The Book of Mormon, why we read it

As I start to write this message, I am reminded of a thought that was once shared with me by a friend and colleague, and someone that many of us know, President Greg Bishop.  He once told me something like this: Sometimes when we go to church, we are taught by the Spirit something that we didn’t know.  Other times, the Spirit reminds of us something that we already knew.  As you read this, I hope one of those two things happen: You learn something new by the Spirit or you are reminded of something by the Spirit.

            Whenever we talk about the restoration of the Gospel, I always find it worthwhile to consider the “Order of events” of the restoration.  After the First Vision, the next thing that takes place is the introduction of the Book of Mormon.  It is several years before the Book of Mormon is published, but it its place in the restoration is obvious by the fact that it is brought forth so quickly.  President Ezra Taft Benson said “A … powerful testimony to the importance of the Book of Mormon is to note where the Lord placed its coming forth in the timetable of the unfolding Restoration. The only thing that preceded it was the First Vision. In that marvelous manifestation, the Prophet Joseph Smith learned the true nature of God and that God had a work for him to do. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon was the next thing to follow.”  It is clear how important the Book of Mormon is to not only the restoration, but to our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We have all heard the following quote from Joseph Smith, “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, then by any other book.”

This is a statement of Doctrine, given to us by a prophet.  Every time I talk about doctrine, I am reminded of another quote that we have all heard before from President Boyd K. Packer:

True doctrine, changes attitudes and behavior.  The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.

This is a quote that gets shared frequently, but I have a little confession to make.  I did alter, slightly, the quote from President Packer.  Here is what he really said:

True doctrine, UNDERSTOOD, changes attitudes and behavior.  The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.

It would seem like there are two parts to this quote: 1) knowing the doctrine and 2) understanding the doctrine.  I have often thought that the “understand” portion is more important, but I think they both play equal parts.  We must put forth the effort to first know the doctrine.  We cannot understand what we do not know.  Once we know the doctrine, then we must understand it.

            With that thought in mind, let’s talk about why we should read the scriptures and more in particular, why we should read the Book of Mormon.  I have some scriptures that teach us the doctrine as to “why” we read the scriptures and the Book of Mormon.  As you read the following scriptures consider this question, “what is the doctrine this scripture is teaching me about why I read the scriptures.”

·      2 Nephi 32:3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

·      1 Nephi 19:23 And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.

·      D&C 1:37 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.

·      2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

·      John 5:39 ¶Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

We should remember that along with ancient scripture, we also have modern scripture.  Here is some modern scripture that teaches us doctrine.

·      President Boyd K. Packer: If you are acquainted with the scriptures there is no question-personal or social or political or occupational - that need go unanswered.  Therein is contained the fullness of the everlasting gospel.  Therein we find principles of truth that will resolve every confusion and every problem and every dilemma that will face the human family or any individual in it.

If we were to make a list from those scriptures of the doctrines taught and what the reading the scriptures does, it would be a powerful list:

·      have the Holy Ghost

·      tell us all things we should do

·      Answers all questions

·      Profitable for reproof, correction

·      Teach us of Christ
And the list could go on and on.

Now that we know the doctrine, we must understand it.  I believe that one of the easiest ways to really understand the doctrine is to live it, to apply it, and let it influence your life.  For a blog post it may be hard to live it, so I thought I would share some stories of others who had lived the doctrine, who have read the scriptures and experienced some of the promises listed above.

The Story of Parley P. Pratt

            In 1830, then 23, Parley felt a call to abandon his farm and preach the gospel, believing that God would provide financially for him and his wife Thankful. After selling their property at “great sacrifice,” the young couple, with $10 in their pockets, took a boat from Cleveland, Ohio, to Buffalo, New York.   At Buffalo they took passage on the Erie Canal, headed for Albany. But Parley followed a prompting to disembark prematurely at Newark. 

As a result, Parley was introduced to the Book of Mormon. He later recalled: “I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep.” Feeling the confirmation of the Holy Ghost, Parley wrote: “I knew and comprehended that the book was true. … My joy was now full.” 

The Story of Laura Swenson (Taken from “Finding Answers in the Book of Mormon” Ensign, Jan 2012)

Laura Swenson from Idaho, USA, came home one day frustrated and in tears. She was not married, and her plans for college and the career she had dreamed of were falling apart. “I wondered if I was even going anywhere,” she wrote.

