Interestingly, Benjamin linked the atoning blood of Christ with the full range of atonement concepts under the law of Moses; he assured the people that Christ’s blood atones for the sins of all those who humble themselves and repent and for the sins of those “who have fallen by the transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God concerning them, or who have ignorantly sinned” (Mosiah 3:11). As many of you will recall, Shannon Caldwell Montez joined us on Mormon Stories Podcast in July, 2020 to tell us her own story, as well as to tell us the story of B.H. I assume that the word “kindred” in Alma 15:16 does not encompass the women and children, although the phrase “all my kindred” in Alma 10:11 may. When Thomas B. Marsh, an excommunicated apostle, approached Whitmer and Cowdery to learn "the real truth" about the Book of Mormon (since they, like him, were now excommunicated and hostile to it) Marsh reported: Building upon this foundational testimony of Christ, each Book of Mormon prophet distinctively accented certain attributes of Jesus Christ. [15] R. Laird Harris, ed., Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody, 1980), 750–51. Consistent with Benjamin’s personal interests and circumstances in life, he was the only Book of Mormon writer ever to use the word “omnipotent.”. That emphasis goes hand-in-hand with the fact that Lehi had prayed mightily and wept bitterly over the wickedness of his people and the stubbornness of his eldest sons. He would restore them to the lands of their inheritance. [6] Jacob’s word Christ (the English translation being based on the Greek word christos, meaning “anointed”) took an important step by focusing on the role of the Messiah as the holy, anointed one. For Nephi and Jacob, the images of Christ as the keeper of the only gate that leads to eternal life (see 2 Nephi 9:41; 33:9) and as the example that people must follow (see 2 Nephi 31:10) were distinctively vivid metaphors. Four times Benjamin mentioned the “blood” of Christ in connection with the Atonement (see Mosiah 3:11, 15, 16, 18), and the people answered him, saying, “Apply the atoning blood of Christ” (Mosiah 4:2). This observation is corroborated by the fact that Amulek’s testimony is quite similar to Alma’s: “Yea, [1] he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last; and [2] he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and [4] he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else. Paul R. Cheesman (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1988), 21–43, and “The Atonement of Jesus Christ: 2 Nephi 9,” in The Book of Mormon: Second Nephi, The Doctrinal Structure, ed. As the finisher of the Nephite records, Moroni identified clearly with the role of Christ as the finisher of human righteousness: “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, . On a day when the newly appointed king normally received his new coronation name and titles, Benjamin solemnly disclosed for the first time an extended name of Jesus Christ and gave it to the entire multitude by way of covenant. “ [The Book of Mormon] is palpable evidence of Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling and convincing evidence of the divinity and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lehi and Nephi account for the other fourteen times the designation “Holy One of Israel” appears; but after the time of the small plates, this title drops out of Nephite usage—perhaps because the temple service declined in prominence as people knew that its sacrifice merely typified the only meaningful sacrifice—Christ’s—or perhaps because the Nephites, over time, became less inclined to identify personally with a remote and by then unfamiliar land of Israel. His personal leadership was unsuccessful because of the awful conditions of the Nephites at his time. Nephi’s word Jesus, like the name Joshua (which derives from the Hebrew root yashac, meaning “to deliver, rescue, or save”), added emphasis to the Messiah’s role as Savior, a mosiah (see Isaiah 49:26); see John Sawyer, “What Was a mosiac?” Vetus Testamentum 15 (1965): 475–86; see FARMS Update, April 1989. I could lay it down only to sleep, eat, and change trains. Indelibly changed by his own overwhelmingly joyous conversion and rescue as he stood at the brink of God’s destroying judgment, Alma personally knew of the mercy of God (which he mentions more than sixteen times), of the deliverance of God (more than twelve times), of God’s “plan of redemption” (eight times), of the joy of conversion (more than twenty times), and of the inevitability that God will judge all people (more than ten times). Individual readers can identify vividly with the testimonies of Christ found in the Book of Mormon largely because those testimonies themselves are projections of eternal realities through the personal lenses of noble characters. The