The Book of Mormon Videos YouTube channel is a collection of videos based on accounts from The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The need under the law of Moses to atone even for sins committed in ignorance is stated in Numbers 15:27–29, and such iniquities were of particular interest on the Day of Atonement, when the scapegoat carried away “all their iniquities” (Leviticus 16:22). Moroni used very few titles for Christ that reflect Jesus’ position or official station (such as “Lord,” “Lord God,” or “Father of heaven and earth”). Well does their modern testimony mention that many testimonies have been given of Him. [15] R. Laird Harris, ed., Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody, 1980), 750–51. He was alone in his preaching, alone in his tenacious rebuttal against Noah’s court, and alone in the flames of martyrdom. 1924, pp. Truman G. Madsen (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1984), 59–71; Stephen D. Ricks, “Liturgy and Cosmogony” (Provo, Utah: FARMS, 1981). As is well known, the New Testament testimonies of Christ reflect a variety of views about Jesus. Indeed, so holy was the Day of Atonement in the Jewish tradition that on this day—and on this day alone—could the name of God, YHWH, be pronounced. [13] Thus, it is noteworthy that in Benjamin’s speech, the exalted name Lord God appears ten times (five as “Lord God,” four as “Lord God Omnipotent,” and one as “Lord Omnipotent”). We will continue to collect and publish testimonies through the … … It is true, and we know it.” (Journal of Discourses, 5:240–41. This should inspire all who would be honest seekers after truth to put these two sacred scriptures together and study them as one book, understanding, as we do, their true relationship.” (Ye Are the Light of the World, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1974, pp. This name was uttered once again by Samuel the Lamanite. That major point of emphasis for Abinadi was also a new formulation. No form of human revenge or avenging would ever bring back the lives that were lost in the atrocity of Ammonihah. As chief judge, Alma was particularly interested in God’s justice. The Book of Mormon Videos YouTube channel is a collection of videos based on accounts from The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The people’s use of this name in their response (see Mosiah 4:2) and its subsequent reappearance in the record (see Helaman 14:12) suggest that this extended name had sacred, perhaps ceremonial significance among the Nephites. The number ten is a symbolic number, representing completeness and perfection. By contrast, holiness was a main attribute of Christ mentioned by Moroni (see Mormon 9:3–5), Jesus being identified as a “holy Being” (Mormon 9:3) and as the “Holy One” (Mormon 9:14). For example, when Alma invited the Zoramite poor to plant that seed of faith in their hearts, the specific “word” that he wanted them to plant (see Alma 33:23) appears to epitomize the basic Nephite testimony embracing these seven points. Lehi’s strong Israelite roots are also apparent in his reference to the Lord as the “firstfruits” that typically belonged to God. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. They bespoke the character, individuality, and qualities of the person. Alma, the Testimony of the Word (Book of Mormon Symposium) - Kindle edition by Nyman, Monte S., Tate, Charles D.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Alma tried to appeal to all segments of Nephite society—to the faithful in Gideon, to the apostates in Ammonihah, to the inconstant in Zarahemla, and to the poor in Antionum—and his use of terminology reflects his broad orientation. That stylistic feature enhances the simplicity and directness of his message, and it also implements the plainness of Isaiah’s vision: “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2; Mosiah 14:2). From the fact that immoral lawbreakers were not punished by the kings, I infer that Jacob was at odds with the kings and the rising aristocracy in the city of Nephi much of his life (see Jacob 1:15–16), and thus we may see an indication of antimonarchical leanings in his eagerness to recognize Christ as King. As he cursed the people of Zarahemla (the same city in which Benjamin had given this name more than a century earlier), Samuel told them “of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning” (Helaman 14:12). I knew it was true, as well as I knew that I could see with my eyes, or feel by the touch of my fingers, or be sensible of the demonstration of any sense. He used the term “Christ” thirty-three times; all but seven of these are found in prepositional phrases, such as “the light of Christ,” “alive in Christ,” “the gift of Christ,” “the atonement of Christ,” “the words of Christ,” and so on. No other Book of Mormon prophet before Abinadi had used those exact words (and only Alma does so after him; see Alma 42:15). Except for Alma’s attempt, no defenders or companions came forward to assist or rescue Abinadi. Grant Building To Amulek, who himself had been exposed to