The gift I am thinking of is more important than any of the inventions that have come out of the industrial and technological revolutions. This is a gift of greater value to mankind than even the many wonderful advances we have seen in modern medicine. It is of greater worth to mankind than the development of flight or space travel. I speak of the gift of the Book of Mormon, given to mankind 1.
The new revised and expanded Book of Stones is the most in-depth, definitive guide to the world of crystals, minerals, gemstones, and their metaphysical energies. Encompassing nearly 400 separate stone varieties, with vivid color photographs and essays on each. For South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, nothing is off limits. Now they've written a West End musical. Theatre lovers: you have been warned Trey Parker and Matt Stone's musical The Book Of Mormon – a 'weird idea' they had – is heading for London. Photograph: Chris Buck Now a 'weird.
This gift was prepared by the hand of the Lord over a period of more than a thousand years, then hidden up by Him so that it would be preserved in its purity for our generation. Perhaps there is nothing that testifies more clearly of the importance of this modern book of scripture than what the Lord Himself has said about it. By His own mouth He has borne witness (1) that it is true (D& C 1. His words (D& C 1.
D& C 2. 0: 8), (4) that it contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D& C 2. D& C 4. 2: 1. D& C 2. 0: 1. D& C 2. 0: 1. D& C 2. 0: 1.
A second 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. In that marvelous manifestation, the Prophet Joseph Smith learned the true nature of God and that God had a work for him to do. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon was the next thing to follow.
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.
After indicating that those who receive the Book of Mormon with faith, working righteousness, will receive a crown of eternal glory (see D& C 2. Lord follows with this warning: .
Surely the Book of Mormon is a sacred thing, and yet many trifle with it, or in other words, take it lightly, treat it as though it is of little importance. In 1. 83. 2, as some early missionaries returned from their fields of labor, the Lord reproved them for treating the Book of Mormon lightly. As a result of that attitude, he said, their minds had been darkened.
Not only had treating this sacred book lightly brought a loss of light to themselves, it had also brought the whole Church under condemnation, even all the children of Zion. And then the Lord said, ? Do we remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon?
In the Bible we have the Old Testament and the New Testament. The word testament is the English rendering of a Greek word that can also be translated as covenant. Is this what the Lord meant when He called the Book of Mormon the ? It is indeed another testament or witness of Jesus. This is one of the reasons why we have recently added the words ? The Lord Himself bears testimony that it is of eternal significance. Can a small number of us bring the whole Church under condemnation because we trifle with sacred things?
Ancient Egyptian coffin prepared for the Book of the Dead exhibition at the British Museum Ancient Egyptian coffin mask conserved for the Book of the Dead exhibition at the British Museum An ancient Egyptian scribal palette in the Book of the Dead exhibition at the British Museum Ancient Egyptian. The Stone Angel has 8,409 ratings and 322 reviews. BrokenTune said: 3.5*The question I have is: Would I have read and enjoyed The Stone Angel if it had.
What will we say at the Judgment when we stand before Him and meet His probing gaze if we are among those described as forgetting the new covenant? There are three great reasons why Latter- day Saints should make the study of the Book of Mormon a lifetime pursuit.
The Book of Stones: Who They Are and What They Teach . The Book of Stones is a new edition of the best-selling guide to some of Earth’s most beautiful natural objects.
The first is that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. This was the Prophet Joseph Smith. A keystone is the central stone in an arch. It holds all the other stones in place, and if removed, the arch crumbles. There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ.
It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony. The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do.
It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity. Unlike the Bible, which passed through generations of copyists, translators, and corrupt religionists who tampered with the text, the Book of Mormon came from writer to reader in just one inspired step of translation. Therefore, its testimony of the Master is clear, undiluted, and full of power.
But it does even more. Much of the Christian world today rejects the divinity of the Savior. They question His miraculous birth, His perfect life, and the reality of His glorious resurrection. The Book of Mormon teaches in plain and unmistakable terms about the truth of all of those.
It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement. Truly, this divinely inspired book is a keystone in bearing witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ (see title page of the Book of Mormon). The Book of Mormon is also the keystone of the doctrine of the Resurrection. As mentioned before, the Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the . 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 offers so much that broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation. Without it, much of what is taught in other scriptures would not be nearly so plain and precious. Finally, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of testimony.
Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the Church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. The enemies of the Church understand this clearly. This is why they go to such great lengths to try to disprove the Book of Mormon, for if it can be discredited, the Prophet Joseph Smith goes with it. So does our claim to priesthood keys, and revelation, and the restored Church.
But in like manner, if the Book of Mormon be true. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us. Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. His brother Jacob, who succeeded him, wrote similar words: .
Enos and Jarom both indicated that they too were writing not for their own peoples but for future generations (see Enos 1: 1. And Moroni, the last of the inspired writers, actually saw our day and time. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing. We should constantly ask ourselves, ?
What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age? For example, in the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ. By careful study of that time period, we can determine why some were destroyed in the terrible judgments that preceded His coming and what brought others to stand at the temple in the land of Bountiful and thrust their hands into the wounds of His hands and feet.
From the Book of Mormon we learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war. From the Book of Mormon we see the evils of secret combinations portrayed in graphic and chilling reality.
In the Book of Mormon we find lessons for dealing with persecution and apostasy. We learn much about how to do missionary work. And more than anywhere else, we see in the Book of Mormon the dangers of materialism and setting our hearts on the things of the world. Can anyone doubt that this book was meant for us and that in it we find great power, great comfort, and great protection? The third reason why the Book of Mormon is of such value to Latter- day Saints is given in the same statement by the Prophet Joseph Smith cited previously.
That is the third reason for studying the book. It helps us draw nearer to God. Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly? If so, then the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book. It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too.
But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called .
When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. Our beloved brother, President Marion G.
Romney, who celebrated his eighty- ninth birthday last month and who knows of himself of the power that resides in this book, testified of the blessings that can come into the lives of those who will read and study the Book of Mormon. 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 charity. Yes, either to our blessing or our condemnation.
Otherwise he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life. There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who is not. I reaffirm those words to you this day.