From Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (deceased):
I love the Book of Mormon. I know that it’s true. I have studied it; I have prayed about it. And I will continue to study it. It is another testament of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The events and people described in the book are real. The Book of Mormon can teach us powerful, eternal truths if we will simply open its pages to search, ponder and pray about this priceless treasure that the Lord has given us.
I want very much for you to come to love the Book of Mormon as I do. Studying the Book of Mormon will bless your life. Obeying its teachings will bring you peace and happiness. Your Father in Heaven loves you. Your church leaders love and respect you. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children [and this pertains to all of you also] walk in truth.” (3 John 1:4). I promise you as a special witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, that if you will live according to the teachings of the gospel found in the Book of Mormon, your life will be full and rewarding.
Teaching about the Book of Mormon
In my lifelong study of the Book of Mormon, I have been struck by Nephi’s approach to scripture study and teaching. Nephi always wanted to “more fully persuade [his people] to believe in the Lord their Redeemer” (1 Nephi 19:23). He was anxious to bear testimony of the Savior and teach future generations about the saving power of Christ’s atonement. Nephi wrote, “we are made alive in Christ because of our faith . . . we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins (2 Nephi 25:25-26). In teaching his people, Nephi sought to “liken all scriptures unto [them], that it might be for [their] prophet and learning” (1 Nephi 19:23).
In November of 1841, on a Sabbath day in Nauvoo, Illinois, Joseph Smith “spent the day in . . . council with the Twelve Apostles at the house of President [Brigham] Young, conversing with them upon various subjects.” On that occasion, the Prophet “told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get closer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” Teachings or the Prophet Joseph Smith, 194). ~Joseph B. Wirthlin, Press On (Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 2007) p. 74-75
