The Book of Mormon Scriptures and Index

This collection of excerpts, primarily from “The Book of Mormon,” details a religious narrative centered on divine commandments and the consequences of obedience or rebellion. It highlights the founding and evolution of various peoples, particularly the Nephites and Lamanites, tracing their spiritual and societal journeys through periods of righteousness, prosperity, wickedness, and conflict. Key figures like Nephi, Alma, and Mormon chronicle prophecies, divine interventions, and the importance of faith in Jesus Christ for redemption. The text also underscores the concept of eternal judgment based on one’s actions and the ultimate fate of individuals and nations.

The scriptures describe a people governed by profound spiritual beliefs and divine covenants, centered on a comprehensive plan of salvation and the overarching authority of God.

Here are the foundational spiritual beliefs and covenants:

1. Beliefs about God and Christ:

• Monotheism and God’s Nature
  • There is one God and one Shepherd over all the earth.
  • God is omniscient, knowing all things from the beginning. His course is one eternal round, signifying His unchangeable nature.
  • He possesses all power to fulfill His words and works among mankind.
  • God is just and merciful, and His ways are righteousness forever. He delights in the chastity of women.
  • He created all men, and one being is as precious in His sight as another.
  • He is mindful of every people [26:37], and He loves those who will have Him to be their God.
• The Divinity and Mission of Jesus Christ
  • The Lamb of God is the Son of the Eternal Father, and the Savior of the world.
  • He was conceived by the power of God (the Father), and though He is the Son due to His flesh, He and the Father are one God.
  • Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin to answer the demands of the law for those with a broken heart and contrite spirit.
  • He is the “good shepherd” who calls His sheep, and they are called by His name, Christ.
  • He redeems His people from their sins, suffers and dies to atone for them, and rises again to bring about the resurrection.
  • Salvation comes only through Him. No flesh can dwell in God’s presence save through the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.
  • He is the “rock of our Redeemer,” and upon this rock, one must build their foundation to withstand the devil’s power and not fall into misery.
• The Role of the Holy Ghost
  • The Holy Ghost gives authority to speak and utterance.
  • The mysteries of God are unfolded by the power of the Holy Ghost.
  • The Holy Ghost teaches one to pray and shows all things one should do.
  • It carries words to the hearts of men.
  • The Holy Ghost fills individuals with hope and perfect love and manifests spiritual gifts.

2. The Plan of Salvation and Redemption:

• A plan of salvation exists to increase the testimony of God to the human family regarding the truths of the Christian religion.
• Repentance is essential for salvation. All men will be brought into judgment.
• The atonement of Christ satisfies the demands of justice for all who have not received the law, delivering them from death, hell, and the devil.
• Those who are righteous, who believe in Christ and endure to the end, will inherit the kingdom of God.
• There is a probationary state in this life, where men know good from evil and are free to act for themselves. To procrastinate repentance in this state leads to an awful spiritual condition.
• Little children are considered alive in Christ from the foundation of the world, implying they are redeemed without baptism if they die in infancy. Baptism is unto repentance for the remission of sins, not for children.

3. Foundational Covenants:

• The Abrahamic Covenant: The Lord covenanted with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, promising that “in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed”. This blessing is fulfilled through the pouring out of the Holy Ghost upon the Gentiles.
• Covenant of Prosperity through Obedience: A recurring promise is that if the people “keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land”. Conversely, not keeping commandments results in being “cut off from my presence” and destruction.
• Covenant of Gathering Israel: The scattered house of Israel, likened to an olive tree, will be gathered in the latter days. The Gentiles play a significant role in this gathering. The Lord remembers all those who have been “broken off” from the house of Israel.
• Personal Covenants: Individuals enter into a covenant with God through baptism, promising to serve Him and keep His commandments.

4. Governing Principles and Practices:

• Obedience to Commandments: This is paramount, as prosperity and divine protection are contingent upon it.
• Faith in Christ: Belief in Jesus Christ is the “right way”.
• Worship and Humility: The people are to “bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul”. They are admonished to humble themselves without compulsion.
• Moral Conduct: Commandments forbid contentions, murder, stealing, and whoredoms. The Lord delights in the chastity of women, and men should have only one wife and no concubines.
• Love and Charity: They are taught to love their neighbor as themselves and to be charitable, specifically to the poor and needy. Wo is pronounced upon the rich who despise the poor.
• Sabbath Observance: They are commanded to observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
• Prayer: They are to pray continually, day and night, giving thanks and pouring out their souls to God.
• Church Practices: They are commanded to meet together often to fast, pray, and partake of the bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus. If any commit iniquity and do not repent after witnesses, their names are blotted out from the church. Priests are consecrated and should labor with their own hands for support.
• Rejection of Priestcraft and Secret Combinations: The scriptures condemn building churches for gain or power over others. Secret oaths and covenants, originating from the devil and leading to wickedness, are abhorrent and lead to destruction.

5. The Purpose of the Scriptures (The Book of Mormon):

• This book serves to increase the testimony of God regarding the plan of salvation and the truths of the Christian religion, providing the testimony of prophets from different continents.
• It is meant to convince both Gentiles and the scattered house of Israel that the records of the prophets and the twelve apostles of the Lamb are true.
• Its purpose is to establish the truth of the first records (like the Bible) and reveal “plain and precious things” that were taken away.
• It makes known that Jesus is the Son of the Eternal Father and Savior, and that all must come unto Him to be saved.
• The overall goal is to persuade the people to believe in Christ and be reconciled to God.

In essence, the governance of these people hinges on a covenant relationship with God, predicated on faith in Jesus Christ, expressed through obedience to His commandments, and consistently reinforced by the testimony of prophets and the Holy Ghost as recorded in these scriptures. Deviation from these principles, particularly through pride, wickedness, and the rejection of divine counsel, leads to divine judgments and destruction.