Remember the New Covenant

Remember the New Covenant, Even the Book of Mormon

I. Joseph Smith’s preparation to receive and translate the Book of Mormon

In September 1823, Joseph Smith was 17 yrs old. It had been 3.5 years since his vision of the Father and the Son where he was instructed to join none of the churches. We do not have a lot of detail regarding Joseph’s life during these years. We do know that while he awaited further direction , he suffered “persecution at the hands of all classes of men, both religious and irreligious, because I continued to aaffirm that I had seen a vision. “ ( JSH 1:27)


Joseph had concerns over some of weaknesses of youth . As he stated, “I was left to all kinds of btemptations; and, mingling with all kinds of society, I frequently fell into many foolish cerrors, and displayed the weakness of youth, and the foibles of human nature; which, I am sorry to say, led me into divers temptations, offensive in the sight of God.” ( JSH 1:28)

Nothing serious, just that he felt his behavior was “not consistent with that character which ought to be maintained by one who was ecalled of God as I had been.” (JSH 1:28)

It was these concerns that led him to earnestly appeal to God for forgiveness on the night of the 21st of September. He wanted to know what his standing was with the Lord. Oliver Cowdery indicates that this was no casual prayer that Joseph offered. He was on his knees for hours, refusing to give up until he received the divine manifestation that he was in full confidence would occur. For he had seen a vision before and knew that the Lord would speak to him again.

JSH 1:30
30 While I was thus in the act of calling upon God, I discovered a alight appearing in my room, which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a bpersonage appeared at my bedside, standing in the air, for his feet did not touch the floor.
31 He had on a loose robe of most exquisite awhiteness. It was a whiteness beyond anything earthly I had ever seen; nor do I believe that any earthly thing could be made to appear so exceedingly white and brilliant. His hands were naked, and his arms also, a little above the wrist; so, also, were his feet naked, as were his legs, a little above the ankles. His head and neck were also bare. I could discover that he had no other clothing on but this robe, as it was open, so that I could see into his bosom.
32 Not only was his robe exceedingly white, but his whole person was aglorious beyond description, and his countenance truly like blightning. The room was exceedingly light, but not so very bright as immediately around his person. When I first looked upon him, I was cafraid; but the dfear soon left me.

Joseph must have felt great comfort when this personage called him by name. After more than three years, God had not forgotten Joseph . He introduced himself as Moroni, a messenger sent from God and said that God had a great work for Joseph, and that his “name should be had for cgood and evil among all nations, kindreds, and tongues, or that it should be both good and evil spoken of among all people.” (JSH 1:33)




What is Moroni’s message to Joseph?

Highlights:
Moroni tells Joseph of the gold plates containing the fulness of the gospel as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants of American continent (v34).
Moroni quotes Malachi, Isaiah, and other Biblical scriptures (v36-41). Oliver Cowdery indicated in a letter that he wrote for the “Messenger and Advocate” Newspaper, that the angel quoted about 30 passages of scripture to Joseph that night, all with a common element: There was a great work to be done in the latter days to gather the Lord’s people one last time. Joseph was to be the one to set forth this work.
At the time when Joseph receives the plates, he is instructed not to show them, nor the Urim and Thummim, to any person (v42).
Moroni concludes his visit (v43).
Moroni returns for a second visit and restates that which had been given in his first visit and adds that great judgments are coming (v44).
Moroni returns for a third visit and repeats the same information and counsels Joseph that Satan would tempt him to use the plates for gain, but he was not to do so (v46).

The following morning, Joseph goes out to work with his father. He is so exhausted that his father sends him home for rest. He collapses against a fence, when he regains consciousness, he once again sees Moroni and given additional instructions (v48-49). Moroni commands Joseph to tell his father of this experience.

How did Joseph’s father react? What does this tell you about both Joseph and his father?

Throughout his experiences as a prophet of God, those who knew Joseph best believed him most.

What is our obligation to our family members in their efforts to follow the Lord? In what ways can we be better at this?

II. The miracle of the Book of Mormon’s preservation

With his father’s support Joseph went to the hill shown to him the night before. He found the place where the plates were hidden up and was able to view them, along with the Urim and Thummin and their breastplate. Joseph was not permitted to take the plates yet.

