Sunday Lesson, May 18th

We thank Sister Kristen Tanner for the lesson she taught and the reminder of the importance to study the scriptures.

“It seems to me that any member of this Church would never be satisfied until he or she had read the Book of Mormon time and time again and thoroughly considered it so that he or she could bear witness that it is in very deed a record with the inspiration of the Almighty upon it.” -Joseph Fielding Smith

The Book of Mormon is a sacred record that contains the everlasting gospel and bears witness of Jesus Christ. Every author of the Book of Mormon wrote a personal heartfelt testimony of Jesus Christ. This book was written for us.

23 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. -2 Nephi 25: 23;26 “study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental.” -Elder Russell M Nelson
 
The other main purpose of the Book of Mormon is to be a witness for the Bible. God regularly uses multiple witnesses to establish truth. Each book within the Bible was a stand-alone book… its own unique witness up until the 1500’s when it was put together.

In accordance with the law of witnesses, the Lord called special witnesses to testify of the Book of Mormon. The three men called to serve as special witnesses of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon by the power of God, are Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. … They beheld the engravings upon the plates as the leaves were turned one by one before them, and the voice of God was heard by them declaring from the heavens that the translation was by the gift and power of God, and commanding them to bear record of it to all the world. These three witnesses, through adversity, persecution, and all the vicissitudes of life, always remained true to their testimony that they beheld the plates in the presence of an angel and heard the voice of God speaking to them from the heavens. -Joseph Fielding Smith

Each Member of the Church can be a witness of the Book of Mormon.
 
It seems to me that any member of this Church would never be satisfied until he or she had read the Book of Mormon time and time again, and thoroughly considered it so that he or she could bear witness that it is in very deed a record with the inspiration of the Almighty upon it, and that its history is true. …

… No member of this Church can stand approved in the presence of God who
 has not seriously and carefully read the Book of Mormon.18 -Joseph Fielding Smith

As we continue to read the Book of Mormon sincerely and prayerfully, it endears itself to us more and more. We know that reading The Book of Mormon will bring you closer to the Lord and his loving power. We challenge every sister to read the Book of Mormon and receive inspiration and strength from it.

See the entire lesson HERE.