Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith

"He (the angel, Moroni) said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent . . (and) that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;"

Testimony of Eight Witnesses

"Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That Joseph Smith, Jun., the translator of this work, has shown unto us the plates of which hath been spoken . . ."

Testimony of Three Witnesses

". . an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld, and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes." 

Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris

Introduction: Bold Statements

"The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God's dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel."

Translated by Joseph Smith

The Book of Mormon, written by ancient American prophets on metal plates, were ". . sealed up, and hid up  . . To come forth by the gift and power of God -- The interpretation thereof by the gift of God."

Title Page

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

The subtitle "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" summarizes the purpose and content of the book.

Having Been Born of Goodly Parents

Yesterday's post completes another cycle of searching and pondering the Book of Mormon.
Conversion is not a product, but a process. And so, I begin again with gratitude since, just as Nephi,

"I, Renee, having been born of goodly parents . . " (page 1, 1 Nephi 1:1)

Moroni's Plea and Farewell

Moroni 10:32 ". . if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ;"

If.

May Christ Lift Thee Up

Moroni 9:25 "My son, be faithful in Christ; . . may Christ lift thee up, and may . . his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever."

Repeat daily.

Praying Always for Our Children

Moroni 8:3 Mormon to his son, Moroni: "I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, . . "

We pray always for our children because our hearts yearn always for their peace and safety.

Ministry of Angels

Moroni 7:29-31 ". . have miracles ceased? . . Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men . ."

I am aware of the ministry of angels since my husband, Dan, died suddenly on Nov. 20, 2004.

We Must Easily Forgive

Moroni 6:8 "But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven."

Sometimes, it's easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves.

Promise of the Spirit

Moroni 5:2 ". . that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them."

To have his Spirit to be with me in all places and at all times is worth submitting my will to His.

Three Important Words

Moroni 4:3 ". . always remember him,"

To remember Jesus and act accordingly at all times and in all places is the dearest of standards.
However, that is not easy for me.

Ordination of Priesthood Authority

Moroni 3:Preface "Elders ordain priests and teachers by the laying on of hands."

This is the pattern initiated by Jesus.

Mighty Prayer

Moroni 2:2 ". . Ye shall call on the Father in my name, in mighty prayer;"

The soul yearns for prayer like the body yearns for breath.

I Will Not Deny Christ

Moroni 1:3 ". . I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life."

Evidence of our conversion to Jesus Christ and his gospel shows daily.

Tuning Our Heartstrings to God

Ether 15:19 ". . the spirit of the Lord had ceased striving with them . . for they were given up unto the hardness of their hearts, and the blindness of their minds that they might be destroyed;"

A soft heart tunes its strings to the Lord and to His safety.

Up to No Good

Ether 14:1 " . . there began to be a great curse . . because of the iniquity of the people . . if a man should lay his tool or his sword (down) . . upon the morrow, he could not find it, so great was the curse . . "

The sin and sorrow cycle.

A New Jerusalem

Ether 13:6 ". . a New Jerusalem (shall) be built up upon this land (the Americas)."

When the time is right.

Hope for a Better World

Ether 12:4 ". . whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world . . which hope . . maketh an anchor to the souls of men . ."

Belief in God is our one sure anchor.

Hearing the Lord's Voice

Ether 11:7 ". . they hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord . . "

We hear the Lord's voice by searching His word, listening to His prophets, praying, and being attentive in our hearts. There are no shortcuts. "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalms 46:10)

A Choice Land

Ether 10:28 "And they were in a land that was choice above all lands, for the Lord had spoken it."

Those lands are blessed where citizens choose righteousness.

Our Hearts Are Vulnerable

Ether 9:6 "For so great had been the spreading of this wicked and secret society that it had corrupted the hearts of all the people;"

Guarding one's heart from wickedness and corruption is a daily task.

A Recipe for Destruction

Ether 8:22 "And whatsoever nation shall uphold such secret combinations, to get power and gain, until they shall spread over the nation, behold, they shall be destroyed;"

Is this happening in America?

Repentance and Prosperity Go Together

Ether 7:26 "And because the people did repent of their iniquities and idolatries the Lord did spare them, and they began to prosper again in the land."

Repent. The formula isn't new.

Sing Praises All Day Long

Ether 6:9 ". . the brother of Jared (and his people) did sing praises unto the Lord . . all the day long;"

Where do I sign up for this choir?

The Last Day

Ether 5:6 ". . we shall stand before God at the last day."

God knows and loves each of us and wants us to be ready when we stand before Him one by one.

Jesus Leads Us to Do Good

Ether 4:12 "I (Jesus Christ) am the same that leadeth men to all good;"

Jesus is the Good Shepherd.

Jesus Christ is Divine

Ether 3:14 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and daughters."

The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ's divinity.