Why?

Oliver Cowdery gave us a description of a very important lesson taught to the youthful prophet. When Joseph first attempted to take possession of the record, "a shock was produced upon his system, by an invisible power which deprived him, in a measure, of his natural strength. He desisted for an instant, and then made another attempt, but was more sensibly shocked than before. What was the occasion of this he knew not— there was the pure unsullied record,
as had been described— he had heard of the power of enchantment, and a thousand like stories, which held the hidden treasures of the earth, and supposed that physical exertion and personal strength was only necessary to enable him to yet obtain the object of his wish. He therefore made the third attempt with an increased exertion, when his strength failed him more than at either of the former times, and without premeditating he exclaimed, 'Why can I not obtain this book?' 'Because you have not kept the commandments of the Lord,' answered a voice, within a seeming short distance. He looked, and to his astonishment, there stood the angel who had previously given him the directions concerning this matter.

In an instant, all the former instructions, the great intelligence concerning Israel and the last days, were brought to his mind: he thought of the time when his heart was fervently engaged in prayer to the Lord, when his spirit was contrite, and when this holy messenger from the skies unfolded the wonderful things connected with this record. He had come, to be sure, and found the word of the angel fulfilled concerning the reality of the record, but he had failed to remember the great end for which they had been kept, and in consequence could not have power to take them into his possession and bear them away. At that instant he looked to the Lord in prayer, and as he prayed darkness began to disperse from his mind and his soul was lit up as it was the evening before, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit; and again did the Lord manifest his condescension and mercy: the heavens were opened and the glory of the Lord
shone round about and rested upon him. While he thus stood gazing and admiring, the angel said,
'Look!' and as he thus spake he beheld the prince of darkness, surrounded by his innumerable train of associates. All this passed before him, and the heavenly messenger said, 'All this is shown, the good and the evil, the holy and impure, the glory of God and the power of darkness, that you may know hereafter the two powers and never be influenced or overcome by that wicked one. Behold, whatever entices and leads to good and to do good, is of God, and whatever does not is of that wicked one: It is he that fills the hearts of men with evil, to walk in darkness and blaspheme God; and you may learn from henceforth, that his ways are to destruction, but the way of holiness is peace and rest. You now see why you could not obtain this record; that the commandment was strict, and that if ever these sacred things are obtained they must be by prayer and faithfulness in obeying the Lord. They are not deposited here
for the sake of accumulating gain and wealth for the glory of this world: they were sealed by the prayer of faith, and because of the knowledge which they contain they are of no worth among the children of men, only for their knowledge. On them is contained the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, as it was given to his people on this land, and when it shall be brought forth by the power of God it shall be carried to the Gentiles, of whom many will receive it, and after will the seed of Israel be brought into the fold of their Redeemer by obeying it also. Those who kept the commandments of the Lord on this land, desired this at his hand, and through the prayer of faith obtained the promise, that if their descendants should transgress and fall away, that a record might be kept and in the last days come to their children.
These things are sacred, and must be kept so, for the promise of the Lord concerning them, must be fulfilled. No man can obtain them if his heart is impure, because they contain that which is sacred; and besides, should they be entrusted in unholy hands the knowledge could not come to the world, because they cannot be interpreted by the learning of this generation; consequently, they would be considered of no worth, only as precious metal. Therefore, remember, that they are to be translated by the gift and power of God'" (Messenger and Advocate, 2:197-98; Times and Seasons, 2:393).)

The prophet Joseph would return to this same spot every year on September 23 as instructed in hopes of attaining the plates. Joseph’s family knew that the angel had appeared to him. Every year on the indicated date, they looked forward to him attaining the plates with great anticipation. Friends of their family also knew and would find excuses to stop by the Smith home hoping to see the plates.½

It was not until Sept. 23, 1827, however, that the plates were delivered unto Joseph. He and Emma and recently been married. She accompanied him to the hill and wanted in the wagon while Joseph went to retrieve the plates. Moroni delivered them to Joseph with the following charge, “ that I should be bresponsible for them; that if I should let them go carelessly, or through any cneglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I would use all my endeavors to dpreserve them, until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected. (JSH 1:59)
60 I soon found out the reason why I had received such strict charges to keep them safe, and why it was that the messenger had said that when I had done what was required at my hand, he would call for them. For no sooner was it known that I had them, than the most strenuous exertions were used to aget them from me. Every stratagem that could be invented was resorted to for that purpose. The persecution became more bitter and severe than before, and multitudes were on the alert continually to get them from me if possible. But by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands, until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand.

so great was the persecution and threat, Joseph and Emma were forced to move to Harmony, PA so that translation of the record could commence.

