This lesson can be found in the LDS gospel library. Since it is set up to be taught in church, there were some text that I felt unnecessary to include in doing the lesson. My personal thoughts have a twinkling diamond at the beginning of them.
Date: March 30, 2008
Book of Mormon Lesson 1: The Keystone of Our Religion
What holds the arch together?
The word "of " is written on the keystone which by it΄s design in congruence with the design of the other stones holds the arch together even if there is no mortar or cement in the arch. This lesson discusses the keystone of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: "I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book. "
Why did Joseph Smith call the Book of Mormon the keystone of our religion?
President Ezra Taft Benson explained, "Just as the arch crumbles if the keystone is removed, so does all the Church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon " (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, paragraph 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, paragraph 6).
Why does the Church stand or fall with the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon?
Statement by President Benson: "There are three ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. It is the keystone in our witness of Christ. It is the keystone of our doctrine. It is the keystone of testimony (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 5) ".
Witness of Christ.
The title page of the Book of Mormon which was written by Moroni reads like this: "To show the remnant of the house of Israel the great things the Lord has done for their fathers; to teach the covenants required by the Lord; and to convince all people that Jesus is the Christ, manifesting Himself to all nations."
In 1982 the subtitle Another Testament of Jesus Christ was added to the title of the Book of Mormon.
Why is it important to have this additional testament of the Savior? (See 1 Nephi 13:38-41; 2 Nephi 29:6-9.)
These 2 scriptures speak to the fact that people would resist the addition of new scripture to the bible and the new testament. Rumors and errors were flying around that the LDS church("Mormons ") were not christians just as the scriptures suggested would happen. So the leaders of the LDS church decided to correct that error with the addition to the fact that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.
What have you learned from the Book of Mormon about Jesus Christ?
That he was not limited to being involved with only the people in the land of Israel. He was also very involved in the Americas where he had led another portion of people from the line of Jacob. His message of salvation was taught and preached among these people as well and all the wars and repentance of these people were recorded. Many prophecies written in the Bible and the new testament were carried through in the americas instead of in the old world.
How has the Book of Mormon strengthened your testimony of Jesus Christ?
This book has strengthened and deepened my awe of Jesus΄ love for all humankind and his wisdom in orchestrating our salvation.
In what ways is the Book of Mormon the "keystone of our doctrine "? (See D&C 10:45-46; D&C 20:8-12.)
President Benson stated: " The Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:9). That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation " (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6).
How has the Book of Mormon increased your understanding of important gospel doctrines?
Lehi΄s vision gave a deeper understanding of working my way towards being with my Lord Jesus Christ. The journey to the Americas showed me the power of the Father through Jesus Christ to guide and teach. The wisdom of sending a people across the waters to another land to develop yet another testimony of his salvation.
Why is the Book of Mormon fundamental to a testimony of the restored gospel?
The whole purpose of Moroni connecting with Joseph was to
bring the Book of Mormon to us and the lost truths that it presented in
a simple way to the understanding of all. This is the restored gospel
foundation. The Book of Mormon would never have been written, the
people of ancient Americas would never have been, there would have been
no reason to have Lehi bring his family to the Americas unless Jesus
knew we would need an untouched testimony to establish the pure, simple
truths as translated and given with out editing to establish a church
lead by Christ.
What blessings come to those who receive a testimony of the Book of Mormon and follow its teachings?
The blessings of the Book of Mormon are those of learning how to attain exaltation in our Father΄s kingdom.
What must we do to gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon? (See Moroni 10:3-5.)
We are told to bring our knowledge of the Book of Mormon to the Lord in prayer. If we sincerely wish to know if it is the truth, the Holy Spirit will witness to our spirit and Jesus will manifest the truth of it. The Holy Spirit can show us the truth of all things.
For me the impression of the vision of Joseph Smith and his encounter with our Father in heaven and Jesus Christ followed me for days with the reading of the Book of Mormon. How strong that vision must have been for Joseph. I felt the hand of the spirit in my studies, the excitment of new found knowledge of my Father in heaven and of Jesus. I had and still have that sense that finally the pieces of the puzzle all fit together now in the truths revealed through the Book of Mormon.
Many witnesses have testified of the Book of Mormon. The plates of gold were revealed to 2 sets of people in different ways. First to the 3 witnesses and then to the 8 witnesses whose testimonies are written in the front of the Book of Mormon.
Why was it important to have witnesses of the gold plates? (See Ether 5:2-4.)
These witnesses provided a surety of the truth that the Book of Mormon came from the golden plates, that they existed.
How do you think having additional witnesses helped the Prophet Joseph Smith?
The additional witnesses provided further strengthening of the evidence of the existence of the plates.
What other witnesses do we have that the Book of Mormon is true?
The other witnesses of the Book of Mormon is the Holy Spirit, the Father and Jesus.
The Book of Mormon was written for our day. Although the Book of Mormon is an ancient document, it was written and preserved for our day (2 Nephi 25:21-22; 2 Nephi 27:22; Mormon 8:34-35; Moroni 1:4).
Mormon 8:26-41. These verses contain a prophecy about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.
What conditions did Moroni foresee would exist in the world when the Book of Mormon was again brought forth? How are these conditions evident in the world today?
- "The power of God shall be denied " (verse 28).
- "There shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth " (verse 31).
- People will "lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts " (verse 36).
- People will "love money more than [they] love the poor and the need " (verse 37).
- People will be "ashamed to take upon [themselves] the name of Christ " (verse 38).
In what ways can the teachings of ancient prophets be a source of help to us?
Ancient prophets teach the same wisdom that is needed today, just as it was needed then. These prophets also foresaw how things would be today and in learning these things we see how our Father knows what the future holds. The wisdom of the Father becomes indelibly written in our minds and hearts.
How might knowing that the Book of Mormon was written for our day influence the way we study it? (See 1 Nephi 19:23.)
Knowing that the knowledge contained in this book is for us, now, makes it the most important book to understand and learn from.
President Benson taught: "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. "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 (or Moroni or Alma) to include that in his record? What lesson can I learn from that to help me live in this day and age? " (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 5; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 6).
If we do not study the Book of Mormon, what will be the consequences to us, individually and as a church? (See D&C 84:54-58.)
to be answered
What changes and blessings have come into your life when you have studied and pondered the Book of Mormon regularly?
to be answered
Conclusion
"The moment you begin a serious study of [the Book of Mormon, you] will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance " (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 6; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7).