Each night, throughout the semester, we have an assigned reading. I remember my first time opening up the PDF for that night, and grimacing at how daunting the task before me seemed. Nevertheless, I pushed forward, and attempted to do so with a positive mindset. In each lesson, there is an introduction, a list of scriptures following a brief statement, and the "supplemental material", which include quotes from addresses given by general authorities.
Lesson one came with several insights about the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. The first quote I wrote down from my reading in lesson one was a quote from President Hinkley given in the November 2007 Ensign. In reference to Joseph Smith he states, "He was largely unschooled; and yet, in a very brief time, he brought forth the translation which published form comes to more than 500 pages...". I think this statement is simply amazing, yet something that, for some reason, I had never thought about before. How could Joseph truly have translated those 500 pages, written in a foreign tongue, without the Lord's help? The simple answer is, he couldn't. Yet another astonishing thing, is the worldwide acceptance of this book today, translated by a young man with little education, and no training, but through the aid of the Lord. In an address given by Elder Nelson, he details that the translating of the Bible took fifty english scholars seven years to translate, or roughly one page a day. In stark contrast, Joseph Smith translated ten pages each day, while simultaneously restoring the preisthood, receiving revelations, and much more. Truly, that in itself is a miracle, and one that I am so grateful for, as it produced the Book of Mormon as a result.
Another insight I had came while reading Joseph's Testimony. Joseph states that as he prepared for the eventual delivery of the plates, he had annual "interviews" with the Angel Moroni. Most Latter-day-saints have heard of these meetings between Joseph and Moroni, however what stood out to me was the word "interviews." Thus, implying that Joseph and Moroni had an open dialogue, and that Joseph was free to inquire through Moroni. I wish I was able to converse freely to an angel! Through this visitation, we come to fully grasp the manner in which the Lord works.
During lesson two, the emphasis was on the Creation of the world, the Fall of Adam and Eve, and the Natural Man. In spite of the fact that many other worldly religions base their teachings off of the Bible, the Book of Mormon truly gives the full explanation of the Creation. In addition, because of the Fall, mankind was in a lost and fallen state. Due to this, we are subject to physical and spiritual death. While I was reading the selected scriptures for this section, Mosiah 16: 8-9 really touched me. They state, "But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death." As I have read throughout my life, I have always been attracted to the verses that compare Christ to a light. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best metaphors that is used to describe our Savior.
As we continued to talk about the Creation in class following my nightly reading, we addressed several other ideas that I had no previously thought about. Obviously, we know that Christ aided in creating our world that we know. Even so, in a quote by Joseph F. Smith, he talks about other "appointed rulers" and prophets that also possibly aided with the Creation. I thought this was a marvelous thought, and one that resounded with my being.
As we continued in our teachings, many things were clarified for me as well. One in particular was the fact that Christ is referred to both the Father, and the Son. Brother Kinghorn clarified during class that this was simply because Christ is the Father of the atonement, and because he was "conceived by the power of God", but the Son because he is God's anointed Son. A scripture that resignated with me while reading in this section was Alma 26: 35-37. I adore these simple verses where Ammon "glories in the Lord" and "boasts" in his God.
Another interesting discussion that we had during class was about the infinite atonement. I thought it was interesting when we read aloud the quote from Elder Nelson that states, "And the mercy of the Atonement extends not only to an infinite number of people, but also to an infinite number of worlds created by him." For some reason, I had never truly wrapped my brain around the idea that the atonement also extended to those who live in other worlds. Although, it makes sense because Christ loves every one of us.
As we continued in our discussion of the Savior and his atonement, another interesting proposal entered into my mind. In a quote by Elder Taylor, he states that as a result of Christ's suffering on the cross, the world and nature suffered. Essentially, as a result of Christ's ultimate suffering on the cross, that anguishing pain radiated throughout the earth. Undeniably, our Savior suffered on the cross in order to fulfill our Heavenly Father's will to atone for our sins.
In closing, I am eternally grateful for the lessons and clarity that this class has provided for me in just the short space of three weeks. (If you managed to read all of this, I commend you.) As a result, my testimony of the Lord has been strengthened, and I have grown as an individual to feel the love that Christ has for each of his children.
President Hinkley- The Stone Cut Out of the Mountain
Elder Nelson- time required to translate the BOM
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