Today, I've been thinking about the people who saw the golden plates containing the original text of the Book of Mormon. Their experiences differed from one another dramatically, and I think we can learn a lot from those differences: The Three Witnesses—Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris—all participated in the translation of the Book... Continue Reading →
With Words of Soberness
Today, I've been pondering the Testimony of Three Witnesses and the Testimony of Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. In both cases, I'm impressed with their earnestness and with their courage. Witnesses share what they know, not what other people want to hear. Witnesses are not entertainers, and they are not salespeople. Their objective... Continue Reading →
What Can We Learn from the Women in the Book of Mormon?
Today, I have been pondering the lessons I have learned from some of the women in the Book of Mormon. Here are a few of those lessons: "Now I know of a surety..." Sariah trusted the revelations received by her husband, Lehi. She, along with the rest of the family, abandoned her home in Jerusalem... Continue Reading →
Who Were the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon?
While Joseph Smith was translating the Book of Mormon, he was not allowed to show anyone else the metal plates containing the original record (Joseph Smith--History 1:42). His scribes sat near him, recording the words he spoke, but Joseph kept the plates hidden from their view. But near the end of the translation process, in... Continue Reading →
Why Do We “Bear” Witness?
To "bear" something is to carry it. The word has a connotation of effort or difficulty: we bear a burden. We bear suffering. A woman may bear a child. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary says that the word bear "usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking." So I think it's interesting that we "bear"... Continue Reading →
Why Is Firsthand Spiritual Knowledge Important?
After the first prophet in the Book of Mormon, Lehi, described a dream or a vision which he had experienced, one of his sons—Nephi—wanted to have the same experience. He tells us that he wanted "to see, and hear, and know of these things, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (1 Nephi 10:17). Later,... Continue Reading →
He Proveth All His Words – 2 Nephi 11:2-3
2 And now I, Nephi, write more of the words of Isaiah, for my soul delighteth in his words. For I will liken his words unto my people, and I will send them forth unto all my children, for he verily saw my Redeemer, even as I have seen him. 3 And my brother, Jacob,... Continue Reading →
Lessons from Sermons to Modern Readers
Some of the chapters in the Book of Mormon are addressed directly to us, the modern readers of the book. Moroni wrote, "I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing" (Mormon 8:35). During the month... Continue Reading →
I, Moroni, Will Not Deny the Christ – Moroni 1:1-3
1 Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me. 2 For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce... Continue Reading →
Unto Three Shall They Be Shown – Ether 5:2-3
2 And behold, ye may be privileged that ye may show the plates unto those who shall assist to bring forth this work; 3 And unto three shall they be shown by the power of God; wherefore they shall know of a surety that these things are true. (Ether 5:2-3) After describing the miraculous vision... Continue Reading →