Don’t you just love the scriptures? I do, too! The word of God is amazing. I can think of no other balm more soothing for my heart when I am feeling disconsolate and discouraged than the Lord’s words.
Truly I didn’t understand this as well when I was younger, but I also was new to Mormonism. Being a Mormon felt full of promise to me, but I was still learning.
But now that I’ve been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my understanding for the scriptures has deepened; my appreciation for them has intensified.
In fact, one of the reasons we gained our nickname of “Mormons” is precisely because of the volume of scripture called The Book of Mormon.
So first, a bit of history for this amazing book of scripture. The Book of Mormon acts as a companion to the Bible. In some ways it is similar; in some ways it is different.
Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon contain the word of God. Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon came about because of prophets. The Lord uses prophets to speak to His children. In Amos 3:7 we read:
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”
And thus it is that we have the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The Bible came about through the efforts and work of prophets called by God in the “old world” or areas near Jerusalem. The Book of Mormon came about through the efforts and work of prophets called by God in the “new world” or the Americas.
Both volumes of scripture serve as a testament of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Mormon faith. In a world that begins to doubt more and more the authenticity of a Savior, the Book of Mormon stands as a companion witness of the Bible as to the immense nature of the Holy Son of God.
Just as there are two or three hinges to secure a door to a door jamb (can you imagine a door functioning well with just one hinge?), the Lord has given, in His wisdom, more than one witness to verify the truth as taught by Jesus of Nazareth … that Jesus indeed was (and is) the Son of God. He does this for a world that struggles more and more to accept that truth. The Bible and the Book of Mormon both stand as sure testaments to the veracity that Jesus Christ was (and is) who He said he was. Studying them together enriches a life in eternally significant ways.
There are some that reject the idea that God is capable or willing of giving scripture to more than one continent. I ask why? And here is the Lord’s response to the doubtful sentiment of some:
“Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, … created all men, … and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
“…Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And … the testimony of the two nations shall run together also” (2 Nephi 29:7-8, John 10:16, 3 Nephi 16:1) .
This is something to rejoice in! The Lord loves all His children. Of course He would teach more than just a few as to the amazing gift His Son brought through His willing sacrifice and atonement.
I invite you today to begin to explore the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ!
