First Presidency Message: Precious Promises of the Book of Mormon

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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:

  1. Promise of a  return to God and the reality of the resurrection (Alma 40:11-12) –
  2. Promise of peace, freedom and blessings (Ether 2:12) –
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Promise of the gathering of scattered Israel (3 Nephi 16; 21-22) –
  6. Promise of blessings for our families (3 Nephi 18:21) –
  7. 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:

  1. 2 Nephi 31:19-20 – The promise of Eternal Life.

Judgment, The Final Judgment Day, Jesus Christ Judge

TG: Judgment: Rev 16:7 – “I hear another… say… Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are they judgments.”

-This establishes the standard for judgment. This statement also recognizes from where all truth flows. It is only appropriate that the final judge of our labors be He who has all truth.

¿? – Will we be held accountable for all our works? 1 Nephi 10:20 – “Therefore, remember, O man, for all thy doings thou shalt be brought into judgment.”

¿? -What will become of us after the death of our bodies? 2 Nephi 9:15,  “And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel (Christ); and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.”

Vs. 16 goes one to explain that our state at the Judgment and afterwards will be that as it was before hand. Those that were righteous and prepared will know what to expect and will be righteous still.

This provokes other ideas but I’d like to see them supported by scripture first.

2 Nephi 9:46 – This scripture tells much.

At the last day judgment, justice will be administered to the righteous. We are commanded to be prepared so we don’t shrink with fear because of our guilt.

This verse suggest teaches that at that day we will be perfect, I believe that means immortal, and in being in such a state we will know clearly all our guilt. For if we  arrive at the day, still with that burden of guilt, we will be forced to proclaim: “Holy, holy, are thy judgments, O Lord God Almighty – but I know my guilt; I transgressed the law, and my transgressions are mine (not Adam’s); and the devil hath obtained me that I am a prey to his awful misery. ”

Let the myth that when we become immortal we also become sinless be dismissed. For it is not so and we will then understand our guilt for our bodies, minds, hearts will be perfect.

Conclusion for the day: Even in briefly  studying these verses, my understanding of the judgment is clearer and I am drawn [to] appreciate more so the need for the gospel of Jesus Christ, to prepare us for that great and final day. BL