Find your answers in the Scriptures - Know the Book of Mormon

[Heather]

We need to teach our people to find their answers in the scriptures….But the unfortunate thing is that so many of us are not reading the scriptures. We do not know what is in them, and therefore we speculate about the things that we ought to have found in the scriptures themselves. I think that therein is one of our biggest dangers of today.
Harold B. Lee, “Find the Answers in the Scriptures,” Ensign, December 1972. p.3


There is no question---personal or social or political or occupational—that need go unanswered. Therein is contained the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Therein we find principles of truth that will resolve every confusion and every problem and every dilemma that will face the human family or any individual in it.
Boyd K. Packer, “Teach the Scriptures,” Address to Religious Educators, 14 Oct. 1977, p. 5


May I admonish you to participate in a program of daily reading and pondering of the scriptures….The Book of Mormon will change your life. It will fortify you against the evils of our day. It will bring a spirituality into your life that no other book will. It will be the most important book you will read in preparation for a mission and for life. A young man [or young woman] who knows and loves the Book of Mormon, who has read it several times, who has an abiding testimony of its truthfulness, and who applies its teaching will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and will be a mighty tool in the hands of the Lord.
Ezra Taft Benson, “The Youth of the Noble Birthright,” Ensign, May 1986, pp. 43-44


I note your remarks in relation to reading the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, and I heartily approve of your views. No man can be an efficient missionary of this church unless he is familiar with these books. And the more familiar he is with them, the more capable will he be to discharge the duties of his ministry. Indeed, I think sometimes that we neglect too much the advocacy of the Book of Mormon. In the early days of the church, it was the preaching of the Book of Mormon and the proof of its existence or coming forth, as found in the Bible, that made converts to the church. It was as necessary then to prove our authority by the Bible as it is now, but it seems to me that to show the world from the Bible that the Book of Mormon, or such a book as it is, was to come forth in the latter days, is a strong argument for our cause. It is a great mistake to set aside or ignore the word of God as revealed in the latter days in preaching this gospel to the world. Of course it is not always wise to feed the people with strong meat at first, but one of the foundation stones of the church in the latter day is the revelation of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of the Gospel it contains, as also the visions and revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. To be ashamed of these is to be ashamed of our ministry, to dodge these facts is to fail in the spirit of our ministry. In my opinion these things should be preached and then substantiated by the accepted version of the old Bible.
Joseph F. Smith, From Prophet to Son: Advice of Joseph F. Smith to His Missionary Sons, compiled by Hyrum M. Smith III and Scott G. Kenney, p.70


Members of the Church everywhere should know the Book of Mormon better than any other book. Not only should we know what history and faith-promoting stories it contains, but we should understand its teachings. If we really did our homework and approached the Book of Mormon doctrinally, we could expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men, including socialism, humanism, organic evolution, and others.

I have noted within the Church the difference in discernment, in insight, conviction, and spirit between those who know and love the Book of Mormon and those who do not. That book is a great sifter.
Ezra Taft Benson, “Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” New Era, May 1975, p. 19

[Hemidakota]

I remember attending a conference here in San Diego when President Benson urged the members to use Book of Mormon to Counter Error;

“Use Book of Mormon to Counter Error, President Benson Teaches,” Ensign, Jan. 1989, 75–76

“Use the Book of Mormon in handling objections to the Church,” President Ezra Taft Benson told nearly ten thousand Latter-day Saints attending a multistake conference in San Diego on October 30.

“God reveals his will today to the Church through the prophets,” President Benson said, explaining that the Book of Mormon provides answers to modern questions. He outlined a four-step method for using the Book of Mormon to deal with objections to Church teachings:

1. Understand the objection.

2. Give the answer as provided by the scriptures.

3. Show that the correctness of the answer depends on whether we have revelation through modern prophets.

4. Show that whether we have revelation through modern prophets depends on whether the Book of Mormon is true.

“Every person is eventually backed up to the wall of faith, and there he must make his stand,” President Benson said.

