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The Intent of the Book of Mormon
Truly, as we have seen, the Book of Mormon sets forth plainly the doctrine of Christ
and his church, including a clear presentation of the baptism of fire and of the Holy
Ghost. In having this record, we are left without excuse. But should we look at his as a
burden, when the promises are glorious beyond the ability of tongue to describe?
Nevertheless, the choice is set out clearly before us: "Enter ye in at the strait
gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be
that find it; but wide is the gate, and broad the way which leads to death, and many there
be that travel therein, until the night cometh, wherein no man can work." (3 Ne.
27:33.) If we do not enter in at the strait gate, then the gates of hell stand ready open
to engulf us. The preferability of following our Lord and Savior seems obvious.
Not only is the Book of Mormon's presentation of the doctrine of Christ plain, but it
happens to lie at the core of the entire purpose of the Book of Mormon. Moroni said,
"Behold, my father hath made this record, and he hath written the intent
thereof." (Morm. 8:5.) This intent is recorded in Mormon chapter seven. Note how it
is centered in the doctrine of Christ: "Therefore repent, and be baptized in the name
of Jesus, and lay hold upon the gospel of Christ, which shall be set before you, not only
in this record but also in the record which shall come unto the Gentiles from the Jews,
which record shall come from the Gentiles unto you. For behold, this is written for the
intent that ye may believe that; and if ye believe that ye will believe this
also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous
works which were wrought by the power of God among them. And ye will also know that ye are
a remnant of the seed of Jacob; therefore ye are numbered among the people of the first
covenant; and if it so be that ye believe in Christ, and are baptized, first with water,
then with fire and with the Holy Ghost, following the example of our Savior,
according to that which he hath commanded us, it shall be well with you in the day of
judgment." (Morm. 7:8-10.) For because of the redemption of Christ, "he that is
found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the
presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the
Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of
happiness which hath no end." (Morm 7:7.) This statement aligns closely with one in
Doctrine and Covenants section 10:60-63, which says: "And I will show unto this
people that I had other sheep, and that they were a branch of the house of Jacob; and I
will bring to light their marvelous works, which they did in my name; yea, and I will also
bring to light my gospel which was ministered unto them, and, behold, they shall not deny
that which you have received, but they shall build it up, and shall bring to light the
true points of my doctrine, yea, and the only doctrine which is in me. And this I do that
I may establish my gospel, that there may not be so much contention."
The fullness of the gospel Joseph Smith restored to the earth is far more glorious than
we have previously thought, especially more glorious than supposed by those who are
presented as stalwarts and yet trumpet the washed-out philosophies as though they were
saving doctrines. As blind leading the blind, they neither enter in themselves, and they
persecute those who truly seek to enter according to the holy order of God. Our sights
have been too much on what the world thinks of us and not enough on what God thinks of us.
His arm is stretched out all the day long, and he beckons to his people, saying,
"Behold, I will gather them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if they
will not harden their hearts; yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters
of life freely." (D&C 10:65,66.) Oh, lift up thine eyes, O man! Behold what
glorious doctrine is laid before you by the Lord through the holy men of God who wrote the
Book of Mormon! Will you not come unto the Holy One of Israel and feast upon that which
perisheth not? Awake, awake! Put on thy strength. Arise from the dust; no longer droop in
sin. Repent, and be born again!
Therefore viewing the disparity between the doctrine of Christ as set forth plainly in
the Book of Mormon and the prevailing practice of what is called the same among those who
profess to be of his church, we join our voices as in the time of the seekers of truth at
the time of Joseph Smith, who sought earnestly for the full gospel of Jesus Christ as they
saw set forth in their Bibles. Only now our pattern is perfected in the Book of Mormon.
Again the Lord's people have drifted, again there is a plea to the Lord to restore or
perhaps revive the fullness. And we do this in the spirit of Doctrine and
Covenants 10:54, in which the Lord says, "I do not say this to destroy my church, but
I say this to build up my church." (D&C 10:54.) The Book of Mormon sets
forth the pattern, it behooves us to heed it; and what a glorious quest!
Oh holy Father, we desire to follow the
example of thy Son, Jesus Christ, according to the doctrine he taught, as recorded in the
scriptures, and made especially plain in the Book of Mormon, that we might be firmly
established upon the rock of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the thing that we most desire is to
receive the Holy Ghost, that we might be baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even
as the Lamanites at the time of their conversion, that we might speak with the tongue of
angels and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. Increase thou our faith, help us
dispel our unbelief, that we might call upon the name of thy Son in mighty prayer. Grant
that we might be sufficiently humble before thee, for because we are less than the dust of
the earth, we are incapable even of meekness without thy grace -- that we might offer
up before thee an acceptable offering, even a broken heart and contrite spirit. We repent
of all our sins, and desire to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, with a determination
to serve him unto the end, that we might become the sons of God. Wilt thou open the way
whereby we may enter the waters of baptism through the power and authority of thy holy
priesthood which is without beginning of days or end of years, and that we might have
worthy hands laid upon our heads to bestow the Holy Ghost, that we might be wrought upon
and cleansed through that Holy Spirit, because of thy grace, that we might become holy
without spot. Grant unto us that we might attain unto the ministry after the holy order of
God. Bestow upon us the power whereby we might bestow the Holy Ghost upon others according
to the doctrine that thou hast set forth by thy Son. As the faith of Lehi and Nephi
interceded on behalf of the Lamanites, that they might be baptized with fire and with the
Holy Ghost, and as the faith of Alma interceded on behalf of his son, Alma, that he might
be born of God, increase thou our faith as we pray on behalf of others; and hear the cries
of those who plead on our behalf. May that curse that has been upon us in our scattered
condition among the Gentiles finally be lifted, that we may put on strength and put on our
beautiful garments. Grant unto us that we might establish thy church in its purity, that
thy kingdom may roll forth, that thy will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. May
Zion be established, fair as the sun, clear as the moon, and terrible as an army with
banners. May the kingdoms of the world be subdued and thy kingdom reign supreme, that the
time may come that Satan may have no more power over the hearts of the children of men,
but that they might be persuaded to do good continually and come unto the fountain of all
righteousness and be saved. Behold, this is our prayer, which we offer in the name of thy
beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
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