The chapters we will discuss today concern the coming forth
of The Book of Mormon. I have felt
the spirit so strongly as I’ve studied these accounts and experiences of many
involved. I am in awe of the
miraculous coming forth and preservation of this book that witnesses to the
events in the Old and New Testament and proclaims doctrines more plainly than
has been known before. One of the
things I was struck most about was how Joseph Smith was tutored spiritually,
emotionally and mentally as he worked to preserve, translate and collaborate
regarding the ancient record. In
his tutoring process, he learns different methods of revelation, how his eye
can be single to the glory of God, how to place the Lord’s purposes above
anything else, how to draw on others for support, he learns the plain and
precious truths from The Book of Mormon, but most importantly he learned about
the character, perfections and attributes of the Lord and in learning that, he
learns how to align himself with the will of God.
Here are three quotes that accentuate the importance and meaning of The Book of Mormon:
The coming forth of the Book of Mormon preceded the restoration of the priesthood. It was published just a few days before the Church was organized. The Saints were given the Book of Mormon to read before they were given the revelations outlining such great doctrines as the three degrees of glory, celestial marriage, or work for the dead. It came before priesthood quorums and Church organization. Doesn’t this tell us something about how the Lord views this sacred work? President Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon – the Keystone of Our Religion,” Oct 1986, Gen. Conf.
The Book of Mormon brings men to Christ. The Doctrine and Covenants brings men to Christ’s kingdom, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth” (D&C 1:30). I know that. The Book of Mormon is the “keystone” of our religion, and the Doctrine and Covenants is the capstone, with continuing latter-day revelation. The Lord has placed His stamp of approval on both the keystone and the capstone. President Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants,” Ensigh May 1987.
Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind. And no other book in the world explains this vital doctrine nearly as well as the Book of Mormon. President Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants,” Ensigh May 1987.
After Joseph had received his first vision in which he saw
God, the Father and Jesus Christ, who directed him to join none of the existing
churches, he received no further direction until three years later. Joseph initiated communication with
Heavenly Father because he had been feeling particularly weak and guilty for
what he calls, “foolish errors. . weakness of youth and the foibles of human
nature, which led him in diverse temptations offensive to God.” He was quick to assure the reader that
it was not any great malignant sin to accuse him of, but the issues were of
levity (lack of seriousness) and keeping questionable company. So, the night of September 21, 1823
Joseph, having full confidence he would receive and answer as he did before, began to pray and
ask forgiveness.
It is interesting to me that in reply to Joseph’s plea for
forgiveness and question of his standing, he was called by name and told to get
to work. It made me think of what
I expect when I ask for forgiveness.
Do I expect the words or feeling “you are forgiven, get on with your
life?” Do I expect to be told how
to proceed? Do I expect to be put to work? What do I expect as an indication of
forgiveness? It's like the Lord said, I know you've done some things that aren't quite in line with what I would like, and now that I know you recognize them, learn from them and move on! Because Joseph was put to work,
specifically filling the purpose of the Lord to restore the Gospel, that’s a
good sign he was forgiven!
As we read, Joseph was called by name, introduced to Moroni,
told he had a purpose in this work, he was told about the gold plates
containing The Book of Mormon, which contained the fullness of the gospel
(record of a people who had the fullness of the gospel, or President Benson
said, the not every doctrine ever revealed, but the fullness of doctrines
required for salvation), and that there were interpreters that would help him
translate the plates. He was
assured this was fulfillment of prophecy and Moroni quoted the prophecies,
warning and directions over the course of four visitations.
He was not given the plates at that time, but over a series
of four annual tutoring sessions, he would then receive the plates to
translate.
When the time came to receive the plates, Joseph was given
this warning:
Warning and covenant to keep the plates safe.
Interesting that the angel left it up to Joseph to “use all
his endeavors” to preserve them, THEN they will be protected. (My grace is sufficient for thee after
all that thou can do 2 Ne 25).
There were many close calls, hiding the plates in logs,
floor boards, chests, attics, a barrel a beans and more. But as Moroni said, the plates
were protected, but the manuscript was that was lost.
Joseph began the work of translation and through the Urim
and Thummim, produced a manuscript from the “book of Lehi.” Martin Harris, who helped as scribe and
offered financial support, asked if he could take the manuscript to satisfy his
wife’s questions concerning Joseph and the translation and thereby put an end
to the opposition she was causing.
Joseph asked the Lord two times, both with a negative answer. The third time The Lord allowed Martin
to take the 116 pages and show 4 or 5 people, to which he agreed in
writing. Martin took the
manuscript home to Palmyra and was gone for three weeks. When Joseph called for Martin, he came
to the Smith house and admitted that he had lost the manuscript.
