Preface

Introduction – Four years ago I wrote and published online Book of Mormon Gospel Doctrine Commentary in connection with the Gospel Doctrine Course taught in Sunday School that year.  Now the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has adopted Come, Follow Me – For Individuals and Families as a resource designed to help increase testimonies of the Gospel.  Our study for 2020 is the Book of Mormon.  These lessons will generally follow Come, Follow Me. My prayer is to be inspired so as to see latter day applications for these Lessons.

About these Lessons on the Book of Mormon – President Benson taught that all scripture is not of equal value, and even though we study the Standard Works as a Church every four years we should personally study the Book of Mormon every day.  I hope these Lessons will provide useful and supplementary information as an incentive for daily study of the Book of Mormon. 

Some of the material in this commentary is from other students of the Book of Mormon which I have picked up over the years.  I have noted some of this in the margins of my well-worn Book of Mormon, but I have not usually noted the source of this material.  Therefore, I will give credit as I am able.  To the those whose thoughts I may use or paraphrase I express my appreciation for the many ways they have enriched my knowledge of the Book of Mormon. 

As spiritual truth can only be found and understood through the power of the Holy Ghost no person can really take credit for thoughts and ideas that come from studying the Book of Mormon.  Therefore, anyone who is so inclined may freely use material from these Lessons.

The Most Important Book in the World – Over the years as I have studied the Book of Mormon I have concluded that it is the most important book in the world.  I believe this conclusion is supported by the well known statement of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He said:  “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”  If the Book of Mormon is “the keystone of our religion” and if “a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” it must, by this definition alone, be not only “the most correct of any book on earth” it must also be the most important book in the world.  There is nothing more important than to “get nearer to God.”

That it is the most important book in the world is also supported by the promises made by President Ezra Taft Benson:  “There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.  You will find greater power to resist temptation.  You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path….These promises – increased love and harmony in the home, greater respect between parent and child, increased spirituality and righteousness – are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God.”

My belief that the Book of Mormon is the most important book in the world is further supported by the fact that it teaches the doctrines of the gospel, especially the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, better than any other book.  In these Lessons I will emphasize doctrine as I believe that “the preaching of the word…has a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people…than anything else….” (Alma 31:5).

Lesson Index

1. The Most Important Book in the World
2. Go and Do Hard Things
3. They Pointed the Finger of Scorn But We Heeded Them Not
4. History’s Most Important Events From the Lord’s Perspective
5. The Furnace of Affliction
6. A Lesson From the Psalm of Nephi
7. The Greatness of God and His Merciful Plan
8. Warning Against Pride
9. The Works of Darkness and the Works of Light
10. Enduring to the End on the Covenant Path
11. Modesty Is Pleasing Unto God
12. The Book of Mormon and War Against Spiritual Terror
13. Enos and Joseph Smith and the Doctrine of Prayer
14. Blessed in All Things, Both Temporal and Spiritual
15. All Things Must Be Done in Wisdom and Order
16. The True Knowledge of Jesus Christ Instills a Desire to Become Like Him
17. The Blessings of Observing the Sabbath
18. The Church of Christ in the Book of Mormon and in the Latter Days
19. Missionaries and Other Faithful Servants are Given Exceedingly Great Promises
20. Enlightened Government is Founded on the Principles of Agency and Accountability
21. Lessons from the Nephite Church for the Latter Day Church
22. To Overcome Any Personal Prejudice Know and Believe In the Plan of Salvation
23. The Grand Key is to Follow the Prophet
24. A Latter Day Example of the Sons of Mosiah Among the Lamanites
25. An Inspired Call to Action to Defend Religious Freedom
26. The Heavens Witness There is a Supreme Creator
27. This Life is the Time to Repent
28. Simple and Easy Ways Lead to Happiness Now and to Eternal Life
29. The Law of Consequences
30. The Church of God is the Foundation of Liberty
31. A Modern-Day Army of Helaman From Southern Utah
32. A Time of Serious Difficulties and Great Opportunities
33. The Sealing Keys of the Priesthood
34. Our Responsibility When the Whole Earth is in Commotion
35. Third Nephi – A Pattern to Prepare for the Second Coming
36. Third Nephi’s Testimony of Jesus Christ
37. The Power of Forgiveness
38. Jesus Set the Perfect Example of Prayer
39. The Wisdom, the Power, and the Covenant of the Father to Gather Latter Day Israel
40. The Family is the Answer to the Unraveling of Society
41. The Book of Mormon and the Gathering of Israel in the Last Days
42. The Righteousness of People Who Love the Lord Makes All the Difference
43. The Geography of a Land Choice Above All Other Lands
44. How to Detect Modern Secret Conspiracies
45. My Grace Is Sufficient For All Men Who Humble Themselves Before Me
46. The Plan of Ordinances
47. Pray and Keep Commandments with Real Intent
48. The Less Conspicuous Spiritual Gifts Change Our Lives
49. The “Why” of Christmas