“The Book of Mormon contains almost no Mormonism,” The God Makers states (114:21). The Book of Mormon has been accused by the book of being plagiarized from other sources, a result of Joseph Smith’s fertile imagination and inspired by Satan. The many charges against the Book of Mormon have been answered in the “Detailed and Documented Responses” section and item Vl-A in this “Overview” section.
As stated in my preface, I do not feel comfortable only pointing out error, therefore I want to give some of the reasons why I am convinced the LDS Church is true and is what it claims to be. In this section I have made a list of unique contributions, clarifications of gospel principles, and inspiring thoughts from the Book of Mormon.
One cannot go through a book such as The God Makers without feeling its negativism. At such times I would turn to the Book of Mormon, and reading its pages was like going from night to day, going from a polluted river to a clear mountain stream.
The contrast of spiritual edification was so strong that although I have read and taught the Book of Mormon numerous times, it impressed me more than ever as a genuine book of scripture and overwhelming evidence that Joseph Smith, who gave us the volume, was a prophet of God.
Whether one believes the LDS Church is true or false depends, to some extent, on which sources one chooses to believe. The Book of Mormon, however, stands on its own. One does not need to read what has been said for or against it; one only needs to study the Book of Mormon.
One cannot make an honest decision about the truthfulness of the LDS Church without a sincere study of the Book of Mormon.
As I compiled my lists I found them becoming rather lengthy and it was difficult selecting those items that were most important, because so much was beautiful and vital. Each reader making such a list would have his own preferences.
One really has to study the Book of Mormon to feel its sacredness. Nevertheless, here are some of the ideas and quotations I find significant.
A. Unique LDS Doctrines (Not Found in the Bible) Found in the Book of Mormon
1. Some in ancient America descended from tribes of Joseph and Judah (I Ne. 5:14; Omni 1:15).
2. “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Ne. 2:11).
3. “Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other [good or evil]” (2 Ne. 2:16).
4. “And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end. And they would have had no children” (2 Ne. 2:22-23).
5. “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Ne. 2:25).
6. “[Because the Messiah has redeemed men from the fall] they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given” (2 Ne. 2:26).
7. “[If there were no resurrection] our spirits [would] become . . . angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God” (2 Ne. 9:9).
8. “[After resurrection] we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness . . . and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their . . . righteousness” (2 Ne. 9:14).
9. “[In hell] torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone” (2 Ne. 9:16).
10. “Where there is no law given there is no punishment” (2 Ne. 9:25).
11. “The atonement satisfieth the demands of his justice upon all those who have not the law given to them, that they are delivered from that awful monster, death and hell” (2 Ne. 9:26). 12. “His blood atoneth for the sins of those who have . . . died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned” (Mos. 3:11). 13. ‘The atonement . . . has been prepared from the foundation of the world” (Mos. 4:6). 14. “He that persists in . . . sin and rebellion against God . . . is . . . an enemy to God” (Mos. 16:5).
15. God can’t save unrepentant sinners because of the law of justice (Mos. 15:27).
16. The Book of Mormon gives insights into when war is justified and when it is not. “The Nephites . . . were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church . . . For the Lord had said unto them . . . ye shall not suffer yourself to be slain by the hands of your enemies” (Alma 43:45-46). Also, the Book of Mormon teaches that arming for defense is acceptable, but it is against preemptive strikes: “The Lord forbid; for if we should go against them the Lord would deliver us into their hands; . . . we will wait till they come against us” (3 Ne. 3:21).
17. Besides faith, it is not wrong to use available remedies to cure sickness (Alma 46:40).
18. The powerful influence of the teaching of faithful mothers is taught (Alma 56:47 and Alma 57:20-21).
19. Why do the righteous have to suffer? Are those who die in battle the wicked? “Do ye suppose that, because so many of your brethren have been killed it is because of their wickedness? . . . For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are slain” (Alma 60:12-13).
