I believed it was light out of darkness and truth out of the ground.â (Wilford Woodruffâs journal, entry dated December 31, 1833. All Book of Mormon prophets taught “more or less” (Mosiah 13:33; see also Jacob 4:5) the same “word” of belief in Jesus Christ (see chart 1). The names used for Christ in the Book of Mormon are important conveyors of meaning, content, and power. It is hard to imagine that Moroni’s life circumstances were very pleasant. The only category of names that Alma seems to have avoided are names that speak of Jesus’ fatherhood. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. The Testimony of Eight Witnesses was first published at the end of the 1830 edition of the Book of Mormon and has been printed in nearly every edition since, although most subsequent editions moved the statement to the front of the book and included minor grammatical corrections. From those experiences Nephi knew the necessity of staying on the Lord’s strait and narrow path. Nephi’s word Jesus, like the name Joshua (which derives from the Hebrew root yashac, meaning “to deliver, rescue, or save”), added emphasis to the Messiah’s role as Savior, a mosiah (see Isaiah 49:26); see John Sawyer, “What Was a mosiac?” Vetus Testamentum 15 (1965): 475–86; see FARMS Update, April 1989. John M. Lundquist and Stephen D. Ricks (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book and FARMS, 1990), 1:461, 474, 502. As he cursed the people of Zarahemla (the same city in which Benjamin had given this name more than a century earlier), Samuel told them “of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning” (Helaman 14:12). The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. It should not surprise us to find that Jesus Christ meant (and means) different things to different people according to their personal circumstances and perspectives. The Three Witnesses. President Gordon B. Hinckley. I knew it was true, as well as I knew that I could see with my eyes, or feel by the touch of my fingers, or be sensible of the demonstration of any sense. ), âDo not trust in yourselves, but study the best booksâthe Bible and Book of Mormonâand get all the information you can, and then cleave to God and keep yourselves free from corruption and pollution of every kind, and the blessings of the Most High will be with you.â (Journal of Discourses, 12:398. Benjamin alone described Jesus’ bloody sweat coming from every pore in anguish for His people (see Mosiah 3:7). 801-422-6975. The surviving words of Lehi contain some fifteen different titles that refer to this God, the One he saw descending out of the midst of heaven (see 1 Nephi 1:9). Of the Testimony of Three Witnesses, where Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris testify Testimonies of the Book of Mormon Other prophets have testified simply of the divinity of the Book of Mormon. [9]. In addition to the atoning dimensions of Christ’s blood that were of special notice to Benjamin, the Lord’s kingship was prominent in Benjamin’s testimony of Jesus. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith as The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi. He is the central commanding figure, from the title page, March 23, 2019 Uncategorized “The Book of Mormon Brought Me Closer to Christ–El Libro de Mormón me acercó a Jesucristo” by: Dave Trottier This intimacy bespeaks the fact that Moroni had indeed walked many years with Jesus as his only companion, evidently on a first-name basis. There is not a word of doctrine, of admonition, of instruction within its lids, but what agrees in sentiment and veracity with those of Christ and His Apostles, as contained in the Bible. This name was uttered once again by Samuel the Lamanite. [3] See Robert J. Matthews, “What the Book of Mormon Tells Us about Jesus Christ,” in The Book of Mormon: The Keystone Scripture, ed. About 30 B.C. The solemn testimony of the Three Witnesses has appeared in every edition of the Book of Mormon since 1830. ), âAnd again, the elders, priests and teachers of this church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, in the which is the fulness of the gospel.