“I was prompted to turn to the Book of Mormon. In the first four verses of 1 Nephi 18, I found an answer to my concerns. These verses describe the ship that Nephi built to carry his family to the promised land. It was ‘of curious workmanship’ and not built ‘after the manner of men’; rather, it was built ‘after the manner which the Lord had shown’ (verses 1–2). Nephi consulted with the Lord often while building the ship. When the ship was finished, ‘it was good, and … the workmanship thereof was exceedingly fine’ (verse 4).

“I realized that my own journey was of ‘curious workmanship.’ It didn’t fit the patterns of men but would get me where I needed to go if I sought the Lord’s guidance. These verses were a beacon of light in a dark moment. My problems didn’t end overnight, but I found the perspective that I needed. I am now in a rewarding career for which I had never planned.”

The Story of Scott Kneeland

Yes, my own personal story.  When I was 17 years old I had a girlfriend who, although a member of the church, wasn’t a huge fan of me going on a mission.  Neither was her family (the mother was also a member, but the father wasn’t at the time).  I also began to question whether or not I wanted to spend two years teaching the gospel, when I could further my education and get into a career quicker.  This would make it a lot easier for my girlfriend and I to get married.  At the time, this was one thing I really wanted to happen.  As I wondered about going on a mission, I thought I would give reading the Book of Mormon a try and see if that would help.  Of course it did!  It didn’t take me long to get to 1 Nephi 7:12 which reads: Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.”  I felt as if this verse perfectly fit me.  I had forgotten a lot of things, but mostly that the Lord is able to do all things.  It was my job to be faithful and submit myself to His will.  This scripture helped me understand what I needed to do: I knew I needed to serve a mission.  I am eternally grateful that I was able to know and understand “His will” for me and my future family.

I am sure that several of us can share similar stories of how reading the scriptures and the Book of Mormon has changed our lives.  I am even more sure that several of us have a similar testimony of the Book of Mormon.  So, the real question now is, why do we struggle to read as often as we should?

To wrap this up, I want to share one quick thought with you and one last story that have helped me when I think about reading the scriptures.  Here is my first thought: Imagine that I gave you $1,440.00 just because I wanted to.  Here’s the catch, you have to give me $10.00 back.  That’s it!  How many of you would do that?  We all would!  Here where this helps with reading the scriptures.  There are 1,440 minutes in a day.  Is it really that hard to find 10 to read the scriptures.  The answer to the question is “it depends on where reading the scriptures is on your list of priorities.”  If it is first, then it is super easy, but if it’s last, then it is a lot harder.  In what turned out to be Elder Richard G. Scott’s last conference address he said the following:

Scott_Oct 2014_Read the scriptures from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

I chose to use the video because I wanted us to all see how animated he is when he talks about the scriptures. If we read Elder Scott’s quote carefully, it seems like there is nothing more important we can do, so basically the idea is “wherever scripture reading is on your list of priorities, move it up!” 

            One last story.  When I was teaching seminary I, like most seminary teachers, struggled to get my students to read the scriptures.  So one day I decided to start “The One Wimpy Verse Club.”  The Diary of a wimpy kid books were big at the time and so that is where the word Wimpy came from.  I am not calling the scriptures wimpy, I only wanted something catchy to get the students excited.  The whole idea was for each student to commit to reading one verse a day.  That’s it, nothing more, just one verse.  They all agreed to read one verse each day.  A couple weeks later, a young man came into class and said “I’m onto you Bro Kneeland.  I know what you’re trying to do.”  I then asked, “What are you talking about?”  He then said “The one wimpy verse club.  I was only going to read one verse every day, but after a couple days, I got interested in the story, so I read more.  Last night I read for about half an hour.” 

            If we can commit to read the scriptures and stick with that commitment, even if it is only one verse, the Spirit will touch us and we will be strengthened, blessed, or any of the things we talked about earlier, we just need to make the commitment.

The Restoration - Friday Night Adult Class May 2017

In recent years, every time I talk or think about “The Restoration” I am reminded of a story I saw on the news.  It is a story about a fresco painted in the Sanctuary of Mercy in the Borja Spain.  The fresco was painted by Elias Garcia Martinez and is titled “Ecce Homo” or “Behold the Man.”  He painted in the 1930’s as a gift to the cathedral.

