Lessons on the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ and His Apostles
Lesson No. Thirty-Eight

The Book of Mormon and Standing Fast in the Liberty Wherewith Christ Hath Made Us Free

The bondage sin – When Paul wrote to the Galatians “the whole of the known world lay in bondage.  There was one state, and it was Rome.  There was one master for it all, and he was Tiberius Caesar” (Wall Street Journal, Editorial, December 24, 2018).  While the world was in political and economic bondage to Caesar, there were a few true believers who had been made free from the bondage of sin by the atonement of Jesus Christ. But some Galatian members of the Church were beginning to waiver, therefore Paul entreated them:  “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).  The bondage Paul spoke of was the bondage of sin.

Concerning our modern world the Lord said:  “The whole world lieth in sin, and groaneth under darkness and under the bondage of sin.  And by this you may know they are under the bondage of sin, because they come not unto me.  For whoso cometh not unto me is under the bondage of sin” (D&C 84:49-51).  Like the ancient Galatians, today too many members, who at one time were committed to the Lord and His Church, are turning from the liberty Christ offers to the bondage of sin. 

The Book of Mormon enables us to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free – If we treat the Book of Mormon lightly our minds become darkened with unbelief.  The Lord warned:

“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received –

“Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.  And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all. 

“And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written –

“That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion” (D&C 84:54-58).

The darkness of unbelief is avoided by reading and praying about the Book of Mormon  – I believe that those who lose their testimony of the restored Church do not read and pray about the Book of Mormon on a regular basis.  “If we would avoid adopting the evils of the world, we must pursue a course which will daily feed our minds with and call them back to the things of the Spirit.  I know of no better way to do this than by reading the Book of Mormon” (Marion G. Romney, Ensign, May 1960).

The Book of Mormon blesses families – “I feel certain that if, in your homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein.  The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow.  The spirit of contention will depart.  Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom.  Children will be more responsive and submissive to that counsel.  Righteousness will increase.  Faith, hope, and charity – the pure love of Christ – will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Ibid).

The Book of Mormon is the most important book on earth – The Prophet Joseph Smith said:  “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (Introduction Page of the Book of Mormon).

If the Book of Mormon brings us nearer to God than any other book, then it is not only the most correct book on earth, it is also the most important book on earth. 

“My soul standeth fast in that liberty in which God hath made us free” (Alma 61:9) – These are the words that Pahoran wrote to ensure Moroni that he remained true to his testimony of the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.  I adopt them as my own.

Furthermore, I have experienced the truth of what President Ezra Taft Benson promised:

“There is a power in the Book of Mormon which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.You will find grater power to resist temptation.You will find power to avoid deception.You will find power to stay on the strait and narrow path” (Ezra Taft Benson, The Book of Mormon – The Keystone of Our Religion Ensign, Nov. 1986).