“And for this very purpose are these plates preserved” The Role of the Book of Mormon in the Restoration

Joseph Smith History 28 During the space of time which intervened between the time I had the vision and the year 1823… I frequently fell into many foolish errors, and displayed the weakness of youth… 29 In consequence of these things, I often felt condemned for my weakness and imperfections; when, on the evening of the…twenty-first of September, … I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies… that I might know of my state and standing before him…

Question Why, after explaining about the Nephite records and their location, would Moroni quote Malachi? …and he will plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers and the hearts of the children will turn to the fathers… (JS-1)

Purpose of the Book? Moroni Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. He also quoted the next verse differently: And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers. Title Page of the Book of Mormon Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord

GentilesLamanites …to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ

D&C 3 18 And this testimony (of the promises) shall come to the knowledge of the Lamanites, and the Lemuelites, and the Ishmaelites, who dwindled in unbelief because of the iniquity of their fathers, whom the Lord has suffered to destroy their brethren the Nephites, because of their iniquities and their abominations. 19 And for this very purpose are these plates preserved, which contain these records

Question… Did the Book of Mormon have to be translated and published before the Church could be re-organized?

D&C [The Book of Mormon] was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others (the Three Witnesses) by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them— 11 Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; 12 Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever

Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon 80 Interviews Death bed confession 50 Interviews Death bed confession 30 Interviews Death bed confession

Emma Smith 1878 My belief is that the Book of Mormon is of divine authenticity--I have not the slightest doubt of it. I am satisfied that no man could have dictated the writing of the manuscript unless he was inspired; for when (I was acting) as his scribe, …your father would dictate to me hour after hour; and when returning after meals, or after interruptions, he would at once begin where he had left off, without either seeing the manuscript or having any portion of it read to him. It would have been improbable that a learned man could do this; and, for one so... unlearned as he was, it was simply impossible. "Joseph Smith could neither write nor dictate a coherent and well worded letter, let alone dictate a book like the Book of Mormon, and though I was an active participant in the scenes that transpired, and was present during the translation of the plates, and had cognizance of things as they transpired, it is marvelous to me, `a marvel and a wonder,` as much so as to anyone else."

Elder Dallin Oaks Some who term themselves believing Latter-day Saints are advocating that Latter-day Saints should "abandon claims that [the Book of Mormon] is a historical record of the ancient peoples of the Americas.” They are promoting the feasibility of reading and using the Book of Mormon as nothing more than a pious fiction with some valuable contents… Two months ago… I was stopped by the title of a book review, "Who Needs the Historical Jesus?," and the formidable reputation of its author. Jacob Neusner, who is Dr., Rabbi, and Professor… Rabbi Neusner said: “When we speak of "the historical Jesus [as opposed to the divine Jesus]," we dissect a sacred subject with a secular scalpel, and in the confusion…the patient dies on the operating table; the surgeons forget why they made their cut; they remove the heart and neglect to put it back.”

Section And those who receive it [the Book of Mormon] in faith, and work righteousness, shall receive a crown of eternal life; 15 But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation—

Did they Listen? D&C And your minds in times past have been darkened because of unbelief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have received— 55 Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation. 57 And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon

Mary Lightner About this time (age 13), John Whitmer came and brought a Book of Mormon. There was a meeting that evening, and we learned that Brother Morley had the Book in his possession the only one in that part of the country. I went to his house just before the meeting was to commence, and asked to see the book; Brother Morley put it in my hand, as I looked at it, I felt such a desire to read it, that I could not refrain from asking him to let me take it home and read it, while he attended meeting … I pled so earnestly for it, he finally said, "Child, if you will bring this book home before breakfast tomorrow morning, you may take it." He admonished me to be very careful, and see that no harm came to it.

If any person in this world was ever perfectly happy in the possession of any coveted treasure I was when I had permission to read that wonderful book. … we all took turns reading it until very late in the night. As soon as it was light enough to see, I was up and learned the first verse in the book. When I reached Brother Morley's they had been up for only a little while. When I handed him the book, he remarked, "I guess you did not read much in it." I showed him how far we had read. He was surprised and said, "I don't believe you can tell me one word of it." I then repeated the first verse, also the outlines of the history of Nephi. He gazed at me in surprise, and said, "child, take this book home and finish it, I can wait."

Before or about the time I finished the last chapter, the Prophet Joseph Smith arrived in Kirtland, …Brother Whitney brought the Prophet Joseph to our house and introduced him to the older ones of the family (I was not in at the time.) In looking around he saw the Book of Mormon on the shelf, and asked how that book came to be there. He said, "I sent that book to Brother Morley." Uncle told him how his niece had obtained it. He asked, "Where is your niece?" I was sent for; when he saw me he looked at me so earnestly, I felt almost afraid. After a moment or two he came and put his hands on my head and gave me a great blessing, the first I ever received, and made me a present of the book…