The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon
Ulisses Soares, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Ulisses Soares testifies of the miraculous coming forth of the Book of Mormon and invites individuals to study its words and gain a personal witness of its truthfulness.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the significance of the Book of Mormon in the Restoration of the gospel?
- How did the coming forth of the Book of Mormon occur?
- What role did Joseph Smith play in the translation and publication of the Book of Mormon?
- What testimonies are shared about the Book of Mormon?
- What personal experiences does Elder Soares share about the Book of Mormon?
Topics
Understanding the Significance of the Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a fundamental milestone in the Restoration of the gospel. It testifies of God's love, Christ's atoning sacrifice, and His ministry among the Nephites. It also prophesies the gathering of Israel in the latter days.
The Book of Mormon testifies of God’s love for His children, of the Lord Jesus Christ’s selfless and divine atoning sacrifice, and of His crowning ministry among the Nephites soon after His Resurrection.
It also testifies that the remnant of the house of Israel is to become one through His latter-day work and that they are not cast off forever.
- What does the Book of Mormon testify of?
- How does the Book of Mormon contribute to the Restoration of the gospel?
- How has the Book of Mormon strengthened your testimony of Christ's atonement?
- How can you use the Book of Mormon to help others understand God's love for His children?
Recognizing the Miraculous Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon
The coming forth of the Book of Mormon, from Joseph Smith receiving the gold plates from an angel to its translation and publication, was a miraculous process. This process began long before Joseph Smith, as ancient prophets prophesied about its advent.
As we study the coming forth of this holy book of scripture in these latter days, we come to realize that the entire undertaking was miraculous—from the Prophet Joseph receiving the gold plates from a holy angel to its translation “by the gift and power of God,” its preservation, and its publication by the hand of the Lord.
The coming forth of the Book of Mormon began long before Joseph Smith received the gold plates from the hands of the angel Moroni. Prophets of old prophesied about this sacred book’s advent in our day.
- What are some of the miraculous events associated with the coming forth of the Book of Mormon?
- How did ancient prophets prophesy about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon?
- How does understanding the miraculous coming forth of the Book of Mormon strengthen your testimony of it?
- How can you use these miraculous events to help others gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon?
Appreciating the Translation Process of the Book of Mormon
The translation of the Book of Mormon was not a traditional translation process. Joseph Smith declared that he translated the Book of Mormon through God's power. His scribes testified of the divine power they felt during the translation process.
Joseph Smith declared that through God’s power he “translated the Book of Mormon from [hieroglyphs], the knowledge of which was lost to the world, in which wonderful event [he] stood alone, an unlearned youth, to combat the worldly wisdom and multiplied ignorance of eighteen centuries, with a new revelation.”
These were days never to be forgotten—to sit under the sound of a voice dictated by the inspiration of heaven, awakened the utmost gratitude of this bosom! Day after day I continued, uninterrupted, to write from his mouth, as he translated … ‘The Book of Mormon.’
- How did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon?
- What was the experience of Joseph's scribes during the translation process?
- How does understanding the translation process strengthen your testimony of the Book of Mormon?
- How can you use this knowledge to help others understand the divine origin of the Book of Mormon?
Acknowledging the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon
The Lord chose witnesses to see the plates and bear testimony of the Book of Mormon. These witnesses testified that they saw the plates, heard God's voice declaring the truth of the translation, and were commanded to testify to the world.
They testified that an angel, who came from the presence of the Lord, showed them the ancient record and that they saw the characters engraved in the plates. They also testified that they heard the voice of God from heaven declaring that the ancient record was translated by the gift and power of God. Then they were commanded to testify of it to the entire world.
Even amid the adversities, persecutions, all kinds of difficulties, and even some of them later faltering in their faith, these eleven chosen Book of Mormon witnesses never denied their testimonies that they had seen the plates.
- Who were the witnesses of the Book of Mormon?
- What did these witnesses testify of?
- How do the testimonies of the witnesses strengthen your faith in the Book of Mormon?
- How can you share the testimonies of the witnesses to help others gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon?
Experiencing the Power of the Book of Mormon
The power of the Book of Mormon is not only in its history but also in its message that changes lives. Elder Soares shares his personal experience of gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon and how it has become a keystone of his faith.
Through these and other priceless personal experiences, the Book of Mormon indeed became the keystone that sustains my faith in Jesus Christ and my testimony of the doctrine of His gospel.
My dear friends, my testimony of the Book of Mormon came line upon line as a miracle to my heart. To this day, this testimony continues to grow as I continuously search, with a sincere heart, to more fully understand the word of God as contained in this extraordinary book of scripture.
- How has the Book of Mormon changed Elder Soares" life?
- What role does the Book of Mormon play in Elder Soares" faith?
- How has the Book of Mormon changed your life?
- How can you strengthen your testimony of the Book of Mormon?
