In many ways, the Book of Mormon and the Bible are similar. Both testify of the Savior’s divinity and of our Heavenly Father’s active role in our lives. However, there is one significant difference: the Book of Mormon was written for us. Although it was written in ancient times, the people of the Book of Mormon civilizations didn’t have this book. It was written by the prophets, who added their testimonies and experiences and then passed it along to the next prophet. It wasn’t shared with their people, because it wasn’t their book. They had the original scriptures brought from Jerusalem, but not the Book of Mormon.
Because the authors were prophets, they were able to see our day and to know what would be of worth to us. They write about their own civilizations, and yet the problems they describe are the problems we face today. Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, described how the book relates to our own civilization:
“I know of no other writing that sets forth with such clarity the tragic consequences to societies that follow courses contrary to the commandments of God. Its pages trace the stories of two distinct civilizations that flourished on the Western Hemisphere. Each began as a small nation, its people walking in the fear of the Lord. Each prospered, but with prosperity came growing evils. The people succumbed to the wiles of ambitious and scheming leaders who oppressed them with burdensome taxes, who lulled them with hollow promises, who countenanced and even encouraged loose and lascivious living, who led them into terrible wars that resulted in the death of millions and the final extinction of two great civilizations in two different eras.
No other written testament so clearly illustrates the fact that when men and nations walk in the fear of God and in obedience to his commandments, they prosper and grow, but when they disregard him and his word, there comes a decay which, unless arrested by righteousness, leads to impotence and death. The Book of Mormon is an affirmation of the Old Testament proverb, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Prov. 14:34.)Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Power of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Jun 1988, 2 “
President Hinckley described their day, but you can see that it describes the world today as well. The United States, for instance, also started as a small nation of people who, for the most part, were religious people and became a large nation which struggles with a growing lack of respect for the values God gave us. The challenges President Hinckley describes are those we face today. Many nations in the world today face these challenges and the answer, while not an easy one, is found in the pages of the Book of Mormon…written for our day.
The book is not just a gloom and doom warning, however. It doesn’t just describe the sad results. It tells us how they happened and what we can do to prevent or overcome the problems. If nations return to righteousness, if they learn to care more about God and virtue than about greed and power, we can enjoy the blessings reserved for righteous civilizations.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