â (D&C 42:12. Here is a list of Testimonies of The Most Holy & Sacred Book of Mormon by non-Mormons. To a remarkable degree, Jacob’s priestly functions are reflected in the testimony that he bears of Christ. David Whitmer never returned to the Church, but left an extensive record validating his testimony. He received his BS from Utah State University and his MA and PhD degrees from Brigham Young University. Names in antiquity typically conveyed meaning. Alma urged the people to “[1] believe in the Son of God, [2] that he will come to redeem his people, and [3] that he shall suffer and die [4] to atone for their sins; and [5] that he shall rise again from the dead, [6] which shall bring to pass the resurrection, [7] that all men shall stand before him to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works” (Alma 33:22). He survived for over 20 years after the rest of his people were destroyed. Significantly different names for Christ are used by the various writers of the Book of Mormon. [12] For evidence of this as an authentic part of the earliest Christian accounts of Jesus’ passion, see Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament (London: United Bible Societies, 1971), 177. By Sharon Lindbloom 5 August 2016. [4] In analyzing these individual testimonies of Christ, I have tried to examine all the names and titles used by each prophet to refer to Christ, as well as the attributes and functions of Christ that they mention. ), âI am one that has received from the Lord the strongest revelation concerning the truth of this work [the restoration, including the Book of Mormon]. Alma was also the only writer in scripture to attribute to God the quality of “equity” (three times; see Alma 9:26; 10:21; 13:9). The dominant feature of Abinadi’s teaching is about the Redemption and that it will come through suffering (the words redeem or redemption appear nineteen times in Abinadi’s words). Mormon seems to focus more on the indirect manifestations and attributes of Christ than on the person of Christ Himself. He is the only one ever to refer to the Atonement of Jesus Christ as the “great and last sacrifice” (five times). Eyewitness testimony is a potent form of evidence for convicting the accused, but it is subject to unconscious memory distortions and biases even among the most confident of witnesses. Accordingly, the thrust of Samuel’s prophecies of destruction and darkness were vivified by the earlier events at the prison destroyed by God in the land of Nephi. 925â26. Indeed, it is reasonable to assume that Alma’s “word” of faith in, Consistent Elements in Nephite Declarations of Faith. the sick and afflicted, and impart of [their] substance . I could not as a child or as a young man, comprehend and understand as fully as today the splendid discourses regarding the divine mission of the Savior. These testimonies are true to life. Truman G. Madsen (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1984), 59–71; Stephen D. Ricks, “Liturgy and Cosmogony” (Provo, Utah: FARMS, 1981). [1]. Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, [6] the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and [7] be judged according to their works” (Alma 11:39–41). As mentioned above, Jacob introduced the word Christ (or its Hebrew equivalent) into broad Nephite usage. The number ten is a symbolic number, representing completeness and perfection. Unlike most other Book of Mormon prophets (who also served as kings, judges, and military leaders), Lehi was exclusively a prophet. The objective of their temple service was to become “holy men unto me” (Exodus 22:31), “for I the Lord, which sanctify you, am holy” (Leviticus 21:8). Abinadi drew those words from the prophecies of Isaiah that the servant would be “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,” “afflicted,” “wounded for our transgressions,” “oppressed, and he was afflicted” (Isaiah 53:3–7; Mosiah 14:3–7). “This name certainly contains the affirmation that Yahweh is the true head of Israel’s armies, . Alexander L. Baugh is a professor in the Department of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University, where he has been a full-time faculty member since 1995. The historical part differs only: the one gives the history of an Asiatic, the other of an American people. The Mormon Testimony Mormons claim that a personal feeling, a burning in the bosom, which is interpreted to be a "manifestation" of the Holy Ghost, is the only evidence needed to … And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, [3] because the death of Christ [6] bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and [7] all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death. He wrote both the Words of Mormon and the book of Mormon. Hence Lehi was readily and uniquely inclined to identify Jesus as “a prophet” (1 Nephi 10:4; see also Deuteronomy 18:15: “God will raise up unto thee a Prophet” like unto Moses) and to make special mention of the fact that another prophet would prepare the way of the Lord before His coming (see 1 Nephi 10:8; see also Isaiah 40:3). The stories are sometimes uncannily accurate, sometimes completely fictional, and often a mixture of the two; and they can change to suit the situation. ⦠I examined the matter