Mormonism would not have endured had its leaders relied solely on the Book of Mormon. (Kenneth Godfrey)*
Despite the effort that went into the translation, Joseph Smith did not make the book the foundation of the church. (Richard L. Bushman)**
Book of Mormon Christian is about the converting power of Christ through The Holy Book of Mormon and not of any denomination.
Q. Why do we read The Holy Book of Mormon?
A. Because it teaches Christ:
-There are 25% more references to Christ than in the New Testament.
-Of its 6607 verses, 3925 mention Christ.
-There is a reference to Christ every 1.7 verses.
-Jesus is mentioned by over 100 different names.**
Q. Why should you read it?
A. To learn of Jesus.
If you read it for any other reason, you will be wasting your time.
It does not claim to be a book on geography; though some is mentioned. It does not claim to be a book on wildlife, boat building, metallurgy, farming or population growth patterns; though these items are mentioned. It does not mention who their neighbors were, or how many there were. It simply claims to be about Jesus Christ - his love, mercy, and grace:
3 And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father for they cannot be written upon these plates for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God.
4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. (1 Nephi 6:3-4.)
Unless you read it for the purpose it was intended, you will be missing the mark.
** The Holy Book of Mormon is about Jesus Christ. Read it to learn about him. **
* "David Whitmer and the Shaping of Latter-day Saint History" by Kenneth Godfrey in The Disciple as Witness: Essays on Latter-day Saint History and Doctrine in Honor of Richard Lloyd Anderson, FARMS, 2000.)
**Richard L. Bushman, Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism, p. 142; Terryl L. Givens, By the Hand of Mormon, p. 186. |
