The Plan of Salvation, The Plan of Redemption, The Plan of Restoration, The Plan of Mercy, The Great and Eternal Plan of Deliverance from Death, The Plan of our God*

*Title References:  Jarom 1:2, Alma 12:25, Alma 41:2, Alma 15:42, 2 Nephi 11:5, 2 Nephi 9:1

While studying the Book of Mormon a few months back.  There was a verse I read that talked about the Plan of Salvation being contained in the Book of Mormon.  I wasn’t really sure about how much I would find because I had always assumed the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants was the place where most of that was found.  I was definitely wrong.  One would think that I would have pulled that out of all the times I’ve read it, guess not.  What I have put together is basically a Powerpoint showing all the scriptures related to the Plan of Salvation that are found ONLY in the Book of Mormon.  You will notice the full truth is not in there.  A few details about more specifically where we go in the three kingdoms and what qualifies you for those kingdoms was not found.

You will notice I attempted to create some what of a diagram or linear time line or flow chart, but with all the scripture references, I ran out of room.  The way I decided to design it was left to right… where we begin and where we end up with each stage in between.  Then at the bottom, the true “foundation” for the entire plan is found, with scriptures about our Savior Jesus Christ and different references to the Atonement that He performed for us.

I was really hoping to have a much more visually pleasing version of this with circles and arrows and pretty colors and all.  But I’m settling for the actual content rather than the pretty look.  The content is amazing, and wonderful, and shows what an amazing Father in Heaven that we have.  It really shows how much He and our older brother Jesus care for us.  The Plan is so simple and our function in the plan is simple.  We have the responsibility to live our lives by following commandment.  When we fail, which we know we will, we have the gift of the Atonement, and can repent to be made clean in order to return to our Heavenly Family again some day.  I’m so grateful for this blessing in my life that I have to use WAY MORE than most I’m sure.  Each time I do however, I’m blessed to feel and recognize that love my Savior has for me more and more.  What a truly “Great and Eternal Plan…”

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Pre-Earth Life

2 Nephi 2:14-15  for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.  And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.

2 Nephi 2:17-18 And an angel of God, according to that which is written, had fallen from heaven; wherefore, he became a devil, having sought that which was evil before God. because he had fallen from heaven, and had become miserable forever, he sought also the misery of all mankind… yea, even that old serpent, who is the devil, who is the father of all lies,

1 Nephi 10:18 For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him.

Mosiah 4:9  Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth;

Agency

2 Nephi 2:16  Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other.

2 Nephi 2:27  Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself

Alma 42:27  whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.

Moroni 7:16 the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil;

The Way

2 Nephi 9:41  Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

2 Nephi 31:9  And again, it showeth unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.

Jacob 6:11 O then, my beloved brethren, repent ye, and enter in at the strait gate, and continue in the way which is narrow, until ye shall obtain eternal life.

Keep The Commandments

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.

Alma 18:34 I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God,

Earth Life

1 Nephi 14:10 Behold there are save a two churches only; the one is the church of the Lamb of God, and the other is the church of the devil

2 Nephi 2: 11 opposition in all things

2 Nephi 2:25  Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

2 Nephi 9:23-24 And he commandeth all men that they must repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God.  And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.

2 Nephi 31:13, 16, 20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. (It’s bold because it’s my favorite scripture).

Alma 12:22  Adam did fall by the partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and thus we see, that by his fall, all mankind became a lost and fallen people.

Alma 12:30 God conversed with men, and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world;

Alma 12:31 placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good

Alma 12:32  Therefore God gave unto them commandments… that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed,

Alma 42:7 our first parents were cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lord;

Repent

Alma 12:24  nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God;

Alma 12:33-35 If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son;

Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

And whosoever will harden his heart and will do iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into my rest.

Alma 42:4  And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.

3 Nephi 9:20 ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Physical Death

2 Nephi 9:11 O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.

And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave.

Alma 11:41 there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

Alma 42:9 soul could never die,

Spiritual Death

2 Nephi 9:12 And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel.

Alma 12:16 And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness.

Paradise/Prison

Alma 40:9 there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection.

Alma 40:11-12 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

Alma 40:14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection Alma 40:21 that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works.

Resurrection

2 Nephi 9:4 … wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see  God.

2 Nephi 9:6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.

2 Nephi 9:13 the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect.

Mosiah 15:21-22  And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called.

And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection.

Mosiah 15:24 these are they that have died before Christ came, in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. And thus the Lord bringeth about the restoration of these; and they have a part in the first resurrection, or have eternal life, being redeemed by the Lord.

