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(8/14/99)
"Not only must we move forward in a monumental manner more copies of the
Book of Mormon, but we must move boldly forward into our own lives and
throughout the earth more of its marvelous messages." — Ezra Taft Benson,
"Beware
of Pride," General Conference, April 1989
(8/15/99)
"God brought forth the Book of Mormon as a second witness that corroborates and strengthens the Bible's testimony of the Savior.
The Book of Mormon does not supplant the Bible. It expands, extends,
clarifies, and amplifies our knowledge of the Savior. Surely, this second
witness should be cause for great rejoicing by all Christians."
— Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Christians
in Belief and Action," General Conference, October 1996
(8/16/99)
"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 "the words of life" (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is
that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger
and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater
abundance." — Ezra Taft Benson, "The
Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion," General Conference, October
1986
(8/17/99)
"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." — Joseph Fielding
Smith, "Conference Report," Oct 1961, p. 18
(8/18/99)
"As the Resurrection was the tangible evidence that Jesus was the Christ
for those living in the meridian of time, so the
Book of Mormon is the tangible evidence of the truthfulness of the
restored gospel in this dispensation. It is our greatest missionary
tool." — Joseph Fielding McConkie, Robert L. Millet, and Brent L.
Top, "Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon," 1:355
(8/19/99)
"The Book of Mormon is not just a book that helps us feel good; it is a heavenly document that helps us be good. It is not only an invitation to come
unto Christ; it is a pattern for accomplishing that consummate privilege.
It is not just a book about religion. It is religion." — Robert L.
Millet, "So
Glorious a Record", "Ensign," December 1992
(8/20/99)
"Members of the Church everywhere should know the Book of Mormon
better than any other book. Not only should we know what history and
faith-promoting stories it contains, but we should understand its
teachings...I have noticed within the Church the difference in
discernment, in insight, conviction, and spirit between those who know
and love the Book of Mormon and those who do not. That book is a great
sifter." — Ezra Taft Benson, "The
Book of Mormon is the Word of God," General Conference, April 1975
(9/12/02)
"The Book of Mormon substantiates the Bible in its teachings of the Savior,
speaks of Christ more than any other subject, and teaches that our Savior is the
Redeemer and Atoner of mankind, constantly emphasizing that he is the central
figure in God's plan of salvation. This divine record makes converts to its
message and to his Church, which teaches it." —
David B. Haight, "Joseph
Smith: The Prophet (audio link)," Brigham Young University 1985-86
Devotional and Fireside Speeches
(9/13/02)
"If the Book of Mormon is true, the Bible is true. The Bible is the
Testament of the Old World; the Book of Mormon is the Testament of the New. One
is the record of Judah; the other is the record of Joseph, and they have come
together in the hand of the Lord in fulfillment of the prophecy of Ezekiel. (See
Ezek. 37:19.) Together
they declare the Kingship of the Redeemer of the world and the reality of his
kingdom." — Gordon B. Hinckley,
"The
Power of the Book of Mormon," "Ensign," June 1988, p. 6
(9/14/02)
"The Book of Mormon performs a complementary role with the Bible, declaring
that the 'whole meaning of the law of Moses' is to point our souls to Christ,
our divine Redeemer. (See Alma
34:13-14.)" — Ellis T. Rasmussen,
"I
Have a Question," "Ensign," Jan. 1987, p. 55
(9/15/02)
"But if that is not enough, there is another testament. This so-called Book
of Mormon, this scripture of the New World, is before us as an added witness of
the divinity and reality of the Lord Jesus Christ, of the encompassing
beneficence of His atonement, and of His coming forth from the darkness of the
grave. Within these covers is found much of the sure word of prophecy concerning
Him who should be born of a virgin, the Son of the Almighty God. There is a
foretelling of His work among men as a living mortal. There is a declaration of
His death, of the lamb without blemish who was to be sacrificed for the sins of
the world. And there is an account that is moving and inspiring and true of the
visit of the resurrected Christ among living men and women in the western
continent. The testimony is here to handle; it is here to be read; it is here to
be pondered; it is here to be prayed over with a promise that he who prays shall
know by the power of the Holy Ghost of its truth and validity (see Moro. 10:3-5)." — Gordon B. Hinckley, "The
Greatest Miracle in Human History," "Ensign," May 1994, p. 72
(9/16/02)
"This is what we must engrain in our very souls: The Book of Mormon is the
tool that will retain converts better than any other thing. If we root the
people to our sociality, or friendliness, or love, we root them to us instead of
to Christ." — Ed J. Pinegar,
"Especially for Missionaries," Vol. 1
(1/17/04)
"The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a marvelous episode not only in
Church history but also in human history. You and I owe many people for their
roles in bringing us the Book of Mormon, a book filled with plain and precious
salvational truths which came forth by 'the gift and power of God' (Book of Mormon title page).
