“We believe the bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.”
The Bible contains a record of the people from the beginning of “Genesis” to the birth of Christ; it is called the Old Testament. It is a record of many prophets who taught the gospel to the people and prophesied about the birth and divine mission of the Savior. From the book of Matthew to the book of Revelation is the record of Christ and His apostles. It is called the New Testament. Jesus Christ came into the world to establish His church and overcome sin and death for us. As prophets of old were writing these records, they knew that those records would be for a future time. “Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever.1”
The Bible is the word of God. To those who read it, this truth may be confirmed individually.
A) A comparison
The Book of Mormon testifies of the Bible. The prophets, on the American continent, knew about the Bible. Nephi, a prophet on the American continent, saw a vision and expressed his feelings about it. An apostasy was to come forth so the church of Jesus Christ could be restored. It was more than an individual apostasy. Nephi, in his vision, saw people from different churches, who professed to be the church of Christ, put incorrect doctrines into the Bible and corrupted it. He qualified those churches that taught incorrect doctrines as "Abominable churches". “The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the House of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save they are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the House of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the gentiles. And the angel of the Lord said unto me: thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fullness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God. Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the gentiles, according to the truth, which is in God. and after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb may parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men. Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.2”
The prophet Nephi saw all that in vision 600 years before the birth of Christ.
The Book of Mormon testifies of the Bible. The prophets, on the American continent, knew about the Bible. Nephi, a prophet on the American continent, saw a vision and expressed his feelings about it. An apostasy was to come forth so the church of Jesus Christ could be restored. It was more than an individual apostasy. Nephi, in his vision, saw people from different churches, who professed to be the church of Christ, put incorrect doctrines into the Bible and corrupted it. He qualified those churches that taught incorrect doctrines as "Abominable churches". “The book that thou beholdest is a record of the Jews, which contains the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the House of Israel; and it also containeth many of the prophecies of the holy prophets; and it is a record like unto the engravings which are upon the plates of brass, save they are not so many; nevertheless, they contain the covenants of the Lord, which he hath made unto the House of Israel; wherefore, they are of great worth unto the gentiles. And the angel of the Lord said unto me: thou hast beheld that the book proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew; and when it proceeded forth from the mouth of a Jew it contained the fullness of the gospel of the Lord, of whom the twelve apostles bear record; and they bear record according to the truth which is in the Lamb of God. Wherefore, these things go forth from the Jews in purity unto the gentiles, according to the truth, which is in God. and after they go forth by the hand of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, from the Jews unto the Gentiles, thou seest the formation of that great and abominable church which is most abominable above all other churches; for behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb may parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away. And all this have they done that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord, that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men. Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.2”
The prophet Nephi saw all that in vision 600 years before the birth of Christ.
B) Prophecies about the Book of Mormon and our days
We see a lot of confusion in our day with many Churches that believe in the same Bible, but interpret it differently. The Apostles and Prophets did not intend this confusion when they kept records of their dealings with the Lord.
For this reason, the Lord has revealed the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. The prophet Ezekiel, in the Old Testament, prophesied about these two books; comparing them as two different “stick3”: “The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying; Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, for Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, for Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: and join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.4”
The stick of Judah spoken about in this scripture represents the children of Israel; the people in Jerusalem at the time.
