Book of Mormon Studies (20 June 1929)

RELIEF SOCIETY

BOOK OF MORMON STUDIES

For the first lesson in July

In the closing chapters of Third Nephi—23 to 30—which are to be considered for July, among the many items of importance one stands out as a doctrine peculiar in the world to the Latter-day Saints, and therefore, of particular interest and responsibility to them. Chapter 25 is introduced with the oft-quoted words from Malachi 4:5-6, in the Bible: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

Think upon it for a moment—these words were given to ancient Israel. They were repeated in substance to the Prophet Joseph Smith by the Angel Moroni on the occasion of his first visit to the boy seeker. They were spoken to the Nephites on the American continent by the Saviour Himself. The Saviour did not deal with non-essentials on the occasion of His sojourn among the Nephites. This fact alone, if the words appear nowhere else in Holy Writ, would give a cine as to their profound importance.

The salvation of the dead by the vicarious work of the living, to which the words refer, is not a latter-day doctrine—it is an eternal and cardinal principle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Possibly no people in the world have such ready access to the records of their ancestors as do the people of Britain. This advantage brings with it its responsibilities. Let the words of the Saviour to Malachi, to the Nephites, and all mankind, move us to action in this land.

QUESTIONS

1. What was the commandment of the Saviour concerning the words of Samuel the Lamanite? What does this indicate to you as the absolute necessity of keeping records?
2. The Lord repeated to the Nephites His word to Malachi concerning the law of tithing. What should this tell us concerning the importance of tithe-paying?
3. Why do you think the Lord repeated His words to Malachi concerning salvation for the dead? What does this indicate to us concerning the importance of this work? Concerning our duty in helping it along?
4. Did Mormon write all the words of the Saviour? See chapter 26. What importance, in your opinion, does this attach to those he did write?
5. What name did the Lord say His Church should be called by? Is His Church in this day called by that name? What of the other churches in the world that are called after men and nations and various doctrines, etc.?
6. What special wish was granted the three Nephites? Tell their story. How does the change they went through differ from death?
7. Discuss the main points of Mormon’s warning to those who spurn the words and the works of the Lord.

R.L.E.