Mosiah 16:8 But there is a aresurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of bdeath is swallowed up in Christ

Alma 11:43  spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time;

Alma 11:44  this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame,

Alma 11:45  this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption

Alma 40:2-3  this corruption does not put on incorruption—until after the coming of Christ.  Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead Alma 40:4  Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but God knoweth the time which is appointed.

Alma 40:23  The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.

Alma 41:4 Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other

Alma 41:6 If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness.

Helaman 14:15 -17  he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth, to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord.

the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord.

Judgement

1 Nephi 15:32  for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation.

Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.

2 Nephi 9:15  And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.

Mosiah 3:10, 24  And he shall rise the third day from the dead; and behold, he standeth to judge the world; and behold, all these things are done that a righteous judgment might come upon the children of men.

And thus saith the Lord: They shall stand as a bright testimony against this people, at the judgment day; whereof they shall be judged, every man according to his works, whether they be good, or whether they be evil.

Mosiah 16:1  The time shall come when all shall see the salvation of the Lord; when every nation, kindred, tongue, and people shall see eye to eye and shall confess before God that his judgments are just.

Alma 3:26  souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one.

Alma 11:41  all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works.

Alma 12:14  For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.

Alma 12:15  But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.

Alma 34:34 that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.

Alma 42:16, 17, 18  Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.

How could there be a law save there was a punishment?

Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.

Mormon 9:6 that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day.

Mormon 9:13  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, because the death of Christ 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 all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death

Mormon 3:20  ye must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, yea, every soul who belongs to the whole human family of Adam; and ye must stand to be judged of your works, whether they be good or evil;

Mormon 9:14 And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still.

Heaven

2 Nephi 9:18  the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it,

Enos 1:27… Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.

Mosiah 15:23  They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death.

Mosiah 15:25 And little children also have eternal life Mosiah 16:11   If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness;

Helaman 12:26 They that have done good shall have everlasting life Alma 11:37  no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven;

Ether  12:32  thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father,

Hell

1 Nephi 15:33-35 Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; … and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also.

But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy.

And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken.

Jacob 7:19  committed the unpardonable sin, for I have lied unto God; for I denied the Christ

Mosiah 15:26 But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection.

Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny justice when it has its claim.

Mosiah 16:2-3 And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not.

For they are carnal and devilish, and the devil has power over them; yea, even that old serpent that did beguile our first parents, which was the cause of their fall; which was the cause of all mankind becoming carnal, sensual, devilish, knowing evil from good, subjecting themselves to the devil

Mosiah 16:11   if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation

Mosiah 16:12 Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent.

Alma 12:17-18 Then is the time when their torments shall be as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan, he having subjected them according to his will.  Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there had been no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according to God’s justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more corruption.

Helaman 12:26 …and they that have done evil shall have everlasting damnation.

Jesus Christ

1 Nephi 10:4 the Lord God raise up among the Jews—even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world.

1 Nephi 1:14 Thy throne is high in the heavens… thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!

1 Nephi 10:11 after they had slain the Messiah, who should come, and after he had been slain he should rise from the dead, and should make himself manifest, by the Holy Ghost, unto the Gentiles. Messiah, rise from the dead

2 Nephi 2:26  And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.

2 Nephi 9:5 it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.

2 Nephi 9:21  And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam. And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day.

2 Nephi 10:3  Christ— should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him—for thus it behooveth our God, and there is none other nation on earth that would crucify their God.

2 Nephi 19:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace

2 Nephi 25:13-14  Behold, they will crucify him; and after he is laid in a sepulchre for the space of three days he shall rise from the dead, with healing in his wings; and all those who shall believe on his name shall be saved in the kingdom of God. Wherefore, my soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him, for I have seen his day, and my heart doth magnify his holy name.  And behold it shall come to pass that after the Messiah hath risen from the dead, and hath manifested himself unto his people, unto as many as will believe on his name

Mosiah 3:8  And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

Mosiah 3:17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

Mosiah 16:9  He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

Alma 11:40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and 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 Alma 18:32   Yea, and he looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the beginning.

Alma 34:14  that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.

Alma 40:8  all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men

The Atonement

Jacob 6:10 according to the power of justice, for justice cannot be denied, Jacob 7:12 I know if there should be no atonement made all mankind must be lost

Mosiah 3:11 For behold, and also his blood atoneth 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 15:8 -9 And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men. Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice.

Mosiah 15:19 For were it not for the redemption which he hath made for his people, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, I say unto you, were it not for this, all mankind must have perished.

