1 Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon (Link to Come Follow Me 2024, Introductory Lesson)

 The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ is a remarkable book. Many people start their reading with 1 Nephi 1. But even before that, we can find out many things about why this book of scripture was written and how it came forth to us in these latter-days.

title page of the Book of Mormon The greatest purposes of The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ is the convincing of all people that Jesus is the Christ. It was written, preserved, and translated by the gift and power of God for us to read.

Read The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ this year; pray about it and practice application of the principles you learn. You will feel the Savior’s power working in your life. This book and the unfolding of God’s promises to you will become marvelous in your eyes!

Studying the Book of Mormon can strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ.

From my reading of the Title page of the Book of Mormon:

A prophet named Mormon abridged the records that were kept by the Nephite people; which record was later translated into The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

 

It is a record of the Nephites and the Lamanites.

 

It was written to the Lamanites (as the Nephites were destroyed in the last great battles); it was also written to the Jew and the Gentile.

 

The Lord commanded that it should be written, and it was written by the Spirit of prophesy and revelation.

 

Moroni, the son of Mormon, hid the record in the earth for it to come forth at a future day and to be translated, by the gift and power of God.

 

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ also contains a record of an earlier people. In this record, called The Book of Ether, we learn about the people of Jared. These people were led to the Americas after the Lord confounded the language of all people at the time of the Tower of Babel.

 

These records show the Lords love and mercy to the children of Israel and how He has blessed their fathers. They make known the covenants of the Lord, so that the children of Israel know that they are not cast off forever. They were kept and preserved so that both Jew and Gentile can receive convincing witness "that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God," and that He manifests Himself to all nations.

 

These records were translated by Joseph Smith, Jun.

 

Purposes of this sacred record:

1.      We see that the Lord loved our fathers and He loves us.

2.      We learn about the covenants of the Lord, and that we are not cast off.

3.      We learn about the same Jesus who was prophesied about in the Old Testament and lived among men in the New Testament.

4.      We can receive witness and know that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, our Lord and Redeemer.

Determine how and why you will study The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ this year. When and where will you do this? Will you journal your own study? What do you want to gain from your scripture study this year? How will you share the things that you learn? With whom will you share your testimony?

Share how The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ  has strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ.

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ  has deepened my understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, His love for me, and His Identity as the Son of God and as my Savior. I love Jesus more because I have received a testimony of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon and of the Savior’s love for me.

Book of Mormon Stories

Joseph Smith taught that “The Book of Mormon [is] the keystone of our religion.” Explain what a keystone is and how it works.

How is The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ a keystone of your Faith in Jesus Christ?

The The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ stands as a witness, along with the Holy Bible, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah and Savior of the New Testament, and the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Passages and impressions:

2 Nephi 25:26 “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.”

We need to talk the talk and walk the walk!

Mosiah 3:5–8 These verses contain prophecies of the coming of Jesus: His birth, His great works of service and healing, and His atonement for us.

The people in The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ knew that the Savior’s name would be Jesus Christ many years before He was born, and that His mother’s name would be Mary.

Alma 5:48 We can also know ourselves that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He came to earth to be our Savior, and that He will come again.

Alma 7:10–13 Jesus is the Son of God. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost to the Virgin Mary. He suffered pain, affliction and temptation, but was always faithful in doing His Father’s will. Because He suffered, He knows how to help us when we suffer. He suffered personally for my infirmities and sins, so that He can deliver me, if I come unto Him.

Helaman 5:12 If I build my foundation about the Rock of my Redeemer, I will have a sure and safe foundation and the devil will not be able to destroy me.

3 Nephi 9:13–18 Jesus is inviting me to repent. His love is for all people. His arm is extending to everyone, to lift and save us. He will receive, heal, and bless me if I come unto Him. He has the power to do it, because He is the Son of God. He was with Heavenly Father in the beginning, and He created the heaven and the earth. He is Alpha and Omega. If we receive Him we will become His sons and daughters and receive eternal life.

3 Nephi 11:6–14: After the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father introduced His Son, and Jesus visited the Nephite and Lamanite people.

7 “Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.”

Jesus spoke these words:

10 “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world.