Prior to the move, a man named Martin Harris and his wife became interested in the new work. Martin was “a farmer of respectability” and was particularly interested in this ancient record that Joseph had acquired. He was convinced enough in the work that when Joseph and Emma moved to PA, he publicly gave them $50 declaring “ I give this to you to do the Lord’s work with; no, I give it to the Lord for his own work.” ( Biographical Sketches, p 113)

Martin Harris by this time was the most active supporter of the prophet. Soon after Joseph and Emma moved, Martin traveled over a hundred miles to obtain characters copied from the plates then continued his winter journey another hundred miles to New York City where he visited with professor Charles Anthon seeking verification of their authenticity.

Martin spent two months in the summer of 1828 as Joseph’s scribe. Their work produced 116 manuscript pages. Martin petitioned the prophet to allow him to take the manuscript home with him and show it to his family. After all, he had arranged his affairs financially in order to take nearly a year vacation to help further the work. Martin's wife, Lucy Harris, had given her
Husband an ultimatum that he either brings the manuscript home for her to see or she would leave him, taking the children with her. After her husband's first visit to Harmony to serve as Joseph's scribe, Martin's wife "prepared a bed and room for him alone, which she refused to enter" (Smith, History of Joseph Smith, 1996, 155).

Joseph inquired of the Lord, through the Urim and Thummim if he might allow Martin to take the manuscript. The answer was that he was not to. Martin was not satisfied with that answer and encouraged Joseph to continue to petition the Lord. Finally, the Lord relented with the condition that Martin shows the manuscript to his family only. Martin bound himself with a covenant to Joseph that he would only do as directed.

Shortly after Martin left with the manuscript, Emma had a child, which lived only a short time.
Emma was so distraught over the loss of the child that Joseph remained by her side for two weeks. Emma's life hung in the balance.
As Emma began to recover Joseph became increasingly concerned over the manuscript. Three weeks had passed and Joseph had heard nothing from Martin.
Emma had Joseph bring her mother to stay with her. He then left for Palmyra to find out about the manuscript.
Joseph was tired from the vigil by his wife's side and the worry over the manuscript. A stranger assisted Joseph in getting to the home of his parents.
"His condition was such that it greatly aroused the sympathy of a gentleman fellow passenger, who, when Joseph left the stage coach, to make his way on foot to his father's home, his fellow passenger, though a stranger, insisted upon accompanying him, which he did." (CHC, 1:110-111)

