D. Kelly Ogden - Verse by Verse Book of Mormon 2-in-1 eBook Bundle

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Ogden, D. Kelly (Daniel Kelly), 1947 author.

Verse by verse : The book of Mormon. Volume 1, 1 Nephi through Alma 29 / D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60908-740-1 (hardbound : alk. paper)

1. Book of MormonCommentaries. I. Skinner, Andrew C., 1951 author. II. Title.

BX8627 .O33 vol. 1 2011

289.3'22dc23 2011019588

Printed in the United States of AmericaPublishers Printing, Salt Lake City, UT

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Visit us at DeseretBook.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Ogden, D. Kelly (Daniel Kelly), 1947 author.

Verse by verse : The book of Mormon. Volume 1, 1 Nephi through Alma 29 / D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60908-740-1 (hardbound : alk. paper)

1. Book of MormonCommentaries. I. Skinner, Andrew C., 1951 author. II. Title.

BX8627 .O33 vol. 1 2011

289.3'22dc23 2011019588

Printed in the United States of AmericaPublishers Printing, Salt Lake City, UT

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Other volumes in the Verse by Verse series by D. Kelly Ogden and Andrew C. Skinner

The Four Gospels

Acts through Revelation

The Book of Mormon, vol. 2: Alma 30 through Moroni 10

Preface

Preface

The series Verse by Verse, which began with The Four Gospels and Acts through Revelation, continues with The Book of Mormon, a verse-by-verse commentary that is one book in two volumes. This division reflects the way in which courses on the Book of Mormon are structured in seminary, in the institutes of religion, and on the various campuses of Brigham Young University: 1 Nephi 1 through Alma 29, and Alma 30 through Moroni 10.

The introduction to the two volumes appears, of course, in the first volume, and the index to both volumes is found at the end of the second. Each volume contains its own table of contents, notes, and sources. Occasionally, cross-references between the two volumes appear in the text.

We acknowledge the assistance of many colleagues and students at Brigham Young University for their helpful suggestions during the years of preparation of these books. We express gratitude to Dennis L. Largey for permission to use several maps from Book of Mormon Reference Companion. We extend particular appreciation to the production team at Deseret Book Company: Cory Maxwell, director of publishing; Suzanne Brady, senior editor; Shauna Gibby, designer; and Rachael Ward, typographer.

We dedicate these writings to Marcia Hammond Ogden and Janet Corbridge Skinner, our dear wives, who are also ardent students and teachers of the Book of Mormon, and to our children and grandchildren.

Most of all, we thank our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ, and all the prophets and other faithful record-keepers for their dedicated attention to preserving eternal truths that they knew would be crucial for us in these last days.

Introduction

Introduction

There is no book like the Book of Mormon. It is the most correct of any book on earth; it is the keystone of Latter-day Saint faith (Book of Mormon, Introduction). Indeed, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stands or falls with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.The Lord himself testifies of its truthfulness (D&C 17:6). He acted as one of its editors (3 Nephi 23:714), and it stands as a supreme witness of him (Book of Mormon, Title Page). More than half of the verses in the Book of Mormon refer to Jesus Christ. The book presents one hundred name-titles of our Lord and testifies of the reality of God the Father and his interest in his children. It is a primer on the Fathers great plan of happiness.

President Ezra Taft Benson declared: The Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:9). That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation.

The Book of Mormon was of inestimable value in laying the foundation for the restoration of the gospel in these latter days. President Benson explained that a powerful testimony to the importance of the Book of Mormon is to note where the Lord placed its coming forth in the timetable of the unfolding Restoration. The only thing that preceded it was the First Vision.... Think of that in terms of what it implies. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon preceded the restoration of the priesthood. It was published just a few days before the Church was organized. The Saints were given the Book of Mormon to read before they were given the revelations outlining such great doctrines as the three degrees of glory, celestial marriage, or work for the dead. It came before priesthood quorums and Church organization. Doesnt this tell us something about how the Lord views this sacred work?

The Book of Mormon is of immense value to each of us personally. It serves as a personal scriptural tutor, no matter what our station or situation might beprophet or Primary child, Saint or unrepentant sinner, scholar or simple student. President Benson continued: The Book of Mormon ... was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us.... Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations.... If they saw our day, and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age?

The Book of Mormon teaches us to hear the voice of inspiration (1 Nephi 18:3; Enos 1:24, 10; Helaman 5:30; 3 Nephi 11:3). It teaches us how we should live and how we will be judged (Moroni 10:3234). It reveals to us the enemies of Christ and his gospel: false doctrines, false educational philosophies, characteristics of false teachers, pride, apathy, and Lucifer, the chief enemy of Christ.

Years ago, Elder Marion G. Romney of the Quorum of the Twelve (later of the First Presidency) promised the following, based on his experience: I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase, mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charitythe pure love of Christwill abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.