Jeffrey R Holland 'Safety for the Soul', Ensign or Liahona, Nov 2009, 88-90
Ezra Taft Benson 'Flooding the Earth and Our Lives with the Book of Mormon', Chapter 10 in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (2014), 137-45.
2 Nephi 25:17-18; 3 Nephi 21:9-11; 29:1-4; Mormon 8:1-5, 26-35; Ether 12:22-26; Moses 7:62; Joseph Smith History 1:34.
Elevated Learning
As you go through this institute lesson make notes in your study journal of the things that impress on your mind and heart and expand your personal understanding. Take the time to review these notes and share with others after the lesson. This is an important part of your elevated learning experience and will help the gospel of Jesus Christ get down into your heart and contribute to your successful graduation of this institute course.
2. The Lord's Solution
And it shall come to pass that the Lord God shall bring forth unto you the words of a book, and they shall be the words of them which have slumbered. And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. And the meek also shall increase, and their joy shall be in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
Nephi
2 Nephi 27:6, 29-30, 35
Questions
What will the Lord do in the last days to counteract wickedness and apostasy?
How does the Book of Mormon provide a solution for the latter days?
3. The role of the Book of Mormon
And now behold, I say unto you that when the Lord shall see fit, in his wisdom, that these sayings shall come unto the Gentiles according to his word, then ye may know that the covenant which the Father hath made with the children of Israel, concerning their restoration to the lands of their inheritance, is already beginning to be fulfilled. And ye may know that the words of the Lord, which have been spoken by the holy prophets, shall all be fulfilled; and ye need not say that the Lord delays his coming unto the children of Israel.
Mormon
3 Nephi 29:1-2
Questions
What important work would begin with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon?
4. Gathering Israel in the last days
The Book of Mormon 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. Doesn't this tell us something about how the Lord views this sacred work?
Ezra Taft Benson
"The Book of Mormon - Keystone of our Religion" Ensign, Nov. 1986, 4.
Questions
Why did the coming forth of the Book of Mormon precede so many other important events of the Restoration?
Why is the Book of Mormon central to the gathering of Israel?
5. Inside the Book of Mormon
He said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;
Jospeh Smith
Joseph Smith History 1:34
Questions
What does the Book of Mormon contain?
6. The fulness of the everlasting gospel
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.
Ezra Taft Benson
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson (2014), 131.
Questions
What are some of the "doctrines required for our salvation" contained in the Book of Mormon?
7. Enoch saw the latter days
And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.
Enoch
Moses 7:62
Questions
How will the Book of Mormon be used in the latter days?
When have you seen the Book of Mormon help someone become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Righteousness - refers to the revelations that made the Restoration possible.
Truth - refers to the Book of Mormon.
8. Defending the Book of Mormon against opposition
For in that day, for my sake shall the Father work a work, which shall be a great and a marvellous work among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them. But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be marred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that my wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil. Therefore it shall come to pass that whosoever will not believe in my words, who am Jesus Christ, which the Father shall cause him to bring forth unto the Gentiles, and shall give unto him power that he shall bring them forth unto the Gentiles, (it shall be done even as Moses said) they shall be cut off from among my people who are of the covenant.
Jeffrey R Holland
3 Nephi 21:9-11 'Christ and the New Covenant' (1997), 287-88.
Questions
How does the Prophet Joseph Smith fit the description here?
What will the Saviour show the people who oppose Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon?
How does the Book of Mormon show God's wisdom?
Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles identified the 'servant' in these verses as the Prophet Joseph Smith.
9. And still it stands
For more than 180 years this book has been examined and attacked, denied and deconstructed, targeted and torn apart like perhaps no other book in modern religious history. In this I stand with my own great-grandfather, who said simply enough, 'No wicked man could write such a book as this; and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so.'
Jeffrey R Holland
"Safety for the Soul" Ensign or Liahona, Nov 2009, 89.
Questions
Why is there so much opposition to the Book of Mormon?
How do you know the Book of Mormon can withstand the opposition?
10. Moroni protected the gold plates
Therefore I will write and hide up the records in the earth; ...for I am alone. My father hath been slain in battle, and all my kinsfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go; and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not.
Moroni
Mormon 8:1-5
Questions
Why did Moroni want others to read his record?
11. Moroni could see our day
Mormon 8:26-35
Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.
Moroni
Mormon 8:26-35
Questions
How did Moroni describe our day?
Why is it important to know that Moroni was aware of todays problems?
12. Remember the Book of Mormon was written for our day
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. 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?'
Ezra Taft Benson
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 140
Questions
How might remembering that the Book of Mormon was written for our day change the way we read it?
Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon
Jeffrey R Holland
Ezra Taft Benson
2 Nephi 25:17-18; 3 Nephi 21:9-11; 29:1-4; Mormon 8:1-5, 26-35; Ether 12:22-26; Moses 7:62; Joseph Smith History 1:34.
