The truth of the Book of Mormon helps me know many other spiritual truths. (D&C 20-22)

(D&C 20-22)

20:5

Prophets are perfect right? Especially Joseph Smith since he was the first prophets of the restoration! Actually no. There has never been a prophet who was perfect - including Joseph Smith. “After it was truly manifested unto this first elder that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world.” As Joseph mentioned in his account of the first vision, he had never been guilty of serious sin. He confessed that he was guilty of levity and being influenced by who he kept company with.

We can’t assume what these other vanities of the world were. The point is that even after his sins were forgiven during that first vision, he was entangled again. This is a demonstration of how, even the most righteous among us, can be tempted by the things of this world. No one is exempt. Anyone who is reading this and thinking they are beyond temptation should look to the example of Joseph and recommit to working very hard to build our resistance to the temptations that surround all of us.

20:8-12

How do I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true? The same way that I know that there is a God. It is primarily the Book of Mormon that has made these things known to me. If there was no Book of Mormon, I may have a hard time believing that we aren’t just the product of random evolution and that our beliefs about God and an afterlife are the effects of a frenzied mind (Alma 30:16) that can’t bear the thought of life ending the moment we die. It’s such a scary thought that the lights will just go out and we will evaporate at death - no wonder we humans would have invented some type of belief system that saves us from facing that! Right?

It would be easy for me to believe that the Bible is just a collection of intelligent writings by a bunch of men that lived a long time ago - with their purpose being in a position of power, authority and influence. I would have to concede that most of humanity have never held a bible in their hands. How could the Christian faith possibly be the true gospel when most people on earth have never even heard the name of Jesus Christ. This fact alone could persuade me to concede that no religion is actually true - it totally depends on where you grow up and what your culture is - how could that possibly be God’s plan? It seems so random that it couldn’t possibly be true. That would be my logical conclusion on the subject of religion and I would consider myself astute and wise for coming up with this amazing theory.

However, if the Book of Mormon disproves all of that with its existence. If the Book of Mormon is true, then I know that:

We have a loving Heavenly Father who has a plan for us that will allow us to become like Him someday. In verse 17-18, we read, “By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them; And that he created man, male and female, after his own image and in his own likeness, created he them.” This the beginning of truth - we must know that we aren’t random events - rather, we were created by a loving Heavenly Parent. That’s the beginning of faithful knowledge.
Jesus Christ wasn’t just a historical figure but is actually the literal Son of God and the only path that we can return back to our Heavenly Father.
Jesus was crucified and was then resurrected and is alive today. Christ’s atonement is real and the only way for us to be forgiven of our sins.
The Lord uses prophets to reveal his truth to the rest of us.
The prophets of the Old Testament lived and led and prophesied and the events in the New Testament happened. The gospel of Jesus Christ was taught plainly and can be the pattern for my life.

In other words, the Book of Mormon validates and clarifies the doctrine taught in the Bible. It proves to me that the Bible wasn’t just an amazing story invented by creative, oldish men.

In addition, because the Book of Mormon exists, I can believe in the truth of the Restoration. I can know that:

Joseph Smith was a prophet. There is no other possible explanation for Joseph Smith to have the Book of Mormon other than how he actually received it and translated it through the power of God. I DO NOT believe that young Joseph invented the Book of Mormon from his amazing creativity and uncanny knowledge of Jewish history and culture. I also DO NOT believe that he copied the book from some other contemporary author. I’ve read the supposed sources/inspiration for the Book of Mormon and THEY ARE NOT THE SOURCE OF THE BOOK OF MORMON. So, the ONLY option for the Book of Mormon to exist is that it was brought to Joseph through divine help and his ability to translate a foreign language was through the power of God.
If Joseph Smith was a prophet, then the church that he established is the true church of Jesus Christ. Even though we are small in number, relatively, to the population of the earth, it doesn’t negate the fact that this is the true church. I don’t know why our numbers are such a minority - but, again, because I know that the Book of Mormon is true, so I know Joseph Smith was a prophet, so I know the church is true - regardless of our size. Me trying to use my logical brain to figure out why God does what he does is a stupid strategy.
If the church is true, then it holds the keys to the priesthood of God and all ordinances are being done with the authority of God.
If the church is true, then we really do have a living prophet and apostles that lead the church through inspiration from God.

