Have you ever wondered about your testimony of the book of mormon. It was on saturday, january 18th that our bishop called late and asked me to bear my testimony of the book of mormon the next morning in sacrament meeting along with others. Even if the majority of the witnesses to the book of mormon did not deny their testimony of the book itself, this does little to support mormonism today. Ideas for reading and understanding the book of mormon. Nelson when you read the book of mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the bookfrom its first chapter to the lastthe.
In this their greatest and last hour of need, i ask you would these men blaspheme before god by continuing to fix their lives, their honor, and their own search for each eternal salvation on a book. Joseph smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter, let alone dictate a. Prophets and apostles talk about the book of mormon. I bear testimony that our savior is our perfect example, that he did perform the atonement for us, and that through him we all may be able to return to live with our father in heaven again. The author of these truth claims essays provided to mormon stories, michael brown, shared his testimony as follows. The book of mormon has been organized into 6,607 verses, of which 3,925 refer to jesus christ, employing more than 100 titles. Mar 01, 2020 i do want you all to know for sure i have that testimony, and not hide it, so i will do my best to share it with you in writing.
The book of mormon is a special testimony to the jew, and amaleki seals this testimony in his declaration of christ as the holy one of israel. The earliest text yale university press, 2009, my task has been to recover the original englishlanguage text of the book of mormon to the extent scholarly and academic analysis will allow. Hopefully the following firsthand accounts of how different people gained their testimonies can help provide insights and inspiration for your own journey of faith. This moroni says he did, and from all the evidence in the book of mormon, augmented by the testimony of the prophet joseph smith, these final battles took place in the territory known as the united states and in the neighborhood of the great lakes and hills of western new york. We believed the third book, a golden book, was lost until we learned of the book of mormon. Take some time to read about the book of mormon, and pick 10 scriptures that help you gain a stronger testimony of the truthfulness and importance of it. Long ago in the karen culture in burma, the history has been told of three books that were lost. David whitmers final testimony of the book of mormon.
All three men upheld their testimony of the book of mormon at their deaths. Actually incarcerated in the jail, joseph the prophet bore a powerful testimony of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. My suggestion to you is that you read the book of mormon, and in doing so that as you turn each page you sincerely ask the lord to let you know if this book is indeed truethat will be a total of 531 prayers. To the inside front cover are affixed four clippings of descriptions of different versions of first edition copies of the book of mormon and of an 1854 edition of the doctrine and covenants, along with a clipping describing the origin of the text of the book of mormon and a bookplate of the shepard book company of salt lake city, utah. Friend january 2020 the precious book of mormon president nelson compares the book of mormon to treasure and encourages us to read it. I created some blank bookmarks for you to print out and use as well. June 27, 2019 175 years ago today a lawless mob assassinated joseph and hyrum smith. Former mission president and ysa bishop lynn mcmurray explains how the book of mormon has been the knot at the end of his faith rope when his testimony has waivered. Why did nephi end his sacred record with his testimony of the. Most books contained in libraries of the world were authored for contemporary readers. The testimony of joseph smith about the book of mormon youtube.
He is the central commanding figure, from the title page, continue reading. We tend to encourage people to not just read and think, but also to pray as a way to learn, through personal revelation, if the book of mormon or other aspects of the. I respect individuals who are determined in their beliefs and their love for jesus and his gospel, because i find myself in that same path. I told the brethren that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to god by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. We tend to encourage people to not just read and think, but also to pray as a way to learn, through personal revelation, if the book of mormon or other aspects of the church are true. No religious class, church lesson, parental bribe, new years resolution, or challenge from a prophet helped me develop a habit of daily scripture study.
Friend april 2016 a family reads the book of mormon and then prays to get a testimony of its truth. Nelson was first called to the quorum of the twelve apostles, president ezra taft. I remember the spirit i felt as a kid every time we read from it. A young refugees testimony of the book of mormon meridian.
