The Book of Mormon |
Book of Mormon Title Pagewith commentary by Don R. Hender |
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| BOOK OF MORMON
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Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.
An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of
the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded
the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to
heaven—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, that they are not cast off
forever— And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that
JESUS is the CHRIST, the
ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all
nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes
of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be
found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ. |
Written by the hand of Mormon: Mormon (311-385+ A.D.) was the
abridger of most of the Book of Mormon and to whom Lehi referred (2 Nephi 3:18-23) to as the writer
of the record which was to come forth unto Lehi's seed, the Lamanites. (See
also Commentary 2 Nephi 3:18-23) Sealed by the hand of Moroni Moroni was Mormon's son and spokesman. He holds the keys to the record or stick of Ephraim (D&C 27:5). He is the angel seen by John the revelator as flying in the midst of heaven having the everlastng gospel to preach to the world (Revelation 14:6-7). It is Moroni who declares or reveals to the world the Stick of Ephraim. He is that spokesman promised Lehi of his seed (See references to 2 Nephi 3 above). |
| Current Edition 1991 (First English edition published in 1830) |
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If one is asked what the title pages states is the purpose of the Book of Mormon most good students will immediately report that is is 'to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations. But is that is all, then half of the primary message and purpose of the Book of Mormon has been missed. The other primary purpose of the Book is to 'show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great thingss the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever'. The covenant of the fathers consists of all the covenant of God made to Adam to Ephraim and consists primarily of the 'New and Everlasting Covenant' of God made unto the children of men that a plan of redemption has been enforced and how it is to come about down to and including during the fulness of times. Thus the two fold purpose of the Book of Mormon is to present to the world the Covenant Promises of God made to the Fathers and that Israel, 'they who have prevailed to be God's people', are not lost as the fulfillment of those covenants are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In this sense it is a complete statement as to the Great Plan of Happines, God's Plan of Eternal Progression and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which covenant fulfillment of a Deliverer is the means by which men are redeemed and saved, and enabled to return to the presence of God the Father.
Tied to and CENTRAL to this second purpose is the importance of the Family Unit in God's Eternal Plan of Exaltaion. First, we are all God's children, the literal spirit offspring of God Our Eternal Father. Secondly, only as the individual family units of the earth are eternally tied and sealed, that is linked by the power and ordinances of God's Holy Priesthood, are men enabled to be SAVED and receive EXALTATION in the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the turning of the hearts and the curse of the earth if not placed into force. It is the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven in Earth as it is in Heaven. The Family Unit is not only the foundation of human society but it is fundamental and crucial to very nature of the Eternal Celestial Kingdom of God. It is of little wonder why the Church places so much emphsis on the family and has so proclaimed it to all men in the Family Proclamation to the World.
if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God Now the Bible has had many errors in the book over its long history and the Christian would does not tear it apart because of such. Rather they accept it as the Word of God as it is. Yet they do not allow the Book of Mormon the same lee-way. But a the record of the Book of Mormon has been processed by man, there are errors in it. And this is despite the fact that the Book of Mormon stands as the most correct book of the truest teaching of God than any other book now published to men upon the face of the earth. Yes the printers made errors, the transcription and copying of the text created errors and there are even what must be considered 'engraving errors' upon the part of the ancient preparers. But these are the cause of man's handling and they are not to be used to condemn the things of God which are within the record and are now so published to the world. |
| NOTE: This Title Page was written or engraved by the hand of Moroni. He had said that he would if he had additional plates where on to do it, give the intent and purpose of the book (Mormon 8:5). Moroni eventually had additional plates and this title page is but Moroni's abridged summary from Mormon's more enlarged purpose given by Mormon in Mormon 5:8-24. Thus at a later date when Moroni had such access and also included the Jaredite record, Moroni so did set forth this statement as the the intent and purpose of the book. |
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