Introduction

 Introduction of the Writer

 Regarding the Book of Mormon

Who I Am

I am a late middle-aged, life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly known as the LDS, or Mormon Church. I was a full-time missionary of the church from 1974 to 1976, and have since served in a variety of assignments in the various congregations to which I have belonged. As a matter of fact, I can hardly remember a time since my teenage years when I have not had a "calling.” Nonetheless, my experience with the church is pretty average, and not at all noteworthy in comparison to anyone else. I consider myself an uncontroversial, committed, mainstream member, and pray to remain so to the end.

My Testimony

As have many LDS members, I began my personal study of the Book of Mormon at an early age, in my case, during my teen-age years, seeking to obtain a "testimony" of its veracity. Legion were the stories I had heard of "getting a testimony,” often in dramatic, sudden, and miraculous fashion. It seemed like a rite of passage that was to my naive and immature mind almost a status symbol ... to be able to declare oneself capable of  "personal revelation" and honestly say, "I know it is true without a shadow of doubt." This mantle of personal prophecy and sure conviction eluded me. I read the book cover to cover, expecting the "promise of Moroni" (Moroni 10:4-5) to be fulfilled somewhere along the way, and although I tried to follow the prescribed formula, it was a very long time, and many more cover to cover readings before I recognized the whisperings of the Spirit of God to my soul that really comprised the internal spiritual confirming witness of its truthfulness that I had earlier expected to have been so easily obtained. It came to me in bits and pieces over years, and gradually, my confidence has grown to the point where now, I am devoid of doubt. I am convinced through my long personal experience, repeated readings, and the spiritual peace derived from drinking deeply of its message, that it is a true work of authentic scripture, the word of God, inspired specifically to address the challenges of our day and time as written by ancient prophets directed by Jesus Christ.

My Purpose

 As an LDS apologist, therefore, I regard and talk about the Book of Mormon as a literally true message of God to our present world. Its writers were true emissaries of Jesus Christ who saw our day and time by way of prophetic revelation as given to them by the power of the Holy Ghost. By virtue of this specific inspiration and direction they selected the most important spiritual, doctrinal, cultural, military, and political dissertations from their sacred library that were needed to inform and warn us in our time; to enable all who are willing to come unto Christ, build up his kingdom, and endure the prophesied tribulations leading up to His second advent and millenial reign. The writings were primarily compiled by a prophet named Mormon, and later completed by his son, Moroni, from sacred writings originating from among the elders of the Jews of Pre-captivity Jerusalem 600+ years BC, and handed down from prophet to prophet over the main timeline of 1000 years until 421 AD, the last recorded date. This collection contained records not only from Western Hemisphere prophets, but also inspired writings from pre-Abrahamic Christian prophets, pre-Babylonian Jewish prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, other prophets unknown to present-day bible scholars, the words of Jesus Christ himself delivered to New World disciples, and inspired dissertations of Mormon and Moroni. Since the book was "translated" by Joseph Smith from divinely revealed engraved metal leaves, reported to have the appearance of gold, by the gift and power of God in 1827-1829, it is an absolutely truthful and authentic work of scripture. My purpose in publishing here is to share whatever insights I can gain along my journey of daily study. I include my musings and speculations in an attempt to relate its message to the cultural and political machinations of the present, as inferred from the substance of the text, since many details, as admitted by the writers, have been omitted in the interest of keeping the focus of the narrative on their testimony of Jesus Christ, his atonement, mission, and plan, and conveying only those other particulars approved by the Spirit of God. This priority is reiterated in several comments by the writers; but along with the confessed narrow focus is included the example explained by Nephi, the introductory author, whose teaching approach was to “… liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” (1 Ne 19:23). This is part of my attempt to do just that.

Summary of Content to be Shared

Some of what awaits the earnest student of the Book of Mormon are numerous doctrinal passages by a multitude of witnesses, as well as the Lord Jesus Christ himself setting forth in stunning clarity and plainness his great atonement, its purpose, how it was wrought, its necessity, and its efficacy. The doctrine of the fall of man brought about by Adam and Eve, and its relationship to Christ's atonement and God's Plan of Salvation are explained. In addition, the Book of Mormon contains many divinely inspired interpretations of passages quoted directly from Pre-Babylonian Era prophets. It lays out the purpose of the Law of Moses and its relationship to Christ's atoning sacrifice. One can find numerous principles of political wisdom developed as the result of titanic contests between freedom-loving Christians who, though blessed with self-rule by virtue of a participatory governmental system, were chronically prone to internal fracture, and hopelessly outnumbered; and their autocratic, parasitic, and subversive adversaries from both within and without the constantly contested and highly dynamic borders of their cultural and economic domains. Almost countless passages of sublime testimony regarding the love of God toward mankind, His blessings upon the obedient, and their hope of redemption, as well as the ultimate wrath awaiting the lawless are to be found. In their eloquence and powerful spiritual exposition, passage after passage is unsurpassed in any other compilation of scripture. My conclusion, then, is that the Book of Mormon is greatly under-appreciated, often even within the LDS Church, and unjustifiably maligned from without. In my opinion, those who assert that the grossly undereducated Joseph Smith might have been able to concoct such a literary and theological masterpiece, or collude with some other genius or hoaxer, are unlikely to have seriously considered the documented history of its translation and publication, let alone the depth, clarity, internal consistency, and compositional genius of its passages, and are just fooling themselves and their gullible followers. I assert that it would be impossible for a lier, no matter how crafty or skillful, in other words, any protegee of Satan, to testify of Jesus Christ and his gospel, to condemn heresy and extol virtue, to preach repentance, love of fellowman, and faith in God, and to warn against sin as do the Book of Mormon writers. No grand deceiver, as Joseph Smith's critics claim him to be, could possibly produce a sublime testimony of Christ, for this defies the law of "by their fruits ye shall know them" as outlined in the New Testament (Matthew 7:16-20). The density and depth of the substance of the Book of Mormon becomes more apparent and even astonishing with each successive reading. The proof of its authenticity is to be found verse by verse right within its own pages. Anyone who studies it seriously, prayerfully, and persistently cannot escape the conclusion that its publication in our day and time is nothing short of a miraculous gift from God. As Moroni testifies in some of the very final verses:
  

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a  sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. -- Moroni 10:3-5

Format for Posts
I am neither scholar nor particularly astute scriptorian. I only aim to understand what I am reading,   by paraphrasing and interpreting the scenes and actions of the characters of the Book of Mormon and framing them in the current idiom. My posts will mostly be brief musings, commentary and quotes. A few are likely to be like the "Wow, look at that sunset!" comments we share with each other when remarking exultant beauty. If time permits, I may produce a few thoroughly researched cross-referenced remarks. 


Conclusion and Disclaimer
Although I consider myself a staunch Mormon, I am not an official representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in my capacity as a commentator. Where pertinent, I may cite official statements from officials of the Church, but my interpretations are my own, and cannot be construed to represent the feelings, ideas, attitudes, or beliefs of any other member of the church, and certainly not its officials unless specifically cited.  If you have made it this far, congratulations on having waded through a long exposition of my thoughts about the Book of Mormon and my purpose in writing about it. Please comment, agree, or disagree. 

--Paul Macfarlane