Book of Mormon. Hardy takes readers through its characters, events, and ideas, as he explores the story and its messages. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 16,325 times. All the videos can be viewed online, or downloaded for free. LDS Scripture Citation Index (scriptures.byu.edu). According to the Church, “the Book of Mormon is a record of God’s dealings with the people who lived in the ancient America.”. There are books and other aids out there to help you with a subject that you may not fully understand. Second, the Book of Mormon was written for our day. In abridging the Nephite records, Mormon said he could not include “even a hundredth part” (see 3 Nephi 5:8; see also Words of Mormon 1:5). Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. I recognize it as the foundation of my own testimony of Jesus Christ, of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, and of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as “the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth.”4 I am happy to join my testimony with Jesus Christ’s that “as your Lord and your God liveth it is true” (D&C 17:6). To create this article, 16 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Mormon was no ordinary person. I was 16, and I read it in a week. Anyway, as we were both working, I mentioned how fun it would be to set a goal to read the whole Book of Mormon as a family during 2016. Then, at the beginning of one year, I purchased a new copy of the scriptures, since the one I had was full of markings, especially after I had used it on my mission and prepared many lessons with it. This classic talk is reprinted in this issue on pages 52–58. This article has been viewed 16,325 times. Remember: modern-day revelation trumps older revelation if there appears to be a conflict between the two sources. Some have done this by obtaining a new, inexpensive copy of the Book of Mormon and marking all of the verses that refer to or teach about the Savior, His ministry, and His mission. In its more than 6,000 verses, the Book of Mormon refers to Jesus Christ almost 4,000 times and by 100 different names: “Jehovah,” “Immanuel,” “Holy Messiah,” “Lamb of God,” “Redeemer of Israel,” and so on. The Book of Mormon authors wrote with future generations in mind, specifically the latter days. If you've ever read the Book of Mormon and been frustrated because you didn't understand it, this podcast is for you. In addition to facilitating quick keyword searches and cross-referencing, the scriptures online (scriptures.lds.org) and on mobile devices (mobile.lds.org) provide several new functions that can help you in your personal study: This online study notebook offers many of the same tools you may have used in traditional study—highlighting, note taking, and cross-referencing, for instance—but it allows you to use and save these electronically. First, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion—the keystone of our witness of Jesus Christ, of our doctrine, and of our testimony. Another resource to help you connect scripture study with the words of living prophets, conference.lds.org features topic-based lists for each general conference. Unlike virtually all other recent world scriptures, the Book of Mormon presents itself as an integrated narrative rather than a series of doctrinal expositions, moral injunctions, or devotional hymns. Understanding the Book of Mormon will take more than a casual reading of the book, you must have a concentrated study. In later readings I did the same, except that I added notes to the highlighted verses in the margins. Salvation. I noticed that most of the people that condemned the Book of Mormon the loudest, had never even read the book. In addition, you can “tag” or categorize your notes and other content as it becomes available. Together, the Book of Mormon and Bible contain thousands of years of inspiration, guidance, and instruction. Sometimes it is helpful to read the entire Book of Mormon in a relatively brief period of time to grasp the sweep of its story and message. Third, the Book of Mormon helps us draw nearer to God. At the age of ten (ca. The Prophet Joseph Smith once 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." Their unique status and situation is the only thing remotely close to a paid minister in the LDS church and they therefore might have less-than-altruistic motives. This brings both a deeper witness of Jesus as the Son of God and a fresh appreciation of what He has done and continues to do for us. Most people watch TV a couple of hours a day, if you can give up some of your TV watching time to create a scripture study habit your spirituality will be greatly increased. Invite a missionary to bring you a free print Book of Mormon and share a brief message about it. Because We Have Them before Our Eyes. