Books

In the Book of Mormon, a man named Lehi was privileged to receive a vision from God! A snippet of his experience is as such:

1 Nephi 1:10-11

10 "And he also saw twelve others following him, and their brightness did exceed that of the stars in the firmament.

11 "And they came down and went forth upon the face of the earth; and the first came and stood before my father, and gave unto him a book, and bade him that he should read."

There's something about books that is divine. Heavenly Father loves books - we know that much, for He is a record keeper.

Books can symbolize knowledge, literary insight and experience, and intelligence. The content of books range vastly from narratives to histories, facts and fiction. So, through books one has access to a world of discovery and knowledge, accessed through the mind connecting with symbols on a page.

So imagine the power and influence that can come through a book that God gives you.

Lehi was privileged to read such a book!

The title page of the Book of Mormon reads thus:

"The Book of Mormon An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi

"Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God."

The Book of Mormon is a gift from God! Do we feel as privileged as Lehi did, when He was handed a book by the Lord and Savior? Do we feel the power, the urgency, the love communicated through those sacred pages?

Or do we read the Book of Mormon as another novel, historical document or even as fiction?

Herein read the testimony of the three witnesses to the authenticity of the Book of Mormon:

"Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come: That we, through the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower of which hath been spoken. And we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen."

These are the words of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris. They saw the plates from which this book was translated! I could never give enough respect and attention to a book with this much importance and significance! I could never do this book justice!

Of all books of the earth, it is this one that draws men closest to God, more so than any other book. Let us treat it as such. Place ourselves in the shoes of its characters. Imagine ourselves witnessing the events of the book. Feel the emotion of the Lehi's family, as they left their beloved home, or of Captain Moroni fighting for truth and liberty, or of King Benjamin anxiously teaching his people, or even the last Moroni, witnessing the destruction of his people.

We learn lessons of faith and virtue, love and the Spirit as we do so when we read the Book of Mormon.