Testimony of the book of mormon latterday saints channel. Togather saints testimony of the book of mormon facebook. I bear you my testimony a reply to a mormon testimony. Mormons claim that a personal feeling, a burning in the bosom, which is interpreted to be a manifestation of the holy ghost, is the only evidence needed to prove that the religion is true. I do want you all to know for sure i have that testimony, and not hide it, so i will do my best to share it with you in writing. The book of mormon fills my life with joy and hope. I want to share my testimony of the book of mormon with you. My testimony of the book of mormon, scholarly and personal. As one of a thousand elements of my own testimony of the divinity of the book of mormon, i submit this as yet one more evidence of its truthfulness. Should you pray and ask if its true or maybe you already prayed and didnt get an answer. Their writings centered upon the lord, his mission, and his ministry. Jun 02, 2012 i bear testimony that our savior is our perfect example, that he did perform the atonement for us, and that through him we all may be able to return to live with our father in heaven again.
Elder holland shares his testimony of the book of mormon and the ministry of joseph and hyrum smith. Ten testimonies of jesus christ from the book of mormon. He promises that changes and miracles will occur in our lives if we do. Book of mormon, 1830, page 589 the joseph smith papers. So as attacks on the book of mormon as continue now as they did in 1830, here is a quick overview of why i know my testimony of the book of mormon is rational. And here moroni found the resting place for the sacred instruments.
The doctrine of christ and nephis testimony the book of. Martin harris may 18, 1783 july 10, 1875 was an early convert to the latter day saint movement who financially guaranteed the first printing of the book of mormon and also served as one of three witnesses who testified that they had seen the golden plates from which joseph smith said the book of mormon had been translated. Ive done just that and what ive replicated is not what members will be happy with and will surprise those of you not of the church despite w. Grant palmer aptly writes, when a person experiences the spirit at a protestant revival meeting or when reading the book of mormon, it is not my belief that the powerful feelings prove the truthfulness of the doctrines heard, taught, or read. Book of mormon testimonies have you ever wondered about. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the book of mormon and every edition since. This appeal to all people must involve many languages and the work. I bear witness to my family, my loved ones, my posterity, and the world that the book of mormon is true and is indeed the word of god and that joseph smith was the person god chose to restore the true gospel to the earth, in this last of dispensations, in preparation for the second coming of the savior. Jan 07, 2020 what is your testimony of the book of mormon. The summary points below defending our rationality as mormons are a serious matter. As a born and raised mormon i was taught over and over to study the book of mormon in order to get a testimony. Current mormon doctrine on the nature of god, the priesthood, use of temples, baptism for the dead, and men becoming gods, is nowhere contained in the book of mormon.
Later when actually incarcerated in the jail, joseph the prophet bore a powerful testimony of the divine authenticity of the book of mormon. When you read the book of mormon, concentrate on the principal. If he joseph smith was a prophet, which he is, later when speaking to parley p. Prophets and apostles discuss the importance of gaining a testimony of the book of mormon. As the bible is a record of gods dealings with the inhabitants of the eastern hemisphere, the book of mormon tells of a people who were led by god from jerusalem to the western hemisphere 600 years prior to the birth of the savior.
Like the three witnesses, the book of mormon prophecies that there will be others which will testify of this work, and there is none other which shall view it, save it be a few according to the will of god, to bear testimony of his word unto the children of men. Concerning her belief about the divinity of the book of mormon, emma stated the following. I wish now, standing as it were, in the very sunset of life, and in the fear of god, once and for all to make this public statement. Alma, the testimony of the word papers from the sixth annual book of mormon symposium, 1991 monte state, charles d. Isnt it interesting that the general conference odyssey is just now reading through those powerful talks given by president ezra taft benson who focused so much on this great book of scripture. I bear you my testimony that i know the book of mormon is. Dean garrett observed, we saw nephi as an energetic, dynamic, idealistic young leader, but in his farewell.
The testimony of the eight witnesses gospel doctrine. The book of mormon is a convincing witness for jesus christ because its writers freely shared their personal testimonies of him and communicated their individual feelings and thoughts about his attributes and functions. I remember waking up very earlier as a family to read from its pages. Aug 08, 2019 chapter of ether in the book of mormon.
The book of mormon has filled my heart with so much joy and light and hope. As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. Emmas testimony of the book of mormon and the restoration. Ive felt prompted for a few weeks now that i want to write a post about my testimony of the book of mormon. That i have never at any time denied that testimony of the book of mormon or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that book, as one of the three witnesses. However virtually all religions claim to have spiritual experiences. In the relief society minutes of march 1844 emma said this. The book of mormon holds a special place in my heart. Christensen is a returned lds missionary and is home book of mormon challenge. The question of the book of mormon witnesses is extremely significant. Testimony moronis america the north american setting. The book of mormon is the testament of the new world, and they go hand in hand in testimony of the lord jesus christ. The words of the apostle paul to the romans parallel.
