Prophets of God (GP 10)
Gospel Principles Lesson 10
Some people think that all scripture is contained only in the Old Testament; others recognize both Testaments in the Bible; others think that all scripture is only contained in the Standard Works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These views really put a limit on God's ability to speak to us His children. Since the beginning of this world, God has given his prophets a commandment to keep records of the things He reveals to them and of His dealings with His children. Whenever a servant of the Lord speaks or writes under the influence of the Holy Ghost, those words become scripture (see D&C 68:4). So this gives a broader meaning to the word scripture, and we know that the Lord inspires His children who seek after Him in every land and time. In His own words, He has said, "For I command all men, both in the east and in the west, and in the north, and in the south, and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them; for out of the books which shall be written I will judge the world, every man according to their works, according to that which is written" (2 Nephi 29:11).
As stated previously, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has four books of scripture, known as the Standard Works: the Bible (including the Old and New Testaments); the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ; the Doctrine and Covenants; and the Pearl of Great Price. Inspired words spoken by our living prophets are also accepted as scripture. So the bi-yearly Ensign editions of General Conference hold words that are among our most current scriptures.
The Holy Bible
What do we find in the Bible? The writings contained in the Bible cover many generations of time, many centuries, beginning with Adam and Eve and concluding with the testimonies of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. (Although Adams own writings are not contained in the Bible currently, Moses begins the Bible account with the creation and the genealogy of mankind beginning with Adam and Eve.) "The Bible is a collection of sacred writing containing God's revelations to man." Many prophets including and following Moses, who wrote the first five books in the Old Testament, recorded the messages that are contained in the Bible.
The Old Testament prophets foretold of the coming of the Savior and Redeemer of the world. They also foretold of His Atonement, His suffering, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. The New Testament contains a record of the life and ministry of Jesus, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. The New Testament also tells of Christ's Church being established in that day. As Latter-day Saints we believe that the Bible is sacred scripture. Joseph Smith penned these words, "We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God" (Articles of Faith 1:8).
The Book of Mormon
The majority of the Book of Mormon covers the time period from 600 B.C. to 400 AD. But there is also a record of a people who were in the Americas from 2000 B.C until around 600 B.C. This first group were known as the Jaredites, and they left the Old World at the time of the Tower of Babel. The second group included Lehi's family, Ishmael's family, and Mulek's family, and they were known as Nephites and Lamanites. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (See D&C 20:9; D&C 42:12; D&C 135:3). Found in the Book of Mormon is an account of Jesus Christ visiting the Americas soon after His Resurrection.
"The Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (See Introduction to the Book of Mormon). The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith through the power of God.
The majority of the Book of Mormon covers the time period from 600 B.C. to 400 AD. But there is also a record of a people who were in the Americas from 2000 B.C until around 600 B.C. This first group were known as the Jaredites, and they left the Old World at the time of the Tower of Babel. The second group included Lehi's family, Ishmael's family, and Mulek's family, and they were known as Nephites and Lamanites. The Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ (See D&C 20:9; D&C 42:12; D&C 135:3). Found in the Book of Mormon is an account of Jesus Christ visiting the Americas soon after His Resurrection.
"The Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book” (See Introduction to the Book of Mormon). The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith through the power of God.
President Ezra Taft Benson told us how the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion:
“The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. It bears witness of His reality with power and clarity. …
“[It] broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation. … The Book of Mormon … was written for our day. … In [it] we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming. …
“… The Book of Mormon teaches us truth [and] bears testimony of Christ. … But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life,’ and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. … ‘Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 4–7; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 5–7; quoting Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1980, 90; or Ensign, May 1980, 67). (The foregoing is found in the original lesson, Gospel Principles Lesson 10).
The Doctrine and Covenants
The Pearl of Great Price
Our Living Prophets
Since our prophets are spokesmen for the Lord, their inspired words become scripture for us. We receive these inspired messages through conferences, the Church magazines (the Ensign or the Liahona), and through instructions delivered to local priesthood leaders. God does speak to prophets in our day, and that is a great comfort and blessing. As told us in Amos 3:7, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Also, "We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God" (Articles of Faith 1:9).
Studying the Scriptures
We are happy to eat every single day. Of course, our bodies need that nourishment to thrive and stay alive. While eating gives us calories and nourishment, exercise and word gives us endorphins, strength, and muscle. So receiving food and then using that nourishment wisely makes our bodies strong.
