[Hemidakota]

Adding to Heather's list, same author, gives a comprehensive list of major messages for our time.

The Book of Mormon offers many major messages for our time. Following is only a partial list of those messages that seem to have a modern application. In other words, the Book of Mormon provides information on these subjects that should help us solve serious problems and challenges we now face. Some of these pertain primarily to members of the Church, but most of them pertain to all mankind.

1. The principle of moral agency. This is critical to our political, economic, and social life. See 2 Nephi 2:11, 15-16, 26-27; 10:23; 26:27; Mosiah 2:33; 5:8; 18:28; 23:13; Alma 3:26-27; 12:31; 13:3; 29:4-5; 41:3-7; 58:40-41; 61:9, 21; Helaman 14:30-31.

2. Dealing with unbelievers within the Church. The story of Korihor in Alma 30:37-53 is a good example. See also Alma 1:1-25; 2; 11:21-46; 12:1-9; 14:26-29; 15:1-12; 31-35.

3. The preparation of a people for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the millennial reign. The seven pages of the Book of Omni (361 b.c. to 130 b.c.) and the four pages of 4 Nephi (36 a.d. to 321 a.d.) cover 516 years—half the time period of the Lehite record. But the 261 pages of Mosiah, Alma, and Helaman cover only 130 years (130 b.c. to 1 b.c.). Why? See also Helaman 14-16 and 3 Nephi 1-11.

4. The nature and purpose of translated beings. The experience of the three Nephite disciples helps us understand Elijah, Moses, and John the Revelator. The Book of Mormon indeed offers "inspired commentary" on the Bible. See Alma 45:18-19; 3 Nephi 28:1-12; 36-40; Ether 15:34.

5. The proper uses of wealth. See 2 Nephi 26:30; Jacob 2:12-14; 17-19; Mosiah 4:16, 26.

6. America is a choice land to the righteous. See 1 Nephi 2:19-20; 13:30; 2 Nephi 1:1-12, 20; 10:19; Alma 36:30; 37:13; Ether 1:38-43; 2:7-12, 15; 9:20; 10:28; 13:2.

7. The principles of national survival, including the importance of the spirit of discernment. See Alma 43:23-24; Mosiah 10:10-11; Alma 2:30-38; 37:13; 56:46-56; 3 Nephi 4:8-15; Mormon 2:14-15; 3:2, 7-8; Ether 2:7-12; 9:20; Moroni 9:20.

8. Advice and principles concerning different types of government. For examples on monarchy, the reign of judges, and other government types, see Mosiah 2:9-19; 11:1-15; 23:7-8; 29:1-44; Helaman 5:1-2; 3 Nephi 7:1-3; Ether 6:22-30.

9. What causes war? The Book of Mormon examines cycles of righteousness, blessings, prosperity, pride, selfishness (class distinction, persecution, hatred), war, punishment, humility, and repentance. See 1 Nephi 14:15-17; 22:13-14, 17; Alma 16:9-10; 50:21; Mormon 4:11-12; Ether 13-15.

10. Is war justified? See1 Nephi 14:15-17; 22:13-14; Alma 16:9-10; 43:46-47; 48:14; 50:21; 3 Nephi 3:20-21; Mormon 4:11-12; Ether 13-15).

11. Does God always protect the righteous in time of war or threatened destruction?


12. The reality of the devil and some of the methods he uses.

13. The importance of keeping a sacred oath or of keeping one's word.

14. Why we should be humble without being compelled to be humble. See Alma 31 for Alma's experience with the Zoramites.

15. Warnings against indifference and procrastination.

16. Warnings against pride.

17. Warnings against the dangers of following false traditions.

18. Warnings against the teachings of agnostics, atheists, and unbelievers. See the stories of Korihor (Alma 30), Nehor (Alma 1-2), and Sherem (Jacob 7).

19. Warnings against hypocrisy and idols.

20. Warnings against unchastity.

21. Warnings against priestcraft. " He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion" (2 Nephi 26:29).

22. Warnings against the evils and dangers of secret combinations.Such warnings can be found in several books: 2 Nephi 9:9; 26:22; Alma; Helaman; 3 Nephi; 4 Nephi; Mormon; Ether 8-9, 11, 13, 14. The warnings found in the Book of Ether may be why Moroni included this book.

23. Warnings against the corrupting powers of heavy taxation. See the example of wicked king Noah in Mosiah 11.

24. The importance of serving our fellowmen.