January 1–7: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon
“January 1–7: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: Book of Mormon 2024 (2023)
“January 1–7. Introductory Pages of the Book of Mormon,” Come, Follow Me—For Home and Church: 2024 (2023)
Before you even get to 1 Nephi chapter 1, you will notice that the Book of Mormon is no ordinary book. Its introductory pages describe a backstory unlike any other—including visits from angels, an ancient record buried for centuries in a hillside, and a young man translating the record by the power of God. The Book of Mormon is not just a history of ancient American civilizations. It seeks to convince all “that Jesus is the Christ” (title page of the Book of Mormon), and God Himself directed how it was written, preserved, and made available to us. This year, as you read the Book of Mormon, pray about it, and apply its teachings, you will invite the Savior’s power into your life. And you may feel moved to say, as the Three Witnesses did in their testimony, “It is marvelous in [my] eyes.”
Studying the Book of Mormon can strengthen my faith in Jesus Christ.
The title page of the Book of Mormon provides more than just a title. Among other things, it lists several purposes of this sacred record. Look for these purposes in the title page. Questions like these can help you as you ponder: Why do we have the Book of Mormon? How is the Book of Mormon different from other books?
Now might be a good time to make a personal or family plan for reading the Book of Mormon this year. When and where will you read? How will you invite the Spirit into your study? Is there anything specific you will look for as you study? For example, you might look for passages that accomplish the purposes you found on the title page. You might keep a list of verses that build your faith in Jesus Christ.
A prophetic promise. President Russell M. Nelson said, “I promise that as you ponder what you study [in the Book of Mormon], the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life” (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62–63).
The Holy Ghost can testify to you that the Book of Mormon is true, even though you haven’t seen the gold plates as the Three Witnesses and Eight Witnesses did. As you read their words, think about how their testimonies strengthen yours.
What inspires you about the way these witnesses shared their testimony of the Book of Mormon? Ponder how you can share your testimony of the Book of Mormon—especially its witness of Jesus Christ. For example, imagine that you’re talking to a friend who has never heard of the Book of Mormon before. What would you tell him or her about it? How would you try to inspire your friend to read it? Consider reviewing the Introduction to the Book of Mormon. You might find details there that would be useful to share with your friend. The following videos might also give you ideas:
“Book of Mormon Introduction”
“What Is the Book of Mormon?”
“A Book of Mormon Story”
Consider making a list of things you would share with a friend about the Book of Mormon. Try sharing the Book of Mormon using the Book of Mormon app.
The coming forth of the Book of Mormon was a miracle.
If someone asked you where the Book of Mormon came from, what would you say? How would you describe God’s involvement in giving us the Book of Mormon? As you read Joseph Smith’s testimony, pay attention to how he described it. Based on what you read, how do you think God feels about the importance of the Book of Mormon?
Reading the Book of Mormon helps me have faith in Jesus Christ.
Let your children look at and hold a copy of the Book of Mormon. Help them point to the subtitle, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. You might also help them find, on the title page, the phrase “Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations.” Help them understand that this means the Book of Mormon teaches us about Jesus Christ. Briefly tell them how the Book of Mormon has strengthened your faith in Jesus Christ. You could also ask them about their favorite Book of Mormon stories. Singing “Book of Mormon Stories” (Children’s Songbook, 118–19) could remind them of some of these stories.
The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.
This week’s activity page and the image below can help your children understand these words of Joseph Smith in the introduction to the Book of Mormon: “The Book of Mormon [is] the keystone of our religion.” It might also be fun to build or draw an arch with a keystone at the top. What might happen if the keystone is removed? What would happen if we did not have the Book of Mormon? You might read together the last paragraph of the introduction to find out what else we learn when we accept the truth of the Book of Mormon. How can we make the Book of Mormon the keystone of our faith in Jesus Christ?
To help your children understand what it means to be a witness, you could describe to them something you have seen that they haven’t. Then let them do the same for you. This could lead to a conversation about the 11 people who saw the gold plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. As you read the testimonies together, you could talk about why these witnesses wanted other people to know about their testimonies. Who do we want to tell about the Book of Mormon?