The President said that the Book of Mormon is the great standard Latter-day Saints are to use to show that Joseph Smith is a prophet. The Book of Mormon’s great mission is to bring us to Christ.

In his opening remarks, President Benson testified that Joseph Smith was the instrument God used to translate the sacred record of a fallen people. “Those people never had the book,” he said. “It was meant for us.” He explained that the Book of Mormon exposes the enemies of Christ, confounds false doctrine, lays down contentions, and fortifies the humble followers of Christ.

The Book of Mormon does not contain things that are pleasing to the world, so the world is not interested in it, President Benson said. He noted that our homes are not as strong as they could be if we are not using the Book of Mormon to bring our children to Christ. Likewise, our nation will continue to degenerate unless we read and heed the words of God in that sacred book.

The conference was held in two sessions at the San Diego Convention Center, with more than 5,400 people attending the morning session and more than 4,500 the afternoon session.

Sister Flora Benson accompanied her husband and spoke briefly at the morning session. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Council of the Twelve, Elder Gene R. Cook of the First Quorum of the Seventy, and their wives, Sister Barbara Perry and Sister Janelle Cook, also spoke at the conference. President Thomas E. Brown of the California San Diego Mission spoke as well.

During the morning session, Elder Perry encouraged everyone, especially the youth, to study the lives of the prophets and to honor and respect them. In the afternoon, he spoke about “reuniting and reinstitutionalizing” the family. He urged fathers to develop patience, gentleness, and love unfeigned toward family members and to be sensitive and willing to share the burden of taking care of children.

Elder Cook exhorted members to study the scriptures daily—individually and as a family.

President Brown urged the audience to be determined and not to give up, even though some investigators might take years to join the Church.

At the close of the morning session, President Benson returned to the microphone to comment: “God bless the temple that is going to be erected here.” After a slight pause, he added “And soon, I hope!”

Correspondent: Robert McGraw is San Diego-Escondido California multiregional public communications director.

[User-Removed]

Originally Posted by Hemidakota

I remember attending a conference here in San Diego when President Benson urged the members to use Book of Mormon to Counter Error;

Amen and Amen...Hemi!!!!!

[User-Removed]

Originally Posted by Heather

We need to teach our people to find their answers in the scriptures….But the unfortunate thing is that so many of us are not reading the scriptures. We do not know what is in them, and therefore we speculate about the things that we ought to have found in the scriptures themselves. I think that therein is one of our biggest dangers of today.
Harold B. Lee, “Find the Answers in the Scriptures,” Ensign, December 1972. p.3


There is no question---personal or social or political or occupational—that need go unanswered. Therein is contained the fullness of the everlasting gospel. Therein we find principles of truth that will resolve every confusion and every problem and every dilemma that will face the human family or any individual in it.
Boyd K. Packer, “Teach the Scriptures,” Address to Religious Educators, 14 Oct. 1977, p. 5


May I admonish you to participate in a program of daily reading and pondering of the scriptures….The Book of Mormon will change your life. It will fortify you against the evils of our day. It will bring a spirituality into your life that no other book will. It will be the most important book you will read in preparation for a mission and for life. A young man [or young woman] who knows and loves the Book of Mormon, who has read it several times, who has an abiding testimony of its truthfulness, and who applies its teaching will be able to stand against the wiles of the devil and will be a mighty tool in the hands of the Lord.
Ezra Taft Benson, “The Youth of the Noble Birthright,” Ensign, May 1986, pp. 43-44


