Another Testament of Jesus Christ

The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is a book surrounded with controversy. Accepted by some, rejected by others and ignored by the rest. It's origin and authenticity is constantly being debated even among those that profess to believe in the book. There are things written in it that cause peoples rational minds to fight it. Simple things like having steel. There are those that know they did not have steel it was only obsidian. I would think the authors of the book would know. None of that concerns me. I know the Book of Mormon is true.

In my youth I read it and as I read it I fasted and prayed to know if it was true. I received an answer. One audible to my mind though no one was physically there speaking to me. It said quite simply, "The Book of Mormon is the word of God and it was written for your day." There it is. My testimony of the Book of Mormon. It is true. It is the word of God. It was written for us. It will, if we allow it, bring us to Christ. That is it's purpose. It says on the title page just that.

"And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations."

This book is for all. One day when searching the internet I ran across The Baptist Version of the Book of Mormon. It is an interesting read. A Baptist minister loves The Book of Mormon. He sees the doctrine of the gospel there. Furthermore, he is swayed because it testifies of Christ. Here are some excerpts of what he said before sharing he parts of the book that mean something to him.

"I know. I can hear you now. "…A charismatic Baptist minister who believes the Book of Mormon?! Impossible. That’s like a Protestant Pope…" No, it’s not. It’s not a contradiction.

The two go hand in hand, really--Protestant doctrine and the Book of Mormon. They’re not at odds. The Book of Mormon is filled with Protestant cardinal doctrines, believe it or not. In fact, I discovered, the Book of Mormon is more "Baptist" than the Baptist hymnal in places. I know that’s hard to believe, but it’s so. I read the Book from cover to cover and found as a Baptist minister, there is absolutely nothing in it that contradicts the Bible.

For example, the book uplifts the blood of Christ (Mosiah 1:118), declares that salvation is only by God’s grace (2 Nephi 7:42), defends the grand theme of salvation (Mosiah 1:108), and proclaims that salvation comes only through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ (Mosiah 3:8,9). Other themes such as repentance, atonement by Christ’s blood, redemption, and forgiveness run like a scarlet thread through the book as well (Alma 3:86, Helaman 2:71, Alma 13:13, Mosiah 2:3,4). Thus, our "tongue ‘n’ cheek" title, The Baptist Version of the Book of Mormon. I’m telling you, the grand themes of Protestantism are found recorded through and through. From cover to cover."

"Speaking of the message of the Book of Mormon, what exactly is its message? What is its central theme? Restoration of the covenants in these latter days. That surprised me, blessed me, and witnessed to me.

No, the book is not meant to be used as a tool to proselyte you into some weird sect or cult. No, it’s not meant to be used to "make a Mormon" out of you. The Book of Mormon is the most nonsectarian book I’ve ever read! It’s meant for Catholics, for Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Charismatics, Seventh Day Adventists, for Baptists, Pentecostals…you name it. It speaks to all.

I’ll say it again. The central message of the Book of Mormon is—restoration of the covenants in these latter days! And that message is meant for all God’s children."

"In other words, the central message of the Book of Mormon is---to repent and come unto Christ, which means to establish a covenant with Him. And that message is coming to light in these latter days. And that’s why I embrace the Book of Mormon. Our generation knows very little, if anything, about establishing a covenant with Christ. Protestantism doesn’t teach it. Unfortunately, most of us are products of "cheap grace" and "decision-making" Sunday School preaching. Hosea described a people who were "…half baked" (Hosea 7:8). Like a cake not turned. Sadly, my generation fits the bill."

"Like the Bible, the central theme of the Book of Mormon is the Lordship of Jesus Christ. There are over 160 passages in the Book of Mormon that speak of the Lord Jesus Christ. There were 22 men named in the Book of Mormon who saw Christ. Some form of Christ’s name is mentioned on an average of every 1.7 verses. The New Testament mentions a form of Christ’s name on an average of every 2.1 verses. The name of the Savior appears nearly 25 percent more frequently in the Book of Mormon than in the New Testament. When we realize that a verse usually consists of one sentence, we cannot on the average read two sentences in the Book of Mormon without seeing some form of Christ’s name."

He has found and understands the central message of The Book of Mormon is to bring people to Christ. And he is right it does not need to be used to proselyte any into any weird cult or sect. That is not it's purpose. Read it, believe it, share it and let it do it's work.

No amount of evidences will ever concvince one that The Book of Mormon is true. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. Evidences are thrilling to see but they will only support what has been born by the spirit. If the spirit has not testified of the truthfulness of this book then the evidences will be easy to doubt and refute. A true understanding of this book can only come through the spirit.

Again, The Book of Mormon is true. It is the word of God. Its purpose is to bring people to Christ. We must embrace this book and its teachings. They will bring us to Christ. It will help us on the path to salvation and exaltation. There is power in it. This I know.