studiously for two years before I made up my mind to receive that book. Nephi followed his father in using the names of “Messiah,” “Redeemer,” and “Savior,” but he introduced several other terms and concepts as he sought and obtained greater understanding of his father’s visions. He appeared to several, including Lehi (see 1 Nephi 1:9), Nephi (see 2 Nephi 11:2), Jacob (see 2 Nephi 2:4; 11:3), Lamoni (see Alma 19:13), Mormon (see Mormon 1:15), the brother of Jared (see Ether 3:14), and Moroni (see Ether 12:39), as well as to the multitude and disciples in 3 Nephi. Well does their modern testimony mention that many testimonies have been given of Him. [7] This name implicitly assumes familiarity with such images as the dumb sheep before the slaughterer (see Isaiah 53:7) or the substituted ram in the sacrifice of Isaac (see Genesis 22). That is consistent with the fact that Jacob, of all Book of Mormon prophets, strongly prefers to call Christ “the Holy One of Israel” (seventeen times) or simply “the Holy One” (once). . Its pages held me, bound me, and my eyes were riveted to them. The witnesses never refuted their testimony in the Book of Mormon. One very important function of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is to convey to the modern world powerful testimonies of the divine mission and essential attributes of Jesus Christ, “to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God” (title page). 2 that he will come to redeem his people. Terryl L. Givens, By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture That Launched a New World Religion (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003), 41–42, emphasis added; the two former quotations come from the Testimony of Three Witnesses in the front of the Book of Mormon, and the latter one is the statement of Reuben P. Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in Vogel, EMD, 2:255. Three times Abinadi emphatically asserted that God Himself would bear the iniquities of His people: “Were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make” (Mosiah 13:28); “God himself should come down among the children of men” (Mosiah 13:34); and “God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people” (Mosiah 15:1). He learned by sad experience that his direct action had failed. Lehi’s orientation toward the Redeemer was markedly universal. This basic pattern persisted to the end of Nephite civilization, as is reflected in one of Moroni’s last testimonies of Christ: “And because of the fall of man [2] came Jesus Christ, [1] even the Father and the Son; and [4] because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man. Amulek is the only person in scripture ever to use the word “charitable” (Alma 34:29). . We will continue to collect and publish testimonies through the … Finally, Moroni concluded the plates of Mormon, looking forward to the time when all people will meet Him “before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead” (Moroni 10:34). John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1954, p. Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr. (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1990), 157–73. The people’s use of this name in their response (see Mosiah 4:2) and its subsequent reappearance in the record (see Helaman 14:12) suggest that this extended name had sacred, perhaps ceremonial significance among the Nephites. I assume that some of Amulek’s own family (see Alma 10:11) were among those who “had been taught to believe in the word of God” and who were accordingly martyred (Alma 14:8), and he was undoubtedly a close friend of many of the other martyrs and of the men with whom he was cast out. Of all Book of Mormon prophets, he spoke especially of the “multitude of his tender mercies” (1 Nephi 8:8; see also 1:20), of His “infinite goodness” (2 Nephi 1:10), and of the “arms of his love” (2 Nephi 1:15). “Believe in the Book of Mormon as another witness of the Son of God. One day, I felt an overwhelming desire to know Christ. A modern-day Apostle describes the unwavering faith the Church's founders showed, even in the face of death, to remain true to their testimonies of the Book of Mormon. Once, in 3 Nephi 5:1, Mormon spoke of Jesus as the Redeemer and Savior, in connection with the redemption of the promised land of the Israelites (see 3 Nephi 5:20, 26), but otherwise, names and titles for Jesus are almost nonexistent in Mormon’s original writings. We ask that all comments be respectful and nonjudgmental of any woman's choices or beliefs. 4. 34. Likewise, Abinadi made no mention of any apostles, disciples, or others who might come to the aid of the suffering Messiah. 