107 3/3/2025 Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon
Happy March! Spring fever is in the air, and I am pretty sure that Spring is my favorite season as we anticipate everything coming back to life, and getting back outside in the sunshine!
This week both Graham and Avery asked me for my thoughts on how they could best “fit in” their Book of Mormon study during the Come Follow Me years when we are focused on other scriptures. They both do such a great job ,and are great examples to us all, of staying right on top of their Come Follow Me readings. However, they both are feeling a pull and need to study the Book of Mormon. Prophets, including President Nelson, have emphasized the importance of daily Book of Mormon study for as long as any of us can remember. So how do we do we “fit it in”?That is for each one of us to prayerfully consider and implement personally. There isn’t a right or wrong answer as long as we do it. So that is the invitation to each one of us this week.
Invitation: How can I find ways in my current scripture study to make sure I am implementing each day the words of the Book of Mormon?
This week in Come Follow Me part of our study was the 18th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. This section was given by the Lord in response to questions Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery had in relation to how the future church would be built up. But it also serves as both a strength and a warning for our individual testimonies, and the importance of securing our spiritual foundations of faith upon the rock of Jesus Christ.
Listen carefully to this promised blessing and warning. (D&C 18 1-5)
1 Now, behold, because of the thing which you, my servant Oliver Cowdery, have desired to know of me, I give unto you these words:
2 Behold, I have manifested unto you, by my Spirit in many instances, that the things which you have written are true; wherefore you know that they are true.
3 And if you know that they are true, behold, I give unto you a commandment, that you rely upon the things which are written;
4 For in them are all things written concerning the foundation of my church, my gospel, and my rock.
5 Wherefore, if you shall build up my church, upon the foundation of my gospel and my rock, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you.
If you stop and consider how many of the early prominent church leaders fell away from the church (but never losing their testimony of the validity of the Book of Mormon), it is a good reminder to take these verses to heart.
It is only when our foundation of faith is built upon Jesus Christ, who the Book of Mormon repeatedly witness and testifies of, that we can reliably and firmly stand. The Book of Mormon, more than any other source available to us, teaches and witnesses of the reality of Jesus Christ and His mission as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. Its pages give great detail to His atoning sacrifice, His literal resurrection, and the foundation of His Gospel and Church.
If our foundation is built upon anything other than the Savior, we too are subject to fall. Just as many early church leaders let their faith dwindle as their focus at times shifted away from the rock of their Redeemer, (for any number of reasons or concerns), we too can be found vulnerable. Our Church History teaches us repeatedly that when individuals fail to heed the counsel of the Lord, to rely on the words of the Book of Mormon , personal foundations shift away from the rock of Jesus Christ.
No gift or flaw of any man, no position or calling that comes to us or doesn’t come, no financial success of the church, or the lack thereof, no church policy or procedure, or anything the adversary can use to dim our minds and hearts, can serve as the foundational strength of why we belong to this church. Only upon the rock of Christ can we stand. And only in the Book of Mormon can we find the spiritual witness, knowledge, and strength that testifies of His redeeming grace, authority, and power needed in our lives.
The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion because it contains the Doctrine of Jesus Christ and the fullness of His Gospel necessary for us to return to our Heavenly Father. It is absolutely fundamental to our entire religion. God has given it to us for us to “rely” on. To rely on in times of doubt, confusion, or uncertainty, as well as a reliance for daily spiritual strength needed to navigate life, remaining loyal and in line with God’s will.
In the 84th section of the Doctrine Covenants the Lord gives a warning of condemnation for those who set aside the Book of Mormon in their lives.
“And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon… (D&C: 84 57)
I would encourage each of you in your personal study this week to read/listen to, and study the talk I’ve attached from President Benson. It was given in 1984, but it could have been given this past conference as it is completely applicable for us now.
He teaches us that all truths are not equal. And all scripture is not equal. That the Book of Mormon must be forefront in our study of the Gospel and in our daily discipleship of Jesus Christ. It will guide us into always having our spiritual foundations squarely and firmly built upon the sure and solid rock of Jesus Christ.
I hope you all have an amazing week! Love you so much,
Dad
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