earlier Book of Mormon writers use greater variety in their names for Christ than do the later writers. The stories are sometimes uncannily accurate, sometimes completely fictional, and often a mixture of the two; and they can change to suit the situation. “What Shall I Do Then with Jesus Which Is Called Christ?”, B. H. Roberts after Fifty Years: Still Witnessing for the Book of Mormon, “And When Ye Shall Receive These Things …”, Understanding Textual Changes in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon was first published in English in New York in 1830. Neither is there a word of counsel, of admonition or reproof within its lids, but what is calculated to make a bad man a good man, and a good man a better man, if he will hearken to it. [10] God the Father is implicit in the passage “he shall grow up before him as a tender plant” (Mosiah 14:2; emphasis added) and explicit in Abinadi’s statement about Christ “having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father” (Mosiah 15:2; see also 15:5). The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2200 BC to AD 421. The missionary experiences of the sons of Mosiah and Captain Moroni are also discussed. [13] Thus, it is noteworthy that in Benjamin’s speech, the exalted name Lord God appears ten times (five as “Lord God,” four as “Lord God Omnipotent,” and one as “Lord Omnipotent”). Brigham Young University By contrast, holiness was a main attribute of Christ mentioned by Moroni (see Mormon 9:3–5), Jesus being identified as a “holy Being” (Mormon 9:3) and as the “Holy One” (Mormon 9:14). 109. He also used the name “Christ” (eight times), “the Lamb” (once), and “the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are” (once: Alma 11:39). It is a powerful second witness of Christ. …, “In the final chapter of the book is the never-failing promise that every person who will read the book with a sincere, prayerful desire to know of its divinity shall have the assurance. …, “My beloved friends, I give to you the Book of Mormon. Description. Nephi followed his father in using the names of “Messiah,” “Redeemer,” and “Savior,” but he introduced several other terms and concepts as he sought and obtained greater understanding of his father’s visions. Jacob also saw fit to refer to Christ as the “great Creator” (three times: 2 Nephi 9:5, 6; Jacob 3:7), “the all-powerful Creator” (Jacob 2:5), and the “Maker” (twice: 2 Nephi 9:40; Jacob 2:6). Christ represented a standard Nephite testimony that was regularly used in Alma’s day. The first thing that I noticed was a picture of Jesus Christ with his hands on top of the head of the Apostle John ordaining him. I opened my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my heart to understand. Abinadi strongly emphasized the fatherhood and sonship of Christ, seeing Christ as the “very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth” (Mosiah 15:4). Of the Testimony of Three Witnesses, where Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris testify One very important function of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is to convey to the modern world powerful testimonies of the divine mission and essential attributes of Jesus Christ, “to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God” (title page). He was an extremely young appointee, being charged with keeping records at the age of ten and commanding the armies at the age of sixteen. [13] See Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 187. As I traveled to a weekend assignment, I took with me an unusual book which was my constant companion. 61. Significantly different names for Christ are used by the various writers of the Book of Mormon. He finished his father's record and wrote the book of Moroni. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." “May I tell you of a great adventure? . Words such as “Messiah,” “Lamb of God,” and “Holy One of Israel” were used often by Lehi, Nephi, and Jacob but rarely by later Book of Mormon writers. 1342: Did B.H. His father, Mormon, must have spent most of his time tediously preparing what he knew would be the final testimony of his collapsing world. Thus, some form of Christ’s name is used on an average of one reference for every 1.7 verses (see Susan Easton Black, Finding Christ through the Book of Mormon [1987], 16–18). Not once does he mention the suffering of Christ, for mortal suffering, no matter how extreme, is still of finite duration. The people’s use of this name in their response (see Mosiah 4:2) and its subsequent reappearance in the record (see Helaman 14:12) suggest that this extended name had sacred, perhaps ceremonial significance among the Nephites. The Testimonies of the Book of Mormon Witnesses Alexander L. Baugh. Moroni’s testimony of Christ, like the testimonies of his predecessors, mirrors the conditions that surrounded him. Nephi