Lessons for Our Day From the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ - 2024
Lesson No. Twenty-Seven

The Importance of September 21-22 in the Creation and in the Restoration

September 21 or 22, depending on the year, is the autumn equinox – An equinox is where there is exactly 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night. In 2024, in the Northern Hemisphere, the autumn equinox will be on September 22 at 6:44 a.m. mountain daylight time. It is inspiring that the Supreme Creator has organized His creations so that we can know the exact moment an equinox takes place. The intricate science of why there is an equinox reminds us of Alma’s teachings, “yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44).

The importance of September 21 – 22 in the history of thy Restored Church – It was on the night of September 21-22 that the angel Moroni appeared to Joseph Smith, first in 1823 and for four successive years culminating in 1827 when the Book of Mormon plates were delivered to Joseph. This was in fulfillment of many ancient prophecies, including the first one we know of given to Enoch:

“And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth” (Moses 7:44).

The Book of Mormon is truth out of the earth, and it will sweep the Earth as with a flood to gather the elect – The “truth…out of the earth” refers to the Book of Mormon. President Ezra Taft Benson, referring to this scripture, taught: “The Book of Mormon is the instrument that God designed to ‘sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out [His] elect’” (A Witness and a Warning).

The plates coming out of the earth signaled the commencement of a great battle for the souls of men and women. A vision was given to Heber C. Kimball and his wife Vilate on the night of September 21- 22, 1827. It was in the morning of September 22, 1827 that the Book of Mormon plates were given to Joseph Smith. This vision symbolizes the important role of the Book of Mormon in the battle for the souls of men in the last days. Heber described this vision as follows:

“It was one of the most beautiful starlight nights, so clear we could see to pick up a pin.” Heber stated that they saw a bow form in the sky, and “it grew wide enough to contain twelve men abreast. In this bow an army moved, commencing from the east and marching to the west. They continued marching until they reached the western horizon. They moved in platoons, and walked so close that the rear ranks trod in the steps of their file leaders, until the whole bow was literally crowded with soldiers.

“We…could discern the form and features of the men. The most profound order existed throughout the entire army. When the foremost man stepped, every man stepped at the same time. I could hear their steps. When the front rank reached the western horizon, a battle ensued, as we could hear the report of the arms, and the rush.

“No man could judge of my feeling when I beheld that army of men, as plainly as ever I saw armies of men in the flesh; it seemed as though every hair of my head was alive. This scenery we gazed upon for hours, until it began to disappear.

“After I became acquainted with Mormonism, I learned that this took place the same evening that Joseph Smith received the records of the Book of Mormon” (Orson F. Whitney, The Life of Heber C. Kimball, p.15-17).

The Book of Mormon is a weapon the Lord uses to win the battle for the souls of all men and women who will harken. Some consider the Book of Mormon a fraud or at best a small and simple thing of no consequence. But we believe “that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass….And the Lord God doth work by [small] means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6-7).

I testify that the Book of Mormon is from God, and that it will bring salvation to all those who accept it and live by its teachings.

Released on September 21st. 2024.