terrible risks of harm and torture, it was especially pertinent to describe the Atonement as encircling people “in the arms of safety” (Alma 34:16; emphasis added), a phrase unique to him in all of scripture. Nothing else would ever be commensurate with the “great and last sacrifice” that would be “infinite and eternal” (Alma 34:14). The testimonies of those witnesses of the Book of Mormon in this book can burn in our hearts, strengthen our faith and fortify our minds – and we can know for ourselves that their words are true. ), “I translated the record by the gift and power of God.” (History of the Church, 4:537. It is one of the vital cornerstones of the restored Church.” (Improvement Era, Nov. 1960, p. As Isaiah prophesied, “he hath poured out his soul unto death” (Isaiah 53:12; Mosiah 14:12), and “so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death” (Mosiah 15:7). The Book of Mormon was first published in English in New York in 1830. A testimony of the Book of Mormon leads to so many other elements of testimony. For years, Nephi tried to teach his brothers and his people to walk in the paths of obedience. During those lonely years of wandering, Jesus Christ appeared to Moroni in plain humility, speaking with him face to face in Moroni’s own language (see Ether 12:39). After departing Mormonism, he later declared, “If you believe my testimony to the Book of Mormon; if you believe that God spake to us three witnesses by his own voice, then I tell you that in June, 1838, God spake to me again by his own voice from the heavens, and told me to separate myself from among the Latter-day Saints.” John M. Lundquist and Stephen D. Ricks (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1990), 1:461, 474, 502. 2 that he will come to redeem his people. It is a powerful second witness of Christ. …, “In the final chapter of the book is the never-failing promise that every person who will read the book with a sincere, prayerful desire to know of its divinity shall have the assurance. …, “My beloved friends, I give to you the Book of Mormon. The charts are reproduced from John W. Welch and J. Gregory Welch, Charting the Book of Mormon (Provo, Utah: FARMS, 1999). Seven of these utterances are in the words of the angel to Benjamin (see Mosiah 3:5, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21, 23); the other three are in the words of Benjamin (see Mosiah 2:30, 41; 5:15), occurring at important ceremonial breaking points in the speech. The book of Mormon holds a special place in my heart. Mormon abridged much of the Nephite records. Similarly, no artifice or adornment, no tendency toward the ornate embellishments of Noah’s edifices, was suited to the plain and forthright style of the prophet Abinadi. Interestingly, the words of Abinadi contain the word “Father” exactly eight times, “Son” eight times, and “Christ” eight times, as if to signal Christ’s fatherhood and sonship equally. Consistent with Benjamin’s personal interests and circumstances in life, he was the only Book of Mormon writer ever to use the word “omnipotent.”. 925–26. Description. All seven elements can be found scattered throughout the writings of Nephi (see 1 Nephi 11:31–33; 19:9–10; 2 Nephi 25:12–13), Jacob (see 2 Nephi 9:5–15), Abinadi (see Mosiah 15:5–9), and King Benjamin (see Mosiah 3:5–10). He learned by sad experience that his direct action had failed. Distinct personal profiles emerge when the words of the following ten Book of Mormon prophets are identified and compared. It exhorts each reader, personally, to “come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift” (Moroni 10:30). I could not as a child or as a young man, comprehend and understand as fully as today the splendid discourses regarding the divine mission of the Savior. 185 Heber J. In addition to being a prophet, Mormon was a father, commander-in-chief of the Nephite armies, record keeper, and abridger. As many of you will recall, Shannon Caldwell Montez joined us on Mormon Stories Podcast in July, 2020 to tell us her own story, as well as to tell us the story of B.H. . They all spoke and bore testimonies about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and also about the fact that the final battles of two great nations written about therein occurred all around where we were sitting—that the Nephites and Jaredites walked, and fought, struggled and died right there in that expanse of land next to the Hill. Accordingly, the historical setting is not the focus, but it is rather the background music that gives context and emphasis to the doctrine. Perhaps Alma avoided such references because the traditional Nephite designation of Jesus as “the Father of heaven and of earth,” i.e., the Creator, (2 Nephi 25:12; emphasis added; see also 1 Nephi 22:9; Mosiah 3:8; Alma 11:39; Helaman 14:12; 16:18) had been made a subject of manipulation and rhetorical controversy by Alma’s opponents (see Alma 11:38). I do not think that I have ever before enjoyed that book so much. 157–59. His personal leadership was unsuccessful because of the awful conditions of the Nephites