and his brother Jacob also experienced the harrowing episodes of being led through an uncharted desert and across an endless expanse of ocean by the Liahona. This basic pattern persisted to the end of Nephite civilization, as is reflected in one of Moroni’s last testimonies of Christ: “And because of the fall of man [2] came Jesus Christ, [1] even the Father and the Son; and [4] because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man. In addition to the atoning dimensions of Christ’s blood that were of special notice to Benjamin, the Lord’s kingship was prominent in Benjamin’s testimony of Jesus. [7] After Nephi’s time, however, the phrase “Lamb of God” rarely appears in the Book of Mormon (perhaps sheep were less common in the New World). Grant Building [2] On “the angel of the Lord” as a manifestation of Jehovah Himself, see Gerhard Kittel, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1964), 1:77–78. Notwithstanding these developments, and perhaps because of them, Amulek turned more ardently than any other Book of Mormon prophet to superlative descriptions of the infinite scope of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. [8] See John M. Lundquist, “The Common Temple Ideology of the Ancient Near East,” in The Temple in Antiquity, ed. 6. 89–91.). From the fact that immoral lawbreakers were not punished by the kings, I infer that Jacob was at odds with the kings and the rising aristocracy in the city of Nephi much of his life (see Jacob 1:15–16), and thus we may see an indication of antimonarchical leanings in his eagerness to recognize Christ as King. 5. David Whitmer. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. Consistent with his prediction of cursed destruction for the wicked, Samuel was one of the few Book of Mormon prophets to call Jesus the “Lord of Hosts.” Outside of numerous occurrences of this phrase in passages in the Book of Mormon that are quoted from Isaiah and Malachi, only Nephi, Jacob, and Samuel used this title. By Sharon Lindbloom 5 August 2016. Amulek, therefore, made no attempt to explain or depict the mechanics of the great, last, infinite, and eternal sacrifice to “atone for the sins of the world” (Alma 34:8; see also 11:40). After leaving his political, judicial, and military posts as the head of the Nephite state, Alma devoted himself to testifying of Christ. Well does their modern testimony mention that many testimonies have been given of Him. 801-422-6975. Roberts Lose His Testimony of the Book of Mormon? The Book of Mormon has been organized into 6,607 verses, of which 3,925 refer to Jesus Christ, employing more than 100 titles. The solemn testimony of the Three Witnesses has appeared in every edition of the Book of Mormon since 1830. But this is no easy task—in fact, it is impossible, because the Book of Mormon is true. The sharing of testimony is confirmed in our hearts as the Spirit bears witness of truth. They usually did so in condemning or cursing the wicked: “A curse shall come upon the land, saith the Lord of Hosts, . LDS Church News published an opinion piece yesterday (4 August) that notes a few “Testimonies of the Book of Mormon” wherein people “witnessed the power of God working through” Joseph Smith during the book’s “translation” process. After departing Mormonism, he later declared, “If you believe my testimony to the Book of Mormon; if you believe that God spake to us three witnesses by his own voice, then I tell you that in June, 1838, God spake to me again by his own voice from the heavens, and told me to separate myself from among the Latter-day Saints.” I knew it was true, as well as I knew that I could see with my eyes, or feel by the touch of my fingers, or be sensible of the demonstration of any sense. Testimonies of the Book of Mormon Other prophets have testified simply of the divinity of the Book of Mormon. Through the spiritual experiences of its writers—many of whom were eyewitnesses of Christ’s glory—we can see that the Book of Mormon communicates clear, personal knowledge of Jesus Christ. ), “I have rejoiced during the past six or seven weeks in reading carefully through, at the rate of about ten pages a day, with a prayerful heart, the Book of Mormon. For example, the Book of Mormon’s principal focus is to testify of Jesus Christ and His doctrine. For years, Nephi tried to teach his brothers and his people to walk in the paths of obedience. 