This far into the 21st century, the Book of Mormon has been around pretty close to 200 years. 187 years, if we are counting closely, but as the next decade plus goes I presume it is safe to round up. In that period of time, millions of people have come to their various conclusions about it. To some it is scripture, to others a false attempt at mimicking holy writ, to others a mere fable. There are at least 3-4 billion living people who have little or no access to it, or possess any workable knowledge of the Book of Mormon. Which makes sense to its detractors. And this is a reason for missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to send out more envoys. There are still quite a few illiterate folks in the world, there are some who do not have this book in their language, and there are plenty who live in environments where the Book of Mormon is not freely welcome.
I will make a list of a few of the conclusions that people have arrived at regarding this book. But before making that list, I wish to write a few ideas that I have as a believer as to its intent by its creators and owners today.
1. The Book of Mormon intends on having its readers believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Savior of the World, and for each believer of Him to have Jesus the Messiah as their personal Redeemer.
2. The Book is supposed to be evidence to the prophetic mantle of Joseph Smith and his successors as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators; that they are the true authorities of a Restored Church of Jesus Christ in the latter or last days, also known to many Christians as the end times.
3. The Book of Mormon is used as additional scripture to help motivate and instruct Christians in the last days to be better founded in Gospel knowledge, blessed by its messages for enlightenment and edification.
4. It is supposed to help the entire world know about the true history of peoples that were not being tracked historically, but that figure a part in world history that portends to the trajectory of the peoples of the Bible like the Tribes of Israel, and to the origins of many native Americans and others who have descended from them today.
How true all of those points are remains to be seen by each person who comes in contact with it.
Much like the Bible, or the Quran, or other purported holy books, the Book of Mormon is a test of faith and study for millions.
Some claim, like Joseph Smith its "translator", that it is the most correct book, and that one will grow closer to God by following its precepts than any other book.
Range of conclusions:
1. The Book of Mormon is true scripture, backing the Holy Bible that Jesus Christ is who He says He is, that the Restored Church of Jesus Christ is established by those that espouse the Book, that the Western Hemisphere is a Promised Land of God's people, and that Book of Mormon peoples who have survived until now await long promised blessings, some of which are more nuanced and particular.
2. The Book of Mormon is a true record but its translator Joseph Smith became a fallen prophet.
3. The Book of Mormon was completely fabricated falsely by Joseph Smith. And Joseph himself was of such ill repute that anything written by him should be questioned as morally justifiable.
3. The Book of Mormon was invented by Joseph Smith; he copied other materials to put it together.
4. The Book of Mormon was written by contemporary associates of Joseph Smith, who also may or may not have borrowed others' works to make it.
6. The Book of Mormon is a well meant tome like other sacred writings, but does not contain literal truthes, but is more valuable as a document for moral principles.
5. Not only is the Book of Mormon false, but Jesus Christ is also a fabrication of human hopes and beliefs, thus Christianity is not based on a true narrative.
6. The Book of Mormon is a tool of Satan, deceiving well-meaning people into supporting or following a false faith, or cult.
7. Joseph Smith was deceived by the Adversary, Satan, who deceived him with the use of trickery and supernatural yet nefarious means, like visitations by "angels of light".
8. The Book of Mormon is a nice attempt at teaching a moral code, like the Holy Bible, but is not heavenly directed or inspired.
9. The Book of Mormon is part of a coercive message/narrative to control people for the natural purposes of having a unified organization that exploits people for their money and continued power influence.
There are probably a few other conclusions that I have not voiced, but hopefully at least touched on above.
What to think? What to believe? How to deal with these 15 compiled books that claim ancient origins, edited by a wise prophet that saw our future day and trials?
Many of us believe there is a loving and just God that wishes the best for us, His Children, and that He will settle the doubts and scrutinizing when we put forth the effort to find out.
I believe I know what works for me. I cannot tell anyone else what they will believe. I can only exhort all within the sound of my voice and influence to try to find out.
Moroni, its last writer, gave us a promise that God Himself will send His Spirit for us to discern and know with certainty if in fact that is true.