"When Joseph had taken a little nourishment, according to the directions of the stranger, he requested us to send immediately for Mr. Harris. This we did without delay. And when we had given the stranger his breakfast, we commenced preparing breakfast for the family; and we supposed that Mr. Harris would be there, as soon as it was ready, to eat with us, for he generally came in such haste when he was sent for. At eight o'clock we set the victuals on the table, as we were expecting him every moment. We waited till nine, and he came not--till ten, and he was not there--till eleven, still he did not make his appearance. But at half past twelve we saw him walking with a slow and measured tread towards the house, his eyes fixed thoughtfully upon the ground. On coming to the gate, he stopped, instead of passing through, and got upon the fence, and sat there some time with his hat drawn over his eyes. At length he entered the house. Soon after which we sat down to the table, Mr. Harris with the rest. He took up his knife and fork as if he were going to use them, but immediately dropped them. Hyrum, observing this, said 'Martin, why do you not eat; are you sick?' Upon which Mr. Harris pressed his hands upon his temples, and cried out in a tone of deep anguish, 'Oh, I have lost my soul! I have lost my soul!'
"Joseph who had not expressed his fears till now, sprang from the table, exclaiming, 'Martin, have you lost that manuscript? Have you broken your oath, and brought down condemnation upon my head as well as your own?'
"'Yes; it is gone,' replied Martin, 'and I know not where.'
"'Oh, my God!' said Joseph, clinching his hands. 'All is lost! All is lost! What shall I do? I have sinned--it is I who tempted the wrath of God. I should have been satisfied with the first answer which I received from the Lord; for he told me that it was not safe to let the writing go out of my possession.' He wept and groaned, and walked the floor continually.
"At length he told Martin to go back and search again.
"'No'; said Martin, 'it is all in vain; for I have ripped open beds and pillows; and I know it is not there.'
"'Then must I,' said Joseph, 'return with such a tale as this? I dare not do it. And how shall I appear before the Lord? Of what rebuke am I not worthy from the angel of the Most High?'
"I besought him not to mourn so, for perhaps the Lord would forgive him, after a short season of humiliation and repentance. But what could I do to comfort him, when he saw all the family in the same situation of mind as himself; for sobs and groans, and the most bitter lamentations filled the house. However, Joseph was more distressed than the rest, as he better understood the consequences of disobedience. And he continued pacing back and forth, meantime weeping and grieving, until about sunset, when, by persuasion, he took a little nourishment.
"The next morning, he set out for home. We parted with heavy hearts, for it now appeared that all which we had so fondly anticipated, and which had been the source of so much secret gratification, had in a moment fled, and fled forever." (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, p127-129)

When Joseph returned to Harmony, the angel Moroni appeared to him and briefly returned the Urim and Thummim, allowing Joseph to receive section 3. This was in July of 1828. Then the Urim and Thummuim were taken from him again, together with the plates, for a period of about two months.

Section 3 stands as one of the great evidences of the Prophet Joseph’s divine calling. As nearly as can be determined, this is the first revelation he ever recorded. (He had received other revelations earlier, but they had not yet been recorded.) This one is a powerful witness of his prophetic calling; no false prophet would have recorded such a stinging denunciation of himself, as Richard Bushman notes: “[In] the rebuke of Joseph in the revelation of July, 1828, … [t]here is no effort to conceal or rationalize, no sign of Joseph justifying himself to prospective followers. The words flow directly from the messenger to Joseph and have the single purpose of setting Joseph straight.’” (Keith W. Perkins, “Thou Art Still Chosen,” Ensign, Jan. 1993, 16))

D&C 3:6-10
6 And behold, how aoft you have btransgressed the commandments and the laws of God, and have gone on in the cpersuasions of men.
7 For, behold, you should not have afeared man more than God. Although men set at naught the counsels of God, and bdespise his words—
8 Yet you should have been faithful; and he would have extended his arm and asupported you against all the fiery bdarts of the cadversary; and he would have been with you in every time of dtrouble.
9 Behold, thou art Joseph, and thou wast chosen to do the work of the Lord, but because of transgression, if thou art not aware thou wilt afall.
10 But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art aagain called to the work;

WHAT LESSON CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS VERSE AND THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET?

We may mess up big time, but the Lord is merciful, and we can repent and take up our calling in life. Joseph did and so have many others.

Brother Ivan J. Barrett wrote of this experience: "Grievous as the experience was, it proved to be the lesson Joseph Smith needed in his youth to strengthen him and fortify him against temptations that would later beset his path.
"It taught him to hearken to the inspiration that came to him and not to yield to the persuasions of men.
"It taught him to be cautious in trusting men, for few could be depended upon.
"It also taught him that more than one copy of valuable documents should be made. In the future he made duplicate copies of all important manuscripts." (Joseph Smith and the Restoration, p84)

What happened to the manuscript?

