Mormon — 2024

Description

This is a commentary on the book of Mormon in the Book of Mormon. It is to be studied from October 28 to November 10, 2024 as part of the Come, Follow Me program. The book of Mormon summarizes the final destruction of the Nephite nation after their apostasy from Christianity. It contains Mormon’s final summary of his abridgement and the last two chapters are his son’s Moroni’s writings at the end of the final battles between Nephites and Lamanites. It’s a book about endings. We would do well to study it as we approach any endings.At general conference in October 2024 Elder David Bednar commented on a previous prophet’s words to us about the Book of Mormon. He said: “A particular teaching by President [Ezra Taft] Benson greatly impacted me and continues to influence my study of the Book of Mormon. He said:

‘The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, [Mormon] abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us.’

President Benson continued: “Each of the major writers of the Book of Mormon testified that he wrote for future generations. … If they saw our day, and chose those things which would be of greatest worth to us, is not that how we should study the Book of Mormon? We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon … to include [this account] in his record? What lesson can I learn from [this admonition] to help me live in this day and age?’”

President Benson’s statements help us to understand that the Book of Mormon is not primarily a historical record that looks to the past. Rather, this volume of scripture looks to the future and contains important principles, warnings, and lessons intended for the circumstances and challenges of our day. Hence, the Book of Mormon is a book about our future and the times in which we do now and will yet live.”

If this is true anywhere in the Book of Mormon it is especially true in Mormon’s own book. It is a mirror if we take the time to look in it. pp.102.