PROLOGUE
to the
First Edition (1989)

President Ezra Taft Benson's emphasis on the BofM has been unprecedented. No one can deny that he has made it a point to emphasize the BofM, if not make it the main topic, in virtually every public address he has given.

He left no ambiguity in last November's General Conference address when he said, "I do not know fully why God has preserved my life to this age, but I do know this: That for the present hour He has revealed to me the absolute need for us to move the Book of Mormon forward now in a marvelous manner...." (Ensign, Nov. 1988, p.6.) He also indicated that his emphasis will not slacken, stating, "Some of us may not live long enough to see the day when the BofM floods the earth and when the Lord lifts His condemnation. (See D&C 84:54-58). But, God willing, I intend to spend all my remaining days in that glorious effort." (Ibid.)

An analysis of what he teaches on the BofM reveals that he does not necessarily present new points each time he speaks, but rather he repeatedly re-emphasizes certain key points. Some of these underlying themes are reflected in the Foreword of a recent compilation of many of his talks:

"This sacred volume of scripture [the BofM] has not been, nor is it yet, central in our preaching, our teaching, and our missionary work. We have not adequately used `the most correct of any book on earth.'

"In section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord declares that the whole Church and all the children of Zion are under condemnation because of the way we have treated the Book of Mormon. (Verses 54-58.) This condemnation has not been lifted, nor will it be until we repent.

"The Lord inspired His servant Lorenzo Snow to reemphasize the principle of tithing to redeem the Church from financial bondage. In those days the General Authorities took that message to the members of the Church. So too in our day the Lord has inspired His servant to reemphasize the Book of Mormon to get the Church out from under condemnation--the scourge and judgment." (Ezra Taft Benson, A Witness and A Warning, Deseret Book, Salt Lake City, 1988--emphasis added)

This last paragraph is not just a reprimand but a prophecy as well: prophecy, for what Lorenzo Snow was to tithing President Benson will be to the Book of Mormon. As the financial bondage of Lorenzo Snow's day has not only been broken, but the church has become the most wealthy church on the face of the earth (*&* reference), so are bright prospects ahead as the members of the church begin, as President Benson has implored, to use the BofM the way the Lord intended.

"I promise you that from this moment forward, if we will daily sup from its pages and abide by its precepts, God will pour out upon each child of Zion and the Church a blessing hitherto unknown--and we will plead to the Lord that He will begin to lift the condemnation--the scourge and judgment. Of this I bear solemn withness." (A Witness and a Warning, p. viii.)

Now that "thousands of members...are responding to this invitation and...testify of the blessings they are receiving" (President Ezra T. Benson, Ensign, Conf Rep, May 1988, p. 84), and inasmuch as 1988 was "a landmark year in the history of the Church in the use of the keystone of our religion--the BofM" (President Ezra T. Benson, Ensign, Conf Rep, Nov. 1988, p.4), can we not begin to look forward to a dissipation of this condemnation?

What is the condemnation? Mormon declared that "if it so be that they [us in the latter-days] will not believe these things [BofM], then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation" (3 Ne 27:10). According to this verse, greater things are being witheld due to our neglect of the BofM. The promise is, "If it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them" (3 Ne 26:9). Moroni reiterated his father's promise, declaring,

"And whoso receiveth this record, and shall not condemn it because of the imperfections which are in it, the same shall know of greater things than these. Behold, I am Moroni; and were it possible, I would make all things known unto you." (Mormon 8:12.)

The Lord, Jesus Christ, desires to "show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief" (Ether 4:13). Indeed, "...he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full" (Alma 12:10). Nevertheless, the Lord has said, "I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little..." (2 Ne 28:30). Therefore, before the Lord sees fit to bring forth the sealed portion of the BofM which contains "a revelation from God, from the beginning of the world to the ending thereof" (2 Nee 27:7), can we not look forward to many preparatory phases? Surely the hallmark contribution of President Kimball's administration--the addition of extensive cross referencing, Topical Guide, Bible Dictionary, Indexes, etc... to the standard works--is one such phase. Further, couldn't the computerized scripture aids which are coming out also be classified as instruments by which members may receive more wisdom?

In the November, 1988 General Conference, President Benson challenged "our Church writers, teachers, and leaders to...let us know how [the BofM] leads us to Christ and answers our personal problems and those of the world." This book's purpose is to show how the carefully selected BofM history instructs both individuals and mankind as a whole how they may come to Christ. It shows that BofM history is actually an allegory which parallels the entire progression of the house of Israel, past, present and future. It also shows that this same history contains an archetype of an individual's progression. The focus of the allegory is on Christ and the fulfilling of the Abrahamic covenant. The author hopes that the reader will come to understand this key so that they may see all the scriptures in a new light, that they might be more fully persuaded to come unto Christ.

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