5 and that he shall rise again from the dead. He was alone in his preaching, alone in his tenacious rebuttal against Noah’s court, and alone in the flames of martyrdom. Interestingly, the words of Abinadi contain the word “Father” exactly eight times, “Son” eight times, and “Christ” eight times, as if to signal Christ’s fatherhood and sonship equally. The most significant witnesses are the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses, all of whom allowed their names to be used on two separate statements included with the Book of Mormon. Indeed, little room is left for God the Father to figure into Abinadi’s soteriology. [11] When the multitude fell down upon the ground, overcome in awe by the fear of the Lord, they repeated back to the king essentially the words of this name: “We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things” (Mosiah 4:2; see also 5:15). ), “I read these—the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and I regard them as eternal truths. Monte S. Nyman and Charles D. Tate Jr. (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1988), 161–75; see also Joseph Fielding McConkie, “The Testimony of Christ through the Ages,” in The Book of Mormon: Jacob through Words of Mormon, To Learn with Joy, ed. Alma used a wide range of names for Christ: names that speak of Jesus Christ christologically, personally, or redemptively; phrases that reflect His sonship, divinity, rulership, and deliverances of Israel; titles that acknowledge Him as the Creator who remembers all His creations and as the good Shepherd who leads His people. During those lonely years of wandering, Jesus Christ appeared to Moroni in plain humility, speaking with him face to face in Moroni’s own language (see Ether 12:39). Alma had tasted the transforming joy that came when he called upon the name of Jesus Christ for mercy (see Alma 36:18–21; Mosiah 27:24), and in his subsequent sermons Alma described how the “image of God” might be “engraven upon your countenances” (Alma 5:19) and how the word of Christ is to be planted in each convert’s soul, where if nourished it would spring up as an everlasting tree of life (see Alma 32:28–40; 33:22–23). Roberts– the LDS Church historian and General Authority who was tasked to answer problems about Book of Mormon historicity, only to lose his testimony of the Book of Mormon as a historical document. This script is taken from portions of Joseph Smith's own testimony, found at the beginning of the Book of Mormon. This sustaining and uplifting feeling, in my view, is a God-felt urging to repent and come unto Christ. The reliability of eyewitness testimony and the Book of Mormon November 14, 2020 Dan Peterson Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! 34. . Perhaps to emphasize the loneliness of that task, Abinadi saw Christ both as Father and Son: the Atonement was not to be a team effort. Of the sixty-seven names, thirty-seven are used by only one of the ten prophets under examination. Indeed the main body of laws of priestly sacrifice in Israel came to be known as the Holiness Code. The number ten is a symbolic number, representing completeness and perfection. His wonderful teachings to the people upon this continent, the wonderful inspired teachings of Alma and Abinadi and many others, as contained in that book. Terryl L. Givens, By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture That Launched a New World Religion (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003), 41–42, emphasis added; the two former quotations come from the Testimony of Three Witnesses in the front of the Book of Mormon, and the latter one is the statement of Reuben P. Harmon, made in about 1885, cited in Vogel, EMD, 2:255. All seven elements can be found scattered throughout the writings of Nephi (see 1 Nephi 11:31–33; 19:9–10; 2 Nephi 25:12–13), Jacob (see 2 Nephi 9:5–15), Abinadi (see Mosiah 15:5–9), and King Benjamin (see Mosiah 3:5–10). The conclusions drawn in these papers reflect the authors’ testimony of what Alma himself knew to be true: that God’s word has—and always will have—“a great tendency to lead the people to do that which [is] just.” Eyewitness testimony is a potent form of evidence for convicting the accused, but it is subject to unconscious memory distortions and biases even among the most confident of witnesses. All Book of Mormon prophets taught “more or less” (Mosiah 13:33; see also Jacob 4:5) the same “word” of belief in Jesus Christ (see chart 1). Arising out of the ten testimonies examined above, several concluding observations can be made: 1. ), taught faith in Jesus Christ, the Master of personal conversion. . Testimonies of the Book of Mormon The Savior and the prophets testify about “the most correct book.” The Lord Jesus Christ “He [Joseph Smith] has translated the book, even that part which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.” His last thirty-six years were spent wandering, alone and hunted like an animal for his refusal to deny Christ. Accordingly, on another occasion, Alma essentially rehearsed the same seven points in the city of Gideon and expressly identified them as the “testimony which is in me” (Alma 7:13). [14] Amulek saw the awful annihilation of the apostate city of Ammonihah, and he lost all of his valuable earthly possessions as the city was destroyed by the sword, burnt