Lesson 1 - Keystone of Our Religion

Goal of Lesson:

Help the reader understand in what ways the Book of Mormon is the most correct book on earth.

Identify what it means to have the Book of Mormon the keystone of the religion.

Learn about the author of the Book of Mormon and his purposes in compiling the book.

Understand what happens if the Book of Mormon is neglected.

Book of Mormon the Most Correct Book on Earth

Joseph Smith stated: “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.”

Joseph Smith was uniquely qualified to make this statement. After 1,400 years of the heavens being closed, Joseph Smith was brought back into the presence of God. He was brought nearer to God than anyone else, even into his presence.

“I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them called me by name and said – pointing to the other – This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him! (JSH 1:17)

Joseph Smith knew what was required to come to God. He had entered the path and had tasted of the fruit. He understood the narrow path necessary for redemption because he achieved the end goal. “And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they were brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed.” Mormon 9:13.

As Joseph stated, the Book of Mormon is the book that will bring a man nearer to God. It achieves this outcome by being the the most correct book on earth. But, what about the book makes it the most correct book?

Is it grammatically superior? Historically more accurate?  Archaeologically more precise? Genetically more clear? Those who criticize the Book of Mormon would point to many perceived faults.  

In the lectures on faith, the Prophet Joseph Smith taught that in order to have faith unto salvation an individual must: 1) believe in God, 2) have a correct understanding of his character and attributes and 3) know that his course in life is according to God’s will. These three principles must exist within a person to have complete faith. Having complete faith brings an individual to God.

If the Book of Mormon is the most correct book and will draw the reader closer to God, than the correctness of the book should be related to the knowledge and acquisition of salvational faith. Central to salvational faith is a correct understanding of the character and attributes of God. And to take Jospeh at his word, the Book of Mormon contains a more complete understanding of God, who he is, what he is like, what his relationship is like with man, how he works with man, and what his purposes are than any other book.

The book’s correctness comes from this correct understanding of God. It communicates who deity is better than any other book. It provides “plain and precious” doctrine which does not confuse a reader around fundamental teachings like the relationship between the Father and the Son. It is the most correct book to draw the reader to God so that their course in life is according to God’s will. It contains numerous examples of individuals and groups who are redeemed and brought back into the presence of God. It is the most correct book to bring about redemption. (Mormon 9:13)

• What are examples contained only in the Book of Mormon which demonstrates God’s character?
• What are examples contained only in the Book of Mormon which demonstrates God's relationship with man/woman?
• What are stumbling blocks the Book of Mormon clears up which prevents salvation; e.g., returning to God’s presence?

The Book of Mormon As the Keystone of Our Religion

There are two main definitions for a keystone:

“A central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together.”

AND

“The central principle or part of a policy, system, etc., on which all else depends.”

If the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion, then how do you define “our religion”? What is the definition of Mormonism?

“Truth is Mormonism.” TPJS 139 Joseph Smith defined Mormonism as: Truth

“One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from where it may. - Joseph Smith, History of the Church, 5:499

By defining the religion of Mormonism as truth,  the Book of Mormon becomes the keystone of truth.

• How is the Book of Mormon the keystone of truth?  

“And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come.” D&C 93:24

Truth has a very short half life. If we use the scripture from D&C 93:24 as the definition of truth, then we must recognize that truth is the same in the present, as it was in the past, as it will be in the future. Remember, God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Evolution of doctrines, ordinances, and religion is counter to truth. Truth shouldn’t evolve to the current thoughts of the day. The current thoughts of the day, should conform to the truth.

Early Christianity is a good example of evolving truth. Ever wonder how the Trinity could be the outcome of Christ’s ministry? Well, it wasn’t. Remember Christ’s baptism or Steven?  So, where did trinitarian doctrine originate from? 

Throughout time, truth is always in a state of restoration or apostasy. Restoration occurs when an individual connects with heaven and receives revelation. Apostasy happens when the connection isn’t made. Apostasy is the norm. As a substitute to a sacred grove experience, the teacher, priest, bishop, etc. brings the current thoughts of the day and mingles them with past restorations/revelation.

In the case of trinitarian doctrine, greek philosophy mingled with christianity with the absence of restoration/revelation created a prism of deity - the Trinity.  

The Book of Mormon is the keystone of the religion because it is a gateway to access the truth the religion provides. The words contained in the book came from a series of restorations - Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Enos, King Benjamin, etc. The book itself is an product of a latter-day restoration.

“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.” 2 Nephi 3:12

Without the Book of Mormon, the world is in the same darkness it was in for centuries.

When reading the Book of Mormon, the sole focus of the reader should be to comprehend truth. The goal should be to uncover and understand unadulterated truth. Truth void of biases and preconceived notions. A reader should have the Book of Mormon inform their paradigm instead of their paradigm inform the Book of Mormon. What we do and how we think today in 2016, should take the backseat to what was thought and understood in the days of Lehi and his seed. The book should take precedence.

