That inspired man of God (!) Samuel Clemens, who hid behind the pen name of Mark Twain in order to say what he really felt and still protect his anonymity and innocence, said:
"Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul."
Joseph Smith often expressed the same feeling over the gospel of Jesus Christ as he challenged and corrected the false views of the churches of the day. Read The Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith. You'll see this a common theme from Joseph.
In the late 1980s I served as a stake mission president, before that position was deleted at the local level of the Church. We had great success in our efforts. We were true to the Restoration and it brought the fruits we sought. We baptized, and we retained our new members. Nearly all went on to receive the temple ordinances.
It was soon after President Benson became the Prophet and President. Many of us will recall his simple and sober message of reliance on the Spirit in this work, and his emphasis on the Book of Mormon as the tool to facilitate that inspiration. We tried to be true to this ideal. And the Lord gave the harvest.
During this period I would often conduct an informal survey in the stake. I would ask, "What is the Book of Mormon all about?" The most common answer was some variation of: "It's a history of the American Indian --- the Lamanites."
Now it's possible that such an answer was aided and abetted by the Primary song, "Book of Mormon stories that my teacher told to me / Are about the Lamanites in ancient history . . . ."
I may not have the lyrics dead accurate, but the gist is there.
That is a poor description of the message of the Book of Mormon. . . . We have a lot of work to do.
We can only hope that the opinions thus expressed --- in the "survey" (not a scientific poll!) and in the lyrics --- are not too deeply petrified that we have difficulty learning the true message and intent of that sacred volume, which cost the best blood of the nineteenth century to bring forth for the salvation of a ruined world. A lost world. A fallen world. As the book itself clearly shows. (If we know where to find it, that is, in its pages.)
Some good statements from those who know, to support our premise here:
"No member of this Church can stand approved in the presence of God who has not seriously and carefully read the Book of Mormon" (Joseph Fielding Smith).
"And he [Joseph] has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true" (Doctrine and Covenants 17:6).
"There is nothing better that we can do to prepare ourselves spiritually than to read the Book of Mormon" (Harold B. Lee).
"I have noted within the Church the difference in discernment, in insight, conviction, and spirit between those who know and love the Book of Mormon and those who do not. That book is a great sifter" (Ezra Taft Benson).
"Combined with the Spirit of the Lord, the Book of Mormon is the greatest single tool which God has given us to convert the world. If we are to have the harvest of souls that President Kimball envisions, then we must use the instrument which God has designed for that task---the Book of Mormon" (Ezra Taft Benson).
"The Book of Mormon has not been, nor is it yet, the center of our personal study, family teaching, preaching and missionary work. Of this we must repent" (Ezra Taft Benson).
"I have a vision of homes alerted, of classrooms alive, and of pulpits aflame with the spirit of Book of Mormon messages. . . . I have a vision of the whole Church getting nearer to God by abiding by the precepts of the Book of Mormon" (Ezra Taft Benson).
"As far as learning the Gospel and teaching the Gospel is concerned, the Book of Mormon, by all odds, is the most important of the standard works, because in simplicity and in plainness it sets forth in a definitive manner the doctrines of the Gospel" (Bruce R. McConkie).
"From almost every page of the book, there will come to them a moving testimony that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God, our Redeemer and Savior. This witness alone will be a sustaining anchor in every storm. In the Book of Mormon they will find the plainest explanation of Christ's divine mission and his atonement to be found anywhere in sacred scripture" (Marion G. Romney).
"The re-emphasis in our day to study the Book of Mormon is equivalent to the re-emphasis in the days of President Lorenzo Snow to pay tithing" (Ezra Taft Benson).
"There is a difference between the convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who is not. Social, ethical, cultural or educational converts will not survive under the heat of the day unless their taproots go down to the fullness of the gospel which the Book of Mormon contains" (Ezra Taft Benson).
"If a member of the Church does not follow the counsel to study the Book of Mormon during his life, he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life" (Ezra Taft Benson).
"Not only should we know what history and faith-promoting stories it contains, but we should understand its teachings. If we really did our homework and approached the Book of Mormon doctrinally, we could expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the false theories and philosophies of men, including socialism, humanism, organic evolution and others" (Ezra Taft Benson).
This last statement from President Benson has been a prime motivation for my life work over the past forty years or more, and is the reason behind the content of these Sabbathoughts and GIFTS articles --- to help to correct the poor doctrine often found among us and to focus us on the truth. We have tried, and continue to try, to use boldness and all the energy the Lord will give "to make popular that which is sound and good, and unpopular that which is unsound," as our Prophet and example Joseph Smith expressed it.
Some may find this purpose and intent too bold, too presumptuous. Compare, if you would, the fulness of Nephi's intent in 1 Nephi 6:4 and 2 Nephi 25; 28 and 33. It is the same.