at his time. President Monson’s Testimony of the Book of Mormon It bears the mark of inspiration from beginning to end, and carries conviction to every honest-hearted soul.” (Journal of Discourses, 25:99–100. Names in antiquity typically conveyed meaning. Brigham Young University Likewise, Abinadi made no mention of any apostles, disciples, or others who might come to the aid of the suffering Messiah. … [They] contain the words of eternal life unto this generation.” (Journal of Discourses, 22:146, 335. He was the keeper of the words of Christ and the preserver of the most sacred prayers of Jesus, which Moroni included in the record only after he knew that those words would be safe from the hands of apostates and infidels. [12] For evidence of this as an authentic part of the earliest Christian accounts of Jesus’ passion, see Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament (London: United Bible Societies, 1971), 177. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smithas The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plate… ), “I testify to you that the Book of Mormon is truly the Word of God, that communication between earth and heaven has been opened up again, and that the true way of the Lord has been revealed to men on earth, showing the means by which all needful knowledge and blessings may be received by every true believer in Christ.” (Instructor, Oct. 1952, p. The earlier Book of Mormon writers use greater variety in their names for Christ than do the later writers. But this is no easy task—in fact, it is impossible, because the Book of Mormon is true. Nephi and his brother Jacob also experienced the harrowing episodes of being led through an uncharted desert and across an endless expanse of ocean by the Liahona. many Lamanites were converted to Christ when the walls of a prison were destroyed, God’s light shone, and His voice spoke out of an enveloping cloud of darkness (see Helaman 5:33–43). … Through their teachings we are permitted to come nearer unto God, get a better understanding of our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ, become closer acquainted with them and to know more in regard to the wonderful plan of salvation which they have given unto us and unto the world if it will receive the plan that will exalt us in the kingdom of God to become his sons and his daughters, receiving the fulness of that kingdom. …, “I want to bear testimony to you … that I know that the Book of Mormon is true; that Joseph Smith received it from the hand of God through an angel that was sent to reveal it, the same angel who, while living in this world, finished the record and sealed it up to come forth in this Dispensation of the Fulness of Times.” (Improvement Era, Dec. 1961, pp. [12]. Testimonies of the Book of Mormon Church leaders testify of the Book of Mormon. Provo, UT 84602 ), “In relation to reading the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, … no man can be an efficient missionary of this church unless he is familiar with these books. The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2200 BC to AD 421. 61. That emphasis goes hand-in-hand with the fact that Lehi had prayed mightily and wept bitterly over the wickedness of his people and the stubbornness of his eldest sons. That is further evidence of the multiple authorship of the ancient records underlying the Book of Mormon. Moroni’s testimony of Christ, like the testimonies of his predecessors, mirrors the conditions that surrounded him. Unlike most other Book of Mormon prophets (who also served as kings, judges, and military leaders), Lehi was exclusively a prophet. Whatever else these words might mean, they evoke priestly images of temple sacrifice and ritual (for example, the forbidden fat belonged to the Lord; see Leviticus 7:3–31). ), “As I did so [begin to read the Book of Mormon] the spirit bore witness that the record which it contained was true. It fascinated me, captivated me, and held me spellbound with its irresistible charm and engaging interest. Alma, the judicial and religious defender of the freedom of belief (ca. [11] When the multitude fell down upon the ground, overcome in awe by the fear of the Lord, they repeated back to the king essentially the words of this name: “We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things” (Mosiah 4:2; see also 5:15). 2. Once, in 3 Nephi 5:1, Mormon spoke of Jesus as the Redeemer and Savior, in connection with the redemption of the promised land of the Israelites (see 3 Nephi 5:20, 26), but otherwise, names and titles for Jesus are almost nonexistent in Mormon’s original writings. The reliability of eyewitness testimony and the Book of Mormon November 14, 2020 Dan Peterson Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Finally, Moroni concluded the plates of Mormon, looking forward to the time when all people will meet Him “before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead” (Moroni 10:34). It was a powerful picture! 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. 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