A Book of Mormon Witness and Invitation

This post is like another one on this blog in that it does not follow the format that I have been following so far.

I was listening to a good brother speak about the power of witnessing with the Book of Mormon from a Joseph Smith Restoration Conference held in Boise Idaho last Saturday, June 08th.

He brought up the original history of those who began to witness of the Restoration using the Book of Mormon.

Their witness was that the Book of Mormon was truly a divine scriptural text and they did not try to use the Bible to prove it.

This brother's message was that the Book of Mormon has power all by itself to witness for itself that it is part of a Restoration work the Lord began with Joseph Smith.

I agree with this good brother.

I have been very hesitant to share, at large, my witness of the Book of Mormon.  

I have been fearful to invite people to search out the Book of Mormon for themselves.

This presentation from this good brother was a call to repentance for me and I give thanks for it.

Below, I have copied a letter to the editor that I intend to distribute to as many newspapers as possible in the hopes that some might publish it.

I also intend to search out other digital outlets to see if they might also post it.  

I do this in the hopes that some may be persuaded to accept the invitation to look into the Book of Mormon for themselves as if they had never heard of it before.

I post the letter here because I do not know if anyone might run into it here and somehow be influenced by it.

To All Christians,

I would ask for your time and consideration concerning an invitation involving a very important topic.

I am not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I do not seek to promote the LDS church. 

I am not a member of any sect claiming to have as its founder Joseph Smith.  I do not seek to promote any Mormon sect.   

I am not a member of any religious denomination, organization or society.  I do not seek to promote any religious denomination, organization, or society.

I am an independent Christian. 

I believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God who was sent as the Messenger of Heaven to proclaim salvation to all who would believe on Him and Him alone.

I believe what Christ declared; “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

I believe that Christ, the Son of God, was crucified, died and rose again the third day the first fruits of them that slept (1 Corinthians 15:20-22); just as the prophets testified He would.

What I invite any and all individuals who identify themselves as “Christians” to do is to read and carefully consider the contents of the Book of Mormon and the teachings of Joseph Smith; independent of the LDS Church, independent of any other Mormon sects, and independent of anything stated by any religious organization, denomination, society or person concerning Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.

This may seem a very strange request given my stated independence from any organization.  Please, let me explain.

As Christians, we claim that the Bible contains the word of God.  We claim the Bible to be scripture and to contain the revealed words of God to individuals who testified that they had communion with God and Christ and who testified that salvation was and is to come through Jesus Christ.  They pointed to Christ.  We even declare that the Law of Moses, described in the Bible, with all of its ceremonies and sacrifices was established to point to Christ as Savior and Redeemer of all men.

There are literally thousands of distinct religious denominations, organizations and sects that claim the Bible as scripture canon. 

Does anyone of these bodies own the Bible? Does anyone of these bodies own any or all the truth contained in the Bible?

Truth in the Bible comes from God.  It is owned exclusively by Him.  He brings forth His truth among all humanity, to anyone who will listen, to bless the lives of all.  He desires that all men would write His truth on the tables of their hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3).  God’s truth is not the property of any man or any organization.

The same principle applies for any or all of God’s truth contained in the Book of Mormon and any or all of God’s truth contained in the teachings of Joseph Smith.

Neither the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the “Mormons”, nor any Mormon sect owns any of God’s truth that may be contained in the Book of Mormon or in the teachings of Joseph Smith.  It is not their property no matter what they claim.

If there is any of God’s truth contained in the Book of Mormon or the teachings of Joseph Smith those truths belong to God and God alone and they are sent forth from Him to all humanity for their blessing and benefit.

God invites all humanity to search everything to see if His truth is there and then cling to what truth, if any, is found. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

This is why I invite all Christians to consider the message of the Book of Mormon and the teachings of Joseph Smith independent of any organization and independent of what any organization or person might say concerning them.  Take the matter to God who possesses all truth.

Joseph Smith, in his own history, stated that he was seeking God and knew not where to go to find him; for all men preached differently of God.  He was impressed by and pondered on the teachings of James chapter 1 verse 5 in the New Testament.  “If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Joseph decided to take the matter to God.  Joseph went alone to a grove of trees near his home and knelt and asked God what to do.  He received an answer from God.

A test of Joseph’s experience is not a test of Joseph but a test of James.  Joseph testified that James was correct.  Any man may ask God a question and God will not upbraid him but will give him an answer. 

Joseph taught that we each individually should go to God to find our answers and trust in God and God alone.

Joseph taught that the way of salvation is through Jesus Christ the Son of God.  He taught that Christ had prepared the way for any who will exercise faith in Christ to be saved in the Kingdom of God.

The Book of Mormon  likewise teaches, “…yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea remember that he cometh to redeem the world.” (Helaman 5:9)

also, “…cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be unto the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.  Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” (Alma 37: 36-37)

No individual except Christ possesses power to save the souls of humanity.  The Book of Mormon clearly states , “…the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.  And whoso knocketh, to him will he open;…”(2 Nephi 9:41-42)

The prophecies in the Book of Mormon give warning that there will be men in our day who declare that they have the power to permit or to deny salvation but they will deny miracles wrought by God. “And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;  Behold hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work.” (2 Nephi 28:5-6)

All Christians know, and the Bible and the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith all teach, that God is a God of miracles.  He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)(Mormon 9:15 – 25). 

To grant salvation to one who believes in Christ is a miracle wrought by Christ not a work accomplished by any man, group of men, religious society or denomination. 

God and Christ continue their work among humanity in power and great glory and have not imparted their power to any individual or organization to save or condemn any part of humanity.  Christ holds that power alone.  He is the keeper of the gate and He cannot be deceived.

The Book of Mormon and the teachings of Joseph Smith invite all to come to Christ to be saved. 

I invite all Christians to prove these things.  Go to God and ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not if His truth, any or all of it, is contained in the Book of Mormon and the teachings of Joseph Smith.

 I witness that God will speak to and answer any individual who sincerely asks Him a question. 

If God answers that His truth is in the Book of Mormon and the teachings of Joseph Smith then follow His truth in them.  If He answers that His truths are not there then discard them.

I only invite that this matter be taken up between you personally and God not between you and any other individual, organization, denomination, or society. 

Let it be an independent appraisal and then be accountable to God alone for your answers and your actions with respect to your answers. 

I witness that He is willing to direct the affairs of anyone who seeks Him to their salvation.  God and Christ alone are the only ones worthy of our worship, adoration and obedience.

Jon Saunders

Central, Utah

The Book of Mormon can be found for free on www.scriptures.info in the volume titled New Covenants that contians both the New Testament and the Book of Mormon.

Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith can be found at the same website for free in the volume Teachings and Commandments.

God's Restoration, in all its glory, can be discovered in these things.

I know that the principles, teachings, tenants, and the Doctrine of Christ found in the Book of Mormon and in the teachings of the Prophet Joseph are the words and will of God unto salvation.

I know this because of His mercy by His Holy Spirit.