Random Thought #57

So I went home teaching yesterday and the most interesting thing happened. This latest issue of the Ensign was all about the Book of Mormon and many of the conference talks were about the Book of Mormon. I was in a rush to go to eat dinner and then get to my appointment that I forgot to bring the Ensign. My companion brought a copy of the magazine but I didn't feel impressed to use it. Instead I brought my scriptures (dunno why...I never do). When it came time for the lesson, I just opened up the scriptures and thought immediately to turn to the Book of Mormon title page. As I read from the title page, a number of thoughts hit me and was basically the point of my message to that family. I will illustrate them below as well as provide a link so that you can read it for yourselves.

Link

1. The Book of Mormon was written not only to the Jew and Gentile, but also to the Lamanites, who were a remnant of the House of Israel. We have to remember that the Nephites and possibly also the Lamanites were descendant of Jews. Lehi and his family were Jews and followed the Law of Moses all the way up until the time that Christ appeared to the people in Bountiful.

2. Although the Book of Mormon was largely written by Jews, it was to be translated by God by way of the Gentile; not translated by a Gentile.

3. The record in Ether is meant to show the remnant of the House of Israel what the Lord has done and will do for his covenant people and to remind them of that covenant.

4. The biggest piece and purpose of the Book of Mormon is to convince both Jew and Gentile (I would say Gentile and Jew since the last are now first, but symantics aside) that Jesus is the Christ. There is only two times that Christ appeared to the people on this earth to basically fulfill the Law of Moses and introduce the Law of the Gospel. Jerusalem during his mortal ministry (New Testament) and after his resurrection (Book of Mormon). Since the Bible has been translated by man and many interpolations have been introduced, there is only one true and pure source for how this was done and it reinforces what happened in Jerusalem. How are you going to convince the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. He couldn't even convince them. When you show them that he appeared to other people who were living the same Law of Moses that they did and hear about how they felt the nail imprints in his hands and feet and how he descended from heaven in glory vs riding into the city on a donkey, the connections will be made and the Jews will realize they made a big mistake. I would venture to say that some of the best missionary work will happen when Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and other areas over there open their doors to missionary work.

It is truly a remarkable book and the keystone of our religion.