Title Page to the Book of Mormon

No study of the Book of Mormon would be complete without studying the title page, introduction and testimonies of the witnesses. There are so many insights into the Book of Mormon in these few first pages.

Gift

This time as I read, I was struck by the word “gift”. This book was brought forth by the “gift and power of God…the interpretation also by the gift of God…to come forth in due time…”. As I pondered on this word “gift”, I mused about my own habits with regard to gift giving. I often look for things far in advance of the day I plan to give my gift. This is particularly so with Christmas gifts. I find this thing or that for my children and I squirrel it away until the right moment (the tradition of Christmas day) to give it to them. The Lord has done the same with this book. It was prepared far in advance for us and squirreled away , as it were, for many years awaiting the due time when the Lord has brought it forth and given it as a gift to us…His children. As with all the gifts of God to us, this gift is priceless beyond measure.

Purposes

The purposes for the coming forth of the Book of Mormon are laid out clearly in the second paragraph of the title page.
• For the convincing of all that Jesus is the Christ and that he manifests himself to all nations. The existence of this book in and of itself shows us that the Lord loves all of His people and not just the Jews through whom our Bible has come.
• To show “what great things the Lord has done for [our] fathers”…referring to the Abrahamic Covenant.
• That we may also know the covenants of the Lord as our fathers have known.

Questions to Ponder

As I thought upon the purposes of the Book of Mormon, I was led to question myself and ponder…Is the purpose of this sacred and timely book being fulfilled in my own life? What can I do to more fully know and come unto Christ? What can I do to more fully know and understand the covenants He has given to my fathers and to me? What can I do to more fully make those covenants of effect in my life? How can I most effectively pass this knowledge and understanding on to my children? I have also been led to ponder on the many other amazing gifts that the Lord has given to me...and to wonder...how many other gifts has the Lord prepared for me which He is just waiting to give to me in "due time"? ...and what small offerings might I give to Him in return?