Elders’ Quorum – Sunday 9 Oct 2011
Read the opening story from Pres. Monson’s remarks.
Then ask, have we ever looked at the Book of Mormon for its promises? Or as a book of promises.
I’ve never to consider the Book of Mormon for its promises. Yet it is called the New Covenant (Doctrine and Covenants 84:57). So naturally, if it is a covenant, there must be promises associated with it.
There is a discussion of promises as found in the Book of Mormon listed in this talk:
- Promise of a return to God and the reality of the resurrection (Alma 40:11-12) –
- Promise of peace, freedom and blessings (Ether 2:12) –
- Promise of “never-ending happiness” (Mosiah 2:41) – the blessing of “never-ending happiness” is at the end of the verse. It is the state of of those who are faithful until the end of this life, and the promise that awaits them in the life hereafter. I had always bypassed this promise.
- Promise of “incomprehensible joy” (Alma 28:8; 29:9) – What kind of joy are we talking about in these verses? Is there anywhere else in all of scripture that helps us to understand what this kind of Joy is? The joy of extending salvation and repentance to others. This turns missionary work into items of joy and reasons for glorifying God.
- Promise of the gathering of scattered Israel (3 Nephi 16; 21-22) –
- Promise of blessings for our families (3 Nephi 18:21) –
- The final promise is a prophetic promise offered by President Hinckley of “an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”
It impresses me that President Monson used the Book of Mormon as a tool in his ministering.
Teaching Activities:
Let’s read each of the scriptures referenced in the the talk and look of the promises in each.
Discuss the use of the Book of Mormon in our personal ministries. If nothing else, each of us has a ministry to our own families, our spouses and children.
Additional Promises that I have found in my own study and thought:
- 2 Nephi 31:19-20 – The promise of Eternal Life.