what is the purpose of the Book of Mormon?

Question

THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF MORMON----

click the website:http://www.fortunecity.com/millenium/tinkywinky/316/The_Purpose_of_The_Book_of_Mormon.htm

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Maria K
S



Now we have two records. The first is the Bible, which was corrupted during the apostasy by false teachers and priests, and the second is the Book of Mormon that came forth uncorrupted In the last days, the purpose of "which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever-- And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations."

Answer 1

First, I want to correct some of the things that the website said. The Great Apostasy did not happen after the fulness was restored, but before or else there would not have been anything to restore. The coming forth of the Book of Mormon is part of that fulness.

Second, the author of that site said much on why and how the apostacy happened. In the Bible it records the death of the apostles and prophets beginning first with Stephen. Eventually, we know, they were all killed or died. The power and authority that led the church at that time is the same that leads it now and it must be bestowed upon them by correct authority. It is the preisthood. In biblical times Christ himself gave the preisthood to his apostles and all the keys of that preisthood were given to Peter. Upon his death John became the Prophet of the church. However, since travel and communication were not as they are now, those who would have received the keys and authority to continue the church on the earth did not receive them before the death of the apostles. The authority to act in God's name had therefore left the earth. There was no man who could speak for God to the general populance of the earth nor did they really want to hear it (obvious since they were killing them off).

The Bible, in the beginning, was in a completely true state. Again, part of the problem was the technology. Every copy that was made was done by hand. It was very easy to change or make mistakes which would become standard over the centuaries. So, no authority and a changed book and there was an apostasy.

The Book of Mormon was part of the restoration of the fulness of the gospel. It's soul purpose is to bring people to Christ. It is the record of the prophets on the American continent including the personal visitation of Christ. He referred to this, those other people, in the Bible when he spoke of "other sheep" that are "not of this fold." Also, the Book of Mormon is the second witness fulfilling the scripture that says "out of the mouth or two or three witnesses..." (Sorry, don't have my scriptures with me right now.)The only thing that He wants for all His children is for us to be happy ("Man is that he might have joy," "This is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the exaltation and eternal life of man.") I don't know if you have read the book or not, but if you have not, I sincerly hope you will. It has changed my life and the things that it teaches has given me hope in the darkest of times. Ask the Lord about it, pray about it and you WILL receive an answer. ("Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you...") This I can tell you through my own experiences. And should you have any question I would be happy to do my best to answer them for you.

Answer 2

I think the best explanation of the purpose of the Book of Mormon comes from the title page itself:

"Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni, and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.
An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the House of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL God, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ."

Answer 3

First, my background.
I was born and raised Mormon (LDS), in a small all-Mormon Utah town. I was baptized, confirmed and have participated in several "services" in four different temples.
I left the LDS church in my twenties for several reasons, but that's beside the point.
Based on my experience, the Book of Mormon is used simply to solidify and promote Mormon beliefs.
I'm not going to bag on the Mormons, because I believe all religions have good things and bad, all religions house good people and bad... if someone finds a religion that works for them, gives them a sense of community and some morals to live by... great! To each their own.
However, if you read the Book of Mormon with the Bible, there are great discrepancies and major contradictions. For instance, Mormons teach that if you live a good life and blah blah blah, when you die, you will be king or queen of your own kingdom/heaven. The Bible says, I am God, I am king, there was no God/king before me and there will be none after.
Furthermore, the Book of Mormon does not mesh well with factual history.
Brigham Young was a mass murderer. Check out the book, "The Bear Lake Massacre."
Joseph Smith shows up in countless history books as a traveling con artist, a snake-oil salesman, a thief and general shady character. Yet, Mormons worship him (so to speak)... kinda iffy there.
(And I better not get started on the archaic temple rituals... there is a reason why the majority looks at Mormonism as a cult)

Answer 4

The Book of Mormon is considered by The Mormons to be the 2nd testiment of Jesus. Written by Joseph Smith (Their Founder). A man with a 2nd grade education that studied the bible on his own. It is believed that he had an encounter with God and was given the book of Mormon written on tablets of gold. He was to Copy the book, afterward they were taken back up to heaven. The copy is the Book of Mormon and The Elders of the church are considered to be like the Apostles similar to the catholics witch believe that The Pope is in Peters seat. It's the back bone of the Mormon faith and believed to be as inspired as the Holy Bible

Answer 5

It serves as the same purpose that the Bible does for every other religion out there

Answer 6

That's a great web site.