“Introductory pages The Book of Mormon was written by many ancient prophets who recorded their words on different sets of metal plates. These records were later abridged to create the plates of Mormon, or the gold plates that Joseph Smith translated.
DISCUSSION Compared to all that could have been recorded on the gold plates, Mormon and others were inspired to choose only a small portion for the Book of Mormon (see Words of Mormon 1:5 and 3 Nephi 26:6). How can knowing this influence your perspective of the chapters we have today?”
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: But the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
This past weekend my husband and I enjoyed watching our youngest daughter exchange vows with her ‘Mr. Wonderful’. It was an incredibly blessed event! One of the blessings was listening to the music they played while walking down the aisle. They chose ‘Be Thou My Vision’, and ‘Come Thou Fount’, and used them to publicly announce Jesus is their sole focus.
As the songs played, I couldn’t help but think of the LDS reference we’re looking at today. The two scenarios are so vastly different – I’m thrilled and blessed with my daughter’s choices. At the same time my heart breaks for those in the LDS Church because of their focus, or the lack thereof. Furthermore, one has to wonder why the Church has ignored what the Lord said in Isaiah.
In light of all this, we have a few questions for members of the Church. These aren’t meant to demean, or bash in any way. It truly concerns us they’d publish these things in a magazine (Liahona) intended for young adults. In all sincerity, we pray you consider the following —
What purpose does it serve to analyze something that doesn’t exist?
How will doing this bring you closer to Jesus?
The Lord’s protection comes in Paul’s reminder for us to prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good –1 Thessalonians 5:21. His word also reminds us of how the Bereans compared what they’d been told with God’s word, to see if it was true – Acts 17:11.
How could someone do those things when the actual item (e.g. the BoM) is nowhere to be found?
The Church is clever in coming up with ideas on how to keep the attention of its members focused on anything but truth in God’s word. Don’t be fooled by the endless rabbit trails leading nowhere.
If you’re LDS, please know we’re praying for you and do so every day.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all
With Love in Christ;
Michelle