\u201cAnd they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant\u2026\u201d (D&C 84:57<\/a>).<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n We have to address some very serious questions here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benson: \u201c\u2026in the Book of Mormon we will find the fullness of those doctrines required for our salvation\u201d (131).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benson: \u201cThe Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ \u2026 It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity \u2026 its testimony of the Master is clear, undiluted, and full of power \u2026 Much of the Christian world today rejects the divinity of the Savior \u2026 The Book of Mormon teaches in plain and <\/p>\n Benson: \u201c\u2026used together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon confound false doctrines, lay down contentions, and establish peace \u2026 we can expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men \u2026 The Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ \u2026 [teaches that we might] know how to combat false educational, political, religious, and philosophical concepts of our time\u201d (132).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tad Callister explained why it is important to heed the Book of Mormon:<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cThe Bible is one witness of Jesus Christ; the Book of Mormon is another. Why is this second witness so crucial? The following illustration may help: How many straight lines can you draw through a single point on a piece of paper? The answer is infinite. For a moment, suppose that single point represents the Bible and that hundreds of those straight lines drawn through that point represent different interpretations of the Bible and that each of those interpretations represents a different church.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens, however, if on that piece of paper there is a second point representing the Book of Mormon? How many straight lines could you draw between these two reference points: the Bible and the Book of Mormon? Only one. Only one interpretation of Christ\u2019s doctrines survives the testimony of these two witnesses\u201d (Tad Callister, \u201cThe Book of Mormon-A Book From God<\/a>,\u201d Oct 2011).<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n We must heed the Book of Mormon because it offers us a pure, undiluted, truth about Jesus Christ, our Savior. Only through Him can we be saved. The Book of Mormon is the only place we can learn of Him and His atoning sacrifice with full measure. This is the new covenant<\/em> where Heavenly Father has offered us the knowledge and we must receive it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benson: (Quoting the Lord) \u201cThat they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father\u2019s kingdom\u201d (D&C 84:58<\/a>) (127).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benson: \u201c\u2026 both the Doctrine and Covenants and the Book of Mormon \u2026 teach us how to live so that we can return to him and our Heavenly Father\u201d (133).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benson: \u201cDo we \u2026 treasure the word He has preserved for us at so great a cost? \u2026 to bless our lives and resist the powers of the evil one? This is the purpose for which they were given\u201d (133).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pres. Benson gave five talks specifically about the Book of Mormon; how we must make it the center of our lives, how we will be judged according to its words, and by how we followed its teachings. In one of his talks, Pres. Benson said,<\/p>\n \u201cOur main task is to declare the gospel and do it effectively. We are not obligated to answer every objection. Every man eventually is backed up to the wall of faith, and there he must make his stand. \u201cAnd if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye,\u201d said Nephi, \u201cfor Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things.\u201d (2 Ne. 33:11<\/a>.) Every man must judge for himself, knowing God will hold him accountable\u201d (Ezra Taft Benson, \u201cThe Book of Mormon is the Word of God<\/a>,\u201d Apr 1975).<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n There is so much anti-Mormon information available online that we should all be concerned. The brethren have encouraged us to use social media and flood the Internet with good content (#ShareGoodness). Are we doing all we can to represent the Church well? Are we speaking up and speaking out when necessary. Most important of all, do we know and understand the Book of Mormon well enough to see through the false doctrines that are taught all around us and do we have the confidence to speak truth, correct others, and teach by the spirit of the Lord?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benson: \u201cNow we not only need to say<\/em> more about the Book of Mormon, but we need to do<\/em> more with it\u201d (127).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benson: \u201c\u2026 The Book of Mormon has not been, nor is it yet, the center of our personal study, family teaching, preaching, and missionary work. Of this we must repent\u201d (127).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Benson: \u201cWe have not been using the Book of Mormon as we <\/p>\n Benson (quoting Marion G. Romney): \u201cI feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein\u201d (130-1).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Book of Mormon teaches us that the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple and glorious. It also teaches us that everyone who complicates the gospel changes it and can trap people who lose sight of the simplicity of it. Time and time again, the Book of Mormon teaches us how to heed the prophets, who will never lead us astray.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clyde J. Williams wrote in an article:<\/p>\n \u201cWith each Nephite generation, the Lord sent prophets to teach, warn, and prepare the people for His coming. So it will be at the Second Coming. <\/p>\n The Book of Mormon is for our benefit, to bring us to salvation. We are the only dispensation to receive the Book of Mormon. We must use it to understand the fullness of the gospel, to teach our children these truths, and to share these truths with the world that all may be saved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Out of all our scriptures, we are under condemnation to \u201cgive heed to\u201d the Book of Mormon (pg. 125). If we don\u2019t give heed, D&C 84 warns: \u201cAnd they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant\u2026\u201d (D&C 84:57). We have to address some very serious questions here. Why […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[489],"tags":[135,414,610],"class_list":["post-7730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-teaching","tag-book-of-mormon","tag-prophet","tag-teaching-children"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
WHY MUST WE HEED THE BOOK OF MORMON?<\/h3>\n
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<\/a> unmistakable terms about the truth of all those. It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement\u201d (130).<\/p>\nWHY ARE WE UNDER CONDEMNATION IF WE DON\u2019T HEED THE BOOK OF MORMON?<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Benson: \u201cThese promises\u2014increased love and harmony in the home, greater respect between parent and child, increased spirituality and righteousness\u2014are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God\u201d (131).<\/p>\nHOW DO WE HEED THE BOOK OF MORMON?<\/h3>\n
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<\/a> should. Our homes are not as strong unless we are using it to bring our children to Christ. Our families may be corrupted by worldly trends and teachings unless we know how to use the book \u2026 Our Church classes are not as Spirit-filled unless we hold it up as a standard\u201d (127).<\/p>\n![\"prophet](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ldswomenofgod.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/prophet-at-conference-e1431109037450-300x266.jpeg?resize=300%2C266\")
<\/a>Today, the Lord sends prophets for the same reasons. In the words of James E. Faust: \u201cWe have been promised that the President of the Church will receive guidance for all of us as the revelator for the Church. Our safety lies in paying heed to that which he says and following his counsel\u201d (\u201cContinuous Revelation,<\/a>\u201d Ensign, Nov 1989). (Clyde J. Williams, “Following the Prophet:A Book of Mormon Perspective,<\/a>” Jun 2000).<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n