The testimonies of Pomeroy Tucker and Reverend Clark indicate that Martin's wife snatched the manuscript while her husband slept.
Mother Smith said this: "There is no doubt but Mrs. Harris took it from the drawer, with the view of retaining it until another translation should be given, then to alter the original translation, for the purpose of showing a discrepancy between them, and thus make the whole appear to be a deception." (History of Joseph Smith by His Mother, p131)
The Lord knew many centuries prior to this incident occurring that it would. He made provisions so that the work would go forth as planned, without frustration, regardless of the loss of the manuscript. He inspired Nephi, who was writing a secular history of the Nephites, to prepare a second set of records. The second set contained the account of the Nephites’ ministry during the same period of time and had greater doctrinal value than the first.
The Lord instructed Joseph to not translate Nephi’s secular history again. Instead, Joseph was to translate Nephi’s second set of records up to the time of King Benjamin.
How does this experience help you when you experience setbacks and disappointments in your life?
D&C3:16,19-20
16 Nevertheless, my awork shall go forth, for inasmuch as the knowledge of a Savior has come unto the world, through the btestimony of the Jews, even so shall the cknowledge of a dSavior come unto my people—
19 And for this very apurpose are these bplates cpreserved, which contain these records—that the dpromises of the Lord might be fulfilled, which he made to his epeople;
20 And that the aLamanites might come to the knowledge of their fathers, and that they might know the bpromises of the Lord, and that they may cbelieve the gospel and drely upon the merits of Jesus Christ, and be eglorified through faith in his name, and that through their repentance they might be saved. Amen.

The Lord always makes provisions for his work to be accomplished. He is more powerful than Satan. Satan will never successfully frustrate the Lord’s work.

III. Witnesses of the Book of Mormon

As Joseph translated the Book of Mormon, he learned that the Lord would permit three witnesses and a few others to view the plates.

Ether 5:4
4 And in the mouth of three awitnesses shall these things be established; and the btestimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record—and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day.

Joseph related, “ Almost immediately after we had made this discovery, it occurred to Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and the aforementioned Martin Harris (who had come to inquire after our progress in the work) that they would have me inquire of the Lord, to know if they might not obtain of him to be these three special witnesses. And finally they became so very solicitous, and teased me so much, that at length I complied, and through the Urim and Thummim, I obtained of the Lord for them the following revelation.. (Times and Seasons 3(1842):897, also cit. HC 1:52-53)
D&C 17:1-4
1 Behold, I say unto you, that you must rely upon my word, which if you do with full purpose of heart, you shall have a aview of the bplates, and also of the cbreastplate, the dsword of Laban, the eUrim and Thummim, which were given to the fbrother of Jared upon the mount, when he talked with the Lord gface to face, and the hmiraculous directors which were given to Lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the iRed Sea.
2 And it is by your faith that you shall obtain a view of them, even by that faith which was had by the prophets of old.
3 And after that you have obtained faith, and have seen them with your eyes, you shall atestify of them, by the power of God;
4 And this you shall do that my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., may not be destroyed, that I may bring about my righteous purposes unto the children of men in this work.
Many opponents of the Book of Mormon think it is “convenient” that this record was translated by plates that now are in the possession of the angel. What proof do we have that these plates actually even existed, that Joseph did not just “make up” this story?
The three witnesses were called to testify of the things they saw to give Joseph’s testimony credence among his fellow men. Not only were they privileged to see the plates, but also saw other things as well.
Why was it important for them to see the breastplate, sword of Laban, Liahona, Urim and thummim?
The witnesses then were not only able to testify that the plates actually existed but that the events recorded on the plates actually happened as well. The artifacts laid right in front of them! Lehi and his family were real people, who lived, and knew of Christ. It was not just a testimony of the plates, but of the historicity of the book itself.
Why were these specific men chosen above any other?
They each filled a void in Joseph’s abilities:
Oliver: academic, could record the translation in book form, ready to publish
Martin: Only one involved in the early church with financial resources to make the publishing of the Book of Mormon come about.
David: provided a safe location for the translation to take place, a home for Joseph
This is how the Lord works..through ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
What was Joseph’s reaction to the vision of the 3 witnesses?
"Father! Mother! You do not know how happy I am. The Lord has caused the plates to be shown to three more besides me. They have also seen an angel and will have to testify to the truth of what I have said, for they know for themselves that I do not go about to deceive the people. I do feel as though I was relieved of a dreadful burden which was almost too much for me to endure. But they will now have to bear a part, and it does rejoice my soul that I am not any longer to be entirely alone in the world." (History of Joseph Smith, p. 152)
In addition to the three witnesses, eight others were also shown the plates. These witnesses were the Whitmer Family and those closely associated with them. It was more of a “museum” experience as opposed to the “spiritual” experience of the 3. “We have seen and hefted..” “We did handle with our hands..” “We also saw the engravings..” “ And we lie not..”
All of the 3 witnesses and three of the 8 eventually fell away from the church, yet none of these men ever recounted their testimonies.
“Those who were privileged to hear one or more of the Three Witnesses bear testimony also had opportunity to have that testimony confirmed by the power of the Holy Ghost. William H. Homer visited with Martin Harris in the Kirtland Temple about the last of December 1869. He asked Martin, "'What about your testimony to the Book of Mormon? Do you still believe that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet?' Again, the effect was electric. A changed old man stood before me. It was no longer a man with an imagined grievance. It was a man with a message, a man with a noble conviction in his heart, a man inspired of God and endowed with divine knowledge. Through the broken window of the Temple shone the winter sun, clear and radiant. 'Young man,' answered Martin Harris with impressiveness, 'Do I believe it! Do I see the sun shining! Just as surely as the sun is shining on us and gives us light, and the . . . [moon] and stars give us light by night, just as surely as the breath of life sustains us, so surely do I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, chosen of God to open the last dispensation of the fulness of times; so surely do I know that the Book of Mormon was divinely translated. I saw the plates; I saw the Angel; I heard the voice of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God. I might as well doubt my own existence as to doubt the divine authenticity of the Book of Mormon or the divine calling of Joseph Smith.' It was a sublime moment. It was a wonderful testimony. We were thrilled to the very roots of our hair. The shabby, emaciated little man before us was transformed as he stood with hand outstretched toward the sun of heaven. A halo seemed to encircle him. A divine fire glowed in his eyes. His voice throbbed with the sincerity and the conviction of his message. It was the real Martin Harris whose burning testimony no power on earth could quench. It was the most thrilling moment of my life" (Homer, "Passing of Martin Harris," 469-70; emphasis added). Revelations of the Restoration, p. 132-33.
The savior himself testified to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon:

