The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is a companion witness with the
Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim, and also the New Testament.
The Jewish prophets prophesied of a Messiah who would come to Zion, a Prince of Peace who
would be born and come forth from Bethlehem, a Governor who would rule Israel.
The Book of Mormon likewise prophesies of the Messiah, proclaiming that this Savior would be
raised up among the Jews. It states that all mankind were in a lost and fallen state, and ever
would be save they should rely on this Redeemer.
The Book of Mormon records the words and teachings of Jewish prophets, who left Jerusalem
around 600 B.C.
The New Testament witnesses that this prophesied Messiah came and was born in a manger as
Jesus Christ. It speaks of His teachings, His ministry and atonement wherein he suffered for the
sins of all mankind. It also speaks of His resurrection where in three days His spirit came again
into His body.
The Book of Mormon, as its subtitle indicates, is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ.” Viewed
and revealed to prophets a continent away, it also tells of solar events surrounding the birth of
Jesus Christ. It proclaims His teachings throughout, and then, it relates the stunning account of
the appearance of Jesus Christ Himself, descending from the heavens to a people gathered at a
temple.
Jesus Christ proclaimed that He was the prophesied One, and invited all to come and feel the
print marks in His hands and feet that they might all know that He truly was the Son of God who
had been slain for the sins of the world.
This Digest takes these sacred books and coalesces passages on the same topic or instruction
together. The result is an alphabetical summary easily accessed by any user on any topic
contained in these texts.
The Book of Mormon itself speaks to several important topics, including the following.
The Book of Mormon states that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. It joins the New Testament in
witnessing that Jesus Christ is the long-awaited Messiah.
It speaks of His birth, describing the fulfillment of a prophecy that when the Christ-child should
be born, that there would be a day, and a night, and a day, as though they were one day.
It then tells of an account, over thirty years later, when the people are gathered at a temple.
Great destructive storms and earthquakes had racked the earth because of the death of Jesus
Christ. Sometime thereafter, they heard a voice from heaven, saying, “This is My Beloved Son,
Hear Him.”
They then saw a Man descending out of heaven in a white robe. He came and stood in the
midst of them, and said, “I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the
world.”
He then invited all there to “[a]rise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into
my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye
may know that I am the God of Israel, and the god of the whole earth, and have been slain for
the sins of the world.”
Throughout the Book of Mormon there were various groups of believers and followers of Jesus
Christ, led by prophets, who lived the law of Moses, and the additional teachings Christ taught
when He came.
The name Jesus Christ or Lord is found in the Book of Mormon over 1,000 times.
The Book of Mormon, like the Old Testament, prophecies that a Messiah shall come. The Book
begins approximately 600 B.C. and continues until after 400 A.D.
One prophet, named Lehi, spoke of the coming Messiah this way:
“Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and
truth.
“Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those
who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be
answered.
“Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.”Later, another Book of Mormon prophet, named Abinadi, who reminded and taught the people from the words of Moses and Isaiah said:
“For behold, did not Moses prophesy unto them concerning the coming of the Messiah, and that God should redeem his people? Yea, and even all the prophets who have prophesied ever since the world began—have they not spoken more or less concerning these things? “Have they not said that God himself should come down among the children of men, and take upon him the form of man, and go forth in mighty power upon the face of the earth? “Yea, and have they not said also that he should bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, and that he, himself should be oppressed and afflicted?”
Like the New Testament, the Book of Mormon witnesses that Jesus Christ was and is the
promised Messiah, the Son of God.
Although prophesied by Book of Mormon prophets, the Book itself does not tell the day-by-day
account of Jesus Christ’s teachings and miracles—because that was a continent away. A
prophet named Benjamin said:
“For, behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent
who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven
among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst
men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to
walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases….
“”And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.”The sign of Jesus Christ’s birth was a spectacular event across the oceans in America. A prophet named Samuel had said that God would give a sign of the Messiah’s birth—that a day, a night, and a day should all be bright as though it were one day.