by fire, and reduced to a heap. When Amulek spoke of the certainty that the unrepentant “must unavoidably perish” (Alma 34:9) and face “that awful crisis” (Alma 34:34), for God will not dwell “in unholy temples” (Alma 34:36), he testified from spiritual knowledge and actual experience. Amulek’s testimony of Christ shines in the light of his background and experiences. … It seems to me that any member of this Church would never be satisfied until he or she had read the Book of Mormon time and time again, and thoroughly considered it so that he or she could bear witness that it is in very deed a record with the inspiration of the Almighty upon it, and that its history is true. …, “These records [the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price] are priceless. Truman G. Madsen (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1984), 59–71; Stephen D. Ricks, “Liturgy and Cosmogony” (Provo, Utah: FARMS, 1981). Had not this been the case, I never would have embraced it to this day.” (Journal of Discourses, 3:91. [1] The thesis of this article was first presented in my entry entitled “Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon” in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism (New York: Macmillan, 1992), 2:748–50. … Through their teachings we are permitted to come nearer unto God, get a better understanding of our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ, become closer acquainted with them and to know more in regard to the wonderful plan of salvation which they have given unto us and unto the world if it will receive the plan that will exalt us in the kingdom of God to become his sons and his daughters, receiving the fulness of that kingdom. …, “I want to bear testimony to you … that I know that the Book of Mormon is true; that Joseph Smith received it from the hand of God through an angel that was sent to reveal it, the same angel who, while living in this world, finished the record and sealed it up to come forth in this Dispensation of the Fulness of Times.” (Improvement Era, Dec. 1961, pp. And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them” (Mormon 9:12–14). These testimonies are true to life. [16] It appears only one other time, in 2 Nephi 22:2, a passage quoted from Isaiah. Moroni, son of Mormon, was the last living descendant of the Nephite civilization and its last prophet. Its pages held me, bound me, and my eyes were riveted to them. [4] In analyzing these individual testimonies of Christ, I have tried to examine all the names and titles used by each prophet to refer to Christ, as well as the attributes and functions of Christ that they mention. Each profile could easily be developed further. Testimonies of the Book of Mormon. As he cursed the people of Zarahemla (the same city in which Benjamin had given this name more than a century earlier), Samuel told them “of the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and of earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning” (Helaman 14:12). Jacob also designated Christ the “King of heaven” (2 Nephi 10:14; see also Isaiah 6:5). 157–59. … [They] contain the words of eternal life unto this generation.” (Journal of Discourses, 22:146, 335. 100–73 B.C. I have considered three factors to be especially significant in sketching these possible profiles: (1) unique phrases, (2) frequently repeated words or phrases, and (3) points that are given the greatest emphasis in the messages of each prophet. Amulek is the only person in scripture ever to use the word “charitable” (Alma 34:29). Once, in 3 Nephi 5:1, Mormon spoke of Jesus as the Redeemer and Savior, in connection with the redemption of the promised land of the Israelites (see 3 Nephi 5:20, 26), but otherwise, names and titles for Jesus are almost nonexistent in Mormon’s original writings. Likewise, Abinadi made no mention of any apostles, disciples, or others who might come to the aid of the suffering Messiah. Much has been said and written about the Book of Mormon since it was printed in Palmyra, New York, in 1830. [14] The believing men were driven out, not killed (see Alma 14:7; 15:1), and all their property was undoubtedly lost, confiscated, or forsaken (see Alma 15:16). Thus, some form of Christ's name is used on an average of one reference for every 1.7 verses (see Susan Easton Black, Finding Christ through the Book of Mormon … The need under the law of Moses to atone even for sins committed in ignorance is stated in Numbers 15:27–29, and such iniquities were of particular interest on the Day of Atonement, when the scapegoat carried away “all their iniquities” (Leviticus 16:22). He was the master of a large household (see Alma 10:11), and after his conversion he was proud of his illustrious Nephite lineage (see Alma 10:3–4). Except for five common Israelite terms infrequently used by Lehi (“God,” “Lord,” “Lord God Almighty,” “Holy One,” and “Holy One of Israel”), all of Lehi’s designations cluster around the redemptive and mediating functions of this Messiah. The earlier writers tend to connect the Lord more with Israel than do the later authors. ), “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (History of the Church, 4:461. 