The Unique Usefulness of the Book of Mormon

[Guest mormonmusic]

I've often wondered how to pique people's interest in the Book of Mormon by pointing to current day problems, faced by every day people, that are solved by the Book of Mormon, and NOT described clearly in the Bible.

Can you think of an everyday problem that the average person faces, whose compelling solution is described in the Book of Mormon? And, for all you smarty pants out there, could you please describe what it is here?

Or, a common question about life that the average person might have, that is answered in a convincing way in the Book of Mormon, but isn't clear from the Bible?

I have one -- people often wonder about the fate is of people who never hear of Christ, due to no fault of their own. The Book of Mormon gives a phenomenal answer -- that people are "judged according to their knowledge", and also that the atonement covers people who have "ignorantly sinned." Therefore, these people are not condemned before God for their lack of Christianity, as people are judged based on what they know.

I've found this resonates with people as it's consistent with people's inherent belief that God will ultimately be fair to people. And I don't see this stated so nearly as clearly in the Bible (not that I don't believe or study the Bible either). In fact many interpret the Bible as saying people that don't learn about Christ and become a Christian, due to no fault of their own, are damned. The Book of Mormon clarifies this.

Do you have any others?

Edited May 15, 2010 by mormonmusic

[Traveler]

The Book of Mormon warns against giving too much power to government. The warning is that when government becomes too powerful that raining in such power or attempting to correct corruption will result in violence and bloodshed.

The Traveler

[not_ashamed]

I've often wondered how to pique people's interest in the Book of Mormon by pointing to current day problems, faced by every day people, that are solved by the Book of Mormon, and NOT described clearly in the Bible.

Can you think of an everyday problem that the average person faces, whose compelling solution is described in the Book of Mormon? And, for all you smarty pants out there, could you please describe what it is here?

Or, a common question about life that the average person might have, that is answered in a convincing way in the Book of Mormon, but isn't clear from the Bible?

I have one -- people often wonder about the fate is of people who never hear of Christ, due to no fault of their own. The Book of Mormon gives a phenomenal answer -- that people are "judged according to their knowledge", and also that the atonement covers people who have "ignorantly sinned." Therefore, these people are not condemned before God for their lack of Christianity, as people are judged based on what they know.

I've found this resonates with people as it's consistent with people's inherent belief that God will ultimately be fair to people. And I don't see this stated so nearly as clearly in the Bible (not that I don't believe or study the Bible either). In fact many interpret the Bible as saying people that don't learn about Christ and become a Christian, due to no fault of their own, are damned. The Book of Mormon clarifies this.

Do you have any others?

This is one of my favorite parts about the church. I remember as a kid growing up in my moms Baptist church (and i'm not saying they all teach this) asking the pastor what happened to kids in third world countries who were never taught about Christ. I think I may have been about 10. His reply was they would go to hell.I also remember thinking that I wanted no part of a God who could be so cruel and unfair. When I learned what was taught in the book of Mormon and the LDS church I remember feelings a sense of relief.

[Guest mormonmusic]

Here's another solution to an every day problem found more clearly in the Book of Mormon than anywhere else -- how to endure circumstances you can't control AND how to encourage Heavenly Father to intervene to unlock the situation.

Mosiah 24 gives the formula:

1. Drawing your heart out into prayer to hiim while suffering

2. Submitting cheerfully to your circumstances.

3. Believing the Lord will deliver you from your situation.

4. Acting with patience.

In return, Heavenly Father is more likely to intervene to break the circumstances surrounding your suffering, and to also lift the burdens while you live inside the difficult circumstances. A heart that is believing, patient, and cheerful in difficult circumstances does a lot to persuade Him to step in and make things better.

And, after you are delivered from that uncontrollable situation, you should give him all the credit, and pour out your thanks to him.

This is another great truth from the Book of Mormon, all in one place, that I find particularly useful to someone seeking solutions to everyday problems.

I ask again, does anyone else have any similar truths? I'd love to have a whole whack of them in the back of my mind next time I need to help someone see the value of the Book of Mormon as a help to day-to-day living.

Edited May 16, 2010 by mormonmusic

[Guest mormonmusic]

A rule of thumb I've been using is that if anyone starts a topic, and within 12 hours or so, less than 10% of the people who view it post something, the topic is probably a dud. This topic isn't anywhere near that benchmark value, telling me it's a dud.

Therefore, I'm a bit surprised at the lack of responses to this opening post. With the Book of Mormon being "the keystone of our religion", and Joseph's statement that "a man can get closer to God by abiding by its precepts than any other book", why do you think there aren't more responses?

(by the way, I'm not chastising anyone here, participation is voluntary, I'm simply a little surprised and wonder why there seem to be so few solutions presented here that have had meaning to everyone given the scriptures importance and the fact it was written for our generation. Dud efforts are part of my existence sometimes!)

Edited May 16, 2010 by mormonmusic

[Wingnut]

A rule of thumb I've been using is that if anyone starts a topic, and within 12 hours or so, less than 10% of the people who view it post something, the topic is probably a dud. This topic isn't anywhere near that benchmark value, telling me it's a dud.

That's probably a good benchmark, but I've also noticed that Saturdays are the worst days to start new threads.

[Justice]

I think one is the "immediate" return of blessings for obedience. This is not discounting the rewards for obedience at the judgment bar, but that in addition to those eternal blessings, He also gives us happiness here on earth. This goes hand in hand with the discussion of the need for obedience, instead of the way many look at it, that obedience is a good thing but not necessarily required.

Mosiah 2:

22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?

[Zelduick]

I haven't studied the bible much, so it's hard to say if there's something specific that is better explained or shown in the book of mormon. But I do know that the book of mormon excellently shows eternal principles and truths.

A question that a lot of people face is how you can actually know for sure if this is true, it's well explained in Alma chapter 32 how faith will grow from a seed to a tree, and we will see the fruits of our faith - whether it is good or bad. And the quite direct guidance in Moroni 10: 3-5. They show us how we can come to know our faith.

The book of mormon is special, it changes us to the better - I know it. Even as I think of things I've read in it, trying to remember the words, I get a peaceful feeling inside. When I read it I feel spiritual growth inside me - sometimes more than others, and the holy ghost fills me and lets me think clearly.

[Guest mormonmusic]

I also found the BoM to help me be a better parent. I've found that if I read the BoM as a parenting guide, where I observe what Heavenly Father does in the course of raising his eternal sons and daughters, you can learn a lot of useful techniques.

Ever have kids that won't listen to you, or obey you? Read 3 Nephi 11, verses 1-3. Heavenly father wanted to introduce Jesus Christ, but his children weren't listening. He said it three times, and each time used a quiet, almost whisper like voice.

I tried this to see how it worked with my kids. I'd told my son to do something and he didn't listen. So I went over to him and whispered the instruction in his ear. He did what I asked immediately. I've seen it work on other kids too. Amazing....