What the Book of Mormon Teaches About Salvation and Redemption

Here are but a few scriptures from the Book of Mormon that teach us about salvation and redemption. How thankful I am for the Book of Mormon that stands as a second witness to these truths.

17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.
18 For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. Mosiah 3:17,18
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28 And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses. Mosiah 13:28
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26 But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection.
27 Therefore ought ye not to tremble? For salvation cometh to none such; for the Lord hath redeemed none such; yea, neither can the Lord redeem such; for he cannot deny himself; for he cannot deny justice when it has its claim. Mosiah 15:26,27
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28 Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil. Alma 9:28
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18 Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?
19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?
20 I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?
21 I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.
22 And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what will these things testify against you?
23 Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?
24 Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white?
25 I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a liar from the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the kingdom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children of the kingdom of the devil.
Alma 5:18-25
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40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.
41 Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works.
Alma 11:40,41
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13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God. Alma 42:13
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9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.
10 And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.
Helaman 5:9,10
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13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved. Alma 32:13
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23 Therefore, blessed are they who will repent and hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God; for these are they that shall be saved. Helaman 12:23
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The Book of Mormon: Artifact or Artifice?

Recently in church I mentioned that a fellow blogger, Looney, had said he looked at the Book of Mormon as Christian fiction, similar to Lord of the Rings. Some weeks later, I received, from someone who had heard what I said, a hard copy of a symposium talk given by Orson Scott Card about this very subject. For those who don't know who Orson Scott Card is, he is a very talented and well published science fiction author who is a member of our church. My family loves his book, "Ender's Game". In this speech that he gave, he gives his own reasoning for why the Book of Mormon cannot have been just simple fiction. Most importantly, he gives his own testimony about how the Book of Mormon has influenced his life, and how the spirit has testified to him of its truthfulness. I found this article to be fascinating, and I appreciate his view, being a fiction writer himself.
You can click here to read the entire article "The Book of Mormon--Artifact or Artifice".

In the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses

In 2 Corinthians 13, 1 we read,"This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." The idea that there should be more than one witness to establish the truth of something is a principle that was in practice ever since Old Testament times. We believe that the Book of Mormon stands as a second witness, with the Bible, that Jesus is the Christ. My thanks goes to Ross for sharing these references with me that he used in a talk in church recently.

From the Bible we read:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" John 11:25

From the Book of Mormon we read:
"And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." Mosiah 3:17

"7 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.
8 And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary." Mosiah 3:7-8

"10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." Alma 7:10-12

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "Love for the Book of Mormon expands one's love for the Bible, and vice versa... We are indebted to martyrs who gave their lives so that we could have the Bible. It establishes the everlasting nature of the gospel and of the plan of happiness. The Book of Mormon restores and underscores biblical doctrines such as tithing, the temple, the Sabbath day, and the priesthood."

Nephi, one of the prophets in the Book of Mormon recorded:
7 Know ye not that there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?
8 Wherefore murmur ye, because that ye shall receive more of my word? Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another? Wherefore, I speak the same words unto one nation like unto another. And when the two nations shall run together the testimony of the two nations shall run together also.
9 And I do this that I may prove unto many that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that I speak forth my words according to mine own pleasure. And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I cannot speak another; for my work is not yet finished; neither shall it be until the end of man, neither from that time henceforth and forever. 2 Nephi 29:7-9

In Ezekiel 37:19 we read, "Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand." In this verse, the word, "stick" refers to scriptures. The scriptures or "stick" of Joseph would be the scriptures brought forth by the tribe of Joseph. The scriptures or "stick" of Judah would be the scriptures brought forth by the tribe of Judah. The people of the Book of Mormon were descended from the tribe of Joseph. The Book of Mormon is the set of scriptures brought forth by them. The Jews, of course were of the tribe of Judah, and the Holy Bible was the set of scriptures brought forth by them. These two sets of scriptures work together to testify of Jesus Christ. Today they are truly, "one" in our hands to testify of the gospel. They stand as co-witnesses that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. I invite you to study them together, and pray for guidance as you do so.

Book of Mormon Sampler October 2, 2008

Alma 5:14,26

14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

Benefits of the Book of Mormon Part 1

Recently I posted about the things that the Book of Mormon has to add to the plan of salvation that cannot be found in the Bible. I decided that I would like to make several posts to talk about these things individually.



















In old Testament Times, there was a law by which the people governed their affairs. this law is found in the book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 19:15
15 ¶ One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
The principle behind this law was that there must be 2 or 3 witnesses to a thing before the matter could be established. We also find this teaching elsewhere in the bible:
Matt. 18:16
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
1 Cor. 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
Heb. 10:28
He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses.

