Lessons for Our Day from the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ - 2024
Lesson No. One

Importance of the Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ

Title Page, Introduction, The Testimony of Three Witness, and The Testimony of Eight Witnesses – There is a discussion of the importance of each of these Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon found in Lessons on the Book of Mormon 2020, Lesson One: The Most Important Book in the World.

The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith – Joseph gave an important information about the third time the angel Moroni appeared to him during the night of September 21 – 22, 1823. Joseph wrote that in this visit Moroni “added a caution to me, telling me that Satan would try to tempt me (in consequence of the indigent circumstances of my father’s family), to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. This he forbade me, saying that I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them” (Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, italics added).

As with Joseph Smith, Satan temps many of us to desire to become rich in the things of this world even if it is at the expense of prospering in the things of eternity. Joseph withstood this temptation, and we can do the same if we follow Joseph’s example of putting the Lord first in our lives.

The Testimony of many other witnesses – The Book of Mormon teaches that Lord will raise up witnesses to establish its truthfulness. There will be “three witnesses” and a “few” or eight other witness. Nephi continues: “Wherefore, the Lord God will proceed to bring forth the words of the book; and in the mouth of as many witnesses as seemeth him good will he establish his word” (See 2 Nephi 27:12-14, italics added). As the Lord establishes His word as contained in the Book of Mormon, we can each be one of these many witnesses as we find opportunities to teach and testify of the divinity of the Book of Mormon and of Jesus Christ who is the Book’s true Author.

The phrase “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” was added as a subtitle to the Book of Mormon in 1982. It is very important to understand what this means and why it was done. (See Why is the Book of Mormon “Another Testament of Jesus Christ”?, Dec 18, 2018, Book of Mormon Central, KnoWhy #494)

President Nelson has stressed the importance of using the full name of the Lord’s Church. (See Russell M. Nelson, The Correct Name of the Church, Ensign, November 2018) I love this sermon and President Nelson’s explanation of why it is important to use the full name of the Church. Likewise, it seems that there are important reasons to be more focused on the full name of the most important book on earth, The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Susan and I love the Book of Mormon, and as we study, ponder, and pray about it, we are determined to be more focused on the full name of this most marvelous book. This will help us to increase our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to do as He commanded when He said, “look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not”(D&C 6:36).

Released on January 7th, 2024.