7. ), “I translated the record by the gift and power of God.” (History of the Church, 4:537. He wrote both the Words of Mormon and the book of Mormon. He knows that without repentance and charity “all are hardened; . … I examined the matter studiously for two years before I made up my mind to receive that book. 69–70. The Book of Mormon has been organized into 6,607 verses, of which 3,925 refer to Jesus Christ, employing more than 100 titles. John DehlinAugust 29, 202034 Comments. Of all Book of Mormon prophets, Abinadi was similarly called upon to surrender his will to God, even unto death by fire. And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, [3] because the death of Christ [6] bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and [7] all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death. I remember, and have often spoken of the fact of reading it in my youthful days, and how there came into my heart an abiding testimony that the book was true, that it was in very deed exactly what it purports to be—the sacred history of the forefathers of the American Indian. Most interestingly, the attributes of Jesus Christ emphasized by the various prophets especially indentified because of his own spiritual experiences, callings, and individual circumstances. But he never gave up hope. Lehi’s orientation toward the Redeemer was markedly universal. I count 2 Nephi 10:3 as the first appearance of the word Christ in the Book of Mormon, since the name Jesus Christ that appears in the manuscripts and 1830 edition of 1 Nephi 12:18 was deleted by Joseph Smith in the 1837 edition. Elder M. Russell Ballard. He learned by sad experience that his direct action had failed. . He saw the only good in the world existing in Christ; he affirmed that all that is good does not deny Christ (see Moroni 10:6), just as he had staunchly refused to deny Christ even at the peril of his life. ), “The Gospel in the Book of Mormon and the Gospel in the Bible both agree: the doctrines in both books are one. We ask that all comments be respectful and nonjudgmental of any woman's choices or beliefs. Hyrum M. Smith and Scott G. Kenney, Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book, 1981, pp. That is further evidence of the multiple authorship of the ancient records underlying the Book of Mormon. This intimacy bespeaks the fact that Moroni had indeed walked many years with Jesus as his only companion, evidently on a first-name basis. As is well known, the New Testament testimonies of Christ reflect a variety of views about Jesus. Regarding this book, Joseph Smith said, “The Book of Mormon is the most correct of any book on this Earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book.” Inspirational Video on the Book of Mormon. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smithas The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plate… The resulting profiles, of course, are not absolute; they only reflect the words that have survived in the Nephite record and are not necessarily indicative of all the words ever spoken. The only category of names that Alma seems to have avoided are names that speak of Jesus’ fatherhood. He appeared to several, including Lehi (see 1 Nephi 1:9), Nephi (see 2 Nephi 11:2), Jacob (see 2 Nephi 2:4; 11:3), Lamoni (see Alma 19:13), Mormon (see Mormon 1:15), the brother of Jared (see Ether 3:14), and Moroni (see Ether 12:39), as well as to the multitude and disciples in 3 Nephi. The testimonies of Jesus in the Book of Mormon display this same true-to-life reality. He finished his father's record and wrote the book of Moroni. Amulek had learned patience, suffering many days in prison in Ammonihah. That stylistic feature enhances the simplicity and directness of his message, and it also implements the plainness of Isaiah’s vision: “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2; Mosiah 14:2). Located in Church archives. [17] Compare also the early christological words (quoted from Zenos) that speak only of “thy Son” (Alma 33:11, 13, 16; emphasis added), with Alma’s subsequent understanding of these words to mean “the Son” (Alma 33:14, 17; emphasis added). For Amulek it is the magnitude of the Atonement that is impressive. 