The Scriptures- Do We Really Know What They Mean?

Too often have I found new truth in the scriptures lately that has contradicted what has been taught to me my entire life. It has either counterfeited what I learned, or I have completely rediscovered new meanings that are unavailable  due to the current curriculum that we find ourselves studying. As I have reflected on how I came to some of these conclusions, I found out that there were certain elements to my study that I had neglected since I began reading. Many things can be learned if we open our minds and hearts to new insights, and perspectives (hence the phrase "We believe all things"). Here are some thoughts to get your mind rolling...

In the following paragraphs we will discuss some important questions concerning the scriptures. These points come mainly from my own thoughts and perceptions, but I believe can be applied to everyone.

Why in the world was the Book of Mormon written? 

We learn from the title page (the one that's actually written by the hand of Mormon and no one of modern times) that the Book of Mormon was written "to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever." So is that talking about us yet? No, not quite.

"-And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that JESUS is the CHRIST, the ETERNAL GOD, manifesting himself unto all nations..." (italics added).

If there's one thing I have been taught correctly about Jew and Gentile, its that unless you're a Jew, you're a Gentile. See, I admit to not knowing everything there is to this subject, however, what I do believe is that we are Gentiles to be adopted into that great House of Israel eventually.

To continue, the BOM (that's not bad to do, is it? :P) was meant to show and teach us that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God. We see that this is clear when Nephi explains his purpose in his first book:

 "For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade ment to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved." (1 Nephi 6:4)

And in his second:

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, 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."

Clearly this book is about Jesus the CHRIST. This theme is found throughout its pages. It is for that reason that Mormon gave this book the subtitle "Another Testament of Jesus Christ."

Not only is this book about Jesus Christ, but this book witnesses to us how Christ is "manifesting himself unto all nations". For those of you who are English majors, you will recognize that this is a present progressive verb, meaning, its happening right now, in the present. Currently. Who would have thought that Mormon could have known all that? Well, let's talk about that next.

What perspective should we take while we read it? 

I was always taught while reading any material to put yourself in the mind and the shoes of the author. Famous authors and their works became more familiar to me as I read them. I could almost predict what might happen to Harry Potter because of the way J. K. Rowling wrote. Unfortunately in my studies with the church, we like to proof text and make any sort of scriptures appeal to our point to make it right. However, we have to take in consideration the context of every scripture, asking ourselves constantly about the nature of the text, the setting, the meaning, the interpretation, the intent, and the truth of it all. 

Questions like these have helped me in my own learning- 

• "What was Nephi really trying to teach us here?" 
• "Why do the authors differentiate between the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit?" 
• "Why did Alma compare the word unto a seed and not something else?" 

The scriptures were written for specific purposes, with specific wording. We must understand that the words were inscribed upon small pieces of hard material. Make no mistake about it, these guys weren't about to scribble and ramble all over the page. Another thing to consider is the manner in which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon; "by the gift and power of God." So even if there was a questionable or confusing word or phrase, the Lord would have corrected it through the Prophet Joseph Smith. 

(A witness of the prophet Joseph Smith is essential in learning about the Book of Mormon. Joseph states that the Book of Mormon is "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." Yet another reference to coming nearer to God. Joseph vouched for the Book. God vouched for the Book and for Joseph, I leave it up to you to take responsibility for that which is true.)

Continuing in the above referenced question, I quote two scriptures which completely transformed the way I saw the Book of Mormon. 

Consider the following passages: 

"Behold, I speak unto you as if ye were present, and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing." Mormon 8:35 (emphasis added)

"Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead; for I know that ye shall have my words." Mormon 9:30

Here we have a BOM prophet (yeah, he's pretty bomb too) speaking of the future and he tells us that he sees us! Christ Himself showed Moroni our day, and Moroni knew we would have the book in our possession. So I must think to myself, "Moroni knew about Joseph Smith. He knew about the restoration, he knew about the Reformation, he knew of all the iniquity and failures and unbelief that would occur upon our people in our day, perhaps even down to the year 2014, in which we currently live."

With this thought in mind, consider this: Moroni knew the Catholics wouldn't have this book, so why do we compare that great and abominable church to that religion? Both Nephi and Moroni are quoted for having spoken of our future day. In case you think Nephi is irrelevant, well he saw our day too (Refer to Nephi's 4-chapter vision in 1 Nephi 11-14). Moroni knew that no other church/organization/institution/corporation (whatever we call ourselves these days) would have this book so why would he talk about infant baptisms? How many other prophets in the Book of Mormon actually saw our day? Are the stories contained within TYPES (or foreshadows) for our day? These are things that we cannot and should not simply brush off. We must apply the Book of Mormon to OURSELVES.

Listen, folks. I'm not here for attention. I'm not here to get gain and praise of the world. I'm not telling you these things or imparting these truths because I'm better than anyone else, because I'm not. My purpose in all of this is similar to Nephi's: to persuade others to come unto Christ and no one else. I'm trying to help people understand, to enlarge their vision and expand their minds of important matters, and truths. I just want you to think. I do not share these things to argue with anyone. I also don't share to bash on anyone's beliefs, or to appear "condescending" (I love that word in the Book of Mormon ;) ). I strive to have a love for all men (2 Nephi 31:20) If there's one thing that I learned about on my mission, it was about charity. Unfortunately, at that time, my eyes had not yet been opened, so I was confined to limited resources of the topic. But as I opened my eyes, my mind, my ears, my heart, and my spirit, I gained so much more truth and light than I was capable of receiving beforehand. It was the Lord who began to teach me. How does the Lord teach His children? That's a question for the Book of Mormon...

Alma 32:23-

And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men, yea, not only men, but women also..."