Through the labors and sacrifices of many, the 'marvellous work and a wonder'
foreseen by Isaiah (Isa. 29:14)
restored vital truths which had been lost to mankind for centuries! We can best
express our gratitude by reading and applying the teachings of the Book of
Mormon." - Neal A. Maxwell, "By
the Gift and Power of God," Ensign, Jan. 1997, p. 36
(1/18/04)
"The prophet Lehi also saw our day in his great visionary dream of the tree
of life. He saw that many people would wander blindly in the mists of darkness,
which symbolized the temptations of the devil. (See 1 Ne. 12:17.) He saw some
fall away 'in forbidden paths,' others drown in rivers of filthiness, and still
others wander in 'strange roads.' (1 Ne. 8:28, 32.) When we
read of the spreading curse of drugs, or read of the pernicious flood of
pornography and immorality, do any of us doubt that these are the forbidden
paths and rivers of filthiness Lehi described?" - Ezra Taft Benson, "The
Power of the Word," Ensign, May 1986, p. 79
(1/19/04)
"At present, the Book of Mormon is studied in our Sunday School and
seminary classes every fourth year. This four-year pattern, however, must not be
followed by Church members in their personal and family study. We need to read
daily from the pages of the book that will get a man 'nearer to God by abiding
by its precepts, than by any other book.' (History of the Church, 4:461.) And
when we are called upon to study or teach other scriptures, we need to
strengthen that undertaking by frequent reference to the additional insights
which the Book of Mormon may provide on the subject (see 1 Ne. 13:40, 2 Ne. 3:12)." - Ezra Taft
Benson, "Flooding
the Earth with the Book of Mormon," Ensign, Nov. 1988, p. 4
(2/6/04)
"Many make their contributions in unsung ways. Ishmael traveled with the
family of Nephi at great personal sacrifice, suffering 'much affliction, hunger,
thirst, and fatigue.' (1 Ne.
16:35.) Then in the midst of all of these afflictions, he perished in the
wilderness. Few of us can even begin to understand the sacrifice of such a man
in those primitive times and conditions. Perhaps if we were more perceptive and
understanding, we too would mourn, as his daughters did in the wilderness, for
what a man like this gave-and gave up!-so that we could have the Book of Mormon
today." - Howard W. Hunter, "No
Less Serviceable," Ensign, Apr. 1992, 65
(2/9/04)
"...the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ. It confounds false
doctrines and lays down contention. (See 2 Ne. 3:12.) It fortifies the
humble followers of Christ against the evil designs, strategies, and doctrines
of the devil in our day. The type of apostates in the Book of Mormon are similar
to the type we have today. God, with his infinite foreknowledge, so molded the
Book of Mormon that we might see the error and know how to combat false
educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time."
- Ezra Taft Benson, "The
Book of Mormon is the Word of God," Ensign, January 1988, p. 3
(7/1/04)
"Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does
not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one
adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and
accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind. And no other
book in the world explains this vital doctrine nearly as well as the Book of
Mormon." - Ezra Taft Benson, "The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson"
[Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988], p. 28
(4/11/05)
"Life moves all too fast. When you feel weak, discouraged, depressed, or
afraid, open the Book of Mormon and read. Do not let too much time pass before
reading a verse, a thought, or a chapter." - Boyd K. Packer, "The
Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ-Plain and Precious Things,"
General Conference, April 2005
(7/6/05)
"The effectiveness of the Book of Mormon as a
witness of the existence of God and the divinity of Christ springs partly from
its mere existence, unexplainable without reference to the hand of God. The Book
of Mormon represents the keystone of this latter-day work, the stone that
supports all other stones in the arch. If the stone is removed, the arch
crumbles. With the keystone of a testimony of the Book of Mormon firmly in
place, the assurance comes that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
is God's church, that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that modern revelation guides
the Church, and that God is today a God of miracles as in ancient times." - Jay
E. Jensen, "Why
We Ask People to Read the Book of Mormon," Ensign, Aug. 1984, 19–20
(8/7/05)
"Some time ago I
held in my hand my mother's copy of her favorite book. It was a timeworn copy of
the Book of Mormon. Almost every page was marked; in spite of tender handling,
some of the leaves were dog-eared, and the cover was worn thin. No one had to
tell her that one can get closer to God by reading the Book of Mormon than by
any other book. She was already there. She had read it, studied it, prayed over
it, and taught from it. As a young man I held her book in my hands and tried to
see, through her eyes, the great truths of the Book of Mormon to which she so
readily testified and which she so greatly loved....
"However, the Book of Mormon did not yield its profound message to me as an
unearned legacy. I question whether one can acquire an understanding of this
great book except through singleness of mind and strong purpose of heart. We
must ask not only if it is true, but also do it in the name of Christ.