5 and that he shall rise again from the dead. The earlier Book of Mormon writers use greater variety in their names for Christ than do the later writers. Nephi and his brother Jacob also experienced the harrowing episodes of being led through an uncharted desert and across an endless expanse of ocean by the Liahona. 109. Twenty-five years later an important Lamanite prophet named Samuel appeared on the walls of Zarahemla and foretold that even more significant signs of light would appear at the time of Jesus’ birth and that massive destructions and darkness would be seen at His death (see Helaman 14:2–27). The record often indicates when and how important details about Christ were revealed. To each of us, Christ is both the same and different. The earlier writers tend to connect the Lord more with Israel than do the later authors. The testimonies of those witnesses of the Book of Mormon in this book can burn in our hearts, strengthen our faith and fortify our minds – and we can know for ourselves that their words are true. His last thirty-six years were spent wandering, alone and hunted like an animal for his refusal to deny Christ. The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which, according to Latter Day Saint theology, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2200 BC to AD 421. âMay I tell you of a great adventure? The testimonies become linguistically more definite as time progresses. The name of Christ, for example, was apparently first revealed to Jacob after Lehi’s death (see 2 Nephi 10:3), and it was Nephi who disclosed later yet that the Messiah’s “name shall be Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (2 Nephi 25:19). I have considered three factors to be especially significant in sketching these possible profiles: (1) unique phrases, (2) frequently repeated words or phrases, and (3) points that are given the greatest emphasis in the messages of each prophet. Testimonies of the Book of Mormon Church leaders testify of the Book of Mormon. Lehi’s strong Israelite roots are also apparent in his reference to the Lord as the “firstfruits” that typically belonged to God. They usually did so in condemning or cursing the wicked: “A curse shall come upon the land, saith the Lord of Hosts, . This script is taken from portions of Joseph Smith's own testimony, found at the beginning of the Book of Mormon. [4]. ⦠Through their teachings we are permitted to come nearer unto God, get a better understanding of our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ, become closer acquainted with them and to know more in regard to the wonderful plan of salvation which they have given unto us and unto the world if it will receive the plan that will exalt us in the kingdom of God to become his sons and his daughters, receiving the fulness of that kingdom. â¦, âI want to bear testimony to you ⦠that I know that the Book of Mormon is true; that Joseph Smith received it from the hand of God through an angel that was sent to reveal it, the same angel who, while living in this world, finished the record and sealed it up to come forth in this Dispensation of the Fulness of Times.â (Improvement Era, Dec. 1961, pp. ), âThe Gospel in the Book of Mormon and the Gospel in the Bible both agree: the doctrines in both books are one. He was the keeper of the words of Christ and the preserver of the most sacred prayers of Jesus, which Moroni included in the record only after he knew that those words would be safe from the hands of apostates and infidels. Coming around the time of Nephi’s coronation, this reference stands as a solemn reminder of Nephi’s reluctance to become king (see 2 Nephi 5:18), for God is truly the only king in Israel. Interestingly, Benjamin linked the atoning blood of Christ with the full range of atonement concepts under the law of Moses; he assured the people that Christ’s blood atones for the sins of all those who humble themselves and repent and for the sins of those “who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned” (Mosiah 3:11). In the introduction to … May you read it prayerfully, study it carefully, and receive for yourselves the testimony of its divinity.â (Improvement Era, June 1963, pp. The missionary experiences of the sons of Mosiah and Captain Moroni are also discussed. When you share the Book of … Names Used for Christ by Major Book of Mormon Authors. [1] The thesis of this article was first presented in my entry entitled “Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon” in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism (New York: Macmillan, 1992), 2:748–50. Thus, some form of Christ's name is used on an average of one reference for every 1.7 verses (see Susan Easton Black, Finding Christ through the Book of Mormon … ), âIn relation to reading the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, ⦠no man can be an efficient missionary of this church unless he is familiar with these books. 69â70. Brigham Young University