20. The Lord may use famine and other natural phenomena to bring about repentance (Hel. 11:4-18).
21. Righteousness can at times “soften the hearts of enemies” (Hel. 12:2).
22. Christ’s life and mission fulfilled the law of Moses (3 Ne. 15:3-8).
23. Christ visited the Book of Mormon people after his ministry ended in the Holy Land, saying, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ” (3 Ne. 11:10).
24. Christ taught “Ye are they of whom I said [in Jerusalem], other sheep I have which are not of this fold” (John 10:16 and 3 Ne. 15:21).
25. Christ’s church must bear his name (3 Ne. 27:8).
26. Do not “spurn, nor make game of the Jews . . . for . . . the Lord remembereth his covenant unto them” (3 Ne. 29:8).
27. “Wo unto him . . . that shall say the Lord no longer worketh by revelation” (3 Ne. 29:6). 28. It is possible to have many years of peace as long as Christ’s teachings are followed and all become “partakers of the heavenly gift” (4 Nephi 3).
29. The downfall of the Nephite civilization came when the people “began to boast in their own strength” and turned against the Lord (Mormon 3:3,9).
30. “For behold this [America] is a land which is choice above all other lands; . . . he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off” (Ether 2:10) and “whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve . . . Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12).
31. The premortal Jesus had a spirit body that looked like his mortal body (Ether 3:3-15).
32. America is to be the place for a second Zion (“New Jerusalem”) (Ether 13:3-6).
33. The exact sacramental prayers are given (Moroni 4 and 5).
34. “For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil” (Moroni 7:16).
35. “Little children need no repentance, neither baptism . . . but little children are alive in Christ” (Moroni 8:11-12).
36. “Despair cometh because of iniquity” (Moroni 10:22).
37. The truthfulness of the Book of Mormon may be determined by sincere study, pondering and prayer (Moroni 10:3-5). I know of no other book that makes such a challenge: “If ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you” (Moroni 10:4).
B. Some Biblical Doctrines Clarified or Expanded in the Book of Mormon
1. The “Tree of Life” story mentioned in Genesis 2:9 is expanded to several chapters and symbolizes the love of God (I Ne, 8:11-12; 11:21-22).
2. The lost tribes will be gathered again (I Ne. 10:14).
3. The gospel is to be restored a final time (I Ne. 14:1-2).
4. “No unclean thing can dwell with God” (I Ne. 10:21: 15:34).
5. Christ appeared in the Western Hemisphere as well as in the Eastern Hemisphere (3 Ne. II).
6. The Bible is attested to (I Ne. 13:41; Mormon 7:8-9).
7. Columbus and the Pilgrims came to America under inspired direction (I Ne. 13:12-15).
8. Marriage is commanded of God (I Ne. 16:7-8).
9. A correct chosen person concept: “Behold the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God” (I Ne. 17:35).
10. Additional prophets, Zenock, Zenos, Nehum, not found in the Old Testament, testified of Christ on the brass plates (I Ne. 19:10).
11. The House of Israel is not cut off from God (I Ne. 20:9).
12. Importance of prophets is taught (I Ne. 22:20).
13. “Because of the righteousness of [the Lord’s people], Satan [will have] no power” during the Millennium (I Ne. 22:26).
14. “If ye shall be obedient to the commandments, and endure to the end, ye shall be saved at the last day” (I Ne. 22:31).
15. “He [God] shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain” (2 Ne. 2:2).
16. “[Jews as a people will not] be destroyed, because of the prayers of the faithful” (2 Ne. 6:11).
17. “In our bodies we shall see God [after the resurrection]” (2 Ne. 9:4).
18. “For none of these iniquities come of the Lord . . . He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile” (2 Ne. 26:33).
19. “For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray” (2 Ne. 32:8).
20. “Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be . . . free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you. But before ye seek for riches, seek for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if you seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good” (Jacob 2:17-19).
