Why was Book of Mormon Written
Why was the Book of Mormon written?
Ray Farmer
Jealous of and Zealous for the Book of Mormon
The prophets of the Book of Mormon had the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The fulness of the Gospel was written down by these prophets by the gift and power of God.
These prophets knew that in the latter days many Christians would be stumbling due to the corruption of the Gospel through the ages. They were commanded to compile sacred writings that would clear up all of the misunderstandings which also caused contentions among the followers of Jesus. The writings were etched on metal plates to ensure that they would survive through the centuries until God would bring them forth.
Whether you believe in the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter, I think the question can be answered using a section found in that Book. Incidentally, I am pretty sure that the Latter-day saints will not agree with the concepts taught in this particular section. The following IS NOT the doctrine of that Church.
The prophets, according to the section, declares that the plates contained all of the parts of the Gospel. In fact, the Book of Mormon to come forth contains the true points of the gospel and was the only doctrine which is in Christ.
Doctrine and Covenants 10
45. Behold, there are many things engraven upon the plates of Nephi which do throw greater views upon my gospel;
46. ....this work does contain all those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets, yea, and also my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.
49. Now, this is not all--their [the prophets] faith in their prayers was that this gospel should be made known also, if it were possible that other nations should possess this land;
50. And thus they did leave a blessing upon this land in their prayers, that whosoever should believe in this gospel in this land might have eternal life;
62. Yea, and I will also bring to light my gospel which was ministered unto them....and shall bring to light the true points of my doctrine, yea, and the only doctrine which is in me.
It was known, again, that there would be contention regarding the Lord’s doctrine and that the remedy would be the establishment of the gospel thru the Book of Mormon.
63. And this I do that I may establish my gospel, that there may not be so much contention; yea, Satan doth stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine; and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not understand them.
There might be opposition to receiving the gospel as brought to light in the Book of Mormon. But Section 10 comforts Christians who think that the Book of Mormon will destroy their belief systems and supplant their religious organizations such as they were. But that is not the case.
52. ....I bring this part of my gospel to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to destroy that which they have received, but to build it up.
53. And for this cause have I said: If this generation harden not their hearts, I will establish my church among them.
54. Now I do not say this to destroy my church, but I say this to build up my church;
55. Therefore, whosoever belongeth to my church need not fear, for such shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Notice that verse 55 teaches that His church was on the earth and that the Book of Mormon was to strengthen, confirm (establish) that existent Church of Christ among them.
One must transcend the idea that the Church of Christ was a religious organization. Section 10 dispels that notion and explains just what His Church is. He warns against adding to His definition.
67. Behold, this is my doctrine--whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.
68. Whosoever declareth more or less than this, the same is not of me, but is against me; therefore he is not of my church.
69. And now, behold, whosoever is of my church, and endureth of my church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.
The saints of the Church of the Lamb are those who repent and come to Jesus. That's it. They are the Family of God, the Body of Christ, the Holy Universal Church. The members of this church may be found in all denominations. They may be doctrinally mistaken as far as tenants. Nephi saw that all the churches of our day would be corrupt (not necessarily evil) but there would be true, humble followers of Christ among them.
2 Nephi 28:14 [They] have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.
I repeat a verse I cited previously which confirms this:
63. I may establish my gospel, that there may not be so much contention; yea, Satan doth stir up the hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine; and in these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not understand them.
The next verse begins with "therefore". That is an highly significant word. We need to pause whenever we read this connector.
64. Therefore, I will unfold unto them this great mystery;
65. For, behold, I will gather them as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if they will not harden their hearts;
66. Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely.
Currently, the Book has not "come forth". It has been found and translated, but the Lord has not brought the Book of Mormon to light as of yet. When He does, Jesus will use it to bring His humble followers, currently divided by denominations, His "chickens", under his wing.
One of the reasons that the Book of Mormon has not come forth yet is because it is associated with the LDS Church. Many humble followers of Christ would read it and love it, but are understandably repelled by the doctrine of that the church with which it is associated. They assume that the Book of Mormon talks of Joseph Smith, polygamy, mother in heaven, universal salvation, becoming Gods, work for the dead in temples made with hands and a rejection of the Bible as not being translated correctly. None of these doctrines are in the Book of Mormon. Yet the belief that they are, that the LDS Church has gotten these peculiar doctrines from the Book of Mormon, has made humble followers of Christ conclude that they could wisely pass the Book of Mormon up. The sad fact is that the LDS Church has rejected the teachings of the Book of Mormon in lieu of the doctrines of living oracles who teach another gospel.
Satan has a lot to do with this.
20. Verily, verily, I say unto you, that Satan has great hold upon their hearts; he stirreth them up to iniquity against that which is good;
21. And their hearts are corrupt, and full of wickedness and abominations; and they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil; therefore they will not ask of me.
22. Satan stirreth them up, that he may lead their souls to destruction.
24. Yea, he stirreth up their hearts to anger against this work.
26. And thus he flattereth them, and leadeth them along until he draggeth their souls down to hell;
27. And thus he goeth up and down, to and fro in the earth, seeking to destroy the souls of men.
23. And thus he has laid a cunning plan, thinking to destroy the work of God [restoration of true gospel found in the Book of Mormon];
Confounding False Doctrine
It is very clearly stated that the purpose of the Bible and the Book of Mormon were to confound these and other false doctrines and lay down contentions.
2 Nephi 3:12 Wherefore, the fruit of thy loins shall write [Book of Mormon]; and the fruit of the loins of Judah shall write [Bible]; and that which shall be written by the fruit of thy loins [Book of Mormon], and also that which shall be written by the fruit of the loins of Judah [Bible], shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace among the fruit of thy loins, and bringing them to the knowledge of their fathers in the latter days, and also to the knowledge of my covenants, saith the Lord.
The contentions currently seen among all of the man-made churches who preach their uninspired precepts can easily be confounded by referring to the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The idea is to hear what is taught, and then go to the Book of Mormon and the Bible to see if those ideas are true.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble....in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
I would invite all to read the Book of Mormon. See for yourself if, taken as a stand-alone work, you will get a clear idea of the simple gospel of Christ. It will be light to your soul and you will know why it was written.