Book of Mormon Studies (12 January 1928)

BOOK OF MORMON STUDIES1

Scientists tell us that our world is very old, as we count years. Indeed, we know that according to written history it has four or five thousand years to its credit. We know approximately the proportion and extent of land and water on the earth’s surface during that period of time. According to earlier accepted history only a very small portion of the land was thought to have been occupied by man, and that upon the Eastern Continent. Yet when modern history began the Western Continent was found to be inhabited by many tribes of people living in differ­ing stages of civilization. Evidence is plentiful to-day that the Western Hemisphere has been peopled during almost as long a period of time as has been the Eastern Continent. History gives no accounting of these peoples found in the so-called New World. But few attempts have been made to explain or account for their differing degrees of civilization as evidenced by their present living conditions, or the countless remains of earlier growth and development.

That these people were all God’s children who received His care and guidance and were in possession of His holy Gospel and at times lived it in its purity is told in the very wonderful record called the Book of Mormon.

The Stick of Joseph—The Book of Mormon is a record of struggles for righteousness and lapses into wickedness for many centuries of the people who lived on the Western Hemisphere, now called North and South America. The Prophet Ezekiel fore­tells in a most interesting manner the coming forth of the “stick of Joseph”—clearly the Book of Mormon—which shall be united with that of Judah—the Bible—to the “confounding of false doctrines” and “to the establishing of peace” and “bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days and also the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.” Read and study in this connection Ezekiel 37:16-23, and 2 Nephi, chapter 3. Through the coming forth of the Book of Mormon this prophecy has been literally fulfilled.

Importance of the Book—It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the study of the Book of Mormon by the members of the Church. With this book must stand or fall the claims of the founders of the Church restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. For, if the book is not a message from God “to the Lamanites [American Indians] who are a remnant of the House of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of command­ment and also by the spirit of prophecy and revelation” then is the whole contention of the Church false and of no avail.

Study will prove the book to be as stated—verily the word of God to His children of another branch of Israel. A full under­standing of these facts should be possessed by every church member. For this reason the women of this Mission are urged to make its study a joyous undertaking for this year’s course of lessons.

Does not Supersede the Bible—Important as may be the study of the Book of Mormon, no claim has ever been made by the Church that it supersedes the Bible as the word of God. The one comple­ments and strengthens the other, as the “stick of Joseph” and the “stick of Judah” add strength to each other.

Our assertion is: “We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” Righteous living is our aim; joyous acceptance of all divine truth is our purpose.

Future lessons will help us to become better acquainted with this unique and interesting book. The practice of its teachings will enrich our lives and ennoble all our undertakings.

QUESTIONS

1. Read carefully the title page of the Book of Mormon. Discuss its meaning.
2. Why do you enjoy reading the Book of Mormon?
3. Why can not the Book of Mormon take the place of the Bible?
4. Why should all church members understand and be able to defend this book?

• 1.This article is for use in the course of study for the Relief Societies on the first lesson night in January.