Sunday, January 06, 2008

The Book of Mormon

I ran across this quote by Jeffrey R. Holland. He is my favorite speaker, and once again has really inspired me.

"[I only] say what so many have said before: that if Joseph Smith–or anyone else, for that matter–created the Book of Mormon out of whole cloth, that to me is a far greater miracle than the proposition that he translated the book from ancient records with an endowment of divine power to do so.

Has anyone here ever tried to write anything? Have you ever, with your degrees and libraries and computers and research assistants, ever tried to write anything anyone could stand to read?

Even if you have my guess is you haven't succeeded at writing anything anyone would read more than once, or say it changed their lives, or say that were willing to leave family and fortune and future for–and then do it. You thought it was tough to have your dissertation committee grill you for a couple of hours. How about tossing your piece of work to the most hostile–and learned–of enemies for, say, 164 years (just to pull a number out of the air). Go ahead. Put that terrific master's thesis of yours out there under a microscope for everyone to kick and gouge and attack for a century or two, and let's see how marvelous that university-produced accomplishment of yours really was. After a little of that are you still standing by the divinity and immortality of your work? Is anybody still reading it?

In light of all this, as it applies to the Book of Mormon which is still changing human lives and still moving moral mountains, and as one who has tried to write a line or two of both poetry and prose and failed miserably, I want to meet the author of this work whoever it is. I want to praise first hand such a remarkably gifted writer.

Furthermore I'd like to read anything else this elusive figure has ever written. I'd love to talk to the whole research team who must have produced it. If they've got anything else they've ever put their pen to, I'll pay any amount of money to get hold of it. This is writing that moves millions so more of it could certainly make millions. Let's talk contracts. Surely in 164 years there must be someone willing to step for forward– you know, the "real" author–claiming credit for such a remarkable document and all that has transpired in its wake. Or at least those descendants of such an author should have come forth by now willing to cashier the whole thing.

Where are they? Well the simple fact of the matter is no other origin for the Book of Mormon has ever come to light because there isn't one. A bad man could not have fabricated such an inspiring book and a good man would not have done so." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, CES Symposium, BYU Marriott Center, 9 August 1994)

To those who question the Book of Mormon, I would ask, "Have you read it?". Because those who read with a sincere heart, with real intent, will feel great power and blessings come in to their lives as they read it. It doesn't displace the Bible, but acts as a second witness along with the Bible, that Jesus is the Christ.
Matt. 18:16
"But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."

4 comments:

Nene said...

I have read it, I have prayed about it, and I KNOW that it is true with every fiber of my being.

Delirious said...

Pay particular attention to the phrase I used, "..with a sincere heart, with real intent..". There are many who READ the Book of Mormon, but do so with the wrong intent. They don't want to know if it is true, they only want to try to disprove it. Those who read with a sincere heart are the ones who will be shown the truth of it.

Livingsword said...

Hi Delirious…

I thought since you were so kind as to visit one of my blogs it would only be fair for me to return the favor….

As you know I have read the Book of Mormon 4 times, 3 times before becoming a Christian and once since…

I can say with complete honesty that I read with a sincere heart, with real intent, genuinely searching for the truth…. I came to it ready to believe…

The effect it had upon me was extraordinary and with deep respect, and no intent to hold the LDS in disrepute, and with no malice intended I personally found it had a profound sense of evil living within it…that is my personal experience…

The only reason I share this with you is because of the points mentioned in this article otherwise I would have kept this to myself, but since the article solicits sincere truthful responses I thought I would share one…

As I would take no insult if a non-Christian said this about the Bible I hope you would take this in like manner….

My respect is genuine, and it is out of this respect I have expressed my true experiences…I will likewise not be insulted if you call me a liar and say that I did not come to the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart, or real intent, searching for the truth.

Since you have left your blog open for comments from non-LDS I believe you would find my comment acceptable…

Delirious said...

Although I may not agree with every comment that is made on my blog, I respect the opinion of others. I leave my blog open so that I can share my opinions with everyone, no matter their personal beliefs.