Posted by As a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I have always known about and regarded the Book of Mormon as sacred scripture. I remember hearing scripture stories in Primary and Sunday School when I was young. I remember learning about Lehi and his family in Primary. I was intrigued by the Liahona that guided them to the Promised Land. (See I Nephi 16-18). I remember learning about Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath and other scripture heroes from my Sunday School teachers. I loved the Christmas stories about the Baby Jesus and the Easter stories about the Resurrection of Christ. As a child I often didn’t know which book of scripture these stories came from. I just loved hearing the stories and learning the principles that they taught.
We as members of the Christ’s church believe the Bible to be the word of God “as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” (Article of Faith 8). Scriptures from the Bible and the Book of Mormon are often quoted in our meetings. Stories and principles from the scriptures are shared in our religious classes. Once we begin ninth grade, if we choose, we can participate in a well-correlated Church Education System during week-days that teaches all of the Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I couldn’t wait to begin Seminary. As a ninth grader it was my opportunity to study the Book of Mormon in a released time class at my Junior High. As I began a deeper study I began to differentiate between these books of scripture. I began reading the Book of Mormon with the intent to understand it better. I could now place the scripture story in the correct book. I also began to understand that prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah were found in both the Book of Mormon and the Bible. I began cross-referencing and seeing the fullness of the gospel through these books of scripture.
At the same time, we were being tested and graded on our knowledge of the facts in the book so I often studied the Book of Mormon like I would for any other literature class. I know I wasn’t gaining all that I could through my study, but it was a start.
Throughout high school I continued to attend Seminary. I was blessed with knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers. In tenth grade I studied The Old Testament and the Pearl of Great Price, in eleventh, the New Testament and in twelfth grade the Doctrine and Covenants and History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I truly loved every minute of Seminary.
I gained more understanding through Religion and Institute classes during my college years. But the full importance of the Book of Mormon came when I was a young mother listening to General Conference. Our living prophet at the time was President Ezra Taft Benson. He gave a monumental talk about the Book of Mormon. (See October General Conference 1986.) He told us that as a church we were treating this sacred scripture too lightly and that if we continued in this manner, we would be under condemnation. His message was a wake-up call to me. I knew the story line and the basic doctrines. But it was time to begin a much deeper study of the doctrines. As I made more effort, I started to appreciate the Book of Mormon much more fully. My testimony of the truthfulness of the words of the ancient prophets increased as did my love of my Savior, my Heavenly Father and the Great Plan of Happiness.
Joseph Smith, the first prophet in this dispensation once said, “The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on the earth and the keystone of our religion and a man can get closer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.” (See Introduction to the Book of Mormon.)
From first hearing scripture stories, to learning the basic facts and finally to understanding the true doctrines of the Book of Mormon, I can testify that is a magnificent book that is filled with doctrines and principles that can bless our lives. There isn’t a time that I read, study, or listen to the Book of Mormon that I don’t feel the Spirit of the Holy Ghost testifying to me that the words are true. The blessings and the promises are sure. I am determined to live my life in accordance with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ that is taught in the Book of Mormon, the Old and New Testaments, the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants. I am also determined to continue my study of these treasured scriptures.
Book of Mormon Testimonies 