I would invite you to ponder these questions to help you liken the teachings of the Book of Mormon to your family:

• What passages in the Book of Mormon teach us that children need to see integrity and righteousness in the faith of their parents?
• What counsel have fathers in the Book of Mormon given their sons that we may want to share with our children?
• What do we learn about our efforts with children who are not being obedient?
• How do parents in the Book of Mormon share their deep beliefs with their children?
• What do we learn about faith as it is transferred from one generation to another?

• OCTOBER 2011
• THE BOOK OF MORMON: STRENGTHENING OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

• PREVIOUS
• NEXT

The Book of Mormon: Strengthening Our Faith in Jesus Christ

By Elder Neil L. Andersen

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

A Prophet Testifies

A Prophet Testifies

“All the ingenuity of all the men under heaven could not compose and present to the world a book like the Book of Mormon. Its principles are divine—they are from God. They could never emanate from the mind of an imposter, or from the mind of a person writing a novel. Why? Because the promises and prophecies it contains are being fulfilled in the sight of all the earth.”

President Wilford Woodruff (1807–98), Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff (2004), 119.

Clinging vs Holding

• OCTOBER 2011
• LEHI’S DREAM: HOLDING FAST TO THE ROD

• PREVIOUS
• NEXT

Lehi’s Dream: Holding Fast to the Rod

By Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Those who ignore or treat lightly the word of God do not have access to that divine compass which points the way to the Savior...

Even with faith, commitment, and the word of God, this group eventually was lost—perhaps because they only periodically read or studied or searched the scriptures. Clinging to the rod of iron suggests to me only occasional “bursts” of study or irregular dipping rather than consistent, ongoing immersion in the word of God...

What, then, is the difference between clinging and holding fast to the rod of iron? Let me suggest that holding fast to the iron rod entails, in large measure, the prayerful, consistent, and earnest use of the holy scriptures as a sure source of revealed truth and as a reliable guide for the journey along the strait and narrow path to the tree of life—even to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessings of the Atonement

• OCTOBER 2011
• LEHI’S DREAM: HOLDING FAST TO THE ROD

• PREVIOUS
• NEXT

Lehi’s Dream: Holding Fast to the Rod

By Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

The fruit on the tree is a symbol for the blessings of the Atonement. Partaking of the fruit of the tree represents the receiving of ordinances and covenants whereby the Atonement can become fully efficacious in our lives. The fruit is described as “desirable to make one happy” (1 Nephi 8:10) and produces great joy and the desire to share that joy with others.

Warnings from the Book of Mormon

Warnings from the Book of Mormon

“Among the lessons we learn from the Book of Mormon are the cause and effect of war and under what conditions it is justified. It tells of evils and dangers of secret combinations, which are built up to get power and gain over the people. It tells of the reality of Satan and gives an indication of some of the methods he uses. It advises us on the proper use of wealth. It tells us of the plain and precious truths of the gospel and the reality and divinity of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for all mankind. It informs us of the gathering of the house of Israel in the last days. It tells us of the purpose and principles of missionary work. It warns us against pride, indifference, procrastination, the dangers of false traditions, hypocrisy, and unchastity.

“Now it is up to us to study the Book of Mormon and learn of its principles and apply them in our lives.”

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Blessings Resulting from Reading the Book of Mormon,” Liahona and Ensign,Nov. 2005, 8.

Greatest Manifestations

 Thus, the birth, life, and atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ are the greatest manifestations of God’s love for His children. 

• OCTOBER 2011
• LEHI’S DREAM: HOLDING FAST TO THE ROD

• PREVIOUS
• NEXT

Lehi’s Dream: Holding Fast to the Rod

By Elder David A. Bednar

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Love as He Does

As we become His true disciples, we gain the power to love as He does.

Russell M. Nelson, "What the Book of Mormon Teaches About the Love of God," Ensign, Oct 2011, 14.