May 04, 2018 if you want to have a testimony that the mormon church is the true church, simply ask god and he will tell you. That book the very copy from which high red the same corner of the page to turn down still visible. Thus, some form of christs name is used on an average of one reference for every 1. Reading the book of mormon teaching children the gospel. Another testament of jesus christ is to convey to the modern world powerful testimonies of the divine mission and essential attributes of jesus christ, to the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god title page. Second, amaleki says that to serve christ we must give ourselves as an offering to him. Shortly thereafter, pistol and ball would take the lives of these two test stators.
All book of mormon prophets taught more or less mosiah. Fittingly, joseph smiths testimony is included in the introduction of the book of mormon. Can you show me how to gain a testimony that the mormon. Joseph smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and wellworded letter, let alone dictate a book like the book of mormon. This script is taken from portions of joseph smiths own testimony, found at the beginning of the book of mormon. My life by gogo goff testimony of the book of mormon. Reading the book of mormon benefits and blessings of reading the book of mormon.
A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of mormon. That wedding of the rational and the religious works well for a volume which argues that the literary dimensions of the book of mormon contribute deliberately and dramatically to its religious impact. Like many of you, i started gaining my testimony of the book of mormon at a very young age. My life by gogo goff testimony of the book of mormon facebook. When i was striving to be a worthy member this was a source of constant guilt for me. Hopefully the following firsthand accounts of how different people gained their testimonies can help. Seven summary insights into the theological rationality of the book of mormon.
A common muslim testimony i bear you my testimony that i know the book of mormon is true, i know that joseph smith is a true prophet of god and i know that the church is the only true church i bear witness that there is no god but allah, and i bear witness that mohammed is the servant and messenger of allah. I believe he joseph was everything he professed to be. The book of mormon is another testament of jesus christ. Mormon answers to questions about the lds testimony and the need for personal revelation. I respect individuals who are determined in their beliefs and their love for jesus and his gospel, because i find myself in. Apostle describes the unwavering faith the churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of mormon. Jul 26, 2017 latterday saints mormons often speak about the importance of having a personal testimony of the gospel of jesus christ. Nor does the spirit, which testifies of the book of mormon, confirm the historical reality of the book. Never in my born and raised in the church life have i read the book of mormon on a daily basis.
Shortly thereafter, pistol and ball would take the lives of these two testators. I felt prompted to share my testimony of the book of mormon with you. May 16, 2014 emmas testimony of the book of mormon and the restoration. The book of mormon says, and we talk of christ, we rejoice in christ, we preach of christ, we prophesy of christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins 2 nephi 25. Lest anyone conclude that i merely lack the powerful spiritual experiences and personal confirmation they received, allow me to share how i obtained my testimony.
Feasting on the word is both a heartfelt and a thoughtful book, as clearly reasoned as it is faithful. The testimony of the eight witnesses was first published at the end of the 1830 edition of the book of mormon and has been printed in nearly every edition since, although most subsequent editions moved the statement to the front of the book and included minor grammatical corrections. Testimony of the book of mormon bookmark little lds ideas. Our elders teach us that the silver book represents knowledge and the heavenly book represents the bible, or the word of god. A modernday apostle describes the unwavering faith the churchs founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the book of mormon. A lot of people know that i wake up at 5am every weekday morning. I am so grateful to have the book of mormon so that i can continually feast upon the word of god. My testimony of the book of mormon is rational meridian. Emma smiths witness of the book of mormon lds scripture. As editor of the book of mormon critical text project and the book of mormon. I hold in my hand that book, the very copy from which hyrum read, the same corner of the page turned down still visible.
Jan 02, 2016 elder holland then declared his own testimony of the book of mormon, but not before asking a penetrating question to those who question the books divinity. Mar 12, 2018 former mission president and ysa bishop lynn mcmurray explains how the book of mormon has been the knot at the end of his faith rope when his testimony has waivered. If you want to have a testimony that the mormon church is the true church, simply ask god and he will tell you. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. As one of a thousand elements of my own testimony of the divinity of the book of mormon, i. Latterday saints mormons often speak about the importance of having a personal testimony of the gospel of jesus christ. Elder holland then declared his own testimony of the book of mormon, but not before asking a penetrating question to those who question the books divinity.