After several decades, the painting began to deteriorate and large sections of these began to chip off.  The painting was in desperate need of repair.

The fame of the painting comes from a good faith attempt to restore the painting.  An elderly woman, who is an untrained amateur artist, named Doña Cecilia Giménez attempted to restore the painting.  According to her account, she had permission to attempt to restore the fresco from the local clergy.  However, her limited abilities are apparent when you look at the restored image.  Comically, yet unfortunately, several people have changed the name of the fresco from “Ecce Homo” or “Behold the Man” to “Ecce Mono” or “Behold the Monkey.” 

Can we look at this fresco and really call it a restoration?  Of course not.  The word restore means to return to its original condition or state.  Although the basics of the picture may be there, the picture is not the same, or in other words, it was not restored.

I believe there is value in considering the attempt.  Do you think that Dona Gimenez intended to destroy the painting?  Was she malicious in her attempt?  I don’t believe so.  I think she did the best could with what she had.  Regardless of her intent, she didn’t have the abilities or tools necessary to restore the fresco.

Obviously, from here we are going to relate this example to the restoration of the gospel.  We know that after the death of the Apostles there was no one to lead Christ’s church.  The scriptures are replete with prophesies that tell us this would happen.  (See Isa. 24:5, Isa. 29:13, Isa. 60:2, Amos 8:11, Matt. 13:25, Matt. 24:5, Matt. 24:24, 1 Cor. 11:18, Gal. 1:6, 2 Thess. 2:3, 1 Tim. 1:6, 1 Tim. 4:1, 2 Tim. 2:18, 2 Tim. 3:5, 2 Tim. 4:4, Titus 1:16, 2 Pet. 3:17, 1 Jn. 2:18, 1 Jn. 4:1, Rev. 2:2, Rev. 3:16).  I think at this point we should consider the attempts of good, well-intentioned men and women who wanted to be part of Christ’s church.  Much like Dona Gimenez, I don’t believe that everyone was malicious in their attempts to “restore” the true gospel to the earth.  I believe many people where good, honest people trying to do the best with what they had: The bible, which had been interpreted and translated by several different people.  After the bible, that was about it!  

When Christ restored His church, He restored it exactly as it was before.  Hence, it was in every sense of the word a restoration.  As He had always done, He called a prophet.  The man we know as Joseph Smith.  Through Joseph Smith, He restored the truth, His gospel, and His church.  

Here is the beauty of the whole restoration.  He doesn’t expect us to just believe Joseph Smith.  We can learn for ourselves!  In fact, Joseph’s story is a perfect example of what we are invited to do.  Let’s look at a couple of aspects of the story of Joseph Smith and see what we can learn about how we are taught the truth:

I would invite you to read the following verses from Joseph’s account and look for the example set forth by Joseph.  What did he do and what can we do?  I will only mention a few aspects of what took place so we can learn a little about how and what we can learn

Joseph Smith History 1:10-20, 21-26, 28-33, 34-47, 48-54, 68-75

JS History 1:10 – I was one day reading the Epistle of James

JS History 1:12 – I reflected on it again and again

JS History 1:13 – At length I came to the conclusion that I must … ask of God

JS History 1:16 – Exerting all my powers to call upon God 

JS History 1:23 – It caused me serious reflection

JS History 1:44 – I lay musing on the singularity of the scene, and marveling greatly

JS History 1:50 – I obeyed

There are several more aspects of Joseph’s story that teach us about revelation and finding the truth, but I believe we have the basics laid out right in front of us: Scripture study, pondering, asking in faith, receiving answers and obeying.

That is the marvelous work and wonder that is before us.  Christ restored His church exactly as He first established it.  He called a prophet, who set forth the example for us to know for ourselves.  I have included the video below.  It is called “What the restoration means to me.”  I would invite you to watch the video and turn the title into a question and ask, “What does the restoration mean to me?”

What the restoration means to me. from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

The Resurrection - Weekly Adult Class_April 20

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

This semester we have been studying the New Testament and focusing on the Four Gospels.  As we close this semester we ended with the Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Savior.  While I was preparing the lesson on the Resurrection, I came across a quote from the Prophet Joseph Smith.  As I read the quote, it really made me think.  It started like this;

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are..."

