2016
Ten Reasons I Love the Book of Mormon
August 2016

“Ten Reasons I Love the Book of Mormon,” Liahona, August 2016, 12

Reflections

Ten Reasons I Love the Book of Mormon

By David Fullmer

The author lives in Utah, USA.

As a second witness of Jesus Christ, this remarkable book teaches concepts and doctrines not found anywhere else.

Christ appearing to the Nephites

Detail from Jesus Christ Visits the Americas, by John Scott

I love the Book of Mormon. In general, I love it for the power it has in bringing its readers “nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” Perhaps that is why the Prophet Joseph Smith referred to it as the “keystone of our religion” and “the most correct of any book on earth.”1

But I love the book for specific reasons too. Here are 10 of the many reasons:

The Book of Mormon …

  1. Was recorded in one period of history for use by readers in another—ours. See Mormon 8:16, 34–35.

  2. Clearly describes Lucifer’s methods for spreading mayhem in the last days. See 2 Nephi 28:3–29.

  3. Declares that human weakness is an opportunity to be made strong, with humility in coming unto Christ as the requirement. See Ether 12:27.

  4. Defines charity as the pure love of Christ and a divine gift we can take specific steps to obtain. See Moroni 7:43–48.

  5. Clarifies the need for opposition in all things. See 2 Nephi 2:11–13.

  6. Delineates clearly under which circumstances mercy can satisfy the demands of justice. See Alma 34:11–30.

  7. Records two groups of people being given specific instructions to study the words of Isaiah, one of which is us. See 2 Nephi 25:4–8; Mormon 8:23.

  8. Serves as a companion witness with the Bible of God’s relationship with humankind, as foretold by an Old Testament prophecy. See Ezekiel 37:15–20; 2 Nephi 28:29; 29:3–8.

  9. Contains a promise that if we read and pray about it with a sincere heart, having faith in Christ, the Lord will reveal to us that it is His word. See Moroni 10:4–5.

  10. Teaches that the Savior’s suffering gave Him perfect empathy for our trials and the ability to succor us as we struggle with them. See Alma 7:11–13.

Above all, I love the Book of Mormon for its clear testimony that Jesus is the Christ. I love it for its promise that the Lord will eventually redeem all the house of Israel as they make and keep sacred covenants with Him. The Book of Mormon is a modern-day miracle—a gift of love to us from God Himself.

Note

  1. Joseph Smith, in introduction to the Book of Mormon.