11 “And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.”

4 “Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.”

Moroni 10:32–33 These are great reasons to come unto Christ and be saved:

32 “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 “And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.”

A prophetic promise. President Russell M. Nelson said, “I promise that as you ponder what you study [in the Book of Mormon], the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life” (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62–63).

I can be a witness of the Book of Mormon.

Introduction to the Book of Mormon; “The Testimony of Three Witnesses”; “The Testimony of Eight Witnesses”

Since I was child, the Holy Ghost has testified to me of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ as I have read, pondered, and prayed about its contents and teachings. I value the testimony of the three witnesses who were shown the plates by an angel of God and the eight witnesses who held and hefted them. I have not had that experience, but I have read the messages translated to English on my behalf. The Spirit is ready and willing to testify of truth to all truth seekers. I learned this great truth at the age of twelve, when I first finished ready this book of scripture and took Moroni’s challenge to pray about it. I felt the light, warmness, comfort, and peace that unmistakably was a witness born of the Spirit that the things I had read are true. I know that by following the Doctrine of Christ, which is taught so thoroughly throughout The Book of Mormon, I can be happy in this life and receive eternal life through the merits and mercy of Jesus Christ in the next.

Think about how the testimony of the eight witnesses strengthens your own. Pay attention to how they share their testimony of The Book of Mormon and, more particularly, of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When sharing your testimony with others, determine to acknowledge that the Lord gave us this book of scripture because of His great love for us. He wants us to learn His doctrine, make and keep covenants with Him, gain the blessings promised to scattered Israel, and seal us up to life eternal.

Let your friends and family know that The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ teaches of the same Jesus that we learn about in the New Testament and who was prophesied about in the Old Testament. It is indeed another testament to the Bible. By receiving, studying, and having a desire to know the truths contained in this book for ourselves, we can receive our own witness that the book is true, that Jesus is the Christ, and that His purpose has always been to free and save us.

Videos:

·   ·        “Book of Mormon Introduction”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aghr-R6C9jE&t=25s

·        “What Is the Book of Mormon? A 60-Second Overview”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEHnNeI85vo

·        “A Book of Mormon Story”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dNYpXZIN_c

I have taken the opportunity many times to share messages about The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ on social media. Members and non members alike have valued the truths that are shared. Using the Book of Mormon app is another way that I can share with others.

This Day

Book of Mormon

An Angel from on High

Kids section

Explain to children what witnesses are and what they do by sharing statements of fact over something you have seen that they have not. Allow them to do the same. Then teach them about the 3 witnesses and the 8 witnesses. Read their testimonies with them and discuss why they are important.

How can our family share The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ with others? Seek opportunities to share and prayerfully make plans together.

Passages and impressions:

Introduction to the Book of Mormon

1.     The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ is comparable to The Holy Bible. It also has the fulness of the gospel and it is a record of God's dealings with the people in the America.

2.     “The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation.”

3.     “The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after His resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.”

4.     Mormon and Moroni were the last to write in this book of scripture. Mormon compiled most of it; then, Moroni finished with some important teachings and his testimony, and he sealed the book in the earth. Later, Moroni deliver the plates to Joseph Smith.

5.     Joseph translate the plates by the gift and power of God. This record provides an important additional witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He will save all those who come to Him and obey His lawas and the ordinances of His gospel.

6.     Prophet Joseph Smith said: “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.”

7.     Eleven others were chosen by the Lord to be special witnesses to the truth and divinity of The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ.

8.     Everyone is invited to read The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ, to ponder and pray about it, and gain a testimony through the power of the Holy Ghost (See Moroni 10:3–5).

9.     In due course, those who learn of the divinity of The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ and abide by it's doctrine and precepts will also come to know through the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Savior of the World, that Joseph was indeed a prophet, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Church, place here at this time to help prepare the world for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, our Messiah.

The Testimony of Three Witnesses

1.     The three witnesses testified that they saw the plates through the grace of God and Jesus Christ.

2.     “We also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true.”

3.     The engravings on the plates were shown to the three witnesses by the power of God.
“An angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes.”