So, I picked up my copy of the Book of Mormon and started to read it. 61. This sustaining and uplifting feeling, in my view, is a God-felt urging to repent and come unto Christ. I do not think that I have ever before enjoyed that book so much. Consistent with Benjamin’s personal interests and circumstances in life, he was the only Book of Mormon writer ever to use the word “omnipotent.”. On a day when the newly appointed king normally received his new coronation name and titles, Benjamin solemnly disclosed for the first time an extended name of Jesus Christ and gave it to the entire multitude by way of covenant. then shall ye weep and howl in that day, saith the Lord of Hosts” (Helaman 13:17, 32). Moreover, in many cases, the attributes and functions of Jesus Christ emphasized by each Book of Mormon prophet correspond closely with the personal circumstances and experiences of these prophets. [17] Compare also the early christological words (quoted from Zenos) that speak only of “thy Son” (Alma 33:11, 13, 16; emphasis added), with Alma’s subsequent understanding of these words to mean “the Son” (Alma 33:14, 17; emphasis added). These points take on added meaning in the context of Lehi’s personal experiences. Similarly, no artifice or adornment, no tendency toward the ornate embellishments of Noah’s edifices, was suited to the plain and forthright style of the prophet Abinadi. The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2200 BC to AD 421. ), âThe Book of Mormon ⦠cannot be disproved, for it is true. 13â16. Distinct personal profiles emerge when the words of the following ten Book of Mormon prophets are identified and compared. Moreover, Moroni showed his own acquaintance with Jesus, calling Him by the simple name of “Jesus” alone (eight times), far more than any other Book of Mormon prophet. And it is truth, and it has sprouted and come forth out of the earth, and righteousness begins to look down from heaven, and God is sending down His powers, gifts and angels, to lodge in the branches thereof.â (History of the Church, 2:268. President Gordon B. Hinckley “Believe in the Book of Mormon as another witness of the Son of God. Most interestingly, the attributes of Jesus Christ emphasized by the various prophets especially indentified because of his own spiritual experiences, callings, and individual circumstances. It appears that Alma molded them into a concise statement of belief that was especially useful in the newly established churches in the land of Zarahemla over which he presided. He saw the only good in the world existing in Christ; he affirmed that all that is good does not deny Christ (see Moroni 10:6), just as he had staunchly refused to deny Christ even at the peril of his life. ), taught faith in Jesus Christ, the Master of personal conversion. On twenty occasions, Nephi identified Jesus as “the Son of God,” “the only begotten Son,” “the only begotten of the Father,” “the Son of the everlasting God,” “the Son of the Eternal Father,” “the Son of the Living God,” “the Son of the Most High God,” “the Son of Righteousness,” “the Son,” or the “beloved Son.” Only Alma the Younger approaches the wide variety of filial designations for Jesus used by Nephi. It bears the mark of inspiration from beginning to end, and carries conviction to every honest-hearted soul.â (Journal of Discourses, 25:99â100. Alma, the Testimony of the Word (Book of Mormon Symposium) - Kindle edition by Nyman, Monte S., Tate, Charles D.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. After departing Mormonism, he later declared, “If you believe my testimony to the Book of Mormon; if you believe that God spake to us three witnesses by his own voice, then I tell you that in June, 1838, God spake to me again by his own voice from the heavens, and told me to separate myself from among the Latter-day Saints.” Different legal allegations were leveled against him the historical part differs only: the gives... A remarkable degree, Jacob ’ s mighty power, he will be “ ”! Noah and his people reflect this elaboration Isaiah 6:5 ) years were wandering... 34:28 ) lay it down only to sleep testimonies of the book of mormon eat, and Jacob, nineteen each of,... Also discussed to deliver his prophetic warnings and condemnations and greater variety exists in their formulations,. This collection of stories, women share their experiences with and testimonies of the restored Church.â ( Improvement Era Nov.... 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