Today’s reading: 2 Nephi 3:1-20
12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins, and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah, shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
I grew up in the Church. I am used to carrying around the Quad and using the footnotes and cross-referenced verses. I have always had a testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon. That is true today.
I have always loved learning and finding connections and diving in deep. I guess that’s why I became a historian. And that training I received in college to develop a historian’s mind has really helped me theologically as well. I have enjoyed learning about esoteric history as well as Masonry and other religions. I enjoy making the comparisons between all religions and theologies. Everything has truth in it and everything is connected.
There are so many similarities between The Book of Mormon and the Bible. Many Christians try to find the differences and focus on the “contridictions.” I witnessed this first hand last year when I had a few Christian friends try to prove to me that the Book of Mormon and the LDS Church weren’t truely Christian or didn’t believe in the same Christ. I decided to read the infamous scriptures they were referring to (one of which is the scripture mastery on works– we are saved “after all we have done”). But, as a historian, and one who knows the important of context (I have also been an English teacher!), I would read the entire chapter. By reading more than the one pulled-out verse, I see that the Book of Mormon philosophies and teachings truly do reflect the Bible’s.
The Book of Mormon isn’t here to replace the Bible. It is here to add to it, to work with it, to strengthen the Bible. Boyd K Packer said,
“The Old Testament and the New Testament … and … the Book of Mormon … are now woven together in such a way that as you pore over one you are drawn to the other; as you learn from one you are enlightened by the other. They are indeed one in our hands.”
Just as the New Testament improves and works with the Old Testament, so does the Book of Mormon. I truly have a testimony that The Book of Mormon is the Word of God and another testament of Christ. I believe it is true and will help, along with the Bible, to bring people to Christ.
This week in the Howard W. Hunter manual...
I am an English and history teacher turned stay-at-home mom to Rhys, the rambunctious toddler. I was blessed to marry my college best friend. I am obsessed with all things medieval, Welsh, historical, and fantasy. I love to read, write, cook, run, and learn. I have recently come to love and appreciate living in the center of Utah and close to both sides of our family.