D&C17:6
6 And he has translated the abook, even that bpart which I have commanded him, and as your Lord and your God liveth it is true.

How can you be a witness of the Book of Mormon?

Gordon B. Hinckley
“ The strength of the church is not in..its thousands of houses of worship across the world, not in its universities..the strength of this church lies in the hearts of its people, in the individual testimony and conviction of the truth of this work.” (CR Apr. 1973, 73-74)

IV. Our Duty to “remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon”

In September 1832 the prophet Joseph received a revelation in which the Lord said that “the whole church [was] under condemnation” (D&C 84:55)

Why was the church under condemnation?

President Ezra Taft Benson
If the early Saints were rebuked for treating the Book of Mormon lightly, are we under any less condemnation if we do the same?” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 4–5).
“The Lord is not pleased with us in the manner of attention we’re giving the Book of Mormon, a new witness for Christ. We need it in our homes, we need it in our families. It was written for us today” (Church News, 9 Nov. 1986, 10).
When President Benson warns us against treating the Book of Mormon lightly, he does not mean whether or not we are reading or studying it every day, although, he has great promises for us If we do, we must take it’s teachings and engrain them so deeply into our lives that our behavior changes.. that we become more like our savior.

It is one thing to claim a testimony of the book and it’s teachings, it is quite another to be converted to the point that your very life is a testimony of the book.

President Ezra Taft Benson
The time is long overdue for a massive flooding of the earth with the Book of Mormon. … In this age of the electronic media and the mass distribution of the printed word, God will hold us accountable if we do not now move the Book of Mormon in a monumental way. We have the Book of Mormon, we have the members, we have the missionaries, we have the resources, and the world has the need. The time is now!” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1988, 4; or Ensign, Nov. 1988, 4–5).

The work has commenced, it is pressing forward, it is my testimony to you that each of us here today were called in the pre-existence to come to earth at this time to play a significant roll in this work. Are we magnifying that calling?

Bear testimony of the impact the Book of Mormon has had In your life.