One of the central teachings by prophets in the Book of Mormon is that without the suffering
and atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind would be lost. One such prophet, Benjamin as
mentioned above, prophesied that blood would come from every pore of Christ’s body so great
would be the anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
Accessing the redeeming power of this Atonement had one condition—repentance, or “faith
unto repentance”, as it is referred to. Those who would believe and have faith in Jesus Christ
and His power to heal them would come unto Him, confessing and abandoning their sins.
All who would partake of Christ’s mercy would choose to come unto Him, and to repent of their
sins. If they sincerely repented, Jesus Christ would forgive them and they could start anew in
striving to love and follow Him, and be born again through water and the Spirit.
The Book of Mormon tells of great storms, earthquakes, and destructions at the time of Christ’s
death. In the process, the wicked were destroyed while the more righteous, yet still imperfect,
were preserved.
The account speaks of such great storms and earthquakes that some cities burned with fire,
others were buried, and some were sunk into the sea.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the highlight of the Book of Mormon. As indicated above,
Jesus Christ personally came to the Americas, descending out of the heavens, appearing to the
people, and inviting them to come to him and feel the prints of the nails in his hands and his
feet, which they did.
The visit of Jesus Christ following his resurrection to the Americas is described in great detail
upon his first visit. It also indicates, however, that He made additional visits to his disciples.
The Book of Mormon records prophetic teachings of the Old Testament, citing large passages
from the writings of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah.
It records in great detail the Messianic prophecies and the teachings of God to His people to
trust in Him and repent of their wrong-doings. On occasion, angels appear to these prophets
and give them further instruction to teach the people.
These teachings include the importance of faith in God and Jesus Christ, repenting of one’s sins,
being baptized by immersion, and receiving and following the Holy Ghost.
A key teaching of the prophets is a description of the process by which all mankind can study,
pray and learn by the Holy Ghost what the truth about and from God is.
When Jesus Christ visited the people in America, he taught them many principles He had taught
in the Sermon on the Mount, including that mankind should show mercy to others, be
peacemakers, not judge others, and pray to the Father in His name.
The Book of Mormon speaks of many faithful receiving miracles from God. Those miracles include crossing an ocean with the protecting hand of God in the face of treacherous storms, a vision of Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles, a remarkable public prophecy of corruption and the murder of the chief judge, the healing by Jesus Christ during his visit of the lame and sick among the people, Christ’s prayer and blessing upon all the little children, a heavenly manifestation of angels ministering to such children, remarkable divine escapes from prisons, unlikely victories in military battles, and the raising from the dead by the prophet of his brother.
The Book of Mormon on multiple occasions speaks of the ordaining of priests and teachers to
instruct the people regarding repentance and remission of sins.
Jesus Christ when he came to the Americas chose twelve disciples who functioned much as the
apostles did in Jerusalem.
It speaks of sacramental prayers offered by the priests in remembrance of the body and blood
of Jesus Christ.
It teaches the importance of baptism and that it should be performed by one having authority
and by immersion. The form of baptism was specifically prescribed by Jesus Christ when he
came.
The Book of Mormon is somewhat unique in specifically teaching that little children should not
be baptized—that they do not need to be, and that they have no sin. It states that little
children that die without baptism are “alive in Christ” and are all saved.
There are multiple passages and chapters in the Book of Mormon indicating that believers were
part of a church, or a congregation of believers.
One of the first examples comes when Jacob is teaching the people gathered together at the
temple. He admonishes them for their pride, and then strongly condemns the practice among
some to have more than one wife.
Speaking of their responsibilities in the church or priesthood, Jacob says,
“For I Jacob , and my brother Joseph had been consecrated priests and teachers of this people,
by the hand of Nephi.
“And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.”Alma, a prophet, said this of his consecration as a high priest over the church:
“I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things, behold I say unto you that he began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of Nephi; yea, the land which was called the land of Mormon; yea, and he did baptize his brethren in the waters of Mormon.”Alma undertook his responsibility to minister and preach to those of the church in Zarahemla, Gideon, and Melek. He also preached the word in Ammonihah.
“And this is the manner after which they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works….”When Jesus Christ visited the people, He called Nephi and gave him “power that ye shall baptize this people when I am again ascended into heaven.
