Book of Mormon

Have the students write a note or a short letter to someone in the past who could benefit from our knowledge of his or her history. For example:

• A relative who has booked passage on the Titanic

• A Hebrew slave in Egypt who has not put lamb’s blood over his door

• A Jew living in A.D. 32 who was invited to hear a preacher from Galilee

Discuss the possibility that someone from the past might have suggestions about how we should live today. What difference would it make if prophets had seen our day and knew of our doing?

Read Mormon 8:34–41 together. Consider the following with your students: Who is speaking? How might Moroni’s writing have been influenced if he was speaking to us as if we were present? What difference would it have made in their writing if the major writers of the Book of Mormon had seen our day?

Suggest that the students watch for illustrations of the Book of Mormon’s influence in our day.

The video features students from around the world describing the influence the Book of Mormon is having on their lives.

You may wish to share the following quotations with your class:

“The Book of Mormon was written for us today. God is the author of the book. It is a record of a fallen people, compiled by inspired men for our blessing. Those people never had the book—it was meant for us” (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, Jan. 1988, 3).

“I believe that the reason our Heavenly Father has had his prophet direct us into a more intensive study of the Book of Mormon is that this generation needs its message more than any of its forbears” (Dallin H. Oaks, in Conference Report, Oct. 1988, 77; or Ensign, Nov. 1988, 66).

“From almost every page of the book, there will come to them a moving testimony that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God, our Redeemer and Savior. This witness alone will be a sustaining anchor in every storm” (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1980, 90; or Ensign, May 1980, 67).

Discuss the difference the Book of Mormon is making in the lives of the individuals portrayed in the video. Why is it having so much influence? Suggest that students ask themselves as they read: “Why is this story (or teaching) included in the Book of Mormon?” Discuss the idea that God is the author of the book.

You may wish to conclude with the following promise from President Ezra Taft Benson: “I bless you with increased understanding of the Book of Mormon. I promise you that from this moment forward, if we will daily sup from its pages and abide by its precepts, God will pour out upon each child of Zion and the Church a blessing hitherto unknown” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 100; or Ensign, May 1986, 78).