Deuteronomy 4 contains a warning and a promise. The warning: time and distance tend to erode memory. The promise: God does not forget His covenants. The Book of Mormon reminds us of this promise and helps to fulfill it. Both Moses and Moroni invite us to see ourselves as part of an extraordinary sacred history.
Climbing the Ladder
Jacob saw in vision a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. Lehi similarly saw a path leading to the tree of life marked by an iron rod. God has prepared a way for us to return to Him, and He invites us to climb the ladder and follow the path.
Inheriting the Covenant, Part 3: Planted Promises and Turned Hearts
Abraham's covenant was meant to be inherited. Isaac and Jacob received the same promises that he received as they followed his example. We too can receive God's promises by remembering how He has blessed prior generations and by relying on the intergenerational covenants He made with them.
Go, Look, Believe: Trusting God’s Promises
The Abrahamic covenant is remarkably asymmetrical. God makes extraordinary promises and invites Abraham to take simple actions that enable him to recognize and receive those blessings. The Title Page of the Book of Mormon echoes that pattern, referring to covenants as evidence of belonging and blessings received as proof that God fulfills His promises.
“All Men [and Women] Everywhere”
God's universal love is manifest in many ways. One of those ways is via a universal commandment to repent. This commandment is really an invitation to change and experience His healing and transformative power.
In Every Nation
The Restoration Proclamation begins by affirming "that God loves His children in every nation of the world." One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to testify that Jesus Christ manifests himself unto all nations." The Restoration is for everyone.
The Remnant Shall Return
Isaiah's prophecy about the remnant of Israel returning to God assures that no matter how far they are from home, they are not out of God's sight. Book of Mormon authors echo this sentiment: God is mindful of you, wherever you are, and you can come home.
Jesus Is the Christ
The Greek word Christos means "the Anointed One." It is the equivalent of the Hebrew word Mashiach (Messiah). Lehi taught his children that the Messiah would be the Savior of the World. Nephi and Mormon testified that Jesus is the Christ.
Belonging
One of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is to assure us that we belong, that because of "the covenants of the Lord," we "are not cast off forever." Jesus taught that we belong to the covenants God made with our ancestors, and that He will not forget us.
“What Great Things”
Knowing what the Lord has done for prior generations can help us in 3 ways: 1. It provides a foundation for our faith. 2. It helps us recognize that apparently small miracles may be larger than we realize. 3. It keeps us humble and grateful.