Nov 3, 2024

One of the wonderful promises we learn about in the Book of Mormon is how applicable its teachings are to all people throughout time. While the records were written hundreds of years ago, the doctrine of Christ remains the same. So, if we follow God’s commandments and strive to become like Jesus Christ, we will receive the promises recorded in the Book of Mormon.

We learn in Mormon 7–9 about the importance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In verse 9 of chapter 7, we read: “For behold, this [the Book of Mormon] is written for the intent that ye may believe that [the Bible]; and if ye believe that ye will believe this also; and if ye believe this ye will know concerning your fathers, and also the marvelous works which were wrought by the power of God among them.” The whole purpose of the writings in the Book of Mormon and the Bible is to help us believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. This foundational truth can bless our individual lives, increase our ability to overcome the obstacles we will face, and deepen our understanding of Jesus Christ.

In the past I have prayed to God and asked Him for help and peace, and then I’ve opened the Book of Mormon and felt exactly that. I’ve also had times when I needed specific answers and direction, and the verses I read in the Book of Mormon applied to my personal situation and my life in general. Experiences like these strengthen my testimony of the power contained within the scriptures.

What’s recorded in the Book of Mormon is revelation, counsel, and guidance for our day. In a journal entry, Wilford Woodruff stated that God is “bringing to pass daily the fulfillment of the Holy scriptures and the Book of Mormon, the fullness of the Gentiles is fast coming in and the Lord is fast preparing the way for the salvation of the House of Israel.” It is amazing that the scriptures contain prophecies about our day and help us prepare for what is to come. 

As we read the scriptures, we can come to know that these prophecies pertain to the world as a whole—but also to us personally. The records contained in the Book of Mormon were written hundreds of years ago, and yet they are just as applicable to us today. This principle helps me recognize just how much God loves all of His children. He may not take our problems away, but He gives us all of the necessary resources to overcome our challenges. As we read the scriptures, we can develop a testimony of the power contained within them.

Bekah Marriott is currently attending Brigham Young University and enjoying the cold contrast from her hometown in Mesa, Arizona. She has a passion for creativity and vision, which she hopes to use as an Interior Designer one day. She spent 18 months serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kansas and appreciates the opportunity to work with the Wilford Woodruff Papers team to continue her mission in bringing others closer to Jesus Christ. 

The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation’s mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his records universally accessible in order to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, please explore wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.