One of the blessings of being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (a Mormon) is the ready access to the book of scripture known as the Book of Mormon.
The Book of Mormon is a companion volume to the Holy Bible. As Mormons, we revere both these books as scripture. I’m so grateful for them! And the Book of Mormon helps me to understand so much about the Lord and His purposes for me.
From the Book of Mormon, I learn how much the Lord really does love His children. In 2 Nephi 2:25 I learn that there was a purpose to Adam’s fall and that the Lord intends for us to have joy – even here in mortality!
From the Book of Mormon, I learn that the Lord desires to bestow great blessings upon His children. In 1 Nephi 17:3 we read:
“And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commended them; …”
And from the Book of Mormon, we read of the pending destructions for those amongst God’s children who cause great harm to others. Regarding all unrepentant sinners, we learn this from the Book of Mormon:
“For behold, the Lord saw that his people began to work in darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations; therefore the Lord said, if they did not repent they should be destroyed from off the face of the earth ….” (Alma 37:22).
Then speaking of interpreters created by the Lord to interpret ancient scriptural records, the Lord’s prophet says:
“And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:
“I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land” (Alma 37:24-25).
The Book of Mormon prophet that recorded these words was none other than Alma. He was speaking both of individuals during his day AND of future inhabitants of the Americas. As he completes this portion of his testament, he shares these tender words to his son:
“O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God” (Alma 37:35).
The Lord desires to bless all of His children. But He will stand by only so long if some of those children are bent and determined in hurting others. If the inhabitants of the world, especially here in the Americas, do not repent from such deeds, the day will come when the Lord will step in to stop the impenitent.
Oh, may we repent as a people of those things which are not appropriate in the sight of God! The Lord truly desires that we experience joy, as we read above in 2 Nephi 2:25. The Book of Mormon helps my understanding of the Bible’s teachings in learning to have just that – joy that awaits for me from our God!
Oh, I invite you to explore both now. Simply click on these links:
- The Holy Bible (the Old and New Testaments)
- The Book of Mormon
One final question, though. How can you know all of this is true? Visit this link to find the answer.