All of these points are made more succinctly in these five verses. “And gave him power from on high, by the means which were before prepared, to translate the Book of Mormon; Which contains a record of a fallen people, and the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and to the Jews also; Which was given by inspiration, and is confirmed to others by the ministering of angels, and is declared unto the world by them— Proving to the world that the holy scriptures are true, and that God does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as well as in generations of old; Thereby showing that he is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.”

20:13-15

Learning about the gospel and understanding it to be true has some pros and cons. “Therefore, having so great witnesses, by them shall the world be judged, even as many as shall hereafter come to a knowledge of this work. And those who receive it in faith, and work righteousness, shall receive a crown of eternal life; But those who harden their hearts in unbelief, and reject it, it shall turn to their own condemnation.”

So, if we receive the gospel in faith and that testimony leads to our righteousness, we will be blessed with the ultimate gift of eternal life. That is a great thing! However, if we reject the gospel because our hearts are hardened, it will lead to our own condemnation. Does this mean that every person who stops listening to the missionaries is damned to hell? No, of course not. But, it isn’t good. There are consequences to hearing the gospel and rejecting it.

It’s not about God has a really big list of punishments that will be enforced on those who reject the gospel. It is more that there is a natural consequence to rejecting the gospel. Obviously, there will be a removal of blessings that could have been given in mortality. And, unfortunately, this rebellion in life may extend into the next life where real condemnation will happen. As verse 15 said, the condemnation will be OUR condemnation. It is not something that is imposed on us. It’s just a result of us “turning” away from God and going our own way.

20:22

“He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.” I’ve heard before that Jesus didn’t have to struggle with temptations because he was the Son of God and was somehow immune from them. This couldn’t be more untrue. He experienced morality in all of its terribleness. He lived in a fallen world. His atonement was all about being able to succor us. Part of developing the ability to succor us was to face temptation.

You could say that he had more experience resisting temptation than any of us. He never, not once, gave into temptation. So, unlike us, he’s experienced handling temptation in a completely successful way. He resisted ALL temptation that he faced. He had to be a flawless sacrifice. It’s probably not talked about enough.

The suffering in Gesthemane and on the cross was more intense that we could have imagined. But, let’s not forget that, part of it, was that he had to enter Gesthemane as a flawless sacrifice. Part of his responsibility was to never give into the many temptations that he faced. That’s a lot of pressure right!? Pretty amazing that he never “gave heed” to any of them.

20:31-34

“And we know also, that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.” We know that we cannot sanctify ourselves. We could not bridge the unbridgeable canyon that was created at the Fall. It’s important that we know that we aren’t saving or sanctifying ourselves. It is only through Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost that sanctification happens.

Having said that, God is not going to force anyone to be sanctified. He isn’t going to drag someone kicking and screaming. We must choose to be sanctified. Part of that choice is for us to “love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength.” We are not earning it but we MUST participate in the sanctification process.

It is the same as asking a five year old to play the piano like a master. He is not ever going to be able to do it without a teacher. The teacher has the ability and experience and empathy to turn the novice into a maestro. With that said, if the child doesn’t work very hard to practice and follow what the teacher teaches, any teaching will be futile. The student has to go through the long, difficult process. Again, he couldn’t do it on his own. He needs his teacher. But it is still up to him to do the work. The teacher cannot implant skill into his brain and cannot force him to fully engage in the learning process. It has to be his choice.

It is the same with us and our sanctification. We are unable to get there on our own but we must strive diligently in God’s plan. It is possible to fall from grace.”But there is a possibility that man may fall from grace and depart from the living God; Therefore let the church take heed and pray always, lest they fall into temptation; Yea, and even let those who are sanctified take heed also.” Anyone who thinks that their level of righteousness will act as a force-field against any possible temptation is someone who is ripe for destruction. Being a member of the church doesn’t protect us from temptation. Being endowed in the temple doesn’t protect us from temptation. Being sanctified by the Spirit doesn’t protect us from temptation. Truly, even being the Only Begotten Son of God doesn’t protect us from temptation!

20:37

In these verses, we get explicit instructions about how to baptize and who to baptize. “And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism—All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.” So, those who can be baptized are those who:

Desire to be baptized.
Come forth with a broken heart and contrite spirit.
Witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins.
Are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ.
Have a determination to serve him until then end.
Truly manifest by their works that they have received the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins.