The Lord Jesus Christ said: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.5”
Jesus Christ, after His resurrection, visited the American continent. He established His church among those other “sheep”. He told them about the people in Jerusalem: “This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them: That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And now, because of stiffneckedness and unbelief they understood not my word; therefore I was commanded to say no more of the Father concerning this thing unto them. But, verily, I say unto you that the Father hath commanded me, and I tell it unto you, that ye were separated from among them because of their iniquity; therefore it is because of their iniquity that they know not of you. And verily, I say unto you again that the other tribes hath the Father separated from them; and it is because of their iniquity that they know not of them. And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. And they understood me not... But behold, ye have both heard my voice, and seen me; and ye are my sheep, and ye are numbered among those whom the Father hath given me.6”
The people on the American continent were descendants of Joseph. They were of the stick of Ephraim. They wrote records testifying of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Nephi, one of the early prophets on the American continent shared: “And it came to pass that I beheld the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the book of the Lamb of God, which had proceeded forth from the mouth of the Jew, that it came forth from the Gentiles* unto the remnant of the seed of my brethren. And after it had come forth unto them I beheld other books, which came forth by the power of the Lamb, from the Gentiles7 unto them, unto the convincing of the Gentiles and the remnant of the seed of my brethren, and also the Jews who were scattered upon all the face of the earth, that the records of the prophets and of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true. And the angel spake unto me, saying: These last records, which thou hast seen among the Gentiles, shall establish the truth of the first, which are of the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and shall make known the plain and precious things which have been taken away from them; and shall make known to all kindreds, tongues, and people, that the Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world; and that all men must come unto him, or they cannot be saved.8”
The Lord has said of the Bible and the Book of Mormon, that they will be joined together and become one. Lehi, a prophet, just before his death gave some instructions to his children. He expressed an interesting vision that he had received for his son Joseph about 580 years BC: “And now I speak unto you, Joseph, my last born in the wilderness of mine afflictions; yea, in the days of my greatest sorrow did thy mother bear thee... For behold, thou art the fruit of my loins; and I am a descendant of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt. And great were the covenants of the Lord which he made unto Joseph.9” The story of Joseph who was carried captive into Egypt is found in the book of Genesis starting in chapter 37.
Lehi, continuing the explanation of his vision to his son Joseph said: “Wherefore, Joseph (who was carried captive) truly saw our day. And he obtained a promise of the Lord, that out of the fruit of his loins the Lord God would raise up a righteous branch unto the house of Israel; not the Messiah, but a branch which was to be broken off; nevertheless, to be remembered in the covenants of the Lord that the Messiah should be made manifest unto them in the latter-days, in the spirit of power, unto the bringing of them out of darkness unto light -yea, out of hidden darkness and out of captivity unto freedom.10” It is interesting to note that Joseph Smith was also a descendant of Ephraim. This Joseph, from the book of Genesis, received a revelation about Joseph Smith of the latter-days and the Book of Mormon. Lehi explained it: “For Joseph truly testified, saying: A seer shall the Lord my God raise up, who shall be a choice seer unto the fruit of my loins. Yea, Joseph truly said: Thus saith the Lord unto me: A choice seer will I raise up out of the fruit of thy loins; and he shall be esteemed highly among the fruit of thy loins. And unto him will I give commandment that he shall do a work for the fruit of thy loins, his brethren, which shall be of great worth unto them, even to the bringing of them to the knowledge of the covenants which I have made with my fathers. And I will give unto him a commandment that he shall do none other work, save the work which I shall command him. And I will make him great in mine eyes; for he shall do my work. And out of weakness he shall be made strong, in that day when my work shall commence among all my people, unto the restoring thee, O house of Israel, saith the Lord. And his name shall be called after me; and it shall be after the name of his father. And he shall be like unto me; for the thing, which the Lord shall bring forth by his hand, by the power of the Lord shall bring my people unto salvation. Yea, thus prophesied Joseph: I am sure of this thing, even as I am sure of the promise of Moses; for the Lord hath said unto me, I will preserve thy seed forever. And the words which he shall write shall be the words which are expedient in my wisdom should go forth unto the fruit of my loins. And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith. And they shall cry from the dust; yea, even repentance unto their brethren, even after many generations have gone by them. And it shall come to pass that their cry shall go, even according to the simpleness of their words. And now, behold, my son Joseph, after this manner did my father of old prophesy.11”
The prophets knew about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. It came out of the dust because it was buried by the last prophet of the Book of Mormon, Moroni. They knew Joseph Smith would be chosen to translate those writings and restore the gospel in the latter-days.
The Bible as well as the Book of Mormon is the word of God. Both of these books stand as a witnesses of Christ; witnesses of His divine Sonship and of his role as Creator, Savior and Judge of the world. The apostle Paul helped us know how the word of God would be established upon the earth. It is the divine law of witnesses: “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.12”
The Bible is one record that witnesses the word of the Lord. The book of Mormon is another one. An example of the importance of the law of witnesses is the illustration of hinges on a door. Why would you want to use two hinges instead of only one? How do the two hinges working together make the door more stable? In the same way, the Bible and the Book of Mormon are united to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. They firmly establish the truth. Both support the truth of the gospel and the divine nature of Jesus Christ.13
C) How we can know that it is true?