Alma 15:42  And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.

Alma 34:12 can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.

Alma 34:15-16 the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.  And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

Alma 42:23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

 

 

What the Book of Mormon Is…

I have recognized in myself an ability to follow the prophet in a unique way.  Listening to the prophet, following his instructions, and becoming what I’m asked to is important to me and something that motivates and inspires me.  What I’ve discovered though is that I’m exceptionally slow at getting there.  I set in my mind to follow through on a challenge that President Nelson gave us in General Conference a couple conferences ago.  His talk was designed to make us think about what our lives would be like “without the Book of Mormon”.  He then shared how he had taken the time to consider the Book of Mormon in a few different contexts;

“…Among other things, I’ve made lists of what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals. Looking at the Book of Mormon through these lenses has been an insightful and inspiring exercise! I recommend it to each of you.”

Well, here’s some self-critique to my grand idea.  First of all, it wasn’t a recent conference, it was back in October of 2017.  Second, Russell M. Nelson was NOT the prophet yet.  Third, he actually acted because of a challenge that (then) President Monson gave us “each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.”

So, I was a bit wrong in my memory of why I had these intentions and a little bit tardy in my execution of them.  None-the-less, it was an amazing exercise.  In my previous post, I shared something special to me that I had discovered when reading the Book of Mormon it was much easier, more interesting, and meaningful when I read the Book of Mormon faster.  Not at high speed, but by taking a whole hour each day to read it.  I can cruise through 7-10 Chapters in a single day.  That made it so I can connect thoughts, stories, characters, and even books of scripture to gather greater meaning.  Well, the last two months, I took on the same strategy.  I missed a few days because of travel and vacations, but I got through the Book of Mormon again in just a few weeks.  This time, my intention in reading was to do as (now) President Nelson challenged, to make a similar list to his in what the Book of Mormon is, what it affirms, what it refutes, what it fulfills, what it clarifies, and what it reveals.

To further illuminate my inability to do things timely, in Sunday school last week as I scrolled down to the bottom of the “Come Follow Me” lesson, this same declaration and challenge that Russell M. Nelson gave us was included in that lesson.  If I was even remotely “timely” I would have had all my reading done by then to add the lesson more fully.

REGARDLESS… What a great experience!!!  It is ALWAYS a good idea to follow the Prophet and the Apostles.  Our lives will be blessed when we do.  Being in the Book of Mormon, with purpose, brings greater understanding, imbeds the principles of the gospel into my heart, my mind, my life, and my actions.  Finally, as I read over the list this morning of how the Book of Mormon fits into my life in answer to each of those descriptions, I was humbled and reminded of how important it is to me.

I’ve included my list and then the list of our prophet.  I’m sure I may have gotten something “wrong” as I went through, but many of these were thoughts that I typed out as I read.  Whether or not the Book of Mormon actually fulfills those things as I thought about them, I don’t know.  Also, I refused to read President Nelson’s list until after I finished.  I wanted to have my own clear thoughts before borrowing some of his.

What the Book of Mormon…

Is              Amount to, represent, signify, consist of, constitute


  • History of the native people of America, a lineage that goes directly back to the Israelites:Nephite/Lamanites  People of Zarahemla (descendant of Mulek), People of Coriantumr, People of the Brother of Jared
  • A record with a specific intent to persuade men to come unto God – 1 Nephi 6:4
  • A “How To Guide” for Faith – Alma 32, Moroni 7
  • The Book, the stories, the scriptures, the thoughts are specifically for ME as the reader to liken, receive inspiration, and become more of what the Lord wants me to be.
  • A testimony of Jesus Christ and declaration of his birth
  • The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by Immersion, the Gift of the Holy Ghost… and Enduring to the End in Righteousness
  • … a journal – a document meant to be used for reading and teaching, not just for the exercise of writing
  • Sacred  – 1 Nephi 19
  • An invitation, A warning, A call to repentance

Affirms       asserts strongly, declares, confirm the validity of, heightened sense of value, through the experience of something emotionally or spiritually uplifting


