To understand why president benson has exhorted us to reemphasize the book of mormon and why this is necessary to remove us from. In the april 1986 general conference, president benson made two now oftquoted statements. Romney the book of mormon april 1980 general conference. What role does the book of mormon play in missionary work. Moyle visited david whitmer, whitmer was an old man. Promises for reading book of mormon margies messages.
President benson has often referred to the condemnation that section 84 of the doctrine and covenants describes as being imposed on the saints for neglect of the book of mormon. The book of mormon warns america ezra taft benson 16. Unless we read the book of mormon and give heed to its teachings, the lord has stated in section 84 of the. Life lessons from the book of mormon meridian magazine. And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the book of mormon and the former commandments which i have. The book of mormon is the keystone of our religion. We must flood the earth with the book of mormonand get out from under gods condemnation for having treated it lightly. The keystone of the book of mormon moronis america.
The church under condemnation treated lightly the book of. The title page of the book of mormon states the book is for the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ, the eternal god. Prophets of our day have expressed concern about the condemnation the church is under because we have not used the book of mormon as we should. Unless we read the book of mormon and give heed to its teachings, the lord has stated in section 84 of the doctrine and covenants that the whole church is under condemnation and in our day, the lord has revealed the need to reemphasize the book. God expects us to use the book of mormon in several ways ezra taft benson, the book of mormon is the word. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of zion, even all. According to griffiths, through president bensons efforts, the book of mormon reemerged as the primary tool for conversion. The coming forth of the book of mormon in the twentieth. I challenge the members of the church to participate in the familytofamily book of mormon programto send copies of the book of mormon on a mission for you. Unless we read the book of mormon and give heed to its teachings, the lord has stated in section 84 of the doctrine and covenants that the whole church is under condemnation. These book of mormon addresses by president ezra taft benson will have a longlasting, beneficial effect on book of mormon studies and on the church. He expressed deep concern that members of the church did not fully appreciate the value of the book of mormon. The lord further instructed that the book of mormon proves that god does inspire men and call them to his holy work in this age and generation, as. Brothers and sisters, without reservation i promise you that if you will prayerfully read the book of mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it, there will come into your hearts an added measure of the spirit of the lord.
For a year, president benson had been stressing the reading of the book of mormon. May i suggest thatyou set aside time every day to find out for yourself that the book of mormon is a true book, for it will change your life. The book of mormon is the word of god ezra taft benson. A slightly edited version of president bensons general conference address of april 1975. This volume contains eleven talks by president benson, mostly delivered in general conferences from april 1975 to october 1987. Both videos are of etb speaking, the first is a mere 45 seconds long and on how the book of mormon reveals the enemies of christ.
Review of books on the book of mormon 11 1989 neal a. As in that important first address president benson has. The second video is of etb speaking in the october conference and is the basis for this lesson. The book of mormon has not been, nor is it yet, the center of our personal study. Ezra taft benson s first general conference talk as lds church president. Williams cited bensons early support of the john birch society, his condemnation of social. In a witness and a warning you will find president bensons counsel, insight, testimony, and teachings pertaining to the book of mormon. Its an insidious attack on the proamerican, pronationalist, innate conservatism of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints.
The importance of the book of mormon was a focus of ezra taft benson, the churchs thirteenth president. Hinckley challenged each member of the church to reread the book of mormon before the. Now, in our day, the lord has revealed the need to reemphasize the book of mormon to get the church and all the children of zion out from under condemnationthe scourge and judgment ensign 16 may 1986. The book of mormon is meant for our day for us here and now. President ezra taft benson, the book of mormon keystone of our religion, general conference, october 1986. In fact, the words president benson quoted invite the saints to repent of their deficiencies so the condemnation can be removed. He testified that the book of mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion introduction to the book of mormon. Ezra taft benson helped reshape the scriptural priorities, and that may have. Joseph lovell allen true book of mormon geography lands. He felt that god was not well pleased with the neglect of the book of mormon by the saints and they could not please him until it was used more in missionary work, teaching, preaching, and private. The book of mormon is the word of god book of mormon central. I believe the church is under condemnation and im tired. I have noted within the church a difference in discernment, insight, conviction, and spirit between those who know and love the book of mormon and those who do not. Introductory pages of the book of mormon latterday.