If the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion and our religion is truth. Than the keystone of truth is the Book of Mormon.

• In what ways to we apply modern day philosophies to the Book of Mormon?

Mormon

Understanding the Book of Mormon begins by learning about the author, Mormon.  Mormon was chosen at age ten years old to be a steward over records of the people because he was “a sober child (pondered over the deeper meanings of life), and quick to observe (acted on the direction of God).” (Mormon 1:2) He was instructed by the Lord face to face when he was age fifteen (Mormon 1:15) and along with his son Moroni was shown our day by God (Mormon 8:35).

Mormon’s record was put together at the end of his civilization. It wasn’t compiled for his people. They didn’t read it. It was meant for a latter-day people. It was for us, our day.  Mormon had the ability to hand-select the doctrines and decide how the narrative should flow to make it most applicable to the latter-day readers. This was scripture for the latter-days.

• What are latter-day examples given in the Book of Mormon?
• What groups are Mormon addressing in the Book of Mormon?

The Title page written by Mormon teaches us a few things:

First, the Book of Mormon was written to three groups of people: “Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile.”  Since this is who the book is written to, it would  be obvious that it is who would read the book as well as consider it scripture.

The first group, Lamanites, are identified as “a remnant” or the “seed” of Mormon’s people. (Mormon 5: 9, 14) They are those who were left behind after the destruction the Nephites on the American continent.

The second group is identified as Jews. “And behold, they shall go unto the unbelieving of the Jews; and for this intent shall they go-that they may be persuaded that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God; that the Father may bring about his most Beloved, restoring the Jews, or all the house of Israel, to the land of their inheritance, which the Lord their God hath given them, unto the fulfilling of his covenant.” (Mormon 5:14) These are Jews who do not believe in Christ. I would suggest, those who would be identified as traditional Jews in modern day. Jerry Seinfeld? John Stewart?

Mormon goes on to say that the book is going to “come forth in due time by way of the Gentile.” (Title Page) This would mean that the group, Gentiles, would be those who translate and publish the book. “And also that the seed of this people [Lamanites] may more fully believe his gospel, which shall go forth unto them from the Gentiles.” (Mormon 5:10)

It would also be the group who brings the book to the remnant of Mormon’s people.  If the last group is Gentile and the Gentile group brings the book to the remnant of Mormon’s people, this group must be identified as white/European descendants believers in the Book of Mormon. This would be the traditional members of the LDS Church. Thomas Monson? Donny Osmond?

Three groups:

1. Lamanites – Natives to America
2. Jews – Traditional Non-Christ believing Jews
3. Gentiles – White/European LDS church members

The purpose of the book, as identified by its author Mormon is to: “know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever, and to “[convince] Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself to all nations”.

Going back to these three groups, it seems that the purpose is related to all three groups individually and follows the allegory of the olive tree. (Jacob 5)

1. Lamanites – Know the great things done for their fathers and the covenants the Lord made with their fathers that they are not cast off forever.
2. Jews – convincing them that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God and he manifests himself to all nations
3. Gentiles - convincing them that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God and he manifests himself to all nations

As we read the Book of Mormon, it is important to refer to these terms as Mormon defines them. We may have adopted other definitions to these terms, but it is unhelpful if we do not use the definitions as understood and defined by the author.

Condemnation for Ignoring the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon isn’t a nice to have. It isn’t interesting to only think about once every four years.

“And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received— Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all. And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written— That they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father’s kingdom; otherwise there remaineth a scourge and judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion. For shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Verily, I say unto you, Nay.” D&C 84:54-59

• Who is referred to as the children of Zion?
• What is the fruit that is required by Zion to produce?
• Why would there be a scourge and judgment on Zion?

The goal of the Book of Mormon is to “bring forth fruit for their Father’s kingdom.” This is accomplished by the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon, if understood and followed, will bring the reader closer to God, receive correct salvational faith, and ultimately salvation which is being brought back into his presence.

If the Book of Mormon is neglected,then your mind will be darkened and you will be under condemnation. This will happen all the way until there is a scourge and judgment poured out upon the children of Zion.

Summary:

A man will get nearer to God through the Book of Mormon because it teaches the correct understanding of God which produces complete faith.

Mormonism is truth. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of truth because it isn't brought about by the philosophies of man. It a subject of a series of restorations.

The Book of Mormon was compiled by Mormon. Mormon new God, saw our day and organized a set of scripture specifically for the latter-days.

The Book of Mormon will be given to the Lamanites, Jews and Gentiles. Lamanites are native to the Americas, Jews are traditional Non-Christ believing Jews, and Gentiles are white LDS Mormons.

The Book of Mormon will communicate covenants from the fathers and convince Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ.

The Book of Mormon produces fruit. If it is neglected, it produces darkness, condemnation, scourges and judgement.