Joseph immediately began to ask the Lord for forgiveness for
ignoring the first two answers and acting contrary to His will. In response, Moroni appeared and
requested the plates be returned, along with the Urim and Thummim, but promised
they would be returned if Joseph humbled himself and became truly penitent.
Section 3 is a response to Joseph’s plea for forgiveness and
is insightful into who the Lord is.
Joseph had received the Urim and Thummin again and received this
revelation was received through them.
DO YOU THINK THIS RESPONSE WAS COMFORTING FOR JOSEPH OR
CONDEMNING? WHY?
Maybe a little of both – comfort in knowing that God is in
Charge even though we make mistakes with his work, but also condemning because
we slowed our own progress.
It is a great irony that we really don’t find our who God is
until we make a mistake and ask for forgiveness or go through trial.
He does receive comfort in the next few verse:
·
The lord calls Joseph by name
·
Reminds him he is chosen
·
Gives him a warning
·
Gives him another chance
·
Interesting thought: It seemed to take Martin
and Joseph from February to June to translate 116 pages. When Joseph and Oliver were working
together it took from april to July to translate Mosiah to Moroni, as well as
the small plates of Nephi.
The Lord instructs on the purpose and importance of The Book
of Mormon
·
Knowledge of the savior
·
Promises of the Lord fulfilled
·
Believe the gospel
·
Rely upon merits of Jesus Christ
·
Be glorified through faith in his name
·
Through their repentance be saved
After Joseph had received the revelation in section 3, the
Urim and Thummim and plates were taken from him again, but were returned a few
days later and Joseph received the revelation is section 10, where Joseph
receives instruction on how to proceed and a reminder of what happens when you
ignore the will of the Lord
·
Recalls the consequences of his choices
(removing Urim and Thummin/plates), your gift was taken and you mind became
darkened
·
Be faithful, finish what you have begun
·
Do not run faster than you have strength and
means provided
·
Be diligent
·
Pray Always
THIS IS THE TIME OF THE RESTORATION OF THE GOSPEL, WHY WOULD
THE LORD GIVE THE INSTRUCTION TO NOT RUN FASTER THAN WE HAVE STRENGTH?
After making some mistakes, Joseph may have felt like he needed to make up for them. The Lord assures him: "do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided." What a fine line to follow. How do you determine between the strength you have and the strength given to you? Is it the same thing? I don't have the answer to these questions. Maybe it is a case by case basis.
Note: These
doctrines of not running faster than you have strength and that the Lord will provide strength and means, will be confirmed to him as he translates The Book of Mormon, in the book of Mosiah and 1 Nephi.
The next verses (in sec 10) educate Joseph about the power of Satan and
what he will do to twart the work
·
V10,12 – Satan puts cunning plans in the hearts
of men
·
V 15 – Gets people to tempt the Lord
·
V 22 – leads souls to destruction
However, the Lord comforts Joseph in this
·
I will not suffer that Satan shall accomplish
his evil design in this thing
Receives direction
·
V 30 - Do not re-translate
·
V 34 – Do not show translation until I tell you
(3 times he tells Joseph not to show it to the world) THAT HE MAY BE PRESERVED
·
Because you can’t always judge who is righteous
We learn more about the Book of Lehi in verses 38-46
WHY DO WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BOOK OF LEHI AND ALL THAT
TRANSPIRED WITH IT?
There were so many things that happened to put things in
motion for this situation: Lehi
painstakingly wrote it and preserved it, along with other prophets, Mormon
abridged it, Moroni hefted it around, Joseph translated it along with Martin
Harris. All this only to have
Martin lose it and not retranslate it.
WHY?
·
One more process of selection to give us what we
need
·
Refiner’s fire for all involved
·
Following the will of the Lord, for whatever
reason he had
·
In the selection we just read there are 14 “I”
statement. Our lesson to learn is
that we must know who the Lord is and that he has all power and wisdom. He is in charge, we can trust in him.
In section 5 Joseph receives good news!
Joseph will no longer be the only one to have seen the plates! There will be others that will see the plates and testify of their existence. What a relief for Joseph!
DC 5:18-19
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES?
·
To hold people accountable for the availability
of knowledge (see sec 20:13), But, it will be the spirit of the Lord that will
convert, not the witnesses.
The next passage helps us really know why we need to follow
the Lord’s will
DC 5:32-35
WHY SHOULD WE FOLLOW THE LORD’S WILL?
Because
it is his will for us! He knows
us! He knows what’s ahead for
us! So, his message to “Stop and
stand still until I command thee” and “I will provide the means” is the lesson
we need to learn.
Lastly, there is one more passage that describes the purpose
of The Book of Mormon
·
Proving to the world, the holy scriptures are
true
·
God does inspire men.
·
Calls them to his holy work.
·
He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
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