Book of Mormon: Day 7: Abiding By Its Precepts

Book of Mormon Introduction

The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told
the brethren that the Book of Mormon
was the most correct of any book on
earth, and the keystone of our reli-
gion, and a man would get nearer to
God by abiding by its precepts, than
by any other book.”

So what’s a precept you might ask? A precept is a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought. So what are the precepts in the Book of Mormon? Commandments, principles, doctrine, answers to question and much more! The Lord has provided us with these things in the Book of Mormon, to help us return to Him.

I don’t really like the term ‘rule’ and I’m sure most people don’t. But when you pray with intention to know God’s will, and to make His will your will, they aren’t ‘rules’ anymore. The things God asks of us, commands us to do, and all that is required because much more than a rule. It becomes a way of life, it has meaning and brings us more happiness than I think we could ever expect to have.

Well then, what does abiding mean? Abiding is “lasting a long time; enduring.” Abiding by the precepts in the Book of Mormon are forever and always. They aren’t ‘achievable’ or something done one time. Abiding by the precepts is to do forever. The Lord asks of us to refrain from using His name in vain; forever. He asks us to love one another, and to repent; forever. God intends everything to be forever, because He loves us. He wants us to be with Him forever. And we can live with Him forever, by abiding by the precepts taught in the Book of Mormon.

Alma 37:12 — “…and his course is one eternal round.”
(See also: D&C 3:2, 35:1, Alma 7:20, 1 Nephi 10:19)

A thought came to mind about God intending everything to be forever. It seems overwhelming and exhausting for the Lord to command us to do so many things; to listen to Him forever. Sometimes life can be hard, and we can feel attacked by the world. But something very important to think about. I don’t think a lot of the people in the Book of Mormon really understood what it meant to ‘abide by its precepts’ when they were presented with the plates. I don’t think they had anyone to hear from, who could testify that by living what was in the Book of Mormon, would in fact, bring you happiness.

But we do… we have the Book of Mormon, and the Bible. We have prophets, apostles, and general authorities. We have Alma, Nephi, Laman and Lemuel. All of these people not only testify that these things will bring us happiness, but they show us that because these things brought us happiness, the happiness lasts forever. We will never get sick of abiding by its precepts. We will never get sick of obeying God’s commandments. The happiness that comes from obeying the Lord and His word forever, means that our happiness will last forever.

If we do not study the Book of Mormon, we can lose our faith in the Lord. We can begin to let worldly values become our priorities. We may forget how great the plan is of our God, and the important role we have in that plan. In Doctrine and Covenants section 84, verse’s 54 through 58 speak to us about what could happen if we do not read the Book of Mormon. Our minds could become darkened, treating the Lord lightly, condemnation upon the child of Zion.

Why should I have to read the Book of Mormon to hold the Church and myself, together? —Because without you, none of this would exist. The Lord would not have a Church established here on the earth. The Book of Mormon probably would have no been published. We need to study it individually, because we are in charge of ourselves; our own salvation. What brings us together as a Church? Our faith and testimony. What’s a part of that faith and testimony? Reading the Book of Mormon, and abiding by its precepts. We bring out books of scriptures, our faith and testimonies to Church where we are united as members. We make the Church and we move it forward. The Lord needs us.

That feels like such a huge responsibility! But we have been called to do so. The Lord desires all of His children, to return home, safely to Him. And what better way than by His children? I love nothing more than to know I can help my brother or sister, make it back to our Heavenly Father. It’s a blessing! I love reading the Book of Mormon. Each time I read it, something new pops out at me. Each time I read it, I’m reminded again and again, that I am not alone in my struggles. I am not alone in my suffering, my happiness and my confusion. There are children of God who have gone before me, and have left me with the knowledge of the gospel, and how it applies to our lives.

I’m grateful for the Book of Mormon. Abiding by its precepts isn’t always easy or desirable, but it is, and will continue to be. The Lord loves us. He loves each and everyone of us. May we pray, daily, with gratitude in our hearts, for the Book of Mormon. May we learn to abide by its precepts, and to truly offer up in prayer, our questions to God. This is my prayer sisters, we love you.

 

Resources:
The Most Correct Book by Monte Nyman
Hymn 277 (As I Search the Holy Scriptures)