We know the Bible is the word of God from the Holy Ghost confirming the truth as we read it. The same can be said about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. God has said, “ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be open unto you.”
The prophet Moroni, while writing his last thoughts and testimony of the Book of Mormon, sealed the book with a promise to all those that would read it. And thus are his words: “Behold, I will exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.14”
This promise is simple. God has knowledge of everything. He can tell us what is right and what is wrong. God promises he will send the Holy Ghost to let us know the truth. The Holy Ghost is manifest in many different ways. Among those, are feelings we described earlier.15
We know the Bible is the word of God from the Holy Ghost confirming the truth as we read it. The same can be said about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. God has said, “ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be open unto you.”
The prophet Moroni, while writing his last thoughts and testimony of the Book of Mormon, sealed the book with a promise to all those that would read it. And thus are his words: “Behold, I will exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.14”
This promise is simple. God has knowledge of everything. He can tell us what is right and what is wrong. God promises he will send the Holy Ghost to let us know the truth. The Holy Ghost is manifest in many different ways. Among those, are feelings we described earlier.15
This invitation is for everyone; believers as well as non believers.
Brief explanation of a "stick”: From Hebrew, wood meaning wooden writing tablets. It was really common to use those in Ezeckiel's time. In his days, writings were recorded on parchment rolled unto a stick, which made a scroll. First, it was a record of Judah (the bible) containing the religious history of the ancestor of Judah and of his descendant, with a primary focus on Jesus Christ.
Next, the record of Judah would be joined with the record of the descendant of Joseph of Egypt and his son Ephraim (the Book of Mormon). The Book of Mormon also focuses primarily on Christ.
Brief explanation of the "Gentiles”: Literally, the word Gentile means “of the same clan or race”. In the Bible, it is often substituted as “nations”. After the kingdom of Israel was destroyed and the ten tribes were led away into Assyrian captivity, those of the kingdom of Judah called themselves Jews and designated all others as Gentiles.16 The Gentiles that accept the gospel of Jesus Christ are adopted, through baptism, into the house of Israel.
References Part 8
Isaiah 30: 8
3 Nephi 13: 23-27
See Explanation of a “stick” at on pg 96
Ezekiel 37:15-20
John 10: 14-16
See 3 Nephi 15: 16-24
See Explanation of “Gentiles” on pg. 96
1 Nephi 13: 38-40
2 Nephi 3: 1, 4
2 Nephi 3: 5
2 Nephi 3: 6-8, 13,15-16, 19-20, 22
2 Corinthians 13:1
Missionary Discussions: Uniform System for Teaching the Gospel.
Moroni 10: 3-5
Galatians 5: 22-23
Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine.
References
1. See explanation of books on page 7
2. See introduction page of The Book of Mormon
3. See Genesis 11: 5-9
4. Ether 1: 33
5. See Genesis 10: 25
6. See Genesis 37
7. 2 Nephi 3: 4
8. See Genesis 48: 16
9. See Omni 1: 15-16
10. See Jeremiah 16:11-13
11. See History of Joseph Smith on page 11
12. See introduction page of The Book of Mormon
13. See introduction page of Doctrine and Covenants
14. See introduction page of The Pearl of Great Price
15. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 4
16. Meaning “separated”
17. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 8
18. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 10
19. Meaning “without any reproach.”
20. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 11-12
21. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 13
22. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 14
23. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 16-17
24. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 19
25. See explanation of The Book of Mormon on page 7
26. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 30-47
27. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 33
28. Isaiah 29: 10
29. See Part 5 & 6
30. Isaiah 29: 11-12
31. See Pearl of Great Price; Joseph Smith History vs. 64-65
32. Isaiah 29: 14
33. Doctrine and Covenants 4: 1
34. See History of the Church V4 pg. 535
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