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. The Book of Mormon is this translation. By using our site, you agree to our. According to Smith, the book is originally written in an otherwise unknown language called “reformed Egyptian” on golden plates and it should be of similar importance as the Bible. The other way is to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish, and as you finish a few chapters, write a talk on what you’ve read. Once you are familiar with the story, understanding the doctrine inside the book may be much easier for you. Since the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our witness of Christ and the fulness of His gospel, it is important in our study to give special attention to the many teachings and testimonies of the Savior it contains. Download your free digital copy of the Book of Mormon and learn how to prepare for your visit with the missionaries. We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. Third, the Book of Mormon helps us draw nearer to God. Read the Book of Mormon free online. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Because you log in to My Study Notebook with your LDS account, your notebook revisions remain updated no matter how many different devices you use to access it. There is a child's version of the Book of Mormon available free online. General Conference Topics Index (conference.lds.org). The electronic text and audio recordings of the scriptures are now available at LDS.org and for mobile devices in many languages and are in process in many others. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. Study every day, effective scripture study can be achieved in only a few minutes a day. This was not just a historical compilation that anyone could write. Smith, they will say, translated the Book of Mormon from golden plates he dug up in a hill in New York in the early 1800s. It is another to know how these powers might be applied in our own lives. It must have been there.”. We are fortunate today to have a number of tools that can assist our study of the Book of Mormon. 2021 ‎If you've ever read the Book of Mormon and been frustrated because you didn't understand it, this podcast is for you. Understanding the Book of Mormon will take more than a casual reading of the book, you must have a concentrated study. You may occasionally read the Book of Mormon (or any other scripture) by searching through topics. But there is something more. February 1996 Liahona, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A dynamic, interactive, web-friendly presentation of the Book of Mormon. Church Educational System employees can be great resources, but exercise caution when taking their statements as doctrine. We should therefore study with these questions in mind: “Why was this included? When I started looking around, it seemed like there were people everywhere saying that the Book of Mormon was a fraud. There are books and other aids out there to help you with a subject that you may not fully understand. Why Read The Book of Mormon? . Reading the Book of Mormon for the Story. Moroni commented, “I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. There are two ways to read the Book of Mormon. President Thomas S. Monson emphasized the importance of reading the Book of Mormon in his last general conference address before he passed away. Scripture Languages and Formats (scriptures.lds.org). S-L-O-W-L-Y I'm in New York to read the Book of Mormon: a single chapter, over and over again, for two weeks. We learn line upon line as we keep studying. Sometimes the simple words from the Lord, “Be comforted,” are sufficient. Some readers are simply curious or interested for academic reasons. The scriptures—especially the Book of Mormon—teach us about Jesus Christ and about our Father in Heaven. "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents" to "I am Nephi and my parents were good", Imagine yourself as one of the characters in the book and ask yourself "What would I do in this situation?" Learn more... Once you have read the Book of Mormon and you have had the confirmation of its truthfulness, how do you effectively study so that you gain the greatest benefit from your study time? Since we already have the Holy Bible, many people wonder why they should even bother with the Book of Mormon. This resource, produced in English by two Brigham Young University teachers, connects verses of scripture with statements from modern-day prophets and apostles. It’s a valid question; however, I know that I have been brought closer to Jesus by reading both books of scripture. For instance, if you are studying the Atonement in the scriptures, you can find five talks that discussed that topic in the April 2011 conference. How do you prepare to read not only for understanding, but for help in your personal life? The Church’s latest online scriptures site also facilitates easy sharing of passages and personal notes with others via e-mail and social media tools. . Quoting President Benson once again: “It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Focus on the storyline and get familiar with the people in the book. In addition to online reading and listening, you can also download and use the audio, ePub, and PDF files offline. Download a free Book of Mormon for your mobile device. For example, suppose you want to know who has cited 1 Nephi 3:7 in general conference. I’ve also learned that no matter how many times we’ve already read, there’s always something that will make us say, “Why didn’t I see that before? Click on the Book of Mormon link at the left side of the screen and scroll down to 1 Nephi 3; there you’ll find the answer. The next time I added references to related verses, whether from the Book of Mormon or the other standard works. “I started to read the Book of Mormon before I was old enough to be a deacon, and I have been reading it ever since, and I know that it is true. …, “… It seems to me that any member of this Church would never be satisfied until he or she had read the Book of Mormon time and time again, and thoroughly considered it so that he or she could bear witness that it is in very deed a record with the inspiration of the Almighty upon it, and that its history is true.”