Learning that invitation as a youth helped me believe in it more. It was up to me and God. We can listen to other arguments and testimonies, consider them, weigh them, but ultimately only the individual can decide whether to buy the narrative of this book or not.
We, active Latter-day Saints, promise blessings and strength by better knowing its contents.
May each reader and analyst consider for their own betterment.
And yes, I agree, it can be hard to know. But worth the effort.
I will make a list of a few of the conclusions that people have arrived at regarding this book. But before making that list, I wish to write a few ideas that I have as a believer as to its intent by its creators and owners today.
1. The Book of Mormon intends on having its readers believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Savior of the World, and for each believer of Him to have Jesus the Messiah as their personal Redeemer.
2. The Book is supposed to be evidence to the prophetic mantle of Joseph Smith and his successors as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators; that they are the true authorities of a Restored Church of Jesus Christ in the latter or last days, also known to many Christians as the end times.
3. The Book of Mormon is used as additional scripture to help motivate and instruct Christians in the last days to be better founded in Gospel knowledge, blessed by its messages for enlightenment and edification.
4. It is supposed to help the entire world know about the true history of peoples that were not being tracked historically, but that figure a part in world history that portends to the trajectory of the peoples of the Bible like the Tribes of Israel, and to the origins of many native Americans and others who have descended from them today.
How true all of those points are remains to be seen by each person who comes in contact with it.
Much like the Bible, or the Quran, or other purported holy books, the Book of Mormon is a test of faith and study for millions.
Some claim, like Joseph Smith its "translator", that it is the most correct book, and that one will grow closer to God by following its precepts than any other book.
Range of conclusions:
1. The Book of Mormon is true scripture, backing the Holy Bible that Jesus Christ is who He says He is, that the Restored Church of Jesus Christ is established by those that espouse the Book, that the Western Hemisphere is a Promised Land of God's people, and that Book of Mormon peoples who have survived until now await long promised blessings, some of which are more nuanced and particular.
2. The Book of Mormon is a true record but its translator Joseph Smith became a fallen prophet.
3. The Book of Mormon was completely fabricated falsely by Joseph Smith. And Joseph himself was of such ill repute that anything written by him should be questioned as morally justifiable.
3. The Book of Mormon was invented by Joseph Smith; he copied other materials to put it together.
4. The Book of Mormon was written by contemporary associates of Joseph Smith, who also may or may not have borrowed others' works to make it.
6. The Book of Mormon is a well meant tome like other sacred writings, but does not contain literal truthes, but is more valuable as a document for moral principles.
5. Not only is the Book of Mormon false, but Jesus Christ is also a fabrication of human hopes and beliefs, thus Christianity is not based on a true narrative.
6. The Book of Mormon is a tool of Satan, deceiving well-meaning people into supporting or following a false faith, or cult.
7. Joseph Smith was deceived by the Adversary, Satan, who deceived him with the use of trickery and supernatural yet nefarious means, like visitations by "angels of light".
8. The Book of Mormon is a nice attempt at teaching a moral code, like the Holy Bible, but is not heavenly directed or inspired.
9. The Book of Mormon is part of a coercive message/narrative to control people for the natural purposes of having a unified organization that exploits people for their money and continued power influence.
There are probably a few other conclusions that I have not voiced, but hopefully at least touched on above.
What to think? What to believe? How to deal with these 15 compiled books that claim ancient origins, edited by a wise prophet that saw our future day and trials?
Many of us believe there is a loving and just God that wishes the best for us, His Children, and that He will settle the doubts and scrutinizing when we put forth the effort to find out.
I believe I know what works for me. I cannot tell anyone else what they will believe. I can only exhort all within the sound of my voice and influence to try to find out.
Moroni, its last writer, gave us a promise that God Himself will send His Spirit for us to discern and know with certainty if in fact that is true.
Learning that invitation as a youth helped me believe in it more. It was up to me and God. We can listen to other arguments and testimonies, consider them, weigh them, but ultimately only the individual can decide whether to buy the narrative of this book or not.
We, active Latter-day Saints, promise blessings and strength by better knowing its contents.
May each reader and analyst consider for their own betterment.
And yes, I agree, it can be hard to know. But worth the effort.
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