  • Teachings and events that occurred in the Bible (Tower of Babel)
  • It is important to keep records, to journal, and keep history.  Not one per family, but individually
  • Jesus Christ, the Messiah will come
  • The Lord is over all those he has chosen, because of their faith
  • Importance of families
  • Gratitude
  • Importance of Ordinances in our lives from “burnt offerings, to baptism”
  • The Lord can do EVERYTHING, but he gives us an opportunity to do for ourselves in order to grow
  • With the Lord’s help, we can accomplish anything.
  • Pride DESTROYS
  • Missionary Work, and works of bringing forth Zion are behaviors to seek after.
  • The Book of Mormon serves as a Key… It has the ability to free us from sin, captivity, worldly controls, and unhappiness.  We can use this key to stay free
  • This is a record of Fathers… yes, with our Father In Heaven at the helm ultimately, but much of the instruction given is from a father to his sons and family.  Out of love, helping them to find the right path in their own lives.  Recognizing that there is really only one true path and it will bring the greatest happiness into their lives…. Lehi to his sons, Alma to his son, Mosiah to his sons, Mormon to Moroni,
  • All men should have charity, which charity is love – 2 Nephi 26:30
  • Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right; – Mosiah 29:26
  • Foreordination is a principle which prepared leaders but requires faith in this life
  • This is HIS church upon the earth and He will set it up HIS way, example:  – 3 Nephi 1… 11 & 12 Apostles

Refutes           prove to be wrong or false, disprove, contradicts, disproves


  • Revelation, miracles, and angelic visits were not just for those that lived in Biblical times
  • Jesus Christ truly was the Savior that the Jews looked past, and ignored.  He was not just a man, or a prophet, but the real Savior of this world.  He suffered and died specifically for us, so we could be made clean to live with our Heavenly family again some day.
  • Wickedness will not bring Happiness, but leads to Destruction
  • Answers to prayer and revelation are NOT just for spiritual leaders, or those called.  Each and every one of us can seek, ask, and have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father and receive answers to our questions from HIM through the Holy Ghost – 1 Nephi 11
  • This is the way, the one true path to salvation and exaltation
  • The Bible is the only word of God that exists:  I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?  Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word?  – 2 Nephi 2:29
  • Governments run by kings inevitably will fail.  Judges, hold each other accountable – Proper government
  • Infant Baptism is NOT a correct principle – Moroni 8

Fulfills          bring to completion, or reality, achieve or realize


  • A commitment our Heaven Father has implied by giving us something to feast upon in order to learn and grow.
  • There are people in all corners of the world, the Lord knows each of them, and in the Book of Mormon, visits them as well.
  • Delivery of the “book” revealed in – 1 Nephi 13
  • Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill the Law…  He had to come in order to fulfill the justice/mercy part of the plan of salvation.  Jesus was the sacrifice needed for each of us to be saved.
  • The Law of Moses was fulfilled when Jesus was born, suffered, and crucified

Clarifies           make less confused, more clearly comprehensible


  • Our Father in Heaven hears our prayers, knows HIS children, and still answers those prayers today, through visions, angels, thoughts, feelings, and with the Holy Ghost.
  • Our Father in Heaven knows ALL his children individually, in every part of the world
  • The Lord does not condone the wickedness and abominations of his people.
  • Agency with the Atonement gives us the opportunity to fail over and over again, eventually learn, and be allowed to become clean
  • Righteousness leads to blessings and Exaltation
  • Our Father in Heaven is consistent
  • The way to answers: – 1 Nephi 15:11
  • The Lord allows us to pass through various trials, this is critical for our growth and building of faith.
  • A warning – not “a maybe” but a warning of what REALLY is going to happen
  • Specific to the Jews:  “Convincing them of the true Messiah… that they need not look forward any more for a Messiah to come” – 2 Nephi 25
  • Angels are real:  Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. – 2 Nephi 32:3
  • Living the Law of Moses didn’t save… but it did serve to strengthen faith in Christ… which will lead to salvation – Alma 25:16
  • Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost act as one, but are three separate beings – 3 Nephi 11
  • Proper Baptism by Immersion with someone having authority
  • Institutes the Sacrament, with one having authority, the Bread, the wine, the sacrifice being a Broken Heart and a Contrite Spirit

Reveals           make previously unknown or secret information) known to others


  • Our Father in Heaven hears our prayers, knows HIS children, and still answers those prayers today, through visions, angels, thoughts, feelings, and with the Holy Ghost.
  • The America’s are a land of promise, preserved for the people that are led here.
  • The Lord works by way of patterns. – 1 Nephi 3:7, 1 Nephi 17:3
  • The Plan of Happiness/Plan of Salvation, and the correct path to follow
  • There are very real forces against us causing all sorts of evil against us in this world
  • There are incredibly strong forces of good that we can call upon more powerful than anything worldly that have, still do, and will act for our good.
  • The literal gathering of Israel is to take place
  • The Holy Ghost is a real gift, that reveals, comforts, and testifies.
  • Heavenly Father Loves Us, loves me
  • The destructive Pride Cycle
  • Mountains are Special to our Heavenly Father
  • A great and a marvelous work (the restoration of the Gospel) will occur to fulfill the covenants made with Israel.
  • Our Heavenly Father is extremely patient!
  • The very Earth we live upon was created by Jesus Christ
  • The correct order and design of Christ’s church upon the earth
  • Our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ are Merciful and Just
  • The Gathering of Israel in the last days
  • New Jerusalem to be built in the last days in the promised land

