Out of the Dust
This is a paper I wrote for my Book of Mormon class in Feburary 2002.
The Book of Mormon is of inestimable value to the Church and to me, undeniably the word of God sent forth in these days out of the dust to bring men to Christ.
Without a doubt, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, as President Benson has said. It witnesses of Christ, teaches the doctrine of the resurrection, and provides the pillar supporting our testimony of this latter-day work. Everything in the Church depends upon it; if the Book of Mormon is false, then Joseph Smith was a false prophet, we are blasphemously claiming to hold God's priesthood, and modern-day revelation is a pipe dream. But because it is true, our claims are not only solid, but they are the will of God, which is far more important.
The Book of Mormon profoundly teaches the important saving doctrines which the Lord would have us know. First and foremost, Christ is our Lord, our Savior, our Redeemer. Without Him we have nothing. The Book of Mormon clearly testifies of Christ, with over one-half of the verses in it referring to Him. The book also teaches about the nature of God, the creation of man, the Fall, the Atonement, prophets, faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, and so on, as the Lord summarizes in D&C 20:17–36. The Bible teaches most of these doctrines, but through tampering and the rough edges of translation, many have become distorted or discarded over the centuries. In contrast, the Book of Mormon provides a pure, pristine picture of the gospel, untainted by mischievous men and their mistakes.
The Church's missionary program would be nowhere near as successful as it is without the Book of Mormon. The book teaches in a plain manner of Christ and His gospel and it exposes His enemies. Through its words, many have felt the testimony of the Spirit and have come to know of its truthfulness. Through it, millions upon millions have felt to sing the song of redeeming love and have discovered the peace found only through the Lord. Beyond that, the Book of Mormon provides numerous examples of missionary work, showing how the Lord wants His children to be taught. And, through encounters such as that between and Alma and Korihor, modern-day missionaries learn how to deal with enemies of Christ.
The Book of Mormon also keeps members close to Christ and to the Father. I know this myself, as I have seen it in my life every day for several years now. When I was a teenager, one day in Sunday School our teacher had us write a letter to the Lord, promising Him something that we would try to work on from then on. I wrote down a promise that I would read my scriptures every single day and pray morning and night. Before this, I did read, but not regularly, and if I felt too tired to pray, under the covers I went with a halfhearted promise that I'd try better the next day. After writing this letter, however, I kept good on my promise. The light that has come into my life since that day is beautiful beyond compare. Rather than sloshing around in the mud of the world, I feel His love surround me and support me in everything I do. By reading the Book of Mormon each day, my thoughts stay near to Christ. Not only do I remember the lessons taught therein, but they have also become engraved upon my heart, never to be forgotten.
With the eternal focus of the book impressed upon me each day, rarely is Satan successful in distracting me with the doilies and childish games of the world. "Men are that they might have joy" buoys me up during a day of depression; through Enos' prayer I feel His love and the joy of being clean before the Lord; with each verse I find my testimony growing and becoming part of me rather than a piece of clothing to be taken off whenever it isn't convenient. The Book of Mormon also helps me to help others -- it is a tool to shine the light of Christ upon weary souls that don't know where to turn for help. In fact, coupled with the Spirit, it is the best tool God has given us. I've seen it bring happiness to others; I've seen it bring happiness to me. The book is true and I cannot deny it.
I have occasionally read anti-Mormon tracts, in preparation for missionary work. Such works try to shatter the testimony of the Book of Mormon, claiming that Joseph was a phony and that the book is mere fiction. I cannot read such venom for long, for it sickens my heart and squeezes all the life out of it. When I return to the Book of Mormon and the words of the modern-day prophets, the feelings of peace and goodness instantly wipe away the poison of the deceiver. Something that feels so good cannot be evil.
In conclusion, the Book of Mormon is the keystone of my life. Without it, trying to find Christ and cling to Him is infinitely harder. It is God's gift to modern man.