"I can now see more clearly through the eyes of my own understanding what my
mother could see in her precious old worn-out copy of the Book of Mormon. I pray
that we may live in such a way as to merit and gain a testimony of and abide by
the great truths of the Book of Mormon. I testify that the keystone of our
religion is solidly in place, bearing the weight of truth as it moves through
all the earth." - James E. Faust, "We
Add Our Witness," Ensign, Mar. 1989, 7
(9/13/05)
"I sometimes think we pay a little undue attention to
technicalities, and to questions that cannot be fully answered with respect to
the Book of Mormon. It matters not to me just where this city or that camp was
located. I have met a few of our Book of Mormon students who claim to be able to
put a finger upon the map and indicate every land and city mentioned in the Book
of Mormon. The fact is, the Book of Mormon does not give us precise and definite
information whereby we can locate those places with certainty. I encourage and
recommend all possible investigation, comparison and research in this matter.
The more thinkers, investigators, workers we have in the field the better; but
our brethren who devote themselves to that kind of research should remember that
they must speak with caution and not declare as demonstrated truths points that
are not really proved. There is enough truth in the Book of Mormon to occupy you
and me for the rest of our lives, without our giving too much time and attention
to these datable
matters." - James E. Talmage, "Conference Report," April 1929, Afternoon Meeting
p. 44
11/1/06
"This doctrine of the gathering is one of the important teachings of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Lord has declared: 'I give
unto you a sign ... that I shall gather in, from their long dispersion, my
people, O house of Israel, and shall establish again among them my Zion.' (3
Ne. 21:1) The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is a sign to the entire
world that the Lord has commenced to gather Israel and fulfill covenants He made
to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We not only teach this doctrine, but we
participate in it. We do so as we help to gather the elect of the Lord on both
sides of the veil.
"The Book of Mormon is central to this work. It declares the doctrine of the
gathering. It causes people to learn about Jesus Christ, to believe His gospel,
and to join His Church. In fact, if there were no Book of Mormon, the promised
gathering of Israel would not occur." - Russell M. Nelson, "The
Gathering of Scattered Israel," Ensign, November
2006
10/23/07
"The Bible and the Book of
Mormon are both witnesses of Jesus Christ. They teach that He is the Son of God,
that He lived an exemplary life, that He atoned for all mankind, that He died
upon the cross and rose again as the resurrected Lord. They teach that He is the
Savior of the world.
"Scriptural witnesses authenticate each other. This concept was explained long ago when a prophet wrote that the Book of Mormon was 'written for the intent that ye may believe [the Bible]; and if ye believe [the Bible] ye will believe [the Book of Mormon] also.' Each book refers to the other. Each book stands as evidence that God lives and speaks to His children by revelation to His prophets.
"Love for the Book of Mormon expands one’s love for the Bible and vice versa. Scriptures of the Restoration do not compete with the Bible; they complement the Bible. We are indebted to martyrs who gave their lives so that we could have the Bible. It establishes the everlasting nature of the gospel and of the plan of happiness. The Book of Mormon restores and underscores biblical doctrines such as tithing, the temple, the Sabbath day, and the priesthood." - Russell M. Nelson, "Scriptural Witnesses," General Conference, 6 October 2007
1/16/08
"Try reading the Book of Mormon because
you want to, not because you have to. Discover for yourself that it is true. As
you read each page ask, 'Could any man
have written this book or did it come as Joseph Smith testified?'
Apply the teachings you learn. They will fortify you against the evil of Satan.
Follow Moroni's counsel. Sincerely ask
God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, with real intent, if the teachings
of the Book of Mormon are true (see
Moro. 10:3-5). Ask with a
desire to receive a confirmation personally, nothing doubting. There has to be
an explanation of that book you can hold in your hand. I know that you can
receive a spiritual confirmation that it is true. You will then know that Jesus
Christ lives, that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet, and that The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord':
have you been in s Church (see introduction to the Book of Mormon,
especially the last paragraph). You will confirm that the Savior guides His
Church through a living prophet. These truths will become a foundation for your
productive life." - Richard G. Scott, "Realize
Your Full Potential," Ensign (CR),
November 2003, p.41
3/8/08
"My testimony is built on the firm
convictions that the Book of Mormon is true and Jesus is our Savior. This
spiritual foundation has helped me weather the storms of challenge and
doubt. I started reading the Book of Mormon in my youth and have continued,
learning and drinking its spirit with every study."
- John K. Carmack, "United
in Love and Testimony," Ensign
(CR), May 2001, p.76
5/11/08
"Ever since Samuel Smith set out to
preach the gospel with a few first-edition copies, the Book of Mormon has
blessed the lives of millions around the world. I pray that we will continue to
use the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ to share the gospel
message with family and friends. If we do this, as was the case with our dear
friend, many will respond with great interest to know more about the life and
mission of the Savior and His great plan of happiness for each of us."
- Craig C. Christensen, "A
Book with a Promise," General Conference, April 2008
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