… from President Russell M. Nelson

President Nelson’s Book of Mormon Lists

The Book of Mormon is:

  • Another testament of Jesus Christ. Its major writers—Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, Moroni—and its translator, Joseph Smith, were all eyewitnesses of the Lord.
  • A record of His ministry to people who lived in ancient America.
  • True, as attested by the Lord Himself.

The Book of Mormon affirms:

  • The individual identity of Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
  • The necessity of the Fall of Adam and the wisdom of Eve, that men might have joy.

The Book of Mormon refutes notions that:

  • Revelation ended with the Bible.
  • Infants need to be baptized.
  • Happiness can be found in wickedness.
  • Individual goodness is adequate for exaltation (ordinances and covenants are needed).
  • The Fall of Adam tainted mankind with “original sin.”

The Book of Mormon fulfills biblical prophecies that:

  • “Other sheep” shall hear His voice.
  • God will do “a marvelous work and a wonder,” speaking “out of the dust.”
  • The “stick of Judah” and the “stick of Joseph” will become one.
  • Scattered Israel will be gathered “in the latter days” and how that will be done.
  • The land of inheritance for the lineage of Joseph is the Western Hemisphere.

The Book of Mormon clarifies understanding about:

  • Our premortal existence.
  • It is a necessary component of God’s great plan of happiness.
  • Postmortal existence, which begins in paradise.
  • How the resurrection of the body, reunited with its spirit, becomes an immortal soul.
  • How our judgment by the Lord will be according to our deeds and the desires of our hearts.
  • How ordinances are properly performed: for example, baptism, sacrament, conferring the Holy Ghost.
  • The Atonement of Jesus Christ.
  • The Resurrection.
  • The important role of angels.
  • The eternal nature of priesthood.
  • How human behavior is influenced more by the power of the word than the power of the sword.

The Book of Mormon reveals information previously unknown:

  • Baptisms were performed before Jesus Christ was born.
  • Temples were built and used by people in ancient America.
  • Joseph, 11th son of Israel, foresaw the prophetic role of Joseph Smith.
  • Nephi (in 600–592 BC) foresaw the discovery and colonizing of America.
  • Plain and precious parts of the Bible have been lost.
  • The Light of Christ is given to each person.
  • The importance of individual agency and the need for opposition in all things.
  • Warnings about “secret combinations.”

Some of the challenge with this endeavor was REALLY knowing and understanding doctrine. As I look at what was “revealed” in the prophets list, I guess I never realized that some of these are only brought to our understanding from the Book of Mormon.  Fortunately, I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I have been in every Primary, YM/Priesthood, Seminar lesson that is given. I have been brought up to be a believer in the Book of Mormon.  There have been times in my life where I have taken that for granted, but can honestly say I have read the Book of Mormon over a dozen times (that I can remember).  I know of the true principles it teaches, and I attempt (not always successfully) to live by the things I learn.

So, what would my life be like without the Book of Mormon?  I believe I would have constant questions that I didn’t have answers to.  I think I would live by the incomplete truths that I could get from the Bible.  I would still strive to be better each day, but with a curious wondering, and a feeling of “something-is-missing”.  One of the things the Book of Mormon helps to do is increase my relationship with Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father.  I not sure I would understand their character, or who they are in my life without the Book of Mormon.

To be honest, the Book of Mormon has been such a light in my life, when I’m not reading it (which has been a lot of my life) I’ve felt guilty for not spending each day with it.  It has taken almost half a century for me to recognize how to read it, and how important it is for me to be reading it regularly.  I may still falter and not consider it a priority now and then, but overall, this book has brought me greater Joy and Happiness.

As I conclude, I do get a guilty feeling within that I don’t share this happiness with people the way that I should.  This is a GREAT book that will bring the same Joy and Happiness to others’ lives, that I feel.  I need to figure out ways to get it in front of their eyes, and into their hands, and a part of their lives.  Once I do, I have a faith to know that the power within and the light of Christ within them will motivate them to want to learn more and become of part of HIS Gospel.