1. A Testament of jesus christ
The Book of Mormon
A Testament of jesus christ

2. What the Book of Mormon is not…
a replacement for the Bible
a historical novel, document, etc.
DNA proof of Native American ancestry
archaeological evidence of South American peoples
even entirely unique

3. What the Book of Mormon is …
So many things that we will talk about during this course
most importantly it is what it says it is
A TESTAMENT OF CHRIST

4. Russell M Nelson
“I have read the Book of Mormon many times. I have also read much that has been written about it. Some authors have focused upon its stories, its people, or its vignettes of history. Others have been intrigued by its language structure or its records of weapons, geography, animal life, techniques of building, or systems of weights and measures.
Interesting as these matters may be, the study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental.
When you read the Book of Mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the book—from its first chapter to the last—the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.”
- “A Testimony of the Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Nov

5. For the purposes of this class…
We agree to:
1. not approach the Book of Mormon from a perspective of historicity
We understand:
1. when we say it is true, this 
2. when we say it is true, this =
If we are unsure: WE HAVE A PROMISE FROM GOD!

6. Ezra Taft Benson
Much of the world rejects the divinity of the Savior. People question His miraculous birth, His perfect life, and the reality of His glorious resurrection. The Book of Mormon teaches in plain and unmistakable terms about the truth of all of those. It also provides the most complete explanation of the doctrine of the Atonement. Truly, this divinely inspired book is a keystone in bearing witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ.”
- Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson

7. Eyewitness Testimonies
WRITER
EXPERIENCES
TESTIMONIES
Nephi
2 Nephi 11:2
2 Nephi 25:17-18
2 Nephi 25: 20-21, 23, 26
2 Nephi 33: 10-11
Jacob
2 Nephi 11:3
Jacob 1:6
Jacob 1:7-8
Jacob 4:5
Mormon
Mormon 1:15
Mormon 3:20-22
Moroni
Ether 12:38-39
Ether 12:41

8. Eyewitness Stated Purposes
WRITER
Purpose
Nephi
1 Nephi 6:4
Jacob
Jacob 4:4
Mormon
Mormon 5:14,7:5
Moroni
Moroni 10:30, 32

9. Our Purpose
By studying the Book of Mormon, we will fulfill the purpose of its main authors. We will learn about Jesus Christ and His mission from those who saw and knew Him. Their purpose in writing becomes our purpose in reading/studying.
Nephi: To persuade men to come unto Christ
Jacob: To assure us that they knew Him and knew of Him
Mormon: To persuade us that Jesus is the Christ and to believe in HIM
Moroni: To invite us to come unto Christ

10. 2 Nephi 33:10-11
10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.
11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.

11. The Decision to Believe
In the end this is a decision we all have to make.
And it can and should be made again and again and again throughout our lives.
“We must choose to open our hearts to the divine reality of the Savior. … God does not force us to believe. Instead He invites us to believe by sending living prophets and apostles to teach us, by providing scriptures, and by beckoning to us through His Spirit. … The decision to believe is the most important choice we ever make. It shapes all our other decisions.”
-- L Whitney Clayton