The Book of Mormon: Bears Witness of Jesus Christ

I know that the Book of Mormon is a second testament of Jesus Christ.

In fact, the greatest significance of  The Book of Mormon rests in its ability to bear witness of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that He lived and died for us. In 2 Corinthians 13:1 we learn, “In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” The Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon are two witnesses of the life, teachings and sacrifices the Savior made on our behalf.

In the gospel of John, verses 10:16, we learn, “And other 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.” Our Savior plainly states that there are others that need his ministering and the Book of Mormon details that ministering. It is truly an abridgment and compilation of personal, family and community histories of the people, and their descendants, that traveled to the western hemisphere, from the Holy Land, six hundred years before the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and continues until four hundred years after His crucifixion in the Holy Land.

The Book of Mormon is a real story about real people: It begins with the story of one family, living in Jerusalem, during a time of prosperity just before the beginning of the terrible Babylonian captivity and the destruction of the Temple. The Bible teaches us the prophet Jeremiah was calling the kingdom of Judah to repentance during that time; warning everyone that the nation’s decay of moral and spiritual values will bring God’s punishment upon the nation. The father of this family, Lehi, was a prophet as well who loved God and served Him without question or reservation. This prophet preached to his neighbors, friends and kinsmen just as the prophet Jeremiah but sadly, no one wanted to hear the warnings.

Finally, the prophet Lehi was commanded to leave his beloved Jerusalem and take his family into the wilderness where God promised to lead Lehi’s family to a new land where they could worship in peace, preserve the Words of God, be a righteous people, and most importantly prepare for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. So, in a nut shell, the Book of Mormon is a history of people who descended from the prophet Lehi’s family and provides for us about one thousand years of information.  The most powerful and enlightening histories to me are those personal, family, and community histories which bear witness to the reason for the journey.

So, what was the reason for this holy record? The preservation of truth. Lehi’s family brought with them, on their journey, a copy of the records of their people and their family and tribe. Bringing these records insured they would not lose their identity and that they would have the sacred writings that detailed the prophecies of the coming of our Savior. Having this resource made it possible for the descendants of Lehi’s family to never lose touch with God. This reason can and will change your life. It continues to change mine.

Book of Mormon Challenge & Witness

I believe that anyone, from any place in their life, can connect with the Book of Mormon. There is advice there; wisdom on the pages. There is no one on this earth that remains unscathed by the huge problems facing individuals, families, communities, even countries. The Book of Mormon is filled with solutions, comfort, and warnings, and most of all, our Savior’s teachings and promises.

Did those descendants of Lehi know that their journals and records would someday, in the distant future, testify of our Savior, Jesus Christ, directly to us today? Did they understand what a gift this compilation would be to those of us living now? We read in the Book of Mormon that there were many who knew that the final record would, indeed be preserved and brought forth in our day to testify to us.

I know, with all my heart, mind, and soul, that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God. I know that because of the faith and obedience of Lehi’s family and the countless families that came after this record was prepared for the purpose of saving souls, our souls. It is a gift, a wonderful book that testifies of our Savior and His love for all of us. I invite you to read the Book of Mormon; let it into your heart. Let it testify to your soul.