Perhaps we put too much emphasis on “washing away sins” at baptism. Perhaps we should focus on how this is a commitment to take upon ourselves the name of Christ and expressing a determination to serve him until the end. With children’s baptisms, let’s focus more on the commitment they are making. Baptism is a covenant and should be viewed that way by everyone being baptized - even eight year olds. As we read in verse 71, “No one can be received into the church of Christ unless he has arrived unto the years of accountability before God, and is capable of repentance.” It would be very worthwhile for every 8 year old to understand that what they’re doing is making a commitment, a covenant.

With adults, I think there could be additional focus on their old life ending and a new life beginning as a disciple of Christ. It is not so much that their sins are being washed away through baptism (the only thing that can do that is repentance) - it is more that they are leaving their old, sinful life behind. The old person is dying and the new person is being born. Truly, baptism is being born again as a disciple of Christ.

20:75

“It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of bread and wine in the remembrance of the Lord Jesus.” We have a friend who, in the past, hasn’t seen the need to attend church each week. He wasn’t sure that, anywhere in the scriptures, it says that we should meet together regularly. Thankfully, this scripture exists. I was able to send this scripture to him and it stopped that particular line of thinking.

We must meet together to strengthen and fellowship each other. Alone, we are much weaker than we are as part of a congregation. However, this verse explains the primary purpose for us to meet together each Sunday - to partake of the sacrament. Renewing the commitment that we make at baptism is very helpful. We must renew that commitment regularly. It’s in our nature as natural men and women to quickly drift away and settle in the gravity-filled nature of this world.

20:77

It’s important that the commitment that we are making in the sacrament is that we are WILLING to take upon us the name of Christ. When we bless the bread, we say, “O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.” The key word there is willing. We do NOT have to be perfect to partake of the sacrament. But, we have to be engaged in the struggle. We’ve got to have the desire to be better. We’ve got to be repentant of the things that we are doing wrong.

If we are in rebellion, where we don’t really care if we are following Christ or not, we are not worthy of partaking of the sacrament. The sacrament is reminding ourselves what we are committed to. Taking Christ’s name upon us and acknowledging that we are committed to remembering him and following his commandments is essential to us fallen mortals to stay headed in the right direction. If we take too many Sunday’s off, we will certainly recognize that we are suddenly headed in the WRONG direction.

As this is a renewing of a covenant, God is committing that we will have the Spirit with us if we are striving to do what we’re committing to. It’s a good deal.

21:5-6

What are the benefits to following the prophet? First of all, we should follow the prophet. In this dispensation, the church leadership is not going to fall away. We can count on it. “For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.”

I’ve had friends tell me that they are concerned that the church leadership is getting off track. They’ve been concerned about policies that they don’t agree with. I’ve been outspoken and clear about how I think that their opinions are setting them on a path to apostasy. One man in particular assured me that he wasn’t ever going to leave the church. Criticizing the church leadership is obviously the first step to apostasy for many. We need to receive every word that comes out of the prophet’s mouth in “patience and faith.” Not patience with the prophet but patience with ourselves and patience with the Lord. We don’t have the full picture and don’t know the details of God’s plan in these latter days. We aren’t in a position to criticize!

22:2-4

There were those in the early church who were not seeing the need to be re-baptized since they had already been baptized. Of course, their original commitment to follow the Savior into the waters of baptism is a very good thing. Anytime, anywhere someone commits to following Christ is good.

However, to say that I don’t need to be baptized in this church because I had already been baptized denies the necessity of priesthood authority. The commitment to follow Christ is important - but so is acknowledging the necessity of the restored church that is endowed with God’s authority to do works in his name, including baptism. “Wherefore, although a man should be baptized an hundred times it availeth him nothing, for you cannot enter in at the strait gate by the law of Moses, neither by your dead works. For it is because of your dead works that I have caused this last covenant and this church to be built up unto me, even as in days of old.”

There is one way. There is one gate and one strait path. “Wherefore, enter ye in at the gate, as I have commanded, and seek not to counsel your God.” I love this verse. It’s like the Lord is saying “Just do what I say and don’t question what I’m doing.” This section really illustrates how we humans think our logic can supersede the revelation of God. We just don’t have the brainpower to second-guess what God is doing. His ways are not our ways. To think that our superior logic can outsmart what is revealed by God’s prophets is a perfect example of out of control narcissism. It is much better to be humble and teachable and let God form us in his way.