“And again the Lord called others, and said unto them likewise; and he gave unto them power to baptize….”Centuries later it is clear that the practice of baptism into a congregational church was ongoing. One prophet, named Moroni taught,
“And it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words unto Nephi, and to those who had been called, (now the number of them who had been called, and received power and authority to baptize, was twelve) and behold, he stretched forth his hand unto the multitude, and cried unto them, daying: Blessed are ye if ye shall give heed unto the words of these twelve whom I have chosen from among you to minister unto you, and to be your servants; and unto them I have given power that they may baptize you with water.”
“And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.
“Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins. “And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.
“And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.”
1—Men should only have one wife.
Jacob pointedly taught the following:“Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none.”
2—Children are innocent, and do not need baptism. Mormon taught,
“Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me….”
“I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye should baptize little children….” “For awful is the wickedness to suppose that God saveth one child because of baptism, and the other must perish because he hath no baptism….”
“For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent; and unto such baptism availeth nothing—"
The Book of Mormon does not speak specifically of temple worship details. It does, however,
mention at least three different temples throughout its history. There may have been others
but three are referenced mostly in an inadvertent way.
It is stated that one of the temples was built after the manner of Solomon’s Temple.
Another states that the people were gathered together to hear their prophet / king bestow
great blessings upon them and give them a new name.
And the last mentioned was when the people had gathered to the temple in Zarahemla and the
resurrected Jesus Christ descended out of the heavens and appeared to them. He showed
them His resurrected body, which they all felt with their hands. He then taught them,
instructed them on the proper procedures for baptism, gave them a sermon very similar to that
found in the Sermon on the Mount in Jerusalem.
As a part of his visits to this people He invited the people to present all their sick and afflicted
and He healed them.
Furthermore, He invited them to put forth their children whom He prayed for in a way
incapable of mortal description. He blessed the children. Angels encircled them with fire and
they all shed tears of divine joy and love.
The Book of Mormon has several chapters devoted to accounts of missionaries sent forth to
preach the word of God to others, including those esteemed as enemies.
One predominant account is of the sons of Mosiah who asked permission of their father to go
forth among the Lamanites to teach them the gospel. Partly hesitant, the father prayed and
asked God for guidance. In response, God told their father, Mosiah, to allow them to go and
that he would protect them.
Their travels included some great perils including at one point an individual with a raised sword
ready to kill Ammon, one of the sons. But prior to his lowering the sword in a blow of death to
Ammon he was struck dead. Ammon was protected. So also others of the missionaries were
imprisoned but miraculously rescued.
The astonishing segment of these missionary accounts is the conversion of thousands, including
leaders—kings—who humbly repented of their sins and sought his forgiveness. In the end,
thousands were baptized into the church and remained faithful thereafter.
One of the principles set forth by the Book of Mormon is the value of every soul—every one.
These sons of Mosiah, it is said, “could not stand” the thought “that any human soul should
perish.” Motivated by a selfish love of others, the missionaries thus sacrificed so much,
including thirst, hunger, fatigue, and much more that others might come unto Jesus Christ and
enjoy a fresh relief of forgiveness for past sins, and thereafter strive to live lives according to
God’s laws.
The Book of Mormon contains multiple prophecies of the second coming of the Messiah—the
second coming of Jesus Christ.
The first coming relates to his birth and life on earth.
The second coming relates to his glorious descension from the heavens at the end of the
present world.
Some of these prophecies are found in the teachings of Isaiah and are also found in the Nevi’im,
such as:
“[T]he glory of his majesty shall smite them, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth…”;Other prophecies are unique to the American prophets, such as:,
“[D]ay of the Lord cometh...he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it...”; and,
“[T]he glory of his majesty shall smite them, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth…”
“[D]ay when I shall come in my glory in the clouds of heaven…”;
“[T]hen shall the wicked be cast out…”
Throughout the Book of Mormon various commandments of God are taught, including, but not limited to,
The Book of Mormon makes reference to sacrifices and the Law of Moses.
It also makes references to an ending of the Law of Moses by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Mormon teaches that the sacrifices before Jesus Christ were commanded by God
as a type and symbol of the upcoming sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It further teaches that once
Jesus Christ had suffered as part of the Atonement for all mankind, that all might be forgiven on
conditions of repentance, that the sacrifice commanded as part of the Law of Moses was thus
to end.