The Book of Mormon (22 November 1886)

THE BOOK OF MORMON.

(From the Juvenile Instructor.)

The Latter-day saints are frequently challenged to furnish evidences in proof of the divinity of the Book of Mormon. We notice that a preacher, who is out here as a missionary, is endeavoring to gain some notoriety by attacking the Book of Mormon through the columns of the papers. He seems to place a very low value upon it. His conduct proves the truth of at least one prediction in the book which he derides. The Lord, through Nephi, says, in speaking of the effect this book would have:

“Many of the Gentiles shall say A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.”

This is, in effect, what this false teacher says, and thus he fulfills the prophet’s words which were written some 2,400 years ago.

The Book of Mormon does not de­pend upon external evidence for its proofs of its divine origin.

The father of the Editor of the Juvenile Instructor, when the Book of Mormon was first handed to him, read it through twice and after finish­ing it the second time laid the book down with the remark that “A bad man could not write such a book and a good man would not write it;” that is, a good man in and of himself would not write it; he would have to be in­spired of the Lord to do it.

No one can read that divine record in the proper spirit without receiving a testimony from the Lord that it is divine. Its teachings are pure and of the most elevating character. Its simplicity causes it to be easily under­stood by children and persons of limi­ted education They who read it need not be in doubt concerning the prin­ciples of salvation. The doctrines of the Gospel are set forth with charm­ing and convincing clearness. One is not left to query respecting the steps necessary to be taken to become a member of the Church of Christ.

There is no room for argument con­cerning how a man shall be baptized, or by whom he shall be baptized in order to be accepted of the Lord.

The mission of the Savior and the great atonement wrought by Him are described so beautifully that to un­derstand it is only necessary to read; while the condition of the spirits of the just and the unjust after death, and the resurrection of the body, are explained in such simple language and detail that every one who desires can comprehend them.

We value the Bible as a wonderful record of God’s dealings with the chil­dren of men. It is a glorious book, and is of immense value to mankind; but it has been sadly mutilated. It has passed through many hands and several versions of it exist. Its tran­slators were not inspired, and were unfit for the task which they assumed; and, worse than all, many precious parts of it have been taken from it. One of the prophets of the Book of Mormon, speaking of the Bible, says:

“For behold, they have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb, many parts which are plain and most pre­cious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away.

“And all these have they done, that they might pervert the right ways of the Lord; that they might blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men.

“Wherefore, thou seest that after the book hath gone forth through the hands of the great and abominable church, that there are many plain and precious things taken away from the book, which is the book of the Lamb of God.

“And after these plain and precious things were taken away, it goeth unto all the nations of the Gentiles; and after it goeth forth unto all the na­tions of the Gentiles, yea, even across the many waters which thou hast seen with the Gentiles which have gone forth out of captivity; thou seest because of the many plain and pre­cious things which have been taken out of the book, which were plain unto the understanding of the chil­dren of men, according to the plain­ness which is in the Lamb of God; because of these things which are taken away out of the gospel of the Lamb, an exceeding great many do stumble, yea, insomuch that Satan hath great power over them.”

This accounts for the vagueness with which that record speaks con­cerning some points of doctrine and ordinances. The need of an inspired translation of the Bible is seen in the hundreds of different sects which exist in Christendom, all claiming to have followed the Bible as their guide in the organization of their churches and in the preaching of their doctrines.

What a glorious work was accom­plished by the Lord in the revelation of the Book of Mormon! It came to the world in purity by the gift of in­spiration. It dispelled darkness and doubt. It cleared away difficulties, and made plain to mankind the path of salvation. Joined with the Bible, they make two powerful witnesses to the truth of heaven. With these two records no man need be in doubt as to the requirements which the Lord makes of His children. Upon points which, with the Bible alone, there might be contending opinions, with the Book of Mormon in addition, they are speedily settled, and mankind are enabled to drink at the pure fountain of truth, and find it no longer neces­sary to squabble concerning ordinan­ces and doctrines.

We wish this book was read more extensively by our people, especially by the young. We long for the time to come when it will be a text book I in our schools. The influence which it exerts over the minds of those who read it is soothing and heavenly. It creates impressions upon the young concerning holiness and the manner of life which is most acceptable to our God that can never be effaced. The lessons of faith which it conveys have a most marked effect upon the lives of children who are brought up to carefully read it and to treasure its precepts.

In the early days of our experience as a missionary we were placed in circumstances which were naturally try­ing and depressing. For the first time in our life we were away from home and far from all our kindred and friends. In a strange land, among a strange people, whose language was strange, we were made to feel our loneliness, especially so when com­pelled by persecution to take refuge among a poor people who had so little food that for some weeks our princi­pal sustenance was wild berries. It was then that we found the value of the Book of Mormon. It was our solace and joy; and we never read its pages without deriving profit from its lessons and heavenly comfort from the sweet spirit which they contained. It was indeed a comforter to us; it removed depression, inspired hope and faith, and stimulated us to per­severe in the labor before us.

If any one doubts that the prayer­ful reading of this precious book pro­duces these effects, they can easily prove for themselves the correctness of our testimony. When trouble or affliction comes upon men and wo­men’s souls, and they need comfort and peace, let them prayerfully read the Book of Mormon, and we know they will obtain an evidence of its divinity that will satisfy them, though they may have never had it before.