The Book of Mormon fulfills this law, by acting as a second witness to the Bible that Jesus is the Christ.
In the Old Testament we find a very interesting scripture:

Ezekiel 37: 16,19,20
16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20 ¶ And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes

What are these "sticks" spoken of? They are the records, or scriptures. If you think about the scrolls that were used long ago, this scripture makes more sense. One of these "sticks" or records was to be written for Judah and the children of Israel. One of these records was for the tribe of Joseph and his house. The Bible is the record of Judah, and the tribes of Israel. The Book of Mormon is the record of a people who were from the tribe of Joseph, but ultimately were also from the tribes of Israel. Together, if we take these two records in our hands together, we have two testimonies that Jesus is the Christ. They become one in our hand, not just physically, but they become one in purpose to testify of the Savior.

Jesus said, " 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." John 10:14-16

Who were these "other sheep" that Jesus spoke of? When the Savior visited the Americas, He explained who these "other sheep" were. In the Book of Mormon we read,

"This much did the Father command me, that I should tell unto them

That other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

And verily I say unto you, that ye are they of whom I said: Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." 3 Nephi 15:16,17, 21

By bringing His Gospel to the people of the Americas, Christ made His fold to be one fold with one shepherd.

The title page of the Book of Mormon says that one of the purposes of the Book of Mormon is for , "the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations." It stands today along side the Bible as a witness of Jesus Christ. It is the record of the "other sheep" spoken of in the Bible. I hope that you will take the opportunity to read the Book of Mormon and listen to the witness that it has to offer.

Christ in America

Click here to watch a special video, "Christ in America". This explains more about how the Book of Mormon and Bible both testify of Jesus Christ.

Book of Mormon Sampler August 24, 2008

Mosiah 2:17

17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Book of Mormon Sampler August 8, 2008

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."
Helaman 5:12

Book of Mormon Sampler July 27, 2008

I decided I would like to start a new feature on this blog called "Book of Mormon Sampler". Here I will occasionally post favorite Book of Mormon scriptures for you to peruse. The advantage to this is that I have read the Book of Mormon many times, so I know some of the particularly choice passages (atleast they are choice to me). It's sort of like getting a book review I guess, but I thought this might give you an idea for what kinds of things the Book of Mormon has to offer. I'm not sure why I chose this first scripture other than that it has been on my mind. And so today, I give you the first scripture sampler:

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot."
" Moroni 10:32,33

Teachings of the Book of Mormon

I was asked what the Book of Mormon gives to us that is important in the plan of salvation that can't be found in the Bible. Here is a list of some of what the Book of Mormon has to offer, although it is by no means a complete list.

--Teaches the importance of repentance in the plan of salvation

--In general, makes clear teachings in the Bible about which many religions disagree.

--Stands as a second witness with the testimonies in the Bible that Jesus is the Christ, and that He resurrected from the dead. "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." 2 Corinthians 13:1

--Describes the purpose and meaning of the atonement in greater detail. Dallin H. Oaks taught, "For example, the word atonement appears only once in the entire New Testament but twenty-eight times in the text of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is clearly the most profound treatment of this supremely important subject found anywhere " Dallin H. Oaks, "'Another Testament of Jesus Christ'," Ensign, Mar 1994, 60

--Describes the resurrection, judgement, and our life after death in greater detail.

--Makes clear that infant baptism is not necessary. Because of the atonement of Christ, little children are saved if they die before the age of accountability

--Teaches the proper method of baptism

--Teaches of the blessing and cursing that was put upon this land (the American continent) which are that as long as the inhabitants serve God, they will be blessed and will prosper in the land. But if they do not serve God, they will lose these blessings.

--Gives greater understanding to the words of Isaiah

--Gives us examples of the cycle of pride to help us to learn to avoid this cycle.

--Teaches of our life before this Earth life

--It was written for our day, to convince us to come unto Christ and to obey His commandments.

--Teaches more about the sacrament.

--Why death is necessary

--The workings of the evil one, and how to combat temptation.

--Teaches about the order of the priesthood

--How to distinguish between good and evil

--The true nature of God

--How to retain a remission of your sins

--It restores main "plain and precious" things that were lost from the Bible during its compilation

Gold Plates Found in Bulgaria

I read a very interesting news article this morning about gold plates that were found in Bulgaria. This is very interesting to Latter-Day Saints who believe that the Book of Mormon was recorded by Prophets on the American continents on plates of gold. Click here to read the full news story.