Lesson for May 18, 2014

Lesson for May 18, 2014 Our lesson today is about the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, lesson #9. It was given by Maggie Kopp. Today we based the lesson a lot on scriptures and quotes. The law of witnesses has always been followed by the law. Whenever the Lord has established a dispensation, more than one person was present. Linda Campbell said that we need the additional witness to help us know things are true. When Joseph Smith first had the plates, he was not supposed to tell anyone, but the Book of Mormon itself says that other witnesses would bear witness that it is true—as many witnesses as seem good to the Lord. Mary Whitmer was the first woman to have a witness of the plates. Maggie used an article written by Keith Perkins. Mary clothed and fed Joseph Smith and Emma and worked to take care of her family, as well. She was very tired, and one day was approached by a stranger who showed her the gold plates as a reward for her efforts and faithfulness. We also mentioned other women who were witnesses. Of the witnesses, 5 were Mary Whitmer’s sons, 1 was her son-in-law. In the Book of Mormon in the testimony of the Three Witnesses, we learn of the coming of an angel of the Lord who came down to show them the plates. They stated that their testimony is to the world. Claudia Laycock said that legally they covered all the elements that people would want to poke holes at: they saw the plates, they knew what was in them, and they declare their testimony. We know from the article that although most of the witnesses fell away from the Church, none ever denied their testimonies. Lucy Mack Smith said that Joseph came home weeping after the experience because a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He had known of the plates since he was fourteen, but had not been able to tell about them. Now there were others. It is important for those of us now, since we haven’t had this experience, to have these witnesses. Emma was never privileged to witness the gold plates. She was told to not murmur. She did have access to the plates, but she did feel them through the cloth to clean, but she did not peek. She said they were pliable like paper and rustled. She also left the church, but she told her son that she knew they were true. She acted as scribe and Joseph often just took up where he had left off and went on with no problem. She was satisfied that the Book of Mormon was true and that she didn’t need to see the plates. Sometimes we want to save the world and do important things, but what Emma was told she would do is how she helped to build the kingdom of God. So we need to find out where we need to build the kingdom. This new volume of scripture was also to be a witness to the Bible and they should grow together to the condemnation of those who do not believe. Joseph Fielding Smith said that the three witnesses bore a testimony that was true and that the Book of Mormon was translated correctly and those who desire to know can know the truth. If we read it prayerfully and carefully, we can also have a testimony from a daily habit of reading the scriptures and building the habit of keeping the scriptures in our lives. Various sisters told of how they gained their testimonies. Some said it was gradual and some said it was an answer to prayer. We all have an individual personality that God knows and will help us understand these things in the best ways for us.