Before we move on, let’s just stop here and ask ourselves the question, "How would I finish this statement?"  Chances are pretty good right now that most of us are reciting the following words: "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, second, Repentance, Third..."  I know the first time I read it I did the same thing.  

Here is what the Prophet said:

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven: all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."

There are several aspects of this quote that really caught my attention.  I thought it would be valuable to look at this quote, bit by bit, a section at a time and hopefully, really understand the message Joseph Smith had for us.

Let’s start here:

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, 

I love that the Prophets says the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets!  Everything we do in this church is based on the testimony of the prophets and apostles.  Every time the Lord’s Covenant people were on the earth, He has called prophets and apostles.  He has done it again!  This is fundamental to our religion.

Let’s continue with the quote:

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets,

concerning Jesus Christ,

We are “The Church of Jesus Christ” first and foremost.  Everything we do leads us to Christ.  I remember my institute director once told me “Every time you get asked to speak in Sacrament, ask them the topic and then add the words “and Christ” to the end of it.  If you do that you will always give an inspiring talk.”  In the Introduction of the Book of Mormon, we again see the importance of the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles concerning Jesus Christ:

“…to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.”  Truly, we are a people who believe that “the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

The next part of the quote is what I found to be the most intriguing.

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ,

that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven:

It seems that Joseph Smith is saying the fundamental principle of our religion is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It really made me think, why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ the fundamental principle of our religion?  So, I thought I would follow the counsel of Joseph Smith and turn to the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles concerning Jesus Christ.  Here is part of a conference talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.  As you read, consider this question:  Why would the resurrection of Jesus Christ be fundamental to our testimony of Him?

“If Jesus was in fact literally resurrected, it necessarily follows that He is a divine being. No mere mortal has the power in himself to come to life again after dying. Because He was resurrected, Jesus cannot have been only a carpenter, a teacher, a rabbi, or a prophet. Because He was resurrected, Jesus had to have been a God, even the Only Begotten Son of the Father.

“Therefore, what He taught is true; God cannot lie [see Enos 1:6].

“Therefore, He was the Creator of the earth, as He said [see, for example, 3 Nephi 9:15].

“Therefore, heaven and hell are real, as He taught [see, for example, D&C 76].

“Therefore, there is a world of spirits, which He visited after His death [see D&C 138].

“Therefore, He will come again, as the angels said [see Acts 1:10–11], and ‘reign personally upon the earth’ [Articles of Faith 1:10; see also Topical Guide, “Jesus Christ, Millennial Reign”].

“Therefore, there is a resurrection and a final judgment for all [see, for example, 2 Nephi 9:15].

“Given the reality of the Resurrection of Christ, doubts about the omnipotence, omniscience, and benevolence of God the Father—who gave His Only Begotten Son for the redemption of the world—are groundless. Doubts about the meaning and purpose of life are unfounded. Jesus Christ is in fact the only name or way by which salvation can come to mankind. The grace of Christ is real, affording both forgiveness and cleansing to the repentant sinner. Faith truly is more than imagination or psychological invention. There is ultimate and universal truth, and there are objective and unchanging moral standards, as taught by Him.

Here is a link to the entire talk “The Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” Ensign, May 2014

Once we have a testimony of the Resurrection of the Savior and of His Divinity, the next question is, so how does the resurrection affect me and my life?  Again, I will turn to the testimony of the Prophets and Apostles.  Here is a video clip of a talk given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks.  As you listen, ponder the thought, “How does the fact of the resurrection affect me and my daily life?”

Elder Oaks_Resurrection from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

Here is a link to the entire talk “The Resurrection,” Ensign May, 2000

Here is the final part of the quote

"The Fundamental Principles of our religion are 

the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven:

all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it."

This does not mean that “all other things” are less important.  In Corinthians 12, Paul teaches us the importance of all things being one: “14 For the body is not one member, but many” and later he states “20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.”  There are many aspects of “appendages” of the gospel.  When all of them are placed together, they are “the fulness of the Everlasting Gospel.”  That is the beauty of what was restored by the Prophet Joseph.  Starting with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we gain a testimony of Him and His divinity.  Because He was resurrected, every thing He said is also true.  He teachings are true, His doctrine is pure, and He is our Savior and Redeemer.  We know that we will also be resurrected and desire to live our lives like Him, make covenants, and endure to end.  This is why the resurrection is the fundamental principle of our religion.