21. “Blood cometh from every pore [of Christ], so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people” (Mos. 3:7). Most Christians interpret the biblical account (Luke 22:44) as not being literal.
22. “The infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy” (Mos. 3:18).
23. “Ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins” (Mos. 4:12).
24. “[Those belonging to Christ’s church should be] willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light… and . . . willing to mourn with those that mourn. . . and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God” (Mos. 18:8-9).
25. “As oft as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me” (Mos. 26:30).
26. “All mankind … must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness” (Mos. 27:25).
27. “[Moses’] face shone with exceeding luster . . . while in the Mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord” (Mos. 13:5). Some biblical translations say Moses had “horns” (as portrayed in Michelangelo’s famous statue of Moses) instead of a shine on his face.
28. Arguing for democracy and against kings. King Mosiah said, “It is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right” (Mos. 29:26).
29. “If the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come” (Mos. 29:27).
30.” [Wo unto] you that doth make a mock of his brother” (Alma 5:30).
31. “For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil” (Alma 5:40).
32. “[He who] repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy [through Christ]” (Alma 12:34).
33. “[Sanctified followers of Christ can only] look upon sin . . . with abhorrence” (Alma 13:12).
34. “[Do not] procrastinate the day of your repentance” (Alma 13:27).
35. ” [Converted followers of Christ will have] no more desire to do evil” (Alma 19:33).
36. “After a people have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have great knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened, and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known these things” (Alma 24:30).
37. “Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21).
38. Alma explains the superiority of faith over knowledge in some circumstances (Alma 32:19).
39. Alma teaches how faith can grow through experimentation (Alma 32:21-34).
40. Arnuiek teaches where and when to pray including “for the welfare of those . . . around you” (Alma 34:18-28).
41. “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God . . . the day for men to perform their labors” (Alma 34:32).
42. “Bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12).
43. “It is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life and the desires of their heart were good [great blessings will be their reward]” (Alma 41:3).
44. “Do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you. Nay; not one whit” (Alma 42:25).
45. Every parent’s goal should be to have his children “grow up unto the Lord” (Hel. 3:21).
46. Time and time again we are warned against pride (Hel. 3:33).
47. “The man of Christ . . . [is one] who will lay hold of the word of God” (Hel. 3:29).
48. Satan “is the author of all sin” (Hel. 6:30).
49. Jesus Christ was the God of the Old Testament (3 Ne. 15:5).
50. We are warned that we are tempted to forget God when all is going well (Hel. 13:22).
51. God’s Spirit will eventually be withdrawn because of wickedness and hardness of hearts (Hel. 6:35).
52. We are free to act for ourselves and people bring their own condemnation upon themselves (Hel. 14:29).
53. When people “depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom” they begin to fall (Hel. 16:15).
54. Morality is stronger than military or political power (Alma 31:5; Hel. 5:4).
55. A tragic weakness of democracy is that the time may come when a majority of people vote for evil (Hel. 5:2), which is one reason why the gospel of Christ must be preached.
56. Righteous as well as unrighteous people need to repent because repentance is a constant striving for perfection (3 Ne. 9:13; 12:48).
57. Christ taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” but added “who come unto me,” clarifying the biblical verse (3 Ne. 12:3).
58. “Blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost” (3 Ne. 12:6).
59. “Blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s [Christ’s] sake” (3 Ne. 12:10).
60. Taking the sacrament is symbolic of Christ’s flesh and blood, but is not literally his flesh and blood as some believe (3 Ne. 18:7).
61. The sacrament is not to be taken for the forgiveness of sins, but should be taken only by those who are worthy or seeking worthiness (3 Ne. 18:29).
62. Jesus said, “I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works” (3 Ne. 27:15).
63. The Jews will return to their homeland (3 Ne. 29:1).
64. The great tower of Babel mentioned in the, Bible was not a myth (Ether 1:3).
65. It is a sin not to pray (Ether 2:14-15).
66. Short-cut insincere repentance is not sanctioned by God. “But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven” (Moroni 6:8).