4.     “The voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it.”
What have you been commanded by the Lord to share, and how are you responding? Are you being obedient like the Three Witnesses?

5.     “And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.”

The Testimony of Eight Witnesses

1.     Joseph Smith showed the plates to the Eight Witnesses, who handled them with their own hands, and saw the engravings on them.

2.     “And this we bear record with words of soberness, that the said Smith has shown unto us, for we have seen and hefted, and know of a surety that the said Smith has got the plates of which we have spoken. And we give our names unto the world, to witness unto the world that which we have seen. And we lie not, God bearing witness of it.”

 

The coming forth of the Book of Mormon was a miracle.

The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith

How was God’s hand in the coming forth of The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ? Where did it come from, and how did we receive it? How did Joseph Smith describe this?

How important do you think Heavenly Father thinks it is for the peoples of the world to have The Book of Mormon?

The Book of Mormon: Another Testimony of Jesus Christ is a gift to us from God for our day! Prophets and historians that lived on the American Continents kept both spiritual and secular histories of their people. The Book of Mormon was compiled by one of the last prophets, a good man named Mormon; that is where title The Book of Mormon came from.

Soon surrounding people to the early Latter-day saints started calling them Mormons; and the name stuck, even among the Latter-day Saints themselves; much the same way the initial derogatory term “Yankies” stuck with United State citizens. But our current prophet, under the direction of the Lord, asked us to refer to the name of our church as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is nothing new, as the name of the Lord’s church was revealed to Joseph Smith.

 

The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon

Saints, vol. 1, The Standard of Truth, 21–30

Book of Mormon Translation

Kids section

Read parts of The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith with your children.

You could also share  this chapter, Chapter 1: How We Got the Book of Mormon, or watch the video together. Help them to understand and retain this history through role play.

Joseph followed James counsel, in James 1:5, and he asked of God?

 

The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith

Passages and impressions:

1.     Joseph describes his heavenly vision.

2.     Joseph prayed. His room got very bright, and he was visited by the Angel Moroni, who was white and glorious beyond description.

3.     Moroni told Joseph God had a work for him to do.

4.     Moroni told Joseph of the golden plates, which gave a history of those who likes on this continent, and also contained the fullness of the gospel as delivered by Jesus.

5.     Moroni told Jospeh about the Urim and Thummin, which would be used for translating.

6.     Joseph was given a strict charge concerning the plates.

7.     After Moroni left, he came a second time and gave Joseph the same instructions; adding that there would be great judgments coming to the earth.

8.     After Moroni left the second time, Joseph could not sleep.

9.     Moroni came a third time with the same message, adding a caution that Satan would try to tempt Joseph because the plates were made of gold.

10.  Joseph's purpose in getting the plates must be solely for the building up of the kingdom of God.

11.  After Moroni left the third time, the 17-year-old Joseph lay pondering about his experiences, and then the cock crowed that it was dawn.

12.  Joseph was too tired to work, so his father told him to go home.

13.  Exhaustion overcame Joseph, and then he had the same vision as the night before. Moroni told Joseph to tell his father what Moroni had told him.

14.  Joseph was obedient, and told his father. His father said it was of God.

15.  Joseph’s father told him to do as the angel told him, and Joseph did.

16.  He recognized the place where the plates were hidden, because he’d seen it in vision four times.

17.  Joseph put a lever under the edge of the stone. He opened the box and saw the plates, the Urim and Thummim and the breastplate.

18.  Joseph was not allowed to take them at this time. He would meet Moroni at the same place every year for four years and receive more instruction.

19.  Joseph went each year, and Moroni gave him more instruction and intelligence concerning the Lord's kingdom in the latter days.

20.  The plates were delivered to Jospeh on 22 Sep 1827. Moroni told Joseph to be responsible for them, and that they'd be protected if Joseph endeavored to preserve them.

21.  Wicked men tried to steal the plates from Joseph.

22.  “But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him;”

23.  “The ancient record thus brought forth from the earth as the voice of a people speaking from the dust, and translated into modern speech by the gift and power of God as attested by Divine affirmation, was first published to the world in the year 1830 as The Book of Mormon.”