What Are God’s Purposes for the Book of Mormon?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to the Book of Mormon – Another Testament of Jesus Christ in a lesson title “Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon.” Every four years, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concentrate their scripture study on the Book of Mormon. The studies follow a pattern of Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine and Covenants and then repeats. This lesson was preceded by this introduction.

Before you even get to 1 Nephi chapter 1, you will notice that the Book of Mormon is no ordinary book. Its introductory pages describe a backstory unlike any other—including visits from angels, an ancient record buried for centuries in a hillside, and a young man translating the record by the power of God. The Book of Mormon is not just a history of ancient American civilizations. It seeks to convince all “that Jesus is the Christ” (title page of the Book of Mormon), and God Himself directed how it was written, preserved, and made available to us. This year, as you read the Book of Mormon, pray about it, and apply its teachings, you will invite the Savior’s power into your life. And you may feel moved to say, as the Three Witnesses did in their testimony, “It is marvelous in [my] eyes.”

The principle for discussion in this post is “Studying the Book of Mormon can strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ” (Title page of the Book of Mormon). There is more than just a title on the title page of the Book of Mormon. The title page lists several purposes for these sacred records of ancient American inhabitants. We should look for these purposes as we study the title page. Asking questions such as the following may help us to find the purposes of this book: Why do we have the Book of Mormon? How is the Book of Mormon different from other books? Here are the contents of the title page.

 

THEBOOK OF MORMON

AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BYTHE HAND OF MORMON UPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI

 

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

 

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

 

TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITH, Jun.

The lesson suggests that the beginning of a new year might be a good time to make a plan for personal or family study of the Book of Mormon. A successful scripture study experience, a plan should include when and where to study, how the Holy Ghost will be invited into the study, and anything specific to look for in the study. An example might be to look for passages that accomplish the purposes found on the title page. Another example might be to keep a list of verses that build one’s faith in Jesus Christ. Some suggested references are: 2 Nephi 25:26; Mosiah 3:5–8; Alma 5:48; 7:10–13; Helaman 5:12; 3 Nephi 9:13–18; 11:6–14; Moroni 10:32–33.