Some may dispute the bold Answer and the Question in our title of this Sabbathought. But consider this:
As we have written before, citing Joseph McConkie, ". . . 3 Nephi 21:7--11 is the central message of the Book of Mormon. Our doctrine is: you must accept Jesus Christ as revealed in the Book of Mormon or you cannot be saved. Our doctrinal roots go down into the Book of Mormon. That is where Joseph Smith learned the gospel, line upon line," and it is the pattern for each of us, or we shall be found without the oil in our lamps as the five foolish virgins.
It is getting late. Before it is too late we need to get a new vision of the Book of Mormon and of what it is really about. Infuse it in our souls and boldly speak of it, not just in our meetings, or even in our families, but to the world. They will thank us for it later.
As my nephew Jake as a youngster twenty years ago used to write in the front of copies of the Book of Mormon the family was sending out on a mission: "Read this book."
Much more to say on these things, family and friends.
Any thoughts? Let's hear from you.
God bless.
Steve
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As I was reading this Sabbathought, 3 Nephi 21:11 was on my mind the entire time. I was delighted to see Brother Cook's inclusion of the verse in his Sabbathought above.
ReplyDeleteIt has been said that this is the most important verse in all of scripture. That's a strong statement, and I'd prefer to withhold the source of the statement as I would have everybody consider the merit of the same based on his/her own prayerful contemplation of the verse referred to in its proper context.
Note well that this verse is a statement that the Savior made himself. The context was that this verse was given to the Nephites during one of the Savior's visits here to the Americas sometime after his resurrection had taken place. The Savior is prophesying of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith. As for the content of the verse, the Savior gives a very specific and crucial condition that we all must abide by in order to be numbered among his covenant people. That condition has a few different components. The first component is that we must believe in the words of Jesus Christ. The second component of the condition is that we must believe in Jesus' words as they come to this dispensation through Joseph Smith by the power given Joseph by the Father. This verse is very much in harmony with the Lord's statement to Joseph Smith in Doctrine & Covenants 5:10.
What is at stake here in 3 Nephi 21:11? Everything--the salvation of this whole dispensation. All will be cut off who do not abide by this condition. Now, why is it so important to believe on the word of God as it comes to us through a prophet--an ordinary man called of God? This is so because it is crucial for us to understand in a very personal way that a fallen man can indeed be redeemed.
As a redeemed fallen man, one can and must participate in the plan of salvation in a vital way. This is a core component of the doctrine of the priesthood that should distill on our souls in a purifying way that makes us one with Christ and serves to make our feet beautiful on the mountains as his are--in this manner we become true sons of Christ as we strive to spread the fulness of the blessings of his most holy atonement. This is truly what Isaiah is speaking of as quoted by Abinadi in Mosiah 15. It is also what Doctrine & Covenants 84 is all about.
This is the doctrine that is one of the cornerstones of salvation for every man on earth. If we reject the calling of one of God's prophets, we reject this potential for ourselves to be similarly called to proclaim his gospel and thereby be saved. In essence, we throw the baby out with the bathwater and subsequently condemn ourselves. This is what I believe the Lord was speaking about when he comforted Moroni in response to his concern that some would take advantage of their weakness in a mocking rejection of the sacred and precious message entrusted to Mormon and Moroni and borne with honor and the utmost of care by both of them (Ether 12:23-26, 36-38).
Finally, let us not forget the comfort sought by the Prophet's brother in the verses given by the Lord in answer to Moroni's concerns as outlined above (Ether 12:36-38) not long before Joseph and Hyrum both joined the ranks of the martyrs of Christ's true religion. And why were they martyred? For defending, among other things, this truth--that God still calls and anoints prophets in our day and that he will continue to do so so long as there is one man or woman remaining on earth to be saved. And so we come full circle. How important is 3 Nephi 21:11 to our salvation in this day--it is crucial in every sense of the word.
I love the insight from Joseph McConkie, "that (the Book of Mormon) is where Joseph Smith learned the gospel, line upon line," I had never really thought of that before. But it makes sense that the Lord would set forth his pattern of how we gain knowledge about him and his plan right from the beginning of this dispensation!
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for prophets, faithful teachers, and family members who encourage us to "feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do” (2 Ne.32:3).
As I strive to follow this counsel to feast upon the words of Christ and read the scriptures daily, I have learned that the Holy Ghost tells us in our mind and in our hearts all things that the Lord would have us know and do (D&C 8:2 and 2 Ne. 32:3).
Feasting upon the words of Christ provides great spiritual nourishment that fuels us with the spiritual insight and strength that we need for the rigors and challenges of this life.
The Book of Mormon is a true testament of Jesus Christ. As we feast upon the words of Christ we will learn line upon line precept upon precept (D&C 98:12) just as Joseph did, and over time become equipped with the knowledge and power needed to enable us to return to the Father’s presence through Him, even our Savior Jesus Christ.