Why the Book of Mormon? The Revealed Reasons for the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon

Why the Book of Mormon? The Revealed Reasons for the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon

By Francis W. Kirkham

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been especially prepared for the readers of the “Millennial Star” by Francis W. Kirkham, author of “A New Witness for Christ in America” and noted Book of Mormon authority.

ON March 19th, 1830, in a small village in western New York State, the Book of Mormon was announced for sale. Martin Harris mortgaged his farm for $3,000 to pay for the first 5,000 copies. His wife and neighbours pleaded with him against wasting his money in such a foolish venture, for the people of the village had pledged themselves not to purchase a single copy. They said it was a silly fabrication by an unlearned village youth.

Joseph Smith, who had the copyright, translated the preface of the book. It states that it was written and preserved by divine power to come forth and to be translated by divine power to “convince the Jew and the Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, manifesting Himself to all nations.” The book contains “the fullness of the Gospel” as revealed to ancient prophets and by the resurrected Christ Himself to people living on the American continent

Three witnesses, Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdery, and David Whitmer, signed a published statement in the book that together, in full daylight, a resurrected immortal person had shown them the plates and a voice from above declared the translation was correct. Eight other persons also printed in the book that they had seen and lifted the metallic record and knew for a surety that Joseph Smith had the plates.

A famous radio announcer, Edwin C. Hill, was once asked, “What would be the greatest message to the world?” He replied, “If a man who once lived on the earth should return, his message would be the most important for all men to know.” Obviously the reasons are: When mortal men know who they are, why they are here, and their eternal destiny, then they can shape their lives in keeping with the eternal laws of their existence. Only then can there be harmony, peace, and love among men. Bigotry, selfishness, hatred, cruelty for apparent personal advantages will be replaced by service, helpfulness and unselfish love. Supreme joy, peace, and abundance for all will follow.

In the great wisdom cf an Eternal Father, an ancient record was preserved for 2,000 years to come forth and be translated by His divine power at a time when the “Spirit of God was to be poured out upon all flesh” as a preparation for the Restoration of all things, spoken by the ancient prophets, even the return of the Son of God for His reign during a millennium of peace. It was to come in such a way and under circumstances and conditions that would give evidence of divine power to an unbelieving world. Then, by faith and diligent research, all men might know that Jesus is the Christ, who has revealed the way to peace, joy, and eternal life.

Let us think together about the coming forth of this book by divine power at a time when the Spirit of God was to be poured out upon all flesh. Since its publication, mankind has made more scientific and technological progress than in all previous history. We now live an average of 67 years; then about 34 years. Today the equivalent of one thousand slaves work for each of us in the production of food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and communication; at that time men worked with hand tools for a mere existence. Today there is one world; then few people knew their neighbours except to mistrust them. Today, health, culture, travel, education are available to many; then relatively few had these opportunities.

The contents of this book of 500 pages was dictated continuously without revision or correction in about 75 working days by a person who all agreed did not have the personal ability for such an undertaking. Those who accepted his message testified the book came by the gift and power of God. Those who denied its divine origin declared the book was a base fraud and deception produced by the religious training of another who had the help of a lost pretended historical manuscript.

The book contains the prophecy and. writings of ancient prophets, extended quotations from the Bible, even the claimed teachings of the resurrected. Christ on the American continent. These came from God or were base deceptions. Time, research, and study will give the evidence to the honest investigator.

The language of the book is a translation of an ancient record of the people it describes. It is not the writing of a modern author. Scholars can give the answer to this claim.

The book describes the travels, customs, and beliefs of people living on the American continent from 2,000 B.C. to 400 A.D. It tells of their origin, their inheritance and traditions. It describes their customs, cities, beliefs, their activities and their way of life. During the 119 years since its publication, archaeology and research will tend to condemn or approve these descriptions.

Joseph Smith tells in a simple, direct narrative what he did, where he lived, those who assisted him. He describes circumstances, situations and conditions concerning the coming forth of the Book. Contemporary historical data will prove or disprove these declarations.

At the time of the death and resurrection of the Christ and the manifestation of the power of the Holy Ghost, which He promised to bestow upon His disciples, there was a multitude of witnesses who saw and heard the resurrected Lord and received the power of the Holy Ghost. Thus arose the Primitive Church.

During the lifetime of the Prophet Joseph Smith, all sincere converts knew by the power of the Holy Ghost promised to them, and by their personal knowledge of the Prophet’s life arid the lives of the witnesses, that the Book of Mormon was divine and that it was preserved, written, brought forth, and was translated by the power of God to convince all men that Jesus is the Christ. There is, therefore, a multitude of witnesses for the Restored Church as there were for the Primitive Church.

This book of over 500 pages is prophecy, history, the teachings of the resurrected Christ. Mistakes could have been made on every page if the book was a fraud or deception. The Prophet sealed his testimony with- his blood and thousands have given their time and means, and hundreds have given their lives for the building of the Church of Christ upon the earth.

Where is God? A weary world cries out, “Oh God, if we are your children and you love us, help us to know thee, that we may live in peace and love.”

We, who know both by learning and by faith, and with the confirmation to our souls by the power of the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is divine, invite all men everywhere to read and study and investigate with faith this book. It was given to all men by the gift and power of God “to convince all men that Jesus is the Christ manifesting Himself to all nations.” A man who once lived on earth has returned again with a message to all mankind. It is verily the greatest announcement that has come to men since the death and resurrection of Christ. It is a challenge to all men.

To know that Jesus is the Christ and that He has restored His Church with its powers and blessings by the power of the Holy Ghost, exceeds in value the wealth, power, or the honour of men. The Church of Jesus Christ humbly declares by way of commandment from God that the Book of Mormon has been given to the world by divine power to convince all men that Jesus is the Christ. To know and to realise this truth is the beginning of the way to peace, happiness, and the abundant life in mortality and eternal progress here and in the life to come