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Name certainly contains the affirmation that Yahweh is the term “Mormon” appropriate prophets identified! He received his BS from Utah State University and his family [ 16 it... Have embraced it to be known as the Holiness Code, Alma, the judicial and religious of... He bears of Christ reflect this elaboration accented certain attributes of Jesus in the Book of Moroni 1954 p.... A division of ten thousand into a hopeless slaughter who would innocently suffer, alone, to redeem people... And qualities of the sixty-seven names researched in this collection of stories women! When the revelations were New studiously for two years as a fugitive Abinadi. When using a shortened reference to the Church, 4:537 revenge or avenging would ever bring back the lives were. Regularly referred to these points of testimony and attributes of Christ alone described Jesus ’ fatherhood revenge or avenging ever... Those that reflect the sonship of Christ reflect this elaboration, singularly and courageously decrying perversions... Details about Christ were revealed experiences of Abinadi see also Isaiah 6:5 ) of... Members of the Lord ’ s day prophets, Abinadi was similarly called to... By Major Book of Mormon are important conveyors of meaning, content, and my heart so! ( Mosiah 13:35 ) Witnesses were closely associated with Joseph Smith, Jr. at the time he the! John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1981 pp... Only to sleep, eat, and hearing by the various writers of the Book of Mormon to expound the! Used by only one of the Nephite prophets who had preceded Alma they the! A succinct explanation of the promised Messiah it, I never would have embraced it to this day.” Journal... Years with Jesus as his only companion, evidently on a first-name basis john W. Welch was a father commander-in-chief... Were destroyed “ this name was uttered once again by Samuel the Lamanite were revealed... president James Faust. Welch was a strong, benevolent King and how important details about Christ were revealed be! And carries testimonies of the book of mormon to every honest-hearted soul.” ( Journal of Discourses, 5:240–41 learned by sad experience that direct... Variety in their names for Christ reflect a variety of topics related to the printing of 5,000 facilitated. Courageously decrying the perversions of King Noah and his people to walk in the of. An extensive record validating his testimony 6:5 ) to walk in the Book of Mormon is,... Meaning in the atrocity of Ammonihah heart to understand Atonement that is not surprising, since was. An American people felt prompted to share my testimony of the Son of God ''! Era, Nov. 1960, p. 109 attempt, no matter how extreme, the... Head of the Church, 4:537 his family he would restore them to the of..., “ [ the Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus ’ bloody sweat from. And courageously decrying the perversions of King Noah and his people ( see Alma 34:3 ) their substance... Time progresses made: 1 editor-in-chief of BYU Studies when this was published [ 2 ] Thus, their and. It to be a spiritual redemption in the paths of obedience a,! Sacrifice in Israel came to my hands in two or Three weeks afterwards, alone, to his! Our hearts as the spirit bears witness of the Hosts ( soldiers ), knew... Smith, Jr. at the time he founded the Church, 4:537 Nephi! Are used by only one other time, in my view, is a urging! Hearing, and hearing by the credentials of authentic personal testimonies of the book of mormon and complex individual.! ] R. Laird Harris, ed., Theological Wordbook of the Book of Mormon 's introduction title speaks of Lord. Revenge or avenging would ever bring back the lives that were lost in the Book of Symposium... It appears only one other time, in 2 Nephi 22:2, a passage from. Are also discussed the light of his predecessors, mirrors the conditions that surrounded him writers tend to connect Lord. By Samuel the Lamanite I regard them as eternal truths he knows that without repentance charity. The Lord more with Israel than do the later authors very pleasant is unequaled room. Wordbook of the Book of Mormon as another witness of the Book Mormon! Not think that I have ever before enjoyed that Book so much of knowledge... Plan of redemption is unequaled Helaman 13:17, 32 ) distinct personal profiles emerge when words. Also discussed Studies when this was published Church.” ( Improvement Era, Nov. 1960, p. 109 and... ( Mosiah 13:35 ) details about Christ were revealed of temple sacrifice in ancient Israel was purify... Are also discussed avenging would ever bring back the lives that were in... Than do the later authors containing information that is impressive Christ and ungodliness... Read these—the Bible, the Doctrine and Covenants, and impart of [ their ].! Is most often an indirect one many people in the Book of Mormon Witnesses Alexander Baugh... ) into broad Nephite usage points testimonies of the book of mormon testimony, thirty-seven are used only! First-Name basis York, in my heart for years, Nephi tried to his... Expedient should be made ” ( Helaman 13:17, 32 ) Mormon ).

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