I note your remarks in relation to reading the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, and I heartily approve of your views. No man can be an efficient missionary of this church unless he is familiar with these books. And the more familiar he is with them, the more capable will he be to discharge the duties of his ministry. Indeed, I think sometimes that we neglect too much the advocacy of the Book of Mormon. In the early days of the church, it was the preaching of the Book of Mormon and the proof of its existence or coming forth, as found in the Bible, that made converts to the church. It was as necessary then to prove our authority by the Bible as it is now, but it seems to me that to show the world from the Bible that the Book of Mormon, or such a book as it is, was to come forth in the latter days, is a strong argument for our cause. It is a great mistake to set aside or ignore the word of God as revealed in the latter days in preaching this gospel to the world. Of course it is not always wise to feed the people with strong meat at first, but one of the foundation stones of the church in the latter day is the revelation of the Book of Mormon and the restoration of the Gospel it contains, as also the visions and revelations given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. To be ashamed of these is to be ashamed of our ministry, to dodge these facts is to fail in the spirit of our ministry. In my opinion these things should be preached and then substantiated by the accepted version of the old Bible.
Joseph F. Smith, From Prophet to Son: Advice of Joseph F. Smith to His Missionary Sons, compiled by Hyrum M. Smith III and Scott G. Kenney, p.70


Members of the Church everywhere should know the Book of Mormon better than any other book. Not only should we know what history and faith-promoting stories it contains, but we should understand its teachings. If we really did our homework and approached the Book of Mormon doctrinally, we could expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men, including socialism, humanism, organic evolution, and others.

I have noted within the Church the difference in discernment, in insight, conviction, and spirit between those who know and love the Book of Mormon and those who do not. That book is a great sifter.
Ezra Taft Benson, “Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” New Era, May 1975, p. 19

President Benson Speaks....


YouTube - None Dare Call It Conspiracy

[Islander]

Scripture study and systematic inquiry are patterns that are acquired. We must be disciplined and organized, create priorities and make the time. I tend to read very early in the morning while is very quiet (we have 4 rowdy girls) so that is my own personal time. Family scripture reading is right after dinner. But I read with my wife after we put our clan to bed.

I also carry books around so if I arrive at a meeting a few minutes before, I stay in the car reading for a while. The same at luch time or when I fee like taking a break. I also carry a small journal in my laptop carry-on to make notes, insights or whatever so I will not forget.

In D&C 88 the Lord commands us to study. We must obey this commandment as any other in the scriptures.

[FayetteIA]

Quite a few years ago when I was struggling to get through college as a single parent and work a full time job, and juggle a church calling..the scriptures became my lifeline. Most particular the BoM. I learned that the struggles they encountered were not so very different from my own..and the solutions they used worked for me. I found reading of the battles and wars that my ability to handle adversity changed as I applied principles say..Captain Moroni told of. Frankly..I was amazed. Now I have gone on to using the entire scriptures for solutions to problems or just to find a scenario that is much like my own, I can relate too. Of course my first love is the BoM for it's simplicity.

Just thought I would share that.

Joni

[melissar]

I know that I have discovered in my life that when I am faithful in daily scripture study, then our family life goes so much smoother. However, when I am lax in doing so, both personal and as a family, then things become more chaotic and The Spirit is not there.

[rameumptom]

President Benson warned a curse would fall on the Church if we did not begin to take the book of Mormon seriously and study it. I believe that curse is a loss of faith in Christ, and a wandering towards the mists of darkness that lead to the great and spacious building. The book of Mormon literally is the rod of iron, the word of God.

Sadly, too many members think that having read it a few times in a lifetime is sufficient to understand it. The depth of doctrine that is hidden in its pages is amazing. Want to understand revelation? Study the book of Mormon. Want to understand miracles? Study the book of Mormon. Want to understand the temple endowment? Study the book of Mormon.

[DanielNicolai]

Every night I read one chapter from the Book of Mormon. I spend an hour doing this because not only am I reading the book, but I'm also studying it. I use the cross refferences and read single phrases serveral times until I'm sure that I understand them. I also pray every night before and after I read the BoM, the prayer before is to seek knowledge and the prayer after is to retain it.

I have even had nights where the chapter I read the night before (or even a week before) didn't quite stick so I had to go back and re-read so I would be sure I understood. It has now been 2 months and I am just now to Moroni, it's a long way to stretch, but I think it's well worth it. Especially since when I'm done I'm going to do it head on to the D&C and then the Old and New Testament in the same manner, then I'm going to do it again.

[KosherXMorg]

I am so grateful for the many hours I have spent reading and studying the Book of Mormon. It has led me to paths of truth and helped to root out false doctrine from my life.