The idea of a second book of scripture in addition to the
Bible is a new concept for a lot of people. Some Christians are even upset by
the claim, feeling like it threatens the importance or validity of the Bible. But
to me, the reason the Bible is so important is because it contains the word of
God—and the word of God is not limited to one book (assembled piece by piece a few hundred years after the life of Christ). The Lord will have words to
give us as long as we are willing to receive them! This chapter of the Book of
Mormon says this so beautifully:
3 And because my words shall hiss forth—many of the Gentiles shall say: A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible, and there cannot be any more Bible.7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever.10 Wherefore, because that ye have a Bible ye need not suppose that it contains all my words; neither need ye suppose that I have not caused more to be written.
Similar to 2 Nephi 27, this chapter is a prophecy of the
future (written in 550 BC and referring to our century approximately), and I
will try to provide basic interpretation as to what some verses are talking
about:
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vs. 3
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“The book of
which I have spoken”
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The Book of
Mormon (which was written 600BC-400AD and translated/published in 1830 AD)
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vs. 3
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Gentiles
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pretty much
anyone who isn’t a Jew
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vs. 3
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“Sealed up
again unto the Lord”
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after the
golden plates were translated into English and the Book of Mormon was
officially published, the Angel Moroni took the plates back from Joseph Smith
to keep them safe
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vs. 3
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“there shall
be many which shall believe the words which are written”
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Me! And
millions of others who believe what is written in the Book of Mormon
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vs. 3
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“and they
shall carry them forth unto the remnant of our seed”
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LDS
missionaries or regular church members who share the Book of Mormon with
Native American and South/Central American people (because they are the
descendants of Lehi and Nephi!)
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vs. 4
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“then shall
the remnant of our seed know concerning us… that they are descendants of the
Jews.”
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That’s right…
the Native Americans and the indigenous people of South/Central America are
descendants of the Jews (a couple thousand years removed)
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vs. 5-6
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“And the
gospel of Jesus Christ shall be declared among them; wherefore, they shall be
restored unto the knowledge of their fathers… then shall they rejoice; for
they shall know that it is a blessing unto them from the hand of God; and
their scales of darkness shall begin to fall from their eyes”
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South and
Central America is the fastest growing area of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints—faster even than in the U.S.
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vs. 8
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“the Lord
God shall commence his work among all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people,
to bring about the restoration of his people upon the earth.”
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The
spreading of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the world
through its missionary efforts
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vs. 9-18
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Those familiar with the Bible may also recognize these as Isaiah
verses
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These verses are talking about the time of the 2nd Coming
of Jesus Christ (still yet to come!)
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Excellent post Megan. Another thing I love about the Book of Mormon is that it provides strong evidence that the Bible is actually true. The things written in the Book of Mormon are another witness that the events in the Bilbe actually occurred. I believe any sincere person who does a serious study of the two books will recognize that both books are ultimately from the same source: God and his inspiration to men who wrote these things down. They have the same message.
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