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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
10/17/08
"When
you know that the Book of Mormon is true, you know that Joseph Smith was
called by God to restore the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth. You
know that Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son. You know that there
is only one faith and one valid baptism. You know that a prophet of God
lives on the earth today and that he has all the keys of the priesthood
and the right to exercise them, as Peter did anciently. You know that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the only name whereby you can receive
salvation. You know that God the Father lives and that He loves us. You
know that His plan of salvation is perfect, and you have the desire to
perform ordinances, live the commandments, and endure to the end.
"I feel sad when someone who has been given the Book of Mormon and had these things explained to him still refuses to read it. I feel sad that some people allow themselves to be influenced by others, refuse to investigate the book, and set it aside as something without worth, never participating in the spiritual banquet it offers. To me, this is incomprehensible. It is as if a son or a daughter, separated from a loving father, refused to read a letter from him without even opening the envelope. Those who make such a choice are like spoiled children who refuse to even taste the meal tenderly prepared for them by their loving mother." - Marcos A. Aidukaitis, "Because My Father Read The Book of Mormon," General Conference, October 2008
11/17/08
"When
I was a young man, feeling my way cautiously and thoughtfully, and I
hope, prayerfully, I asked my father, 'Why
did you join the Church?' The
question came to him as a challenge. He hesitated for a moment and
then replied, 'Because I
read the Book of Mormon.' He
had come to America, not for the gospel's sake, but because he
believed America was a land of opportunity, in which a person could
make headway if he worked and saved and struggled toward an end. And
then someone handed him a Book of Mormon. 'Read
it,' he was urged. He read a
chapter or two every night, before retiring, until the book was read
from cover to cover. He put it aside, not particularly impressed. Then
one day as he was working in the field a thought came to him: 'That
book is God-given. Joseph Smith never wrote that book.'
And then he came to a logical conclusion: 'If
that book is a revelation, then 'Mormonism' is true, and the gospel
and the priesthood are upon the earth.'
Then he sought out the bishop of the ward in which he was resding, and
asked to be baptized a member of the Church."
- Alma Sonne, "Conference Report," October 1946, Morning
Meeting, p.118 - 119
3/29/09
"Like
the Bible, the Book of Mormon shows God at work in the life of the
human race. Its supreme revelation is of the human heart, and life
touched by the Spirit of God. Its power and value is this, and it is
from beginning to end a book of life. It becomes in this light,
colorful, gripping, vivid, laying its hold on our imaginations and our
souls. It inspires, it lifts our minds to God, and herein is its
power."
- Levi Edgar Young, "Conference Report,"
October 1928, Third Day—Morning Meeting, p.106
1/15/10
“Obviously it would be exciting if someone were one day to find the
lost 116 pages of the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon. But
whatever those pages contain, it could not be more important or more
fundamental to the purpose of the Book of Mormon than the teachings of
these three prophets recorded on the small plates. Standing like
sentinels at the gate of the book, Nephi, Jacob, and Isaiah admit us
into the scriptural presence of the Lord.” - Jeffrey
R. Holland, “Christ and the New Covenant: The Messianic Message of
the Book of Mormon,” p. 36
7/26/10
"Our knowledge of the literal divinity, resurrection, and atonement of
Jesus Christ is more certain and more distinctive with each passing
year. That is one reason the Lord inspired his prophet, Ezra Taft
Benson, to have us reemphasize our study and testimony of the Book of
Mormon, whose mission is 'the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that
Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.' (Book of Mormon, title page.)" -
Dallin H. Oaks, "Witnesses of Christ,"
Ensign (CR), November 1990, p. 29
8/3/11
We invite you to test the validity of
our witness about the origin of the Book of Mormon. You can do this by
reading it and asking our Heavenly Father if these things are true. I
promise you, if you are sincere, you will receive a confirmation of the
truthfulness by the Holy Ghost. Millions, with soberness and sincerity,
testify they know it is from God. - Ezra
Taft Benson, "Joseph
Smith: Prophet to Our Generation," Ensign (CR) October 1981
9/9/11
If this book is what it purports to
be—if the original record was revealed by a holy angel; if the
translation was made by the power of God and not of man; if Joseph Smith
was entertaining angels, seeing visions, and receiving revelations—all
of which is an established verity; if the Book of Mormon is true—then
the truth and divinity of the Book of Mormon proves the truth of this
great latter-day work in which we are engaged. -
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