Monte S. Nyman - 28 Truths from the Book of Mormon

28 Truths

Taught by the Book of Mormon

Monte S. Nyman

Copyright 2011 Monte S. Nyman. All rightsreserved.

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Preface

By these things [The Book of Mormon] weknow. (D&C 20:17)

The i mportance of the Book of Mormon in interpreting the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was declared by theLord at the time of the organization of the Church. In a series ofrevelations, published under the date of April 6, 1830, the Lord outlinedthe contents of the Book of Mormon,its purposes, and its effects upon both the Church collectively and upon theindividual members (D&C 20:816). In these revelations (hereafterreferred to as the April 6 revelation), the Lord gave twenty statements concerning doctrines that weredefinitely taught in the Book of Mormon (D&C 20:1736). These verses that teach the doctrinesreferenced to in those twenty statements of the revelation are organized and analyzed in thisbook. Many of the statements require more than one chapter for fullanalysis.

It is notsuggested that all doctrines taught in the Book of Mormon are included in this book, although theones included are basic tenets of the faith of the Latterday Saints. It is also notedthat a few doctrines taught in the Book of Mormon are not mentioned in the April 6 revelation (i.e., the baptism of little children; see Moro. 8). Furthermore, because of the closerelationship of many doctrines of the gospel,several of the Book of Mormonscriptures apply to more than one subject. Thus there are some duplicationsof several scriptures. The intent of the book is to help the readers come toa better understanding of thedoctrines taught in the Book of Mormon and liken all scriptures unto themselves (see 1 Nephi 19:23). The Lord concluded the April 6 revelation with this anticipatorydeclaration:

35 And we know that these things are true andaccording to the revelations of John, neither adding to, nor diminishingfrom the prophecy of his book, the holy scriptures, orthe revelations of God which shall come hereafter by the gift and power ofthe Holy Ghost, the voice of God, or theministering of angels.

36 And the Lord God has spoken it; and honor,power and glory be rendered to his holy name, both now and ever. Amen.(D&C 20:3536)

Many critics refer to Revelation 22:1819 as arefutation of the Book of Mormon, claiming it adds to the Bible. Thisrefutation and the April 6 revelation will be analyzed in the lastchapter of this book.

The Book of Mormon clarifies and interprets the Bible. Oneof its purposes is proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true(D&C 20:11). Nephi, son of Lehi, was shown:

26 And after [the record of the Jews] go forthby the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto theGentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church,which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they havetaken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and mostprecious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.

27 And all this have they done that they mightpervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes andharden the hearts of the children of men. (1 Nephi 13:2627)

Nephi was then shown:

39 other books, which came forth by thepower of the Lamb, from the Gentiles unto them, unto the convincing of theGentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews whowere scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of theLamb are true. (1 Nephi 13:39)

The Book of Mormon is one of those other books andrestores many of the plain and precious parts that have been lost. Thesebooks give a second witness to the doctrines taught in the Bibleand verify and enlarge upon these doctrines. In the words of PresidentHarold B. Lee: Many doctrines of the Bible that areonly partially explained there are beautifully explained in the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearlof Great Price. []

The Bible itself foretold the doctrinalpurpose of the purpose of the Book of Mormon. Isaiah, in prophesying of the comingforth of the Book of Mormon, testified: They also that erred inspirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shalllearn doctrine (Isaiah 29:24, also quoted in 2 Nephi 27:35). The purpose of this book is toshow the divinity and testimony of the great doctrines taught in theBook of Mormon and their application to the lives ofthose who will study and follow them. As President Boyd K. Packer hastestified on several occasions:

True doctrine, understood, changes attitudesand behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behaviorquicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation withunworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress soforcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel. []

Williams, C. J., Ed. (1996). The Teachings ofHarold B. Lee. Salt LakeCity: Bookcraft, p. 155.

Packer, B. K. (1986). Conference Report, October, p. 20; (1997). Conference Report, April, p.8; (2004) . Conference Report, April, p. 80.

There Is a God in Heaven

By these things we know that there is a God in heaven. (D&C 20:17)

A knowledge of Gods existence is a fundamental principle of religion and of individual faith. David Lawrence, former editor of U.S. News and World Report, states: The acknowledgment of the existence of God is the beginning of human progress. Conversely it might be said also that the beginning of human retrogression is the rejection of the Supreme Being. The Book of Mormon is a witness to the existence of God. The Lectures on Faith tell us the importance of knowing that God exists and how to come to that knowledge.

For faith could not center in a being of whose existence we had no idea, because the idea of his existence, in the first instance, is essential to the exercise of faith in him. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (or one sent to tell them?) ( Romans 10:14). So, then, faith comes by hearing the word of God.

Let u s here o bserve that three things are necessary for any rational and intelligent being to, exercise faith in God unto life and salvation.

First, the idea that he actually exists;

Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes;

Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which one is pursuing is according to his will. (3:15)

The Book of Mormon testifies of the existence of God in its very first chapter (1 Nephi 1:810) and repeatedly bears testimony of him throughout the book.