And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and. Book of mormon lesson 01 topical subject another testament of jesus christ. Bears personal testimony of the book of mormon and provides examples of how it should be used in everyday life. In an august 2005 message, lds church president gordon. This revelation was given to the church in september 1832, just two and onehalf years after the church was organized. The virtual certainty that ezra taft benson, an outspoken warrior. Ive carefully considered all of the reasons president benson has given for studying the book of mormon. Power in the book of mormon hello, my name is moroni.
Although they have written 240 pages of ezra taft bensons rightwing sins, these writers dont give a hoot about benson or what he said or did. In general conference, president ezra taft benson taught, a keystone is the central stone in an arch. Unless we read the book of mormon and give heed to its teachings, the lord has stated in section 84 of the doctrine and covenants that the whole church is under condemnation and in our day, the lord has revealed the need to reemphasize the book of mormon to get the church and all the children of zion out from under condemnation. Prayerful study of the book of mormon will lead to a firm testimony that will carry us through difficult times. Forcefully declares the book of mormon to be the word of god. President benson has often referred to the condemnation that section 84 of the doctrine and covenants describes as being imposed on the. Unless we read the book of mormon and give heed to its teachings, the lord has stated in section 84 of the doctrine and covenants that the. The church under condemnation treated lightly the book of mormon president ezra taft benson my beloved brethren and sisters, for some years now i have been deeply concerned that we are not using the book of mormon as god intends. Book of mormon there is a power in the book of which will begin to flow into our lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. How crucial is priesthood power to your familys future. But what president benson may be remembered for most is his strong plea to all the saints to make the book of mormon the center of their lives. Ezra taft bensons first lds beliefs and mormon history. In president ezra taft bensons first general conference address given after he was sustained as president of the church in 1986, i was impressed with the emphasis he placed on the book of mormon. The first is that the book of mormon is the keystone of our religion.
Book of mormon talk president ezra taft benson 101988. Ezra taft benson church under condemnation for not remembering the book of mormon. Ezra taft benson august 4, 1899 may 30, 1994 was an american farmer, government official, and religious leader who served as the 15th united states secretary of. Unless we read the book of mormon and give heed to its teachings, the lord has stated in section 84 of the doctrine and. To that end, his address the book of mormon is the word of god was repeated in regional conferences throughout the. With emotion in his voice, he read to me from the 84th section of the doctrine and covenants about the condemnation the. And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the book of mormon doctrine and covenants 84. President benson said that the book of mormon has not been, nor. Soon president benson became known as the book of mormon president due to his reoccurring emphasis of the book of mormon. It was after 1986 that the church made marked changes.
And they shall remain under this condemnation until they. How did a reemphasis and rediscovery of the book of mormon change the church. Saints was his stirring summons to reemphasize the book of mormon. The churches website links to 2 videos related to this lesson. Ezra taft benson church under condemnation for not. President benson said that the book of mormon has not been, nor is it yet, the. It is not just that the book of mormon bears testimony of christ, though it indeed does that, too. If in our homes, parents will read from the book of mormon prayerfully and regularly both by themselves and with their children. One of arnold friberds found in the book of mormon. As you study this book along with the book of mormon you will find blessings and fulfillment of the promises made by a modern prophet of god. Thunder from the right is not a belated condemnation of benson it is an antimormon book.
An address given to the brigham young university studeny body. And it came to pass, one day the book of mormon overtook the bible. He also announced that the lord has revealed the need to reemphasize the book of mormon. Among the hallmarks of ezra taft bensons tenure as president of the. President benson quoting and reflecting on doctrine and covenants 84. Rather, let us win the promises associated with treasuring it up in our hearts. Benson stated that the church was still under condemnation for treating the book of mormon lightly. I believe that it was the neglectthe treating lightlyof this subject that brought the early church under condemnation. As in that important first address, president benson has often referred to the condemnation that section 84 of the doctrine and covenants describes as being imposed on the saints for neglect of the book of mormon. It holds all the other stones in place, and if removed, the arch crumbles. What is the condemnation we are under that president benson.
October 1988 conference address wickedness is more highly organized, more cleverly disguised, and more. In his landmark conference addresses in 1986, president benson repeatedly cited the doctrine and covenants and reiterated his longstanding belief that the church was under condemnation for taking the book of mormon too lightly. President ezra taft benson opens general conference with a challenge for the saints to flood the earth with the book of mormon. What is the condemnation we are under that president. President ezra taft benson, president of the council of the twelve. It is not just that the book of mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. In an august 2005 message, lds church president gordon b. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments. President ezra taft benson the book of mormonkeystone of our religion october 1986 general conference quoting president marion g. Ezra taft bensons first general conference talk as lds church president.