study group at our home. I grew up loving the stories of Nephi, Alma, Mosiah, Mormon, Moroni and many other characters found within this book. I have had the privilege of reading it, studying it and teaching the truths found in this precious book.
I decided  during this reading that I would take the time to study along with The Book of Mormon the student manual for religion 121 and 122.
I know that many individuals that have heard about the Book of Mormon do not understand what this book is all about. Here is the small portion from the Introduction to the Book of Mormon:
"The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel.
The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians.
The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.......".





President Spencer W. Kimball
 As I read the Preface to the study manual I felt that I should share a story from one of our Prophets, President Spencer W. Kimball as he spoke of his "adventure " with The Book of Mormon.
"May I tell you of a great adventure? As I traveled to a weekend assignment, I took with me an unusual book which was my constant companion. I could lay it down only to sleep, eat, and change trains. It fascinated me, captivated me, and held me spellbound with it's irresistible charm and engaging interest. I have read it many times.
"As I finished it, I closed the book and sat back, absorbed as I relived its contents. It's pages held me, bound me, and my eyes were riveted to them. I knew the book was factual, but as has been said, 'Truth is stranger than fiction.'...
"I found in it life at its best and at it's worst, in ever-changing patterns. I hardly recovered from one great crisis until another engulfed me...
"This dramatic story is one of the greatest every played by man...
"Its story has a vital message to all people...
"Archaeologists may be excited as they read of ruins of ancient cities, highways, and buildings...
"Journalists will find in this book crisis after crisis, presenting rich material of limitless climactic stories....
"This unparalleled book should intrigue navigators...
"The student of economics will find in this unusual book the disintegration of nations through pride, soft living, and luxuries, terminating finally in hunger and fetters...
"The astronomer and geologist here may see signs in the heavens and new stars come into focus, three days without sun...nights without darkness...and a vapor of darkness so impenetrable that no glimmer, nor candles, nor torches, nor fire could give any light...
"Engineers will learn..that...centuries ago, men erected buildings, temples, and highways with cement...
"The psychologists may find studies in human behaviour and the workings of the human mind and the rationalizing processes where men convince themselves that 'good is bad, and that bad is good'...
"This comprehensive book should be studied by politicians, government leaders, kings, presidents, and premiers to see the rise and fall of empires, and the difference between statesmanship and demagoguery...
"Scientists will read of unusual instruments never patented or remade or duplicated, of elements which, without recharging, illuminate dark spaces indefinitely...
"Military men may learn much in strategy, intrigue, in movements, in morale...
"But after all, it is not the book's dramatic crises, its history, its narrative that are so important, but its power to transform men into Christlike beings worthy of exaltation.
"It is the word of God. It is a powerful second witness of Christ. And, certainly, all true believers who love the Redeemer will welcome additional evidence of his divinity,..
"My beloved friends, I give you the Book of Mormon. May you read it prayerfully, study it carefully, and receive for yourselves the testimony of its' divinity" ( In Conference Report, Apr. 1963, pp. 62-65, 67-68).
President Ezra Taft Benson

President Ezra Taft Benson gave his testimony and encouragement for all to read the Book of Mormon: "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ.
"The Bible sits on the pulpit of hundreds of different religious sects. The Book of Mormon, the record of Joseph, verifies and clarifies the Bible. It removes stumbling blocks, it restores many plain and precious things. We testify that when used together the Bible and the Book of Mormon confound false doctrines, lay down contentions, and establish peace. "We do not have to prove the Book of Mormon is true. The book is its own proof".
At the end of this marvelous  book there is a challenge given by the last remaining Prophet found in Moroni 10: 5-6;
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not btrue; and if ye shall ask with a csincere heart, with dreal intent, having efaith in Christ, he will fmanifest the gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may aknow the btruth of all things.

I have taken this challenge and I know beyond doubt that this book is true.

If you would like to learn more about the Book of Mormon or write a post your self about The
Book Of Mormon come and join the Blog Hop here @ We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice In Christ -  http://beinglds.blogspot.com/2012/01/family-tree-giveaway-link-up.html

8 comments:

Jocelyn Christensen said...

What a fantastic testimony, LeAnn! You've said it...there's just one way to know...read it...and ask God! He will answer you!

Susan Anderson said...

I need to start over and read it from front to back again. Lately I've been reading by topics, which I also love to do.

=)

Marie Rayner said...

I love the Book of Mormon and am so enjoying studying it again this year in SS. I have found that most people that are against it have actually never read it. They are only going on hearsay and what their own church leaders have told them, most of whom have never read, studied or looked at it either! They are missing one of our life's greatest treasures. xxoo

Karm said...

Thanks for your kind words on my blog post...

We are so blessed to have the this wonderful book aren't we. I gained my own testimony of it by following the very things you spoke about.

Beth at Aunties said...

LeeAnn,
I always come a way a better person from having visited your posts. You have a wonderful gift of explaining and bearing witness of our core beliefs.
I too love the Book of Mormon and the beautiful truths found within. I love the peace it's verses brings. For Christmas we received David J. Ridges leather bound 'The Book of Mormon made Easier.' I am finding added measure.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and testimony!

Darlene said...

Dick and I are going to start listening to our tapes of the Book of Mormon. We did this a couple of years ago and followed along with the text. But that was a couple of years ago and we just need to do it again! I have been just reading it by topic, as Sue has. All we needed was a little incentive and you gave that to us by posting this great blog. Thanks LeAnn.

Just Ramblin' said...

I love your posts, LeeAnn. They are always so uplifting and motivating. I,too,love the Book of Mormon and have enjoyed the on-line course from BYU that you mentioned sometime ago. I love Pres. Benson's talk and testimony and each time I am reminded of it, I vow to become a better student of this great book. Thanks for another great post. Nola

Trina said...

I too LOVE the Book of Mormon. I really loved President Kimballs testimony of it. What an all encompassing look. Thanks for sharing!