. Twenty-five years ago, President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) detailed “three great reasons why Latter-day Saints should make the study of the Book of Mormon a lifetime pursuit.”1 The reasons were these: First, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion—the keystone of our witness of Jesus Christ, of our doctrine, and of our testimony. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.”3. It is one thing to understand that the Savior has comforting and healing powers. If you have additional questions, feel free to pray about them, or ask your bishop. (This page also includes the Bible and other scriptures used by Mormons.) Towards the end of his talk, he echoed this same plea, encouraging us not only to read but also to “prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.”2 Praying, reading, studying, pondering—each one can be seen as an essential ingredient needed to truly “feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3).3 This puts us in a condition to receive added light and understanding, both about what we are studying and about other matters. In the case of the Book of Mormon, the Lord had every generation for a thousand years keep records so that when the Nephite people finally rejected their God completely, His prophet Mormon could take the records kept by all the prophets and compile a special record of their people. “The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,”. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. I assigned a color of ink to specific topics—for example, orange for faith, green for repentance, and so on. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. AD 321), he was appointed to become the steward of the sacred Nephite records ().At age fifteen he was “visited of the Lord” ().And in his sixteenth year Mormon was made a leader over a Nephite army (Mormon 2:1–2).). Replace the words in the scripture with modern English (e.g. If people want to read the Book of Mormon as fiction or as world scripture, I welcome that. The Scriptures on the Internet and Mobile Devices. The first way is to simply read it as a book. , "How can I apply this to my everyday life?" These reasons for studying the Book of Mormon also suggest some ways we might go about studying this unique scripture. It doesn’t matter if you’ve finished the Book of Mormon one time or 100 times—you can always pray for a confirmation that what you read is true. How to Read the Book of Mormon . Since I knew that “validity draws fire”, it made me want to read it more and dig deeper into the topic. The Book of Mormon is in truth another testament of Jesus Christ.”Boyd K. Packer, “‘The Things of My Soul’,” Ensign, May 1986, 59 About Terrie Lynn Bittner The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. The Book of Mormon is an incomparable treasure and the instrument of conversion that the Lord has designed and provided for our dispensation. I’ve read it both ways and both have value—but one way is more life changing than the other. – Listen to Help Me Understand The Book of Mormon instantly on your tablet, phone or browser - … How does this apply today and to me?” President Benson observed, for example, that in the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming. This book consists of 531 pages and reading one and a half page a day can let you fully read the Mormon in one year. At that moment tears coursed down my cheeks. I … The Book of Mormonis a sacred text that was published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr. Once you’ve written that talk, pick another topic and write a talk on that. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. In a First Presidency message in August 2005, President Gordon B. Hinckley challenged Church members to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year. Don't allow anything else to interfere with your study time. President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876–1972), in Conference Report, Oct. 1961, 18. Second, the Book of Mormon was written for our day. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. May your lifelong study of the Book of Mormon deepen your conversion and lead you in a direct course to eternal life. Always prayerfully consider any supplemental information regarding the Book of Mormon that comes from a source other than a past or present Apostle or Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. How to Prepare for Your Voice or Video Call. Near the end of my reading, I came across a verse that affirmed that if a church were Christ’s, it would bear His name (see 3 Nephi 27:8). To create this article, 16 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Some are bound with our scriptures—the Topical Guide, Bible Dictionary, and index in the English scriptures and the Guide to the Scriptures in other languages. Try to only use the Book of Mormon as your source. The Bible The Bible teaches that all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. If you wish to use these, they're available for purchase in various LDS stores or websites, such as Deseret Book. One way is by picking any topic and write a talk, like you are going to speak on it. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. All sin is treason against our Holy God. Be cautious as you look to internet sources to supplement your study of the Book of Mormon. Though the books were written a long time ago, … Help you better understand the Book of Mormon by listening to this podcast. I think the book is impressive from any perspective. The Sunday School curriculum is the Book of Mormon this year, and the primary kids are also learning about scriptures. This time my study and marking were based on topic. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Skip main navigation Believe Following Jesus The Book of Mormon The Bible Family ... Read online. Unlike virtually all other recent world scriptures, the Book of Mormon presents itself as an integrated narrative rather than a series of doctrinal expositions, moral injunctions, or devotional hymns. Indeed, studying the Book of Mormon invites the Spirit, and the Spirit is the medium of revelation. Answer: When Mormon missionaries (properly called Latter Day Saints or simply "LDS") come to your door, they will often offer a free copy of the Book of Mormon and tell you about its author, Joseph Smith. More recently, prophets have encouraged members of the Church to read the Book of Mormon and study it for themselves. (See Moroni 10:3–5.) This suggests that we study in a thoughtful, meditative fashion—pondering, praying, and perhaps making notes as we read. Challenges to read the Book of Mormon. And we have in Latter-day Saint editions of the scriptures numerous footnotes and cross-references on every page. I knew the Book of Mormon was true, and I decided to be baptized. If you wish to use these, they're available for purchase in various LDS stores or websites, such as Deseret Book. But generally it is best to focus on devoting adequate time each day to studying the book as opposed to reading some fixed number of verses or pages per day. This article has been viewed 16,325 times. The Book of Mormon shares multiple ways in which this is accomplished. The Prophet Joseph Smith: Translator of the Book of Mormon, What the Book of Mormon Teaches about the Love of God, The Book of Mormon: A Witness with the Bible, The Book of Mormon: Strengthening Our Faith in Jesus Christ, The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion, If You Really Want to Know, You Will Know, Common Questions about the Book of Mormon, “How to Study the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Oct. 2011, 28–31. We learn how disciples of Christ live in times of war, deal with persecution and apostasy, do missionary work, and respond to the dangers of materialism.2 As Nephi did, when we study, we should “liken” the scriptures to ourselves—that is, try to discover how to apply what we find in the Book of Mormon (see 1 Nephi 19:23). Other study aids in printed form include the Sunday School Class Member Study Guide, the Seminary Student Study Guide, and the Institute Student Manual. , "What can I learn from this?". In Understanding the Book of Mormon, Hardy offers the first comprehensive analysis of the work's narrative structure in its 180 year history. Listen to the Book of Mormon in audio. Book Of Mormon Read-a-Thon When we decided to do this with our youth, I was a little hesitant and was trying to come up with reasons why we might not be able to attend. Moroni included the book of Ether as a sort of appendix to his father's work. I have an 8 and a 10 year old that I thought would hate something like this and complain the entire time and I didn't want to hire a babysitter or leave them home alone. There are more and more sites dedicated to attempting to disprove or in any way discount the truthfulness of this great work. 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. Both volumes of scripture are a compilation of teachings as recorded by ancient prophets. It helps if you set aside the same time every day for study. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. It is a series of 54 videos. Understanding the Book of Mormon may be the book for a lot of us. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. These two authors and others, acting under inspiration, wrote what would be of greatest benefit to us in these latter days. Obviously, reading the Book of Mormon is a high priority in our lives. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Effectively-Study-the-Book-of-Mormon-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Effectively-Study-the-Book-of-Mormon-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Effectively-Study-the-Book-of-Mormon-Step-1.jpg\/aid154500-v4-728px-Effectively-Study-the-Book-of-Mormon-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"