Many Book of Mormon prophets foretold of a time
when their record would be fundamental to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
Nephi, for example, prophesied that the Book
of Mormon
would be the means of waking up a spiritually sleeping world.
The Nephite prophets knew that a sweeping
apostasy would fill the earth
and God would use their writings to bring about the final restoration.
The Book of Mormon continues to influence
this final restoration in countless ways.
Besides being the catalyst for Joseph Smith
to restore Christ’s church to the earth,
the Book of Mormon promotes personal revelation
for all its readers.
Because of its doctrines and revelations about
sacred ordinances and covenants,
the Book of Mormon naturally facilitates spiritual
discovery, giving readers the opportunity
to expand their understanding both individually
and collectively.
This unique book of scripture also functions
as the keystone
upon which the entire Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints depends.
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught that through
the Book of Mormon, its readers may learn
the truth of not only the book itself, but
of many other things.
He taught that if individuals will, “read
it prayerfully, and with a sincere desire
to know the truth, they will know the truth
if the Book of Mormon is true then God lives...
and if the Book of Mormon is true, then Jesus
is the Son of God and verily our Redeemer
and if the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph
Smith was a prophet of God.”
Just as President Hinckley taught, the Book
of Mormon plays an essential role,
both in the restoration of the gospel and also as
a key sign and witness of that restoration.
And now you know why.
