Bible testifies of Book of Mormon

Prophets of the Book of Mormon testify of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.  In John 10:16, we are told by the Savior that “other sheep I have that 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.”

A seeker of truth would see this as evidence there were other people on this earth who would be visited by the Savior.  That being said, would they not be commanded to keep records of this experience?  I draw that connection because of the record of the Jews and the commandment they had to keep them.  My second reasoning is “one fold, and one shepherd”.  This phrase makes it clear they would have been taught the same as the Jews.

Isaiah speaks of words coming out of the dust in Isaiah 29:4.  Did not the record of the Book of Mormon come out of the ground?  In that same chapter he writes exactly the experience Martin Harris had with the characters he took from the plates to a learned man for his translation.  The only way it could have been more descriptive would have been to use Martin Harris’ name.

Ezekiel 37: 15-17 talks about two sticks – the stick of Judah, and the stick of Ephraim.  Obviously, the stick of Judah is the Bible.  This lets the seeker of truth realize there is a book (stick) that will be one with the Bible.  The Book of Mormon is another testament of the life of our Savior.  

So what do I pull from this study this morning?  If nothing else I need to remember these three references. 

I’m always intrigued when I have an experience like I just had.  I had a few more minutes to read, so I picked up my latest Ensign and read the conference talk by Elder Larry Echo Hawk.  He spoke of his experience as a Marine in the Vietnam War when his drill sergeant inspected his barracks and grilled each Marine as he emptied the contents of his duffel bag on their bed.  He was terrified when his things were dumped on his bed.  His Book of Mormon was the first thing the sergeant saw and he was braced for a beating.  But instead, the sergeant asked him if he was a Mormon.  When he yelled back that he was, and expecting the worst, he was surprised when the drill sergeant held his book and quietly asked, “Do you believe in this book?”  When he answered in the affirmative, the drill sergeant put the book quietly back on his bed and moved on. 

What a testament to the power of this book that was prophesied thousands of years before it came forth out of the dust and was translated by a young man, unlearned in the languages of men.  The Book of Mormon is true.  It testifies of Christ and his divine purpose, as well as the divine plan of our Heavenly Father.  It testifies of our purpose in being here.  I am so very blessed to have this book in my life and I testify of its truth as well.