Sunday, March 24, 2024

Acts 4: 33 , title page of The Book of Mormon and Jacob 4: 3-4



Easter

In Acts 4: 33, we read: 

 "33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all." 

Here's the title page of The Book of Mormon: 

"THEBOOK OF MORMON

AN ACCOUNT WRITTEN BYTHE HAND OF MORMONUPON PLATES TAKEN FROM THE PLATES OF NEPHI

Wherefore, it is an abridgment of the record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites—Written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile—Written by way of commandment, and also by the spirit of prophecy and of revelation—Written and sealed up, and hid up unto the Lord, that they might not be destroyed—To come forth by the gift and power of God unto the interpretation thereof—Sealed by the hand of Moroni,and hid up unto the Lord, to come forth in due time by way of the Gentile—The interpretation thereof by the gift of God.

An abridgment taken from the Book of Ether also, which is a record of the people of Jared, who were scattered at the time the Lord confounded the language of the people, when they were building a tower to get to heaven—Which is to show unto the remnant of the house of Israel what great things the Lord hath done for their fathers; and that they may know the covenants of the Lord, that they are not cast off forever—And also to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God, manifesting himself unto all nations—And now, if there are faults they are the mistakes of men; wherefore, condemn not the things of God, that ye may be found spotless at the judgment-seat of Christ.

TRANSLATED BY JOSEPH SMITHJun."


In Jacob 4: 3-4, we read: 


Now in this thing we do rejoice; and we labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents.


For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us."


And here's the introductory commentary of the reading for the week from the "Come, Follow Me" manual entitled, "Easter":


"The ancient Apostles were bold in their testimonies of Jesus Christ and His Resurrection (see Acts 4:33). Millions of people believe in Jesus Christ and try to follow Him because of their words recorded in the Bible. Yet some people might wonder: If Jesus Christ is the Savior of the whole world, then why were His eyewitnesses limited to a handful of people in one small region?


The Book of Mormon stands as an additional, convincing witness that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, “manifesting himself unto all nations” (title page of the Book of Mormon) and offering salvation to all who come unto Him. In addition, this second witness also makes it clear what salvation means. This is why Nephi, Jacob, Mormon, and all the prophets labored so “diligently to engraven these words upon plates”—to declare to future generations that they too “knew of Christ, and … had a hope of his glory” (Jacob 4:3–4). This Easter season, reflect on the testimonies in the Book of Mormon that the Savior’s power is both universal and personal—redeeming the whole world and redeeming you."

" Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world." So blessed that I've been able to understand early on what this sentence means. "Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world" These are some of the profound words uttered by the Savior to His apostles as recorded in the Bible (New Testament, John 16: 33). He is saying these same words to the whole world right now and to you. You can overcome the challenges you're facing in this world of toil and strife because Jesus Christ already did it for you. You are enough because of Jesus Christ. You have the power to rise above all your challenges because of Him. Through Him, you can do all things. And as you consistently make the choice  to transform to become more like Him, He is continually giving you the strength that you need--the power to keep going no matter what. And you are able to find peace and joy in any difficult situation you find yourself in. 






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