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Overview, Introduction, Title Page and Witness of the Book of Mormon

Lesson Quotes:
Joseph Smith

“The title-page of the Book of Mormon is a literal translation, taken from the very last leaf, on the left hand side of the … book of plates, which contained the record which has been translated, … and … said title page is not by any means a modern composition, either of mine or of any other man who has lived or does live in this generation” (HC, 1:71).

President Ezra Taft Benson
“The honest seeker after truth can gain the testimony that Jesus is the Christ as he prayerfully ponders the inspired words of the Book of Mormon.

“Over one-half of all the verses in the Book of Mormon refer to our Lord.  Some form of Christ’s name is mentioned more frequently per verse in the Book of Mormon than even in the New Testament.”

“He is given over one hundred different names in the Book of Mormon.  Those names have a particular significance in describing His divine nature” (Ezra Taft Benson, “Come unto Christ,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 83).

President Ezra Taft Benson
“There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.  It is the keystone in our witness of Christ.  It is the keystone of our doctrine.  It is the keystone of testimony…..

"…..Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the Church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. The enemies of the Church understand this clearly.  This is why they go to such great lengths to try to disprove the Book of Mormon, for if it can be discredited, the Prophet Joseph Smith goes with it. So does our claim to priesthood keys, and revelation, and the restored Church.  But in like manner, if the Book of Mormon be true….then one must accept the claims of the Restoration and all the accompanies it” (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Oct. 2011, 54, 55).

Elder David B. Haight:
“Jeffrey Holland, president of Brigham Young University, while working on his Ph.D. at a prominent eastern American university, got to know well one of the reference librarians who had helped him with some research.

“One day he said, “Ilene, I need to know how many books we have in the University Library which claim to have been delivered by an angel.”

“As you can imagine, the librarian gave him a peculiar look and said, “I don’t know of any books that have been delivered by angels. Swords maybe, or chariots, but I don’t know of any books.”

“Well, just run a check for me would you? It may take a little doing, but I really would like to know.”

“The librarian dutifully did some checking of the nine million books in the library. For several days she had nothing to report, but then one day she smilingly said, “Mr. Holland, I have a book for you. I found one book which, it is claimed, was delivered by an angel,” and she held up a paperback copy of the Book of Mormon. “I’m told you can get them for a dollar. My goodness,” she continued, “an angel’s book for a dollar! You would think angels would charge more, but then again,” she said, “where would they spend it?” (See Pat Holland, President’s Welcome Assembly, Brigham Young University, 9 Sept. 1986).

“Think of it—one book has been delivered by an angel, and it teaches of your eternal salvation. And each of you owns a true copy!” (CR Oct. 1986)

President Ezra Taft Benson 
“The Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the ‘fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ’ (D&C 20:9). That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed.  Rather, it manes that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fullness of those doctrines required for our salvation.  And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation” (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Oct. 2011, 55).

President Ezra Taft Benson
“Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us.

“Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. …
“If they saw our day, and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day & age?’” (“The Book of Mormon—Keystone of Our Religion,” 55–56).

Elder Henry B. Eyring 
“I will make you this promise about reading the Book of Mormon: You will be drawn to it as you understand that the Lord has embedded in it His message to you. Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni knew that, and those who put it together put in messages for you…

“You want your students to see that their challenge is not to prove that the Book of Mormon is true but to prove to God that they—the students—are true. When they do this, they will know the book is true. And when they prove that they will do what the book says, God will tell them more (“The Book of Mormon Will Change Your Life,” Ensign, Feb. 2004, 11).

Prophetic Promises from Come Follow Me - For Individuals and Families 2020 Book of Mormon

Studying the Book of Mormon will change you. It will change your family. Latter-day prophets have made promises about the power of the Book of Mormon since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored. Ponder the following statements, and review them regularly. Which of these blessings would you like to receive? As you read the Book of Mormon, consider recording and sharing with others how these promises are fulfilled in your life.

The Prophet 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, than by any other book” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 64).

President Ezra Taft Benson: “It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. 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. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson [2014], 141).

President Gordon B. Hinckley: “Brothers and sisters, without reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley [2016], 233).

President Russell M. Nelson: “My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions” (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62–63).




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