Out of all our scriptures, we are under condemnation to “give heed to” the Book of Mormon (pg. 125). If we don’t give heed, D&C 84 warns:
“And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant…” (D&C 84:57).
We have to address some very serious questions here.
- Why must we heed the Book of Mormon?
- Why are we under condemnation if we don’t heed the Book of Mormon?
- How do we heed the Book of Mormon?
WHY MUST WE HEED THE BOOK OF MORMON?
Benson: “…in the Book of Mormon we will find the fullness of those doctrines required for our salvation” (131).
Benson: “The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ … It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity … its testimony of the Master is clear, undiluted, and full of power … Much of the Christian world today rejects the divinity of the Savior … The Book of Mormon teaches in plain and
unmistakable terms about the truth of all those. It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement” (130).
Benson: “…used together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon confound false doctrines, lay down contentions, and establish peace … we can expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men … The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ … [teaches that we might] know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time” (132).
Tad Callister explained why it is important to heed the Book of Mormon:
“The Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ; the Book of Mormon is another. Why is this second witness so crucial? The following illustration may help: How many straight lines can you draw through a single point on a piece of paper? The answer is infinite. For a moment, suppose that single point represents the Bible and that hundreds of those straight lines drawn through that point represent different interpretations of the Bible and that each of those interpretations represents a different church.
“What happens, however, if on that piece of paper there is a second point representing the Book of Mormon? How many straight lines could you draw between these two reference points: the Bible and the Book of Mormon? Only one. Only one interpretation of Christ’s doctrines survives the testimony of these two witnesses” (Tad Callister, “The Book of Mormon-A Book From God,” Oct 2011).
We must heed the Book of Mormon because it offers us a pure, undiluted, truth about Jesus Christ, our Savior. Only through Him can we be saved. The Book of Mormon is the only place we can learn of Him and His atoning sacrifice with full measure. This is the new covenant where Heavenly Father has offered us the knowledge and we must receive it.
WHY ARE WE UNDER CONDEMNATION IF WE DON’T HEED THE BOOK OF MORMON?
Benson: (Quoting the Lord) “That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom” (D&C 84:58) (127).
Benson: “These promises—increased love and harmony in the home, greater respect between parent and child, increased spirituality and righteousness—are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God” (131).
Benson: “… both the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon … teach us how to live so that we can return to him and our Heavenly Father” (133).
Benson: “Do we … treasure the word He has preserved for us at so great a cost? … to bless our lives and resist the powers of the evil one? This is the purpose for which they were given” (133).
Pres. Benson gave five talks specifically about the Book of Mormon; how we must make it the center of our lives, how we will be judged according to its words, and by how we followed its teachings. In one of his talks, Pres. Benson said,
“Our main task is to declare the gospel and do it effectively. We are not obligated to answer every objection. Every man eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there he must make his stand. “And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye,” said Nephi, “for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things.” (2 Ne. 33:11.) Every man must judge for himself, knowing God will hold him accountable” (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon is the Word of God,” Apr 1975).
There is so much anti-Mormon information available online that we should all be concerned. The brethren have encouraged us to use social media and flood the Internet with good content (#ShareGoodness). Are we doing all we can to represent the Church well? Are we speaking up and speaking out when necessary. Most important of all, do we know and understand the Book of Mormon well enough to see through the false doctrines that are taught all around us and do we have the confidence to speak truth, correct others, and teach by the spirit of the Lord?
HOW DO WE HEED THE BOOK OF MORMON?
Benson: “Now we not only need to say more about the Book of Mormon, but we need to do more with it” (127).
Benson: “… The Book of Mormon has not been, nor is it yet, the center of our personal study, family teaching, preaching, and missionary work. Of this we must repent” (127).
Benson: “We have not been using the Book of Mormon as we
should. Our homes are not as strong unless we are using it to bring our children to Christ. Our families may be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless we know how to use the book … Our Church classes are not as Spirit-filled unless we hold it up as a standard” (127).
Benson (quoting Marion G. Romney): “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” (130-1).
The Book of Mormon teaches us that the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple and glorious. It also teaches us that everyone who complicates the gospel changes it and can trap people who lose sight of the simplicity of it. Time and time again, the Book of Mormon teaches us how to heed the prophets, who will never lead us astray.
Clyde J. Williams wrote in an article:
“With each Nephite generation, the Lord sent prophets to teach, warn, and prepare the people for His coming. So it will be at the Second Coming.
Today, the Lord sends prophets for the same reasons. In the words of James E. Faust: “We have been promised that the President of the Church will receive guidance for all of us as the revelator for the Church. Our safety lies in paying heed to that which he says and following his counsel” (“Continuous Revelation,” Ensign, Nov 1989). (Clyde J. Williams, “Following the Prophet:A Book of Mormon Perspective,” Jun 2000).
The Book of Mormon is for our benefit, to bring us to salvation. We are the only dispensation to receive the Book of Mormon. We must use it to understand the fullness of the gospel, to teach our children these truths, and to share these truths with the world that all may be saved.