67. Chastity and virtue are “most dear and precious above all things” (Moroni 9:9).
68. Moroni said, “I lie not . . . I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ . . . be perfected in him and deny yourselves of all ungodliness . . . and love God with all your might, mind and strength . . . And now I bid unto all farewell” (Moroni 10:27-34).
C. Additional Inspirational Thoughts from the Book of Mormon
1. “Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6).
2. We should treat people as they can become, not as they are (I Ne. 16:23).
3. Scripture should be likened unto us (I Ne. 19:23). 4. “Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth” (2 Ne. 2:6).
5. “Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard” (2 Ne. 4:16).
6. “Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, 0 my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul” (2 Ne. 4:28).
7. “0 Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever” (2 Ne. 4:34).
8. “Death hath passed upon all men, to fulfill the merciful plan of the great Creator” (2 Ne. 9:6).
9. “O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace!” (2 Ne. 9:8).
10. “The vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God . . . But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God” (2 Ne. 9:28-29).
11. “Oh, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of [Satan] that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation” (2 Ne. 9:45).
12. “Let us remember [Christ] and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off” (2 Ne. 10:20).
13. “My soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ” (2 Ne. 11:4).
14. “Look forward unto Christ with steadfastness” (2 Ne. 26:8).
15. “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life” (2 Ne. 31:20).
16. “Ye may learn wisdom . . . when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God” (Mos. 2:17).
17. “The voice of the Lord came into my mind” (Enos 10).
18. “For it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength” (Mos. 4:27).
19. “If you do not watch . . . your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, 0 man, remember, and perish not” (Mos. 4:30).
20. “0 Lord, pour out thy Spirit upon thy servant, that he might do this work with holiness of heart” (Mos. 18:12).
21. ‘The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease” (Mos. 24:15).
22. “Blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name [of Christ]” (Mos. 26:18).
23. “Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true” (Alma 5:46).
24. “Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join themselves in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God” (Alma 6:6).
25. “And . . . the preaching of the word [of God] had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else” (Alma 31:5).
26. “Remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God” (Alma 37:35).
27. “Use boldness, but not overbearance” (Alma 38:12).
28. “0 my son . . . when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words” (Alma 39:11).
29. “Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10).
30. “God ceaseth not to be God” (Alma 42:23).
31. “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I [Christ] am” (3 Ne. 27:27).
32. “And he [Christ] commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts” (3 Ne. 20:1).
33. The Book of Mormon writer described one of Christ’s visits as follows: “And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father” (3 Ne. 17:17).
34. “When Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and behold they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them,” and Jesus was filled with compassion (3 Ne. 17:5).
35. Mormon’s final words included, “Know ye not that ye must come to the knowledge of your fathers, and repent of all your sins and iniquities and believe in Jesus Christ, that he is the Son of God . . . and [be] baptized . . . following the example of our Savior, according to that which he hath commanded us, [and] it shall be well with you in the day of judgment. Amen.” (Mormon 7:5,10).
36. Moroni taught, “0 then ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord . . . despise not . . . serve the true and living God . . . endure to the end” (Mormon 9:6, 27, 28, 29).
37. A person can “know that these things are true; for it persuadeth men to do good. And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of [Christ]” (Ether 4:11-12).
38. “Fools mock, but they shall mourn” (Ether 12:26).
39. “I [God] give unto men weakness that they might be humble . . . if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things strong” (Ether 12:27).
40. “I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever” (Ether 12:41).
41. He who “prayeth to God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing” (Moroni 7:6).
42. “Wherefore take heed, my beloved . . . that ye do not judge that which is evil to be of God, or that which is good and of God to be of the devil” (Moroni 7:14).
43. “Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you” (Moroni 7:26)
Can anyone read and ponder the Book of Mormon with a sincere hear and not believe that it had to come from prophets of God including Joseph Smith? “My soul rejoices” each time I read from its pages.
